The Difficulties of Wolpi Culture

Before Aris's older sister arrived, while the morning sunlight was still soft—

Claude quietly left the house first.

The village was strangely quiet in the early morning.

There was hardly any sound or sign of life, but… a peculiar tension seeped into the silence.

He crossed the fence and followed a path deeper into the village.

Lined with bushes and piles of stones, it led to the workshop where the Wolpi males gathered.

A winding trail dappled with soft sunlight.

As he walked along it, the clang of metal striking stone occasionally carried from afar.

The village males seemed to be starting their day's work.

Claude took a steadying breath and looked around...