“My elf slave has been snatched away. Lord Tibult, I am not pleased.” The arrogant Slave Master said.
Lord Tibult shook for a second and waved his hands. “It’s the law! I can’t do anything about it!”
The Slave Master spat, “Aberis and your puny laws. If you think you can keep me from my slave, let it be known I know many powerful people in the Imperial Cloud Meadow.”
“Is that a threat?” The Prince’s expression grew serious as he overheard the conversation while I was still sandwiched under several girls.
“Hmph… let’s get this competition over with!” The Slave Master said instead. “After seeing this idiot child claim himself to be a Master of Slaves while making a mockery of everything we do, I have a bit of competitive spirit. I’d like to crush him.”
The girls all got off of me, finally letting me up. They were glaring angrily at the man now.
“You think any of the girls will agree to stay with you?” I responded bitterly.
“Hmph… Unlike you, these slaves are bound to me in ways more than just a slave mark. Only a fool depends only on a mark like that. They will make the right decision.”
“Very well, since it has come to this.” The prince sighed. “Then, Carmine, do you want slavery or freedom?”
Carmine’s eyes shot to the Slave Master, her body shook, and then she lowered her head. “Slavery.”
“Oh, come on! He’s coercing her somehow!” I declared.
“You love to condemn me for cheating!” He sniffed. “How about you ask her for a reason?”
The Prince looked at Carmine, who panicked for a moment before saying. “Since… the church rejected me, my life has no meaning. I am… a worthless slave… that is the only fate I deserve.”
Her words were bitter, and the Prince’s frown grew.
“You must tell the truth. I will be able to protect you.” He spoke quietly.
She gave the Slave Master one last look of fear that didn’t fit the Carmine I knew and then said. “Thank you, but I will remain a slave…”
“I will always remain by my sister’s side.” Salicia looked angry, “If she is a slave, so am I!”
He turned to the last girl, Shao, who was trembling as she looked down. “I will protect you. Just say the words.”
“Tell him you’re worthless!” The Slave Master smiled cruelly. “Tell him you deserve to be a slave.”
“Shut up!” The Prince snarled, truly angry.
“Brother… this can’t be allowed, he’s cheating!”
“Hmph! How? Doesn’t your formula eliminate all bonds?” He shrugged.
“I… I… I want to be free!” She screamed out, “Her eyes closing shut tightly. “Please save me from these monsters! Please!”
“You… bitch!” The Slave Master snarled.
“Another tie!” Lord Tibult responded bitterly.
“No, you lost.” The Prince’s previously jovial expression was gone.
“The Slave Master glared at him. “What are you saying? We each lost one!”
“Deek had five, 80% of his slaves remained with him. You had 3, 66.6% of your slaves remained with you. Deek wins!” The Prince explained, his dark expression was unchanging. “Release your slaves.”
“You… cheated me!” He cried out.
He had acted like having more people in this competition was a setback that only benefitted Lord Tibult, but in reality, having more slaves to lose meant I had more slaves to gain! In the end, but going by ratio, the prince had given me a victory. I felt an intense wave of relief. As that happened, the priest walked up to Shao to remove her collar.
“Y-you promised me you’d win!” Lord Tibult responded defiantly.
As flushed as his face was, the Slave Master looked far angrier.
“You don’t know who you’re messing with!” He snarled. “You think this is over!”
“You’re done!” The Prince declared. “Get him out of here! Get the Slave Marks off those slaves!”
“Hehehehe…. Hahahaha!” The Slave Master started laughing. “Why would I ever allow you to take what is mine!”
Two men grabbed the laughing man, but a second later, he spoke. “I am a true slave master. And If I can’t have my slaves… then no one can!”
“No!” Carmine screamed, leaping towards him.
A glowing tattoo around her neck suddenly brightened.
“You bastard!” Salicia screamed, the same tattoo appearing a second later.
The priest was a moment from putting his hand on Shao went a tattoo around her neck glowed too. The three women started screaming as if their hearts were being torn out.
“Brother, what’s happening!” Eliana cried out.
“It’s a Death Mark!” The Prince screamed.
“Hehehehe…” The Slave Master laughed as even Lord Tibult turned white, “I always win! Death Marks are permanent! You won’t even be able to resurrect them! Hahaha…”
After the screaming continued for a solid moment, Carmine struck the floor, her eyes open, but no light within them. She was dead. A few moments later, Salicia similarly crashed to the floor dead. Other than the screaming the only other sound filling the arena was the maniacal laughter of the Slave Master.