Liberation of The Slaves

Chapter 91 – Two Broken Wings, We Fly

— Celestia’s POV —

I turned as the Earl and the knights left the ruined chamber in silence, the heavy door falling shut behind them.

And just like that—it was only us.

Me.

And Daisy.

She sat quietly on the celestial cloud, its soft light still wrapped protectively around her like a shield spun from starlight. Her arms trembled faintly. Her breath was shallow. Her crimson eyes, so haunted, so wide, never left me.

Slowly, I stepped forward.

The frost that had gripped my expression melted into warmth—into something fragile, something tender. I guided the mist with a slow wave of my hand, gently helping her down to her feet. The numbness should be fading by now. Her legs wobbled, but the mist cradled her, supported her weight like memory itself had caught her.

Her lips parted.

“…Sis.”

Her voice cracked like glass.

I rushed forward.

And wrapped my arms around her.

Tight. Fierce. Shaking.

The kind of embrace you give someone you thought you might never hold again.

“I’m here,” I whispered. “I’m here, Daisy. I’m glad… I’m so glad you’re okay… I’m so glad…”

The tears returned. Hot. Quiet. Endless. They streamed down my face like a prayer fulfilled too late.

And then—her arms closed around me.

Tighter.

She held me like I was the only thing keeping her upright.

“Sorry…” I murmured, pressing my cheek against her hair. “I’m so sorry I was late…”

But she shook her head, burying her face in my shoulder.

“No… No—sorry I made you worry, sis…”

Her tears pressed against my cheek.

“I… hhic… I missed you, sis—!”

Her voice broke.

“I missed you so much—!”

The words fell apart as soon as they left her lips.

And then—

Her body collapsed into mine.

Like she had no strength left to hold herself together anymore.

Loud, uncontrollably, broken wide open.

“HwaaAAAHHHH…!! Hwaaaa…!!”

The cry that escaped her wasn’t words anymore.

It was grief.

It was fear.

It was relief.

It was everything.

Every night she screamed into her knees with no answer.

Every time she was touched without permission.

Every time she thought I'd forgotten her.

Every second she thought she was nothing.

She wept against me, shaking like a leaf in a storm.

Her arms clung to me like I was her only anchor left in the world.

And I didn’t let go.

But I held her tighter, one hand gently stroking her hair, letting her fall apart—because that’s what sisters were for.

I didn’t tell her to be strong.

I didn’t tell her it was over.

I just held her.

“I missed you too, Daisy,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “These past three years… I was afraid I’d never see you again. I thought…”

My throat closed. The guilt was thick.

Suffocating.

But I swallowed it—for her.

Those were not words that she should hear at this moment.

Not my guilt.

But my love.

“You’re… not alone anymore.”

She didn’t answer—she just kept crying.

“Unnnn… hwaaAAHHHH…!!”

Each sob rattled through her body, raw and shaking.

How long had she held all of this in?

How much had she been forced to smile, to obey, to suffer in silence?

“I’m never leaving your side again,” I promised her, tightening my arms around her back.

“Uhn… hwaaAAHHHH…!!”

“I’ll protect you now. And always.”

“Uhnnnn—!”

“I love you.”

And finally—she answered me.

Her voice was shattered.

But her words were whole.

“I—I love you too… I love you so much, sis…!! HwaaaAAAAAHHHH—!! Thank you… thank you for saving me…!!”

My eyes burned again.

Of course she thanked me.

Even after everything I didn’t do.

Even after all my failures.

“Of course I saved you,” I whispered through the ache. “You’re my sister. My everything. You are always my priority. Not a single day passed where I didn’t think about you. Not even one.”

Her fingers dug into my back, clinging tight like a child afraid to wake from a dream.

“Me too… I was always scared… hic…”

Her words were torn between hiccupped breaths, barely forming, barely surviving the storm of emotion tearing through her.

“Every time he said those things… I thought he’d hurt you next…”

She gasped, voice breaking.

“That he’d… turn you into what he made me…”

I felt her body shudder.

The way she said it—what he made me—

Like she wasn’t even a person anymore.

As if she admitted herself.

