The Road Back, and a Dark Turn

“This is the ration we received today.” Old Jenny handed a piece of dry, hard black bread to Freya, then sat down beside her.

“Two days now… eating this stuff…” Freya’s face twisted in pain as she lamented, “I’m really going to throw up. Why don’t we just go back and get the food from our wagon?”

“I wish we could, but it’s impossible,” Old Jenny said, gently stroking Freya’s head. “The city guards stated that we must undergo a ten-day quarantine if we want to enter the city.

“If we leave this isolation zone, we’ll be blacklisted. Just bear with it a little longer.”

“Bear with what?” Freya spread her hands, her voice rising in frustration. “We don’t have anything valuable on us! What good would it do to enter the city anyway? Are we supposed to beg?”

As she dwelled on it, her discomfort grew. She handed the black bread back to Old Jenny, then stood up. “Forget it. I’ve noticed those living dead haven’t pursued us for the past two days, so Rolan must have taken care of them.”

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to talk to the guards and see if they’ll let me leave.”

Ignoring Old Jenny’s pleas, Freya walked towards the exit of the quarantine zone, drawing astonished glances from everyone present.

“Hey! Where are you going?” The guard at the exit blocked her path, scrutinizing her from head to toe. His gaze then lingered on her body, his voice laced with a suggestive tone. “During these unusual times, it’s quite… *dangerous*… for a woman like you to wander off alone.”

‘Such strange looks. Why do all the men here stare at me like that?’

‘It’s truly disgusting.’

Suppressing the unsettling sensation of being ogled, Freya crossed her arms over her chest and cleared her throat. “I don’t wish to stay here any longer. Please step aside.”

“Are you dreaming?” The other guard let out a scoffing laugh. “Do you think the quarantine zone is a place you can just leave whenever you please? I advise you to be sensible, stay in your tent, and don’t move, or you’ll regret it.”

“Why not? Can’t I just avoid entering the city?”

“No, you cannot.” The guard dropped his teasing demeanor, admonishing her with a stern voice. “As city defense guards, it’s our duty to centrally manage you villagers gathered outside the city to prevent anyone from sneaking in.

“If any of you manage to slip into the city, everyone from your village will be imprisoned and executed.”

“Uh… I already said I wouldn’t enter the city…” Freya found these two incredibly difficult to reason with, a headache beginning to throb. “Just let me go.”

“Heh…” The two guards exchanged a glance. One of them immediately grabbed Freya’s shoulder, pushing her roughly without a hint of gentleness.

“Ugh—” The force sent Freya tumbling to the ground, her clothes instantly covered in dust. She cried out in pain, “What was that for?!”

“All you villagers will obey our arrangements and cause no trouble,” the guard who had pushed her down declared, looking down imperiously. “Consider this a warning. If you dare to challenge a guard again, we will arrest you and throw you into prison.”

“A delicate girl like you wouldn’t last long in prison,” the other guard chuckled lewdly.

“Hmph—” Freya returned dejectedly, muttering under her breath so no one else could hear. ‘They’re nothing but scum.’

Back inside the tent she shared with Old Jenny, Freya buried her head in her arms, utterly disheartened, and lay motionless like a salted fish.

Meanwhile, in an adjacent section of the quarantine zone, inside a tent not far from where the incident occurred, two men with menacing appearances had been silently observing everything.

“Boss, look at that white-haired woman. So pretty, and quite well-endowed too, tsk tsk.” The man with a scar across his face grinned salaciously. “She’s definitely worth a lot of money, isn’t she?”

“Indeed. That one looks even more high-class than the merchant’s daughter we caught last time.” The other man, one-eyed, wore an eye patch over his blind socket. “She certainly isn’t from around Buoluo Village, or I would have caught and sold her long ago… The area she’s in appears to be Green Village.”

“Green Village?” The scarred man exclaimed. “How could such a beautiful girl come from that impoverished backwater?”

“Heh heh, maybe she was kidnapped, just like your wife,” the one-eyed man teased.

“Oh, come off it. That woman isn’t nearly as pretty as this girl. I got tired of her long ago, and before we came here, I saw she had a fever and was sick, so I quickly buried her.” The scarred man winked, a glint in his eyes. “Sigh… what do you say we find an opportunity tonight…?

“They’re just ordinary villagers anyway. The guards probably won’t care if one goes missing.”

“Hmm…” The one-eyed man pondered for a moment, carefully weighing the risks in his mind. “It has been quite a while since I’ve had some release, but with such a high-class item… Look at her clothes; she doesn’t seem like an ordinary person. What if she’s a noble?”

