Chapter 52

Luolin and the others deliberately took a detour in order to safely deliver Lin'er and Ke'er to that village.

As the distance grew closer, they all knew that the moment of parting was about to arrive.

Luowei said nothing, but he had to send Shirna to Xikaer City, and Lin'er and Ke'er couldn't go with them, so naturally they could only find a place to settle them.

"That village is just ahead."

Lin'er stopped in front, and they could already see the small village not far away.

Although the location was somewhat remote, it was at least a safe and peaceful place.

Lin'er had never dared to imagine that one day she could come to live in such a place. Her heart was now filled only with countless gratitude toward Luowei.

"Big brother, big sister, thank you."

Lin'er bowed her head before Luolin and also had Ke'er bow her head together.

Luolin also said, and Lin'er nodded.

In the past, she had almost always been at the mercy of fate, but now, she wanted to resist.

It was Luolin who made her understand that as long as she resisted, there would be opportunities. Even if her own strength was insufficient, as long as she called for help, someone would come to save her.

Ailuka stood aside by herself, and deliberately stood far away.

She was not good at such scenes. However, Ke'er still walked over.

"Thank you..."

Ke'er squeezed out a few words from her mouth. Ailuka's expression struggled for a moment, then she nodded.

"Take good care of yourself in the future."

Ailuka said. She couldn't help but think of other things.

Lin'er and Ke'er had not been marked with slave marks or anything like that, so they could still be rescued like this.

But what about Shirna?

Could it be that only that kind of fate awaited her?

Lin'er also walked in front of Shirna.

"Sister Shirna, thank you for taking care of me along the way."

Lin'er said to Shirna. Shirna crouched down and reached out to touch Lin'er's head.

Such an innocent child also made some of the fears that had always existed in Shirna show signs of dissipating.

"Mm."

"Sister Shirna, will we... have a chance to meet again in the future?"

Lin'er suddenly asked. Shirna was stunned for a moment, then nodded.

"We will."

"Really?"

Lin'er continued to press, and her question plunged the surroundings into a stiff atmosphere. Lin'er seemed to have discovered something.

"I saw earlier that Sister Shirna has a mark on her chest. I know what that thing is... it's a slave mark, right?"

No one knew how Lin'er recognized this thing, but she said it out loud.

And she was right.

That was indeed a slave mark.

"Before, Lin'er and Ke'er almost had this thing branded on us too, but because we were too young and they were afraid our bodies couldn't withstand it and would die directly, we temporarily escaped that disaster."

Lin'er said.

She raised her head again to look at Shirna.

"Sister Shirna, are you... also a slave?"

Such words came from the mouth of a little girl, and Shirna fell silent.

"Moreover, you've been branded with that kind of mark, different from ours. They said that once branded with this mark, it's absolutely impossible to escape."

Lin'er's eyes revealed some indescribable emotions.

Just thinking about what kind of despair that would be, anyone would inevitably be moved.

"Brother Luolin and the others are mercenaries, which means they're actually escorting Sister Shirna to the city, right?"

Lin'er was far too mature. She had endured too much that shouldn't belong to someone her age, and understood too many things inconsistent with her years.

She had already accurately described the general situation, except for the fact that Luolin was trying to save another person.

Shirna's mood also became downcast.

Ailuka watched Luolin from the side, wanting to see how this guy would explain.

However, before Luolin could speak, Lin'er had already lowered her head, murmuring softly.

"I suppose so. I know this is something that can't be helped. Once branded with that mark, it's very likely impossible to escape. Sister Shirna, it must be very hard, right?"

Lin'er didn't say any comforting words like "you'll definitely be freed," but this statement actually touched Shirna even more deeply.

Shirna shook her head with difficulty.

"Lin'er..."

Luolin finally spoke, but before he could finish, Shirna took over—

"Lin'er, it's not what you think. Brother Luolin and the others aren't that kind of people."

Shirna said.

"Have you ever seen people transporting slaves who would give her good food to eat, specially set up a tent for her to sleep in, and treat her so well at all times?"

Shirna asked Lin'er, who shook her head.

Those people before had been very harsh, ready to hit people at any moment, and as for eating, even having a bit of water to drink was very difficult.

"So you see, I'm not 'cargo' being transported. Brother Luolin and the others are just... just accompanying me to the city together."

Shirna said again, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.