Story: Forever After

"No, no, no, it truly is amazing!" [???]

Inside a beautifully decorated room prepared for receiving guests, Evelyn was talking to a man that kept doing his best to flatter her. He was a merchant who was well-off and experienced judging by the fine clothes he was wearing and the professional smile he had plastered on his face. Of course, it was easier for him to compliment a woman as beautiful as her who was a treat for the eyes, even if he was being insincere.

"Thank you, but I'm still new in this city and have much to learn." [Evelyn]

Evelyn said politely and modestly while keeping her back straight and her head still, neither raising her chin or bowing in humbleness. The two were sitting on comfortable sofas and facing each other across a low table. Two cups of tea were placed on top, containing an amber liquid from which wafted a fragrant odor.

"Please, Miss Ivyblood, in just a few months, your company has become the talk of Sakael! There isn't a single person who doesn't know of the Roseseed Company or of the beautiful lady at the head! Why, women everywhere can't get enough of the products you sell! Nobles and commoners alike, they all try to get their hands on them to have even a third of your brilliance!" [Merchant]

The merchant lavished praised on her while rubbing his hands together.

"Even I was skeptical at first, but those truly are of incredible quality! Soap, shampoo, conditioner, facial masks, moisturizers, cosmetics and more! They're all revolutionary items that help maintain and enhance one's appearance, completely incomparable to existing products! In fact, my wife's skin has become so smooth, and her hair is so shiny! Those facial masks and skin cream rid her of wrinkles and made her look younger! And her floral scent when we're in bed-ah, pardon me. Anyway, she's simply captivating!" [Merchant]

"I am happy to hear that we've met your wife's expectations." [Evelyn]

"Exactly so! Even the new lingerie is simply marvelous! The intricate designs are making all the ladies, and, if I may say so, the men, blush in admiration! In all my years as a merchant, I've never seen anything like them!" [Merchant]

Then, after he finished praising the products that Evelyn was selling to high heaven, he narrowed his eyes sharply like a hawk eyeing its prey without losing his smile.

"News have traveled fast! People all over Garroth have been asking who's selling these wonderful items and where they can buy them!" [Merchant]

"Oh? Isn't that wonderful to hear as a merchant?" [Evelyn]

Evelyn replied calmly and took a sip of her tea. The merchant chose that moment to begin his attack.

"Certainly! It is a great opportunity! But, will it not be a tad difficult to meet these waves of demands that will most definitely come in the near future?" [Merchant]

"It will be fine." [Evelyn]

The blonde-haired, red-eyed woman politely and decisively said as she put her cup of tea on the table.

"As you no doubt already know, the Roseseed Company is in service to the royal family and has their full support. Which is why, if we were to run into any problem, the rulers of this country will gladly offer aid." [Evelyn]

"… I, I see. That is certainly reassuring to hear." [Merchant]

The merchant's smile twitched and his words faltered, but he managed to quickly smooth it over, exchange a few pleasantries and leave. As Evelyn watched him depart in his carriage from a window, her gaze was sharp and her expression was cold, a stark contrast to her welcoming attitude from earlier.

"Excuse me." [???]

A grey-eyed woman in her mid-twenties knocked on the door and entered the room as she looked down on him from the second floor. Her black hair was pinned up behind her head and she adjusted her pair of glasses by pushing up the rims. She wore a black vest on top of a white blouse and a dark blue, knee-length skirt, her outfit immaculate without a single crease. Tied around her collar was a white cravat that had a small, red rose on it, the emblem of the company she worked for.

"President, how did the third meeting go?" [Assistant]

It was the female slave that had become Evelyn's assistant and was helping her manage the Roseseed Company. After eating and resting properly, she had fully recovered her health. Her slender limbs were soft instead of bony and her round and firm assets noticeably pushed against her clothes. Her beautiful face had become stern instead of expressionless after regaining her energy and her almond-shaped, slanted eyes piercingly gazed at her surroundings.

"The same as always." [Evelyn]

"So another guest who wanted to know where our products came from?" [Assistant]

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"Yes, and he also wished to work with our company to reap some profits, but I turned him down." [Evelyn]

"… Do you think he will cause us trouble later on?" [Assistant]

"No need for concern, Karen. He is an excellent merchant, and that's why he can understand what I left unsaid." [Evelyn]

Evelyn turned her head to the right and looked at her assistant, Karen, from the corner of her red eye.

"If he were to try to use us, I would in turn use this country's royalty to destroy him." [Evelyn]

"… I will pretend I didn't hear that." [Karen]

She declared bluntly to which Karen wisely chose to forget, her strict expression not changing. Her boss was incredibly capable, but she had her quirks, one of which was her ruthlessness that she sometimes showed.

"That's fine, do you have anything urgent to report?" [Evelyn]

"Not at the moment. The employees are working properly." [Karen]

She answered as she straightened her back.

