The door to the dim underground chamber creaked open.
A small flame flickered irregularly, illuminating a corner of the damp and dirty room. Inside a cage made of iron, multiple women were chained. The man who entered the room glanced at the women, their eyes red and swollen. He addressed the woman who followed him.
“It seems we’re short on goods, huh. Far from making a fortune with this lot, don’t you think?”
“It can’t be helped. Due to the failure in the kidnapping of that noblewoman, the knights are keeping a close eye. I think it’s best to lay low on jobs in the capital for a while.”
“Tch. Useless bunch. What do they think we’re paying them for? What about those idiots?”
“They promise they will be useful next time. Although I had to kill one as a warning, reducing our resources. Apparently, things were going smoothly until a young man interfered.”
“A young man?”
“Yes. A teenager.”
“Hah!”
Upon hearing this, the man holding the lantern burst into laughter. His voice echoed in the narrow, stone-built underground. The women, restrained by chains, trembled at his laughter and instinctively moved away from the cage, fear evident in their eyes.
“Unbelievable… being taken down by a kid, they truly are a bunch of losers. We don’t need incompetence. Dispose of the remaining men.”
“No. We’re already short-handed as it is. Please bear with it at least until we finish our tasks in the capital. After that, you can do as you please.”
“Tch. Fine. We’ll have to capture a few promising women to increase our profits.”
“Indeed. It’s risky leaving it to those incompetent kids, but work is essential, isn’t it?”
The man turned away from the cage, his expression stern, and exited through the door he had entered. The women followed him, and as soon as they were gone, the captured women breathed a sigh of relief.
This place is hell. Everyone shares that common understanding. And from the recent conversation, they realized that adding new comrades to this hell wasn’t such a distant possibility.
“Enough with the delay!”
In a street lined with crowded stalls, a beautiful girl with hair as golden as the sun hurled harsh words at a maid rushing towards her in a maid uniform.
The maid, Lan, with widened eyes, bowed repeatedly to her mistress—Minerva von Sunlight—fixing her gaze gleaming with intensity.
“I apologize, my lady. It’s quite difficult to move with so many people around…”
“No more excuses. I brought guards today for escort, and now is the time to enjoy ourselves before the men return!”
“Actually, I was against leaving behind the knights for escort…”
“No! Surrounded by those rough men, one can’t truly enjoy shopping. Besides, it’s awkward with the gentlemen around.”
“Awkward? Where exactly?”
“The clothing store. Are you planning to show your undergarments?”
“Wha-!?”
At Minerva’s straightforward words, Lan’s face turned crimson. Fanning her face with her hands, she glared at her mistress.
“Please refrain from saying such embarrassing things… we don’t know who might overhear!”
“I don’t mind talking about underwear. I’m not that child-like, you know!”
“Regardless of being a child or an adult, it’s about having a sense of decency as a lady…”
“Alright alright. Lan, you always have something to say. You’re my maid, so always prioritize your mistress. I might just cut your salary.”
“Unfair…”
As Minerva walked away, Lan continued to follow with a disapproving gaze.
Deep down, Lan thought to herself, “Our princess is so free-spirited and selfish… or maybe not.” Knowing her to be fundamentally kind and good-hearted, Lan didn’t abandon her mistress or hold her in contempt, despite complaining. She stayed by Minerva’s side, always there.
Minerva, trusting Lan, felt comfortable speaking her mind about everything. To an outsider, their relationship seemed surprisingly harmonious.
However, someone watched the two quietly from between the buildings. With beastly sharp eyes fixed on Minerva and her companion, a sinister grin spread over their face.
The expression held pure desire tinged with a hint of anger.
“I’ve found a good prey… hehe.”
Only the woman standing next to him caught the man’s mutter. She remained silent. Initially, there was little resistance, but now, she followed the man obediently.
Two irregularities plotted to disrupt the world that Hermes knew so well.
