A wall—vast and towering. The one that separates the outer lands from the inner realm. The final destination of this entire journey. A wall stretching for miles upon miles, encircling a city I had never seen before.
The holy wall built by humankind, alongside their great discovery of magic. It stands out for its thickness and material—something resembling stone, yet artificial, crafted by expert alchemists. A walled capital reinforced by the force of magic itself—impenetrable.
This…
It looms over me, yet even so, I struggle to see it clearly. Through the narrow gaps between the wooden planks near the door, I can only glimpse the horizon swallowed by its presence. A wall worthy of a nation that calls itself the Sacred Empire.
It stands before me.
The great "Solsacrum"—the Capital of the Sacred Sun.
"..."
We are stopped, lined up behind other carriages, waiting to pay the toll. I am resting over Lylia's shoulder, looking ahead, lost in my thoughts.
I want to feel something—but all of that has already come to an end. Today, the journey is over. The purchase and transfer have finally been completed.
"..."
Voices echo faintly in the distance—most likely the guards collecting tolls from each cart, carriage, and coach. We are cargo, so Helmet will surely be taxed. It does not concern me.
I am merely a slave.
Without rights. Without options.
My life has been reduced to obedience. I can only wait until we arrive wherever these people intend to take us.
Most likely a mansion—something like Eidoriku, but larger. The girls said it was a small castle, though I doubt that very much. It is probably just a grand estate. Or perhaps Helmet's own family domain.
If that is the case, then I will be standing in a place I should consider almost sacred. I would literally be in the territory where his entire family governs its lands. That would demand even more work from me—more duties, more expectations. The place must be far larger than I first imagined.
We slaves—
Or rather, slave girls.
We are here because we were sold. Because of our physique, our demeanor, our size and proportions. We will most likely become maids.
It would not surprise me to wear a different uniform. The one I wore belonged to House Eidoriku, after all. So our attire will probably change. Akuma was quite the fetishist; the uniform I used to wear was somewhat sexualized—surely by his order. He is young and, frankly, rather immature.
And yet, despite that immaturity… he handled everything with absolute control.
Even so, I cannot say that with certainty. But judging by the way he behaved, one could assume it was true. He usually limited himself to giving firm, closed-ended orders—very exemplary in my eyes.
However, this sale marked something different.
One could say that the façade he had carefully built over the entire year collapsed in a matter of seconds. This sale revealed his miserable state—and the lengths he had to resort to.
I heard it myself, when I peeked through the office door. Akuma was facing financial troubles because of the war breaking out along the country's southern border. I do not truly know what he was involved in, but his family had once been important. Akuma's father had built an empire, yet when Akuma assumed his role, everything destabilized due to his lack of experience.
Even so, it was brave of him to accept that burden.
Still… it was pitiful.
Perhaps that is why he was so violent with me at night.
Who knows?
His mind is not mine.
And he is no longer my master.
I need to stop thinking about the past. I am in the present now. Helmet is my new owner… and who knows what he will force me to do.
"..."
The carriage began to move.
"..."
It was about time.
They must have paid the toll. This is the capital, so it must have been more expensive than the previous one.
I still do not know what role Helmet plays in all of this—nor what rank of nobility he holds. But to purchase us… he must possess enough socio-political influence to compel Akuma into a sale like that.
In fact… that Petra is the one I pushed in the kitchen…
[Lior: ...]
Those four days…
I stopped counting after my brain shut down. So I can only trust what Tina and the other girls told me. In the end, everything happened so quickly—just a few lashes and some other things…
I simply assumed I would survive.
My mind may have collapsed during that time, yet I remained alive. I knew—trusted—that Eidoriku would not kill me. I was too valuable to him.
Now, I cannot hold onto that same certainty. I have no assurance that Helmet treats his servants the same way.
Eidoriku, despite using violence as a method of discipline, had never gone so far as to kill his maids. According to him, they were the most precious things he possessed. In fact, that was why he gave us his surname.
Was that his way of not feeling so alone?
Ever since he lost his parents, he became known as someone unstable—no longer trustworthy in the eyes of others. Most likely, his maids were both his means of feeling superior… and of feeling accompanied.
