After making sure everything is under control, Ashora bends down and picks up the ogre cores scattered across the ground. The dark crystals glow faintly in his hand, proof of the monsters they have defeated.

  Soon after, the three of them step out of the Abyss Portal.

  The swirling distortion behind them slowly stabilizes as they return to the outside world.

  Ashora walks toward the three mages in blue robes standing near the gate. They are members of the Blue Magic Tower, responsible for guarding and sealing the portal.

  He places the ogre cores in front of them.

  “You can seal the Abyss Portal now,” Ashora says with a small smile on his face. “My companions and I have cleared it.”

  The mages look down at the ogre cores in disbelief.

  One of them quickly glances at the watch on his wrist.

  “One hour… and two minutes,” he says, his voice filled with astonishment.

  The other two stare at the time and then at the cores, their faces showing clear shock.

  Their eyes slowly move toward the three warriors standing before them.

  One of the older mages studies them carefully. His gaze stops when he looks at Leona.

  This time, she is not wearing her helmet.

  The mage’s eyes widen in recognition.

  He immediately steps forward and bows deeply.

  “I greet Princess Leona,” he says loudly, his voice trembling slightly.

  Hearing this, the other two mages quickly bow as well.

  “We greet Princess Leona.”

  Leona looks at them calmly.

  “You may raise your heads,” she says.

  Then she turns slightly toward Ashora and Ikshita.

  “Our work here is done. We should return.”

  Hearing this, the three mages realize who the young man beside her must be.

  Their eyes widen again.

  They bow once more.

  “We greet the Prince!”

  Ashora waves his hand lightly.

  “There’s no need for that.”

  He places the four ogre cores on the table beside them.

  “Just make sure the Abyss Portal is sealed.”

  He says this with a relaxed smile.

  Moments later, the three of them mount their horses and begin riding away from the area.

  The wind moves softly across the open land as they travel.

  After riding for some time, Ashora looks toward Leona.

  “Sister,” he says, “how about we stop at the nearby town? It’s been a long time since I left the royal palace.”

  From the other side, Ikshita speaks with a tired voice.

  “Yes, big sister. I want to rest… and wash as well. The royal castle is still five hours away.”

  Leona listens to their requests and nods.

  “Alright.”

  The three of them turn their horses toward the nearby town.

  As they ride, Leona pulls out a small yellow gem from her pocket. The crystal glows softly in her palm.

  “We are heading to the nearby town,” she says into the gem. “It will take some time before we return to the royal capital.”

  The gem flickers briefly as the message is transmitted.

  Leona closes her hand around the crystal and looks ahead.

  “I’ve sent a message to the palace,” she says calmly. “Now we can go to the town.”

  Soon, the three of them reach a nearby town.

  They enter the town on horseback, still wearing their full armor from head to toe. The steel plates shine faintly under the fading sunlight.

  The people notice them immediately.

  People pause in their work and quietly move aside as the armored riders pass through the streets. An uneasy feeling spreads among the townsfolk, but no one dares to question them.

  Eventually, the three stop in front of the largest inn in the town.

  Ashora dismounts first and walks inside.

  At the reception counter, a middle-aged woman looks up.

  “Are three rooms available?” Ashora asks, his voice calm but heavy.

  “Yes,” the woman replies quickly. “Three rooms are available on the upper floor. Would you like to stay?”

  Before Ashora answers, Ikshita’s voice comes from behind him.

  “The highest and best rooms available.”

  The woman nods. “That will be seventy silver coins.”

  Leona steps forward and places a gold coin on the counter.

  “Here.”

  The woman’s eyes widen slightly.

  “This is more than the cost,” Leona says calmly. “Make sure no one disturbs any of us.”

  “Of course, of course,” the woman replies with a quick smile.

  She hands them three keys.

  Afterward, the three head upstairs to their rooms.

  After washing and removing his armor, Ashora leaves his room.

  He walks to Leona’s door and knocks.

  “Sis, I’m going out for a bit,” he says.

  “Alright,” Leona replies from inside.

  Ashora then leaves the inn and walks into the town’s marketplace.

