4: Alice's Thoughts

After making up his mind, Roan didn't rush. Instead, he turned his attention to the other eight pieces of intelligence.

It was still early morning, so even if he was anxious, it wouldn't help. It was better to plan thoroughly first.

"A stone house? That certainly solves my immediate problem."

Roan nodded to himself. The weather had been getting colder recently, and it might rain.

His small, dilapidated house not only leaked everywhere, but its roof was also barely covered with thatch, and it wouldn't last much longer.

Most importantly, there were traces of magical beasts outside Hibo Town. If he continued to live here, it would be too dangerous.

Roan planned to move out tomorrow. Anyway, he didn't have much—just a small iron pot and some daily necessities.

"Ah? Barto is...?"

Seeing the second and third pieces of intelligence, Roan was instantly stunned.

He had indeed intended to kill Barto when he set up the trap and soaked the beast trap in manure water beforehand.

But in all fairness, the chances of killing Barto with just one beast trap were not very high.

At most, it would break one of his legs and cause him pain for a while.

But looking at the intelligence now, it seemed that old scoundrel might really have been killed by him?

"Proper medical treatment... Wait, Barto, that old miser, he couldn't have not sought a doctor, could he?"

Roan's expression became a little strange. The more he thought about it, the more he felt this was possible.

"Ha, Barto is really seeking his own death. If he really drags it out until the infection is severe..."

"Unless you can find a priest or a Potion Master to treat you, otherwise..."

"Even an amputation might not save your life."

On the God-Given Continent, besides the most common battle qi, there were other extraordinary powers, such as priests and mages.

Priests were religious personnel who believed in deities and could receive blessings from them.

Using the power of deities, they could ward off disasters, eliminate misfortunes, and heal injuries and illnesses for their followers.

As for mages, as the name suggested, they were people who used magic.

Among them, some mages specialized in concocting magical potions and were thus respectfully called Potion Masters.

If extraordinary individuals from these two professions came to treat Barto, they would certainly be able to cure him immediately.

But unfortunately, as far as Roan knew, given Barto's status, it was basically impossible to invite such people.

So, Roan was a little gleeful, hoping Barto would really die.

However, when his gaze fell upon the fourth, fifth, and sixth pieces of intelligence below, his expression darkened again, and his murderous intent surged.

"Mirar, that slut, actually embezzled sixty silver coins? Damn her!"

Roan's eyelids twitched, recalling an old saying he had once heard:

Carriage, boat, inn, foot, and tooth—even if innocent, they should be killed!

This was also a universal truth in this world.

"First, get the Breathing Technique, then kill these two bastards."

Roan's eyes were cold, and he made up his mind.

Then, when he saw the seventh and eighth pieces of intelligence...

"Oh? Barto was cuckolded by his wife?"

Roan raised an eyebrow, then thought of an idea.

"Perhaps I can make something of this matter..."

Just as Roan was planning his actions for tomorrow, on the other side, in the Wealthy District of Kula City, a faint light flickered in a servant's room in the Saar Family mansion on West Street.

Inside the small room were eight maids.

They were dressed in coarse linen clothes and sat on chairs.

In front of each of them was a table with a dimly lit kerosene lamp.

In their hands, they held a piece of luxurious silk, constantly embroidering patterns with needle and thread.

Even in the early hours of the morning, they still couldn't rest.

These were the Saar Family's slave servants. During the day, they had to farm or weave, and at night, they had to sew clothes, leaving them with almost no rest time.

At this moment, most of the maids were yawning, struggling to stay awake.

One of them was even nodding off, her head bobbing like a pecking chick.

The needle and thread in her hand slowly slipped.

Just as she was about to fall forward onto the table...

"Careful."

A hand suddenly reached out and rested on her shoulder.

The maid woke up with a start. Upon closer inspection, she almost broke out in a cold sweat.

If her companion hadn't caught her, she might have knocked over the kerosene lamp the moment she slumped forward.

And the silk that had fallen to the ground would have been soaked and ignited by the kerosene.

"Alice, thank you."

The maid quickly said gratefully. If the silk were damaged, even if just stained, she would surely be severely punished, even whipped, by the Saar Family's steward tomorrow.

"You're welcome, Laura."

A gentle warmth was contained within the tired voice.

Laura looked at Alice. Although Alice was slender, she was also very tall.

In terms of figure alone, she was outstanding among all the maids.

However, if one looked at her face, all desires would instantly vanish.

Alice's hair was withered, her complexion sallow, and she had a large birthmark and black spot covering most of her face.

At first glance, one might think she was a ghostly demon from hell or some kind of humanoid monster.

The first time Laura met her, she was truly startled.

Even after spending time together, she occasionally found her terrifying.

"Just a little longer. We'll be able to rest soon."

Alice reminded her. Although she had an ugly face, she was very gentle and kind.

Laura nodded and continued to work.

To avoid falling asleep again, she started chatting with Alice and the others.

"Alice, Milu, how did you come to the Saar Family?"

The maid named Milu sighed and said,

"My father owed the Saar Family gambling debts, so he sold me to them to pay off the debt."

The other maids also chattered.

"My parents died, and my uncle and aunt didn't want to adopt me, so they sold me."

"I am..."

After they finished speaking, seeing that Alice hadn't spoken, they asked curiously,

"Alice, who sold you?"

"Me?"

Alice was silent for a moment, then said,

"I sold myself."

Everyone was stunned, looking at Alice in astonishment.

In this world, slaves were the lowest and most despised people.

Generally, as long as there was any other way out, one would never become a slave.

But Alice actually sold herself?

Didn't that mean her background... might be even more tragic than everyone else's?

For a moment, Laura and the others were silent, looking at Alice with complex emotions.

But Alice's expression was calm, and the corners of her mouth even turned up slightly.

"I have a younger brother. His name is Roan, and he's a very kind child."

"As long as he can be safe, I can do anything."

Alice murmured, looking at the moonlight outside the window.

Her eyes gradually became a little hazy.

"Roan, are you doing well now?"

"You must live well! You are the last hope of our entire family!"