Fortunately, the recruitment site was located just at the gate of the lower town, so they didn’t have to venture too deep into the chaotic area.

“Sir Knight,” Julia greeted Miguel with a bow, explaining who she and her group were.

Miguel, who had been quite troubled, was relieved to finally see someone coming to take charge of the children. He nodded in satisfaction and said, “You’ve come at the right time. Go ahead and take them all.”

Perhaps due to this year being colder than usual, life in the lower town was even harder, and there were especially many families selling their children. They had taken in nearly a...