“That’s easy. Blindfold her and interrogate her thoroughly. Besides, how could a noble be treated like that by the guards?” The scarred man was clearly adept at villainy, possessing keen observational skills.

“If she’s a distant relative of a noble or something similar, we’ll question her and then flee immediately. If she’s from an ordinary family, we’ll have our fun and then sell her.”

“Alright, we’ll look for an opportunity tonight.” The one-eyed man flashed a meaningful smile. “To think, after escaping the Elven Defense Line, we’re back to our old tricks again.”

“Heh heh… This way, life is truly free.”

****

As night fell, Freya stared idly at the campfire before her, lost in boredom.

“Why isn’t he back yet…” Cupping her small face with both hands, she sighed mournfully. “It’s been two days and two nights… If he doesn’t return soon…”

“Stop fretting!” Old Jenny uncharacteristically snapped, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Then, as if realizing her tone was too harsh, she sighed resignedly. “It’s alright, he’ll come back, he’ll come back…”

“Hmm…” Freya felt the atmosphere grow heavy. Noticing Old Jenny’s troubled expression, she hesitated before speaking. “I’m going for a walk.”

Old Jenny merely nodded, her gaze returning to the distant forest exit, lost in thought.

‘Ugh, if I stay here any longer, I’ll go crazy from discomfort.’

Freya began to wander aimlessly within the quarantine zone. This was Green Village’s designated area, where families had set up temporary homes.

Perhaps having just settled down from chaos, everyone’s faces still bore the lingering anxiety of their hurried journey, as they sat silently in their places.

The quarantine zone was separated by wooden fences, with guards patrolling all around. The closer one got to the city, the denser the guard presence became. Freya observed their patrol patterns and noticed numerous loopholes.

These guards seemed primarily focused on preventing them from sneaking into Mondstadt, showing little concern for anyone heading back. Indeed, everyone had rushed here intending to enter the city; no one in their right mind would want to return.

However, there was someone who, at this very moment, *did* wish to go back.

“Heh heh… How careless of them.” Freya deftly dodged the gazes of several guards, quietly slipped over the wooden fence, and once certain she was out of sight, proudly clapped the dust from her hands. “Farewell, everyone! I’m going back to find my husband~”

‘Hmph, Rolan, you must still be alive.’

‘Wait for me, I’ll be right there…’

“Eh—”

She had barely taken a few steps forward when Freya’s vision went black, as if something had covered her eyes. She reached out to pull whatever was on her face away, but her hands were immediately seized and pinned behind her back.

Before she could react, a cloth was pressed over her mouth and nose.

“Mmm— Mmm…” As a cold gas slowly filled her nostrils, her body struggled twice, then gradually lost all strength, slumping limp.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve done this,” the scarred man panted excitedly. “I almost forgot to use the drug.”

“Stop dawdling and take her somewhere further away, quickly,” the one-eyed man urged, glancing around warily. “Don’t let those guards spot us.”

“Don’t worry, I paid off the gate guards. Even if we’re not in the quarantine zone, our names will still be on the entry list in eight days.” The scarred man tossed Freya over his shoulder, weighing her, then chuckled lewdly. “This girl is so soft and light, I doubt she could handle both of us.”

“Don’t underestimate a woman’s body too much,” the one-eyed man said, walking forward. As if recalling something, he chuckled. “How old do you think this girl is?”

The scarred man eyed the unconscious girl, then speculated, “Feels like she’s about a handspan, not small.”

“You idiot! I meant her age!” The one-eyed man angrily slapped the other’s head.

“Oh… uh… maybe eighteen? Her face doesn’t look old, anyway,” the scarred man chuckled. “But this age is just perfect.”

“Hmph, I’ve been to brothels in other cities before, and they had girls even younger than this one.” The one-eyed man savored the memory, speaking greedily. “The star attraction cost me half a year’s wages, but she was worth every penny.”

“You really spent that much?” The scarred man shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare spend half a year’s salary of an Elven Defense Line quest giver, not even a guard’s wages.”

After walking for a while, feeling they had reached a relatively safe spot, they set the girl down. They bound her eyes and limbs with a black cloth, then slapped her face to rouse her.

“Mm…” Freya slowly regained a sliver of consciousness, only to realize she couldn’t see anything.

“Hello?” she called out, a hint of confusion in her voice. “Is anyone there? What’s happening?”

“Heh heh… Looks like she’s an idiot,” the scarred man chuckled. He reached out, forcefully pinching her chin, and growled, “Girl, are you from Green Village?”

“Who are you?” Freya asked cautiously. “Where are the guards?! What do you want?”

“Tsk…” With a soft thud, a red mark appeared on the girl’s face. The scarred man shook his hand, grabbed her collar, and repeated, “I’m asking you, are you from Green Village?”

