On the allied kingdom where Dusk and Harn had delivered the items, and "them" as well.
The slaves we're put in a dungeon and what's there was filled with deemed useful slaves, using their talents, the King can easily betray the neighboring kingdoms.
The four cages from before were already opened and those inside are assigned to their steel-barred cells.
Matter of fact, every slave inside this dungeon will be experimented whether they wield their magical abilities, and if not, they will be executed accordingly.
The female slave from before wasn't alone in her cell, there was already someone inside. She's leaned back on the mossy bricked wall with chains just beside her head.
"Walk over to the weirdo over there and don't make a noise."
The chains on her hand was opened free and is forced to walk toward that sitting girl who's recently got here before her.
They can silently talk like a whisper or anything but making at least any sound. Just a single audible sound coming from their mouths is enough for a punishment.
"Hey... what's... your name?"
As soon as she sat beside her, she didn't want to speak after a traumatic moment when she's whipped over and over by that jealous master form the parade. But, she wouldn't just ignore her like that.
".... Yu-..Yuzuri... Henyumi."
"That's a nice name...
.....I'm Zoe. Apparently, I never got a full name...
...Or rather be named by someone."
So Zoe was raised in a harsh life, no one really tried to friend her since she's a slave from birth.
"I'm... I'm very sorry, Zoe."
"Don't be. You didn't do anything...Thing is, you're really kind."
But one of the patrolling guard saw them talking with sound, a stupid reason, yet they punished both of them by whipping them once. And he even looked amused when he heard their gasps and sobs.
"How lucky to be not in y'er place. Heh!"
Zoe apologized to Yuzuri, and blamed it to herself. But Yuzuri wouldn't allow her to take all the blame.
"It's my... fault too....
....Ever since I became a slave, I'm nothing but a burden to everyone."
"...Me too..."
They made an awkward silence after not talking a while. But Yuzuri's been keeping his words for a while.
"....But... Someone gave me a chance for at least a flicker of hope."
She decides to share it on Zoe, because she thought it would help her accept a little hope, the same way as she was given.
"He can't break that promise.... to save us all from here....
....His name was Dusk."
"....."
_ _ _ _ _
It was Dawn on the outside, the cart where Dusk and Harn is, and the two knights as well, are still on the road of the forest.
Dusk on the back was sound asleep next to the treasures, and then woke up.
"Huh?
.....Whatever. Are we there yet?"
"We're close."
The familiar kingdom was finally visible from the horizon. Hours when they get back inside the kingdom, the Sun had settled and night fell.
"This is tiring."
Dusk jumped out from the cart and claimed the paymet before walking off. Harn continued to the Royal Capital to hand over the exchanged items.
Meanwhile, Dusk looked at both his hands and wondered if will he ever be strong to save them.
'I'm too careless. Promising to save strangers when I'm not even certain if I can do it.... But it just felt like I have to.'
He walked passed the academy that trains young adults. It was to see if they have the potential on becoming a trusted knight or even becoming a Division member.
A little jealousy crept on him. They can get stronger and stronger over time and explore the lands. And he himself remained as a peasant, but lucky enough to live inside a kingdom.
'What if, I was trained to be strong. That means I can save them, damn you Dusk, it's your fault for suddenly promising these out of nowhere!'
He walked onto the apartment that's only five minutes walk from now. But deciding to join the academy, he needed enough money for tuition.
(Work in progress...)