"Lady Bianka..."
Rita looked at Bianka beside her. If Bianka showed even the slightest reluctance, Rita was prepared to give up even the best reward.
"Why are you looking at me? Decide for yourself."
Under Rita's gaze, Bianka instinctively turned her head away... It wasn't the first time, so what was there to say?
They were both herself anyway! So why did it feel so strange?
"I understand."
Seeing Bianka's reaction, Rita understood.
Once their shared consciousness fully merged them into one person, they would truly become one complete "self." That way, there would be no question of either one stealing the other's partner.
What a wonderful choice...
"..."
What did you understand now? She hadn't said anything.
When they returned to the inn, Freya and Ellen looked curiously at Setsuna, whom Rita had carried back.
"Rita, Lady Bianka, you're back."
"And this is...?"
She looked like one of the beastfolk they were searching for. Had they already found the Ice Wolf Tribe's settlement? No, probably not. Seeing the slave collar around Setsuna's neck, they dismissed that thought.
Besides, her complexion was terribly pale. She looked sickly, almost dead.
"We bought her from the slave traders... Or rather, rescued her. But she's already contracted the disease."
After laying Setsuna down, Rita explained what had happened. Once the Freya sisters had heard it all, they looked at Setsuna sympathetically.
Come to think of it, they were fellow sufferers. In their memories, Rita had rescued them in much the same way.
The slave system truly was despicable. If they could create a society without slaves, things like this would never happen again, right?
"Freya, prepare a set of clothes for her first, then help clean her up!" Rita handed Setsuna over to Freya's care rather than doing it herself...
"Understood."
Freya nodded