As a stark contrast to the rather lively atmosphere of Floren City in the close vicinity of the Church of Hure, the deeper and narrow pathways led to the part of the city that was mostly kept hidden from everyone's sights. There was a hint of putrid stench of unknown origin lingering in the area as we looked at the destitute state of this place. The roads were cracked, damp, and trash were scattered everywhere. The prying eyes of a lot of people were all focused on the two of us as our clean and robed figures emphasized how out of place we are. No one dared to approach us though, probably due to the intimidating figure known as Esto.

"Stick close Young Alkef. This place is as dangerous as it looks, if not more."

"I will, sir, but why does this place look like it's abandoned?"

"Because it has always been. The people here are too dangerous that most street cleaners don't dare to enter this place without armed guards watching over them."

"So these are where all the marked ones go to, sir?"

"Not all. There are other places like this in this city. This is just where the 'real' slave market is located."

"Real slave market?"

"There is a cleaner and legitimate-looking one just at the other side of that structure over there."

When I looked at what he was pointing at, it was a small entrance to some rundown building that had guards as large or near as large as Esto guarding it. Behind that rundown building, however, was a larger one that clearly was neatly maintained.

"The larger one over there is what almost everyone sees. The slaves there are kept clean, fed well, and are guaranteed to have kind owners or will not have owners at all until they served their sentence. They are mostly criminals of wealthy families or those that have connections. Instead of being stuck in a cold prison cell that has many restrictions, they chose to become slaves because the only difference would be the place where they will be staying and the arcane slave marking they will temporarily have to bear."

As he said that, he shifted his gaze at a person with ragged clothes who somehow had glowing vine-like tattoos that were emanating from his skin. These tattoos seemed to glow in the dark and even show itself through an arcane-like glow despite being covered by clothing.

"Is that the mark of being a slave?"

"Yes. It's temporary and it distinguishes slaves from criminals that are imprisoned. Criminals will have a big blowing translucent eye above their heads that make them easy to track and notice in public. As for the marked ones, they lose limbs and also will have the arcane markings of both a slave and a criminal."

Strange. I didn't see such markings at those people I saw in the alleys of Sevis City.

"But sir, how long will criminals and slaves have to bear their mark? Also are there other penalties besides being marked?"

"They lose protection based on their crime and the length would also depend on what and how much did they do. The permanently marked ones are deprived of living, their freedom, and their purity. As for criminals and slaves, they are deprived of owning property, getting rightful wages, and seeking justice."

"Are these penalties actively enforced by the local government, sir?"

"No. It just means that if harm involving those deprivations were to be experienced by them, they cannot expect that the law or anyone else to help them. However, the markings are enough of a sign for others to know that they shouldn't involve themselves with those people."

"Then what if someone would help them despite all of those?"

Esto then looked at me, straight to my eyes.

"Then they are either fools or saints. Arkind is selfish by nature. Only fools or saints are selfless enough to think of others first, than of themselves."

"So I'm either a fool or a saint?"

"You can also be both. But that's what separates them from other people. They do not do things that others expect them to, nor do the things they should be doing."

"Is that really the case, sir?"

"Young Alkef... In your eyes, people may have redeemable qualities, but I have seen and witnessed situations that made me question the inherent nature and virtue of arkind. As much as we are capable of good, we are then also as capable to do evil."

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"I do not want to sound impudent, sir. But I might now know another reason as to why High Priest Noblesa had assigned you to assist me today."

"What do you mean, Acolyte Alkef?", the tone of his voice was no longer as kind as it was earlier.

"Instead of telling you, sir. It would be best to show you."

I then disobeyed his advice of keeping close and went straight to the entrance of the rundown building he was pointing at earlier. The guards noticing me immediately went closer to each other, blocking the entrance.

"That attire... kid, are you some kind of acolyte of those Hurain priests? What are you doing here?"

"I've come to help the slaves, Mr. Guard."

"Help the slaves? What do you mean by that? Are you going to try and free them?"

"No. I would never. That would be against the law. I just want to help them."

Seeing Esto fast approaching, they immediately changed their attention to him.

"This one of yours?"

"Yes. An acolyte of the Church of Hure."

"Esto, you know this isn't the place you should be taking kids to sightsee.

