Chapter 31: Metamorphosis Begins: The Inaugural Step

The terminal sits on the outskirts of Goya's capital, with its outer edge linking directly to the Kerber Mountains and the sea.

Those who trailed behind Roja arrived at the edge, peering anxiously at the forest within the Kerber Mountains, fear etched on their faces.

Among those who shuffled through the terminal like lifeless bodies were mostly impoverished individuals, rejected from the capital. They possess neither wealth nor strength, lacking even in spirit. Their plight is far graver than that of thugs like Ge Meng.

The conditions in the Kerber Mountains are notably superior to those of the terminal, yet they harbour a greater peril with ferocious beasts roaming freely.

Had Roja not mentioned the promise of food, they might have already resigned themselves to returning to the refuse heap.

Ironically, the foul-smelling garbage occasionally serves as a protective barrier for these individuals. The supposed authorities of Goya are deemed less helpful to them than rubbish.

"The surroundings here ain't half bad," remarked Ge Meng, casting his gaze around. He had never imagined such a decent place existing near the terminal.

The mountain spring trickles down slowly, offering fresh water, while the sea breeze helps dissipate some of the unpleasant odours along the coast. If you overlook the threat of beasts from the Kerber Mountains, this environment surpasses that of the border town.

"This spot was chosen after a thorough investigation by Mr. Yixiao and me," Roja explained.

"Where's the meat?" a ragged man finally inquired upon their arrival.

This man appears dishevelled, his age indiscernible, his frame skeletal. The clothes scavenged from the dump barely conceal his protruding ribs.

His eyes, normally dull, seemed to brighten at the mention of meat, revealing a glimmer of life within.

"Here comes the meat," Roja announced, directing their attention upward.

A massive black shadow loomed in the sky.

It was a formidable sight—a sabre-toothed tiger, over ten meters in length, with a tusk extending more than a meter long.

Though the fierce tiger lay lifeless, its menacing aura still sent shivers down the spines of all present, causing them to retreat in fear.

"To feast on tiger meat today, the first step is to head to the beach to cleanse yourself and your garments. Those who meet the criteria will receive a small portion of tiger meat," Roja instructed.

Upon hearing this, over a hundred refugees hastened to the shore to wash themselves.

"Isn't this a bit extravagant?" Ge Meng remarked, eyeing the giant tiger and swallowing nervously.

This tiger was beyond their capabilities to handle; even the Goa Kingdom's army would struggle against it.

In the inner city, such a premium game could fetch exorbitant prices, but here, a mere wash granted access to a piece of it.

"Aren't you joining me for a shower?" Roja inquired, smiling at Gomon.

Ge Meng, momentarily stunned, quickly made his way to the beach to clean up.

The surroundings and routines were undeniably dismal. Though Ge Meng hadn't been particularly pristine back in the border town, he considered himself relatively clean. However, after ten days at the terminal, he felt no better than rubbish.

As everyone washed up, Fujitora unsheathed his staff and sword, carving up the giant tiger with practised skill. He then retrieved a prepared pot and transferred the tiger meat into it.

Back in the Krojash Kingdom, Fujitora and Roja had arrived here in a similar fashion. They were adept at cooking, and while their meals weren't gourmet, they were certainly satisfactory.

For the people at the terminal, even if it wasn't the tastiest fare, a clean bowl of hot rice surpassed everything else, especially when paired with the invigorating tiger meat.

The tiger meat, minimally processed, simmered in the pot, emanating a rich, enticing aroma.

Some individuals, who hastily washed and returned from the beach, greedily sniffed the fragrance, only to be gently persuaded by Roja to go back and complete the standard washing procedure.

"Is it really necessary to be this strict?" Ge Meng questioned, having completed his washing.

After all, he had only been at the terminal for ten days, unlike the regulars who saw themselves and others as little more than refuse, both in appearance and spirit.

"Appearances matter," Roja emphasized. "Do you feel more human now, or have you merely started to resemble one?"

"If you were to see your reflection in the sea as you were before, would you still recognize yourself as human?"

"You're the only ones who see them as adults," Ge Meng remarked, visibly moved. "Besides you, no one else would consider venturing into the garbage dump to rescue this group of outcasts."

"They're human beings—whether it's you, me, or them, we're all equal," Roja affirmed, his gaze profound.

"We're not saving them; they're saving themselves. Our role is merely to guide them back to their humanity instead of letting them feel like discarded refuse," Roja explained.

"Their situation isn't solely their fault; it's the greed and ruthlessness of those in power in this country that have led them here," Roja lamented. "Our task is to establish a new order in this garbage dump."

"Then, you'll witness this place transform from a heap of trash into fertile farmland, with orderly homes and people dressed for work," Roja envisioned.

"Will that day truly come?" Ge Meng inquired, a glimmer of hope reflecting in his eyes.

"There will surely be," Roja asserted, his tone resolute, his belief unwavering: "Was the king erected by nobles? No, it was built by labourers. Similarly, this garbage dump, once a handwriting of nobility, can be reshaped by the hands of the people."

"The people have the power to construct a new royal capital from scratch on this island, just as they can forge a fresh town out of this rubbish heap."

"The people are the architects of history, not the aristocratic dynasties," Roja proclaimed.

Roja's conviction seeped into Gomon's heart. He stared at the young man before him, feeling a stirring change within himself.

Gomon remained largely silent, but his actions spoke volumes as he silently approached, retrieving the bowls prepared by Roja and Fujitora long before and quietly serving himself some tiger meat soup.

"He's changed a great deal from before," Fujitora remarked softly beside Roja.

Fujitora's keen insight allowed him to grasp people's emotions, sensing that in that moment, the young delinquent named Gomon appeared to have undergone a significant transformation.

"It's difficult to believe that just ten days ago, he was merely a thug," Fujitora couldn't help but feel a tinge of emotion.

"He simply lost confidence in reality for a while," Roja explained. "I merely reminded him of how people should view themselves and made him realize the power he possesses."

"That alone is immensely valuable," Fujitora remarked, deeply moved.

Reflecting on his own journey, he saw parallels with Gomon. Under Roja's guidance, he gradually discovered his own beliefs and forged his path.

"Such realization is incredibly precious to anyone," Fujitora concluded.