Oakwood Town (2)

After figuring out the problem with the teleporter, I suspected it had been tampered with, judging by Nard's reactions.

It wasn't a stretch to think he was the culprit. I still needed to figure out why he did it, though.

What surprised me was that Sir Lexion resided in Oakwood Town. In the novel, he was one of the engineering geniuses who pioneered teleportation travel within Aethel.

Well, that was partially true. He had completed the final section of a pre-existing blueprint for teleportation.

The manual for teleportation was said to have been finished during the Golden Age of Magic, a time of peak advancement in magic, technology, and knowledge. Engineering mages of that era were brimming with ideas and theories. Sir Lexion had finally put those theories into practice, finishing the teleportation project a few years before I was born.

But something about Nard felt off. His tone and familiarity with certain terminology made my hair stand on end. I didn't get a chance to properly analyze him, but I hoped that if I saw him again, I'd get some answers.

"What happened to your sense of direction, Jules?" Ezekiel cackled as we walked along a narrow street in Oakwood. "Did some radio wave throw off your walking signal?"

"Eh, like when you tripped over the same tree stump three times? I could never top a performance like that," I teased back.

"Hey, that wasn't funny!"

I chuckled at his reaction. We were only a few blocks from the Livery Stable where we had parked our carriage, so we took the fastest route.

But we came to a stop in front of a grim sight.

"Hurry it up and get out!" a voice shouted from across the street. We turned to see a dilapidated building that looked like a run-down orphanage.

In front of it, a man in a mask and a black suit was unloading a carriage filled with children, adults, elves, and dwarves. Even in this relatively safe country, the harsh reality of slavery persisted.

The sight was sickening. Had I been born into that life, I would have preferred my second life, back on Earth.

"Julian, Ezekiel..." Nivel's voice was low, almost embarrassed. "It would be best if you covered your eyes as we walk past."

I turned to see Ezekiel on the verge of tears.

"W-why are they like that? It doesn't look right..."

He felt sorrow for those who were unfortunate enough to be enslaved or burdened with insurmountable debt.

"Are there people really like—"

"Yes, there are," I interrupted, trying to shield Ezekiel from the harsh truth.

"I'm sure you'll get used to it soon." I knew this was a lot for him to process.

"Used to it? Julian... I don't understand. Why aren't you upset about all of this?"

"Because..."

I paused, searching for a reason. Then I remembered that Ezekiel would one day abolish slavery, not just in his own country, but across the world.

"One day, these things will no longer exist,"

I said, giving him a reassuring wink. I couldn't tell him that he would be the one to achieve that since his ego would inflate to astronomical proportions. The wink should be enough for him to understand.

"Un!"

He nodded and smiled back, winking. He seemed to understand, and I was pleased by our growing connection.

As we followed Nivel, a carriage came to a halt behind the one we had been observing.

"Out, all of you!" a voice barked.

A figure stepped off the small staircase, her clothes slightly torn. She appeared to be around our age, and I couldn't help but feel she was special.

Dark blue hair... amber eyes. Who could it be? I searched my memory for the heroines of the novel.

"Audrey, Aziel, Jaelyn..." I muttered, trying to place her. Then it hit me.

"Julian, what are you staring at?" Ezekiel asked.

"Oh my God," I whispered, "that's..."

***

It hadn't been a week since the carriage that was supposed to pick me up from the forest had been sent.

We were stranded in the Grafted Forest of the Fallen, a territory between the main kingdom of Aureus and the elven kingdom. This place was filled with monsters and dangerous creatures.

The recent breakdown of the portal from Aureus forced us to take another route, and I had believed my mother's assurances that everything would be okay. But things went wrong.

The soldiers guarding our carriage disappeared overnight, and I found myself captured by slave traders.

"It's amazing!" one of them shouted. "Who knew we'd find a duchess's daughter so easily!"

I was powerless to move or speak as they celebrated their catch. They bound my hands and feet, restricting my movement, and covered my mouth with tape.

"We've struck gold!" another exclaimed. "We can ship her across the continent!"

"The buyers will be lining up for her," a third chuckled. "Now, let's get her to the carriage and head back to base."

As they carried me away, I trembled, realizing I might never see my family again. There's no escape... they even have ropes that restrict mana...

They tossed me into the back of the carriage with no one else in it.

I leaned against the hardwood, fighting back tears.

There had to be a way out, but with my hands bound, I couldn't muster any energy. For now, I could only wait for an opportunity.

...

...

...

[Oakwood Town - Strata Veil Serfdom]

"Out!" the man yelled.

I was the only one in my carriage, but I heard the sounds of others outside. I hesitated, unsure if I was walking towards my death. I waited until the footsteps faded, then stepped out.

I found myself in an unfamiliar town. I knew that this half of Aethel had three cities, but I had never traveled this far from Aureus. Is this country bigger than I thought?

"You, you'll be needing this,"

One of the kidnappers said, placing a necklace around my neck. I felt a strange energy drain my strength, and my voice grew weaker with each attempt to speak.

"Follow me," the guard ordered.

I obeyed, walking behind him, passing cages and makeshift rooms filled with captured creatures.

Humans, dwarves, elves, and those of mixed heritage.

The cruelty of the situation was overwhelming.

I shivered, the cold wind chilling me to the bone.

I didn't know what to expect, but I just wanted to be home with my mother.

So cold...

A faint voice echoed from a nearby cell.

I saw an iron cage with dented bars and bloodstains. Inside, a fox-like humanoid huddled in the corner.

As we walked past, I got a closer look. Jet black hair, soulless red eyes... I couldn't help but pity her.

Even if I were sold off, that girl would face a life of misery.

"You'll be staying here,"

The guard said, stopping in front of a new-looking silver cage.

Inside, there was a small blanket and a pillow.

I... I'm trapped... I fell to my knees, despair washing over me.

All I could hope for was someone to help.

Mother... Father... I miss you...

I curled up in the corner of the cage and closed my eyes, facing the night alone for the first time.

She'll sleep alone for the first time.