Looking up at the heavy sky, Katerina Hafen muttered.

''The ........sky.....''

　The rain clouds that covered the sun were of a shade that could come down at any moment. In the distance, thunderstorms could be heard, and Katerina felt as if she was being chased by a thundercloud.

　The Fluke Kingdom was a relatively peaceful country due to its small but stable rule. The king, who had little ambition, always thought only of defense and was only interested in the country's inner workings.

　But even if the territory was small enough to be given low priority by other countries, the king's skills allowed agriculture, forestry, leather goods and other industries to flourish.

　The Hafen Counts are such a prominent military family in the Fluke Kingdom that excels at warfare.

　It's not particularly necessary from a strategic point of view, but there were still enemies that attacked the Fluke Kingdom at times. However, the Hafen Counts have been able to prevent all of them.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

　Therefore, when the Blau Empire invaded, the Hafen county was thoroughly overrun and all of the count's boys were killed.

　Katerina continued to see the land she grew up in being overrun and her family being executed one by one.

　And then Katerina's heart was broken.

　Whether it was being dragged away by soldiers and bought from the Blau Empire for an exorbitant amount of gold by the merchants of the Koshmar Chamber of Commerce, or being stripped naked in front of the King of the Kingdom of Karruk and the President of the Koshmar Chamber of Commerce, or being lined up as a commodity at a slave auction, Katerina's emotions remained dark and somber.

　To the mentally ill Katerina, life and death were of no importance to her at the earliest.

　In contrast, the man riding in the same carriage, sitting at the front, looking at Katerina's profile and limbs and twisting his mouth, was filled with a joy that could not be greater.

　He was the fat merchant-like man who had won the bid for Katerina.

　He had been restless while waiting for a day to process the auction, spending his time wandering around and torturing and killing the slaves he was trying to sell in other cities.

　Such a man looks at Katerina and spills out a joy that he doesn't even know how many times.

It's a good thing you're a little closer to seeing the end of your life. If I could, I would torture you to your heart's content, I would kill you and stuff you before your beauty is compromised, but you are too valuable as a commodity.

　The man uttered this while licking his tongue and then raised his hands in front of his face.

　Then he folded his fingers one by one.

''The kings and marquises of this country, the dukes, counts and viscounts of neighboring countries, and even the great merchants of other countries.

　Then the man, with all his fingers folded in amusement, looked at Katerina with narrowed eyes.

'But, alas, you have a sale to make. And this me, Nagyb's rise to power.

　He mutters, shakes his head with an exaggerated gesture, shakes his belly and laughs.

'From the beginning, the plot of that auction was all set in stone. 'Yes. The only purpose is to appeal to the powers that be in other countries seeking you. Don't say that you were outbid by a fair auction.

　At those words, Katerina's expression returns a slight reaction. Nagyb raises the corner of her mouth at the slight change and sneers annoyingly.

''Oh, you finally reacted. There is no point in selling the doll. Normally, I would use any means available, whether it be torture or medicine, to make them the best slaves, but I can't allow that Miss Katerina to be turned into a wounded object.......but if she's going to be destroyed anyway, it will be the same thing.... ...hmm?

　Nagyb was muttering to himself with a lowly look on his face, but suddenly the carriage stopped with the horse嗎 and his eyebrows were raised.

'Who told you to stop! Sauro! Do you want to be whipped again!

　Instantly enraged, Nagyb stood up, shaking his luxurious flesh, and looked out of the carriage window.

　Then he gasped.

　A group of suspiciously flimsy robes lined up around the carriage, and the men who had been gosha and the men who had been guarding them were lying in a pool of blood.

''Bah, that's ridiculous ... you guys! Do you have any idea what it is like to mess with the Koshmar Chamber of Commerce here in King's Landing, to me!

　One of the group of robes moved as Nagyb yelled at him.

　Without a sound, he pulled a dagger out of his chest, revealing his blade, and opened his mouth quietly.

'I know. That's why it makes sense.

　As he uttered this, the man thrust the dagger in his hand and turned his attention to Katerina.

'Get out.'

No, no! Don't answer it! Don't move!

　At the man's instruction, Nagyb reflexively shouted a denial.

　Immediately after, blood danced in the carriage.

''Geez!''

　Screaming, Nagyb pressed down on his cut arm.

'Blood, blood! You cut me down here! I know your face. I will chase you to the ends of the earth and kill you for sure!

　The man quickly pulled Katerina out of the carriage as he listened to Nagyb's words, his eyes bleeding with anger.

　He then pointed the tip of his sword at Nagyb's face.

''I can't believe the state of mind that you think you'll get out of here alive... well, is it easier to kill you than those who cry and beg for their lives?''

"W-what, you're going to kill me? What would happen if we did that! You don't even know that!

'Bother. They're going to chase you to the ends of the earth, aren't they? All right, go ahead and die. Pig.

　He muttered with a sigh and the man thrust his dagger forward.

　An out-of-this-world scream of dismay came from inside the carriage, and Katerina's eyes, which were outside, turned to the entrance of the carriage.

　As the blood-soaked man emerged from it, the other men who had surrounded him turned their heads.

'We killed Nagyb, the slave-stocker for the Koshmar Trading Company. Next is Murat in charge of slave sales. Let's hurry up.

　The men nodded silently as the man announced as he put away his dagger and began to run. Their movements were swift and they were clearly not amateurs in combat.

　The man looks around, sees the civilians watching the situation from afar and takes Katerina's hand.

'Let's leave this place for now. The rest is up to you.''

　The man took one look at Katerina, who didn't change her expression like a doll, and uttered that, and then he withdrew his hand and ran off.

　As Katerina ran after him, she looked unfeelingly at the carriage she was riding in beside him.