When he looked at me, one could say his name suited him.
He was a true demon.
And yet… not quite as bad as one.
Tina—now that I think about it—is a demon. I suppose that sounded a bit racist, but in my world, demons are the embodiment of evil. I cannot be judged too harshly for thinking that way.
"..."
The carriage continued forward.
Soon, shadow engulfed everything around us.
Lior glanced to his side and saw the thick, imposing wall—
The wall.
It gradually drifted farther and farther away. They had passed through the great gates of the walled city.
On either side, guards stood idly by, carefree—playing poker as if nothing in the world concerned them.
"..."
[Lior: Nyaow...]
I'm still amazed by this.
It's a magical wall. A magical wall.
It's incredible to actually see one. And this whole medieval aesthetic mixed with imperial elements and everything else—it really brings out my inner nerd. Now that I can look around properly, everything changes. There's so much more variety here.
The previous city had something special—it was my first time seeing a place like that. But I have to admit… this is far more impressive.
First of all, there are many more people walking through the streets. It's obviously more populated than the last city—this is the capital, after all. And it's much more decorated.
There are wooden poles with banners and propaganda plastered onto them. Posters too—though I can't read what they say, I can clearly recognize the familiar structure of a "Wanted" notice.
It's the small details that make the difference.
Like that little cabin with a stall set up in front. There's a blacksmith's symbol carved into its sign—I know it's a forge because there's an anvil and a hammer engraved into the wood, along with a sword being shaped. The sharp Clink! of hammering metal echoes all the way over here. There's no mistaking it.
People shout in the streets—
"Come, come! Fresh vegetables! Good and cheap!"
They're traveling vendors, carrying baskets or sacks, moving from place to place to sell their goods.
There are also established shops—more specialized businesses. Like that store with a wooden sign carved with trousers and shirts. Or the others selling books, armor, tools, staffs, fabrics, and more.
The streets curve more than the ones before. It feels like we're going uphill—I'm starting to feel uncomfortable leaning against this wooden board.
[Lior: ...]
He glanced back, then turned his head forward again.
[Lior: ...]
Lylia is staring at me with a "What are you doing?" expression.
She doesn't understand how amazing this is.
I'm a reincarnated person who, unfortunately, never got to experience a proper isekai entrance. I didn't even get hit by Truck-kun, yet I still ended up here. I just closed my eyes—and when I opened them, I was in a dungeon cell.
[Lior: ...]
Hm… that reminds me of a certain anime protagonist who deals with loops…
Too bad I'm not the protagonist here.
In fact, I'm just a simple slave who's had all sorts of things done to him. There's no avoiding it—I just have to accept reality. I would like another chance… but that's impossible.
If I weren't a slave, I'd probably be an adventurer.
Like those guys over there.
From here, I can see several adventurers walking past in groups. They're probably heading out to take on quests. They have to make a living somehow, right?
Thinking about that opens up more possibilities… even about how the economy works here.
From what I can see, people pay with copper coins. So there's likely a typical system for worlds like this—copper, silver, and gold.
The streets are paved with stone, though there are no sidewalks along the edges. Magic has clearly influenced humanity in strange ways. In some aspects, they are highly advanced; in others, they still follow the natural progression of the centuries.
Technically, in the real Middle Ages, there weren't even proper stone walls or paved roads like this. But thanks to alchemy and other forms of magic, it makes sense that such things are possible here.
"..."
I'm really interested in this magic stuff. In fact, I can use a little of it myself. If I were an adventurer, I'd probably be a mage.
Magic is used in many fields—even domestic ones. It's not strange to see a maid dampen a cloth with water magic, or create a small flame at the tip of her finger. That's already standardized.
Of course, it has many limitations. Most people don't have enough aptitude to generate attack spells or anything like that. We all have a predetermined reserve of energy—it's called mana. What a mystery.
Mana is simply the energy that produces magic. We all have a sort of container for it. But to expand and master it—or rather, to increase its output—you have to train constantly.
I can only cast minor mental spells for everyday things. It doesn't cost much. You just think about what you want, and it manifests. But you have to be careful. It's not like I can create a tiny flame in here—mix that with dust and we'd all explode.
