You survey the expedition from the top of a hill. Weiss stands right next to you, doing the same. You have little idea what she is thinking, her hood hiding enough of her face from your sight, making it impossible to read.

It has been three days since the expedition entered the Holy Nation territory. So far everything has gone according to Weiss' plans. If this fortune holds up, you should reach World's end before the week's end.

Seeing the vulnerable situation the expedition is currently in however makes you somewhat uneasy. Disguising the whole expedition as an Okranite caravan meant all the non-human mercenaries had to stash their armor and weapons since it is forbidden for them to possess such items under Okranite law. As such, only half the number of combatants are combat-ready which you include yourself among that group even though you also have to forego your own samurai armor and switch your katana swords for a saber.

Thankfully, the Holy Nation territory is much safer compared to the Great Desert. The biggest threats that you might encounter are outlaws, Floatsam Ninjas and if you are especially unlucky, a cannibal raid.

No psychos, no wyverns, no sandsharks...

Honestly, considering that the other alternative was the northern route above the Bast, this was definitely the safer option.

It also had the added benefit of shaving down the travel time by half. So you can't really argue with Weiss' choice here.

It doesn't make you any less uncomfortable with your current situation though. You are really looking forward to getting your armor back.

Fortunately, your trip through the Valley of Okran remains peaceful. The expedition doesn't encounter any bandits or outlaws, though it comes across two different Okranite patrols as it makes its way to World's End. You play your part convincingly enough that the expedition is allowed to continue its way, much to the relief of everyone.

On the horizon, Arm of Okran looms, a series of mountains separating the valley from the Hidden Forest, growing larger with each passing day. World's End, your destination, is on the northern end of the Arm, built on top of the largest mountain.

Then two days before it reaches the mountains, the expedition comes across another group of Okranites. You spot squads of heavily armed warriors led by paladins as usual. But this time, there is also a line of prisoners with them. Greenlanders, Scorchlanders, Hives, Shek all dressed in rotten rags and bound in heavy iron chains.

You order a stop at a safe distance, deciding to let Okranites and their prisoners pass first rather than getting close to them and risking an encounter.

"Where are they taking them?" Weiss asks you, staring at the prisoners.

"To Rebirth." you answer. It is the only destination for non-humans and heretics caught by Okranites.

"Rebirth?" Weiss asks for clarification.

"A slave camp," you respond.

"I thought Okranite didn't practice slavery," she querries.

"They officially don't. Slavery is outlawed in the Holy Nation and it is illegal for any Okranites to own slaves. Rebirth, however, is the exception. It is the place where Okranites send those who they deem corrupted, impure. There, they are forced to work in the quarries, day in and day out with little rest or food until their bodies finally give out. It is through such work that Okranites believe those souls can earn their redemption and can be reborn as pure human souls hence the name," you explain.

An oppressive silence descends between you two. From the corner of your eyes, you notice Weiss clenching her dainty fists. Even though her cloak hides her face, you can easily tell that she is upset.

"This is inhumane," she finally spits out.

You nod your agreement.

"Do you know that most of the workers I employ are former slaves?" she asks.

"I spotted the brands on a few," you answer.

"You see, I despise slavery. The notion of taking away someone's freedom for your own selfish means is loathsome to me. And to treat them like they are even less than animals... It sickens me." she confesses.

Coming from any other noble, you wouldn't have believed such a claim. But coming from Weiss, you don't even question it.

"I know that I can do little to change it even though it galls me to admit that. Yet, that doesn't mean that I simply accept it. I never can accept such a disgusting concept. So I fight it through whatever means I can."

"I buy slaves. I provide them with food, clothes, medicine, and their freedom. Then I give them a choice. Those who wish to do so, I allow them to leave and provide them with whatever resources I can spare. Those that wish to stay or simply have nowhere else to go, I provide with jobs."

"In the grand scheme of things, I know my efforts amount to very little. Yet, I can't simply ignore it. Even though the lives I save are but simple drops in an ocean... And I... I want to save them too, Wolf." She points at the slaves heading for Rebirth, I want to save all of them."

"We can't Weiss," you say to her. Even though it is not what both of you want to hear, it is what needs to be said.

"I know," she responds solemnly. "We can't free them. Trying to do so would only risk the mission, risk Blake."

She finally tears her eyes from the slaves, turning to face you. You can see her icy blue eyes gleaming under the shadow of her hood.

"Blake is important to me Wolf, important more than those people. I won't risk her, even if it means abandoning those slaves to certain death, but..." She sighs, "I can't help but feel guilty."

"That just means you are a good person, Weiss. That is something that only a few can claim." you comfort Weiss.

It seems to work, as Weiss calms down visibly after hearing your words.

"Thank you, Wolf. It helps a lot, hearing that."

"Anytime, Princess."

Two of you return to the expedition once the last Okranite disappears from your sight and the way forward clears up.

Once the expedition reaches the mountain skirts, everybody finally gets to cast aside their disguises. For you, it meant once again donning your armor and getting back your nodachi and katana. Having your gear back, you feel you are complete again and you see that same sentiment mirrored by most other non-human members as well, some more enthusiastically than others.

"Oh, my baby! Finally, I got you back!" Ezra croons as she caresses her crossbow.

"She does know that we will use this same route on the way, right?" you ask Nines.

"Nines guess that Second-Best forgot that fact. Nines requests Wolf to not remind Second-Best."

"Why?"

"Nines is curious when Second-Best will realize it on her own."

"Fair enough."

Overall, morale is pretty high. World's End is half a day's climb away and after a smooth journey from Fujin to this point, everyone is feeling very optimistic.

You choose to not be an asshole and refrain from reminding them that the expedition has yet to enter the Cannibal Plains.

The mountain paths through the Arm of Okran are barely wide enough to fit a cage beast and rarely go straight. Like the branches of a tree, they twist and turn before joining together until they reach World's End.

The home of the Tech Hunters... The last bastion of knowledge and science still standing.