"Brave heroes," the king's voice boomed once more, "your courage will not be forgotten. On behalf of Crown Almighty, your actions today will be etched in history." He clapped his hands, and a group of attendants entered, each carrying contracts written in an unfamiliar language.

A middle-aged man furrowed his brow and spoke up. "What are these?"

"A formality," the king explained. "We want to equip you all with the best gear for the fight against the demons. However, the cost of training and outfitting even a small group is immense. With nearly a hundred of you, the burden is beyond any single kingdom."

He paused, giving a heavy sigh. "The demons' domain extends far beyond our borders," the king continued, his voice grave. "Their threat looms over all races, not just humanity. The other kingdoms have pledged their support, but..." His expression hardened. "As you saw, not everyone shares our resolve. We can't afford to waste resources on those who might falter. This contract signifies your commitment to this fight, to our survival."

The heroes scrutinized the contracts, eyebrows furrowing as they encountered the unfamiliar script. "Why can't we read this?" someone called out suspiciously. "You speak our language, so why can't we read this?"

A young woman added with added anxiousness, "You aren't trying to trick us, right?"

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Were they being tricked into servitude? Not reading a contract felt like a recipe for disaster. Chancellor Nuel stepped forward and said calmly, "There's no need for alarm. The contract is written in an ancient tongue, a language of magic from a time when the art was raw and powerful. It creates a binding agreement, compelling both sides to honor their promises."

He suddenly raised a glowing orb, its surface shimmering. "I assure you, there's nothing sinister hidden within the contract. It simply states that you will fight on behalf of the kingdom to the best of your abilities, and in return, the kingdom will provide you with support." Holding the orb aloft, he spoke out, "Everything I have said is true." The orb blazed a brilliant green, confirming his words.

He then turned to the young woman who had voiced her concerns earlier, holding the orb before her. "Place your hands on the orb," he instructed, "and tell an obvious lie."

Hesitantly, she complied. "My hair is white," she muttered. The orb flared a furious red, exposing the lie for all to see.

The demonstration eased the tension in the room. Reassured by the undeniable proof of the orb's power, they began to accept the kingdom's requirement for the contract to ensure resources weren't wasted. The contracts, while still in an unreadable language, no longer felt like a sinister trap.

The woman with the hazelnut brown bob and rumpled blouse hesitated, then raised her hand and asked, "What if we don't sign?"

The king's face grew grim. "Without the contract, we cannot offer support. You would face the same fate as the young man who left, I'm afraid. This world is dangerous. Without knowledge of our lands, you'll struggle to find work or even food." He sighed. "I fear he won't survive a month unaided. We are also currently in the midst of a famine and though the people of the Crown Almighty are often kind, in these tough times, we must all choose to protect our own.

The dirty blonde hair man jumped up, and proclaimed loudly. "Who cares about risks? I'll sign! We must help those who called for us! It's natural they need assurance. This contract is a small price to pay. I pledge to slay the demons, no matter the cost and be the hero this kingdom needs!"

He snatched a quill, signing his name with a flourish. Turning to the others, he declared, "I am Lance, and I will be the hero who vanquishes the demons! Who will join me in this glorious quest?"

Inspired by his bravado, the others followed suit, signing their names one by one. The hazlenut hair woman, feeling the pressure, meekly added her signature – Emily Brine.

She would be wholly unprepared of the consequences to come.

…

Haru stepped out of the castle into the bustling streets of Crown City. Sunlight glinted off grand stone buildings, and colorful banners fluttered in the breeze. Horse-drawn carriages clattered past, and vendors hawked their wares, their voices a lively hum against the backdrop of everyday chaos.

Despite the king's previous speech about the encroaching demons, the people of Crown City seemed to pay it no mind. Children played, laughter echoed, and the city thrummed with life.

Haru drew a wide array of stares as he walked by. He was still in his cat-patterned pajamas, a strange sight in any world. Unfazed, he offered a smile and a wave to those who passed.

He strolled through the marketplace, taking in the sights and smells. The aroma of fresh bread wafted from a nearby bakery, causing his stomach to growl slightly.

"I don't remember if I even ate anything before I was summoned," Haru grumbled, clutching his stomach as he eyed a nearby meat stall. Jerky hung from the roof. As he licked his lips, a plan was forming in his mind. All he needed was a distraction.

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Faking an injury always did the trick. Being the heroes' lackey in his previous life had taught him a few things – like how to survive when they ate all his rations. As he plotted, a commotion erupted behind him. A carriage had stopped, its cargo drawing a crowd eager to see its occupant. Even the vendor was distracted, giving Haru ample time to swipe a couple of meat sticks with none the wiser.

The crowd buzzed around the large cage.

"Wow, a wild Yxlier! Never seen one so ragged."

"Of course not! Wild ones are so rare nowadays. And look at those wings – almost white as snow! You don't get that color from breeding."

"No way, look at her eyes! Deep purple – her bloodline must be exceptionally pure. Who's the lucky owner?"

Inside the cage was a young woman, thin and dark-skinned with vibrant violet hair. Heavy chains bound her, and ropes constricted her wings. She huddled, terrified, her face hidden in her knees. She was clearly malnourished, too weak even to speak.

