Volume 2, Chapter 25 – Slave Liberation

“My, my, Lumia-chan, you’re safe! Oh, thank goodness~”

“Y-yeah. I’m glad you’re doing well too, Mom.”

I’m not entirely sure “safe” is the right word, but after rescuing Lu-chan’s mother, we’re having what you might call an emotional reunion at the guards’ station.

How should I put this… yeah. It’s awkward.

“Um, it’s okay to… dispel the curse, right?”

“Yes, please do.”

I proceed to dispel the Enslavement Curse Mark on Lu-chan’s mother.

“My, my, how amazing. Lumia-chan, you’re with such a wonderful person~”

“Yeah. Mom, look, um, this person is Fiene Argentata-sama. She’s the Saint and my savior.”

“Nice to meet you. I am Fiene.”

“My, my. I am Liera, Lumia’s mother. Thank you for taking care of my daughter~”

A slender beauty with terrifyingly perfect features greets me with a soft smile and impeccable manners.

Despite her striking looks, her way of speaking gives her a fluffy, gentle impression.

Looking at her, she’s exactly how I imagined an Elf would be.

Moreover, despite having two children, she looks to be about twenty years old.

From the perspective of women everywhere, this is the kind of cheat that would make them cry foul.

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Her features are also identical to Lu-chan’s, so perhaps Lu-chan will grow into a beauty like this in another five years.

Right… where did that “Queen” from before go?

“Thank you for liberating me from that pi… that man.”

She almost said “pig,” didn’t she? She definitely almost said it.

“Mom, this person here is Christina-san, a Holy Knight.”

“I am Christina. I am relieved to see you safe.”

Chris-san’s voice sounds a bit stiff.

“Oh my~?”

Shiver.

Why did I just get this inexplicable chill? Or rather, did Liera-san’s eyes momentarily turn into those of a predator stalking its prey?

Eh? Did I just release a monster into the world that should never have been set free?

“My, my, thank you for your kindness, Holy Knight-sama. Lumia is always in your care~”

Ah, she’s back to being the polite, soft, and fluffy woman.

“By the way, Saint-sama, has Lumia been any trouble? Also, is she eating properly? She’s had a small appetite since she was little; even my late husband used to worry about it~”

Um… and that’s considered a small appetite?

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“Lu-chan has been eating very well lately. She’s gotten healthy and can even go hunting now.”

“Oh my, is that so? That must be thanks to Saint-sama~ Thank you so very much~”

“You’re welcome.”

I have a very bad feeling about this. If I remember right, that butler did say the household budget was suffering because of food expenses…

“Saint-sama, excuse me for interrupting. We have rescued the victims from the Amistad Trading Company’s dungeon and are protecting them here. Might we ask for your mercy?”

“Of course. Please lead the way.”

“Yes, ma’am. This way.”

I snap out of my thoughts at the guard’s words and head toward the victims to dispel their curses.

◇ ◇ ◇

Waiting in the room I was led to were young girls, barely more than children, clad in nothing but rags.

One, two, three… twelve in total.

All of them had filthy hair and skin, and some even had bruises that looked like they’d been beaten.

The fact that they were all girls likely meant… those fucking scumbags.

Before I knew it, I was grinding my teeth with a loud creak .

“At the very least, can’t you let them take a bath and give them proper clothes?” I asked the guard who guided me.

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“I apologize. We do not have the authority to do so.”

Honestly. Leaving women in this state. No, before that, they’re still children.

I can’t believe they’d keep them in such horrible conditions.

“I see. Then please use this to buy clothes for those girls. There must be female guards available, right?”

I handed three gold coins to the guard beside me and turned to face the girls.

“I’m sorry I’m late in coming to rescue you. My name is Fiene Argentata. I’m going to dispel your curses and treat your injuries now.”

The children flinched. They looked at me with frightened expressions.

“It’s okay. Big sister can dispel your Curse Marks, and I’m very good at healing.”

I crouched down to match their eye level, speaking gently to reassure them.

“I-it’s a lie. They said once you’re made a slave, even the Church can’t do anything.”

The largest girl among them stepped forward as if to protect the others.

She had a bruise on her face.

Perhaps she’d been beaten more often because she kept shielding the other children.

“It’s okay. I can do it. What is your name?”

“…Brenda,” Brenda-chan answered in a small voice.

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“I see. Brenda-chan, then. It’s okay. First, I’ll treat those injuries. Heal!”

Speaking as softly as possible, I used Healing Magic to mend the wounds on Brenda-chan’s body.

It took a while, so she may have had severe injuries in places I couldn’t see.

Brenda-chan blinked in surprise.

Hehe, I didn’t raise my Healing Magic level to MAX for nothing.

“Now, next I’ll dispel the Enslavement Curse Mark.”

While Brenda-chan was still surprised, I placed my hand on her stomach.

Then I casually dispelled that disgusting curse with Dispel Curse Magic.

Finally, I used Cleansing Magic to make her body and clothes clean.

“There. Now you’re free, Brenda-chan. You’ve worked very hard until now.”

As I said this, I gently patted Brenda-chan’s head.

She looked up at me in surprise.

Our eyes met, and I gave her a gentle smile.

Then large tears spilled from her eyes, and she buried her face in my stomach before breaking down into loud sobs.

I held her softly and continued to stroke her head until she stopped crying.