With another phrase from Sophia, the massive boulder rolls back into place, sealing the entrance and plunging us into near-complete darkness. For a few moments, the only sounds are our breathing and the soft shuffle of our feet on the stone floor.
As my eyes adjust, I see Sophia pulling out a small crystal from her robe. She mutters something under her breath, and the crystal begins to glow softly, illuminating our surroundings. We stand at the beginning of a vast labyrinth, the stone walls cool and damp to the touch. The air carries a musty, earthy scent, the unmistakable aroma of deep underground caverns.
As we go deeper, the labyrinth stretches out in multiple directions. Here, it's like a maze of winding tunnels and chambers. Stone archways lead to rooms of varying sizes, some as small as a closet while others can comfortably fit a dozen people. While the structure is complex, there's an eerie absence of life. No sounds of chatter, no torches burning, no movement.
We follow the main passage. Along the way, we find remnants of the rebel’s existence: old weapons, tattered banners, empty food containers, and scorched fire pits. Some rooms were clearly intended for sleeping, with worn blankets and thin mattresses scattered about. Others have tables with maps, indicating that they used to be strategic meeting points for the rebellion. And then, I notice the dark stains on the ground and walls. Looks like blood stains. There must be a battle that took place here.
After a moment of scouting around, I gently lower Yumi and Hana onto a bed in one of the rooms. The girls remain undisturbed, their faces serene and untroubled in sleep. Sophia sits on the bed as well, with an old blanket wrapping around her body.
Now, turning to Sophia, I finally voice the question that's been nagging at me since we arrived. "How did you know about this place?"
Sophia sighs. "This used to be the main base for the rebels who opposed the king's rule. They believed in a better kingdom, one free from tyranny and corruption."
She pauses, her fingers trace patterns on the wall. "But they failed. The king's forces discovered the hideout, and a battle ensued right here, in these very corridors. The rebels fought valiantly, but they were outmatched.”
But, if that’s the case…
“Then why are you still alive?” I press. “Weren’t you with the rebels?”
“Yes, but not really,” Sophia replies, and I can see her bitter laugh. “I was actually a traitor. I sent the king information collected from the rebels, and led the knights here to destroy them.”
“Oh, I see.”
Now, I'm intrigued. I want to learn more about Sophia as well, so I ask her to tell me more. This is not a command, so the master-slave contract will not enforce this. She can choose not to answer if she's uncomfortable. Even if I can, I don’t want to push her too much anyway.
“Well, there’s no reason to hide anything from you anyway,” Sophia says, and proceeds to tell me about the whole thing that happened.
As displayed in the status, Sophia’s last name was actually not Lysandra, but Valeraine.
Twenty five years ago, the girl named Sophia Valeraine was born into privilege, a scion of one of the empire's most distinguished noble families. The Valeraines were highly respected, influential, and their legacy spanned generations. They were a family of mages, with members extremely gifted in magic and practiced high level magecraft. But all came to an abrupt end when, one fateful night, everyone was murdered, and the entire mansion was burned down. It was a massacre that shook the whole kingdom, and said to be done by the demons who were enemies of the Valeraine at that time.
But this was just a diversion from the truth.
Because… It wasn't the work of demons after all.
On that horrendous night, a loyal maid sacrificed herself, drawing the attackers away, ensuring young Sophia's safety. Hidden within a trash bin, Sophia bore witness to everything. The orchestrator of the onslaught was none other than Archduke Eldric Harrow. He wasn't just the King’s top mage but was also a close confidant of Sophia’s father. Sophia had met him many times before, so that was how the girl recognized his voice.
After being betrayed by someone so close to her family, the harrowing memory haunted Sophia. She swore revenge, but she knew it wasn't the time. She needed to be patient, to grow stronger, both in influence and power. So she changed her name and started over, taking the last name of the maid who saved her. Over the years, she immersed herself in the arcane arts, diving deep into forbidden lore and mastering her inherited magical prowess. As she honed her abilities, Sophia awakened her unique gift – a Divine Blessing called Euphonic Aura.
Yet, revenge wasn't something she could accomplish alone. So she discreetly sought out like-minded individuals, those disenchanted with the King and his closest advisors. Thus began her association with the rebels, where she rose quickly due to her competence. However, Sophia was aware that overt resistance would be met with insurmountable force. She needed to be within the heart of the enemy's territory to truly strike a fatal blow.
With calculated moves, Sophia managed to get herself positioned within the royal court, serving as both a royal advisor and the high mage. Yes, this may seem like a traitorous move, forsaking her family's memory to serve the very monarchy that ordered their execution. But in truth, she was playing a much longer game. By day, she was the King's trusted confidant, but by night, she plotted with the rebels, passing on crucial information.
However, as days turned to years, Sophia began to realize the massive surveillance and intelligence network the King commanded. The rebels' plans were always one step behind, their moves anticipated.
“Those guys were just not good enough,” says the enslaved woman, coldly. “So they needed to go.”
And that's why she betrayed them, providing the King with information that led to their capture. It was a cold, yet calculated move. Even with the rebels captured and killed, Sophia had earned the King's trust, thus better positioned herself for the eventual revenge.
