I Became A Slave To The Mastermind

"Your younger sister is missing?"

"Yes…"

After calming the woman down, I listened to her story.

She had come home early after work, but her younger sister had vanished.

Her sister wasn't the type to go outside, so she believed something had happened.

'Hmm…'

I couldn't bring myself to say everything would be okay.

Isn't false hope the cruelest form of torture? The higher the expectations, the longer the fall.

I didn't want to speak irresponsibly.

All I could do was extend my hand to the woman.

"I'll help you. Let's search together."

When I reached out, she gently clasped my hand with both of hers.

"Thank you so much…"

"We should help each other out. My name is Hera."

"My name is Dania. I'm counting on you, Hera."

Dania gripped my hand tightly as she spoke.

Though I said I'd help…

How am I supposed to help her?

Wandering around this vast city searching for someone would be too inefficient.

Normally, one would seek help from the local security force, but the chances of finding such resources in a place like Drax were slim.

'If only I knew how to use magic…'

Just as mana exists, various types of magic utilize it. Among them, there was a search magic that could track a person's whereabouts, but I didn't even know the first thing about using mana.

Do I really have to run around searching?

I felt like I had to do something, at least.

'I'll put Bram on hold for now… wait a minute…'

Perhaps Bram, who oversees this area, might have some information about Dania's younger sister.

And even if he doesn't, Bram has dozens of people at his command. Searching the entire area wouldn't be impossible.

I had a feeling I could find a solution if I spoke to Bram. If things didn't go well… well, beating him to a pulp would do the trick.

Plus, since it aligned with my original goal and direction, this seemed like the best option.

When I turned to explain my plan to Dania, I noticed—

She was biting her thumb so hard that it bled from her anxiety.

I gently took her hand and pulled it away from her mouth.

"Oh…"

"You're bleeding, Dania."

Embarrassed, her face flushed bright red.

"I-I'm sorry!… I was just so nervous…"

How could anyone remain calm when their family had disappeared? Dania must be burning up inside right now.

'I'd better get moving quickly.'

"Dania, do you trust me?"

I looked at her seriously as I spoke.

"W-What??! What do you mean…?"

Is it just me, or is her face turning even redder?

'Is she just easily embarrassed?'

I explained my plan to her, despite her tomato-red complexion.

"Bram?!"

Her reaction was intense the moment I mentioned Bram.

"Yes. If it's him, he'll definitely be able to find your sister."

"But… Bram is…"

Dania seemed to be very frightened of Bram.

I can beat that guy, Dania.

I clasped both of her hands firmly.

"Trust me, Dania. I'll find your sister for you."

With unwavering eyes, I stared at Dania, and she glanced briefly at the men I had knocked down around us.

Then, she looked back at me with a resolute expression.

"Yes, I believe you, Hera."

***

After convincing Dania, we arrived at the location we had heard about from one of Bram's subordinates.

In front of us stood a large building.

Though it was quite damaged, it was still a rather grand mansion.

Could it have been the residence of some noble before the city was destroyed?

"This place…"

Dania murmured as she looked at the building.

"Do you know this place?"

"Yes. It was occasionally used for hosting banquets when merchants came over from the Empire."

She added, though I don't know what kind of deals they were making.

It seems like she knows quite a bit about Bram.

As we approached the mansion, the guards standing by the door pointed their swords at us and shouted.

"Who goes there?"

I grinned and answered.

"Me? The person your boss has been looking for."

The guard eyed my face closely.

"A girl with black hair and red eyes… You must be that girl with incredible strength… And next to you… Lady Dania?"

Lady Dania?

I glanced at Dania with a puzzled expression, only to see a sorrowful look on her face.

"We're here to see the boss. Let us in."

Hearing Dania's words, the two guards exchanged glances. One of them then went inside the building.

"Please wait here while he reports."

It wasn't long before the guard returned, a sly grin on his face.

"The boss says you both may enter."

He said this while casting a sideways glance at Dania.

Feeling uneasy, we entered the building together.

The mansion looked even more spacious from the inside. The guard guided us to the staircase.

"The boss is waiting for you."

We headed down to the basement. The further we descended, the gloomier the surroundings became.

"Hera… Are you sure this is okay?"

Dania asked, her face filled with worry. To reassure her, I gave her a bright smile.

"Don't worry, Dania. I'll protect you."

Dania blushed again and replied shyly.

"Yes…"

Soon, we came to a wooden door.

When we opened it, we found a large space filled with dozens of people.

From the very back of the room, a deep, rough voice called out.

"Ho… So you're the girl who chopped off Rick's head?"

