After that, Xiao Yi gave a faint smile, her voice like a cold breeze:
"What's with your faces? You all look like venomous snakes—
Sniffing the air, sensing danger, and silently slithering away."
Zaiken stepped forward, frowning.
"And why wouldn't we?
You do know what you've just said… right?"
Xiao Yi slowly removed her armor, her expression unreadable.
"Look… I don't expect you to believe me—not yet.
But this reincarnation… this second life I've been given…
It isn't a blessing.
It's a burden.
A responsibility.
I wasn't brought back to live for myself—
I was chosen for a mission.
To bring peace to this broken world.
To create a world where everyone gets an equal chance to live…
Where there's no hatred, no discrimination,
No cruelty eating away at humanity.
That's why the Goddess chose me.
And that's why I chose you all as my slaves.
Yes, I acted distant. Yes, I gave you orders.
But all of it—was a test.
And you passed.
That's the only reason I'm telling you this now.
Because whether you accept it or not—
You've already been chosen.
You're the ones who'll stand beside me…
To rebuild what's been shattered.
I will train you.
Together, we'll tear down the darkness that's claimed this world.
And no—it's not just my duty anymore.
It's ours."
Serenya stepped forward, her voice sharp and emotional:
"Then what about the way you behaved during the slave auction?
How do you explain that?"
Xiao Yi didn't flinch.
"Are you feeling pity… for the auctioneers?
Have you forgotten what they did to the other slaves?
How they destroyed families?
How they treated living people like objects?
Did you forget what kind of monsters they really are?
I thought… I thought you knew them better than anyone."
Suddenly, Serenya's mind pulled her backward,
To a time long before all of this…
A quiet home filled with the scent of morning bread and the light hum of laughter.
Her father's voice called warmly from another room:
"Hey, Silf… have you seen your little sister's doll?
She's really upset. She can't sleep without it."
Silf glanced up with a sigh,
"Dad, you only ever worry about Serenya.
Even though I'm stronger in magic,
You act like it doesn't matter—just because she can't do any.
She doesn't even have magic."
Their father walked over, crouched beside her, and smiled.
"Maybe… but she's still part of our family, isn't she?
And that means we never leave her behind.
Just because she's weaker doesn't mean we love her more.
We love you both—equally.
Believe me."
Just then, their mother called out cheerfully from the hallway,
"I found Serenya's doll! We can go now!"
Her father laughed.
"Well, crisis solved!
Now—should we finally head to your grandfather's place?"
They all climbed into their carriage, and her father gently took the reins.
But before they could even reach the forest's edge—
A thunderous explosion shattered the stillness.
The horses shrieked and froze.
The carriage screeched to a halt.
Figures cloaked in black emerged from the dust and smoke,
Faces hidden, weapons drawn.
A bald man stepped forward, his voice dripping with command:
"Forget the man—do what you want with him.
But bring the women alive.
If even one of them's useful, we'll make money.
If not… well, they'll still serve our fun."
The men around him laughed wickedly,
"Of course, Master.
We were just talking about how good that older one looks."
Suddenly—chaos erupted.
Serenya's father drew his sword,
Charging forward like a roaring storm.
He struck fiercely—but the enemies were faster.
Each slash missed. Each block failed.
And then—they retaliated.
One after another, deep gashes tore into his body.
Blood soaked his clothes.
His breath grew heavy—until at last, he collapsed.
The bald man approached,
Placed his sword against the back of the father's neck,
And scoffed:
"What's your problem, old man?
You didn't even have proper magic—
And still, you tried to play the hero?
I should be laughing right now."
Serenya, Silf, and their mother stood frozen, their minds blank with horror.
A soldier raised a massive club—
And with one swing, threw the three of them toward the bald man's feet.
He stepped forward, reaching for their heads
When suddenly, Serenya's mother drew a hidden knife
And lunged.
But he dodged easily.
He struck her hard across the skull.
Then grabbed her hair and yanked her upright.
"Well, well…
You actually tried to kill me?"
He grinned.
"You've got guts, woman.
But now—
I'll rip that bravery right out of you."
Then he barked his next command:
"Throw the girls in a cell.
This one comes with me."
And with no hesitation, he dragged Serenya's mother away,
Her screams echoing into the cold wind.
Blood is thicker then water