The late summer breeze wasn't as biting as winter's, but it carried a hint of autumn chill—a slight coolness in the air.

Thud!

Allen felt herself slammed hard onto the ground. Her back hit solid wood—not pleasant at all. Gritting her teeth, she pushed her tired, aching body up to see.

Gurgle... Who's there...?

Thud!

Whimper... That hurts.

Allen clutched her head where a slightly swollen bump was forming. A stinging pain spread across her scalp.

Just moments ago, she'd stood too quickly without checking her surroundings. She'd slammed straight into the iron bars. "Huh??!?"

Allen gripped the cold bars in disbelief, her face frozen in shock.

"Stop staring. You're a slave now."

By the campfire beside the wagon sat the leader of this slave-catching squad. He stared at her strangely, as if she were a pile of treasure.

Allen couldn't understand why. She'd resolved to stay in Demon Castle forever. But monsters besieged the city. Lilith kicked her out without hesitation. She'd sworn to return to Demon Castle at all costs. Yet the moment she grasped her freedom, slave traders snatched it away again.

Such was fate...

Perhaps she couldn't accept reality yet. Or maybe her brain was foggy from just waking. Allen didn't react at all.

"Listen up! If you don't want trouble, stay put and behave." He paused, flashing a sinister grin. "Of course, you could try to run. But if your legs break, your value drops big time~" He pulled a dagger from his belt, waving it symbolically. Green light shimmered in the air—a sign of a novice swordsman.

"Boss, don't scare her. Look at her~"

"Yeah, look! You've scared the little girl to tears." His words dripped with sarcasm.

Without power, survival was impossible...

Grief and anger, indescribable, slowly built inside her. Then it exploded in her mind. Her body trembled violently, beyond control.

"Whimper... Whimper... Why..."

Tears surged out with sobs, filling her eyes. They spilled down her cheeks to the wooden cage floor.

She'd vowed many times not to cry, no matter the storms. But her tear ducts were uncooperative. Even when she told herself tears were useless, instinct overwhelmed her. The slightest grievance flooded her eyes instantly.

Indeed, for Allen—who'd spent two years immersed in gardens—she had nothing left but housekeeping, gardening skills, and some knowledge. Besides crying, she truly had nothing.

"Don't be nervous. We're not that bad. Just obey, and we won't hurt you. You look like a wanderer. If a rich family buys you, you'll never want for food or clothes." He paused. "Isn't that right?~" Clearly testing her.

"N-no... I have money! I'll give you money. Please let me go..." Allen pleaded.

The leader grinned wickedly, exchanging smirks with the other slave catchers. Their sneers turned to loud laughter. They clutched their stomachs as if hearing the funniest joke.

"How much money?~ Your suitcase had no coins. The only valuable thing is this gold pocket watch." He waved the Pocket Watch in front of Allen, showing it off.

Inside was the only projection photo of Lilith and herself.

"I didn't put money in the suitcase... I have 100 gold coins..." Allen pulled 10 magic crystals from the felt lining. She laid them flat in the cage.

The leader froze. Indeed, this little one had enough to buy a slave. But she'd overlooked one thing.

"Tsk... This amount could easily buy a slave with plenty left over. But for a high-value item like you, it's too little. At the slave market, you'd fetch at least 10,000 gold coins." He paused. "So keep this pocket change to yourself."

Of course, the slave trader wasn't letting her go. 100 gold coins was still a big sum. But he had a better idea—he wanted to break Allen's spirit. He'd slowly swindle her money and crush her self-esteem, making her give up escape.

"This watch holds someone important to you, right? Here, take it back."

Allen took the Pocket Watch and looked at the projection. It was a simple image: three people—herself, Lilith, and Luna. Allen and Luna stood on either side of Lilith, all smiling before the scroll. Behind them bloomed a sea of flowers—outside Demon Castle's walls, an unimaginably vast garden. Luna tended most of it, but Allen cared for a small part. Perhaps it was too perfect. In just three months, all of it had vanished like a bubble.

Perhaps this was life—full of great sorrows and joys, twists and turns.

Like a precious treasure, Allen clutched the Pocket Watch tightly to her chest. Her crying stopped abruptly, though sobs still escaped.

Allen lay down on her side on the wooden planks, wrapped in the felt blanket. Drowsily, she closed her eyes. She was exhausted. All she wanted was a good sleep.

"She fell asleep that easily? Hmph, she's in for it later."

The leader sliced potatoes into a small pot with his knife. The simmering stew gave off an enticing aroma.

Truth be told, slave-catching squads were legal in the Smelting Kingdom. This team came from there. They'd wandered the ancient Lorraine primeval forest for nearly a month. But luck hadn't favored them—they hadn't caught a single half-beast, let alone an Elf hidden deep in the woods.

They should have returned to the Smelting Kingdom in shame. But fortune balanced out. They hadn't caught slaves, yet on their way back, they captured a prize more valuable than an Elf—Allen.

It was such a coincidence. Allen, who'd just grasped freedom, had unknowingly become a slave again.

Perhaps this was fate. This parting between Allen and Lilith might be forever. Though Lilith might never die.

If sold, could she escape? Of course not. What did 10,000 gold coins mean? No ordinary person would spend that much just for a slave—it was far too precious!

So why buy her? Think about it—besides as a toy, there was no other possibility...

Allen had guarded against venomous snakes and wild beasts all the way, carefully avoiding them all. Yet she never expected to fall into human hands. Compared to snakes and beasts, humans were far more terrifying.

"Whimper..."

In her sleep, Allen whimpered. Her life's path had been altered by others again.

This was perhaps fate. Only Lilith's existence gave her a reason to live. Yet... it seemed the pillar had crumbled...