"Offspring of the Deity..."

Rogue murmured these words, wanting to ask more, when Lucy covered her brother’s mouth with a nervous look.

Morihui tried to speak again, but seeing his sister’s fierce glare, he fell silent instantly, cold sweat beading on his brow.

Rogue understood their reaction.

—One must not speak lightly of deities.

He gave a knowing look and deliberately changed the subject. "Matters of the Hero Lords are beyond us. I’m more eager to see what good items your family can offer this trip."

Lucy caught his meaning and replied, "Times are uneasy lately. What do you plan to buy, Uncle?"

"Food," Rogue said without hesitation. "War rages in the north. I’ll take a gamble on a run—if it pays off, we’re set for the year. Plus, our caravan’s short on hands."

His last words were subtle. Clever Lucy read between the lines and stayed quiet, lips pressed tight. But naive Morihui took the bait.

His mood dipped slightly. "So, Uncle Rogue... you’re here to buy slaves too?"

"Do you despise this practice, Morihui?" Rogue asked calmly.

Morihui nodded. "I don’t get why this world’s so twisted. We’re all human, yet some dominate while others submit. Especially my family... I’ve seen those slaves. They just want to live."

He clenched his fists, then loosened them, a flicker of self-mockery in his eyes.

He spoke righteously, yet he too "enjoyed" this life.

Rogue reached out and ruffled his red hair. "Don’t overthink it."

"How do you view this, Uncle Rogue?" To Morihui, Rogue was a seasoned adventurer. He sought his wisdom.

The question made Rogue think of Lilitha back at his manor.

Complexity flashed in his eyes, gone in a breath. "Train hard. With enough strength, you can change what you wish. Anything unchangeable? Just lack of power. So get stronger."

Could strength truly fix everything?

Rogue wasn’t sure. But for an idealist like Morihui, he knew how to respond.

In this world, this era, such ideals were dangerous.

Not his concern. He turned to Lucy, the pretty purple-haired girl. "By the way, I heard during my travels you captured a young dragon. True?"

Lucy’s pupils narrowed for a split second—Rogue caught it.

He was startled they knew of Lilitha. Demon archives only noted she’d been bought from the Steven Family for a fortune.

He pressed on, voice low. "Frankly, our boss wants that dragon too. This trip’s to see if there’s an opening—"

Morihui cut him off. "Father sent the dragon away already. Uncle Rogue... your caravan’s a good one, right?"

Rogue smiled steadily. "Of course. We need hands for loading goods. Slaves are cheap and obedient—we’d never be cruel. They’d live better with us. Trust me."

"Mm, I believe you, Uncle!" Morihui nodded firmly.

Seeing doubt flicker in Lucy’s eyes, Rogue dropped the topic. They chatted while heading to the Steven Family’s lands.

Along the way, low-level monsters attacked—ranks three or four. Rogue taught Morihui combat tricks while showing off his high-level Priest magic.

Casual high-tier spell arrays, tangible buffs—this made Rogue seem even more heroic to Morihui.

Near nightfall, they entered the territory. Ilidian met them and called to Rogue. The two walked off together.

"My lord, kill those two?" Ilidian asked. Rogue had chatted nonstop, and Ilidian, not knowing human speech, couldn’t interrupt.

Rogue stroked his chin. "I’ve their trust. Likely Steven Family heirs—high status. Keep them alive."

"The intel?"

"I learned what matters."

Ilidian’s killing intent faded. He knew Rogue sought personal answers; spying on him was his duty.

His flaw? Not understanding human talk.

Ilidian added, "Handover finishes tonight. We leave at dawn. One night enough for your investigation, my lord?"

"Enough," Rogue nodded.

He needed two things: Lilitha’s past, and events from three years ago.

The Demon Lord Fortress records, sealed by Aria, held only trivial details.

But humans here dug into oddities—they might know about three years back.

Morihui’s words alone had been useful.

"We split after. Higor will guard you," Ilidian said.

"Mm. Contact me if needed."

"Understood."

Deep in Steven lands, they reached a vast manor. Farmland ringed it; inside, it bustled like a village, crowned by a giant castle.

A few knights patrolled, drinking. They eyed Rogue’s caravan curiously. Some armored ones moved to demand tolls.

Morihui and Lucy’s presence stopped them. Knights bowed respectfully; slaves knelt and kowtowed without orders.

A slave suddenly shouted Morihui’s name and charged—but a knight’s sword flashed, taking his head. Despair gripped the others; they screamed and fled.

Only cold steel awaited them.

Knights sneered. Nobles watched with amusement. Slaves looked numb. Only Morihui clenched his fists, blood seeping under his nails.

This was noble versus slave.

This continent’s reflection.

The high rose higher. The low sank lower.

Rogue’s gaze stayed calm. He’d seen this too often.

As the caravan entered the castle, Rogue, Number Five, and Higor vanished silently from the group.