A huge figure, as big as a bear. A large scar ran across his face, and his expression was even more menacing than the scar.

He had the kind of appearance that screamed,

"I am the boss."

"And… Dania has come as well, haha."

"…Bram."

It seemed the two of them knew each other from the past.

It might be worth talking to her about it after this is all over.

"I was looking for you too, you know,"

Bram said.

Dania's expression filled with confusion, as if she didn't understand his words.

When Bram tilted his head, the crowd parted. Then, we saw someone lying on the ground.

"Lily!!!"

Before I knew it, Dania had already rushed to the child's side.

Woo-ooong

A thick, grey aura envelops the dagger.

"Why did you mess with Lily!!"

Bram merely shrugs his shoulders and responds.

"Well, this is unfair, Dania. I'm the victim here."

"Cut the wordplay, Bram."

She growls, pointing her dagger at him.

"Heh… ask your sister. She was the one who attacked first."

"…What?"

When Dania looks at Lily, Lily averts her eyes.

"Lily…?"

"That girl came at me with a knife. It's a good thing I dodged it. Otherwise, I could've been seriously hurt."

Bram points to his back, where there is a faint scratch from a blade.

"Lily, is that true?"

As Dania stares at Lily with trembling eyes, Lily bursts out with pent-up frustration and shouts at her sister.

"He's the one who keeps tormenting you!! If it weren't for him, you wouldn't be crying all the time!!"

For the first time, Lily raises her voice at Dania.

"I hate seeing you cry… Hic… So…"

Hug—

Dania tightly embraces Lily.

"So that's how it was… Lily, you were worried about me. Thank you."

"Sis…?"

After holding Lily for a while, Dania lets her go and turns her gaze to Bram.

"Let Lily go."

Bram smirks and replies nonchalantly.

"And why should I? She's the girl who tried to kill me."

Unable to find a retort, Dania bites her lip. Then, as if she made a decision, she kneels in front of Bram.

"I'm begging you… I'll do whatever you ask. Just, please, let Lily go."

"Sis!!"

Lily clutches Dania, trying to stop her. Dania looks at Lily coldly.

"Stay still, Lily. If you make things harder for me, I'll get angry."

Had her sister ever looked at her with such a cold expression before? Lily is taken aback by Dania's unfamiliar demeanor.

"S-Sis…"

"Hmm…"

Bram taps his fingers on the table, deep in thought. He stares at Dania silently.

Then, as if an amusing thought occurs to him, he grins and speaks.

"Alright! I'll generously let this slide. But there's a condition."

"Speak."

Bram gestures toward Dania's dagger and says,

"Stab yourself. Then I'll promise not to touch your sister again."

"What?! You madman!!! How can you say something so absurd?!"

Lily growls at Bram.

"Lily!!!"

Dania shouts at Lily.

"Please… stay still, Lily."

Dania bites her lip so hard it starts to bleed as she speaks.

Seeing this side of her sister for the first time, Lily falls silent.

Dania closes her eyes.

'There's no way I can beat Bram.'

Dania, who had fought Bram before, knew all too well.

His overwhelming strength and speed. Even when she swung a blade infused with magic, she couldn't land a hit on Bram.

In contrast, she had been effortlessly defeated by Bram's attacks.

'The only way to save Lily is this.'

After all, hadn't she decided to live for Lily's sake? She was willing to give up anything for her little sister. Even if it meant her own life.

"How can I trust that you won't touch Lily?"

Bram looked at Dania with a serious expression.

"I stake my honor as a warrior."

Although he is now a former criminal, Bram was once a warrior. He had cut down countless enemies and gained fame by achieving numerous feats.

Until the day he killed his comrades.

"Well, it's up to you whether you believe me or not. But you won't have a choice, will you?"

Dania hated to admit it, but she had to agree with Bram's words. Given the current situation, it was impossible for both Lily and herself to escape safely. There was no room for hesitation.

Dania made up her mind and stared at Bram firmly.

"Keep your promise."

"Sister!!!!!!!"

She tightly shut her eyes and grabbed the dagger with both hands. Just as she was about to stab herself—

"Dania."

A pure white hand tightly gripped hers. Dania looked at the owner of the hand.

It was Hera. The aura was both menacing yet warm at the same time.

"Hera…"

Hera gently took the dagger from Dania's hand and patted her on the head.

"Step back."

Her voice was soft yet commanding. In a daze, Dania looked into Hera's eyes, then retreated with Lily.

"You wench…"

Bram muttered quietly, clearly irritated.

Hera stared straight into Bram's eyes.

"You better be prepared, Bram."

The girl's eyes, as if soaked in blood-red, were calm but at the same time ominously gleaming.