  The streets are lively with merchants and travelers.

  But suddenly—

  Swish.

  Swish.

  Swish.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Ashora hears the sharp sound of a whip cutting through the air.

  He frowns.

  The sound echoes again.

  Swish.

  Ashora begins following the noise through the streets.

  Soon, he reaches a crowded area where many people have gathered.

  The whip sound grows louder.

  He pushes through the crowd to see what is happening.

  When he finally reaches the front, his eyes widen slightly.

  Slave trading.

  Three masked men stand in the center of the crowd.

  In front of them are several children—no older than five to eight years old.

  Their bodies are thin like skeletons, their skin covered with whip marks and wounds.

  One of the traders raises his whip again.

  Swoosh—

  The whip stops mid-air.

  Ashora has already grabbed it.

  “What are you doing?” Ashora says coldly, snatching the whip from the man’s hand.

  “Don’t you know slave trading and owning slaves are banned in the Baitali Kingdom?”

  A voice comes from behind him.

  “Kid… don’t try to be a hero.”

  Another masked man steps forward.

  “Mind your own business. Don’t meddle in ours… or you won’t live to see tomorrow’s sun.”

  Ashora turns slowly.

  “Don’t try to threaten me,” he says, his expression filled with anger. “Selling slaves is illegal in this kingdom. You’re breaking the law.”

  He glances toward the children again.

  They are barely alive—bones visible beneath their skin, their bodies covered in wounds.

  The leader of the masked men laughs.

  “Young man,” he says with a wicked smile, “don’t try to be a hero. You’ll end up dead.”

  He tilts his head slightly.

  “But today I’m feeling generous. Walk away and mind your own business.”

  Ashora’s eyes grow colder.

  He understands that talking will not work.

  “I won’t let you sell these slaves—”

  “Enough!” the leader shouts before Ashora can finish.

  “Young man, you’ve tested my patience long enough.”

  He points at Ashora.

  “Capture him. Judging by his face, he’ll sell for a high price.”

  Two masked men immediately attack.

  One rushes forward with a sword while the other follows from the side.

  Ashora moves instantly.

  The whip in his hand lashes forward, wrapping tightly around the first attacker’s sword.

  With a sharp pull, Ashora yanks the weapon away.

  The sword flies out of the masked man’s hand and lands in Ashora’s grip.

  The second attacker swings his blade.

  Clang!

  Ashora blocks the strike.

  The force of the clash pushes the masked man off balance.

  Ashora immediately kicks the man’s leg.

  The attacker collapses to the ground.

  Without hesitation, Ashora snaps the whip toward him.

  Crack!

  The whip wraps around the man’s neck.

  The impact knocks him unconscious instantly.

  Ashora turns to the other attacker.

  The whip lashes again.

  Snap!

  The strike lands on the man’s arm.

  The bone breaks from the impact.

  The masked man collapses, losing consciousness.

  The crowd begins whispering in confusion.

  Ashora raises his voice.

  “No one leaves.”

  He releases Sei to amplify his voice.

  His words echo across the entire area.

  “You all stood here and watched something illegal happen,” he says sternly. “None of you reported it to the authorities.”

  Fear spreads through the crowd.

  No one dares to move.

  Ashora then looks at the masked leader.

  The man’s earlier arrogance has vanished.

  Fear fills his eyes.

  “Don’t do this,” the man says with a trembling voice. “Our group won’t let you live if you interfere.”

  Ashora walks toward him slowly.

  Crack!

  He strikes the ground with the whip.

  The man flinches violently.

  Ashora kicks him in the knees.

  The man collapses, kneeling before him.

  Swoosh.

  Ashora strikes the ground again.

  The man trembles in fear.

  “Tell me,” Ashora says coldly, “how are you selling slaves when it’s banned in this kingdom?”

  The man’s voice shakes.

  “I—I don’t know. Every month someone brings the slaves to us. I only sell them. After selling them, I get, ten percent commission.”

  He bows his head desperately.

  “I swear I don’t know who brings them. Please… don’t hurt me. I was greedy. I promise I won’t do it again.”

