Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 69: A Brewing Storm

Chapter 69: A Brewing Storm

The café’s warm glow flickered against the darkening sky outside. The hum of conversation surrounded us, yet our table was locked in a different world entirely—one filled with secrets and anxieties far darker than the dimly lit corners of this cozy room.

Hina leaned forward, eyes sharp with concern, her hands still resting on the table as she addressed Billie. "Yeah, but first... Billie, do you remember anything about the place? The entrance? The people?"

Billie hesitated, her grip tightening around her coffee cup. Her fingers trembled slightly before she nodded. "Yes."

"Hoo... now, that’s interesting." I muttered, resting my chin on my palm, my gaze unwavering as I studied her reaction.

Serina, sitting beside Hina, straightened up and asked the question lingering on all our minds. "So? Where is it?"

Billie exhaled deeply, as if the very thought of the place unsettled her. "It’s... a place both scary and fun."

Hina blinked. "Fun?"

Billie nodded slowly. "For the attendees and buyers, at least. They walk around without a care in the world, treating it like some exclusive, underground party. It’s a form of entertainment —a game where the rich indulge in their twisted desires But, it’s a secret slave trade."

Silence settled over our table. The weight of her words clung to the air like an unshakable fog.

"A slave trade..." Serina’s voice was barely above a whisper.

Billie’s expression darkened, her fingers pressing against the ceramic cup as if grounding herself. "Yes. A market hidden beneath the city. Supported by corrupt knights and nobles. They operate under the Queen’s blind eye, making sure their business remains undiscovered."

Serina and Hina’s eyes widened in horror.

"You’re saying... people in power are part of this?" Serina asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

"Not just part of it," Billie said, her voice dropping lower. "They run it. Some of the highest-ranking officials are involved....they protect it."

Hina clenched her fists, anger flashing across her face. "That’s insane! If this is true, then—"

I stirred my tea leisurely, watching the liquid swirl in my cup before taking a sip. "Well... I can’t say I’m surprised."

Hina shot me an sharp look. "Esther! How can you be so calm about this?"

"It’s been true for a long time," I interrupted, casually swirling my tea. "Nothing new. Corruption has always existed. It just takes different forms." I rested my chin on my palm, watching Billie. "Tell me, what exactly do they do there? And why?"

Billie inhaled sharply before answering. "It’s a place where rare creatures and people with unique abilities are sold. Treated like nothing more than prized possessions."

Hina’s fingers dug into the table. "That’s disgusting..."

Serina shook her head, disbelief still lingering in her expression. "How did you even end up there?"

Billie’s hands trembled slightly as she wrapped her arms around herself. "I... I have no memory of that part. I don’t even know where I came from." She lowered her gaze, her voice turning softer. "But I know I was there. And I know I wasn’t alone. There are more people like me there."

Her eyes shimmered under the café lights, unshed tears forming at the corners.

Serina and Hina exchanged worried glances before Serina reached across the table, placing a comforting hand over Billie’s. "It’s okay," she said softly. "You’re safe now."

Hina nodded, her tone gentler this time. "Yeah, you don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll figure something out."

I silently took another sip of my tea, the warmth barely reaching through the cold weight of the conversation.

After a moment, Serina spoke again. "That’s why you said not to seek help from the knights, isn’t it? Because they might be involved."

Billie nodded. "Yes. If we go to the knights, it could backfire. Instead of help, they might just hand me right back to them."

Hina bit her lip before turning toward me, her eyes filled with determination. "Esther... we should help her."

I casually bit into my biscuit, unfazed by her pleading gaze. "Don’t bother with it." I waved a hand lazily. "The world has always been corrupt. It’s not my job to interfere in everything."

Hina’s jaw clenched. Without warning, she reached out and pulled my cheeks with both hands, stretching them in irritation.

"Ow—! The hell?"I mumbled though pinched skin.

"I said. Help," She growled, stretching my face like dough. "So you help! You can help, you know!"

"Okay, okay—calm down!" I grumbled, swatting her hands away and rubbing my face. "Damn, woman. Soft hands that knows violence. Tch."

"~Thank you for saying that I have a soft hands. Though, I already know about it." Said singing taking my words as a compliment.

I sighhh*

Before another argument could start, Billie suddenly lowered her head, bowing until her forehead nearly touched the table.

"Please help me... no... please help my brother."

Hina and Serina froze.

I tilted my head slightly. "Your brother?"

Billie nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t know anything about myself... but I do know I have a younger brother. His name is Nox." Her voice broke slightly as she continued, her hands gripping the edge of the table. "Please save him. He is also trapped there. I beg you."

The weight of her desperation pressed against us like an unspoken plea that couldn’t be ignored.

Silence stretched between us.

Hina and Serina turned to look at me, their expressions expectant.

I let out a slow breath, leaning back against my chair, fingers tapping against my cup.

"Ahh..." I finally murmured, exhaling deeply before closing my eyes briefly. Then, after a moment of silence, I let out a sigh.

"Alright."

I casually sipped my tea, the cup warm against my fingers, when something at the edge of my eyes caught my attention.

Through the large glass windows, on the other side of the street, a small group of men stood in black attire, each of them holding a communication device to their ears.

Then, two knights arrived, their polished armor glinting under the streetlights. They approached pedestrians, asking something in hushed voices. Whatever they asked, it made people turn their heads toward the café. One of them, an older man with a cap, lifting his hand and pointing directly at our cafe.

The knights exchanged glances, gave a nod of thanks, and turned their attention toward us.

I sighhhh, slow and long, dragging my fingers through my hair.

"Oh, come on..." I muttered, setting my cup down with an *clink.* "Not in front of this many people."

Hina and Serina turned to me, their brows furrowed in confusion.

"Umm? What happened?" Serina asked, tilting her head.

"Why do you look so annoyed all of a sudden?" Hina pressed, leaning closer, her voice laced with curiosity.