Zaber leaned against the hut, sitting in silence. The damp walls seemed to absorb the cold, and a profound quiet reigned around him.
I have begun walking my own path. I chose it. Now we must find the necessary sacrifices.
The thought echoed inside him, cold and precise. There was no turning back.
X smiled faintly. Though the smile appeared light, it concealed a dark meaning.
"These circles are truly a treasure. You said your father gave them, right? This will be our greatest aid."
Zaber let out a melancholic laugh. It was not joy, but acknowledgment of reality.
"Yes, a treasure. But this treasure will be obtained at the cost of much blood."
X's expression cooled; his voice changed from before.
"What, you don't want to do it?"
Zaber did not hesitate. He stood immediately. His movement was resolute, his gaze clear.
"No, I will do it."
He paused for a breath, continuing. His voice was calm, yet laced with determination.
"Fools learn from experience; the wise learn from history. I spent four years in the library reading history. I am certain: the concepts of good and evil change depending on place and time. Justice and equality are the same. Therefore, I will do what is necessary."
X offered a dark smile.
"Hearing that is refreshing."
Zaber said nothing. His decision was already made.
A short while later, Kargal and Gobuto approached Zaber. Gobuto carried a pack slung over his back, filled with equipment and meat. He was silent, but unease flickered in his eyes.
Zaber turned to Kargal.
"Where do you think the adventurers' tent is?"
Kargal scanned the surroundings thoughtfully, then spoke with confidence.
"Master, if I were an adventurer, I would set it up closer. Or in a visible spot. Last night the dragon searched nearby areas looking for the archer. From the looks of it, they chose a visible location."
He pointed toward the hill.
"It should be on that hilltop. The village is clearly visible from there, and it's convenient for retreat. Attacking it would be difficult."
Zaber looked surprised.
"You're smarter than I thought. Then we head that way."
It was an order.
Kargal's face brightened.
"Thank you, Master."
They left the village. Along the path, Gobuto kept stealing glances at Zaber.
Damn it… where did Rion-sama disappear to? Now I'm forced to do whatever this fool says just to stay alive…
After several hours of walking, they reached the hilltop. Kargal looked down from the summit.
"Master, the forest looks beautiful from here."
Zaber frowned.
"Then enjoy the view," he said in a cold voice.
A moment later, Kargal's gaze caught a tent half-hidden among the trees.
"Master, there's a tent here."
Zaber exhaled in quiet satisfaction.
"Good. We go that way."
Zaber expanded his mana sensory ability to its maximum as they walked. Upon reaching the tent, he sensed no one inside. He scanned the surroundings carefully.
Zaber approached the tent. The moment he entered, he froze in astonishment.
Inside, a young elf girl was sleeping. She wore tattered clothing and appeared utterly exhausted.
Zaber noted this and said:
"Who is this now? She looks like an elf. Am I right, or mistaken?"
X replied:
"She's an elf, correct. But what is she doing here? This should belong to the adventurers. Is she one of them too?"
Zaber hesitated.
"Whatever the case, she's asleep. We won't touch her for now. I'm more curious about what's in the bag beside her."
X said with interest:
"Take it, then."
Zaber moved to the elf girl's side, pulled the bag forward, and opened it. He took one of the vials.
"What kind of liquid is this? Could it be an elixir?"
He carried the bag outside. Kargal and Gobuto were waiting there.
Zaber turned to them.
"Do not enter the tent."
Kargal glanced toward it and asked:
"Why, Master?"
Zaber grew stern.
"My orders are not discussed, Kargal. Do not forget that."
He directed his anger straight at Kargal.
Kargal stepped back a pace and bowed.
"Forgive me, Master. It will not happen again."
Zaber placed the elixirs from the bag on the ground.
"What kind are these?"
Kargal drew closer and examined them.
"Healing and mana restoration."
Zaber's mood lifted.
"Which are healing?"
Kargal separated two bottles.
"These are healing."
Then he indicated another two.
"These are mana restoration."
Zaber eyed him suspiciously.
"Were you really a snake before? You know these very well."
Kargal answered.
"I have a history with adventurers. I fought countless times to survive. Until one human came and nearly killed me…"
Zaber said indifferently:
"Good."
He uncorked one bottle and began drinking. Suddenly, green light radiated from Zaber's body.
This feels like my body is becoming lighter…
A moment later, the green light faded.
Zaber looked surprised.
"It's over? What…?"
He fell silent for a moment.
Calmly, he began untying the blindfold Rion had fashioned from torn clothing. Inside, joy surged.
Could this really be happening…
When the blindfold came off, Zaber saw light. Green trees, clear sky, pools of water.
