Spring was a time to plow fields and sow seeds. As it marked the beginning of the years’ harvests, it was the busiest and most important season for farming. Nevertheless, Giant warriors recruited farmers and started a war. In a kingdom built on poor soil, the only land they had claimed capable of producing food in abundance had been turned into a salted wasteland by their enemies. Spring rains, that people usually eagerly hoped for, carried the salt deep into the soil and killed the budding seeds. Their researchers said that it would take more than ten years to purify and recover the land, even if the nation’s full efforts were put into it. Even that was a hopeful estimate. It was no exaggeration to say that the fertile lands they had conquered from the Holy Kingdom had now become entirely barren.

"To avoid starvation… for family, for revenge, for the nation... many have gathered."

The number of soldiers had nearly doubled compared to previous years. In addition to conscription, there were many who volunteered due to circumstances worsening in the Giant tribe. The new head of the witches, Feliva, sighed when she saw the troops heading to the front lines. She felt sorry for them, watching them as they...