It was always the same thing no matter how many times she opened her eyes.
A dark cell covered in moss and piss. Rusty iron bars leading into a torch lit hallway that seemed endless to either side. The occasional cough, whimper or sob in the cells close by that only made this hell much worse.
Even if she wasn't the best person in her past life, what made it okay for her to go through this sort of torment? This kind of hell that was reserved for those who actually killed or tortured innocent souls? How much longer must she go through this?
The only contact with others she had with others were the owner or employees that would occasionally feed her, or come by to beat or whip her out of sheer boredom. If she wasn't in such a young body, her abuse would have very well been sexual.
"Guess that's the only ray of light." The young beast girl sighed as she leaned against the stone wall of her cell.
It has been around 5 years since she had been forced into this body. By now, the original owner would have been roughly 8 years old, though their soul had passed after a severe fever took their life. Her luck ran out as soon as she entered this body, though even then, it didn't make any sense.
Sure, she was a soldier in her past life, but she never went on the offensive. All she did was defend her country, for better or for worse.
"Probably worse, given how many I killed." She sighed to herself once more under her breath, gazing outside of the bars towards the flickering lights that drew closer to her cell.
A strange sight, really. She had just been fed yesterday, and the guards only come by once a week to beat her our of boredom, so no one should be approaching at this time.
And yet, here they were.
Five people came up to her cell, followed by the rattling of keys. She recognized the overweight owner, as well as the three idiots that would drop by to beat or feed her and the others. Though this fifth girl was definitely someone who didn't belong in this kind of place.
She stood just shorter than the thug like guards and rich looking owner, though still held the same midevil looking wear as them. Where she wore a fancy, silk downed dress, the three idiots wore cotton shirts, pants and leather boots and chest guards. The owner wore similar silk clothes with a strange cloth ring around his neck, but this girl seemed to wear less jewelry than the man she stood next to.
Hell, she wore only a necklace compared to him.
"Are you sure you want this one? I understand she is a Beast, but she is hardly useful for your needs." The owner chuckled as he unlocked her cell and slowly opened the door.
As it swung open, the beast girl clenched her fists and did her usual insight on how to break free and kill the three that entered her cell. How many times had she thought about it? Realistically, it was easy. She had gone through so much training in her past life as a soldier for these kind of scenarios that it was easy to break out and kill everyone in her path.
As for why she never did? Well, it was rather obvious. She didn't have a reason, nor a means.
Even if she got free, they put some kind of soul brand on her from what the owner said. Even if she resisted and killed everyone here, she would be killed anytime by someone else should they please. This made it impossible for her to do anything to these idiots with no training.
"She is Posessed, is she not? Whether she proves her worth is up to me." The woman clicked her tongue at the owner, making him reply with only a wry chuckle.
"You three, unbind her and hand her over already." The owner ordered as he raised his hand to the thugs.
"Shame, was hoping to keep this one longer." One of the thugs chuckled as he stood infront of the girl.
"She was almost ripe, 'nother year an' we coulda upgraded her." The second thug chuckled as he went to work on her left cuff.
"Wish I could've 'erd 'er beggin fer more after we tamed 'er." The third sighed a smirk as he undid her right cuff.
"Please, you idiots can't last more than 30 seconds with a woman." The girl clicked her tongue as he rolled her eyes.
This remark, as usual, was followed by a kick to her stomach and a slap to her face.
"Stupid bitch!"
"How would you know? Were you a whore in your past life?"
The beast girl coughed as she curled up into a ball, holding her stomach. And, as usual, she could only give a pain filled smirk at the idiots as she gave them a side eye.
"Heh, bet you boys WISH you felt a woman from my world." The beast girl countered through her struggling breath.
Just as the thugs went to beat her again, the woman behind them interrupted their fun with a cough. "I wish you three wouldn't beat my property without my consent."
Anger filled groans filled the air as they backed off, letting the beast girls iron cuffs dangle as they backed away. The owner slipped past them to grip her by the throat and pull her up onto her knees. Pushing her against the wall, he pulled out his Slave Brush and swept over the mark made on her bare chest.
"It is done, Lady Hearth. This slave is now free." The owner clicked his tongue as he threw her back onto her side. "You are free to brand or cuff her as you please."
"W-wow, how much did you pay this bastard to get me, huh?" The beast girl spit on the ground, struggling to get onto her knees.
"Quite the mouth in you. What kingdom did you live in before you perished?" The woman asked with a huff, glaring down at the child.
"America. What do you call this place?" The girl sighed as she finally found her feet. After stretching her stomach, she leaned back against the familiar brick wall and eyed the fancy woman up and down.
Though she was treated as a woman of higher standing, she was dressed in a plain white robe laced with a grey sash and fittings to match up and down her body. Her tone as well, definitely not fitting for someone treated like a princess by these low-lives.
"Where we stand is a slave market held in the kingdom of Evura. It's Union is made up of Maika, Levish, Seekra, and Ku'vel like you. Currently, our King is His Highness-"
"Everon Evura, son of Samuel and Patrisha Hivel and Husband to Beetra Evura, long may they live." The girl sighed as she waved her hand dismissively. "What's this world called?"
