I heard the sound of the swords hacking at the wooden pillars and before I realized, my face met with the wooden floor of the announcement platform.

Opening my eyes, I realized they didn’t kill me. Did prince charisma say something to save my life?

The crowd seemed just as perplexed as me, they started calling for my head as I got up to my feet. The jumbler isn’t on my arm, do I just run away?

That would be even more suicidal.

“Lifes, remember me? Leo, from your dorm? From now on you will call me master and follow my commands, is that understood?” I spat in his direction and got punched by the soldier next to me for that.

“Dear citizens of Silvermoon, no, citizens of the kingdom of Rintiya. It would appear my son has some better ideas than his old man yahahaha!” The crowd erupted into fake laughter.

“It may not be my place to delay the rightful punishment of this criminal, however, I’m sure the noble baron of Shinville would allow me this opportunity to put the murderer’s skills to good use.

I, Leonardo Hyland, 3rd in line to the crown, will gather a group of capable warriors and together we will defeat the evil Dirk Lingyle and the Winter Congregation!” The crowd was silent, isn’t this basically a declaration of war in a meritocracy like Rintiya?

Would his brothers really be ok with that? I guess it doesn’t matter to me.

“My prince, his highness, I ask that you compensate my house for this decision! The Villfer family’s honor will forever be tainted if we don’t punish this scum!”

“Silence insolent noble-”

“Stop Geornell, the noble baron of Villfer is right to have his gripes and demand compensation.

Father, I ask that, for the duration of their stay in the capital of Silvermoon, the Villfer family will have charge over the criminal.

The proud nobles will have authority to do as they wish with him just short of killing or inflicting permanent damage that will hinder our mission in the future.

In addition the family will receive a great sum of gold; is that acceptable to you baron Shin Villfer?” The 3rd prince concluded in a threatening tone.

“Of course my prince, I offer the sincerest of apologies for interrupting you.

Many thanks!” The blond and gray haired man bowed deeply.

I guess these next few days are about to be painful, all of this is because of this fucking piece of shit. Kiyoko, I swear I’ll kill you!

***

The soldiers dragged me off the stage and back into the stadium cell I was held in before.

“Hey Lifes, long time no see, right? Sorry about the rough treatme-”

“Save it, rich pri- Bahhh” I threw up as the guard punched me in the stomach again, this fucking guy is pissing me off.

The red haired prince took a deep breath before squatting down to meet my eyes “See, Lifes, there’s a reason you’re alive now, this reason is to serve as my meat shield. Now, I don’t want my meat shield all beaten and bruised before we even have to fight.” His voice was somewhat shaky and his expression was trying to hide something, maybe…pain?

Fuck, why is everyone around me like that, just fucking tell me what you really think, stop being so dishonest!

“Fuck… You.” That earned me another kick to the face. “Let me tell you something about me, o high and mighty, noble prince. Nobody has ever been able to lie to me before, not even my master. That facade of yours doesn’t work. Just say what you want to fucking say already!”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The shitty prince looked at the ground and bit his lower lip “Lifes, or should we just call you ‘slave’ from now on? Settle down already, get off your high horse and work with me here.” Calling me a slave and saying that in the same sentence royals truly are shameless, how fucking gross.

“Regardless of your decision, you will end up helping me. Have you ever heard of artifacts, slave?” The garbage, lying prince got up and turned his back to me.

“Haha, what am I saying, an assassin from Slayer, not knowing what artifacts are?”

The sleazy bastard picked up a cup of water and walked towards me. It occurred to me that I was really dizzy from puking so much… This guy.

“Mmm so refreshing, if only you just acquiesced… Though like I said; it wouldn’t really make much of a difference.

You see, slave traders have a way of branding slaves with a certain artifact, it is a secret that only some nobles and the traders themselves know about.

The artifact is kept hidden so people don’t try to duplicate its effect.

You’re a smart guy, you can see why duplicating would be undesirable right? After all, level 5 Seals are much stronger than level 1 Seals.”

Level 5… So he’s somewhat aware of my abilities, but to what extent?

Tch, talking to this prince always leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

“Anyway, you don’t have to worry about getting branded for the time being.

First you will serve your punishment with the Villfers.” Red hair handed his cup to one of the soldiers and gestured with his head.

Jason appeared in my view and grabbed my chin. Is this guy trying to drown me?!

He poured the water into my mouth.

“Geornell, Jason, take this filth over to his temporary owners. Make sure the baron is aware of his limitations.” The prince walked out of the room and the 2 soldiers proceeded to drag me in the other direction.

Those fuckers, can’t they handle me a bit more gently? “I can walk you know?”

“Not another word out of you scum, I’ll let you off with this one as you’re about to experience true hell, but keep that hole of yours shut.”

***

“Noble baron of the town of Shinville, we have brought the prisoner!” Geornell and Jason let go of my arms in order to salute. This tradition looks so idiotic.

The 2 soldiers held the 2 fingers of their left hand over the left side of their chest and made a circle sign with the right hand over the left shoulder, they proceeded to look into the sky and turned their heads to the right.

“Pfft, hahahahahhaha, how fucking stupid” I didn’t mean to laugh but honestly, who thought this salute would make any sense at all.

Geornell pulled me by my hair and was about to start beating me up before Shin Vilefart or whatever his name was, interfered “Stop right there soldier, this filthy animal is mine to punish.”

Geornell let go of my hair and apologized with a curt bow.

“Don’t think I tried to help you here, you vile murderer, you are about to regret ever being born, I assure you as much.” I looked at the guy’s face for the first time and it was impossible to figure out, is he sad? angry? maybe… elated?

What the fuck is wrong with this old man.

I waved and winked at the soldiers as the baron’s guards led me towards the carriage.

For a second I thought I might get to ride it, but of course that’s not the case… They just tied my hands to the carriage and forced me to run behind them. How fun.

***

And just like that we arrived at this man’s house in the capital and I got thrown into a dungeon, or at least I think it was supposed to be.

It was just a room in the house, but the windows were covered with wood planks and there were no furnitures aside from the chair I was tied down to.

Is this guy not aware of my Seal? They removed the jumbler and the planks don’t even cover the entire window. Are they daring me? Is this a joke?

A sudden feeling of angst came over me as I had some time for my own thoughts.

That’s right, I can escape, I will escape and kill the monster.

My thoughts were interrupted by the raspy voice of a man that opened the door to my room.

“My, my look at what we have here! Father said he managed to get the guy who killed my baby brother, but to think a wimp like yourself is the him. What a joke!

We will make you regret ever being born!” Like father, like son, I guess.

“Don’t you worry Christopher, you will get your time with this toy, we have it for 3 whole days after all. Now let me play with it a little bit.” The family head came into the room and closed the door.

“Now, let’s make this a night you won’t ever forget, you disgusting, filthy, evil murderer!”