A stern voice cut through the crowd's excited chatter. "Make way! Make way!" A tall, impeccably dressed man shouldered his way through. His livery marked him as a high-ranking servant, likely a butler or chamberlain. "This Yxlier is the property of Lord Ashton. Show some respect and disperse." He gestured sharply towards the carriage driver, who hastily threw a rough brown tarp over the cage. It didn't fully conceal the Yxlier – her bound feet and the tips of her white wings were still visible – but it was enough to finally disperse the crowd.

Haru watched the scene unfold, feeling no inclination to intervene. This was just how things worked here. What the king and princess had failed to mention to the other summoned heroes was the kingdom's reliance on slave labor to fuel its economy.

In fact, slave labor was a common occurrence in all but one of the human-ruled kingdoms. Crown Almighty, unlike the others, was unique in its role as the central hub for the slave trade in the region. The kingdom's strategic location and expansive facilities made it an ideal center for the import and export of slaves.

In Crown City, the sight of chained and shackled slaves being marched through the streets was a common one. The kingdom's economy thrived on the backs of these enslaved individuals, who were forced to work in a variety of industries, from the vast agricultural estates to the burgeoning mining operations and even the intricate artisan workshops that produced luxury goods for the nobility.

Merchants and traders from across the known world flocked to Crown City, where the top-quality slaves were sold in illustrious auctions held weekly in the central square. Bidders fiercely competed for the strongest laborers, the most skilled artisans, and the rarest and most exotic slaves, such as the Yxliers – winged beings whose beauty and abilities fetched exorbitant prices.

Perhaps at one point, Haru would've felt compelled to do something but now that he's been given a second opportunity, he wasn't going to waste it. As the crowd dispersed, a tall young man with meticulously styled red hair emerged from the edge of the market. His features were sharp, his green eyes scanning the surroundings with a hint of arrogance. He wore a deep green velvet doublet adorned with golden embroidery, matched with dark trousers and polished boots. A signet ring bearing his family's crest gleamed on his right hand. "Is everything in order, Thaddeus?" he inquired.

The chamberlain, Thaddeus, bowed respectfully. "Yes, my lord. All the papers are sorted, and the Yxlier is ready to be transported."

Lord Ashton approached the cage, lifting the edge of the tarp to inspect its contents. His gaze lingered on the Yxlier's white wings and deep purple eyes, a look of satisfaction crossing his face. "A relatively pureblood," he mused aloud. "It was worth spending all my money to acquire this one. Once I present this Yxlier to the Count, I will surely be invited to The Society. That will truly elevate my status."

As Lord Ashton was lost in his thoughts, Haru was just about to leave when he caught a glimpse of the girl. Their eyes met for a brief, poignant moment, and he suddenly bit the edge of his lip. Something stirred within him, compelling his feet to turn back against his initial intention to walk away.

Without missing a beat, Haru bumped into Lord Ashton with a thud. With a subtle twist of his wrist, he slipped a piece of jerked meat into the cart.

"What the hell?" Lord Ashton roared.

"My word! How dare you touch a noble so casually!" Thaddeus exclaimed.

"Ah, sorry about that, mister!" Haru quickly began brushing the noble's cape, patting off any dust.

Looking as if someone had insulted his mother, Lord Ashton grabbed Haru by the collar. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean it, I swear! I was just taken by the sights. Everything is still so new after being summoned," Haru said with a wry smile.

"Wait—summoned?" Lord Ashton's eyes widened in shock as his grip loosened.

"Yeah, just today. Let me pay for your dry cleaning—no, wait, I don't have any money." Haru put on a serious expression, as if genuinely trying to figure out what to do.

"You… were you summoned from the palace?"

"That's right," Haru responded truthfully. "Is there something wrong?"

Lord Ashton dropped Haru and asked, "What's your name?"

"Name's Jack, nice to meet ya!" He extended a hand. An obvious fake name but this noble didn't have to know that.

"Jack… that is a foreign name." The noble fell into thought, but only for a moment before remembering Haru was still in front of him.

He coughed and took Haru's hand. "Very well, given that you are new here, I will overlook this minor transgression. Be more careful next time. Not all nobles are as forgiving as I am. I am Lord Frederick Ashton."

"Hey, that's pretty chill of you." Haru gave a light laugh. "I'll be on my way then. If we meet again, I'll treat you to some lunch." He then turned to leave, and in his passing, he saw the Yxlier girl now chewing on the jerked meat he left her. Her lips moved, and though no sounds came out, it was apparent she was saying thank you.

As he melted into the crowd, Lord Ashton continued to stare in the direction where Haru had disappeared.

"That was quite kind of you, my lord. I'm a little surprised given your usual… temperament," Thaddeus remarked.

Despite the backhanded comment, Lord Ashton remained deep in thought. "What do you think about that summoned, Thaddeus?"

"He's certainly strange, my lord. Had it not been for his unusual clothes and mannerisms, I would not have suspected him to be one of the summoned."

"Right. I heard that the summoned would be assessed before the auction. Do you think they let him out because he's special?"

"That is difficult to say, my lord."

"In any case, it doesn't hurt to avoid making an enemy of the summoned until we know what they are truly capable of." Lord Ashton then turned back to the girl. "Let's get her going. Once I get you into the hands of the count, I will be invited into all sorts of events and make valuable connections. You're my prized key into the world of upper nobility!"