Chapter 49 (1/2)

The Story Of A Certain Family (7)

“Is it alright to not say it, Hardt-sama?”

“Say what?”

On the way back to the castle after settling the business of Mars who newly became a subordinate, Mylene who’s clinging to my arm asked me something like this. Mylene peeks into my face from below and continues while smiling.

“He who was called Darl, the actual reason why he sold his family to the n.o.ble”

“Aa, that huh. It’s because I thought it’s unnecessary to tell him that”

I say what I thought honestly. The actual reason why Darl sold Mars and the others. That is, because he wanted to protect Tierra, the girl Mars saved.

That n.o.ble desired Tierra and threatened Darl. Whether to present Tierra for the sake of letting his family live or let his family be a.s.saulted and murdered by ruffians and let them bring Tierra over forcibly.

Darl who’s unable to go against the n.o.ble’s authority, chose the path that everybody can live. That’s the incident this time. In addition to that, it also coincides with my demand so everybody except for Tierra gets handed over to me……was how it should’ve been.

Over there, those fellows who were hired by the n.o.bles got greedy. They thought that something like the population of those fellows in the slums isn’t clearly known so they pretended that those sellable girls don’t exist and sold them to the slave trader.

Well, they were unlucky. I suppose it’d be fine even if the number decreases if this is just something that’s just handed over to the royal family in ordinary circ.u.mstances but, they sold off the things that are to become mine as they please. Of course, I have them receive their retribution. At this time, I suppose the Crimson Ripper’s lesser species, Red Ripper, is heading over and killing them.

“Hardt-sama?”

“Aa, at the end of the day, saying it or not, the fact that Darl sold the other family members for the sake of saving Tierra remains unchanged. If so, I thought that rather than telling him about Darl and letting him pity Darl, Mars will be able to resolutely sever his attachment if I didn’t tell him about it”

At the end of the day, it doesn’t change that Darl sold his family. If Mars’ killing intent is to grow dull due to that, I think he’ll feel better if I don’t tell him.

“Fhuーn, I shall leave it at that”

Mylene who says that and giggles at me. This rascal

“You’re getting a little bit carried away recently huh, Mylene”

“Heh? Th, there is no such thing!?”

“There is no use arguing about it! This requires a little bit of punishment huh”

“Kyaa!?”

I grasp Mylene’s slender waist, carry her on my shoulder and return to the castle. Mylene is screaming but I ignore it. After I returned to our room, I gave Mylene some slimy and sticky punishment.

“Ora, you kids, it’s your meal”

A large man says that and leaves two rye bread inside the cage that we are being imprisoned in. Ever since we were brought here and made into slaves, this is our only meal that comes once a day.

Inside the cage are Mint and myself, adding up the even younger children, there are seven people. It’s naturally not enough if it’s just two of such rye bread but, we tear that into tiny pieces and divide it amongst everybody.

We tear bigger pieces for the little children while Mint and I bear with it. Even during the time when we were together as a family, there were occasionally times when we can’t eat but, it wasn’t as harsh as now. I think that Mars-niichan, Tierrneechan and the others had probably distributed it to us like we are currently doing.

……I miss them. Although I was about to cry reflexively, I close my eyes tightly and endure it. Because it’ll spread to everybody if I cry.

When we are dividing up the little food amongst everybody in that manner and eating, talking voices could be heard on the other side of the door. And then the one who came when the door opened was, the manager of this shop.

Furthermore, the shop manager who yells at us, he brought someone along while smiling and rubbing his hands together. I wonder if it’s someone who pays considerably well?

The person he brought along was, a white hair Oji-san1 whose age is roughly in the 50s. Holding a black cane in his right hand, he would appear gentle in normal circ.u.mstances but, right now, he looks at us like he’s glaring.

“Over here are the goods that Okyaku-sama2 wished for”