SBP 00

Prologue

I opened my eyes to a splitting headache, and a familiar voice reached my ears.

“I’ll definitely come back to take you with me soon.”

A woman’s voice—beautiful and crystal clear, yet trembling as though she were being pursued by something.

No… you won’t be able to come back for me. You’re going to die soon!

I struggled desperately, trying to shout, but I couldn’t even control my own throat. The only sounds I could make were meaningless cries.

“Waaah… ahh!”

“Oh dear… this all happened so suddenly…”

“I’m truly sorry. This should be enough to cover the child’s expenses for quite a while.”

The woman took a small box from her arms and handed it over. The other woman opened it, then let out a quiet gasp.

“Huh…!”

I couldn’t see what was inside, but I could practically feel the greed in her eyes as she estimated the fortune of gold coins and jewels contained within.

“Do… do you really have to come back for the child? We’re barely managing to feed ourselves as it is…”

The woman silently nodded before carefully placing me into the other woman’s arms.

I kicked and struggled with all the strength my tiny body could muster, but it was completely useless.

Hey, you irresponsible woman! Don’t go! Don’t leave me in this hell again!

“Waaahhh!”

Leaving my cries behind, she hurried into the lush green forest of May, unaware of the fate that would soon befall her.

The moment the door closed behind her, I was unceremoniously dumped onto a hard wooden chair.

The entire family noisily rushed into the living room to inspect the gold coins and jewels they had received as payment for raising me.

Left alone, I thought to myself—

…So it has started again.

This damned excuse for a life.