-Hugh’s POV-
“Damned those imbeciles, they'd oust my Sylphy, the crown princess, and her parents for that pest.“
My hand, which was forming a fist, released as I thought of my Sylphy.
“I hope she’s alright, I know she’s strong-willed but...”
My hand gripped again. After the image appeared in my head all I could think about was what might happen to her. All alone, taken from her home and brought to a new place as a slave. The bottle-up anger kept urging me to destroy something.
“If another man has touched her, I’ll kill them, and that imbecile Florence will be done for.”
Red and another one of my men stood watching me.
“I’ve never seen him so intense before.”
Red: “Let’s just hope we find Princess Sylphy, he might destroy the world if she’s not okay.”
My ship quickly sailed away from the Elven continent, I could see the many Islands of Beastman coming closer.
We can’t afford to make any pit stops.
The Asterak Kingdom is one of the southernmost Human ruled kingdoms and is closest to the Elven Continent. Before slavery started diminishing in the north, this kingdom was known for being the main producer of Elven slaves. Capturing the sharp-eared citizens that lived on the Elven Continent.
Though it still has widespread slavery, it’s greatly diminished since its hay day. The kingdom is about the size of Azeron(the only demon territory on the human continent), which is smaller than most of the other human kingdoms. Luckily that punk, Florence knew what port the boat Sylphy was taken away on went to.
My men were informed of the situation and were told to look for her.
Her name isn’t common so using that and the fact she is a High Noble Elf they should be able to find something. Elves of noble birth have longer ears than common Elves like Luke.
Of course to the untrained eye even with that factor, most individuals can tell the difference.
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I walked through the boardwalk. Crates and fishermen were common across the area. As one moved further inward, food stands lined certain streets. A few of my men went in groups to comb the area in search of Sylphy, or at least for any leads. I went towards the center of the city. Rich upscale clothing stores and eateries line one large main street. I walked down said street, it was obvious that my men and I were the only demons.
After a while, I met back with one group that went out looking. They told of how nothing came up. However just as I turned my head down in disappointment, I heard a crackle of chains. I turned to see what it was.
My body froze and my eyes locked into the Elven female in chains a few stores away. It was her, it was my Sylphy.
Her mouth was gagged with a rag that matched her clothing. Her body was covered in a layer of dirt that changed her skin from a pale white to greyish black. Her beautiful hair was cut and mangled. And her neck had signs that the collar was uncomfortable. A tubby fellow was holding her restraints daintily in one hand and twisted his mustache in the other. He looked like some noble who was casually window shopping.
I started walking closer, my footsteps could be heard, people stared at me once I stepped foot off the boat but now they noticed me even more.
Hugh: “One of you get us lodgings, reserve the whole inn if you must. Make sure there’s a hot bath prepared in my room.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
I didn’t bother knowing who left, I just continued to stare intently in her direction.
I was the only person in the world that anyone knew of with a single horn. My face could compare to my father's, and even though my eyes were of a lighter color like my mother's a single glace could shake you to your very core.
The stern look on my face caused people to stare as well.
My Sylphy looking down at the ground lifted her head and looked somewhat my way. We locked eyes and hers opened wide. I could see she was trying to speak but she couldn’t. Tears started to swell in her eyes and her body started to move. The chains crackled and chung, her tubby master seeing her somewhat persistent tugged her rather harshly. She almost fell to the ground. I could hear her voice as if a screech of pain through the gag tied around her mouth. Just seeing that made my heart sink and made me want to murder this man in the worst way possible. The scum holding her restraints noticed me and smirked but once my face was seen a frown appeared.
My stature above his was totally different, his face turned up to me as I stared daggers at him.
His eyes showed fear and confusion. He looked like a spoiled nobleman's child whose never known a belt, that was about to be disciplined.
Hugh: “Do you know who you're treating as a slave.?”
Tubby Fellow: “Ah, she, she’s just some Elf.. what..”
My hand grasped his chubby face. Pushing it harshly to the ground, his one visible eye was one of fear. The rest of his face was the same and his lips seemed to quiver.
Hugh: “She’s the Demon King’s woman.! My woman, as well as the Princess of the Elves!.”
My voice started to become somewhat vicious.
Hugh: “Tell me, did you touch her with your greasy fingers.?”
His head shook as he started tearing up.
Hugh: “Are you sure, tell me exactly what you did to her?! No, I’ll ask her myself.”
