Lady Devil - Chapter 144

144.

Despite the friendly smile, he did not have a boyish impression at all. His nonchalant attitude of casually pulling up a flimsy wooden chair and sitting down while keeping me standing in a secluded open space was a bland smile like that of a defeated warrior watching children play.

He was like that even in the moments when he mercilessly pressed down on my often disobedient back with the blunt end of his scabbard or crushed my legs. However, it was quiet. The color that could be called neither light nor darkness was unmistakably the ordinary blue of a human gazing at objects, which rather gave me chills. Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the price of my humiliating submission was supplies needed for my family. Xavier proposed first.

“I can promise that much generosity. When sending supplies, I’ll pay the price in front of you. Then you can feel at ease, right?”

“……”

“Hey, why do you look like you’re contemplating? Calculate it well. You should understand by now that you can’t escape from here. In this situation, wouldn’t it be better to submit obediently and take fewer lashes? Besides, it’s beneficial for your ignorant family, and my sister can be happy too. All of this can be achieved if you just behave well. Ah… This is… It’s clearly a proposal where only I lose out… Don’t you think?”

To be honest, I hesitated at first. It was reassuring that I, who had nothing, could pay for food for my family, but that payment was my minimal treatment as a human? I couldn’t readily accept it. However, my comrades. I didn’t have the strength to resist the dozen or so comrades who, with grinning faces, pinned my limbs to the ground, expecting my voluntary submission. I gritted my teeth. Though my feelings were utterly miserable, I had no choice.

I consoled myself. This was the best option. My family’s stability was enough for me. Yes, wasn’t that the purpose of coming here in the first place? You, you just need to do your best.

It was a misjudgment.

At that time, I didn’t know. How difficult it is for a human who has started to break once not to break again. How miraculous such a thing is.

“Elder brother.”

“……”

“Elder brother. Why are you doing this….”

“……”

After accepting Xavier’s non-proposal proposal, the food, clothing, and shelter given to me were thoroughly on par with those of a dog. For instance, something like my personal space. I was evicted from the shared dormitory where I had been assigned a drafty, remote spot. A metal-barred cage next to the slaughterhouse became my new private room.

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