Royal Princess of Blood

We continued on our journey. It was daytime, and we paused for the meantime for the slaves. Which was a surprise.

“What are you getting them out for?” I asked the criminal supervisor as I watched the slaves being guided out of their cages in an orderly manner.

The slaves’ limbs were tied in chains. They were all dirty, grime stuck to their faces. All of them were wearing rags for clothes basically, considering how ripped and terrible their clothes were. They also smelled terrible. They all had ‌depressed looks on their faces, not a light of life in their eyes. Almost as if they just accepted their fate. Surprisingly, they didn’t have wounds on their bodies.

But then again, it would be bad if they got wounded and got an infection. That was a high possibility considering the environment they were kept in. It would be a waste if even one of them died, as they should be worth a lot. Worth more to keep them alive than not.

“We’re organizing them to make sure they’re headed where they’re supposed to go.”

“What do you mean by that? Does a place have different demands?”

“Of course. For example, here in Hokunoa, entertainment is slightly more in demand than workers.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Entertainment?”

“To be used for sex. Mostly women, and some men. Or they could be used for other kinds of entertainment, people are into other kinds of weird shit. That is why in that department we pick the attractive.”

Damn, I dread to think what sort of weird shit people are into. Sadism, domination, masochism or whatever fuck there was, I for sure want to live in ignorance regarding that. These slaves would be in a whole other kind of abuse. And there was no way they could escape.

“But sexual pleasures have a lot of demand,” he added.

“I see.”

Sex sells.

“Well, some of them are for hard labor. But those can be gathered just about anywhere. Ugly or pretty slaves, it doesn’t matter for labor.”

“Are they all for Hokunoa?”

“No, the rest is for Nishinoa.”

“... Of course, that’s where we’re going after all.” That was why they were so easy to take my request. They were going there in the first place, smuggling people and products. “So what’s the demand in Nishinoa?” I was a bit curious. Illegal slaves were, well, illegal there. So how come they were still selling people there? I thought it would be more costly to do that.

“Labors.”

“Labors?” I glanced at a group of men being put into a carriage. “How come?”

“Turns out if you have rules on who gets to become a slave, you’ll have a labor shortage in other regions. And no one’s willing to pay someone a salary when they can get a slave and pay one time.”

“... Huh. That’s clever. But wouldn't it be risky for their business?”

“No one except from the capital is going to try to shut them down. Some authorities just leave it be. They get a share after all.”

Well shit, the job’s never gonna be easy for Miyako.

I would be having a headache trying to fix all that shit. At that point, I’d just go the blood route if you get what I’m saying.

“And great advantage of all for labor? They gonna have no rights as they’re not from Nishinoa. Technicalities and stuff, and less of a headache. Nishinoans know their rights and shit, and that’s annoying to deal with.”

“You’d have their families to deal with, and might do something annoying to disrupt business. But if they’re from another island, with no connections, no families, not knowing their rights, then…”

“They’ll do what they’re told until they die.” He smirked. “Your island’s not so good even after all those laws, huh?” He glanced a smart look at Miyako, who was listening nearby.

Miyako glared at the man with a displeased frown. She looked really mad. “You people are scum.”

“Hey now, we only go where the market demands. Don’t blame the seller, blame the buyers.”

Hate to admit it, but he was kinda right.

“But you’re the ones giving them what they demand. If I remove you, they’d have no choice but to go through legitimate means.”

She was also kinda right.

“Hehehe… You won’t get rid of us completely as long as your people don't change. Slaves are just cheaper.”

Miyako stared at the slaves. “Look at how you treat them. Do you even have a heart?”

“Don’t care. They’ll be cleaned when they’re about to be sold.”

From what I knew, the major industry on this archipelago was the minerals from the ground. Well, there were no other rich materials to get from anyway. Nothing but the metals in the ground. Mining was a hard job. Using slaves would be the best option in a place without ‌good enforcement of the law.

With slaves, you could invest one time and get the profits from the mines nicely. Just feed the slave miners enough, and you’d get months or maybe even years of workforce.

“How did you even get them? I’m sure a lot of them are just strays you got from whatever corner. You people are cruel. You can’t even give them a small amount of decency.”

The criminal supervisor chuckled. “You Nishinoans…”

It was then I noticed a commotion from among the slaves and the guards organizing them. The woman slave bumped against a guard aggressively, while still in chains at that.

“Don’t fucking touch me! You pig!” She was a fierce, pretty young woman. “I’m getting out of here!”

“Damn woman!” The woman was about to run away when the guard immediately caught up with her. “Don’t think you’ll be going anywhere.”

“Curse you, damn you all! I don’t deserve to be here! I was just going back home!”

As the guard kept a hold over her, she violently writhed around, struggling to get free from his grasp. Annoyed by her, the guard slapped the woman violently, pushing her to the ground.

“Behave, bitch!” He kicked her in the stomach.

“Hey! Stop!” Miyako, who couldn't bear to see such a sight, rushed to the woman and pulled the guard away from her. “What are you kicking her around for?!”

The guard raised an eyebrow. “She tried to escape!”

“You don’t have to torment her further, she already suffered enough under your capture!”

“Tch!” He clicked his tongue and turned to look at the criminal supervisor. “Boss?”

The supervisor sighed. “Miss Miyako, please refrain from meddling in our business.”

“Screw you! How much do you intend to make people suffer?”