“You bastard, you…”

Freya felt a searing heat spread across her cheek.

Once again, the man practically slammed his palm into her face, so hard his own hand stung. His tone grew even more vicious. “Are you from Green Village? If you don’t answer, you’ll regret it!”

“Mmm… What do you want…” A thin trickle of blood escaped the corner of Freya’s mouth, her head feeling hazy. “What are you doing…? Aren’t you worried about the guards…?”

“There are no guards here now,” the scarred man retorted, raising his hand, poised to strike again. But then, the man behind him pulled him back.

“Hm?”

“That won’t do. It’d be bad if you ruined her face.” The one-eyed man restrained him, then delivered a light kick to the girl’s abdomen. The force wasn’t great, but the placement was cunning and cruel.

“Ugh—” Freya’s entire body trembled with pain. A small spray of saliva escaped her throat as she instinctively curled into a fetal position, like a shrimp, then gasped for air in small, ragged breaths.

‘How vicious!’

‘It hurts so much!’

“You’re still the best, Boss,” the scarred man said admiringly.

“Let me ask her.” The one-eyed man grabbed Freya’s hair, lifting her head as if holding a small rabbit by its ears, his tone chillingly cold. “Are you from Green Village?”

“Yes…” Freya caught a whiff of sickening bad breath. She clenched her teeth, now truly afraid of their torturous methods.

‘What in the world? What do these two want?’

“Do you have any noble relatives?” The one-eyed man set a trap for her. “Wealthy nobles, preferably.”

‘Wealthy nobles? They want my money?’

“No, I don’t have any noble relatives, not a single one I know…” Freya’s scalp felt agonizingly sore from being pulled. She quickly spoke, “I’m just an ordinary villager. You won’t get any money from me, so let me go, or my husband will…”

“Husband?” The scarred man frowned. “You’re just a young girl, and you already have a man? Tsk tsk, quite something, aren’t you?”

“Yes, he’s very strong,” Freya insisted. “He could kill both of you alone… Ugh—”

This time, the one-eyed man punched her in the lower abdomen, then mercilessly threw her to the ground, allowing her pristine long hair to become soiled with the murky sand. Freya breathed weakly, mechanically, unable to stop bloody saliva from dribbling from her mouth.

“Hey, hey, won’t that damage her?”

“Don’t worry, I held back a little.”

Only then did the scarred man squat down, patting her cheek with a cold sneer. “Dressed so well, I thought you knew some nobles. Turns out you just latched onto a man with a bit of money.”

“I… didn’t…” Freya’s eyes welled with tears as she answered, word by painful word. With her hands and feet bound, she could only arch her back slightly, trying to alleviate the agony.

Yet, what she heard next sent a chill through her heart.

“Boss, since she already has a man, we don’t need to worry about her body not being able to take it,” the scarred man said, licking his lips, his eyes gleaming. “Let’s have some fun tonight!”

“Heh heh…” The one-eyed man pinched the girl’s soft cheek, a wicked smile spreading across his face. “Since you’re not a noble, there’s no need to hold back.”

“Despicable… bastards!” Freya gasped for air, her face deathly pale. “What… what are you going to… do…”

“Heh heh…” The one-eyed man pressed the girl face-down onto the ground, his knee digging into her lower back. He choked her from behind, while the other man pinned her down. “Foolish women like you are the most fun to play with.”

“Scum!” Freya struggled, trying to free her arms. “You… you wouldn’t dare… Ugh—”

“Keep talking!” The one-eyed man slammed his fist into her side, with enough force to shatter her ribs.

Though she could feel her body beneath him trembling uncontrollably with fear, the girl continued to struggle, utterly unwilling to accept her impending fate.

“Excellent. A woman who resists…” The one-eyed man’s expression turned savage. “I love it the most!”

One punch. “Ugh—”

Two punches. “Mmm…”

Three punches. “…”

After enduring so many blows, Freya was too overwhelmed with pain to make a sound. Her already fair face was now utterly devoid of color, and tears and saliva streamed uncontrollably from her.

‘Why…?’

‘I don’t think I used to cry before…’

‘Damn it… damn it…’

‘It hurts too much to move…’

‘So much pain…’

“Finally stopped resisting, huh?” The one-eyed man shook his aching fist, then reached out, intending to tear her clothes. Yet, no matter how hard he pulled, not a single rip appeared on the fabric.

“That’s strange…” The one-eyed man paused, bewildered, then asked the scarred man, “What’s with these clothes?”

“Hmm…” The scarred man scrutinized them, then gasped. “Magic material! These clothes must be incredibly expensive. How could someone of her status afford them?” He looked closer, noticing the jewelry on Freya’s hands was also unusual. “Heavens! Magic items!”