"You DARE!!!" The owner scowled as he pointed at the girl in pure anger.
"What did your wife tell you about your anger, Gustan?" The girl mocked as she clicked her tongue. "You know well how she feels about these issues."
"What? How di-"
"This world is called Utari by most people. Do you have a Mana Field up?" Lady Hearth interrupted Gustan by holding her hand up. Though she kept her glare, her brow raised in curiosity.
"What, this surveillance field? I thought it was common practice, given how those in the weird towers shoot theirs out. Can't this interrogation last until we get to the your...what was it? White Tower?" The Ku'vel asked with a sigh as she gestured to the gaping spectators. "I'm pretty sure if there guys hear anymore, they'll be executed."
"Excuse me?" The tallest of the thugs gasped as he took a step back.
"My Lady, you wouldn't, right?" Gustan asked with a tremor of fear.
"This, America, I don't recognize the kingdom. Was this a civilization from the past?" Lady Hearth asked through the panicked whimpering behind her.
"Well, I would need to look at your map and a few records, but I highly doubt I'm from this world, given how you all dress." The girl sighed as she scratched the back of her neck in thought. "I suppose this is what we called Transmigration in my world."
"Transmigration, such a thing is possible?" Lady Hearth's glare finally broke, bringing forth a wide smile and a gleaming look.
"In theory. You know, reincarnation and all that. Accident, murder, vengeance, something that makes the soul strong in death is usually the key." The child gestured with her hand as she spoke. "In my case, I was killed on the battlefield."
"So you were a soldier. What rank were you? Army? Squire maybe?" The Ku'vel could feel the excitement radiating from Lady Hearth, making her feel a little embarrassed about talking about her past.
"Well, that depends. You have the King, which is like a president or dictator from my world. Second, third, fourth...I was somewhere close to fourth in command I suppose." The girl grunted a bit as she stretched her limbs, catching Lady Hearth's attentions.
"Mmm, right, so I suppose you were a Vassal of a Baron?"
"Let's see, King, then Prince or Princess, Duke, and finally...yeah, I suppose I was the rank of a Marquess. My official rank was Command Sergeant Major of the United States Army. One of them, anyway, and stationed on the border of our capital. Or, kingdom I suppose." After the long winded ramble, the girls stomach growled in endless hunger, making the Lady glare.
"Have you not eaten?" Lady Hearth asked as she turned to glare at the spectators.
"My Lady, we fed her merely an hour ago." The fattest of the thugs gave a wry chuckle with his hands up in defense.
"The order was given to feed and dress me properly. Though, as you can see." The girl sighed as she gestured to her skinny, naked body.
"If you had just put on that dress, then-"
"Oh fuck off, I'm not wearing that shit. Bring me a shirt and some pants like what he's wearing!" She yelled at Gustan as she pointed to the smallest of the thugs.
"That is highly improper for a lady to wear!" Gustan shouted back, his face beet red.
"As you can see, I didn't comply with them." The girl sighed as she shook her head.
"One last question. How long have you been in your new body?" Lady Hearth asked as she turned to face the men, making them cower a little.
"Since birth, so about 8 years now." The Ku'vel asked, sensing the bloodlust rising from Lady Hearth with each word she spoke.
"And you've withheld this information from us?" Lady Hearth shouted at the men, making them press against the wall in deathly fear.
"My Lady, please hear us out!"
"We didn't know until recently, we swear!"
"Please, have mercy."
The thugs begged as they fell to their knees, while Gustan clutched his chest over the Artifact he had bought, hoping the items effect would protect him.
"Tsk, what is it now, old man? It's just getting good." The child growled as her ear flicked in irritation. "No, I'm not- okay okay, fine! Jesus, you and your mouth. Oi, Silvia!"
Suddenly hearing her name called out made Silvia disperse her Mana before turning back to the child in shock.
"I beg your pardon?" She asked in deep offense with her hands on her hips.
"The old ma- OW, alright!" The child winced as her ears fell back. "Master Yeshel says to stop playing and leave that filthy place immediately."
"I'm sorry? You're talking to Master currently?" Silvia calmed down a little as she cocked her brow in disbelief.
"He says, and I'm quoting him here, that the rest will be taken care of by the order. Apparently he wants me brought over immediately for questioning. Also, bring snacks. No, the snacks are for me you greedy bastard. I don't care how hard you worked, I'm starving here!"
The others watched the child argue with herself. What's more, she seemed to be losing said argument as she folded her arms and sat down.
"Just get it over with..." The child resigned before a wave of Mana engulfed her body.
Though she tried to fight it, her weakened form ended up caving into the feeling. Just as she began to keel over, she gave a sleepy grin to her former captors. "I'll see you...later..."
Recognizing the Mana that put the child to sleep, Silvia could only sigh and shake her head. Raising her hand, she silently casted a Levitation spell on the sleeping Ku'vel to raise her up to carry her out.
"You three will remain here while the Order investigates this matter. I suggest you all comply willingly." Silvia ordered as she glared at the cowering men.
As Gustan fell to his knees in fear, she walked down the hall with the child in tow. All she could do now was sigh and contemplate on what she should bring her Master.