Chapter Ten: Was What You Just Said True?

“My master… she and I are temporarily separated,” Sia stammered nervously, her hands trembling.

“Oh? Temporarily separated, are you? Then where is the independent action certificate your master should have given you?” The cavalry captain’s smile grew even wider.

Sia had no such document, of course, and could only look to Chu Yun for help.

Chu Yun remained silent. He had no solution, either. Even if he claimed to be Sia’s master, he couldn’t produce any proof. Slave owners carried an item marked with the same pattern as the slave’s brand.

Seeing this, the captain’s excitement was barely contained as he turned to Parker. “What’s the story with this slave? Her brand is so faint—don’t tell me she killed her master?”

“Sia didn’t kill her master! I don’t know where she’s gone, but I didn’t kill anyone!” Sia protested desperately.

Parker, standing nearby, caught the captain’s intention and answered with a helpless sigh, “Sir Knight, I’m not sure. This demi-human was rescued from the goblin camp by Lord Chu Yun.”

Hearing this, the captain’s eyes revealed a flash of disgust. In his view, any woman who had been in a goblin’s hands was tainted. Still, Sia was beautiful enough that he cared less.

“Come here,” he said, glancing at the silent Chu Yun, then beckoned Sia forward with a wave.

Sia instead shrank back in fear. “What… what do you want?”

“Mongrel demi-human, drop the act. You must have killed your master and run. By the authority of Blackstone City’s Cavalry, I am arresting you.”

At these words, Sia’s tail bristled, sharp fangs glinting in her mouth, her nails lengthening into claws, eyes hardening with resolve.

“Oh? You want to resist?” The captain sneered, drawing his longsword and pointing it at her.

“Wait.”

Just as violence seemed inevitable, Chu Yun finally stepped forward, putting himself between them.

The captain frowned. “What do you want?”

He didn’t believe anyone would stand against Blackstone City’s Cavalry for the sake of a lowly demi-human.

“She is my spoil of war,” Chu Yun said coolly. “If you think she’s committed a crime and want to arrest her for murder, then produce your evidence.”

The captain’s expression darkened. “Hmph. She’s a demi-human slave who’s never been registered as a citizen of the kingdom. Whether she killed her master or not doesn’t matter—if she has no master, anyone can seize her as a slave!”

“I advise you not to meddle in this.”

This kingdom’s slave system was cruel indeed. For a demi-human to live here, legal registration was necessary. Unregistered individuals could be taken as slaves at any time—and even those registered might be abducted, never to be heard from again. As slaves, they had no hope of seeking help from the authorities. These illegal slaves suffered even more than regular ones, often locked away as playthings or sold to mines and dark workshops, never to see daylight again.

“I said she’s my spoil of war. I am her master now.”

“Don’t you understand plain words?” Chu Yun narrowed his eyes, arcane energy gathering in his palm.

From the captain’s words and demeanor, Chu Yun could sense a deep malice. The man had no interest in justice; he simply wanted to take Sia as a slave.

Chu Yun had expected a fight, but as soon as the captain saw the gathering glow in Chu Yun’s hand, he recoiled in shock. “A… a mage?”

A memory flashed back—Parker’s earlier words, mentioning that it was this man who had rescued the women from the goblin camp. To clear out a goblin camp alone indicated formidable strength. The cavalry could clear goblin camps themselves, but a mage was another matter. Their armor offered little protection against magic. Moreover, the Mage’s Guild was not an organization to cross; any conflict with them would spell trouble, regardless of the outcome.

“You fool of a merchant, why didn’t you tell me he’s a mage!” the captain snapped at Parker.

“Ah… well…” Parker was at a loss.

Without another word, the captain turned and left in a huff, not even bothering to apologize to Chu Yun for his affront.

As the captain busied himself inspecting the wooden bridge, Sia exhaled in relief and hurried to Chu Yun’s side.

“Thank you, Lord Chu Yun! No, Master, was what you just said true?” Sia’s voice brimmed with hope.

Her earlier fears had not been unfounded. She’d nearly been seized less than half a day after being set free.

Chu Yun shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’ve told you before—I don’t need a follower.”

Sia’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. She was terrified now. “If you don’t need a follower… then let Sia serve as your slave. Just… please don’t abandon me.”

Parker sighed and approached, trying to persuade Chu Yun. “Lord Chu Yun, I think Sia’s a good sort. Having someone to handle chores for you wouldn’t be a bad thing.”

“Yes, yes! Sia knows this continent well. I can be your guide—I can cook, wash clothes, carry your luggage.” Sia was not ready to give up.

Chu Yun did need a guide to help him learn about this land. After a moment’s silence, he relented, “Very well. Until your slave brand fully fades, you may accompany me for the next few days.”

“Oh, right. How does one register for legal status?” Chu Yun asked, turning to Parker before Sia could reply.

“For fox-kin like her, registration is relatively simple. As long as she has no criminal record in the kingdom and pays ten gold coins, it’s done,” Parker replied.

In this world, one gold coin equaled ten silver coins; one silver coin, a hundred copper. The average adult man in Rockstead earned about three gold coins a month.

In Parker’s eyes, magicians were wealthy—ten gold coins was a trifling sum. He had no idea Chu Yun didn’t have a single copper to his name.

“However, you can only register in a city like Blackstone. Rockstead doesn’t have an office for that,” Parker added.

Chu Yun still didn’t want to bring Sia along, but with the cavalry heading for Rockstead as well, he reluctantly agreed to keep her with him for now. As for registering legal status, Chu Yun himself didn’t have one yet and would need to arrange it at some point.

Sia’s mood improved slightly at Chu Yun’s answer, but it was only a temporary relief. Without the slave brand, it would still be difficult for her to survive in human society, not to mention the steep price of registration.

For now, she could only take things one step at a time.

With the cavalry’s help, the repairs to the wooden bridge progressed rapidly. About an hour later, the group was on their way again. The cavalry bolted across the freshly repaired bridge as soon as it was deemed sturdy enough. Only then did Parker cautiously allow the wagons to cross, one by one.

The journey went smoothly after that, and in a little over an hour, they finally arrived outside Rockstead. Yet as they approached the town, they saw something was amiss—a large crowd had gathered at the gate, all craning their necks to see what was going on.