“Hey!” The one-eyed man pulled out a dagger and pressed it against Freya’s face. “Confess honestly! Where did you get all these things? Unless you stole them, an ordinary villager couldn’t possibly possess such items.”

“Heh…” Freya gasped for air for a long moment, mentally bracing herself for more torment, then sneered sarcastically, “Are you… scared?”

This time, the one-eyed man delivered a full-force kick, stomping on her waist. It felt as though her spine might shatter.

Freya let out a barely audible gasp, a tiny puff of air.

“Damn it, what exactly is your identity?” The one-eyed man spoke with a hint of alarm and anger. “I just wanted to have some fun with you, but don’t force us to do something even more extreme!”

“Hmph… Hmph…” Face pressed to the ground, Freya gasped for breath, then trembled as she used her remaining strength to speak. “My husband… is… the Hero… He will kill… you.”

The two men froze for a moment. They exchanged a look, then erupted into wild laughter.

“Hahahahahaha, what kind of daydream is that?” The scarred man pointed at his own head, roaring with laughter. “It’s been fifty years! Everyone knows a Hero couldn’t possibly appear. Is your brain broken, girl? Hahahahaha.”

“Hahahahahaha, if there really is a Hero, I challenge him to come cut off my head right now.” The one-eyed man shrugged, his laughter slowly morphing into a cold sneer. “You refuse a toast, so you’ll drink a forfeit. If you won’t tell the truth, then it doesn’t matter.”

He pulled two vials from his pocket: one green, one yellow. Then, he deliberately removed the black cloth covering Freya’s eyes, allowing her to clearly see the scene unfolding.

Freya finally saw the true faces of the two men. Her eyes burned with hatred as she glared at them, as if to engrave their visages into her very soul.

‘You bastards, when I get back, I’ll kill you no matter what!’

‘Even if I have to become a demon!’

“You must be thinking that if you could go back, you’d definitely kill us, right?” The scarred man squatted down, a sinister smile spreading across his face. “Too bad. We’ve been villains for so many years, how could we not know that? See the potions in my big brother’s hand?

“One is a Potion of Oblivion, which will make you forget everything from your past. The other is a highly addictive aphrodisiac for women. Combined, once you drink them, you’ll be nothing more than a mindless little livestock, completely under our control. Hahahahahahahaha—”

“No…”

‘No!’

‘It can’t be!’

‘Absolutely not!’

‘I don’t want to become like that!’

‘No—’

Freya struggled violently, but without her magic, how could she be a match for two men? The one-eyed man brutally pried open her mouth, forcing one vial after another down her throat.

Freya could feel the cold, bitter liquid sliding down her esophagus.

“Cough cough— cough cough cough—”

She desperately tried to vomit out the forced potions, but the liquid seemed to cling to her stomach, and the icy solution strangely produced a burning sensation.

‘Get out!’

‘Get out of me!’

“It won’t be long until you’re begging us yourself.” Having finished, the two men stood at their leisure, triumphant smiles on their faces. “Cherish this moment, while you’re still a normal person.

“Once we’re tired of your body, we’ll sell you to a brothel in Mondstadt. I had so much fun hitting your body just now, so you’ll definitely make a good star attraction for them.”

“Oh, oh, the potion is kicking in… Come on, come on, hold on a little longer… Otherwise, it won’t be fun…”

Her consciousness steadily drifted away, her vision blurred incessantly, her hearing faded, and the world twisted around her.

“She’s still… holding on… hahah…”

Freya collapsed to the ground, pain and scorching heat crawling through her body like worms, from the inside out.

“This girl’s… willpower…”

A terrifying sensation of heat surged through her scalp, yet her body was no longer under her control.

“Is very… strong, but she…”

Her vision flickered, her body trembled. Was she crawling towards something?

“Is nothing more than… a woman… after all.”

Tears constantly fell. Why am I crying? I don’t remember?

“Look at her… so cheap…”

My body is so hot, my brain hurts so much. What am I doing right now?

“Take off… your clothes…”

‘Take them off? No, I can’t…’

‘I am the Hero’s…’

‘Hero? Who was that?’

‘Forgotten?’

‘His name is…’

“Boom—”

‘Is that thunder? It’s so bright nearby.’

“Hey! Are you alright?”

A breathless voice,

A sticky hand,

‘Why are you touching my face?’

‘So dirty…’

“Wake up!”

‘I’m so hot, so hot…’

‘Let me hug you…’

‘That would feel better…’

“Freya?!”

‘Who is that?’

‘Doesn’t matter…’

‘Can’t remember…’