Chapter 32.3: Vampire (2)

It was only two more days to arrive in the city of Domihawk.

Rudica, who was sitting next to me, was nodding her head as if she was about to fall asleep at any second, then immediately shook her head, and looked out the window as usual.

How many hours had she been like that?

"…?"

With my super sensory, I felt something happening far ahead. I strengthened my senses and narrowed my eyes.

A battle?

The sound of metal scraping, the sound of flesh being ripped, and the sound screaming.

Clearly, it sounded like a group fight was taking place.

It's the same road we're taking.

I wondered if thieves had attacked another passerby.

The distance was getting closer, and therefore the noise was also getting closer.

By the time the situation came into view, the battle was over, and there was no more noise.

"…"

I hardened my expression as I watched the scene unfolding in front of the carriage.

It was something very familiar.

A wagon carrying slaves, the members of Valkilov's gang and a long-haired man in the middle.

For a moment I wondered why they were here, but then I understood.

It seemed our route and time of travel coincidentally overlapped with those who were transporting slaves to be auctioned off at Domihawk.

I saw the figures of beastmen scattered around them, their blood sprinkled around.

The men of Valkilov had not yet pulled their swords, and were staring at the carriage over here.

I got off the stopped wagon with Asher and showed my face to them.

"…Hmm?"

The long-haired guy looked at my face and spoke with a wide smile.

"Ah, young master. How did we meet again in a place like this? Were you on the way to the Domihawk?"

Without answering his question, I glanced at the beastmen scattered around.

Half of them were already dead, and the rest were panting and staring at Valkilov's gang members.

I turned my gaze back to him.

"What's going on here?"

He replied in a nonchalant tone.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just being attacked by these wild beasts."

"Attacked?"

"These cubs planned to attack us to rescue their people imprisoned there. It's not a big deal. It happens often."

When he said that, there were young prisoners locked in iron bars where he pointed with his chin.

They had been locked up in the basement of the slave trader with Rudica before.

The men giggled and grabbed the fallen prisoners one by one and dragged them.

"They attacked us without knowing what they should and shouldn't do, so they should pay the price? The dead are dead, and we will sell the living into slavery."

At the long-haired man's sarcastic words, a female beastman gritted her teeth and shouted.

"You cruel human beings! Aren't you the ones who invaded our home first, killed the tribe members who went out of the forest and kidnapped our children?"

It was a desperate cry, as if blood was boiling from her throat.

I looked at her like that, then looked back at her long hair.

The long-haired man walked towards her with a grin and stomped on her head and slammed it to the floor.

"You're saying something funny. Isn't that the way nature is supposed to be? The strong tramples the weak, just like this."

"You…!"

"Ah, I'm sorry for showing you such a filthy side, young master. Don't worry and go on your way. It seems like it will take a while for us to clean up."

As he said that, he giggled and rubbed the female beastman's trampled head.

One young prisoner, who was locked in a cage, cried.

"Oh, my sister! My sister…!"

"Oh, was this your older sister? It's good that the sisters will be sold as a pair. Those nobles with various tastes will be equally pleased with you two."

The sound of the devil's laughter echoed in my ears.

I looked at the sights and then looked up at the sky once.

I recalled the thoughts I had when I found the slaves at the checkpoint.

It's just a momentary self-satisfaction.

Then I wondered, what if a person could only live doing what's comfortable for them? Would that still be a person?

Sometimes, if one didn't act as their emotions lead them, were they really a person?

This has crossed the line of my patience.

I lowered my head again and said to the long-haired man.

"How about letting them go?"

The long-haired man turned his head in this direction.

"Let go… What do you mean by that? Oh, are you saying that you're going to buy them right here?"

"No."

I said again.

"I don't have any gold coins to give you. I'm telling you to just leave them alone."

Silence descended upon my words.

All the members of Valkilov, who were dragging the prisoners, stopped their movements and looked at me.

The long-haired man wiggled his eyebrows and opened her mouth.

"Now what is that…."

"Can't you?"

I nodded.

"So that's it."

Then he turned to Asher.

"Asher."

"…Yes."

My voice echoed coldly on the quiet road.

"Kill them all."