Great change

Many places had undergone great change as the flood and disaster spread, the people within began to panic and flee towards a safer location seeking a way to survive and rebuild.

Those that took on the difficult journey had to endure sickness, weakness but also hunger to reach their destination, those unlucky enough were also attacked by others in similar situations to themselves or those wishing to take advantage of the chaos.

Upon reaching their destination, they either had to wait outside the walls and receive minimal support or none at all while some places may have allowed entry and made some arrangements.

Following that either inside or outside of the walls, many continued to struggle to survive their harsh conditions with very little valuables, wealth, food or water.

The conditions that created unrest among the people continued to become worse as time passed and more people became more panicked and uneasy.

Unease and fear grew further into suspicion and mistrust, that grew into hate and conflicts broke out among the people inside or outside of the walls as people began to desperately protest and rally together to fight the unfairness even if it meant taking up arms.

Some mixed in with them and began to commit many crimes and great harm came upon more people or within the walls ranging from small businesses, residents or within the poor districts.

Some of the worst people even resorted to cannibalism to feed themselves or harmed many young ladies to vent their frustration on something or someone.

Desperation bred madness, trying to bring order only created more mistrust and hatred, being too helpful and generous led to being taken advantage of until there was nothing left for oneself.

Many scenarios were brought out by the desperate circumstances of each person and their drive to survive or simply put the blame on someone for how their lives had been ruined.

Amidst all of that, in some places there were some places that had a Bombyx family business that had been able to gain a little support from the surrounding noble or rich families to support those in their desperate times.

The Herb Pavilion doctors did checkups and advised on how to handle those sick or wounded but also lowered the prices for treatments and herbs to an acceptable range so that it could be covered by the nobility and those that had managed to bring some money or valuables with them.

The Soup Halls provided enough nutrition for every person by providing them cheaply made meals that can slightly warm up their bodies and allow them to have enough energy and resistance to diseases to be able to handle small tasks.

Those healthy enough were given jobs to arrange the safety and comfort of those outside the walls.

Elizabeth's clothing store provided cheap clothing and materials to be used as tents, wash cloths, bedding or simple clothing were also provided to those who needed replacements.

Thanks to the combination of the support and the prepared materials and goods, the panic and unrest among the people began to calm down among those places even if it was just a little.

The two cities near Wolfden City also experienced the same situation, although not everyone may have believed in the prediction it was enough for many of them to prepare in time for the flood and handle the incoming victims.

The Seren, Nix and Bifta family each took the roles of leading the arrangements made to efficiently handle every event and cooperated with the Bombyx family to offer aid and rally the victims to busy themselves with something productive.

Many desperate people had very little belongings with them or money so had to work and do various jobs or maintain order so that they could earn some money.

With that money they could have hope to rebuild their lives after the flood and keep their family or friends from suffering.

Maybe they could even reclaim and repair the damage done to their home after the flood is over.

Wolfden city was the most prosperous place of all and attracting many people as it efficiently continued to run smoothly as it had been the most prepared of all.

Right when supplies were low and prices were shooting up quickly, many things began to become chaotic as the prices were no longer fair enough for the commoners to purchase unless they put all of their money together.

Right as the prices had reached the limit of how it could rise, a couple of merchant groups and noble families in different cities began to sell their supplies at a cheaper price.

The desperation to gather more supplies and luxury goods for themselves had become high even for the nobility so they were willing to pay a large price but as a cheaper price came up and a large amount of it was on sale, they immediately arranged to have as much as they can handle purchased immediately.

Many others joined to quickly purchase as much as they could through the contact they had been given from the first buyer and then they met with the middleman handling the sale who was escorted by guards to ensure that there were no tricks used against them.

Very quickly the supplies and luxury goods were sold and were quickly running low so the last batches had its price increased a little before everything was sold out.

Of course there was a private stock belonging to each merchant group or family to use as they please whether it be to sell, use themselves or offer to others.

Within the Bombyx family mansion, Ki seemed to be unaffected by the state if the world and calmly read the documents on the desk in front of her.

Whether it was herself, her mother, father or grandmother… they had all been extra busy during this time.

They had stopped sending horses and carriages through dangerous trading routes because of attacks and arranged the situation of the three cities and provided minor support elsewhere.

They also had some visitors who had arrived at the village directly after the flood but the village did not have room for them, the village walls were constantly being protected from outside threats and desperate people who wished to seek shelter in the village that had suffered the least damage because of the preparations made.

Those wishing to ignore the advice to go to Wolfden City were denied entry into the village but there was the occasional person or group that attempted to break through the gates or climb over the walls.

In response to this the captured people would either be restrained by the martial artists within the village or imprisoned by the villages law department if they attempted to do so even after being warned not to cause trouble.

The security of the village was more than enough to handle a lot of hungry and weak people and get them to retreat and follow their orders before anything more serious broke out.

Some small groups attempted to cross the 'forest of death' in an attempt to sneak into the village and not be seen approaching and ignored the warning signs but ended up being caught in the traps and died tragically.

Ki finished her tasks and calculated the gains and losses made during this time and noted that it was around this time that the flood had reached its worst state.

Although she did not know of the details of the ongoings of the other organisations, alliances or sects, she was aware of a specific groups movements during this time.

She looked at several documents that had come from Marilyn after collecting and compiling a lot of information and she came to a conclusion. "It is beginning.. very soon."

A cold bloody murderous light flickered in her eyes for a moment and then disappeared. "Then it is about time to move, preparations need to be made."