In an age long past, the demon has become the apex predator. Humanity has been enslaved. But one little girl will change all of that.
In this sprawling epic of guns, swords, and demons, Author Veyrum's newest novel asks one simple question: What if...
Fig. 1.2: A map of the Kanroji Slave Plantation northeast of Yoshika.
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一 : The Kanroji Mansion
二 : Slave Hovels
三 : Yoshika Mountains
四 : North Wisteria Fields
五 : North Cotton Fields
六 : South Cotton Fields
七 : Forest
八 : South Wisteria Fields
Taka hated it when she couldn't sleep.
She lied down facing the window, her back carried by her plump white bed. A ghostly white beam of moonlight pierced through her window, so bright that it irritated her eyes even when she closed them. She would've just turned her neck to the other side if it wasn't for the annoying pain of a stiff neck that locked her head to face right.
But there was a more unbearable pain that laid just in between her lungs and over her stomach. Her heart. Her friend, who she swore she would save by convincing Mama Mitsuri to adopt him, was doomed to a life of misery. No matter how many ideas she tried to think of, all of them led to the logical conclusion of failing, and Kakume's fate being the same as if she hadn't even tried anything at all.
And then there was Kyusei's absurd idea.
I'm a coward. Taka thought, the cushions under her feeling like slaves lifting their spoiled brat of a master. Any good friend would extinguish all options before them, no matter how daring or dangerous, right?
But... it's a stupid option. One that would most likely get us either killed, imprisoned, or worse. I should stop pitying myself like a damn child!
Though... it could be worth a shot, maybe? Isn't the whole point of being a friend to help when everyone else turns their back?
These two conflicting states of mind battled, lengthening her insomnia. Even just lying down, thinking, made her feel exhausted. If a bed couldn't calm her mind, what could?
The battle raged on, like a civil war between logic and dignity. Kakume needs a glimmer of hope! Breaking him out is the best possible solution! Kyusei has an innocent heart, and I know he has good intentions! He's ten, for crying out loud!
Exactly. He's ten years old. That's why I shouldn't take his 'option' seriously.
But Kakume took him seriously... maybe I should-
No, it's already too late. He's probably in his hovel, starving.
A headache. Taka should've predicted this. She clutched her forehead, only making it worse. She wasn't sure if she was guilty or frustrated. Could it be both? Maybe she was just sick. Sick with what, a fever? Or perhaps it was a mental illness. She should ask Mama Mitsu-
