A simple horse carriage moved slowly along the street of Asdorf. It has two wheels and a cloth canopy on top to prevent the sunlight from shining through the passenger chair.
The coachman drives the horse carriage skillfuly while the horse pulls the carriage gallantly. Passengers sit on their chairs calmly–waiting as the horse brings them to the destination.
Pedestrian pulls over and gives way for a horse carriage to pass by. However several people chose to rush across the street before the horse carriage hit their body.
Some pedestrians on the roadside stopped immediately and watched the horse carriage in shock. Even after the carriage passed them, their gaze remained fixed.
Although there were many luxurious horse carriages owned by wealthy people on the street, they chose to ignore them and kept their focus on the simple carriage, as if its appeal did not lie in its appearance.
Two passengers sat side by side on the carriage. They remained silent, each preoccupied with their own matters.
The difference between them was striking—like night and day. Henry, a nobleman, sits gracefully while wearing luxurious, eye-catching attire. But Kagayama who sits beside him is just wearing white casual clothes like toga virilis that were used by ancient rome people to wrap their body. They look like an employer and servant even though that is far from the truth.
Soft breeze blows Kagayama's clothes and makes him feel a little bit uncomfortable. The unfamiliar fabric feels strange against his skin—but he must wear them because his previous clothes were torn apart during the previous incident. The court also insisted him to wear it so he looks like a local person.
Both people seem very different in their behavior. Henry sits calmly with an unreadable expression while Kagayama feels a sense of horror. His hands couldn't stop moving, his gaze was empty, and his head bowed. He watched his hands lying on his thigh while thinking about what happened before. The curiosity that appeared in court when people talked about him disappeared when he recalled the incident before he was released from the death penalty.
This world is very difficult to understand, the statement from the elf in prison and what he saw yesterday was truly a big question for him. What is happening in this world ? What is happening to the elves ? What would happen after this ? Is the question that surrounded Kagayama's mind like bees swarm their queen.
While Kagayama lost in his reverie, Henry suddenly said, "My residence is on the left," causing the coachman to stop the horses abruptly in a panic. The coachman seemed so scared that his hands trembled as he held the horse's ropes tightly.
On the other hand, Henry understood the situation and said, "Don't worry about that, this is actually my fault because I didn't tell you the location of my house earlier."
The coachman shook his head, still keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "N-no... It's my fault for not knowing the location of your residence, my honour."
Not wanting to hear another apology from the coachman, Henry replied, "You are not a specialized coachman who works for noblemen, so it makes sense. Here, take the money."
Coachman takes the money in relief. His breath becomes calmer and his hands do not tremble like before. A hint of happiness in his face while seeing Henry and Kagayama get off from the carriage.
"You're different from the other nobleman Sir Henry" said the horseman gently before he ordered the horse to walk away from the place.
The horse carriage leaves them as their feet touch the ground safely. Then, Henry turned to Kagayama who was still staring at the road in front of him and said "Let's get inside and make yourself at home"
Kagayama turned around and his eyes widened as the great mansion appeared in his sight. Even though his face still looked tired—an admiration engraved inside his head. That place has a huge garden with a big two floors mansion in the center—some other buildings like warehouses are also beside the mansion and makes the entire place seem bigger.
The mansion was dominated by concrete walls with several statues and marble pillars to support the main building.
Kagayama walks slowly as he watches the beauty of the plant inside the garden—even if all of the trees seem to have the same species as the others.
He stretched out his hands and touched the top of the flower beside him while remains following Henry from behind. The distance between them increases as the Kagayama slows down and enjoys the flower sense in his hand which makes him feel a bit calmer.
Several female servants wore clothes that looked like long white negligee with the belt that binds their waist went to Henry and had a chill talk. At first glance they look more like close friends than a master and servant.
Those servants also looked very healthy—different from other servants and slaves that Kagayama had seen before at Asdorf street. It becomes clearer when Kagayama remembers how humans treat the elves before where they look very tortured with a thin body, Inversely proportional to humans who look prosperous.
