After waiting for so long, someone is finally walking towards us. I walk towards the cell bars and await the unfortunate soul. The child is also there for some reason but I ignore her.
“Damnit, how did I get stuck with this boring gig? Just watching a bunch of women. I ain’t even allowed to touch them.”
Before long, he notices me and walks in front of me on the other side of the cell.
“Hah? You got something to say missy?”
“Yes. I do. I want to meet your boss.”
“And why the hell do I have ta do that? You’re the one trapped here, missy. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
He wags his finger in front of me. I grab his finger and pull it inside. Then, I grab his collar and use the cell as support as I force his face to be squished between the bars. The child grabs his leg for some reason. I can feel all the other’s stares, probably in disbelief to my audacity.
“Do I have to repeat myself?”
I put his hand just above the magic sealing device.
“You do understand that if I put your finger on this, you will get hurt.”
“Huh? You’ll hurt yourself too!”
“That is true but I am already captured. So, who between us has more to lose?”
“Fine! Fine! I’ll go get the boss!”
“Good. Make it quick.”
I let go of him and push him off. He falls to the ground for some reason. When I look, the child still has lifted his foot. The imbalance of standing on one leg and being pushed made him fall. I sigh and I tap the child’s head and signal for her to let go. She looks at me and nods then let’s go of the man’s leg.
“Get up and stop embarrassing yourself.”
The man scrambles to stand and runs outside. I return to Lyn and Blanche.
“Hey, what were you planning to do if he did something?”
“Nothing. That is why I have you for.”
“Hah?”
“She is correct. Out of all of us here, you have the highest fighting power. Even without magic, you can fight properly.”
“Wait. How do you know that?”
“I am confident in my observation. You are not reliant on your magic. You use your magic to enhance your physical capabilities. Hence, you are still strong even without magic.”
“Tsk.”
Hmm, Blanche is very smart in a different way. Should I try to acquire her? Something to think about in the future. After waiting, the man returns with someone else. Another man but with proper clothing. The one before looked like a bandit but this one looks to be at least a wealthy citizen and looking at his face, I recognize him.
“It’s this one boss. She said she wants to talk to ya.”
How unfortunate that the one in charge is someone that knows me. He widens his eyes as he sees me. I gesture with him using my eyes and I believe he understands.
“What do you want?”
“I want to speak with you in private.”
“Why should I do that?”
“You believe that you are the one in charge of this discussion. You are wrong. What I have in my hands are your merchandise. Do not think of me as a fool. I know what your goal here is. If you do not agree, then I can just make you lose them.”
“Hmph. As if.”
I smile at him and point at a random direction behind me.
“You, hit the person beside you.”
After a moment of silence, I hear a punch. The men looked shocked as it happens.
“It must have been a lot of effort to bring all of us here. So, what if you lose all of it?”
This is a gamble, normally. But the man in front of me knows who I am. So,
“Fine. We can talk but only you. Open the door.”
The cell door is opened and I walk out. The child tries to follow but Lyn stops her. The man brings me to a room that looks to be an office. He sits down and provide me a seat.
“Why were you there, milady? What happened?”
“One of your men captured me.”
“I understand. I shall make sure to punish them and let you be on your way.”
“No need. I shall stay.”
“But milady.”
“I have all of them under my control. Tell me, why have you captured these women?”
“The same as before milady. They are to be used as bribes by your father.”
“Yes, and I remember that he pays more if they look better.”
“Yes, milady. However, most of the women we capture tend to resist so the price goes down.”
“There will be no problem with that. If I am present, those women will be of perfect condition. However, you will have to ensure that my demands are met.”
“No problem, milady. I shall prepare a room for you.”
“No. My sudden disappearance will make them uncontrollable. Your only recourse is to acquiesce to me.”
“Of course, milady.”
“Do not worry yourself. Once they are claimed, you will get a substantial award for their quality. You only need to endure until then. Now, tell me when exactly this deal will happen.”
“Within this week, milady. Afterwards, we will be destroying the place and removing all the documents here.”
It would be smarter to start moving them now but I will not offer this suggestion.
“What are these documents?”
“Just some documents for your father. Nothing too important.”
I see. These must be important. Proof of transactions and maybe other things. It would be best to restrain myself for now. I do not know how he is communicating with father.
“I understand. I shall pry no further. Now, do take me around the place.”
“Of course, milady.”
The man guides me around. It is not that big of a place. I do note where our items are stored. Eventually, he brings me back to the cell. I enter the cell. I now know of the key places where things are stored. All I need to do now is to wait. How shall I spend my time until then?