Just something ruined. Branded. Broken.

My arms tightened around her instinctively, as if I could somehow hold her together by force.

And then—

“I couldn’t forgive myself,” she whispered, “if you became his slave because of me… if you sacrificed yourself… if you gave up your freedom just to save me…”

Her voice splintered like glass beneath a boot. I felt her body flinch at her own words.

“I couldn’t… I couldn’t—!”

That was the moment the heart inside me broke once more.

Because even while she lived in hell…

Even while he did those things to her—

She was still thinking about me.

Still scared for me.

Still trying to protect me—even when I hadn’t been there to protect her.

And I—

I had spent a year loving her captor.

Smiling beside him.

Laughing with him.

Trusting him.

While she suffered in silence.

The shame had hit so deep, I could hardly breathe.

I wanted to scream.

I wanted to tell her it wasn’t her fault.

That she was never to blame.

But it was mine.

I wanted to beg her forgiveness.

I wanted to go back in time and burn everything down to reach her faster.

But I didn’t say any of that.

Because right now—

She didn’t need me to fall apart.

She needed me to be here.

So I held her closer.

Tighter.

Letting her shake. Letting her cry. Letting her pour everything out.

And I cried with her.

Not because it would fix anything.

But because it was all I had left to give.

“Hush… hush…”

I kissed her temple softly, rocking her in my arms with the gentleness of someone who’d forgotten how to be gentle… but remembered for her.

“I trained so hard,” I whispered. “Every day. Every night. So I could protect you. So I could protect us. So… you don’t have to worry anymore.”

I felt her nod against my chest, felt the tears soaking through my cloak.

“I know…” she breathed. “I saw you… you were so strong… so cool, sis… hic… I love you so much…”

I closed my eyes.

My heart—what was left of it—ached. Not the kind of ache that throbbed. The kind that hollowed.

But I held her tighter, as if the strength of my love could replace everything that had been taken from her.

“I love you too, Daisy.”

Even if I had nothing left.

Even if my heart had shattered into a million pieces.

Even if my soul had splintered into a billion silent screams—

I would still love her.

Even if I had to tear out every last piece of myself.

Even if I could never be whole again.

Even if I was nothing but a hollow shell—

I would still love her.

I can throw away everything else.

But not her.

Because she was the one piece of me I couldn’t let go.

The only part worth keeping.

The room that had once been a battlefield now held only us.

Just two broken girls.

One who had been waiting.

And one who had arrived too late.

And in that silence—

There was no forgiveness.

No healing.

But there was something else.

The beginning of it.

The start of our new lives.

The mist that wrapped around her shimmered faintly, no longer the cold mist of war, but something gentler. Warmer. Like the feeling of coming home.

I raised her chin with both hands, gently cupping her tear-stained cheeks.

“You’re safe now, Daisy,” I whispered. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Her red eyes met mine—still afraid. Still raw. But beneath the pain, I saw the tiniest flicker of peace.

She nodded.

And fell against me again.

And this time, her cry was softer.

And I cried again with her.

In the quiet that followed the storm of our tears, Daisy slowly loosened her grip around me.

She didn’t let go all at once.

Just… eased out of the embrace like she was afraid the moment might vanish if she moved too fast.

“Here,” I said softly, brushing the tears from her cheeks. “Let me help you get dressed.”

The celestial mist around her shimmered, having already cleansed her skin of the filth that once defiled it. It lingered now only to shield, to comfort.

I reached into my magic bag and retrieved a fresh change of clothes—my own soft, worn tunic and cloak. The kind I wore when I wanted to feel safe.

She didn’t say anything.

She just nodded, eyes down, and lifted her arms slowly as I helped her slip into the fabric—gentle, patient, treating her not like someone broken, but someone beloved.

Once she was dressed, she reached for my hand.

I didn’t hesitate.

I closed my fingers around hers and squeezed.

And together, we stepped out of the room—hand in hand.

The hallway was quiet. The damage of battle lingered in the cracks of the walls, the lingering cold in the air. A few knights passed us, pausing to nod respectfully when they saw me.

I returned their nods, offering a faint smile.

