第１２１掘：壊れた少女 (Part1)
**Dig 121: The Broken Girl**
**The Broken Girl**
**Side: Ria, Unawakened Hero of Love**
"Haa, haa. Listen up, everyone. I’m taking you to the person who will be your master from now on. Make sure you don't show any disrespect."
"Understood. Wait, Asu-san, you just called us 'everyone' again."
"Ah, my apologies. But rest assured, he is a man who would never treat you with cruelty."
Standing before me was Asu-san, the slave merchant who had saved me. Along with three others, he was guiding us to our new master. I suppose I am lucky. Even though I have fallen into slavery, I am provided with food and clothing, and I have not suffered the harsh treatment that the world typically associates with this status. Asu-san never subjected me to the "training" of a sex slave. Even in the village where I lived, everyone knew that once a woman became a slave, she was treated as nothing more than an outlet for carnal desires. That is why I must be fortunate to have been taken in by Asu-san, who carefully selects the people he sells to.
"Asu-san. Thank you for everything until now. I will not forget this debt."
One of the others spoke on our behalf, and everyone else bowed their heads. I followed suit, bowing a moment later. Seeing this, Asu-san approached me and spoke softly.
"...Ria-chan. You may have only been here a short time, but this is the best possible match you could hope for. So, do your best. Even after what happened to your village, you survived. I am certain that everyone in your village would want you to find happiness. You don't have to do it right away. Just... try to smile again someday."
"...Yes."
"I don't know how things will turn out, but he isn't the type of man to keep you separated from these three or prevent you from seeing them. So, rely on your seniors. And you three, I’m counting on you."
"Yes, don't worry. Leave Ria to us."
These people are all so kind. Even though I can only respond with simple answers, they still speak to me and show me concern. But my heart and my body simply won't react.
My village was tucked away quietly on the border between Roschur and Gartz. We weren't wealthy, but we never struggled for food. Everyone in the village lived by helping one another. Asu-san used to visit us as a traveling merchant, and I had the chance to touch fabrics and rare goods from other countries. I thought that life would continue until the very end of my days.
But it ended in an instant.
The war between Roschur and Gartz broke out. The Demon Lord’s schemes—that was the cause of this conflict. But that has nothing to do with me. Only the outcome remains. My village is gone. That is the truth left to me. I don't know which side the soldiers belonged to. Our village was simply pillaged. We resisted with everything we had, but it was no use. One by one, the villagers were captured and killed as if it were a game. The young women were pinned down, treated as playthings, and then killed. I was supposed to be one of them.
I watched as my father, mother, and younger sister were killed before my eyes. I became catatonic; even when the men tore my clothes, I couldn't react. But when I came to, the room was in shambles, as if something had rampaged through it, and the remains of my family were scattered against the walls and windows in unnatural positions. Naturally, the soldiers were all dead as well. Afterward, Asu-san arrived on his trade route, shocked by the state of the village, and began searching for survivors. I was the only one left.
"I'm... sorry."
I cannot respond to everyone's kindness. They must be suffering just as much as I am.
"It's okay. We understand."
"Yeah, after everything you've been through, you don't need to worry about a thing. Come on, let's go."
I do not resent being made a slave. This is less like slavery and more like being placed with a proper guardian. It isn't just about supporting me; I understand why I was sold. I have nothing but words of gratitude for Asu-san. Yet, I cannot respond.
Without being able to offer a proper reply, I enter a strange building in a city located inside a mysterious dungeon. This is a very curious place. The gazes directed at us slaves are neither pitying nor the way one looks at mere objects. They treat us as fellow human beings. That alone is incredible, and there are so many things here—like the toilets—that I have never heard of or seen before. We are to be handed over to the representative of this city. Because I cannot react, my feelings aren't conveyed, but I am deeply worried that I might be a burden to the others.
"This is a token of my appreciation for this occasion. Please, don't hesitate to make use of them."
With those words, he presents us to a single man.
"Ah, thank you very much."
A plain-looking man with black hair stood there. If anything, his build was slender. It isn't right to judge by appearances, but usually, those whose levels rise significantly are people who have fought desperate battles against monsters. Because of that, their bodies are typically sturdy, but this man didn't seem like that at all. And his response just now—he seemed troubled. He didn't look like the representative of such an amazing city.
Just as I was thinking that, our eyes met. His gaze was sharp, as if to say that his previous demeanor was merely a facade.
"*Cough, hack!* I got tea in my windpipe."
No, perhaps I was just imagining things. He was choking on his tea all by himself. But it seemed to be quite a serious matter, as three beautiful women suddenly appeared from the door, surrounding the man as if to protect him and glaring at Asu-san. No, he was just choking on his own.
"It’s a misunderstanding. I just choked on my tea. My apologies. My wives caused a scene."
He explained to the women. *Wait, wives!?* Such beautiful women? If two of them are his wives, what kind of person is this man?
After that, the negotiations with Asu-san were quickly concluded, and Asu-san departed. We were left behind.
"For now, everyone, let's sit on the sofa over there."
"N-no!? That would be too presumptuous!"
I was troubled by how easily he said that. A slave cannot sit in the seat where the representative and Asu-san were just negotiating. I shook my head, as did the other three, insisting it was out of the question. Seeing us like that, he gave a bitter smile, and the three women behind him stepped forward to reassure us.
"It's fine. We don't mistreat people just because they are slaves here. We treat everyone as a person."
"...So, you don't need to worry."