Henry waves his hands towards Kagayama from afar and signaled him to hurry.
Kagayama makes his step faster and leaves the flowers. When he arrived, Henry patted his shoulder and said "He is Kagayama..Our special guest, he will live here from now on"
The servant responds differently. Some of them seem happy, some of them seem curious, some of them clumsy, and some of them remain silent.
A young female servant takes a step closer and asks Henry for more information.
"Is he also a nobleman ?"
Henry tilted his head slightly and said.
"Hmm…Maybe he more able called honorary guest than nobles"
The servant seemed satisfied by Henry's answer and put a smile on her face.
"That's mean we must treats him well just like all of the guest that came here before"
Kagayama sees the conversation between them in silence. He doesn't think about what they said and act like an empty face puppet.
For several seconds they just talk to each other before they start to enter the house. Kagayama, who becomes a bad listener all this time, is still standing silently—but one of the servants reaches his hand and leads him inside.
Kagayama let out a small gasp as the servant took his hands and pulled him over. His face blushed a little bit but his mind remains aware because he doesn't want the events in the inn repeated again.
He let the servant take his hands and bring him to the huge living room full of luxurious furniture and carved marble statues. Some male's servant also seem to take care of the room, polishing everything inside the room.
After Kagayama arrived at the center of the room—the servant released him and moved a few steps away with a smile on her face.
At that beautiful place, Henry bid farewell to the servant and Kagayama before going to work, but before he even left the place—he pointed his finger to the servant that holds Kagayama before and said "You take the responsibility to guide this man at this place"
The servant nodded slowly before then pointed her gaze at Kagayama. Merely all of the remaining servants inside the room laugh at Kagayama and the servant beside him before then leaving them and doing their own job.
The servant moves in front of Kagayama with a smile on her face. Wind from outside blows her long hair—she also has beautiful brown colored eyes. Her fragrance is like the spice used for cooking but it makes her appearance more captivating. She doesn't wear much face makeup and her clothes are casual like everyone else but her beauty always radiates.
She guides Kagayama to all of the places at the mansion and explains every detail about it. The servant seems very happy and sometimes steals a glance from Kagayama before turning back and hiding her face.
Kagayama notices it very well because he stays alert all the time to prevent some danger he might be facing in future. He watches every detail that might be helpful while his face remains flat and gloomy.
At huge magnificent ballroom with mozaik floors, the servant suddenly turned her body to Kagayama and said "I forgot to introduce myself"
She bowed and held his chest respectfully before saying "My name is Merianth, it's an honor to meet you "
The light from the outside blends with her body, making her appearance more pretty.
"O-ohhh..My name is Kagayama, it's an honor to meet you too" Kagayama responded with the same gesture and somehow it made Merianth laugh a little bit.
Kagayama looked very confused after seeing her reaction, his face showed a little smirk "Wait…what's wrong..Am I doing it incorrectly?"
Merianth covers her smile with her hand before then saying.
"It's…just too formal for Avended like me"
She chuckles and her face seems very happy.
Now it's made Kagayama even more confused.
"Avended?"
"Avended is a human slave that has been purchased" She said it without any hesitation in her tones.
But after that conversation, both of them become silent for a while and Kagayama notices Merianth's expressions become more gloomy over time after she speaks about her identity. The sense of sadness suddenly appears in her gaze and makes her face become flat. Kagayama couldn't help but watch her with curiosity.
As the time keeps running the condition of them becomes even worse. Merianth doesn't speak at all and seems like drowning in her own mind.
Kagayama stretched out his hand—tried to check the servant but she evaded his hand immediately.
She regained her control again—bow's her body to Kagayama and said.
"I'm sorry…I just thinking about something…Sorry"
"Are you okay?"
Said Kagayama while pulling back his hand.
Merianth looks at Kagayama with a relieved face. All of the gloomy sense from her just decreased and she came back to her former self.
