Two Worlds: I studied abroad at Hogwarts

Chapter 350 The Fall of the Federation

When Moon left Xilin, the area wasn't as chaotic as it had become.

The entire port and the town of Xilin can only be described as desolate now.

There wasn't a single person to be seen, even though they should have been out fishing or working early in the morning.

The once bustling market now only has a few scattered people.

Moreover, most of these people were pale and emaciated, looking like walking corpses.

Inside the abandoned houses along the street, there were still many beggars huddled together, dressed in tattered clothes.

Their clothes were riddled with holes, as if they had been torn apart by countless vicious dogs.

Because of the hot weather, the air was filled with a smell that was a mixture of decay and sourness.

"That's war."

Moon landed on his flying broomstick in a deserted area on the outskirts of the city and chose to walk into the city.

The changes he witnessed along the way were incredible to Moon.

Although he had seen far worse things among the unbelievers.

But he had never seen the town so lifeless and dilapidated before.

"Didn't they say they didn't reach Xilin? Why does this place feel like it's been ransacked?"

As Moon walked into the center of town, the number of pedestrians gradually increased.

Finally, people were seen buying and selling things in many shops.

But the most successful business was still the only grain store in Xilin Town.

Upon opening the door of the grain store, the salesperson immediately hung up today's price list.

"Rye costs five silver coins a pound, and wheat bran costs one silver coin a pound. Isn't this robbery?!"

"Exactly! Yesterday it was one silver coin for two catties, how come the price has gone up again today!"

People who had been waiting at the store entrance rushed in.

However, upon seeing the price tag, they all began to curse and complain.

People who need to queue up at this time usually don't have much money on them.

Therefore, they only focus on the price of wheat bran.

As for rye, apart from a few gentlemen in the town, very few people buy it anymore.

"Buy it now if you want, or go dig wild vegetables on the barren mountains to the north."

The shop assistants seemed to be used to this scene.

He shoved the raggedly dressed man while cursing and shouting.

"Although it's summer now, don't blame me for not telling you, the Night Owl Guards of the Menera Empire are hunting in the north. It's not certain whether you'll come back alive if you go out."

Several people in the crowd who originally wanted to leave the city quietly retreated after hearing what the shop assistant said.

"But what if we don't have enough silver coins?"

Hearing someone in the shouting crowd begin to plead, the shop assistant's expression softened.

"Join the army! It's the fastest way to make money."

"There is a registration office at the north gate. As long as you register and follow the instructions, you will receive 30 silver coins, which you can use to eat rye whenever you want."

The salesperson continued to persuade them, but no one around them responded.

They all knew very well that the grain store was run by the officials in charge of conscription.

The salesperson said those things to lure them in.

But for someone without any connections, joining the army only makes them cannon fodder.

The war has now been going on for a whole year.

More than half of the original 8,000 households in Xilin Town received pensions.

The 50 silver coins compensation for each dead person was only enough to feed the family for a month.

As such incidents became more and more frequent, gradually no one had any hope of joining the army anymore.

After talking for a while and finding that the people at the door were unmoved, the grain store clerk started cursing again.

"If you don't have money, don't block the door. We still need to do business."

As soon as the clerk finished speaking, two burly men walked out of the grain store.

Seeing the dark, long spears they carried, the people surrounding them reluctantly dispersed.

"Hmph, he's just a recruiting officer's lackey, what's so great about him?"

Only after the people who originally wanted to buy grain dispersed did they dare to whisper among themselves.

After glancing at the overflowing sacks of grain in the grain store, they had no choice but to head north of the city.

Although they knew that imperial soldiers were rampaging there, as long as they were clever enough to find a way to evade the pursuit, they could dig up some grass roots to eat.

"I've only been gone for a year, and I never imagined that Xilin would have declined to this extent."

Moon said something and was about to leave when he noticed a wizard walking out of the grain store.

Judging from the other party's identity, they should be a spellcaster, but their level is not high, with less than two bars in the wizard bar.

"Sir, I have driven away those cowardly peasants who were afraid of death."

"Yeah, well done."

"Oh, right, remember this: if you want me to test your magical talent, you must buy two pounds of black rice, otherwise, forget about it."

"I understand, sir."

From the way the sales clerk addressed the spellcaster, Moon realized that this grain store was actually owned by a wizard.

But since they dared to tamper with the magic detection, aren't they afraid of being caught?

Perhaps noticing the gaze of others, the spellcaster looked in Moon's direction.

Upon noticing that Moon's attire was different from that of ordinary people, the spellcaster, who was about to approach, stopped in his tracks.

Because a group of people had surrounded Moon beforehand.

"I haven't eaten for two days, please have mercy."

"Give me some food, young master, for the sake of the gods."

"Young master, do you need any servants? I can work, as long as you provide meals."

Perhaps it was Moon's attire that attracted the attention of those around him.

He stood on the road and watched the scene at the grain store for a while, and then a number of begging children gathered around him.

Watching these people chattering away, Moon was somewhat bewildered.

He had never encountered such a situation before, and he did not have enough food with him.

But Beng Beng, when he saw the children gathering around, initially wanted to take out some snacks hidden in his small cloth bag.

But after sensing someone's greedy gaze, Bouncy immediately climbed onto Moon's shoulder in fright.

"Chirp!" (Some two-legged creatures want to eat me; their eyes are terrifying!)
"Chirp!" (Tell them right away that Sniffer meat doesn't taste good!)

Moon naturally noticed the greedy looks in the eyes of several children.

He knew that the beggars were simply starving, and even if he scolded them now, they certainly wouldn't listen.

He casually took out a handful of silver coins and tossed them into the distance.

The beggars surrounding Moon scattered and began snatching coins from the ground.

Some of those who didn't manage to get one even hoped that the merciful young master would show some kindness.

But after searching around, they couldn't find the young master anywhere.

"Where did they go? Why did they run so fast!"

"It's all your fault! If you hadn't been watching over the young master's pet, would he have been able to run away?"

"How can you blame me? Didn't you want to eat that lump of meat too?"

While the beggars were arguing, Moon had already reached a secluded corner.

"Chirp~" (These two-legged creatures are really fierce~)

"They are very fierce. Will you give them food again next time?"

"Chirp chirp~" (Of course we should give them some; they look so pitiful.)
After removing their invisibility cloaks, Moon and Bouncy watched the people fighting over the silver coins and shook their heads helplessly.

He certainly wouldn't say that he was just randomly showing kindness.

Having such a kind pet is a good thing for Moon.

However, the presence of these beggars significantly diminished Moon's impression of the Federation.

"What's wrong with the federal government? How come there are so many beggars in this small town of Xilin?"

Seeing the two groups fighting more and more fiercely until a patrol team had to intervene to separate them, Moon left with peace of mind.

He didn't bring much money with him this time, and there was not much he could do.

Moreover, the most urgent task now is to find his relatives, and Mu En does not want to cause any further trouble.

So after leaving the grain store, Moon continued westward and soon saw Veterans' Lane.

Perhaps it's because this place is relatively remote and there's no food to eat.

So even though most of the houses in the alley are intact, few beggars are willing to move in.

Pushing open the door that had already been pried open, Moon discovered that the place had been ransacked several times.

The kitchen and other locked rooms had long been emptied.

Seeing this situation made Moon realize once again what war looks like.

Just as Moon was about to leave, he suddenly noticed a figure flashing through the depths of the alley.

As he walked to the last house in the alley, Moon saw a familiar figure.

Moreover, a blurry wizard's bar floated above the figure's head.

(End of this chapter)