I don't fully understand the foundations of it all. I only know that adventurers sacrifice a lot when it comes to action. First, they must develop their powers—and then master them through relentless training.
It's very simple.
And at the same time, incredibly complicated.
That's what makes them so special.
So cool.
"..."
[Lior: ...]
[Lylia: ...]
"..."
Goodness… what is it that excites this boy so much?
Lior really behaves strangely whenever we arrive in cities. His tail sways from side to side. Maybe not as exaggerated as last time—but it's still genuine enthusiasm.
We're about to arrive at the mansion, and he'll probably still be staring through that tiny gap.
[Lylia: Pst… Lior…]
[Lior: …]
[Lylia: …]
Oh… it's so obvious he's a cat.
He literally turned around in one sharp motion, with that typical curious look cats give you. His ears twitched—lowering, then rising one after the other. His eyes are wide, expressive. His gaze says everything.
He looks…
So adorable!
[Lylia: Mm…]
Sorry… this isn't the time to think about that…
[Lylia: Hey, come here. You don't need to draw attention to yourself. That maid said so during the travel breaks.]
[Lior: …]
[Lylia: Come on, Lior.]
[Lior: Hey… Lylia… you really treat me like a cat, nya…]
[Lylia: But you are one.]
[Lior: …]
[Lylia: …]
[Lior: Yeah… I'm coming…]
Lior lowered his gaze and sat down beside Lylia. Then he looked at her—and gently rested his head against her side.
She looked almost like his mother, despite having no relation to him at all.
For a moment, Lior seemed completely at peace… until he tilted his head upward toward Lylia. Noticing his stare, she returned the look.
From below, Lior gazed at her face.
He kept looking… as if he were about to say something.
His body gave no signal. His hands clutched the worn fabric of his rags. His ears were alert—standing straight up. His tail was pinned beneath him and couldn't be seen, but the faint tapping sound against the wood on the other side betrayed it. Small, restless swishes.
He was going to say something…
[Lior: …]
But nothing came out.
Instead, he rested his head back on Lylia's shoulder.
She gave him a subtle sideways glance, then looked away from the cat boy's head and gently placed her hand over him.
They both stared at the wall in front of them—which, just as Lior had said before, was nothing more than wooden bars covered by a thick white cloth.
They were sitting in the same spot as always.
They had been there since the beginning of the journey.
Seven days.
One week.
A quarter of a month.
Seven days of transport—sitting inside this filthy cage with barely any sunlight. Eating what was practically nothing. Or rather, half a piece of bread handed to them once a day.
Constant muscle pain.
Lylia's lower back is cramping—she's been sitting on the same wooden plank for two days straight. She's stood up occasionally, but only in very specific situations that truly required it.
At this point, nothing feels interesting anymore.
This city—though it has that early-modern feel mixed with medieval touches—I've already seen it during this journey. The most interesting place would've been the Adventurers' Guild, but it seems we didn't pass through that street.
Right now, it's safe to assume we're heading directly to the Helmet estate.
Lylia explained that to me—it's important. An estate is the main residence where all of a family's lands are managed. I already knew that, but I went over it again in my head anyway.
Lylia is like… a childish grandmother with the aura of a young adult.
It doesn't make much sense, but that's honestly the best way to describe her personality. Sometimes we speak to each other casually, as equals. Other times, she talks like an older woman reminiscing about the past.
You could say she's the closest thing I have to family in this world.
Though… that doesn't really matter much.
Our relationship is one of friendship. Two people sharing the same fate—
Being sold as slaves to an unfamiliar house.
Now we're just waiting to arrive.
To reach that final point.
To end the journey.
To leave the past behind.
It sounds simple.
But it isn't.
We're getting closer.
Closer.
Closer.
And at the end of it all…
Awaits my new duty.
I don't know what it will be.
But that doesn't matter anymore.
I have to adapt.
I have to let myself be carried along.
I'm no one in a position to question it.
I'm just a slave.
Originally bought for sexual and domestic purposes.
Now I'll see what my next role is—
Perhaps another facet of myself.
I'll be there.
I'll be there…
Something different.
Something…
Something…
Different.
Once again…