“What’s this? Is that black monster for real?”

The residents, armed with various weapons, surrounded a large tree in the center of the village, making a commotion. In their suspicious gaze, like hunting witches, there was a black-haired woman securely tied to the tree with a sturdy rope.

The first thing they confiscated from her was the ledger. Even though it was evidence of their crimes, it was necessary documentation to continue their transactions, so they couldn’t get rid of it.

“It’s not a lie! Look, see! Clear fingerprints on this neck! That black monster did this!” The middle-aged director, with a hoarse voice, showed the residents a bruise on her neck.

But rather than the red bruise, people turned their heads away from her fiery wrinkles, tongue-tied.

Despite being on the same side, they didn’t seem to have a good relationship.

“You gained more strength, so what’s all this nonsense? Quit the theatrics.”

“What did you say!? Hey!”

When someone made a sarcastic remark, laughter echoed among the gathered residents.

“Quiet! She’s agitated!”

A man with a strikingly large scar across his eyes spoke. He wore commoner’s clothes, but his robust physique made him look far from ordinary.

“Whether it’s a black monster or whatever, the problem is meddling with the ledger. We can’t just let you go gracefully. If we’re exposed, everyone faces execution.”

Despite his imposing presence, he kept a wary eye on the black-haired woman. However, she remained unfazed by the tense atmosphere.

A woman who seemed ordinary, rather than a notorious black monster, but her undeniable charisma caught the attention of the only person who seemed to perceive it.

The intimidated people nodded silently.

In fact, these residents were outsiders who had come from the port, former criminals engaged in smuggling who turned to the black market to trade people.

With the integration of scattered nations into an empire and the abolition of the slave system, their livelihoods became challenging. Collecting Turshan children who lost their parents in the war, they built a village and established an orphanage.

Living normally with support and engaging in a different, safer trade, their retirement plans seemed ordinary. However, not long after, their instincts turned back to the clandestine slave market, and they got involved in human trafficking to fill the number of children to send away.

Gathering their heads, they discussed how to handle this woman.

“Then Hammer, your way of killing is the best, right?”

“No. First, we need to find out who sent her. Hey, woman. Why did you come here?”

He asked, looking down at her with a fierce demeanor.

Anybody would cower in such an atmosphere.

However, from the black-haired woman’s mouth, there was only a sound of sighing wind.

“Fascinating.”

It was a voice that emanated a chilling coldness, contrary to the content of her words.

As Hammer, the leader, was threateningly approached by a smaller man, she kicked the tree to which she was bound.

“You arrogant wench! Can’t you answer properly?!”
“Hey, be gentle.”

Kicking beside the woman’s face as a clear intimidation, the action was meant to instill fear, but she seemed rather intrigued, displaying an expression of interest.

Then, looking directly into her clear eyes, she mumbled as if uttering an incantation.

“Don’t you think that’s an action against those children you’re carrying, treating them like animals?”

In response, the villagers instinctively took a step back and shivered.

Perhaps it was a misconception, but even though her limbs were tied, an ominous warning of a predatory animal seemed to emanate effortlessly from her.

However, as if something had crossed her mind, the orphanage director laughed ostentatiously.

“Ahaha! So, our guest got angry for that? I thought she was a real black monster. She just had black hair like that weak girl.”

“Oh, that girl? They say those temple guys paid a lot for her, probably because she’s taken from the empire. If I knew, I would have charged more. What a shame.”

As they started to chatter again, discussing the black-haired children one by one, Hammer, as if to restore the atmosphere, muttered again.

“Okay, so it wasn’t on anyone’s order, then.”

“….”

The woman, who had been observing the conversation, had an unusually dark glint in her eyes this time, but she just watched without giving any response.

Then, the corner of the man named Hammer’s mouth rose, and the scar that ran from his mouth to his lips looked torn.

“Hehe, so you’re just another noble lady playing the role of a common hero. In that case, there’s only one way to deal with it.”

“Oh, is it that method? Poisoning them before putting them on the market? That sounds quite entertaining. Hohoho!”

Starting with the director’s mocking laughter, especially the expressions of the men changed.

Their cruel gazes were filled only with dirty desires.

But then, their looks changed slightly.

As the noisy voices of children in the distance reached them, each one closed their mouths as if they had made a silent agreement.