Even when Thyra tried to absorb the essence in the ball, it didn't work as well as it did last time. Thyra still needed about thirty minutes before she was able to return to her human form.
"What were the abilities?" As she was putting on her dresses, Thyra asked.
After briefly explaining her skill, Hure said, "Selda had come looking for you. The prisoners…"
"I know…" Thyra said, " Although I couldn't see what was written above the orb, I could feel Selda had come, even somewhat hearing what he was meaning to say."
"It must be due to the [Mana Perception]. I know you can feel the presence of people through [Mana Perception], But I have never heard that you can hear other people." Hure wasn't sure how that worked.
"It might not be because of the skill. I think it was more to do with the slime body."
"Slime body?"
"I think this type of body could pick up the slightest bits of vibration. It was also why I could feel if someone was coming close or going away. And the sound is just another type of vibration."
"Sorry?" Hure failed to understand what Thyra meant by 'sound is a vibration'.
"Don't worry about it," Thyra said, putting on her dress, urging Hure to follow her.
"What are you planning with the captives, my lady?"
"We have already delivered the head of the chief and the vice chief to the office. That should be counted as the completion of the quest."
"That is not the problem. What about the gold we have recovered?"
"The order said to take care of the bandits. So we did. We killed them all and burned their base to the ground. We slaughtered every man in sight. It is enough. They never asked us to recover anything."
"What if…"
"They wouldn't. That woman knows that I am aware of her plan. She wouldn't dare to do something so silly. And if her supporters tried to do something silly…" Thyra smiled but didn't continue her words.
They soon reached the prison of the barrack. The prison wasn't big enough to hold them all. They were forced into three cells.
The eastern barracks were under the jurisdiction of the Viscount's guard army. However, after stationing Thyra's squad here, most of the soldiers were sent to other barracks.
In the end, besides the instructor, all of them were Thyra's confidants. The prison guards weren't an exception. As soon as they saw Thyra, they gave her a salute. Selda was also present there.
Thyra looked around, confirming that all of them were women and children. Selda added from the side, "There are about 47 of them. Twenty-nine women and 18 children."
Thyra could see that the children's ages varied from a few months to early teenagers. Thyra knew those about 14-15 years old or older don't count as children in this world.
"What should we do about them? Should we sell them to the slave traders?" Seelda asked as it was the most common practice in this world.
Other than high-ranking individuals who could be used to ask for ransom, all soldiers are sold as slaves in a war. However, the fate of the woman could be far worse.
"Divide them," Thyra ordered. "Children younger than five with their mothers, children between the ages of six and twelve. Make a group of people who are aged between thirteen and eighteen and others."
Selda didn't waste a moment and called more soldiers for help. Thyra and Hure waited outside before the chaos ensued inside the prison.
"Are you going to sell the older women to the slave traders?"
"Yes."
Whether it was her last world or this, this was the norm. The only difference was that it happened openly in this world and in the darkness of the previous world. For Thyra, it was the best option.
"Why don't you select a couple of chambermaids from the young ones?"
"Chambermaid?" Thyra frowned. As far as her knowledge goes, chambermaids are the maids who clean the bedroom and stuff. At least, that was the case in her last world.
"You can't take your wife, consort, or concubine when you go to war."
"That was surprising," Thyra smiled.
"Favoured concubines and consorts are the easy targets to hold hostage for ransom. So nobles are only allowed to take chambermaids or slaves."
"Wow! There are even rules for what type of woman a noble could take to the battlefield! They might have had too much free time." Thyra couldn't help laughing, "So what are the chambermaids?"
"Chambermaids would serve you every need."
"And how is that different from a slave or concubine?"
"Slaves have no right. But chambermaids will serve their masters willingly. They will receive a servant's wage and the protection of their master in exchange. However, unlike the offspring of a concubine, their offspring will have no legal claim to the title."
"Oh! These nobles could go to such a length just to find another woman to fuck!" Thyra couldn't help chuckling.
"My lady, a chambermaid is important. The children of the nobles always receive one before their coming-of-age ceremony."
Hure paused before adding, "Aria was supposed to be your chambermaid. However, you decided to take her as your consort…"
"No problem." Thyra smiled and shook her head, adding, "It doesn't matter what you call them as long as they do their work."
"Then how about choosing a couple?" Receiving Thyra's nod, Hure added, "Please let me know if someone caught your eye."
"Shouldn't they willingly serve me?" Thyra asked, and the smile on Hure's face was all the answer she needed.
Thyra shook her head and moved towards the prison entrance again, saying, "Prepare some contracts."
"My lady, aren't you using contracts too much? Even if we have enough gold, we are spending too much on the contracts. I think…"
"No need to think." Thyra continued, "I am not a master of understanding human nature, and I don't need people who will backstab me."
"But…"
"No, but. In the future, these people will hold essential positions for me. And you don't know what money and power can do to humans. I don't like taking chances."
'Even if she had said she wasn't willing to fight for the throne, my lady is already thinking far ahead.' Hure couldn't help but be happy.
Thyra couldn't see the smile on Hure's face. She noticed there were two groups of people inside. Seeing Thyra, Selda added, "My lady, I have made the pregnant ones join the first group."
"The first group will join the mansion as servants. The children will learn from the blacksmiths, butchers, and other logistics workers. If you slack off, sell them."
Next, Thyra turned towards the group of teenagers. They have killed every man other than the babies of the bandit group. Naturally, all eight of the teenagers were girls.
"Send them to Rika. Tell her to train them thoroughly, even if they die."
Thyra looked at the last group of women before turning to the Hure and saying, "You choose and sell the rest of them."
"Your Highness, please spare me."
"I can work as a servant."
"I can…"
Expectedly, they started screaming and tried to grab Thyra, but the soldiers didn't let them.
"Your Highness…" One of the teenagers tried to approach Thyra, but Sleda's sword at her throat stopped her. Still, she yelled, "Your Highness, please spare my sister. I will serve you all my life."
Thyra looked at the girl. They may be both the same age. Thyra smiled at her and said, "You will fight for me either way."
The girl looked at her, biting her lips. However, she couldn't say a single word. After all, what she said was true. However, her figure caught her eye.
Thyra could see some muscle on her body. Unlike the other teenagers, Thyra was sure this girl was the one who had done some heavy work to build some muscle.
Thyra was sure this girl was better suited to train than the other teenagers. "What is your name?"
"My name is Mia. My sister is Emma." She pointed at her sister, but Thyra had no intention of seeing her.
"You will train with me starting tomorrow," Thyra told her before ordering Hure to keep the sister, then left the prison.