Just then,

"Please... Master, please don't... sell me... away..."

A trembling plea from a little girl reached them.

Taking this as an opportunity,

"Yes... Master, as long as you don't... sell me away... I'm willing to do anything, no matter what."

"Master, we are willing to do anything, we will obey any order, but please, please don't do this."

Different yet similar voices continued to speak one after another.

"Ryuto..."

Next to him, Sora also cast a pleading glance towards Ryuto.

And...

"Since you all say that, isn't it simple? Just answer the question I asked earlier, isn't that enough? You said you're willing to do anything, so why do you keep changing your stance over and over again?"

Ryuto's response remained indifferent.

"Well..."

As everyone showed difficulty on their faces, they simultaneously lowered their heads again, and the room fell silent once more.

"Huh? Even though you say you're willing to do anything, in the end, you're not even willing to answer my question. What does this mean? Are you taking me for a fool?"

"Not at all... Master..."

Before they could finish,

"Huh? Not at all? Then what is it? Am I misunderstanding something?"

Ryuto cut in with a rough tone.

...

Again, the room fell into silence.

"Did you misconstrue something? While I admit that I am a gentle person, it doesn't mean I won't lose my temper. If you think you can act recklessly just because I am gentle, you are mistaken. I have my limits too. Let me make this clear, once I lose my patience, I don’t even know what I might do. When that moment comes, even if you want to speak, it might be too late, time waits for no one."

Ryuto's outburst continued.

"If you don't want things you fear to happen, then strive hard to avoid them. Idiots, always begging without making an effort. What good is that? I don't need useless people like that."

"Ah..."

A stuttering voice was heard.

Ryuto turned to see the little girl who had answered him initially.

"What is it? Do you have something to say?"

Though Ryuto didn't shout again, his voice was still far from pleasant – it was, in fact, quite harsh.

...

Upon being questioned this way, the little girl lowered her head once more in silence.

"What's the matter? Are you trying to make a fool of me? Do you think I won't hesitate to punish you first just because you are young and naive?"

"Please, don't sell me, I'll talk."

The little girl hurriedly spoke up.

"Is that so? Is that more like it?"

Thinking he had succeeded in the first step, Ryuto inquired further.

"So, what is it then? Why did you all become slaves?"

"Um... um..."

The little girl's response was somewhat hesitant.

"No need to rush. Since you promised, I won't hurry. I mentioned earlier that I am a gentle person. As long as you cooperate actively, I won't do anything to you."

The little girl nodded quickly and opened her mouth again, even though she seemed hesitant, she didn't seem to have any intention of stopping.

"W-well...actually..."

After mustering up her courage with her eyes closed, the little girl blurted out the answer.

"It's because..."