"I'm okay…don't worry "
Her gaze travels from Kagayama to the nearby window to see if sunlight still comes through from it. The day is already on its top and Merianth quickly says.
"It's afternoon already…We must get our food, please follow me"
"Ah..okay"
They walked together to the specific room for eating. Fragrant smells from the newly cooked food spoils their minds. After a long journey inside the mansion they finally got in the room and sat on the chair—waiting for the food to be served.
The door opened and some servants came inside while carrying huge amounts of food in their hands. All of them seem so delicious with good smells.
Kagayama was shocked after seeing that the lunch looked like a banquet. He moved to Merianth besides him—his forehead frowned. Slow but surely he grabs Merianth's clothes and pulls it gently.
"Hey….Is this a banquet or something"
Merianth chuckled as she heard the word banquet from Kagayama. She took the plates for herself before then taking another plate for Kagayama carefully and said.
"This is just a normal lunch for the servant"
"Normal lunch?!"
Kagayama said it with disbelief while looking at the food on the table and reaching for the spoon near him.
"Yes….normal lunch"
She approves her words and makes Kagayama wonder how rich and powerful Henry is that makes a middle level banquet to feed his servant.
As more and more servant comes in, Merianth grabs some food and places it on her plate before then eating it. Kagayama follows her and eats the food.
While eating, Kagayama noticed some of the servants talking about him and Merianth but he cannot fully understand it because they whisper to their friends near them. They tone like mocking and talk about the bad of Merianth. He then watches Merianth carefully and sees her eating while sometimes closing her eyes like hiding her expression.
Three seats besides Merianth are also empty, as merely all of the servants avoid her. This statement grows even stronger when Kagayama points his gaze to the servant who doesn't get a seat—they just eat while standing.
After finishing their dishes with the other servant. All of the big amount of food on the table decreased and some parts were even empty—leaving the plates alone.
("This place looks like heaven") Said Kagayama in his mind while stroking his full stomach.
Then he directed his gaze to Merianth who still had a plate full of food in front of her while the other foods on the table merely disappeared. She looks waiting for someone with a gloomy face.
Kagayama stood up—walking a little bit in the room while watching Merianth carefully. He also doesn't know what he will or where he will go after this. His mind starts to get stuck and makes him just linger around like a lost person.
While he just became a lost person. A young girl came out of nowhere and walking towards Merianth while saying "Mama"
"What the-"
Said Kagayama in his mind because Merianth seems too young to have children that look like kindergarten kids.
He is stunned while watching Merianth hug her child and give her the food on the plate she prepared before. They talked for a second like a happy family and all of the depressed sense on Merianth just disappeared at the time.
Merianth sees Kagayama with her beautiful eyes before lowering his gaze to her children and saying something.
Her children nodded and Merianth started to walk towards Kagayama.
"You seems too surprised"
With his still surprised face Kagayama said.
"Of course I am, cause you know…You looks very young"
Merianth covers her small laugh with her hand before saying.
"Yeah merely all of people said that to me, but in different tones and meanings"
Kagayama sensed a hint of emotion change when she said that.
Merianth moved closer and said.
"I'm happy you still here because we still have another destination in this mansion"
"Another destination?"
"Yes, and I want to finish it fastly because I must take care of her"
She looked at her child with a gently relieved face.
The assignment was understandable and Kagayama said "Then let's start it" so Merianth can finish her job even faster.
They went to the previous garden and the servant walked in front while Kagayama was behind her—following each step of her.
The wind blows the leaves and makes them fly away. The sun sets right above them but their skin doesn't feel hot at all.
As Merianth stopped, Kagayama walked a few steps again until his position beside her. They looked around—enjoying the view of the garden.
Merianth makes her gaze at Kagayama before then saying
"You can walk around and seeing the garden if you want"
"Alright"
Without hesitation Kagayama walks away, seeing the beauty of the garden carefully. A wide dark green leaves flying all around the place, bring him so much peace
He continued walking until the edge of the garden near the roads. Stopped for a second before then breathing deeply and releasing it again to reduce his stress from his mind.