  Swoosh!

  Ashora strikes the ground again.

  The man trembles even more.

  Fear overwhelms him so completely that his pants become wet.

  Ashora’s expression hardens.

  Without another word, he kicks the man in the chest.

  The impact sends him crashing backward.

  Blood spills from the man’s mouth before he loses consciousness.

  Ashora walks toward the cage where the children are locked.

  The iron bars are old and rusted. Without hesitation, he breaks the lock and opens the door.

  One by one, the children slowly step out.

  All of them are in terrible condition. Their bodies are thin, almost skeletal. Whip marks and bruises cover their skin.

  Ashora feels his heart grow heavy.

  This is the first time he has ever seen something like this.

  Until now, everyone around him has seemed kind and good. He has grown up surrounded by good and kind people in the royal palace.

  But Aarath taught him.

  Humans—and any living beings—are not always as good as Ashora believes the world to be.

  Just because he lives a good life does not mean everyone else does.

  As Ashora frees the children, those words echo in his mind.

  A strange emotion rises inside his chest. Something he has never felt before.

  His heart feels heavy.

  The way he sees the world begins to change.

  He looks at the children again… and then at the crowd around them.

  The people in the crowd keep their heads lowered.

  Ashora feels disappointment rising inside him.

  How can they just stand there and watch?

  These children are suffering… and yet people are buying them.

  Aren’t they all humans?

  Don’t the people in this crowd have children in their own families?

  Ashora’s mind fills with questions.

  But there is no one there to answer them.

  After freeing all the children, Ashora takes out a small communication orb from his pocket and calls Leona and Ikshita, telling them where he is.

  The children stand close together, trembling with fear. Their faces are blank, empty of emotion.

  Ashora gently pats one child’s head.

  “Don’t worry,” he says softly. “From now on, you won’t suffer anymore.”

  But the children do not react.

  Instead, they tremble even more.

  Soon, Leona and Ikshita arrive.

  They immediately notice the scene.

  Leona’s eyes narrow.

  “What happened here?” she asks.

  Ikshita looks at the children, her expression filled with pity.

  “Ashora… What happened here? Why are these children like this?”

  Ashora explains everything—about the slave traders, the fight, and how the children were being sold.

  Leona’s expression turns cold.

  “Slave trading is banned in our kingdom,” she says. “How is something like this operating here?”

  She looks toward the town.

  “What are the officials sent by the royal palace doing?”

  Then she turns to them.

  “You two wait here. I’m going to check.”

  With that, Leona leaves immediately.

  Ashora looks back at the crowd.

  “For how long has this slave trading been happening here?” he asks.

  For a moment, no one answers.

  Then a voice comes from the crowd.

  “Sir… it has been happening for one year.”

  A teenage girl steps forward slowly.

  “Every 15th and 30th of the month,” she continues, “these people come here and sell children… younger than me.”

  Ikshita’s eyes sharpen slightly.

  “And the authorities?” she asks calmly. “Did the soldiers do nothing?”

  The girl hesitates.

  She looks as if she wants to speak… but fear stops her.

  Ikshita notices.

  She gently places a hand on the girl’s head.

  “Tell us everything you know,” Ikshita says softly.

  Then she points toward Ashora.

  “This man is the prince of our kingdom. He will protect you.”

  The moment the crowd hears that—

  They freeze.

  Then suddenly everyone falls to their knees.

  “We greet the prince!”

  Ashora frowns slightly.

  “Stop this,” he says. “Enough.”

  But the crowd continues kneeling.

  Ashora walks toward the teenage girl.

  “Tell me what you know,” he says calmly. “If you’re afraid of something, I will protect you.”

  The girl takes a shaky breath.

  Then she speaks.

  “The mayor… and the royal soldiers… they are the ones behind this.”

  Ashora and Ikshita both freeze.

  “The royal soldiers came to my village three months ago,” she continues. “They took many children with them.”

  Ashora’s face slowly darkens.

  Beside him, Ikshita’s expression becomes cold.

  The strange emotion growing inside Ashora becomes stronger and stronger.