Published: January 4, 2026
Looks like we won’t be able to get into the shop like this.
Even if we forced our way in, it would probably cause unnecessary trouble.
I turned around and left with Zoe.
Well, that plan fell through, but what should we do now?
I probably can’t go to Alice’s place for a while, so maybe I should find a new spot to explore.
As I walked through the crowd thinking that, I heard a somewhat theatrical voice.
“Oh my, to meet you here of all places.”
“Huh?”
Curious about what was going on, I turned toward the voice.
It was Byron.
Byron came up in front of me and bowed deeply.
He didn’t kneel because he understood that I was incognito—I didn’t want my identity revealed.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was just negotiating nearby.”
“I see.”
I didn’t ask what the negotiation was about.
If he wanted to tell me, he’d say so; and there might be things better kept away from the emperor’s ears.
“You look like you have some free time. Shall I show you somewhere?”
“Yeah… do you know where the refugees have been gathered?”
“Yes, I do.”
“Take me there.”
“Right away.”
Byron never asks “why.”
We’ve known each other for ten years now. A little thing like this doesn’t surprise me anymore.
Following Byron’s lead, I walked south with Zoe trailing behind.
After passing several main streets, the scenery changed dramatically, becoming desolate and bleak.
If what we saw before was the bright side of the city—the capital’s light—then this must be the darkness.
The atmosphere was heavy and gloomy.
Along the roadside, I saw refugees sitting on the ground, exhausted.
Seeing them, I subtly furrowed my brows.
Without me asking, Byron began to explain.
“They distribute food twice a day, mostly liquid meals.”
“Ah, refugees—especially the starving ones—have weak stomachs. I ordered it be done that way.”
“Impressive.”
“...There are quite a few children here.”
“Huh...?”
Byron looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if asking what I meant.
I didn’t answer but kept observing as we walked.
Some refugees eyed us suspiciously, but most were too weak to even muster the energy.
Then—
“Hey, hey, this is your last chance, you know?”
A voice that didn’t belong to any refugee sounded lively.
Though the voice was energetic, its tone was irritating and unpleasant.
I headed toward it.
There, I saw a man and a girl who seemed to be father and daughter, and a middle-aged man flashing cash to them.
The man was showing several silver coins.
“Ugh…”
“Think carefully. Five Lien, you hear? Sell your daughter to us for five Lien, and lighten your load.”
“B-but…”
“Having a child ahead is just a burden, right? Better to take this five Lien and fill your stomach with something worthwhile, smart move.”
“O-okay…”
The father nodded dejectedly.
The man grinned, pressed the five Lien into the father’s hand, and tried to pull the terrified daughter away.
“Stop! Don’t! Dad! Dad!!”
“—No! This can’t be!”
The father’s face twisted as his daughter clung to him desperately.
Though he just accepted the money, he tried to give it back to the man—the slave buyer.
The hardship was real, he had been almost swayed once, but seeing his daughter crying and clinging to him made him reconsider.
I could understand both sides, but still—
“Hey, hey, you agreed once already, didn’t you? That’s not right.”
“But…”
“If you insist, you’ll have to buy her back.”
“O-okay, buy her back—”
“Ten Lien.”
“—Wha, what!?”
The father screamed in disbelief.
“T-ten Lien? That’s too much!”
“She’s ours now. We can sell her for whatever price we want.”
“But!”
“You’re persistent. Give it up.”
“Ugh…”
The father looked like he was about to break down in tears—the daughter was already crying.
She was still held by the buyer, reaching desperately toward her father.
This was truly sickening.
I stepped forward.
“Ten Lien, right? I’ll buy her.”
“Huh?”
The buyer gave me a suspicious look.
“What are you? We’re working here, don’t get in the way.”