Without warning, the cage surrounding them was raised high, and an enraged voice of an elderly man echoed above.
"You wretched person! Why did you kill my muffin? She was only a month old! You heartless individuals deserve to die!" the man shouted, aiming a laser gun at their heads.
Frightened, the woman next to Solaris quickly knelt before him and bowed three times.
"Please, sir, spare me!" she pleaded, lifting her small face and clinging to the scientist's left leg while grasping the old man's hand with her other.
"I didn't do it, it was them! They're the ones who killed your...your...that thing! Argh!"
The woman fell to the ground, blood trickling from a small cut at the corner of her mouth after the old man slapped her.
"Shut up! Get away from me, you filthy whore!" the scientist yelled, kicking her in the stomach several times, but she persisted in her pleas.
"Please don't kill me! I-I'll do anything! My body... Yes, I can offer you my body. Just let me live, please!" she begged frantically.
Naturally, who would want an old and used item? The old man pushed her away in disgust and ordered his guards to take her away. He then pulled out a white handkerchief from his pocket and began to wipe his hands.
The woman mistakenly believed the old scientist had spared her life and continued to thank him as she made her way to the exit, unaware that something far worse than death awaited her beyond that door.
The onlookers watched the scene with a mix of mockery. Some shook their heads while others laughed at the woman's foolishness.
Once she was out of sight, the old man turned his glare toward Solaris.
"And you! I'm going to kill you!" he shouted, drawing his laser gun and firing in Solaris' direction.
"!!!"
Solaris swiftly dodged to the left, evading the incoming laser shots, which only fueled the old man's rage. Suddenly, he produced a bomb the size of a human head.
This device was powerful enough to obliterate the entire arena, but its most peculiar feature was that it would only track a single target. Once activated, the target could not escape its sight, no matter where they tried to hide.
Solaris cursed silently and quickly fled. How on earth did he get that thing? Was he really trying to kill her?
The old man was about to pull the ring when a loud, commanding voice echoed from above.
"Stop, don't harm her." a voice commanded.
At that moment, everyone present turned their attention to the source of the voice.
A man sat on a throne, dressed in gold and silver attire. His perfectly proportioned body exuded an air of nobility. His hair was slicked back, showcasing a smooth forehead and attractive features.
The king spoke, "Since you won the competition, just like the rulesof this game, I grant you the right to become a common citizen of our nation, as per the game's rules. After all, we live in a democratic society."
He spread his arms wide, declaring, "As the ruler of this kingdom, I must be just and always consider what will benefit my people."
His statement was met with loud cheers and whistles from the crowd.
Solaris glanced at the lifeless bodies around her and laughed bitterly. Fair? Is this what you considered fair? Treating women's lives as worthless, abusing them, and selling them into the black market as sex slaves? Bullshit!
Grinding her teeth, Solaris took a few deep breaths to calm herself. If she weren't so afraid of dying without avenging her family and her people, she would have unleashed a torrent of curses at the emperor right then.
Amid her thoughts, Solaris noticed a woman standing behind the king. With an angelic face and long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders, she radiated an ethereal elegance, a stark contrast to Solaris' sharp and oppressive presence.
But Solaris knew that this gentleness was merely a facade. Beneath that beautiful exterior lay a rotten core. After all, she was responsible for the massacre of Solaris' family.
Solaris understood all too well what a vile person she truly was. Refusing to look away, Solaris glared at her.
The woman, seemingly undisturbed, leaned close to the kind and whispered something in his ear, then turned to Solaris with a mocking grin.
The king chuckled and replied, "That's correct. Since you killed Duke Hopkin's pet, according to the rules you will receive 20 lashes.."
"And you be punished by being assigned as a female servant to Earl Ricardo's eldest son in the name of justice."
As he finished speaking, Solaris looked up at the king, filled with disbelief and rage.
This despicable king!
There's no way he would grant freedom to us commoners. He never intended to let her go in the first place!
The woman smirked at Solaris, fueling her anger. Over her dead body! She would never accept this fate! She would kill that man before he could even lay a finger on her!
At that moment, the king gestured to the guards and doors swung open, revealing a group of frightened young women, between the ages of 12 and 26, who were being ushered in by the guards.
"And since today's event was entertaining, I'll allow all officials to have some fun. Feel free to choose from my people."
Hearing this, the greedy and lecherous eyes of the officials sparkled with excitement and quickly expressed their gratitude to the king.
"Thank you for your generosity, your highness!"
"Long live your highness!!"
Witnessing the women in tears, begging, and terrified as they were about to be given to these despicable officials as pleasure women, Solaris felt a surge of madness and felt an intense urge to eliminate these scoundrels right away.
"You monsters, I'll kill all of you!!"
Solaris shouted, elbowing the guard next to her and snatching the gun from him. But before she could charge forward, a heavy blow struck her head, knocking her unconscious.