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"Y-You... What...?"

In stunned silence, Madam Furt looked at her husband in disbelief as he gazed upon an unfamiliar painting he had just hung on the wall, hands on his hips.

"Everything will be fine. I have my plans. Anyway, look at this!"

Sir Furt waved his hand at her concern and pointed at the painting before him.

"I just bought this piece from a renowned painter! And I bought it in front of the marquis! Now, he knows that we are still standing strong and holding onto our grounds against the Bloody Emperor!"

"You... You sold them...? My Ureirika... My Kuuderika...?"

A frown and a look of confusion appeared on his visage as he finally, for the first time since they conversed, turned to look at his wife. He was a bit upset at her for spoiling the mood, but he was an understanding man.

Having their two youngest daughters taken away must've been quite shocking. It was understandable why she would look so shocked by the news.

"It will be fine. I'll find them and buy them back once we regain our rightful place in high society and gain money. It won't take long now."

He reassured, and turned his eyes back to the painting, ending the tiresome topic then and there.

"T-That's right... Yes. You're right... Everything will be fine..."

Sir Furt nodded, and a smile finally resurfaced on his visage.

"It's good that you understand. Now, look at this painting! You can also invite the ladies in your circle! Without anything better to do, they would talk about this masterpiece in their boredom, and words would surely reach their husband..."

The sound of his voice slowly faded from her mind.

The thought of her daughters, her precious little angels, sold, filled her mind.

She knew very well what would happen to girls when they were sold... A fate worse than death. Her little girls won't survive such things... More so if they were to be sold to those with the disgusting inclination towards young, little girls...

'Ureirika... Kuuderika... No... My angels... '

It was then that something snapped within madam Furt.

Nightfall.

A loud snoring filled the marital bedroom of the Furt couple.

Empty bottles of wine clattered around the table and floor with glasses toppled down and spilling its dark crimson contents onto the floor.

Madam Furt walked towards the door and placed a hand on the handles.

She turned back, giving her dead drunk husband one last look as he laid on his back on the bed, and exited.

Outside the door, an old, white-haired man in a butler's suit stood at attention. The wrinkle on his face displayed the long years of loyal service to the Furt household that continued to persist even after their downfall.

"Anders..."

"Yes, madam."

"...Have you gathered everyone as I've asked?"

"Yes madam. They are all in the living room right now."

Madam Furt nodded.

"Thank you."

The old butler bowed and followed behind her as madam Furt made her way to the living room.

The gathered servants of house Furt, what remained of the ones numerous servants in service to the noble household, turned towards the madam of the house the moment she entered.

There was silence, the air filling with unease and tension as their eyes followed her figure until she stood in front of all of them.

"Everyone... Dear servants of house Furt who have stayed and loyally supported us until this moment, simple words could not even begin to describe how grateful I am to each and every one of you.

However... As your madam, I am ashamed for being unable to become a mistress worthy of your loyalty, respect, and trust."

Eyes widened as shock filled all remaining servants of house Furt.

Anders opened his mouth, about to speak words to deny her words. But a raise of his mistress's hand stopped him.

"I am proud to have been your Mistress, and happy to have received your loyalty and respect. However... I have failed.

I have failed as a mistress, for letting this household fall into such a state... I have failed as a noble, for having put my pride and outward appearance first before the wellbeing of my people. And I have failed as a mother, for being unable to protect my children."

Her hands clenched into a fist.

"The noble House Furt is no more. The moment that man had sold my angels... Kuuderika and Ureirika, we no longer have any future.

From now on, you are all dismissed. You may take anything within this mansion as your severance pay. I will even sign any letters you would need as proof of your ownership over these items. Take everything... and use them to have a better life elsewhere."

""...""

If it was silent before, it was a vacuum now.

The servants all stood in stunned silence. Some trembled. Some were shaken. And some still in disbelief from the suddenness of her words.

And before anyone could break free from their daze, she continued.

"But if I may... For my last request as your mistress, help me gather any flammable objects and spread them all around the mansion. Then, pour all the alcoholic drinks and any other flammable liquid around the mansion before you leave. Please..."

Madam Furt bowed her head. And the shock brought upon her actions snapped them all out of their disbelief and daze.

Silence persisted for a moment... Before their voice resounded as one.

""Yes! As you wish!""

"Thank you..."

Madam Furt spent the rest of the night sectioning any and all remaining golds and silvers into pouches for the servants to take, sign off any letters of ownership and recommendations, and prepared her things.

She discarded her dress and changed into a simple shirt, pants, a cloak, and boots, prioritising utility in favor of class and appearance. She carried a large, leather bag on her back, filled with all of her daily essentials and basic necessities.

Then, she returned to her room, a candle in hand. There, her husband was still on their bed, snoring ever so loudly.

She placed all the fabric she could find and the pillows filled with cotton, and spread it around the room. Then, she emptied all three bottles of wine on them and all around the floor.

She walked to her side of the bed and took out a dagger from beneath her pillow. An essential weapon all ladies would have for their own self protection, or let them avoid living a life of disgrace, humiliation, and disgust.