My hand pushed him even harder to the ground. My eyes could only display disdain and bits of murderous intent. My tone matched such external views.
Hugh: “Stay there, you worm.”
My eyes changed from a murderous glare to a softer stare.
That same hand reached for her cheek, though she pulled away.
From her point of view, my face must have presented more of an unhinge than gentle calm.
Tears kept falling from those eyes. I could tell sadness continued and grew worse from the way her mouth gripped the gag and her cheeks quivered.
I spoke with a gentle voice.
Hugh: “Don’t worry Sylphy, I would never harm you.”
My face, which was somewhat dark due to her uneasiness, relaxed and my eyes looked deeply into hers.
My hands reached once more and undid the gag. She coughed, taking some big breaths.
Hugh: “Are you alright..?”
She nodded. Her eyes didn’t want to look at my face. The gentleness in my voice changed quickly.
Hugh: “Did this worm hurt you.?”
She bit her bottom lip and looked away from my gaze. In frustration, I slammed my foot down on his potbelly.
Hugh: “Did he touch you.?”
Sylphy: “He hasn’t done anything, we just came from the slave market.”
I got close trying to see the truth in her eyes.
Hugh: “There’s no way it took two weeks for you to be sold, so tell me the truth.!”
“It is.”
The man on the ground spoke with a quivering voice.
Sylphy: “He’s right.”
Her hands gripped together and her legs twitched in place.
Sylphy: “They only sell slaves once a month, they have a large auction and sell us to the highest bidder.”
Hugh: “Look me in the eyes so I know whether you're lying or not.”
Her eyes looked at mine and I could tell.
The glare she presented seemed as though she didn’t want to bother.
“It’s the truth, I promise.”
The men that were still looking for her arrived and spoke.
“Demon King, we haven’t..”
I waved my hand and spoke.
Hugh: “Just shut up and get this trash out of my sight.”
“Yes, your highness.”
I glared down at him and spoke.
Hugh: “You’re lucky I’m not having you killed.”
My men grasped the man by the shoulder and left.
I grasped Sylphy’s chain and pulled her face close to me.
Hugh: “Your mine now, you won’t be leaving me alone from now on.”
She looked down at the ground, her tone of voice seemed as though she was crying.
Hugh: “Does that mean I’m your slave too?”
My hand pushed her chin up and my eyes looked intently into hers.
Hugh: “No, but you’re not free either.”
I grasped her in one fell swoop, my hand around her waist kept her on my shoulder. Her butt was facing where I’m facing.
Hugh: “Half of you go and destroy the slave auction, the rest follow me.”
Red: “Your highness, what if this causes problems with the rulers of this land, we are in a foreign country?”
Hugh: “Just do it. If they ask questions just tell who’s will your acting on orders from..”
I spoke after I started walking.
Hugh: “We already took the Elven Continent, what’s another kingdom?.”
The man I sent found a nice inn and reserved an entire floor. My men escorted me down the hall opening the door for me. I stepped in still holding Sylphy. The room I was in was good and quiet.
I slightly turned my head glaring at the individual standing by the door.
Hugh: “Shut the door.”
He bowed and closed the door with haste.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
I dropped her off on her feet. My hands using a bit of mana tore the cuffs and chains from her limbs.
My hands reached for her neck, her eyes closed and her neck elongated. I could hear quiet moans as if fearful I might hurt her.
Hugh: “Maybe I should leave this on..”
Her eyes opened and her hands grasped my shirt.
Sylphy: “Please release me, I don’t want to a slave any longer.”
Her tone was stricken with longing and sadness.
My hands quickly ripped the chain around her neck, she squealed as it happened, still fearful.
My hands ripped her clothes off if you call those rags clothes and she quickly fell to the ground. She was crouching down trying to shield herself from my view. Her body was filthy and her slender back showed signs of starvation.
My hands grasped her arms and pulled her up.
Sylphy: “No.!”
Hugh: “Stop fighting, and let me see! I need to make sure you're untouched.”
I dropped her on the bed and she turned over in a fetal position.
I tried grabbing her arms but she pulled away.
Tears kept falling down her face, I could hear the sobbing pain in her voice. She couldn’t bear to look at me as she spoke.
Sylphy: “Stop it, please. I’m not hurt... I’m not tainted...”
Sylphy: “What happened to the Hugh that was so sweet and innocent, what happened to my Hugh?.”
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To be continued
