Story 60. The World I Didn’t Choose (5)

Chapter 103

I said to Nairim, “Having this many slaves and use them for sex… This isn’t something to be proud of, Nairim. You know that, right? What if someone finds out?”

He said he thought we were the same, but I wanted him to know that he was wrong. I was not like him at all. He was a lust-driven idiot while I was a man who liked being pleasured by those who loved me. I enjoyed having fun once in a while, nothing more. What happened last night… I didn’t need it all the time. Just once in a while, that’s all.

I wasn’t like him at all.

Nairim asked, “Are you being cold because you are afraid that others might find out? Don’t worry, Juya. It won’t happen. All of my slaves are in love with me, so they are very loyal to me… Since you are my friend, they would all love you too. They will never betray us, and if they do… I can just get rid of them.”

Nairim winked, but I didn’t find him cute at all. I replied, “I am telling you, it’s not right. I mean… Slaves? Come on!”

“Oh, Juya…”

When I refused to accept his offer, Nairim started getting frustrated. He got off the bed and grumbled, “What’s so wrong about having slaves? Everyone does it… Besides, I’ll bet I am one of the nicest masters out there. You don’t know what you are talking about, Juya, so you should shut up. Hey, you guys, you are all happy here, right?”

Nairim turned towards the slaves and asked loudly. Most of them were still in the middle of sex, so they either groaned “yes” or nodded in ecstasy. I vaguely remembered someone asking if pleasure was enough of a reward that the shame would be worth it.

I stood up and said to him, “This still is wrong. Their freedom had been taken away, and you made them addicted to the drug, so they have no choice but to obey their master… It’s not right! You said last night that you would have loved to be born a slave, right? Well, if you were really born a slave, there is no way you would truly feel this way. Even now, you were just telling me that you would give me any of the slaves I fancy. You were also saying that you would kill any of them if they were disloyal to you…! How could that be a good life?”

Nairim’s face turned sinister. He gritted his teeth, and it looked like he wanted to attack me. I have never been afraid of him, but at this moment, he looked like a resentful ghost, making me shiver.

He yelled at me, “Hey! Who do you think you are? You think you are so much better than me? How dare you be so rude and condescending?”

“…”

It looked like he was about to lunge at me, but suddenly, I heard a sharp explosion from behind. It was followed by Nairim’s head exploding right in front of my eyes.

“…!”

“He is still aliveeee!”

“Huh?”

Crack… Crackkk…?

I collapsed on the floor in shock as the space around me began to crash and crumble. I tried to remember something… Someone… Someone was trying to save me… Save me… Who? It was the man who told me that no matter what others believed, the slaves were not living happy lives.

That someone… My wish… My master… My love.

The faint but familiar voice got closer and closer to me. The world I am currently in was disappearing right in front of my eyes. Suddenly, I realized that the world wasn’t shaking.

It was my body that was being shaken.

“Juya! Wake up! Open your eyes, Juya!”

I finally knew who was trying to bring me back. When my eyes opened, I saw his hairstyle, dark skin, and outfit; they all looked unfamiliar.

Oh, that’s right. This was Nadvien… No, I mean, Alincha.

I was in Minurd.

“…!”

I pushed the boy away and took a few steps back. The ceiling was covered with blinding white light, and my body, which was broken and damaged beyond repair, now was completely healed.

Suddenly, I knew what had happened. The miracle… The power that supposedly can heal any kind of illness and injuries…

This was the oldest and the most precious blessing that could be bestowed on anyone.

The blessing of Hwen.

“…!”

It was divine power.

***

“I am going to help Juya escape.”

But to where? How?

Technically, no one has ever successfully escaped Minurd. This place was extremely isolated with a suffocating humid climate. It was surrounded by thick forests that were impossible to cross.

The only way out of this place was the path that led to the capital. If anyone tried to escape through this route, he or she would be caught quickly because Innocent Ones were at different points of this path, protecting and monitoring the area. Even if I succeeded in escaping to the capital, no one could help me.

To my surprise, the prince suggested, “You need to go to Hwen.”

“Pardon?”

“People in Minurd think that the west is just a large cliff, but that’s not true. If you go around the lake and go down the cliff, there is a small path that leads to their old castle. This castle was supposed to be empty because no one has lived there for a long time, but the structure is still sound. You can rest there before heading to the western region.”

This was the first time I heard about this, but it was clear that the prince has been preparing this for me for a long time. He took out a very detailed map and explained, “From there, you will find a road that leads to the west. It was the same path the Hwenian used a long time ago when they marched to attack Minurd. I heard this road was badly damaged, but it must still be good enough for one man to pass, right? I heard that you have to keep going until you can see a large river running on your right. By that time, you would be out of the forest and see some houses or travelers.”

“…”

“I don’t know what will happen if and when the soldiers of Minurd march to Hwen for an attack, but you should live in Hwen. I heard the people there aren’t too hostile towards foreigners. As a man with excellent skills such as yourself, I am sure you will be welcomed there, Juya.”

“But your highness! Camille!”

I could feel that I didn’t have much time. The cave we were in was shaking and making strange noises again. It was only a matter of time before someone outside in Minurd found the source of this peculiar phenomenon. I was sure that they would come down to this cave, mainly because I suspected that the warrior probably ordered his men to find Prince Camille.

This meant that his highness was in danger, and I could not leave him.

I said to Prince Camille, “I am the Goddess’ Warrior’s Innocent One. The most honorable death I could hope for would be to die in a battle, but since I committed such impure acts, the best thing I can do now is to commit suicide.”

“You need to make a decision, Juya. It’s your choice.”

“Why?! Why did you do this for me? Why did you put yourself in danger for someone like me?!”