“But I just ruined it, didn’t I?”
Knowing the whole backstory behind this woman, I feel quite bad for what I just did to her. Not only did I enslave her, but I've also now made her a fugitive. However, was there really any other option for me? Each person is driven by their unique goals and motivations. Sophia's and mine just happened to collide. And, considering she betrayed her own allies, it's not as though she's in a position to complain.
"It's alright," Sophia responds, exhaling deeply. “I overestimated myself against the king and that damned Archduke. Even with a hundred more years, I doubt I'd succeed in taking them down anyway. But you, on the other hand…”
“Oh? I raise my brows after understanding her true intention. "Is this why you decided to tell me all of this? To use me as an instrument for your revenge?”
“Yes. And is there any problem with that?”
“Ha, of course not.”
I laugh.
Knowing how wicked and scheming this woman is, there’s no chance in hell she’s going to be completely loyal to me, even if I enforce the slave pact. There’s even a high possibility of her betraying me in the end.
But, that’s fine.
It’s just the way some humans are. Both me and her, we are opportunistic creatures. As long as our goals align and our enemies remain mutual, we are going to work together just fine. And besides, I really need her talent and knowledge to navigate through this whole new world that I currently know almost nothing about.
“But why the sudden faith in me?” I probe. “I'm the one lacking a Divine Blessing, right? You really think I can challenge the king?”
"Initially, no," she admits. “But after viewing your status through the slave pact, how can I not be convinced?”
"Wait, slaves can view their master's stats?" I exclaim, shocked at that information.
“Yes,” Sophia confirms. "The enslavement spell originally stemmed from an ancient spell meant to bind the souls of lovers together and unite them as one. It was later modified to make it into a master-slave relationship. Because of its origins, some elements of the old spell persist, such as the ability to view your status."
"Ah, I see," I murmur.
"But rest assured, our bond doesn't grant me access to all your secrets; it only reveals certain basic statistics." Sophia continues. "But master, honestly, are you even human?"
“Oh?” I grin, intrigued. There's must be something in my status that catches Sophia's attention. “Out of curiosity, can you show me what you saw?”
“Yes,” Sophia nods, then proceeds to show me what my status looks like in her eyes. “Your level is low, but Strength and Agility are abnormally high, even higher than that of a lesser demon! So, I’m very curious. How the hell is this possible?”
—----------------------------
[Master: Jack Saunders. Level 3 Human]
Strength: 267
Agility: 273
Magic: 12
With another phrase from Sophia, the massive boulder rolls back into place, sealing the entrance and plunging us into near-complete darkness. For a few moments, the only sounds are our breathing and the soft shuffle of our feet on the stone floor.
As my eyes adjust, I see Sophia pulling out a small crystal from her robe. She mutters something under her breath, and the crystal begins to glow softly, illuminating our surroundings. We stand at the beginning of a vast labyrinth, the stone walls cool and damp to the touch. The air carries a musty, earthy scent, the unmistakable aroma of deep underground caverns.
As we go deeper, the labyrinth stretches out in multiple directions. Here, it's like a maze of winding tunnels and chambers. Stone archways lead to rooms of varying sizes, some as small as a closet while others can comfortably fit a dozen people. While the structure is complex, there's an eerie absence of life. No sounds of chatter, no torches burning, no movement.
We follow the main passage. Along the way, we find remnants of the rebel’s existence: old weapons, tattered banners, empty food containers, and scorched fire pits. Some rooms were clearly intended for sleeping, with worn blankets and thin mattresses scattered about. Others have tables with maps, indicating that they used to be strategic meeting points for the rebellion. And then, I notice the dark stains on the ground and walls. Looks like blood stains. There must be a battle that took place here.
After a moment of scouting around, I gently lower Yumi and Hana onto a bed in one of the rooms. The girls remain undisturbed, their faces serene and untroubled in sleep. Sophia sits on the bed as well, with an old blanket wrapping around her body.
Now, turning to Sophia, I finally voice the question that's been nagging at me since we arrived. "How did you know about this place?"
Sophia sighs. "This used to be the main base for the rebels who opposed the king's rule. They believed in a better kingdom, one free from tyranny and corruption."
She pauses, her fingers trace patterns on the wall. "But they failed. The king's forces discovered the hideout, and a battle ensued right here, in these very corridors. The rebels fought valiantly, but they were outmatched.”
But, if that’s the case…
“Then why are you still alive?” I press. “Weren’t you with the rebels?”
“Yes, but not really,” Sophia replies, and I can see her bitter laugh. “I was actually a traitor. I sent the king information collected from the rebels, and led the knights here to destroy them.”
“Oh, I see.”
Now, I'm intrigued. I want to learn more about Sophia as well, so I ask her to tell me more. This is not a command, so the master-slave contract will not enforce this. She can choose not to answer if she's uncomfortable. Even if I can, I don’t want to push her too much anyway.
“Well, there’s no reason to hide anything from you anyway,” Sophia says, and proceeds to tell me about the whole thing that happened.
