I Became A Slave To The Mastermind

Amidst the crimson blood, she appeared.

"Alina…?"

The person standing before me was unmistakably Alina.

As I stood there in a daze, she avoided my gaze and stepped forward toward Bordin.

"Alina..! What on earth is this?"

"…Master."

While Alina hesitated momentarily, gazing at Bordin.

Bordin gripped a dagger with his remaining arm and swung it at her.

But as if she had anticipated it.

She immediately dodged and swiftly grabbed his remaining arm, twisting it brutally.

"Urgh!"

"Didn't Master always teach us never to let our guard down?"

When Bordin finally dropped the dagger in agony, Alina kicked the blade away, far out of his reach.

"Ha… I see now. Something did feel off."

Bordin, now deprived of both his arms and his weapon, let out a faint chuckle that didn't suit the situation.

"Surviving this long after consuming a basilisk's venom? You must have done something."

As he glanced at me, Alina stepped between us, blocking his view of me.

"The symptoms remain the same, but I replaced it with a toxin harmless to the body."

"Ugh…"

The hollow laugh faded as he closed his eyes for a moment.

"Why did you betray me?!"

When Bordin opened his eyes again, the laughter was gone, replaced by rage and murderous intent. His distorted face shouted furiously at Alina.

"I picked you up from that cold, dark alley and raised you into a fine assassin with all the care I could give. Is this how you repay that kindness?!"

At his roar, Alina's gaze trembled violently. But she closed her eyes tightly, calming her wavering emotions.

"I have always thought of Master as a father figure."

"Then why?!"

"…The young lady has done no wrong."

"…What?"

"We've already committed an unforgivable sin against her. I won't let her suffer any more than this."

Bordin stared at Alina with a vacant expression before bursting into boisterous laughter.

"Ridiculous! You betrayed me out of pity? Do you think that will change anything?!"

"I simply no longer wish to walk down this wrong path."

Seeing the firm resolve in Alina's gaze, Bordin let out a deep sigh.

"Fine… So, what now? Are you planning to kill me?"

"Please stop now, Master. I have no desire to kill you."

"Stop? If I stop now, do you think that monster will let me live?"

"You have the Imperial Seal, don't you?"

What?

Though fleeting, I heard her words clearly.

'The Imperial Seal?'

It was an artifact I knew of.

It had been mentioned in the original story.

The Imperial Seal—a medal of immense merit and privilege granted to only five individuals in the empire.

A treasure personally crafted by the emperor and bestowed upon those who made great contributions to the empire.

Simply possessing the seal was enough to ensure most nobles wouldn't dare to cross its holder, and it guaranteed the favor of the imperial palace.

Moreover, there was a privilege that could grant absolution for any crime except for regicide, but only once.

In the original story, this treasure had once been given to the protagonist who saved the empire from a crisis.

But why would such a treasure be in Bordin's possession?

"Hand over the seal to me. Then, I will protect Master and you, Miss."

"How presumptuous. Do you think you're someone important?"

"I will confess to everything myself."

"What?"

As Bordin looked at Alina with an incredulous expression, she continued with a determined look.

"I will make sure your words align so you can escape suspicion. Afterward, with Master's capabilities, you'll be able to survive just fine."

"Even if, by some miracle, I survive… you're bound to die, aren't you?"

"I don't care."

Bordin was momentarily at a loss for words, struck by the earnest look in Alina's eyes.

After glancing at his face once, Alina turned and approached me.

"Alina…"

"Miss."

"You… just what are you—"

But before I could finish my sentence, Alina placed a finger on my lips to stop me.

"You must have a lot of questions, Miss. But we don't have time right now. Please listen to me carefully."

I had so many questions I wanted to ask her.

But for now, I nodded, deciding to hear her out.

"I will give the imperial seal to you, Miss. If you take it to the imperial palace, they will personally protect you there."

"…What?"

"Don't worry. No matter how powerful Athena is, she cannot defeat the empire alone."

"What does that mean—"

"If it's the slave imprint, the great sage in the imperial palace can safely remove it."

"A-Alina."

"When you go to the imperial palace, you'll be far better off—"

"Alina. Wait."

When I raised my hand to stop her, she finally fell silent.

I was confused.

I couldn't understand what she was talking about.

