Chapter 431: Chapter 431: Slave

Just as the quartermaster hesitated, Vivian casually mentioned that her teacher Grace needed this slave, and the quartermaster immediately completed the formalities for the two of them. After Duke paid eight hundred thousand Level one Magic Stones, he also received a slave contract. This slave contract is Frey's slave contract, which must be signed on the spot. Frey can only regain her freedom here as a slave. Vivian took the slave contract, left her Spiritual Power mark, and Frey cut her finger to drip a drop of blood into it. Throughout the process, Frey's expression was exceptionally calm. She did not resist, nor did she cry. Only in the depths of her blue eyes, a trace of barely perceptible humiliation and gloom flashed by, quickly replaced by a more resolute light. Frey slightly straightened her originally somewhat hunched back, as if although this body had been branded with the mark of a slave, some internal thing still refused to be trampled. The quartermaster handed the paperwork to Vivian, with a flattering smile: "The procedures are done, congratulations, Miss Vivian!" Vivian expressionlessly accepted the paperwork, placed it into the Space Ring, and then looked at Frey, saying: "From now on, you'll work by my side, there's a lot you need to learn." Frey glanced at Duke and nodded: "Understood, master, thank you!" She did not say much but understood that the two of them had saved her. If it weren't for Duke and Vivian buying her, her fate might have been unknown. Actually, for Frey, going to the battlefield as a mere slave creature and dying in a foreign land isn't a terribly frightening thing. The fear lies in the fact that it's almost impossible for Frey; she's doomed never to fight as a normal combat-type slave creature and is more likely to become someone's plaything. Such an outcome was naturally unacceptable to Frey, but she had no choice in the matter, not even possessing the ability to end her own life. The three of them then left the temporary registration office and returned to the shattered streets of Iron Rock City. Compared to when they came, the team now had one more Frey. She quietly followed half a step behind Vivian, her eyes cast downward, her back straight and her gait steady, making her stand out from the desperate and numb ambiance surrounding them. The noble robe Frey wore, though somewhat damaged, oddly aligned with the current dilapidated undertone of the city. They traversed districts once prosperous but now battered in appearance. Charred broken walls and ruins were everywhere, broken stones and rubble crunching underfoot. The air was thick with a smell melding smoke, dust, blood, and something slowly burning, making the nostrils tingle. Knights escorted more captives or dragged slave creatures hauling supplies past, the sound of iron boots on the ground and chains being pulled constant. City center, in the distance, faintly sounded heavy rumblings of large golems at work, indicating the occupying army was either clearing ruins or reinforcing defenses. Further off, in the direction of the once lord's manor, several strong energy pillars rose, evidently transformed into the army's core stronghold, emanating an intimidating pressure. They passed a small square, its central fountain long dry, statues overturned and shattered, only the base remaining. A few crows perched atop, tilting their heads, their blood-red eyes coldly observing the passing pedestrians. Frey's step slightly paused when passing here, her gaze swiftly sweeping over the ruins, a fleeting and elusive pain and desolation flashed through her green eyes, but then it returned to a tranquil calm like a deep pool, continuing onward. Duke took note of all these subtle reactions. He could imagine how walking this street she might have once rode a luxurious carriage through, accepting the cheers of the populace now in this manner was a kind of torment. Ten minutes later, inside the mansion's room, Vivian glanced at Frey, calmly instructing: "You should wash up and change clothes, there are spare clothes in the wardrobe." The room had a washroom large enough for bathing without any issue. Of course, there was no hot water, Frey could only use cold water to simply wash her body. With her Level one Awakened body constitution, she wouldn't fall ill from such cold.