The words rang on her ears as she remembers the same word she thrown at him.
"hypocrite."
Such word wasn't for him, yet it seems he remembered and etched it to his heart.
For it to cause such grievance to the man's being was enough to bring grievance to the goddess as well.
"It was my fault..."
*
*
*
A month had passed.
Tomorrow will be the time where his fate will be sealed. Either as a free man or a slave.
He couldn't understand the feeling of anxious, so he found it extremely hard to accept it.
If he becomes a slave, it'll be impossible for him to save them. It was such idea that motivates him to work everyday for the past 5 years.
If all of it were to fade, his works will be left in vain, and he'll never be able to see Lyza again.
Yet when tomorrow came, neither of his family member came.
*
It didn't bug me actually.
I mean, the last time I saw them was when I was being loaned to the master back in the village.
Even Father Percius who gave me hope didn't visit me for the past 5 years.
Now... I am here, in a slaver's den, being given a slave collar to seal my fate. Such cruelty was... what can I say... painful.
I have endured the pain, I have endured the humiliation...
I have wished... for it to end.
"This'll hurt, young man, be ready."
I trained my mind... huh, so why do I feel like this...
I... why do I... Why do I feel the urge to run?
The door... it's just right there. The freedom... the way to save them.
"Hold this glass of wine for me, then drink it when I said so."
I couldn't hear the words of the slaver, what only enter my ears are my will to be free.
This isn't fair... Why do I have to suffer? Again and again and again...
Why is it always me?
I...
*
"Young one, the ritual's finish, you may dri-"
In the midst of his words, suddenly, the man ran for the door. He was extremely fast, that even the veteran adventurer, master of the ForeDragon Inn couldn't catch him in time.
The two can only look at each other in disbelief, then they laughed.
"I can't believe it, that fragile brat who would collapse any time just outran me."
"Truly. Now, what should you do?"
"What do you think? This place's full of adventurer, once someone saw him, they'll immediately know he's in for a chase and give him to me."
Or so he thought, but contrary to his thought, all adventurers in this place hated the man's gut. All of their actions are merely pretend to gain favor of the inn master, but in truth, he was extremely hated by how he treated his slave.
Especially with Mikael, who shows extraordinary kindness to them despite his unfortunate situation. If they managed to found him, they'll certainly give him shelter, and probably even adopt him, not as a slave, but as their companion, son, or even partner.
As soon as Mikael run, he immediately thought about the slaves that will remain stuck with the cruel master forever... and worse, he left, which could cause an extreme consequence to them.
*
I'm such a hypocrite... To think I ran for freedom, leaving the very people I decided to save...
I want to return, not to the master, but to the Inn and save them. But, if I do, I will surely be captured.
"Ah... I hate this."
In the end, I chose myself... sacrificing them for the sake of my freedom.
"Hey... isn't that?"
"Mikael? Why are you running? Huh, wait..."
Crap, they seem to have noticed! I increased my running speed in case they started chasing me. Making detours upon detours to trick them and lose them.
I also climb up to roofs to avoid being detected.
Soon, the night have fallen, and there, above the house of a people I don't know, may it be enemy or someone I never knew, I fell asleep with yet another empty stomach.
*
*
*
The ForeDragon Inn was a very popular inn amongst the adventurer that travels and explore the Dragon Labyrinth, were rumors foretold a dragon that rests at the deepest floor of it.
It was due to its natural cleanliness and service that attracts the people, the fast response, and the quality of foods. It was a perfect condition for adventurers who used all of their days hunting, killing, and exploring the aforementioned labyrinths.
Today, there was an unusual thing happening in this place.
The master had yet to return and... that's it.
Not until an adventurer came, catching his breath as if he had run miles within seconds.
"I have news!"
All of the adventurer's attention turned towards the man, those who are dining, taking a room, and resting made all their eyes dart towards the man.
"Mikael flee!"
At that moment, the dining area shook, all people clap, adventurer, or slaves alike, they all cheer in the very goods news they have awaited for eternity.
"It seems he had enough of the master's bullshits! Good for him!"
"I'm still worried where he will stay, I hope we come across each other, I don't mind feeding him forever!"
"Just feeding? I'd take care of him forever!"
The look of disgust became visible to the lady's face upon hearing the man spoke his mind out.
"And train him to be a man like me!"
The cheers went on, even the slaves at the back who heard the adventurer's news silently celebrate the event they forever long.
They didn't mind the situation they are in, but Mikael wasn't rightfully treated nor in the right place. And he made them feel more than just a slave and gave them a profound experience of childhood memory.
The least they could do is prey for his successful life ahead.
*
*
*
The news spread like a wildfire, all across the town of Missit. And all the townspeople cheers, except for one person.
The master of the inn found this current situation maddening and his emotion worsen upon gaining the knowledge of the adventurer's true feeling. Instead of helping him capture the slave, they even went ahead and try helping him.
Unfortunately for them, he had gone to hiding so they weren't able to give some help.
Another person felt a complicated feeling as well.
Lyza.
It has been a month since she grew a feeling for Mikael, and since then, she decided to become an adventurer solely for the purpose of buying him out of his misery of a place.
So, upon hearing the news of his escape, she was sadden.
She didn't mind Mikael to be a slave since slave can be bought for a certain price. That, and also so that he can be forever be with her under a sacred oath.
Even now, money had stockpiled on her new bought home after killing hundreds of rare enemies.
But his situation wasn't that bad at all. She just needs to find him, return him, and buy him off the inn's master. So that her plan remain as is.
However, if he refused then perhaps she just need to comply on his words and instead of her a lifetime of care under her.
As long as she can get him... yes, that's right.
She will even resort to returning to her home and family's connection to find and locate Mikael. So she doesn't really need to worry.