Chapter 112: Interlude 7: maids past (2/2)

Currently, wearing a white skirt and white shirt, she was sitting in what appeared to be a classroom with other young children about her ages, while scribbling on some paper that was supposed to grade them. A collar with the number 26 inscribed in it, around her neck.

The first time this test was done, many like her had been reticent, but a jolt had been enough to put most of them in order.

It seemed that those who abducted them didn't simply want to experiment on them, but were also trying to make them smarter.

History, Geography, Arithmetic, Diplomacy, Psychology and many such things were always taught to them.

At the end of what seemed to be the day, they would receive a grading test. Those with the worst score were punished while those with the best scores were rewarded.

Even for her young mind, it didn't take long to understand that they were forcing them to become used to receiving order.

It was a slow process, but sometimes, she was surprised to see some of her fellow prisoners act while thinking about how to please their jailers rather than fight back.

Flicking her pen, she closed her eyes and began to sleep.

Her papers, as always, were filled with enough mistakes to put her near the last position.

For her who wished to die, she had no need to receive the so-called reward. No matter how much they electrocuted her, compared to the pain of the experiments she received, this was nothing.

In fact, she wished for them to increase the punishment and accidently kill her. What's more, one more failure like her meant one less person sent to be punished.

'How many of them are left now?'

She wondered sadly. Each day, the number of children around her slowly decreased. Children disappeared, and in their places, new arrivals steadily increased in number. Initially about fifty, they had decreased by half, only to be reinforced by fresh faces. Their numbers had even managed to increase to 200 without her noticing.

She would always have a sad expression when one of them vanished

For the other children, it seemed as if she was sad about their death. But this wasn't really the case.

While she mourned their deaths, what made her the saddest, was one simple thought.

'Why isn't it me?'

----

”Number 66, Number 12! Set forth!”

”Yes.”

”Yes.”

Following the voice coming from the ceiling, one boy advanced and stood with a wooden sword in his hand, his actions, mirrored by a young glasses wearing boy.

”Begin.”

At the emotionless signal, the two simultaneously began to practice their combat forms. The children of the facility were all unnamed; only their assigned numbers were used.

The outcome mirrored a dozen of prior matches, a light faint which would be followed up with 66 swinging with all of his might. He swung repeatedly, making contact each time, and grazed the young number 12's head.

In that time, number 12 kicked him with great force and knocked him down. His sword was then quickly thrust to his throat and was followed by the order to stop.

”Number 12, well done.”

”Thank you.”

”But as for number 66, you're hopeless yet again. Your memory fails you, and your movements are dull. I'm telling you this for your own sake. What a failure.”

”Apologies.”

”Do you forget that the only reason you're alive is because of your adaptation to the experiments? By all accounts it wouldn't be strange to say that it's too late for you to clean up your act.”

”I understand.”

How she wished to simply swing her sword and kill those people speaking above.

”Now then, salute.”

This time, the voice was addressed to all the children presents, and like a machine, they began to repeat the words that were specially made to indoctrinate them.

”We offer our greatest honors, and most heartfelt gratitude to his majesty Neptune the great!”

”We swear unconditional loyalty to the kingdom!”

”Death to those who would oppose our Kingdom! For that purpose, we are willing to become the swords in the darkness!”

What were they even supposed to be thankful for? Why did they have to swear their loyalty? The girl couldn't remember a single thing that could obligate them to dedicate their lives to that kind of cause.

In reality, shouldn't they rather hate him? Swear to kill him?

That's why, one new goal took hold in her heart.

She swore that before dying, she would kill the bastard that caused all their miseries.

---

As time passed, she found herself surprisingly making new friends while sadly losing old ones.

The boy number 144 for example was a good friend who always liked to tell stories to make the other children happy. Sadly, he slowly withered away and died. Until his very end, all he could do was moan in pain.

Number 167, who moved into number 12's old room was the girl who became her best friend. With a quivering voice and a face that always appeared about to cry, it was during this time that she managed to brighten up.

Number 66, another cow man like her, was a rather handsome and kind fellow. He always managed to make her laugh even when her mood was at its lowest.

Number 54 was a dark elf girl, clearly the oldest of them all, she would always comfort the other children and act as the big sister of the group.

Number 12, the glass wearing young man was a strong but shy fellow. Every day, he would cry in his sleep and beg for help. He thought that they didn't hear him, but they simply kept quiet to protect his fragile pride.

This was how her everyday life continued.

Thinking of dying yet being denied death.

Hoping to see her friends survive but yet having to watch them die.

Being taught to be loyal to a man she wished to kill.

She thought that this would never change.

Until one day…