“So, where are the Dark Elves?” Leon asked, his voice calm and unreadable as he glanced at Jennifer.
“At the end of the hall,” she replied quietly, continuing forward.
As they walked deeper into the corridor, faint voices echoed from the end. The sound grew clearer with each step.
Suddenly, Leon spotted Fruela clinging tightly to another dark elf woman through the iron bars of a cell. The girl wore the same rice sack outfit Fruela had been given, when she met Leon.
“When they came in,” Leon asked, his brows furrowed, “were they all dressed like that, Jennifer ?”
“N-No Sir,” Jennifer replied, glancing nervously at him. “Their original clothes are in the dressing room upstairs, but Mr. Richard didn’t allow them to keep anything enchanted.
They were stripped of all belongings—rings, necklaces, even nose rings and their clothes, since they were all enchanted with magic.”
“I see…” Leon ordered flatly. “Open the lock then.”
“Y-Yes.” Jennifer rushed forward and inserted the other key into the keyhole, opening the lock.
*Click*
The gate creaked open. At once, nearly ten dark elf women rushed out, surrounding Fruela in a tight embrace, crying softly, clutching her like she is a long lost relative.
*Boop*
Leon lit another cigar and exhaled slowly, watching the warm reunion unfold in front of his eyes without much emotion.
“Where are the children ?” Fruela asked one of the the other girl, concern deep in her voice.
“T-They’re kept in another cell,” Jennifer murmured in a low voice as she looked at Fruela.
“H-Humans…” One of the elves flinched, and the others immediately hid behind Fruela and one other girl.
‘Is she their leader or what and who is this other girl ?’ Leon thought, his eyes narrowing as he took a puff.
*Puff*
*Psshhh*
“Don’t worry. They’re… Good,” Fruela said softly, her eyes briefly meeting Leon’s.
“Jennifer. Go and release the children,” Leon ordered as he looked at her.
“Y-Yes,” she said quickly, moving south down the corridor.
“Fruela… a-are you working with this human?” one of the elves asked with a serious expression and worry in her eyes.
“I’m his slave, he bought me from that fat human who bought me in the auction,” Fruela replied plainly as she looked at her.
“I-I don’t understand… why is he helping you?” the girl asked again, her voice trembling with disbelief.
“I don’t know either,” Fruela said, glancing back at Leon. “But right now, that doesn’t matter. I need to get you all to safety.”
Suddenly—
“Mommm!”
“Mommy!”
“MOM!!”
A chorus of young voices rang through the hallway.
Thirteen children sprinted down toward the women, tears running down their cheeks as they hurled themselves into their mothers’ arms—except Fruela and one more woman who stood silently besides her, watching.
Leon exhaled smoke again, scanning the group with a confused expression.
*Puff*
“You don’t have any males in your group?” he asked casually, releasing the smoke from his mouth.
“All the males died… protecting the kingdom from you humans,” another elf girl spat, hatred glowing in her eyes as she looked at Leon.
“Guren, control yourself,” Fruela snapped sharply. “He is not the enemy. If it weren’t for him, you’d all be getting sold off to humans—and I’d be getting raped by that fat bastard right now. So, you will show respect to him.”
“I-I understand… I-I am sorry, sir,” Guren said quickly, bowing her head a little.
Leon didn’t respond. He simply stared at the rising smoke, lost in thought.
Then, Fruela stepped forward.
She lowered herself onto one knee before Leon and bowed her head.
“Master… please help us,” she said quietly, desperation flickering in her voice.
The other elves looked at her in confusion as if trying to figure out why she was bowing down to Leon.
Leon raised an eyebrow. “What kind of help do you want ?”
“My people have no males, no supplies, and we don’t want to return to the forest. We won’t survive on our own. Please, let us live in your dungeon until I find shelter for them.
In return, I, Fruela—daughter of Ralf and Eria—swear my loyalty to you. If danger comes your way, I will face it, even if it costs me my life.”
As she spoke, a soft glow lit up her chest and traveled to her lips.
‘A heart contract… She just pledged her soul to me. Even better than I planned, A master and subordinate contract.’ Leon thought, silently pleased.
Then Fruela took Leon’s hand, brought it to her lips, and…
*Chuuu*
…kissed it slightly.
The contract was sealed at the moment.
“Very well. You won’t be needing this anymore,” Leon said, pulling out her slave contract from his pocket. Without hesitation, he tore it in two.
*Teeeeaar*
*Click*
*Thud*
As soon as the slave contract was torn apart. The slave collar around Fruela’s neck unlocked and hit the floor. She smiled as she looked at Leon.
“FRUELA! What have you done?” Guren shouted, running up to her.
“I did what I thought was right, Guren. And you will not raise your voice in front of my master,” Fruela said firmly, glaring at her with a serious expression.
“W-What?” Guren gasped as she couldn’t understand what was going on.
“As Father always said… I had to choose. And I’ve chosen this man—to serve until death.” Fruela replied without thinking.
“But he’s not royal blood… not even a dark elf!” Guren protested.
“It doesn’t matter. The contract is sealed, you will have to accept this.” Fruela said flatly.
Leon stepped forward, flicking the burnt cigar aside.
“Ladies, you can argue later. We need to get out of here and if you want to move them to the dungeon, well… there will be guards on the exit gate of the kingdom and there is a chance that people will see us in such a big group.”
“Yes, Master.” Fruela bowed once again.
“Jennifer,” Leon asked, “when does the Western District close?”
“I-It should be closed by now… B-But as you said, if so many elves leave at once, they’ll definitely be seen,
And the heavy snow outside will make it difficult for the children to walk.” Jennifer replied nervously.
“I can get you out of here.” A voice echoed from the nearby cell.
Everyone turned.
[Author: I would like to thank this week’s highest donater Jasper_sloan55 for the donation.
Since it was a big donation, I will be mass releasing 4-5 chapters tomorrow as a bonus. Thank you guys. Have fun reading.]