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Dream of Blue Full Moon
There is less washing to do at night. The menu was wheat porridge with beans and some vegetables. The utensils were bowls, cups for drinking water, and spoons. That’s it. Of course, they are all made of wood. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
In this housing facility, breakfast and dinner are light, while we eat a lot for lunch. This was the idea from Myluc, a merchant trading in slaves for many years, as well as a Saharian who is medically advanced. None of these should be taken lightly: meals, rest, and exercise. You will have lower quality of sleep if you overeat at night. Moreover, there is nothing to do even if you stay up late. In the first place, lighting isn’t cheap either.
Just a bit more. The water feels colder at night, but it’s important not to cut corners. It was already pitch dark around me, but the light of the moon still shone from above. It’s dark here, but the courtyard is bathed in a pale blue light.
Sounds of footsteps approach from a distance.
「Oii. Noor」
It’s the gentle voice of an old man. If so, there is only one person who fits the voice.
「Still not done?」
This man is called 「Sensei」 by the children here. His hair, beard, and even thick eyebrows have all become pure white, but his skin is slightly tanned. He always walks with bowlegs and wears brown outerwear and pants.
「Just a little more, I’m sorry」
「Hou, that so. Well, just do it carefully」
「Yes」
He waits for me while saying that. You must never help. That’s because a slave needs to be aware of their status as a slave. Sensei is a free man employed by Myluc. In a sense, this boundary of status serves as a safety valve between slaves and their masters.
After all is said and done, this is a world where an ordinary person can fall into slavery due to debt or as punishment. It’s not strange to feel that there is a difference between the me from yesterday and the me from today. We must be made aware - whenever possible - of the relationship with society demands it. The world will become even more disordered if we don’t maintain an appropriate sense of distance.
……of course, as someone who was sold without my consent, I don’t have the smallest awareness of that. I am here simply because it is more advantageous for me to live supported than live alone.
「I’m done」
「I see」
Sensei nodded with a smile. His expression shows no trace of contempt toward slaves at all. If anything, it’s like he’s looking at his grandchild. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
He was waiting for me. That’s because I have to return to my room. Entry into the courtyard is prohibited at night. So you will be taken to your room once your work is done.
There is a proper reason for that. That’s because various items are placed in the courtyard as well as the warehouse you can reach from there. Knife, hatchet, dry grass, flint, rope.....only items used for everyday work and training, but if you make one wrong action, they could end up becoming weapons in the event of escape or rebellion.
So while you can pass through the connecting passageways, the use of stairs is also banned. That is because the second floor is designated for boys, while the third floor is for girls.
And each strategic position will be monitored. The guards during the day stand near the north stairs where the sensei’s room is located. There are stairs connecting the second and third floors in the northeast and northwest, and there are bedrooms for the two guards nearby. Jusa’s room is on the west side and faces the courtyard. Needless to say, it also serves as a place to look out at the gate. And behind the heavily locked door are Myluc and his guard - Jill’s - room, near the negotiation space and office.
「The moon is also beautiful tonight」
Sensei started talking to me while looking up at the sky. I glanced at his face and then looked forward as I walk while walking side-by-side.
「There’s no need to be in such a hurry. You won’t get punished even if you stop a moment to look at the sky」
He interpreted my action of hurrying ahead without looking at the sky as my attempt to follow the rules of this housing facility. That was off the mark, but I don’t intend to bother and explain the reason myself.
「You’re about to turn 3 soon. Even though you’re this small, aren’t you a bit too mature?」
I know. He cares about me.
Sensei has sent countless children out into the world. Of course, as a slave. And because of his status, he has a lot of opportunities to come into contact with unfortunate children. Being reduced to a slave is already bad enough, but the children he was in charge of is mainly a boy who hadn’t been sold even at the age of 6. He taught them smithing, woodworking, and sewing skills, but generally, all those children are somewhat in precarious situations. That’s because he knows they have no future. A dark shadow falls on his face.
I reply with a model answer merely for form’s sake. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「It’ll be a problem if we don’t get sold once we turn 6. If we don’t pull ourselves together now, then when will we?」
I’m not even 3 years old yet. I still have 3 years of preparation time left. Moreover, the current me is - probably - obviously superior compared to normal 6-year-olds. Although I still need improvements in my language, above all, my mathematical ability is remarkably high by the standards of this world. I was quite average back in my previous life in Japan. To sum it up, if things continue as normal, then I will be sold normally. There’s no need to be impatient.
「That’s 3 years away, y’know? It hasn’t even been 3 years since you were born in this world. That will be a story once you’re twice older than you are now. There’s no need to be impatient.」
……and yet, they seem to have a darker shadow than any child I’ve ever seen before. Especially on moonlit nights like this.
