Slavery, corruption, crime… this entire world is shrouded with this. It’s not so different from the actual world I came from, well, not as much, perhaps. Even Earth is better than this place. But even then, I’ve had my own fun, found my own friends, and I am slowly building up my own place. I kind of want to make one of my goals to at the very least free and rescue as many slaves as I can. Every time I imagine myself being enslaved I can’t help but feel terrible. Only thinking there are hundreds if not thousands of people in such a situation… I want to get them out of such a gruesome fate, at all costs. I’ll beat the shit out of anybody that get in my way.
I’ve always hated how in various fictional stories I read, protagonists were often alright with corruption and even slavery. I always wondered “If they’re so OP, why are they not striving to make a change, at the very least?” The novels themselves were already ridiculous and unrealistic, what’s so wrong with freeing the slaves? Suddenly just because they want to do something good, all the ridiculousness becomes too unrealistic? Come on…
Ah, well, my rants are of no use right now. I just am a bit too tense right now after browsing through Agatha’s life. It was just a lot to take in. I need a bit of a rest but I am being forced to work and stay awake. I just want to go nap a bit…
After Julia thanked us, we decided to put up several tables around her gardens where the people came to eat and fill their bellies. We also started distributing clothes and food for them to bring back home. But we didn’t had enough for everybody, and the food wasn’t endless either.
“Sigh… It seems that things are stabilizing a bit. But I’ll need to bring more food from neighboring duchies, and also report what happened to the King. These are urgent news that must be known to the rest of the Kingdom. I hope the King can give us some funds to rebuild things.” Sighed Julia. “Our food supplies are also very short, I am sorry Mary, I don’t think I’ll be able to supply you with food for a little while… Until things get better and even more stable.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry about it, Julia. That’s the least concerning thing right now. My Undead will take care of repairing and cleaning the city for you, free of charge.” I said with a wink.
“F-Free of charge?! But I have… In fact, for everything you’ve done already, I should pay you every penny I have left…” Julia said.
“That’s not possible right now, right? So calm down for now, Julia.” I sighed, petting her head. “I am glad you are alive, and everybody here. I was never that interested into money. I was interested on you more than anything. You’re an incredible girl, someone that is part of this corrupt government yet is capable of having empathy with those below her… I think you’re an important key for a future where people might be happier. Of course, you’ll still pay me, but I want to help you out.”
“M-Mary…” Julia muttered, quickly covering her face in surprise, she quickly began to cry rivers.
“You’re a bit too good, we should actually get a good compensation for what we did, Mary.” Lucifer sighed while looking at the rest of the city. His face quickly changed into one of grimace, probably after realizing that things might be too bad to get any compensation for now. “…Never mind.”
“Hmm, as long as I am with Master and drink blood, I am alright.” Partner with her simplistic mind said. She looked at Julia and petted her head as well. “Don’t cry.”
“Lady Partner…” Julia muttered.
“I used to be a slave. I was enslaved by criminals that used to live in here before we exterminated them…” Said Emeraldine. “I always thought this entire Kingdom the entire government was corrupt. And that there wasn’t any hope for the people here… But I guess you’re different, Lady Julia.”
“Emeraldine… I am honored to hear this from you… as well. My two servants are two half-elves as well. They used to be orphans that my mother brought home. Since I was a child that they were always there… These two girls are very important to me, I want to also fight against discrimination against non-human races, even if this continent has always been called the “Human Continent”, it has been years since such a name, people came and went from all continents… It is obvious that people would come here and make it their home. The extremist nations can’t keep pushing these people away…” Julia said, suddenly cleaning her tears and arming herself with resolve. “You’re all right, I shouldn’t be crying like a kid right now. I’ve cried more than enough. I have to move forward and fight as well, in my own way!”
Julia was comically brought back from her sadness into her full charge mode, even her face grew redder and steam was coming out of her nose. She was completely decided to work.
“However, before you go anywhere, we must adress everything that happened… From the Vampires to the Ghouls, and Agatha, the Vampire Lord. And even worse, the enormous demon thing she ended turning into.” I sighed.
“Y-You’re right…!” Julia quickly sat down again, as she drank a bit of tea and calmed down. “We must first… Assess the casualties. After all, several guards, soldiers, and even servants of my house perished in the invasion from the Vampires.”
“…Right, we should assess that first. There are over… twenty bodies we found around the city at the moment.” I sighed. “But with the people that were in your house, it probably adds a dozen more.”
“Yeah… Some bodies have been found, but we have yet to find… Hector, my butler.” Julia sighed.
“Cough, cough… I am right here, milady. Shall I serve you some tea?”
Suddenly, a butler appeared behind Julia, his clothes were all covered in dust, and he seemed to be covered in bruises.