It seemed that Esto knew these people. Well, as he did say that he was quite acquainted with this side of Floren City before becoming a priest, he may have also made a few friends during those two years.

"Greetings, Iclio. It wasn't my idea. He said he wanted to go here specifically to help slaves."

"So even you don't know what that means?"

Esto shook his head.

"Kid, this place is dangerous. Best you leave now while it's still early."

"I want to help the slaves first."

I won't budge so easily just from mere provocation. I know that they can't harm me nor do they intend to based on their expression and how relaxed they are. They might've been standing here for who knows how long, and seeing this new face and situation may as well be a good story for them to tell later with others. Well, I plan to be as indefinite as I want in order to somehow showcase these 'child-like' innocence of mine, while also being 'unique' enough to garner the attention of others.

"Why are you so vague about it!? Bah! Fine, Duka, you stay here while I go tell the boss about this."

Duka, the larger of the two, simply nodded his head and he watched me and Esto like a hawk.

Esto eventually went beside me. As I changed my sight towards him, I took a quick glance at the area surrounding me and noticed that almost everyone nearby has been more attentive to what was happening now.

"You are being an inconvenience to these guards here, Young Alkef. As you are not allowed to enter, it's best that you give up on what you're planning to do now. Maybe you can come back, later."

"But if I help them later, I might be too late."

"Alkef, what do you plan to do for these slaves?"

"I want to talk to them."

"Talk to them?"

Both of us then heard a sound coming from within the building. This sound was rather familiar for me as it was definitely the sound of a cane being used to support someone to walk. There was a slow delay for each successive 'tap' sound until eventually, an old man wearing extravagant clothes appeared from the darkness. His appearance did not match the dilapidated setting of the building as his hands were adorned with bejeweled rings and his clothes appeared as if they were made from the finest silk.

"Esto, I didn't think I'd see you again after you've become a Hurian priest."

"It's been a while Rister. I had no plans of meeting you again ever."

"Rather harsh words. I've helped you a lot of times before you got yourself caught."

"And I thank you for that. But the things I had to do to receive your help were one of the many things I regretted the most."

"You brought with you a rather interesting young lad. Boy, tell me again what you plan to do with my slaves?"

Rister then faced me. His voice sounded old but his face looked rather young. Although it certainly wasn't younger than Astor's, the small number of wrinkles on his face were incompatible with his very wrinkled hands and neck. By his gaze, I could tell that he was looking down on me, both literally and figuratively. I looked at his eyes and showed a sincere smile.

"I want to help them."

"Help them? Then how much money do you have on you? The only help you can do for them is to buy them off and release them."

"I have no money."

"Then what business do we have with each other? Are you just wasting my time?"

"I have something more valuable than money."

"Something more valuable than money? In Floren City? That's the first time I heard such a joke!"

The old man said out loud as he laughed ceaselessly.

"I can guarantee that it is more valuable than money. As long as you let me meet them."

When I said that, he stopped laughing and looked at me once again. He was observing me. He might be wondering why such a young person remains unwavering from his mocking. His words were indeed true, that the best help I could give these slaves was freedom, but if I were to do that, then I wouldn't be able to take advantage of them in some way. Especially, with Al and the 'disappointment' watching how all this is playing out inside my mind, I'm sure they also want to release these slaves, but as I made sure that they are aware of their own inability to save these people, I'll have to appear like the one who always comes up with a solution.

After observing me for a while, Rister spoke once again.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. I am.

"If you're so sure of yourself, then come in, but Esto over here has to stay outside."

"Wait Rister, I'm his guardian. I can't just leave him alone."

"It's fine, Sir Esto. Goddess Hure is on my side."

When I said those words, the reluctance of Esto faded for a bit but I could still notice his unwillingness to allow me to venture on my own.

"Well, you've heard him. Come now lad, I want to see how you'll help my slaves with whatever it is you consider more valuable than money."

We slowly walked towards the entrance and as I got inside the building, my first step echoed all over the walls. The walls were then lit up with those unmelting candles that were similar to those inside the Asketon family house in the village. However, the sound of footsteps and the sole taps of a cane was not the only sounds that echoed through the walls as I could faintly hear the sounds of whimpers and soft cries. These sounds were also very familiar to me as I was reminded of my past life once again.

This did not remind me of my experiences as a serial killer, but rather my experiences as a licensed therapist.