Unsettling Bonds

His plain brown hair had matted with streaks of blood.

He stared cautiously toward the gates in the distance.

His sharp gaze suggested that whoever—or whatever—it was might pose a threat.

Following Philip's lead, Sylas leaned out of the carriage window to get a better look.

Sure enough, someone lay sprawled in front of the annex gate.

The blood is already pooling around his motionless body.

"Is that… a Beastman?"

The normally composed Philip forgot himself for a moment, muttering in surprise.

It was difficult to see clearly from a distance, but upon closer scrutiny, the figure appeared to have animal-like ears atop his head.

Judging by the circumstances, it was likely the same Beastman slave who had escaped during the earlier conflict.

How unfortunate, Sylas thought, for the poor creature to collapse right outside the gates of the Di Malvento estate, of all places.