"No..."
"No!"
Rina desperately clung to the pirate's ankle.
"Run!!!!"
"Get off this island!!"
"Go find Lord Sasayuri!!!"
With the last of her strength, she held fast to the pirate's leg and let out one final roar.
Their mother's words snapped the two children out of their daze, and they immediately ran toward the window.
Seeing the children about to escape, the pirate grew furious and slammed his other foot down on her head.
Yet Rina showed no intention of letting go. Instead, her grip tightened.
"Let go!"
He slashed his blade down at Rina.
"I'm sorry..."
"Lord Sasayuri..."
Blood sprayed, and Rina breathed her last.
But to the pirate's surprise, her hands still held fast.
"You just won't leave me alone, even in death!" He raised his blade again and hacked off both of Rina's hands before he could finally pull away.
He pried Rina's hands loose one finger at a time, only to discover ten dark finger marks around his ankle.
After some time, more and more children were marched aboard the pirate ship.
"55..."
"56..."
"57... 58..."
"Boss, that's all of them. We can leave now," Yide said after counting them one by one.
"You're sure there are only 58 on this island?" the captain asked, eyeing Yide suspiciously.
"Of course. There are 58 in total, no more, no less."
"Then set sail!"
At his command, all the pirates returned to the ship.
The children were locked into cramped, square iron cages one after another.
The cages were so small that the children could only curl up, without even enough room to squat or lie down.
"Boss, don't lock these two up. Keep them outside for now." Yide's gaze fell on Rina's two children.
"Why?" he asked.
"Their mother's name was Rina. They were especially close to