Why would I need to go to the imperial palace?

"Miss. Time is—"

"Alina, I don't understand. Why do I have to go to the imperial palace?"

Alina answered my question immediately.

"…Don't you want to be free?"

Her response left my mind blank for a moment.

The word 'freedom' was so unfamiliar to me.

"Freedom…?"

"A life not confined here. A life where you live according to your own will, Miss."

"Make new friends, and live doing everything you want to do."

Seeing Alina's warm smile as she looked at me, I realized her words were not a joke.

'A free life?'

It was such a sudden story, but…

I thought for a moment.

Not in this suffocating mansion, but somewhere else. Somewhere I could do what I wanted.

A free life, unbound by anyone, as Alina described.

But paradoxically—

I couldn't imagine myself being happy in that kind of life.

"…No."

"Pardon?"

Alina, seemingly taken aback, widened her eyes and looked at me.

Perhaps some of the poison's paralysis had worn off, as my body was starting to move properly. I stepped back from Alina and looked at her.

"No. A life without Athena—I don't want it."

"You said it yourself, didn't you? That someone like me is of no use to anyone."

"My lady… that… that's not what I meant—"

At my words, Alina's eyes began to tremble violently.

I couldn't forget. The indelible scars inflicted by countless people.

But the most devastating of all was when even Alina turned her back on me in the most brutal way.

Because we were close. Because I trusted her. The dagger she thrust at me was sharper than any other.

"I'm grateful for your help… but I'm staying here."

To be honest, I still didn't understand why she was helping me so much now.

Was it pity for me?

Or did I simply seem so pathetic that she extended a hand?

Perhaps it was guilt compelling her to do so.

None of those possibilities brought me any solace.

I was already tired of enduring pitiful gazes directed at me.

"It's fine now, Alina. You don't need to do anything more for me."

"My lady…"

Alina looked at me with sorrowful eyes. For a moment, tears almost welled up in my own.

Thank you. And I'm sorry, Alina.

"Keuhahaha…"

While Alina and I were locked in an emotional gaze, a faint laugh sounded from behind us.

Turning my head, I saw Bordin. Despite his severe injuries, he was bowing his head, barely stifling his laughter.

"…Why are you laughing?"

For some reason, his laughter annoyed me.

I straightened my fully recovered body and stared at him. He looked back at me with a sneer-like smile.

"I apologize, my lady. It was just so amusing I couldn't help myself. By the way, you seem to have a lot of faith in Lady Athena."

Despite his mocking tone, I looked straight at him and replied confidently.

"Because I love her."

"Heh…! Love? Love, you say…"

His continued laughter made my face scrunch up in irritation.

Why is he laughing like that?

"How pathetic… to think you've fallen in love, completely oblivious to the fact that you're merely a puppet dancing in that monster's hands."

"…What are you talking about?"

"Keuh… Are you curious?"

As Bordin struggled to lift himself, Alina pointed her blade at him in warning.

"Master. Stay where you are."

"Alina, I only wish to tell the young lady the truth. You know as well as I do, don't you? How foolish she looks right now."

"If you truly care for her, shouldn't you tell her the truth?"

At Bordin's words, Alina's body flinched noticeably.

"…..It's still too early."

"On the contrary, if you want to take the young lady to the imperial palace as per your plan, being honest would be far faster than meaningless persuasion."

***

Alina cautiously glanced at me.

Her expression, as she looked at me, seemed to contain a mix of worry, sadness, guilt, and other emotions.

'…Why is she looking at me like that?'

Avoiding her burdensome gaze, I turned to Bordin and spoke.

"..What exactly are you trying to say?"

I demanded an answer from him, and he willingly obliged.

"Listen carefully, young lady."

As he stretched his twisted arm forward, the grotesque sound of bones creaking and twisting filled the room.

"The humiliation, shame, self-loathing, helplessness, and guilt you've experienced since arriving at this mansion."

He spoke while staring at me with a broad smile on his face.

"Would you believe me if I told you all of that was orchestrated by Athena?"

"…What did you just say?"

My face twisted in disbelief. Bordin, seeing my reaction, burst into laughter before continuing.

"Exactly what I said. Everything that happened here—"

"Was all part of Athena's plan, desperately wishing for your downfall."