“They’re slaves. Don't be so worked up about it.”

Miyako ignored him and came down to check up on the slave, who was scowling. “Are you okay?”

The slave withdrew a little, directing a cautious look at Miyako. “... I’m fine.”

Miyako looked down. “You’re hurt. Hang on.”

The slave had scratches on her leg and elbow after being pushed to the ground. If I were acting like the Pure Princess, I might have been the one to rush over there, or help Miyako somehow. But not this time. I was not fond of seeing these slaves being treated harshly, but it was not really my business.

Miyako started healing the slave girl.

“W-What are you doing?” The slave asked frantically.

“Don’t move.”

The supervisor turned to me with a look indirectly asking for help in dealing with my friend. I resisted the urge to sigh.

“Work on the other slaves for the time being,” I whispered. “I’ll work on her.”

I approached Miyako as she finished healing the slave.

“Feeling better now?” she asked the slave.

“... Why did you help me?”

“... Why not? I can’t let them just mistreat you like this.”

“Why would you…? Are you not one of them slavers?”

“N-No, I’m not.”

The slave frowned. She really seemed like a tough cookie. “I just want to get out of here.”

“... What did you mean you were just going back home?”

“I was just walking back home when these bastards snatched me!”

“That’s terrible! Making slaves of just about anyone they get their hands on.” Miyako clenched her fists. “It’s not fair.”

I glanced at the other slaves. “And I’m sure she’s not the only one.”

“A lot of us have families to go back to,” the slave said.

“... What’s your name?” Miyako asked.

Oh no, not good. Now she’s going to become more sentimental.

Names were often the pathway to the heart.

“... Kari…”

“Kari… How long have you been captured?”

Kari glanced at the staring slavers. “Weeks maybe, hard to tell…”

“I see. And they have never been kind, I can see.”

Kari stared into Miyako’s eyes. “You seem kind. L-Look, I just wanna go back home. Please help me, help us.”

Miyako faltered for a moment. “...They wouldn’t let you go.”

“... I’ve seen what you all can do. You can fight, you’re powerful.”

“... No, that’s not…” Miyako had a conflicted expression. “That’s not an option…”

It would be pretty stupid to kill our only means of transport.

“You’d let us be sold off unjustly…?” the slave said in a low, distraught voice.

“I…” Miyako looked around and glanced at me. “They plan to sell you… Maybe if we…”

I raised an eyebrow. “Miyako… I think that’s enough. Move away from her.”

“E-Estelia?” She was astonished that I had just said that.

“You’re meddling in their business. Remember what we’re here for.”

“But… I can’t just abandon her.”

I frowned and placed a hand on Miyako’s shoulder and pulled her up. Turning to the nearby guard, I pointed at the slave. “Go ahead.”

“Finally.” The guard grabbed the slave.

“L-Let me go! Please help me!”

“Shut up, slave! We’re gonna give you to someone who’s really gonna make full use of you. You’ll fetch a good price with that face. Hehehe.”

The guard dragged the woman to a carriage.

“No! Please! Help me! I shouldn’t be here!”

Miyako desperately stared at Kari. “Estelia, why are you holding me back?”

“Don’t be cruel,” I said as I pulled her away.

Her eyes widened. “Cruel?! Me being cruel?!”

“If you save her, then why shouldn’t you save the next? And the next one after that? Not doing so would be unfair to the rest who want to be saved. That is cruel.”

“I don’t get what you mean!”

“Why save her and not them? Why does it have to be her? Why not that ‌other person as well? Can’t you see the unfairness?”

“Then I’ll save them all!”

“That’s precisely what I’m saying, it’s impossible. Compose yourself.” I whispered. “I know everything has been difficult for you lately, but you’re being unreasonable.”

She closed her eyes, moist coming out as if she was about to cry. “Why can’t we save everyone?”

“You are not capable of doing so. Nor am I. You think it’s wise to just buy up every single slave here? That’s unreasonable and absurd.”

“Saving those being abused is unreasonable…?”

“You only get to do that if you can do it. But at the moment, you can’t.” It was so annoying seeing Miyako become so emotional like this. But I understood her frustrations, she was near breaking down. But the difference between us was that in her agony, she wanted to save people. Perhaps to make herself feel better, to know she did something good. “There is a good time for everything. Trying to save those slaves now is not the right time. You’re in no position to do so.”

Besides, if we freed them, what then? Where would be bring them? Do you we have to drag them along? Like come on that’s crazy. No way we can take care of that many people, nor would I even be willing to do so. If we just say go wherever you want they’d just die out there in the middle of nowhere.

“... Why are you doing this, Estelia…?” She looked down. “You sound cold.”

“It’s called being realistic.”

“... I… I just… I just want something good to happen for once.”

“I know.”

“Everything… everything has been so terrible… Nothing good ever happens.” She sniffed as tears started coming out of her eyes. “I’ve caused the death of many… And now I’m going to cause a civil war… I couldn’t save Yuki, and I ordered the killing of his father.” She took a sharp breath. “I just want something good to happen for once…”

I slowly wrapped my arms around her and pulled her head to my chest. “It will come.” I could feel her tears wet my clothes, but it was fine.

In her agony, in her grief and despair, she wanted to save people. We were so different in that regard. But still, I sympathize with her. Bad things happening all at once. Victims of circumstances.

“You will get your time.”

As would also I.