CH 47

Five days after they started to work as flower pickers, Maki and Chiharu had gotten into the rhythm of it. They started near the clearing and went in the opposite direction before coming back. When they did this twice, they were given snacks. This consisted of sweet soup, but the soup and dumplings within were different each time. The base was always potatoes, but sometimes there would be beans or sesame seeds in as well. Sometimes the potatoes had something mixed in with them. In any case, sweet food tasted especially good when you were tired.

They made two more rounds and then it was midday. For some reason, the guard was helping with the cooking. A large grill had been brought out and some meat was being cooked in lavish amounts. However, Maki and Chiharu were after the vegetables.

Of course, they would eat the meat as well. However, the small vegetables that resembled paprika or corn or other summer vegetables were especially delicious. Vegetables that were too big or too small to sell were brought here and cooked.

They rested a little here before making two more rounds and coming back. Then they ate steamed buns and then did three more rounds before finishing.

And at night, they would drink with Grudo. Sometimes the bird folk would fly over them to see how they were doing. 

They were currently having an afternoon snack on their fifth day.

“You know, it really is nice to live like this.”

Chiharu said happily.

“It really is.”

Maki said as she picked up a flower. And then tossed it.

“To be honest, when I was still a student, I had this dream of getting a part time job harvesting corn. And then going on a trip with the money I made.”

“But wouldn’t you need a bike for that?”

“Well, let’s ignore that for a moment.”

“It’s impossible.”

“Also, maybe harvesting kelp? I could work on an island for one month, and with the money…”

“Wouldn’t that also be hard without a bike?”

“Or even harvesting sugarcane.”

“…”

Chiharu seemed to really like the idea of a part time job in the farming industry. Chiharu and corn. Maybe. But Chiharu and kelp or sugarcane? It didn’t suit her. Besides, it would mean going far north or south in Japan.

“Well, maybe you do need a motorbike for that. But I was mainly scared of being alone. That’s why I never did it.”

And there was also the matter of physical energy. Kelp and sugarcane seemed very heavy.

“And the dream has now come true.”

She looked like she was going to dance. Maki opened her mouth.

“Please don’t break into a song.”

“I-I won’t. What are you talking about!”

Chiharu said in a flustered voice. She finally woke up from her little dream.

“But, well, it’s nice to be able to move your body.”

“Yes, it’s not bad at all.”

This flower harvesting would end in another two to three days. After that, they were going to cut the stems. But that was for the men to do, and so Maki and Chiharu’s jobs would end there. They would do their best until then.

Just when they were about to come out on the other side…

Maki disappeared.

“Huh? Maki?”

Chiharu took a step towards where Maki had been.

Something wrapped around her head. Then in her surprise, the basket was pulled off of her back. Then her body was pressed down and she was gagged. Something else was wrapped around her body and then she was thrown onto a wagon. Straw was then thrown over her. She didn’t even have enough time to scream.

Maki! Maki! As she moved around, she hit something.

“Mmm…Mmmm…”

“Mmm…”

It was Maki. At least they were together. Chiharu was relieved. But at the same time, she thought that it would have been better if one of them could have called someone for help.

There was no point in moaning against the gag, so she stopped to think. What had happened? Judging by what she had seen from the corner of her vision, there were four men. They had been waiting there in order to kidnap them. They had been targeted from the beginning.

Were they after the Saintesses? Probably not. Sadly, they didn’t even seem to be recognized as women.

So were they after children? But they didn’t look rich enough to be taken for ransom?

As slaves then? No, there were no slaves in this world.

No matter how much they struggled, they could not get out of the wagon. And they could not drop anything like Hansel and Gretel. In that case, they should at least try to take note of the direction they were going in.

However, they had eaten so many snacks and worked all day. Their bodies could not lie. The comfortable rocking of the wagon that was carried by levitation stones was like a lullaby to them.

And so they slept as the wagon entered the back gate of a mansion and entered the garden and stopped by a door. Then someone knocked on the door with an air of familiarity.

“Tell your master that we got our hands on something very unusual.”

“He is not in a good mood today. The princes have gone.”

“That’s even better. We found two pretty boys.”

“Hey, do not say that out loud! In any case, I will deal with this. Just wait a moment.”

The nervous man said as he went back into the mansion.

The men moved the hay from the wagon.

“Hey, these two are unconscious.”

“Of course, they are. They were tied up and left here for two hours.”

“I hope he comes back soon. We can’t leave them tied up for too long.”

Just then, the door opened.

“The master will see you. Come this way.”

The men smirked and then picked up the two children. They held them like princesses.

Luckily, Chiharu and Maki were still sleeping. Maki would not have been happy to know this was her first time.

“They look to be about twelve. The poor things.”

“Still, they are so skinny.”

“He likes them like that. And at least we get paid.”

They were led to a dimly lit room where the children were then laid out onto beds. The mayor arrived just as they were both untied.

“Ohhh. Blonde hair. We don’t have their type here. Take off their gags.”

They did. While there were marks on their faces, it was still clear that they had smooth skin.

“Ohh, it’s smooth like cream. Small mouths, small noses, long lashes.”

The mayor’s fingers traced the lines of Chiharu’s face.

“And this one here.”

The mayor looked at Maki and seemed like he was about to drool.

“Such relaxed limbs. This is the moment before a boy turns into a man. How wonderful!”

Everyone else watching was disgusted, but they wanted their money.

“No one will follow them, will they?”

“They apparently came with the Midland soldiers, but they were ignored after coming to Gromble. They were forced to work in the flower fields to survive.”

“Oh, and their family?”

“They were supposed to have come to Gromble to rely on relatives. But since they never went, that story is very suspicious.”

“Hmm. Hmm. All the better. I was getting so bored now that those arrogant royals are gone. Good. I shall buy them.”

“Thank you.”

As this dark transaction went on, Maki and Chiharu were in a deep sleep.