"I'm nothing like those stubborn old fogeys. I, Violet, am a Forest Sage who keeps up with the times."
Chen Yu sized her up.
'Alright, I have to admit, this old antique really does have the mysterious air of a sage.'
"I'll remember that. Thank you."
After bidding farewell to Violet, Chen Yu and Arthur led part of the Demon Army out of the forest, embarking on the journey back to their swamp fortress.
...
「Split Stone Pass. The outer quarry camp.」
The camp was situated directly across from the fortress gate, with a large quarry beside it.
The CLINK-CLANK of quarrying echoed through the canyon. Raggedly dressed slaves, moving like the living dead, numbly hauled heavy stones from the quarry to repair the pass, which had been left in ruins after the last magic tide.
"Get a move on!"
The moment a slave slowed down, a goblin overseer's poison-tipped whip would crack down without mercy, leaving a bloody welt and drawing a muffled grunt.
