Chapter 90: The Golden-Eyed And The Youko (4)
The raindrops gradually thickened.
It could no longer be called a squall with how much it was raining. This was the weather phenomenon commonly referred to as the monsoon season.
In these parts, the monsoon was a precursor to typhoons. Some Youko’s realized the signs of disaster and began packing in a hurry.
The first thing to pack were the necessities, to fill their bags with preserved foods and beddings. Furniture, livestock, and miscellaneous things like necklaces or rings were nothing more than luxuries. It was better to pack one more bundle of bottled water than take something like that.
And the most important thing–the scroll for disaster-use.
Covering oneself with a rainproof scroll prevented hypothermia to an extent due to getting soaked by rain. Similarly, the windproof scroll helped to maintain balance and not stumble in most winds by strengthening the connection between the ground and body.
One by one, the residents who’d used these scrolls came out into the torrential rain. I watched them in my raincoat.
Ten, twenty, thirty.... I could hear them counting the number of women, children, and the elderly in the distance.
After a while, the first evacuation procession was formed. A few of the stronger youths were to lead the weaker ones towards the eastern lands. This line included Freyr’s mother.
Before they left, Freyr shared a tight hug with her mother. Then the brat walked back to where I was and spoke with a face more calm than ever.
“Let’s go.”