Let's go back in time, a bit earlier in the day before the main games began... no, even earlier, before the Demon Lord of Knowledge, Paimon, arrived.

Her hands trembled, her expression somewhat pale as she paced the room, sweat beading across her delicate face.

"Deep breath, deep breath... it's okay, it's not as bad as I think it is..." Luna muttered shakily.

She wasn't the only one in the room. In the far corner sat a pink-haired girl, her expression distant. Occasionally, a soft chuckle escaped her lips as she muttered to herself.

"I knew it... I knew it... I wouldn't live long enough to get my revenge. Of course my crazy teacher is going to piss off someone and get us all killed."

Her eyes flickered as she glanced at Luna, who still had the strength to pace around.

'How have her legs not given out yet?' Iris would have stood up if her own legs hadn't already gone numb from fear.

Luna's sweat touched the polished floor of the luxurious room.

"If I kneel and beg... I'm sure they'll show mercy to my brother. I know he'd rather die than beg... but... he'll do it for me. I can't let him die..."

She bit her lip hard. Naturally, their actions hadn't gone unnoticed, since they weren't truly alone in the room. In a small corner, a translucent figure watched them silently, unseen by their eyes.

Jarvis understood their reactions. It was sudden, out of nowhere. These two girls had been enjoying themselves in the capital, splurging money from a magic money card that clearly didn't belong to them.

Smiling as they strolled through the streets, they had said:

"How much did he say we should spend again?"

"Ohh, he didn't specify. That looks good, let's buy it."

"This too."

They had been buying anything and everything. Naturally, Damon had been the one footing the bill, but after all his looting, he was wealthy at the moment. Their spending hadn't even made a dent in his funds, and more importantly, he had his shadow Ghost watching them.

It was during this spending spree that they had been surrounded out of nowhere by knights of House Brightwater. Each of these knights was a powerhouse.

Jarvis had led the squad, disguised as a humble low-rank knight. After all, he was tasked with retrieving the Grand Duke's second and long-lost granddaughter. A single hair on her head went missing, and heads would roll.

However, no one had told poor Luna of the arrangements. Not her brother, not her grandfather. The knights had only shown up, grabbed her and Iris, and that was how they ended up in this luxurious room.

To no one's surprise, the two girls came to the most natural conclusion: Damon had pissed off the Grand Duke, had been captured, and now they were here to be punished alongside him.

Luna didn't care what happened to her, but she was ready to beg for her defiant brother. She knew his personality too well. His head would end up on a pike before he begged for his life.

While the girls stressed over nothing, Jarvis watched as a group of maids hurried inside, carrying armfuls of dresses. It was as if an entire clothing shop of branded gowns and accessories had been moved into the room.

They immediately got to work on the two girls.

Jarvis sighed at the chaos of women's preparations, watching as the maids scrubbed, cleaned, brushed, and dressed them. After what felt like forever, the two girls were finally ready.

Luna now wore a light blue dress that shimmered like the sky itself, a delicate tiara resting on her head, set with a white magic gem worth more than several generations of a small noble's net worth.

Iris wore a shorter gown that allowed easier movement. It was slightly loose, adorned with several ribbons, and scattered across its surface were gemstones that glittered faintly under the light.

Finally, they were ready to meet the Grand Duke. However, from where the girls stood, it felt more as if they had been dressed up for execution.

Luna had heard stories in Valtheron, that nobles despised the stench of poverty so much they forced commoners to dress in fine clothes before killing them.

Iris leaned closer, whispering nervously in her ear.

"What's gonna happen..."

Luna closed her eyes. Yes, this was the end. She already had magic circuit cancer. She wasn't going to live long anyway. She chuckled softly, hiding her fear.

"Those fools. They'll be killing someone who already has one foot in the grave anyway."

Iris paled, her eyes flickering with dread as she swallowed hard.

Luna's expression grew serious as they were led down the long hall. She whispered again to Iris.

"I'm afraid... we might have to endure some torture..."

Iris went white as a sheet.

Luna drew in a deep, resigned breath.

"But don't worry... my brother told me, if you're getting tortured, you just have to disconnect your mind from your body and go to lalala land. Works every time."

Iris nearly broke down on the spot. That sounded exactly like something Damon would say.

"Ahh... when did he tell you this..."

Luna bit her lip.

"Ermh... a few years ago, after he went missing for two weeks..."

Iris closed her eyes, resigning herself. Pain was a companion on the path of vengeance. She had been told that much already.

"I am ready..."

Jarvis pressed a palm to his forehead with a heavy sigh as he opened the grand doors to the pavilion. The loud cheers of the war games outside bled into the chamber as the two girls were brought forward.

The Grand Duke stood there with a stern expression, flanked by Duke Cassian and his daughter-in-law, Annalise.

The two men's eyes immediately locked onto Luna, their gazes sharp and unrelenting. Luna swallowed hard, glancing at Iris. Her heart resolved, she took a step forward, recalling every lesson in noble etiquette she knew.

She stopped before the Grand Duke and curtsied, bowing formally as a lady should.

"Greetings, Your Grace. I am Luna Grey. It is my utmost pleasure to stand before you eminence."

She didn't raise her head. Iris quickly imitated her posture, bowing as well.

The Grand Duke turned his eyes toward Cassian. His face barely contained a smile.

"Adorable..." he muttered under his breath.

Luna was sure she had misheard, until Cassian cleared his throat, resisting the urge to smile at her earnest demeanor.

"Do you know why you are here, young ladies?"

Before Luna could respond, Annalise suddenly pulled the girl into her bosom, her arms wrapping tightly around her.

"Ahhh, you're soooooooo cute... I'm going to keep you forever!"

Luna fell into despair.

'It's worse than I thought... human trafficking...'

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