He showed no emotion.
I can see again. Isn't that right? I've missed sight far more than I realized…
X laughed inside:
"Hahahahahaha! What a victory! Look, Zaber—our eyes are healed. Many restrictions have been lifted from us!"
Zaber allowed the faintest smile.
"Yes."
Zaber tried to take in the surroundings better; he had missed vision for so long.
The newly returned colors dazzled his eyes—the green of the trees, the clarity of the sky, the refraction of light—all of it felt alien yet deeply familiar at once. Every small detail struck his heart like a blow.
When Zaber carefully observed Kargal and Gobuto, both grew uneasy.
Their bodies tensed, as though Zaber's gaze pierced straight through them.
Zaber glanced toward the tent, then looked back into the bag.
He saw a few more items.
Food, ordinary tools.
They might have been valuable to the adventurers, but to Zaber they held no interest now.
Ignoring them, Zaber stood and entered the tent.
Inside, the air was damp and carried a foreign scent.
Seeing the elf girl still asleep, he moved to her head.
Her breathing was light but uneven—the breath of a body long enslaved.
He touched her face with a finger.
When the cold finger met warm skin, a faint tremor passed through her brows.
Inside, X asked, puzzled:
"What are you doing, Zaber?"
Zaber replied:
"This is my first time seeing an elf. I'm curious what she's capable of. Her internal organs, what kind of magic she possesses… I want her as my servant. Besides, she's beautiful, though the old clothes and dirt on her face obscure it."
X smiled mockingly:
"Your desires know no bounds. You think she'll kneel at your feet and beg to serve?"
Zaber regarded the girl coldly.
"Not like that. But I'll manage."
Zaber nudged the elf girl with his hand.
The elf girl half-opened her eyes and looked at Zaber:
"Ahhhhhhh!"
She screamed.
She leaped up and backed into the tent corner. Her breathing quickened; her hands shook.
Hearing this, Kargal and Gobuto entered the tent.
"What happened, Master?" they asked, seeing the elf girl.
Zaber glanced at Kargal and gave a short order:
"Out."
They exchanged looks.
"Yes," they said, and exited.
Zaber turned to the girl.
"What is your name?"
The elf girl regarded him warily.
"Luna. My name is Luna."
Zaber stared at Luna.
"Who are you?"
Luna hesitated.
"I am a slave. The adventurers bought me to carry loads."
Zaber stood, voice cold but clear:
"They owned you. I killed them. Now you are free. Come outside; I have something to say."
Hope flickered in Luna's eyes.
She stood and stepped outside. It was a sunny, fine day—for her, this light felt like freedom for the first time.
Zaber regarded Luna.
"I have an offer. Become my servant."
Kargal glanced from Zaber to Luna.
Gobuto remained silent but alert.
Luna hesitated.
"I am free, right?"
Zaber replied calmly:
"Yes, that is correct."
Luna spoke firmly, with conviction:
"I refuse."
Zaber smiled.
"Then you die."
Luna took a step back.
"Didn't you free me?"
Zaber's voice deepened:
"Yes, I freed you. And I offered you a place as my servant. Rejecting me offends me."
He turned away, adding coldly:
"I am not merciful."
Luna thought in confusion and growing fear:
If I refuse—I die. If I accept—I live.
Luna dropped to her knees.
"I accept you as my master."
Zaber turned back to Luna.
"A very wise decision, Luna."
He indicated Kargal and Gobuto.
"Meet them. This skeleton is Kargal. This goblin is Gobuto. They are your colleagues."
Luna silently lowered her eyes and looked at them.
"My name is Luna—"
Kargal waved a hand.
"Welcome to our ranks."
Zaber examined Luna from head to toe.
"We wasted the girls' clothing by discarding it. It could have been useful."
He approached Luna, looking into her eyes.
"Your eyes are like those of the dead."
Luna looked down.
"I'm sorry… for that…"
Zaber stroked her head.
"It's not your fault. If it's not your fault, don't apologize."
Kargal drew closer.
"Master, may I say something?"
Zaber turned to Kargal.
"Speak."
Kargal said with slight fear:
"Master… your eyes too… are different. When I look into them, I see no light at all."
Zaber clutched his eyes with his hand.
"Is that so?"
Inside, X spoke in a cheerful tone:
"Zaber, you're growing. You gave Luna a second chance at slavery."
Zaber replied in an emotionless voice:
"No. I freed her, gave her a choice, and showed her the price of that choice. She chose. That's all."
Hello friends, what do you think about the sequel? Leave your thoughts and don't forget to save it to your power stone and library.