Mountainous Region
As the name suggests, this is an area composed entirely of mountains.
Unlike the Holy City's Domain, which was ravaged by a great fire, leaving a moon-like surface full of craters with only the Holy City remaining, or the Desert Zone, covered with endless sand and plagued by sandstorms, this place is truly a continuous network of towering hills and peaks. The mountain ranges stand tall and imposing, forming a seemingly endless chain.
However, compared to the Holy City's Domain or the Desert Zone, the environment here is far from superior.
This region suffers from a chronic shortage of food.
The soil is unsuitable for farming, vegetation is virtually nonexistent, and the uneven terrain makes it difficult to traverse. Furthermore, wild beasts and ferocious predators run rampant in the mountains. While this place might not be as perilous as the Holy City's Domain, with its Holy Knights wreaking havoc and divine punishments descending from above, or the sandstorms and magical beasts of the Desert Zone, life here is still harsh.
In fact, compared to those areas, the mountainous region is considerably safer.
It could even be said that the rampant wild and ferocious beasts here provide the Mountain People with a sliver of a chance for survival.
By hunting these creatures, the Mountain People barely manage to sustain themselves.
Otherwise, the people here would have starved to death long ago.
Of course, this only allows them to survive on the brink of starvation, let alone achieve any semblance of comfort.
After all, the wild beasts and predators of this era are far more fearsome than those of modern times.
In the 13th century, the decline of mystery wasn't as severe, so even ordinary wild beasts and predators possessed terrifying ferocity. Occasionally, magical beasts or remnants of Phantasmal Species from ancient times would appear, presenting a deadly challenge to humans.
The deep mountains, being habitats for magical beasts that avoided human territories, became even more dangerous in this era, which had twisted into a Singularity. Surviving in such a mountainous region is unimaginably difficult.
As a result, the food available to the Mountain People is extremely limited. Sometimes, they have to go several days surviving only on water and extracted salt. The harsh living conditions here deter many refugees, who ultimately choose to seek refuge in the Holy City, hoping to live a stable life there.
In this era, the Holy City is the only place in the Middle East where people can live without fear.
Gawain wasn't wrong when he said the Holy City was the only millennial capital and ideal haven of this era. This is an undeniable fact.
Unfortunately, the conditions to become a resident of the Holy City are far too strict.
Among thousands of refugees, only two or three can meet the criteria of the Holy Selection. Even among the Knights of the Round Table, someone like Mordred lacks citizenship. One can imagine just how difficult it is to enter the Holy City.
Now, under Artoria [Alter]'s guidance, Rozen and Mash traveled with the Mountain People and a large group of refugees into the mountainous region. After a long journey, they finally arrived at the Mountain People's territory.
Upon reaching the Mountain People's land, everyone was rendered speechless.
Especially Rozen, Mash, and the Chaldeans.
"This… is this really the Mountain People's territory?"
Roman's voice was filled with disbelief.
The reason was clear.
In front of them, nestled between the mountains, sparse and scattered structures stood.
These were stone houses, mud huts, and grass huts.
The buildings were not only sparse but also dilapidated. The Mountain People moving back and forth within them appeared emaciated and sallow. While they diligently went about their tasks, some were repairing the shabby houses, others were paving uneven roads, and some were cautiously holding bowls of water as if handling precious treasures, ensuring not a single drop was spilled. Others were mixing grass with wild vegetables, clearly preparing something to stave off hunger.
Such a scene left everyone stunned.
If this were the only issue, it might have been tolerable.
Rozen and Mash had seen worse.
In the Fifth Singularity, on the North American continent, the residents there were on the verge of extinction due to the Celtic Army's threat. They were forced to hide in basins, barely surviving without any food or water. Their only shelter was broken tents, and some lay exposed to the elements. If not for Karna's protection, they would have all perished.
At that time, the people were merely waiting for death, their eyes filled with despair and resignation. They looked like walking corpses.
Compared to them, the Mountain People here were better off.
However, despite these harsh conditions, the Mountain People did not show the slightest bit of resentment. They lived with smiles on their faces, as if they hadn't lost hope. No matter how difficult life was, they were sincerely grateful to be alive. They even gathered in the central square to pray devoutly.
This scene deeply moved everyone.
Artoria [Alter] spoke up.
"This place, hidden on the backside of the mountains, is carefully concealed. If we hadn't approached directly, we wouldn't have found this village. The other villages scattered throughout the mountainous region are similarly hidden. Only in this way can they avoid the slaughter of wild beasts or the Holy Knights, who see the Mountain People as a threat. But as you can see, survival here is barely possible. Food is frequently scarce, water must be conserved, and the houses are mostly old dwellings left by previous Mountain People. Many were forced to hastily build new ones for incoming refugees, resulting in their crude state."
Saying this, Artoria [Alter] turned to everyone.
"Even so, the people here haven't given up hope because they still have faith. They firmly believe that God's grace will eventually reach them. For now, they endure, believing that the light of dawn will come after the darkness."
This is the greatest difference between those who have always lived in the Sacred Land region and others.
"That's why, no matter how many refugees arrive, the Mountain People welcome them with open arms."
"Even though they know that with each additional person, the food will stretch thinner, they still feel satisfied and even rejoice at gaining another companion."
"They see this as a blessing from God. Every person who survives is proof that God is protecting His children, allowing more devout believers to endure in this cruel era."
"They hold onto the hope that one day they will return to the Sacred Land and reclaim the Holy City because that is where their faith lies."
Artoria [Alter]'s voice echoed softly.
"Under such circumstances, the Lion King wielded the power of Rhongomyniad to ravage the land, building a new Holy City named Camelot atop the original Holy City. By trampling on this faith and the dignity of believers, even their very lives, do you think it's possible for the Mountain People and the Holy Knights to coexist peacefully?"
Her words brought silence to everyone.