At the time when Nagaro was still trapped in the Dark Forest, in the heart of Central Cratonia, the city of Wiley stood as one of the most important commercial cities in the region, its streets alive from dawn to dusk. Prosperous and wealthy, Wiley was famous not only for its economy, but also for being one of the few cities founded by humans where different races coexisted in relative harmony.

  Along the main streets, countless shops could be seen open.

  An oni stepped into a potion shop, where two fox-folk were already waiting to attend him.

  Nearby, a group of well-dressed human women entered a clothing store, drawn by the latest fashion trends. A well-dressed fox-folk, along with his assistants, served those elegant ladies.

  Next door, a perfume shop was just as crowded. There were so many human women searching for the newest fragrance on the market that the fox-folk working there were overwhelmed.

  A few streets ahead, a human carpenter, inside a tool shop, showed interest in purchasing a hammer. The fox-folk at the counter promptly attended him and finalized the sale.

  Humans, beastmen, onis, and fairies shared the streets without a second glance, as if such coexistence were something natural.

  The sound of wagons mixed with conversations, creating a constant bustle. The city guards patrolled relentlessly, ensuring that nothing went wrong. There wasn’t a single stretch of the main streets without movement or guards.

  Wiley was the symbol of a future in which everyone could coexist in harmony…

  In the distant streets near the slums, a beastman beat a human unconscious and stole his belongings.

  Inside a modest house, three humans extorted a poor family for failing to pay the so-called protection fee.

  …At least, that was how it was supposed to be.

  Unlike kingdoms, ruled by a single sovereign, cities were governed by a council composed of several individuals. Among them, one assumed the position of leader of the group. In Wiley, the council consisted of eleven administrators.

  The council headquarters stood inside the largest building in the city. Inside the meeting room, arguments erupted around the table. At that very moment, they were making a decision that could benefit the city or perhaps bring severe consequences.

  An older woman, appearing to be around sixty years old, stood before the others. She had black hair, dressed entirely in black, and her dark complexion bore clear signs of exhaustion, though her posture remained firm and resolute. As one of the oldest members of the council, she presented documents containing detailed research, undeniable truths, and an effective plan of action.

  "So, ladies and gentlemen, don’t you see?"

  "It’s all laid out on the table."

  "We must stop the arrival of new outsiders, or we will face overpopulation."

  "We are already losing control over where new residences are being built. Many houses are concentrated in small, distant areas where our security forces cannot operate properly."

  "If we continue like this, crime will run rampant."

  "Factions are already forming, and trafficking grows stronger by the day."

  "That is why, council members, we must create a contingency plan."

  "In these papers, I present a clear and immediate approach to resolve this issue as soon as possible."

  One of the youngest men on the council, after reading the document, spoke up.

  "I agree…"

  "We should do as she says."

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  Near him, another member nodded.

  "I agree as well."

  A woman then spoke.

  "I disagree with this decision."

  She examined the papers in her hands with a serious expression.

  "If we follow this description, we risk driving away merchants and traders."

  The council members turned their eyes toward her.

  "Our citizens are already against us because of the last attempt to combat crime, which was poorly executed. And now you propose a new plan, almost identical to the previous one? Do you want to provoke a popular uprising?"

  The woman in black replied calmly.

  "My dear, it seems you did not read the documents carefully."

  "I made significant changes and adjustments, making this plan far more efficient and precise."

  "I agree with you on one point: if we repeat the mistakes of last time, with poorly executed actions and immature decisions, there will be revolts, especially among those who will be affected."

  "But now the situation is different."

  "The people feel the weight of violence in the streets. They want action, a response."

  She placed the documents back on the table.

  "This is a favorable moment for us to act."

  Everyone looked at the woman in black as she took control of the meeting once more.

  "Haven’t you noticed that, in recent times, many people have been coming here?"

  "This forces us to use land intended for other purposes just to accommodate outsiders. And when we fail to do so, they are forced to live in the slums, which, as a consequence, fall prey to crime, further strengthening the power of the factions."

  The council members exchanged glances, reflecting. The discussion stretched on for hours, until a decision had to be made.

  Five members demanded immediate action. The other five opposed them, arguing for restraint.

  Faced with this deadlock, only one person could deliver the final word, the leader of the council.

  Everyone turned their eyes to the leader, who remained in the corner of the room, waiting for the outcome.

  Just as he was about to announce his decision, the door was thrown open violently. Servants and workers burst in without any formality, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath, as if they had run a marathon. Had the doorkeeper not acted quickly, the door would have been torn off its hinges.

  One of the council members, irritated by such insolence, demanded to know the reason for the commotion.

  The men exchanged glances, struggling to breathe.

  "Silent"

  All members of the council trembled, unable to believe what they had heard. The leader stood up immediately.

  "Quick!"

  "Don’t waste time!"

  "Notify the Hunter Guild!"

  "Request aid from the neighboring kingdoms!"

  "Inform the Ancient Arts School!"

  "Warn the population to evacuate!"

  "A monster is about to destroy our city!"

  At once, servants, guards, and messengers ran through the city, spreading the warning.

  ***

  A massive commotion took over Wiley. The terrifying Silent was inside the Hunter Guild. The news spread through the survivors who fled the guild and through official warnings issued by the city’s leaders.

  People ran desperately toward the main gates. Screams echoed in the distance. Men and women fled as fast as they could, parents carried crying children, many stumbled and fell in the streets. Merchants tried to save their belongings on wagons.

  The evacuation was chaotic and desperate, but little by little, the city was completely emptied. Rixas’s group also left; they had no intention of taking part in the battle unfolding inside the guild. They knew their strength meant nothing against the Silent.

  ***

  Wiley was completely empty. Thanks to the efforts of the adventurers holding the Silent inside the guild, there was enough time for a full evacuation. Despite a few injured people and some lost children, everything unfolded as well as possible. In the worst case, it could have been a tragedy.

  The leader and the council, despite their disagreements, clearly cared deeply about the population of all races. They were, after all, good leaders.

  People fled in wagons and on horseback, watching the city quickly fade into the distance.

  The last to leave were the leaders themselves. They remained inside the city, wanting to make sure everyone had escaped safely.

  An explosion could be heard and seen from afar. Realizing that the battle was growing increasingly intense, the leader and the members of the council climbed into their carriages pulled by unicorns and bicorns, departing without looking back.