Chapter 13: Getting Caught

Myru had to endure another yell before being dragged into one of the buildings.

The place looked like an ordinary house. Myru couldn't see any difference between this building and the others from the outside.

With his hands tied, Myru entered the building and was greeted by others.

"What is this?" "The kid who ran away yesterday." "He looks like a noble. I don't remember ever bringing a noble here."

Myru kept his mouth shut. They examined Myru from head to toe. Then they noticed a small pin on the robe he was wearing. Edaunay saw it and grinned.

"HAHA! A big catch! A big catch! I don't know how he got here, but it's our lucky day! Hey, quickly take this kid downstairs and feed him! In two days, someone will come to pick them up."

My body was easily pushed with just one touch.

On both sides, guards filled the area, all looking like market thugs. Their shouts were deafening.

I thought you would help me.

Stone of Eternal Misfortune replied quickly.

[I'm just a stone, what can I do?]

‘Yeah, I know. I just want to lament my fate because I admit this body is weak.’

Hah, but at least I want to try to look around and attempt to infiltrate after Sitera provided me with a complete map.

Myru did plan to enter, but he never expected to be captured within seconds of stepping out.

Even a mouse could do a better job.

"At least now I'm inside."

The place had a U-shaped layout. After entering, Myru was taken to the central room and then straight back.

This place was filled with large-bodied people who seemed to guard and kidnap. It could be seen from two small children who bowed and left. Myru watched where the children went, entering a large door facing the stairs.

From the map Sitera made, there were two places on the upper floor, both heavily guarded. Both were guarded by real knights. Unlike the lower floor filled with barbaric thugs, upstairs seemed to be the residence of nobles if they happened to stay or visit this slave place.

A slightly bald-headed man looked straight at Myru with joy. "A noble's child? Where did you get him?"

The one who had been carrying Myru answered. "You'll have to pay us more if this kid is to fetch a high price."

"Of course! Nobles are going crazy these days. They're starting to look for other noble children to play with. He looks like a kid who's always been served."

"I don't understand the minds of nobles."

"Huh! They're always disgusting, but at least because of them, we can make money easily!"

An iron door opened. Myru was put inside and locked again. Before the person left, Myru approached the iron bars holding him.

"When can I go home?"

The thug stared at Myru fiercely and didn't answer at all. A few steps later, the thug spat on the floor and left him alone.

Finally, his hands were released from the grip of that person. Myru looked at his wrists, wounded from the binding. He admitted that this body was too weak.

The place was not entirely enclosed. Only one side was bounded by walls, while the majority was covered with iron bars, allowing Myru to see the cells in front of him.

This place housed many commoner children. In addition, the sound of crying spread from end to end. They looked depressed.

Myru stood up and looked around.

The only way out was through the door with iron bars. There were no windows because this place was underground, and the air was stuffy, making it difficult to breathe if one was not used to it. Myru decided to sit quietly after hearing the kidnappers approaching.

Some cried, some begged to be released. And all of that worsened the mood of the large-bodied people. The plates given to Myru were even thrown, contents spilling everywhere.

"So annoying."

Myru picked up the bread on the ground and stared at it. He felt nostalgic when he was still Arditian, struggling to find food on the streets. Being given bread like this was something valuable.

'It brings back old memories.'

Myru smiled faintly and wiped the bread from the dust with his hands.

He then took the plate containing unclear soup and threw it directly at the head of one of the slavers.

"What kind of food is this? Don't you know I can't eat garbage like this? Don't you know I'm a child born with a silver spoon?!"

Myru grumbled. He raised his head arrogantly while belittling the person in front of him. Perhaps because the character he played was naturally annoying, Myru could now naturally portray a troublemaking rich kid just from his face.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?"

Myru threw the given drinking water again, making the slaver's face even worse. "Why? You're going to sell me anyway. Selling me alone will make you rich. Can't I get my right to eat well before all that happens?"

Myru then covered his mouth, looking at the officer disgusted.

"Ah, please forget it. Whatever food you give me, I will vomit because it tastes disgusting. I'm sorry, but I don't have a trash mouth like you."

The officer came towards Myru and glared at him, then a few seconds later, he laughed. "Huh, just do what you want because soon you'll be sold."

"You bastard. You're ignoring me to fill your wallet? Don't you know who I am? I'm the Marquess family's child from the east! If you sell me, you'll only get into trouble!"

"ARGH, SHUT UP!"

The officer immediately pulled out a sharp weapon he always had at his waist and directed it at the iron bars right in front of Myru's neck, making a loud sound of impact.

"No food for you tonight."

The officer glared at Myru, who still maintained his arrogant expression, then spat on the floor. "There's always something to ruin my day."

After that, the officer left Myru alone in there.

Myru decided to sit cross-legged and look around again. Those trapped here were silent, no different from before. Myru had tried to chat with the prisoner in front of him, but it seemed useless because they didn't care about Myru and looked at him like a selfish fool.

Not wrong, though.

'But it still hurts a bit.'

Holding his wrist, red and slightly scratched from the rope that had just bound him when he was captured.

Hey, Stone... can you heal me again like you did before?

[I thought you weren't hurt. Why should I heal you?]

Stone of Eternal Misfortune answered bewildered.

'Actually, what power do you have? Why is it useless when I need it?'

[Don't underestimate me, Myru! I've been a living being for thousands of years; I know what's urgent and what's not. Your wound wasn't too urgent. Besides, I have many other powers.]

I know that, so what are your powers?

[I won't answer that. Hmmph!]

Myru fell silent after hearing that.

... Did he just say 'hmmph'?

The stone seem like a sulking child.

Or is he?