"The Gu…" A soft whisper escaped Amare as her expression grew sorrowful. "Why… why has it done such a horrible thing? Why has it stolen people themselves?"
There were nations that stole land.
There were nations that stole gold.
Resources.
Capital.
But this was the first time she had ever seen a nation that stole the people and left behind all other valuables.
Rui's expression grew grave as he had a better inkling of why the Gu had done such a horrible thing.
He didn't have the heart to tell her.
"Come," he gently patted her shoulder. "We need to go. The Gu awaits us. We will find answers to our questions there."
They traveled towards the Gu over the next month, getting closer and closer to the epicenter of the Sage-level powerhouse.
The pattern of empty polities continued without so much as a single exception.
Every settlement, every village, every kingdom, even larger and more powerful ones.