「I’m spending my time quite comfortably」
「Even though you don’t even have the time to look at the moon?」
We’ve arrived in front of the northern stairs before I could answer.
「Yosh, be careful when climbing the stairs now. It’s dark at your feet」
He climbs the stairs slowly for me to match my small stature. Along the way, he reaches out for an iron chain. From one end of the stairs to the other end. Now, this area is prohibited.
「Yosh, can you get to your room alone? Or should I send you back?」
「I always went back alone, right?」
「Truly not like a kid, you」
Tilting his head and giving a wry smile, he waved at me.
Moonlight streaming in through the windows went I went up to the second floor, illuminating only the floor in pure white light. I walked straight ahead, only looking forward while stepping on the cold stones under my feet.
Then I turned right and quietly pushed open the second door.
「……hmー, you’re late」
A drowsy voice of a child greets me. I close the door behind me. I doesn’t close properly. The door and the stone frame don’t fit perfectly. This should be fixed someday. I forcibly push the door and fix it in place.
「You’re gonna wake me up with that, won’t you.....」
The boy sharing the room with me, Wyst. He will be 4 years old soon.
From the perspective of a Japanese of my previous life, he’s quite mature for his age. From his words, actions, and atmosphere, I guess he is about double his actual age? He’s also quick-witted and has guts. It seems like he is expected to be a good stock. That’s why he was assigned to a room with me.
The best rooms in this housing facility are said to be on the east side. That’s because you can see the sunrise. Only, the rooms on the east side are large and crammed with a lot of people. And as expected, given the circumstances, there are kids who stay up or can’t sleep and make noises, but it’s a hassle to bow down to the senior like they are the head of a prisoner group. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
On the other hand, there are a lot of small rooms on this north side, and it is often possible for two people to share a room. There are two kinds of children who were assigned smaller rooms. Useless kid with uncooperative. Or, children who are smart enough to take care of themselves properly, even if no one is watching them.
Just that, they are close to being an adult, in a bad way. In other words, they already know the trick of slacking off. Of course, that’s not a problem since those are useful skills when you become an adult, but when you’re a child, putting in simple and honest effort will get you a much greater reward. If I were to describe him with a word that fits him, then it would probably 「precocious」
.
「Really……quickly go to sleep……」
He muttered while rolling over and turned his back to me. Wrapped in a rag-like blanket on a shabby bed.
Indeed, I should go to sleep soon. But before that, I want to spend my time and indulge myself a little. I feel sorry for Wyst, but I quietly opened the small window on the north side.
「……oi……」
He raised a voice in protest at the noise and also the cold winter air that flowed in, despite the lack of wind.
The sky is filled with stars. It’s a beautiful night sky, one I have never seen even once in my previous life. But what is this cold air, I wonder? Even just that alone increases the richness of this scenery, exuding a magnificent atmosphere. Doesn’t it feel as if one isn’t allowed to stand here unless they purify their heart? And no matter what kind of circumstance you have, right now, right this instant, and at this place, you are surely free.
……although, I’m afraid of the consequences if I get too selfish. It’s also a bother to Wyst, and it will be troublesome if he complains to Myluc if he reaches the limit of his patience. It’s unfortunate, but let’s stop it here for tonight.
I quietly closed the wooden window and crawled into my own bed.
……I suddenly regained my consciousness. The surroundings are extremely cold. My limbs also feel cold as ice, and I can’t move them as I want. I feel nausea rising in my throat.
I look around my surroundings. It’s almost pitch black. The only thing I could see was a faint light where my feet were heading. I only lifted my head and looked in that direction.
There is the sound of gravel being kicked. A large man stood in the entrance, blocking it and holding a machete in one hand. I tried to scream for help. But, something was stuck in my throat and I couldn’t make a sound. The man swings down the machete at me. I close my eyes, preparing myself for the imminent death. However, that moment never comes.
I fearfully open my eyes. The surroundings are dim. Some kind of unpleasant smell clings and permeates the air. Something sticky and slimy is stuck to my limbs. I quietly turn the palms of my hands towards me. Sticky, dark red.....blood.
Suddenly looking up, I saw the dead body of a boy lying on the ground with his neck cut. A man with a large build is raising and swinging his machete down at the body. It was my father. However, his face looks lifeless. Of course. There is a large cut on the back of his neck and all the blood in his body has drained out from there. Noticing me, he turns his white, cloudy eyes to me.
I tried to retreat, but my back, my head, touched something soft and warm. Fearfully looking back, I saw a woman’s face. It was my mother with blood dripping from her head, eyes, and nose. In her last moment, she made no attempt to try and hide her seductive body. Her unfocused gaze made contact with mine for a moment, and she suddenly smiled. Then, in that appearance, she tried to cover my mouth with hers. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
I’ve reached my limit. I went on a rampage. I sent my mother flying, kicked my father down. Just like that, I leap out of the dimly lit kitchen and sprint through the entrance….that’s when I noticed.