But—

“H-Hiiieekk…!”

The sudden shriek pierced the stillness like a dagger.

Daisy flinched violently beside me and clung to my arm, her nails digging into my sleeve as if trying to hide inside my body. Her head buried against my shoulder, trembling.

The knights froze mid-step, startled.

“W-What…?”

They looked at her in confusion—her reaction out of place to them. They didn’t see the chains that weren’t there. They didn’t hear the commands that still echoed in her memory.

They didn’t know.

But I did.

“She’s… scared of knights,” I said quietly, brushing her hair with my free hand, keeping my voice even.

I didn’t explain more.

Because how could I?

How could I put into words what she’d endured?

““Ah…””

They exchanged glances, then one stepped forward and gave a small bow.

“We understand. Sorry. The Earl is outside—he’s waiting for you.”

“Thank you,” I nodded. “We’ll head out now.”

The knights took their leave with hushed steps.

We continued through the corridor, her grip on my arm unrelenting.

She refused to look at anyone we passed. Her face pressed tightly into my shoulder. As if the sight of steel or armor would drag her back into a nightmare she was barely beginning to wake from.

I didn’t say a word.

I just held her closer.

Each step was a quiet act of defiance—against the chains, against the collar, against everything that had once reduced her to less than herself.

And when we stepped outside—

I saw them.

Dozens of women and children in simple clothes, standing in small groups across the mansion’s garden. Survivors. Freed slaves. The remnants of Ronan’s crimes. Some stared vacantly. Some huddled close. All of them carried wounds—most invisible.

My hand clenched into a fist at my side, blood pulsing hot beneath my skin.

He did this.

And I let him smile beside me.

Even now, I couldn’t forgive myself.

But I had no time to drown in that.

Not while she still clung to me.

Not while she still needed me to be her warmth in this cold.

“Earl,” I greeted as we approached.

“Ah, Celestia. Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s thanks to your help, Earl.” I nodded politely.

But before he could reply, a sharp gasp broke the moment.

“Hiieekk…!”

Daisy flinched at the sight of him, shrinking behind me like a frightened child, her hands tightening around my cloak.

“Daisy?” I said softly, glancing over my shoulder. “This is Earl Senian. He’s the one who helped us.”

She didn’t answer.

But I felt her head shake against my back—small, frantic. Her grip refused to loosen.

I gently placed my hand over hers, then glanced at her over my shoulder with a quiet sigh.

“…Are you afraid of men?” I asked her in a whisper.

There was a pause—then a subtle nod against my spine.

“I see…”

I looked back up at the Earl, offering an apologetic smile.

“Sorry, Earl. It seems… she’s developed a trauma. She can’t face men right now.”

The Earl’s expression softened. “It’s alright. I understand.”

I nodded in gratitude, but the weight in my chest lingered. Even now, her fear had a pulse—tangible, living beneath her skin. I would shield her from it all. No matter how long it took.

After a moment, the Earl’s tone shifted, casual but thoughtful.

“By the way… didn’t you stay at the guild in Lavender Town for a while?”

“Yes, I did.”

“There are a lot of male adventurers there, aren’t there?”

“That’s true…” I glanced down at Daisy. “But she can stay inside the room. I don’t think she’ll feel safe outside yet.”

“Then how about this?” the Earl offered. “Why don’t you both stay at my estate in Vale City for a while?”

“Huh?” I blinked.

“I’ll be heading to the royal capital in a few days to turn Ronan over to the authorities. There won’t be any men in the house except my butler—and I’ll make sure he stays out of Daisy’s way. The knights will remain outside for security.”

“Oh… but we’ve already received so much help from you. I don’t want to trouble you further.”

“It’s no trouble at all. My sister stayed there for a while too, remember? I’m sure she’d be happy to have you two close. Besides, once Ronan’s interrogation is finished, I may need to summon you both to the capital anyway. It’ll be easier if you’re nearby.”

“Summon us… to the capital?”

The Earl’s eyes narrowed, his voice low.

“Yes. His Majesty won’t let this go lightly. Originally, I only investigated Daisy’s whereabouts… but by chance, I uncovered a trafficking operation Ronan started five years ago. I reported it immediately.”