She walked towards her husband with her dagger drawn.

"You sold my angels... You don't deserve to live..."

She raised her blade hand, and strike down towards his achilles tendons.

"AAAARRRGHHH!!!!"

The immense pain shocked Sir Furt awake from his drunken sleep before rolling down the floor.

A sharp pain filled his mind as he looked around and saw his wife standing before him with a bloody dagger in her hand.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"YOU SOLD THEM! YOU SOLD MY ANGELS! FOR A STUPID PAINTING!!! I WON'T FORGIVE YOU!!!"

"BHWWAAAHKK!"

Madam Furt kicked her husband in the face with her hard leather boots, dislocating his jaw and breaking some of his front teeth, filling his mouth with blood.

But she wasn't done. She continued to kick and slam down her feet onto his body, his arms, and knees.

"Staahpphhfff.... Ifh huuursthhh!"

"YOU FUCKING PIG! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!"

"KUHHHKKK!"

Madam Furth slammed down a foot on his back one final time and moved away.

"You can go die from the wounds or from the fire for all I care..."

"Noo... You cansht do thish... I'm your hushbaan..."

"Fuck you. I stopped being your wife the moment you sell my daughters. I'm just Millie from now on. And I'll do anything to get my daughters back."

She tossed the candle onto the wine-covered fabrics, instantly alighting it on fire. And she walked away, ignoring the muffled cries of her former husband and made a vow in her heart.

'I'm sorry, Kuuderika, Ureirika... Please hang in there... I will definitely find you... and buy you back. I'll do anything in my power to do so... I don't even care if you hate me by then... Just please be okay...'

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The days in Carne Village have been very nice, and it was all thanks to their benefactor, Lord Ainz Ooal Gown.

Recently, they've managed to subjugate the tyrant leader of the Ogres and Lamias and brought the survivors to Carne Village to be integrated with the community.

At first, tumultuous relationships between those who once lived in fear as preys and the ones who hunted them was expected. But, with "emissaries" of Ainz Ooal Gown as mediators, and several festivals involving alcohol and feasts to get to know each other, the enmity slowly faded.

Now, the villagers and the "monsters" began working together over the course of the few weeks.

Ogres proved to excel physically, much more than the humans and lamias. And where they lack in direction, the humans and lamias were able to direct them and let them find another purpose for their strength; building and protecting, instead of simply to destroy and kill.

Lamias were knowledgeable in plantlife, especially those used as remedies and poison. So much so that Nfirea found himself relying on them as harvesters in the woods while he spent his time concocting life-saving potions in his lab.

Enri was more than pleased with the progress made by her village. From just a little, powerless village, struggling to even put a bit of food on the table and paying taxes much beyond what they could earn for a living. To a sprawling community, tall stone walls, weapons, thriving fields, and even Ogres and Lamias integrated into their community.

"Hah..."

A deep sigh escaped her lips. She had been working so much lately, from dusk to dawn.

The days were tough, and some nights even tougher, especially on her as the village head. It was hard work. But it was good work. At least, they're now working for themselves, and not just to fatten up some local lords while they struggle to put potatoes on their own plates.

Just then, from one of the distant lookout towers, a bell rang loudly, going off in earnest.

She paled and her fist clenched. Then, she took off at a dead sprint towards the walls.

Her arms and legs worked in a mad dash like they hadn't since the day her parents died. The shouts of her father telling her to find her little sister and run far without looking back rang in her mind, louder and louder along with the bell.

Her eyes shimmered as they began to water, and fear at the horror thay may lay ahead began to creep up her heart.

But despite her burning lungs, she kept running towards the wall where the two watchmen rang the bell.

The entire village was immediately alerted, like an anthill that had been kicked over.

They had nowhere to go but to fight and defend their homes and families. The dread of what would happen if they failed strengthened their resolve as the peasants rushed to their defensive positions after taking up armor and weapons.

Soon, Enri reached the simple wooden ladder and scrambled to the top.

"What's going on?!"

The bell ringing stopped and the watchmen pointed to the distant cloud on the ground.

At first, they seemed to be still. But as Enri looked, squinting at the direction, she noticed it moving closer.

An army kicking up dust during their march. That was Enri's first guest. But... it was small. Too small for it to be an army. It seemed like it was only a hundred or so. Maybe less...

She quickly pulled out a "telescope", a magical item given to her as a gift by Lord Zero when he came to visit once, allowing her to see far things even better than Lukrut with his martial art [Farsight].

It was then that she could see that it wasn't an army, but peasants... And at the front, familiar figures.

"Relax! False alarm! It's a group of peasants with our friends, Swords of Darkness leading!"

The sigh of relief that went up in one body from the village gave way to laughter as the absurdity of their fears hit home.

The intensity dissipated, and Enri began making her way to the gate, ordering the guards stationed to open them and welcome their friends.

She was all smiles as she stood in front of the gates, waiting. That was, until she saw the expressions on the faces of her returning friends.

"...Ninya, what happened...?"

"... Enri. I'm sorry. We need to talk."

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