There are just some carriages and people in the streets, not as many as before when Kagayama first came.
For a moment Kagayama watched the street before then turned and started to walk away until a clinging voice was heard from the roads.
He turned his head again just to see the terrible thing. His eyes wide open while his breath became heavy like a stone was on top of his chest.
Kagayama sees a group of elves chained while several humans follow them behind with sword and stick. The chain also tied to the horse in front of them—dragged the elves even more.
It traumatized Kagayama once again and his memory played inside his head, making him stunned in place with a terrified but sympathetic face.
A little elf girl makes eye contact with Kagayama in an emotionless face that looks like Kagayamas's face when he got dragged to the court before.
Kagayama feels her suffering, tiredness, fear, and losing hope mixing from her eyes.
On the other side, the elf girl noticed Kagayama's sympathetic face and that made a tiny hope inside her.
She gathered all of the remaining power inside her and tried to move closer at Kagayama before then said.
"Help..me…ple-"
Before she even finished her words—the guard behind hit her with a stick and pushed her body forward.
The smell of blood strikes Kagayama's nose and makes him feel nauseous. He can see red liquid on the streets and it makes his condition even worse.
Kagayama takes another step closer to the elf before stopping it immediately after seeing the guard's sword, and besides it he is Henry's guest which will cause trouble if Kagayama helps her.
The group continued to walk until they passed the Kagayama. His body trembled as the fear washed over him. All of the memories from the elves before get repeated again, again, and again.
("This place must be crazy")
Merianth came to his side and said.
"It's seems that Asdorf army has been captured the southern village again"
Kagayama, seeing the direction of the elves disappear with a gloomy face.
"Where did they go?"
She glanced at Kagayama with curiosity inside her mind.
"Slave market, why did you ask?"
"Hmm…Nothing, I just wanted to know…. Let's head back to the house"
"Ohh, okay"
Both of them walked to the mansions with different expressions but unfortunately Kagayama managed to cover his mind and act normally. He knows the place he was in did not welcome elves very well and might be their enemy
Deep inside of his heart wanted to help but got scared of the consequences he might get, at this point Kagayama doesn't want to get involved in any problem like before.
He continues to explore the place alone because Merianth must take care of her children. After eight hours full of activity, the suns finally drowned behind the horizon—bringing darkness to the city.
Kagayama was exhausted and lay his body on the bed while covering his eyes with his hand. The nocturnal animals sounded from outside and became the backsound of the room. The giant brown planet reflects the sunlight and makes the surrounding area still visible with the naked eye.
He tried to close his eyes hoping that the wind of the night could bring him to sleep until the word "help…me..pl.." appeared in his mind—forcing Kagayama to wake up once again.
It's been 11 times he tries to sleep but his mind prevents him. He felt guilty by not helping the elves on this day—leaving him in the worst feelings he ever had.
Each second passes by and the guilt inside him grows even bigger. Kagayama wanted to help her so badly until his mind tortured himself and begged for it. At some point he thinks about going to the slave market and seeing her condition even though the consequences might be bad.
He covers himself with a blanket and burying his face like a kid while his mind hardly controls himself.
He becomes silent for a moment and after fierce fighting with himself, Kagayama finally decides to go to the slave market tomorrow.
Stared at the vast ceiling of his room, a space so wide but empty. The faint sounds from outside the window—the rustling of leaves in the gentle wind—and the smells of concrete walls besides making him become sleepy.
Took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts swirling inside him. The decision to go to the slave market tomorrow felt heavy, yet unavoidable. Something deep within him whispered that this was the path he had to take.
"Tomorrow... I must do it," he murmured softly, as if making a quiet vow.
Kagayama closed his eyes. Slowly, the exhaustion from his long journey and the weight of his thoughts began to lull him into rest. In his dreams, he saw the little elf—laughing, free, with no chains to hold her down. And in that dream, Kagayama smiled.