The next day, just as sunlight began to rise over the horizon, the two of us arrived in the City of Geaz.
The gates were made of thick wood, looking worn and decorated with bloodstains that had already turned black.
However, what made me freeze was the sight beyond the gates themselves. The stench of rot and rusty iron stabbed at my nose. I held my breath.
I took a few steps forward to enter the gate. As I passed through, the scene before me was horrifying.
Indeed, I was only an entertainer who had seen all kinds of people countless times.
But now, what I was seeing had crossed the very boundary of humanity. I struggled to keep my tears from falling when I saw a small child, around six or seven years old, with a chain around their neck.
Their eyes were empty, their skin covered in wounds, being dragged by a bearded man who was laughing loudly. I saw even more: adults, thin as skeletons, treated like livestock in a market.
"Why... are humans treated like that…" I could only keep those words locked inside my mind so they would not slip from my lips.
My brother walked down the street casually as if he saw nothing at all. "Don't think too much about it. Just pretend you didn't see anything," he said softly to me. He did not glance to the right or left at all, his eyes fixed straight ahead, toward what he called a source of money.
I clenched my fists beneath my cloak. I hated Zert. I hated this place.
"We're heading straight to Beltiro's House, the most powerful merchant," Zert said while continuing his steps.
I followed him through the muddy streets of Geaz. Every step I took felt like I was trampling on human dignity. We walked through narrow alleys, avoiding piles of garbage and the gazes of bandits thirsty for blood and money.
We finally arrived in front of our destination. The house was extremely luxurious, like a grand castle, with a massive towering fence encircling the entire yard.
I swallowed when I saw how magnificent it was. "So big," I murmured softly.
But there was one thing I truly hated. The vast front yard was being used as a place to torture humans. "Bastard," I muttered in my heart, trying to restrain my anger.
My brother went in first to explain things to the guards. A few moments later, I saw several people approaching in the distance.
A middle-aged, fat man with a thick mustache and wearing extremely luxurious, glittering clothes, accompanied by several guards, came toward me.
"Oh yes, oh yes. Sorry to keep you waiting, Sylzee the Silver Ocean," the man exclaimed.
Judging by his attitude and appearance, I assumed he must be the merchant. "Nice to meet you. My name is Sylzee," I said softly as I removed my hood. "Do I really have to sit next to him the whole time? That's truly disgusting," I muttered in my mind.
I gave him a fake smile, and it seemed he did not realize it was fake. The proof was how mesmerized he looked by my smile. "You really are as beautiful as they say," the man said, saliva dripping as if he could not wait to hold me.
That only made me feel even more disgusted by him. I kept smiling with my eyes closed, trying not to see how vile the bastard in front of me was. "May we go inside first, Mr. Beltiro?" my brother called from beside him.
Beltiro quickly turned his head. "Ah, please come in," he said, inviting us inside.
As we passed through the gates and across the broad yard, I forced myself not to look at the humans being whipped like animals. If I showed emotion and protested, he would become suspicious of me.
We entered the house—or rather, a magnificent castle. The front door alone was enormous, decorated with embedded gems or diamonds.
Inside was a blend of excessive luxury and terrible taste. A thick red carpet muffled our footsteps, while a massive crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling adorned with somber paintings.
He led the two of us to the rooms. "Get some rest first. You must be tired after five days of traveling, right?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes," I replied. He pointed to two rooms. "Sylzee in that room, and your brother in that one." The two separate rooms had already been prepared in advance.
I felt uneasy about this. It was possible that when I was alone in the room, he might attack me in his lust. Just thinking about it terrified me.
My brother spoke up suddenly. "Sir, as stated in the contract, you are not allowed to assault my sister. Or you will be opposed by the entire Outer Slums," he said firmly. I truly hated him, but this time I agreed with his words.
Even though I was an entertainer, I had never slept with anyone. In other words, I was still a virgin. I had to be extra careful so perverted men like Beltiro would not cross the line.
Beltiro chuckled. "Hahaha! As if I would dare to do that!" he shouted. He stepped closer to me, his grin wide, his voice lowered. "I respect the contract, The Silver Ocean. You are an offering for the Inner Dominion. I won't damage my precious merchandise. Besides," he whispered in a disgusting tone, "I'm in no hurry. After the transaction is complete and my payment is secure, we can do business again."
I swallowed hard. That hidden threat was more terrifying than an open attack.
"Rest well. I will prepare a meeting with the lords beyond the caste wall. I will make you the most expensive merchandise that has ever existed," Beltiro promised, his face filled with lust.
Zert and I separated and went to our respective rooms. My room was far from Beltiro's, but the luxury around me could not calm my mind. I immediately locked the door. I took off my cloak, revealing simple but loose underclothes, suitable for moving.
I looked around. The window. It was very high, but I could reach it if I had to escape.
I lay down on the extremely soft bed. "Aaahhh…" The fatigue throughout my body slowly faded away. The bed was so soft that I tried to sleep and rest my body.
I stayed resting in the room until night arrived. I remained in this room for hours. I didn't know if it had been ten hours or more; all I could do was wait for night.
As for food, it was delivered by a servant. I was made to relax without thinking about anything until nightfall.
Then, when night came, a commotion suddenly shattered the silence of the castle. Screams. Not the usual cries of slaves, but screams of panic and rage.
I heard heavy footsteps in the corridor heading toward my room. My door was kicked open.
"Sylzee! We have a problem!" Zert shouted, his face as pale as my hair. He was carrying his leather bag filled with coins.
I flinched in shock. "What is it?!" I shouted.
Zert looked absolutely terrified, gripping his bag tightly. "Th-This castle is under attack!" he cried in panic, sweating.
"Under attack?! By who—" Before I could finish my question, I heard several guards shouting as they ran past the corridor. "Lord Beltiro! Run!" they cried, trying to warn Beltiro as they passed my room.
I immediately stood up. "Let me prepare myself first!" I yelled. My brother immediately objected. "For what?! Hurry up! Before it's too late!" He grabbed my hand. I quickly snatched my black cloak from the hanger. "O-Okay!"
We tried to leave the room, but as soon as we entered the corridor, we were blocked by several guards. "Don't let the two of them escape," someone said from behind me. I immediately turned around. "What?!" we both shouted at the same time.
It was Beltiro. I stood there in confusion and began to shout in panic. "What do you mean?!"
Beltiro approached the two of us. "You… Since your arrival, we've been attacked. You must be connected to the attackers," he said firmly. I grew even more irritated. "Wh—"
"Bastard! We have nothing to do with this!" my brother shouted, cutting off my words.
But Beltiro only became more excited, insisting on cornering us. "Really? Are you saying this is just a coincidence?!" he said calmly.
My brother was furious at the accusation. "Someone could be taking revenge on you!"
"Exactly… Someone is taking revenge on that bastard," came a voice from the distance. We instinctively turned to look.
Our faces broke out in sweat as we saw a silhouette slowly becoming clearer. In his right hand, he was holding the severed head of a guard.