Nakano Ichika stood among the group of refugees, struggling to comprehend the situation.
How had they ended up in such a bizarre world? Why were they trapped in a cave filled with monsters, forced to watch as the other refugees who had crossed over with them were torn apart by those grotesque tentacled creatures? She had watched, horrified, as their limbs were ripped off, their bodies mangled. The air had been filled with screams and sobs until they choked on their final breaths, leaving behind nothing but cold, mutilated corpses.
It felt like a nightmare, like a torturous punishment that wouldn't end.
The sight was burned into Ichika's mind, following her like a shadow that haunted her every thought. Fear gnawed at her, making her want to scream and run away.
But she couldn't run. She couldn't just think of herself.
By her side was her sister, Nakano Miku, who had crossed over with her.
Miku was far more timid than Ichika. If she showed even the slightest hint of fear, Miku would crumble, overcome by terror.
For her sister's sake, Ichika had to remain strong, no matter what.
But the truth was, she had no solution.
Inside the dark cave, there was no way out. Every plea for help had been swallowed by the void. All she could do was hold her sister tight and pray that they wouldn't be the next ones dragged away to be eaten. She whispered desperate prayers to any gods that might hear her, hoping that someone, anyone, would come to save them.
Hours of torment passed slowly, excruciatingly. More people were devoured, and each time it happened, Ichika's heart skipped a beat in terror.
Then, as if the heavens had heard her prayers, an explosion echoed across the mountainside.
Shortly after, a small group arrived—two men and two women. They entered the cave and declared that they were safe.
The revolting sea monsters, along with their monstrous master, had vanished without a trace.
One of the survivors went out to check, only to confirm the impossible: the creatures were gone.
The refugees who had survived the ordeal erupted in a flood of emotions. Relief, laughter, tears—everything came pouring out all at once.
Miku cried inconsolably in Ichika's arms, and Ichika herself couldn't hold back her tears any longer. She wept silently, her chest aching with overwhelming relief.
Thank goodness... Thank goodness someone had come to save them.
More time passed, and then a young woman dressed in a red outfit, with dark hair tied in twin tails, arrived. It was immediately clear from her demeanor that she was a lady of high status. She had brought with her a team of people to escort the survivors back to the city.
Ichika didn't know much about this strange world, but at least the city sounded safer than this forsaken place.
She felt a wave of gratitude and relief wash over her.
Even Miku, who had been trembling with fear, began to relax, the terror slowly receding.
But even as one problem faded, another seemed to be brewing on the horizon.
Along with the escort team came three men, each of them exuding a distinct air of authority. One of them, a blonde young man with dark skin, spotted Ichika and Miku, and his expression lit up with undisguised interest.
Ichika noticed the glint in his eye immediately.
A chill ran down her spine.
She quickly lowered her head, pretending she hadn't seen anything, hoping that he would lose interest if she didn't draw attention to herself.
In this strange and dangerous world, they were utterly powerless. If someone of such standing took an interest in them, they wouldn't have the strength to resist.
What should I do? What should I do?
She glanced down at her sister Miku, who was still clinging to her. Ichika made up her mind then and there.
No matter what happened, she would protect her sister.
No matter the cost.
"The two girls over there."
A sudden voice interrupted her thoughts.
Instinctively, Ichika looked up toward the source of the voice.
It was a young boy with white hair and red eyes.
Though he didn't look much older than her, his features were sharp and striking, almost unnaturally so—like an exquisitely carved statue that possessed a beauty transcending gender.
Most importantly, there was a gentle smile on his face, one that radiated warmth and sincerity.
"When you arrive in the city, if you run into any trouble, just mention my name. I'm Roy. Every mage in Fuyuki City knows who I am."
Ichika was momentarily stunned.
She recognized him.
He was one of the two men who had climbed the mountain earlier.
The twin-tailed girl had personally mentioned that it was Roy who had taken down the monsters and their master, saving all of them from that living hell.
"Thank you... very much."
Ichika bowed her head slightly, her voice filled with gratitude.
Not long after, the group of more than ten survivors, accompanied by the escort team, descended the mountain.
The darkened sky and scorched earth below filled everyone with a sense of unease.
Ichika was no exception.
But the real danger still awaited them.
Upon reaching the city, the survivors were taken to a refugee shelter.
The sudden arrival of their group caused a small commotion, with whispers of disbelief and curiosity filling the air. But faced with the heavily armed soldiers surrounding them, no one dared to protest, and they all quietly accepted their fate.
"I'll take these two. They'll be my servants!"
It wasn't long after they entered the shelter when the blonde, dark-skinned young man from earlier approached the person in charge and made his demand, pointing directly at Ichika and Miku without any attempt to hide his intentions.
In that instant, a wave of intense fear surged through the sisters.
"Master Atram, you are indeed entitled to select two servants this month. I'll prepare the paperwork immediately!"
The person in charge, a man named Zenjou, bowed respectfully, eager to please.
"Wait!"
Ichika's body jolted, and she shot to her feet.
"We... We're Roy's servants! He... He already claimed us outside the city!"
She was panicking. The young man's intentions were written all over his face, arrogant and without the slightest pretense.
If they left with him, their future would be bleak—both hers and Miku's.
Left with no other choice, Ichika clung to the only thing that might save them.
Roy had said they could use his name if they got into trouble.
She hadn't expected to need it so soon, and in her desperation, she had blurted out that both she and Miku were Roy's servants.
It wasn't entirely true, of course, but she had no other option.
She could only hope that Roy wouldn't hold it against them for claiming his protection like this.
"Did you just say... Roy?"
Atram's expression darkened instantly, his eyes narrowing dangerously like a predator sizing up its prey.
"Master Atram..."
Zenjou's face turned sour as he looked between Atram and the two girls.
Why do these two always end up butting heads like this?!
I'm just a lowly worker trying to scrape by as the head of this refugee shelter. Do I really need this hassle?
If he made one wrong move, the mayor's niece—who had appointed him to this position—might just fire him.
"There are a few people in Fuyuki City that you absolutely do not want to mess with."
One of the magicians who had accompanied Atram let out a low chuckle.
"And Roy is definitely one of them. Atram, I almost feel sorry for you. This is the second time you've had your servants snatched away. Maybe it's time to throw in the towel?"
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥰 Support the translation and help me grow.🤓
Read upto 20 Extra chapter in Patreon