I saw it. I couldn’t help but see it. A bluish white full moon, shining high in the sky.
「Uwaaaaaaa!」
I suddenly realized. Two black figures are holding me down. Who? Who are you?
「Waaa, aaaaaahhhh!」
Let me go, let me go!
Don’t touch me!
「Shut up! Cut it out, you brat!」
Hearing that voice, I stop struggling. It was a familiar child’s voice.
This was, inside my room. The door that was supposed to be closed was open, and light shone from there. I was lying on my bed, my whole body was soaking wet with sweat. Looking down on me are two people.....one is Wyst and the other one.....it’s sensei.
「……ah」
Looks like, I had that dream again.
It was fine, a while after I arrived here. I was positive. No, I still feel the same even now. The past is already the past, and even if I got sold off as a slave, there’s nothing I can do. However, I will be supported in my life, receive education, and if I do it well, I might be able to work in an upper-class house. It’s all completely good, isn’t it? I’ve come a long way since I was living in the Linga village.
But, one way or another, after the first month since I’ve stayed here, I’ve been busy and experienced new things, I had my first dream.
「You had a nightmare, Noor」
I ended up causing trouble for sensei again. And also my roommate Wyst.
「I’m sorry」
Sensei quietly shook his head when I apologized.
「It’s normal for the children who came here」
「Keh」
It was Wyst who spat that out.
「You’re not the only one suffering. Try putting yourself in my shoes, I can’t sleep」
I can’t talk back. I think it’s really bad. Even I don’t want to have this kind of dream.
「……please, put me in the punishment cell」
That was the best I could do. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
The number of children housed in this facility is around 30 at this point. Half of them are boys while the other half are girls. And there are 2 people in each of the small rooms on the north side, and a lot more in the large room on the east side. In other words, there are about half of the rooms that are actually empty.
However, a portion of those vacant rooms were built much more solidly than the others. The door is made of metal, and there are no gaps. There are 2 iron chains on the floor that connect to handcuffs and shackles. The window is fitted with iron bars.
Only, the windows are actually not too strong since it’s impossible to jump down and escape from there anyway. Along the wall, except on the south side, there is actually a moat 2 meters wide and deep with a stone floor at the bottom. On top of that, a very thin layer of white sand has been spread out there. If you fall from the window, first, you will certainly get a serious injury, and even if you manage to get down skillfully, you will definitely leave footprints.
In any case, the most secure room in this facility is the room with an iron door on the west side. We slaves, call that room 「Punishment Cell」. Actually, children who misbehave or make mistakes are locked up there. Although I have yet to see an actual example of that.
I have only seen one other use of that room once. We once took an adult criminal slave. Unlike children, that slave is strong and also has a criminal record. Myluc doesn’t particularly like this kind of 「stock」 but, sometimes, he has no choice but to take them.
So, that’s how it is. There will always be a certain number of criminals in any territory. And they can’t sentence everyone to death. Inevitably, those criminals will be sold as criminal slaves and the profits gained from that will be assigned as indemnities for the victims. But, there are not a lot of customers who want to actively purchase from someone who has become a criminal. Naturally, the slave trader side also wouldn’t want to deal with criminal slaves. But, a slave trader is an occupation that can only exist under the protection of that region’s ruler. That’s why sometimes slave traders are half-forcibly asked by the lord or other people to deal with these poor-quality ‘goods’.
Of course, there is compensation for that. To begin with, why would someone establish a housing facility like this with only children in a lonely place far from the city? In fact, there is a garrison of the lord’s army nearby, and inan emergency, they can be called to help here.
The two of them are looking down at me, hanging my head in misery and guilt. Sensei briefly glanced at Wyst. And perhaps he guessed something, he turn around and return to his bed and covered himself in a blanket.
「I can’t take it anymore, I’m going back to sleep」
His words and actions seem to be cold and pushing me away, but I know. That’s his kindness to me.
He has the right to ask to be put in a separate room. But, he decided not to do that. ‘A child who can’t even manage to live with just one other person’...that’s because he understands what kind of negative implications that carries. Myluc does not invest in children who have no future. They will be quickly traded to fellow slave traders and end up being sent somewhere else. And, there are not many slave traders like Myluc who consider and aim to supply good quality child slaves.
「Now now, it’s late already」
Sensei said as he got up from my bedside.
「You too Noor, time to sleep. I’m also going to return to my room and sleep」
I managed to say in a weak voice.
「Good night」
The wooden door was quietly closed. And the room was once again returned to darkness. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
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