episode_0000

27 years have already passed since I was transmigrated here.

Starting from a newborn baby, there were countless trials and hardships to reach this current position.

I was pushed to the brink of death twenty-six times.

There were countless times I was almost had my eyes gouged out.

The whole world kept trying to unfairly push me to the absolute limit, but I tenaciously endured, and kept enduring, thus sustaining my life like this.

Therefore… now I want to live a peaceful and smooth life.

The only conversation partner I have right now is this shabby old man next to me.

I sighed and asked.

“Whew… life is truly bleak, isn’t it? Don’t you think?”

“Mmf! Mmf!!”

“Well… it might be even more so because of people like you.”

A basement where a terrible wax smell, enough to make one dizzy, was mixed with an unknown stench.

In a wax chair that restrained the entire body to preserve people as wax figures, an old man sat with his mouth gagged.

His name is Dorn.

Commonly known as the Wax Figure Collector.

He’s scum who buys children from the back alleys and preserves them as wax figures.

-Rustle-

Looking around the basement, numerous wax figures were lined up along the walls.

Most were children who had not yet reached adulthood.

Why did he commit such acts?

I didn’t ask such meaningless questions.

Even if there was a motive, I wouldn’t understand it, and even if there were circumstances, they wouldn’t be a reason to justify such horrific acts.

…More than anything, I just don’t want to hear it.

“Mmf!! Mmf!!”

-Clatter! -Clatter!

The old man, who looked like he was on his last legs, was surprisingly strong.

Although he was clearly bound so tightly he couldn’t move, he was thrashing violently, to the point where blood was gushing from his bound arms and legs.

“Just stay still for a moment. The knights will come to catch you later.”

“Mmfmfmf!!!”

“Ah, you were afraid of the knights, weren’t you?”

Based on the stories I heard before coming here, it seems that old man was a member of the White Wing Knights in his youth.

However, I heard he was dishonorably expelled, perhaps due to causing various incidents.

Certainly, his movements while resisting and brandishing a sword were well-formed, and the firmness built from countless experiences, suggesting he didn’t age in vain, was impressive.

However, it was only impressive and not particularly threatening.

“Why didn’t you just live a good life?”

The crimes he committed are too great to kill him right here.

Even in the Empire, crimes against children are punishable by at least death. It’s a serious crime that could wipe out three generations.

Now, with the shortage of young talent due to frequent wars, various policies were focused on the safety and growth of children.

As evidence of this, there were numerous orphanages scattered throughout the Empire and various academies established to produce talented individuals.

To commit such horrific acts against such children.

Looking at the old man’s face, which was consumed by fear, I smiled lightly.

“Hehe. I’ll go watch the execution day.”

“……”

The old man, who had been struggling, just stared at me with a look of despair.

It seemed like there were slight tears welling up in his eyes, but that’s none of my business.

Now I just need to wait for the guests who will arrive shortly.

“Whew……”

As the moment the prologue of the novel I was transmigrated into is about to begin approaches, my heart strangely pounds.

Edith, the protagonist of this novel and the hero who saves the world.

If I help her grow safely and save the world, she will be my lottery ticket, a reliable backer like no other.

“How should I greet her? Should I greet her as favorably as possible?”

The novel I was transmigrated into, Edith’s Chronicle.

This novel has a unique point that’s slightly different from other novels.

That is, the point where the Happy Ending and Bad Ending are divided.

In the Happy Ending, before going to the academy, she meets a good mentor and forms a righteous heart.

In the Bad Ending, from the starting point, she is sold to the Wax Figure Collector and forms a negative heart.

And judging by the information I’ve gathered so far, the world I’ve been transmigrated into is heading towards the Bad Ending.

-Thump -Thump -Thump-

Just then, I heard the sound of someone coming down the stairs.

Judging by the footsteps, there were multiple people.

And judging by the sound of one heavy set of footsteps and several relatively light footsteps, it seems to be the seller and the children.

-Click-

The continuous footsteps then became the sound of the basement door handle being opened.

What appeared first was a middle-aged man with a bald head and a hefty build.

Behind him, six children were visible.

“I’ve brought the children you requested- …Who the hell are you?”

The man, who had opened his mouth upon entering, noticed the tied-up old man and me and immediately went into a state of alert.

However, nothing changes just because a mere middle-ranking subordinate is on guard.

“Hello everyone. My name is Owen.”

Children with bodies full of wounds, as if they had been whipped.

Among them, one child with particularly severe injuries caught my eye.

………

A girl with long black hair and eyes of ultramarine blue.

Facing the face I had constantly seen on the cover and illustrations feels fresh.

Edith, the protagonist of this novel and the hero.

In a way, you could say this is our first meeting.

Putting on the most favorable expression possible, I spread my arms and revealed my true feelings without reservation.

“There were twists and turns leading up to coming here, but I am on your side. Please take good care of me. Haha.”

I bowed and raised my head to look at their expressions.

“Ugh… Uwaaang!”

“……”

Expressions full of fear are visible.

I’m sure I had a favorable expression.