As displayed in the status, Sophia’s last name was actually not Lysandra, but Valeraine.
Twenty five years ago, the girl named Sophia Valeraine was born into privilege, a scion of one of the empire's most distinguished noble families. The Valeraines were highly respected, influential, and their legacy spanned generations. They were a family of mages, with members extremely gifted in magic and practiced high level magecraft. But all came to an abrupt end when, one fateful night, everyone was murdered, and the entire mansion was burned down. It was a massacre that shook the whole kingdom, and said to be done by the demons who were enemies of the Valeraine at that time.
But this was just a diversion from the truth.
Because… It wasn't the work of demons after all.
On that horrendous night, a loyal maid sacrificed herself, drawing the attackers away, ensuring young Sophia's safety. Hidden within a trash bin, Sophia bore witness to everything. The orchestrator of the onslaught was none other than Archduke Eldric Harrow. He wasn't just the King’s top mage but was also a close confidant of Sophia’s father. Sophia had met him many times before, so that was how the girl recognized his voice.
After being betrayed by someone so close to her family, the harrowing memory haunted Sophia. She swore revenge, but she knew it wasn't the time. She needed to be patient, to grow stronger, both in influence and power. So she changed her name and started over, taking the last name of the maid who saved her. Over the years, she immersed herself in the arcane arts, diving deep into forbidden lore and mastering her inherited magical prowess. As she honed her abilities, Sophia awakened her unique gift – a Divine Blessing called Euphonic Aura.
Yet, revenge wasn't something she could accomplish alone. So she discreetly sought out like-minded individuals, those disenchanted with the King and his closest advisors. Thus began her association with the rebels, where she rose quickly due to her competence. However, Sophia was aware that overt resistance would be met with insurmountable force. She needed to be within the heart of the enemy's territory to truly strike a fatal blow.
With calculated moves, Sophia managed to get herself positioned within the royal court, serving as both a royal advisor and the high mage. Yes, this may seem like a traitorous move, forsaking her family's memory to serve the very monarchy that ordered their execution. But in truth, she was playing a much longer game. By day, she was the King's trusted confidant, but by night, she plotted with the rebels, passing on crucial information.
However, as days turned to years, Sophia began to realize the massive surveillance and intelligence network the King commanded. The rebels' plans were always one step behind, their moves anticipated.
“Those guys were just not good enough,” says the enslaved woman, coldly. “So they needed to go.”
And that's why she betrayed them, providing the King with information that led to their capture. It was a cold, yet calculated move. Even with the rebels captured and killed, Sophia had earned the King's trust, thus better positioned herself for the eventual revenge.
“But I just ruined it, didn’t I?”
Knowing the whole backstory behind this woman, I feel quite bad for what I just did to her. Not only did I enslave her, but I've also now made her a fugitive. However, was there really any other option for me? Each person is driven by their unique goals and motivations. Sophia's and mine just happened to collide. And, considering she betrayed her own allies, it's not as though she's in a position to complain.
"It's alright," Sophia responds, exhaling deeply. “I overestimated myself against the king and that damned Archduke. Even with a hundred more years, I doubt I'd succeed in taking them down anyway. But you, on the other hand…”
“Oh? I raise my brows after understanding her true intention. "Is this why you decided to tell me all of this? To use me as an instrument for your revenge?”
“Yes. And is there any problem with that?”
“Ha, of course not.”
I laugh.
Knowing how wicked and scheming this woman is, there’s no chance in hell she’s going to be completely loyal to me, even if I enforce the slave pact. There’s even a high possibility of her betraying me in the end.
But, that’s fine.
It’s just the way some humans are. Both me and her, we are opportunistic creatures. As long as our goals align and our enemies remain mutual, we are going to work together just fine. And besides, I really need her talent and knowledge to navigate through this whole new world that I currently know almost nothing about.
“But why the sudden faith in me?” I probe. “I'm the one lacking a Divine Blessing, right? You really think I can challenge the king?”
"Initially, no," she admits. “But after viewing your status through the slave pact, how can I not be convinced?”
"Wait, slaves can view their master's stats?" I exclaim, shocked at that information.
“Yes,” Sophia confirms. "The enslavement spell originally stemmed from an ancient spell meant to bind the souls of lovers together and unite them as one. It was later modified to make it into a master-slave relationship. Because of its origins, some elements of the old spell persist, such as the ability to view your status."
"Ah, I see," I murmur.
"But rest assured, our bond doesn't grant me access to all your secrets; it only reveals certain basic statistics." Sophia continues. "But master, honestly, are you even human?"
“Oh?” I grin, intrigued. There's must be something in my status that catches Sophia's attention. “Out of curiosity, can you show me what you saw?”
“Yes,” Sophia nods, then proceeds to show me what my status looks like in her eyes. “Your level is low, but Strength and Agility are abnormally high, even higher than that of a lesser demon! So, I’m very curious. How the hell is this possible?”
—----------------------------
[Master: Jack Saunders. Level 3 Human]
Strength: 267
Agility: 273
Magic: 12