I frowned. “Wait—five years?”

“Yes.” He glanced over towards the former slaves around us. “Some of the victims were noble children. Others were concubines from noble households. This case has political weight, and the court will treat it as treasonous.”

“So… he’ll be executed.”

“Most likely,” the Earl replied grimly. “You may even want to be there when it happens.”

I nodded slowly. “I see…”

There was a pause. Then he asked, “Do you feel sad?”

I shook my head.

“No. I just regret not being the one to kill him. But… as long as he dies, I can live with it.”

The Earl studied me for a moment, then gave a small nod.

“Then, will you consider staying in Vale City? At least until she recovers. Even if it takes years—my doors are open.”

“For years… that might be a bit too long,” I said with a faint smile. “I don’t mind staying wherever. But—”

I looked down at Daisy, still hiding behind me.

“—how about you, Daisy? Do you want to stay with Madam Sheila for a while?”

Her only answer was a quiet nod against my back.

“Alright,” I said, gently stroking her hand. “Then we’ll accept your offer. Thank you, Earl. Truly.”

“Don’t mention it,” he replied. “My sister thinks of you both like family. So to me—you’re my nieces.”

“Thank you.” I bowed, and Daisy gave the slightest nod in return.

“W-Wait…”

Daisy’s voice was soft, barely above a whisper. She peeked out from behind me, her gaze flitting to the Earl—then quickly burying her face in my back again.

She still couldn’t look him in the eye.

“What is it, Daisy?” I asked gently, brushing her hand with my fingers.

Her voice trembled.

“H-He was the one behind the stampede… in Lavender Town. Three years ago.”

““What!?””

Both the Earl and I froze.

She nodded slowly, still hiding her face.

“I… I heard him talking over the years. He told me a lot of things… maybe because he thought I couldn’t do anything with it…”

Bit by bit, she began to speak.

Her words came quietly, like cracked porcelain being pieced back together.

She told us everything.

About the trafficking deals with the empire.

The plan behind the stampede.

The twisted motive to target the Earl’s children.

The women taken.

The children sold.

The nobles who were silenced—killed.

And the truth that broke something deep in me—

He was the one who sent the monsters after Freed.

My hands curled into fists.

“That bastard…”

The word escaped me like a snarl, my fists clenched in fury.

“Thank you, Daisy,” the Earl said after a long pause. “That information is invaluable. His crimes go deeper than we imagined… We’ll make sure every word is extracted from him in interrogation.”

“Y-Yes…”

She didn’t raise her head. Her voice was barely audible. But she was brave enough to speak.

That was enough.

Later, we mounted our horses and returned to Vale City. The Earl, with his connections, arranged for carriages from the commercial guild to carry the rescued victims. They followed behind us—quiet, shaken, but free.

The Earl opened one of the buildings beside his mansion as temporary lodging. The survivors found safety. Some commoners children were placed in trusted orphanages. Some women asked to stay on, choosing to serve Madam Sheila, who welcomed them with gentle grace.

A few days later, the Earl departed for the royal capital. Ronan was taken with him, along with every soul from his estate—each one ready to face justice.

And as for us…

Daisy and I stayed behind.

She still couldn’t step outside the room.

And I—

I had no intention of leaving her alone.

We lived together in that one quiet space, like two fragile flowers pressed between the quiet pages of a closed book. She clung to the silence. And I held it with her.

Sometimes, I would step out to speak with Madam Sheila. She understood—never pressured, never judged.

But I understood that this was still her and the Earl’s home.

Even so, most of my time was spent inside.

Not because I was hiding.

But because Daisy still needed someone beside her to show her the world could be kind again.

We were no longer the same people we had once been.

But maybe… we didn’t need to be.

Because here, in the quiet of this borrowed home, with nothing but time and each other—we could begin again.

Not as the girl who had been broken.

Not as the sister who came too late.

But as two hearts learning to beat in peace.

Two souls daring to bloom where the frost once clung.

And in the gentle hush of morning light—

We began the first chapter of a new life.

Together.