CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: FREE THE SLAVES [4]

Today was a strange day.

"What’s wrong? What are you waiting for? Eat."

"..."

Darwin’s father was smiling, not at all like the image of the cruel, fierce father he usually was.

"You... really made all this food for me?"

He asked carefully and cautiously.

"Of course, who else is in this house besides me?"

Furthermore, the second strange thing was that today, there was a lot of food on the dining table.

And it seemed like it was all cooked by his father.

It was really strange.

He had never done this for Darwin.

What was his purpose?

Grrrrowl~

However, Darwin’s appetite quickly overpowered all other thoughts in his mind.

To him right now, the fragrant food that was laid out in front of him was like gold and jewels.

Extremely rare things, things that a human would never be able to obtain.

"...If that’s the case, then I’ll excuse myself."

With a slight smile and a happy mood, Darwin put the first piece of fried egg into his mouth.

Chew chew chew.

"Mmm."

Sure enough, it was really delicious.

At this moment, he really wanted to cry.

Darwin had never felt this joyful before.

He wished that this beautiful moment would last forever.

He wished that time could stop.

Honestly, if Darwin’s father was like this all the time, then perhaps he would truly forgive him.

In the end, Darwin only needed love.

Because to him, that was more precious than gold.

...

Just like that, Darwin quickly finished more than half of the food.

"Huh? Wait a minute."

But then suddenly, he stopped when he realized something confusing.

Darwin shifted his focus from the food to his father, who was still sitting there, watching him eat with a smile.

But now, that smile seemed to have a different meaning.

"Dad..."

"What’s wrong?"

"...Why aren’t you eating?"

It felt as if hundreds of bugs were crawling around in Darwin’s stomach.

"You don’t need to worry about me. Just eat."

"...But, there’s too much food. Can you... eat a little with me?"

The man seemed to pause slightly.

But very quickly, he smiled again.

Yet this time, his smile looked evil.

"Sorry, but I can’t eat it."

"...Why?"

"Because I put a large amount of sleeping pills in that food."

"..."

Darwin was completely dumbfounded.

It felt as if the entire world had abandoned him.

Why?

"...Why did you do that?"

Darwin began to sob.

"What a stupid question. Of course I did it to make you lose your guard, and then sell you off."

The way he said it was as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You’ve been living in my house and using my money since you were born. So, isn’t it time for you to repay me?"

"...No."

"And coincidentally, a fat noble seemed to be quite interested in your body. So, I sold you to him."

Darwin had to run.

He still had a long life ahead of him.

So, he had to live.

***

Clang!

Kael frowned.

His surprise attack had no effect at all.

The moment his sword was about to make contact with the muscular man’s flesh, the man quickly used his sword and blocked it.

Realizing that he had failed, Kael immediately jumped back.

Keeping his distance from him.

Just like what Alaric had said, this manager was really strong.

"But it doesn’t matter."

He smirked.

Because he still had everyone, right?

"This time, you fight alone, Kael."

Unexpectedly, The King’s voice rang out, shattering his illusion.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

He turned towards the source, realizing that everyone, including Hans, Darwin, Erza, and Kaede, had retreated behind him without him noticing.

Alaric continued:

"We made a bet, remember? And now, Kaede and I want to test your strength. Just for a little bit of insurance."

Kael pursed his lips.

"So you guys won’t help me?"

"...Yeah. But don’t worry, if things go wrong, we’ll rush in and rescue you immediately."

Wow!

What a fucking reassurance!

"You agree with them too, Hans?"

Kael’s eyes coldly glanced at the protagonist.

His face was expressionless.

"...Um."

Hans silently nodded, feeling very guilty, but there was nothing he could do.

"...Understood."

The King wasn’t lying.

He really meant it.

It felt really uncomfortable.

But, it didn’t matter.

"Hey, how long are you guys going to keep talking? And what the hell are you guys talking about? Why does it feel like I’m being looked down upon?"

All of a sudden, the manager’s voice rang out.

He was completely unable to keep up with the conversation of Kael’s group.

What a perfect opportunity!

Thus...

Taking the opportunity that the muscular man was in a daze, Kael instantly charged towards him.

Just like a bullet.

Using all his speed, as well as pushing his body to the limit.

This battle couldn’t last long, because it would only put him at a disadvantage.

Thud!

Kael’s sword pierced through the manager’s abdomen.

"That hurts, you piece of shit!"

He winced, screaming in pain.

Following that, blood began to flow from the wound like a flood.

"Shut up, you brawny bastard! That’s not the end!"

He shouted, at the same time, gripping the hilt of the sword.

Then, he turned it 180 degrees, shifting all his strength into his arms to do so.

Skrkkh!

A disgusting sound rang out as Kael performed that action.

It was so horrifying that anyone who heard it would get goosebumps.

"Argh!!!!!!!!!!!"

The manager screamed in pain.

But, he wasn’t dead yet.

Damn it!

Wincing in pain, the muscular man still managed to form a mocking smile.

"You can never kill me, you idiot!"

With that, he raised his sword, then slashed down with all his might.

The manager’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with a terrifying amount of murderous intent.

It was as if they were waiting to leap out of his eye sockets, rush at Kael, and tear him to pieces.

"Tsk."

He clicked his tongue.

Indeed, this attack of his could kill a cow, no, a rhinoceros instantly.

But, Kael was no pushover either.

He was Kaede’s disciple, who had undergone a training even harder than surviving in hell.

Kael was no longer the same as before.

Now, he had become a more perfect version of himself!

Moving all his strength into his legs, he jumped back.

And...

Boom!

A crazy explosion, like the roar of dragons, rang out, shaking the entire empty hallway.

However, Kael was still alive.

At that second, he narrowly dodged the manager’s sword.

That was insane!

His gaze fell on the red liquid clinging to his hands.

’Fuck! It’s dirty, disgusting, and sticky!’

After that explosion, clouds of dust began to rise.

Obstructing everyone’s vision.

Whoosh!

The fight wasn’t over yet.

From within the dust, a silver light flashed.

"Huh?"

Successfully attracting the muscular man’s attention.

Curious, he turned towards that silver light.

And that was the action he would regret for the rest of his life.

Why?

Because it was Kael’s blade.