"Those tending the shop are managing the customers and goods without issue. There is no indication of embezzlement. Our security force keeping an eye on things and patrolling the mansion has not reported any problem." [Karen]

She said in a clear voice. There was no real issue. Everyone was making sure to do their assigned tasks and avoid causing trouble. After all, why would they risk getting kicked out? Despite being slaves, they were all receiving treatment better than what their status would usually permit. Those that had a home to return to were allowed to leave. Those that wanted to stay were given a job, food and shelter.

Karen, though it didn't show on her face, was incredibly grateful for the fortune she had found. She knew many others felt the same way as her. Sadly, it wasn't everyone, and it was her job to report it to Evelyn. That was why, though it didn't show on her face, she felt half-ashamed and half-exasperated as she told the blonde-haired woman of the situation.

For it was something that she had already warned against.

"However, some of the slaves from the last batch that was bought had been unruly." [Karen]

"The criminal slaves." [Evelyn]

Evelyn guessed and Karen nodded promptly.

"I strongly suggest we exclude them from any future purchase." [Karen]

"We won't be buying new slaves for a while. We have enough people to help us." [Evelyn]

"I see. Yes, our current workforce is plenty." [Karen]

The assistant, putting a hand to her chin, agreed after considering the number of people they had working in the mansion and the shop. Among the employees, some had also been given their own houses, such as families. Children were encouraged to go to school and the fees were all being paid by their master. Karen wondered if he was simply very rich, or if the money came from the royal family that was cooperating with them. Either way, there was no point in supporting more workers.

"Where are the criminal slaves that haven't fallen in line?" [Evelyn]

"Ryner, excuse me, Master took them somewhere in the city." [Karen]

"Right, then this case is already solved. He'll teach them manners, or end it." [Evelyn]

"(By 'end it', do you mean end their employment and return them to the slave merchant, or end their lives?)" [Karen]

"… Understood." [Karen]

Karen quietly wondered to herself and once again wisely chose to ignore what Evelyn muttered with an ominous smile. Then, having finished her report, she bowed respectfully and left the room to continue her work. Evelyn, standing alone in front of the window, watched the scenery outside. Another carriage had stopped in front of the mansion. Her next visitor had arrived, but she didn't prepare herself for the meeting yet. The servants would welcome the new merchant or noble that wanted to meet her.

The vampire's thoughts were still lingering on Ryner.

"… It's already been three months." [Evelyn]

She muttered to herself as she held her left arm with her right hand.

In an alley of Sakael, several men sporting bruises on their bodies were on the ground, moaning in pain. They were part of the latest group of slaves that was bought to work for the Roseseed Company. They were, however, all criminal slaves that had committed various kinds of crimes from theft to murder.

And they had gotten beaten to a pulp.

"So, like I was saying…" [Ryner]

The one responsible for the beating, Ryner, was casually sitting on a pile of them and talking one-sidedly.

"I really don't mind hiring you rowdy lot, and if you don't want to work as adventurers or laborers, then we'll find something else." [Ryner]

"Uugh…" [Criminal slave]

"But, you have to follow my orders." [Ryner]

"M-my arm…" [Criminal slave]

"Hey, are you listening?" [Ryner]

"… N-no…" [Criminal slave]

"What?! And why not?!" [Ryner]

"… In… Pain… You… Fuc-." [Criminal slave]

"Well sucks to be you!" [Ryner]

Ryner grabbed a small pebble, stood up and walked a few steps away from the group of battered slaves.

"You're in the middle of a job interview and only those who pass will get hired!" [Ryner]

A thug-like man with a strong physique shakily got on his feet and, having not lost the will to fight, rushed at Ryner, who had his back turned.

"RAAAAHHH!!!" [Criminal slave]

He screamed as he swung his right fist at him from behind. Though he struck from a blind spot, Ryner easily dodged it by stepping to the side. Then, he grabbed his wrist as he ran by and pulled, using his momentum against him. The next thing the criminal slave knew, he suddenly flipped forward and landed heavily on his back. Without giving him time to catch his breath, Ryner stomped down on his throat, caving it in and killing him.

"By the way, anyone that doesn't get hired will be disposed of, like this stealing, raping, murdering ex-mercenary that resorted to banditry." [Ryner]

He looked at the other slaves that were staring in mute shock at the sudden murder.

"The slave merchant told me what you did before getting caught and enslaved. Honestly, I thought you'd have changed after falling to slavery and spending time in the same building as that lowlife. But, not everyone wants to change, I guess." [Ryner]

He scratched his head full of messy hair and stared at the bruised criminal slaves with his half-closed eyes of different colors. It was hard to tell what he was thinking since he appeared harmless and sleepy. But, there was a dead person by his feet, one that he had killed effortlessly.

"That said, I'm not nice enough to wait or accept your current selves when it'll obviously cause us trouble later on. So hurry up and change now to pass the interview. Otherwise…" [Ryner]

Ryner flicked the pebble he was holding with such strength that it flew straight through a slave's eye socket and reached his brain. The man died without realizing what had happened.

"You fail." [Ryner]

Inside the alley, the screams of terrorized criminal slaves reverberated.