After the Black Moonlight’s "Death Escape" Failed [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: The Wolf and the Whip-Wielder

◎ The Evil Prince Reveals an Evil Smile ◎

“Where is the person?” Jiao Qingyin asked.

Meg stepped aside, and Jiao Qingyin looked down to see a… dog? It looked like a dog, anyway—a creature a size larger than your average canine. Both its hind legs were bleeding, and under the cover of its gray fur, it was impossible to tell if there were other injuries.

It seemed to have barely any breath left, yet upon seeing Jiao Qingyin, it actually found the strength to struggle, baring its teeth to bite the knight closest to it.

“You still dare to move!” that knight barked. Perhaps wanting to show off in front of Jiao Qingyin, he raised his heavy sword, intending to smash it down on the big dog’s front leg.

Jiao Qingyin spoke immediately: “—Stop.”

However, a heavy sword in mid-swing is not easily retracted. Even though the knight moved quickly to change his trajectory, the blade only shifted slightly. In the end, it took Meg flying in with a kick to the blade for the heavy sword to miss the dog entirely.

The knight broke into a cold sweat and dropped to his knees instantly.

Sigh… Jiao Qingyin silently retracted the hand she had raised to intervene. She felt as if kneeling had become a conditioned reflex for these people.

That final struggle had used up the last of the dog’s strength. It slumped on the ground, breathing so shallowly it looked like it would die any moment.

“Can atavism not be cured?” This time, Jiao Qingyin addressed Meg. She always felt Meg was a bit sharper than Liz.

Indeed, Meg was startled for a moment but provided a detailed reply: “Reporting to Your Highness, the Mages’ Tower has stated clearly that atavism is an irreversible sin that must be purified by fire immediately.”

However, there were always rumors among the commoners that demi-human atavism was actually a form of evolution; if one survived the initial period without being burned, it was possible to regain human form. But Meg followed her philosophy of “say less, err less” in front of the Prince and did not mention this.

Nameless, currently pretending to be a fur scarf, flicked her ears. She wondered if there were similarities between her own condition and atavism. She had been alone since she could remember, knowing nothing of her bloodline. Aside from the blood curse on her chest—a likely relic of her family—she had nothing to prove her identity. Could she… have demi-human blood?

The crude and violent methods of this world made Jiao Qingyin, who in her past life had to pass through layers of quarantine just to go outside, frown instinctively. She asked, “Then how do you distinguish between an ordinary animal and an atavistic demi-human?”

The tips of Nameless’s ears twitched faster. This was also something she needed to know. If her beast form had a recognizable flaw, she had to hide it.

However, Meg answered: “After being burned to death, an ordinary animal can be eaten, but a demi-human will revert to human form.”

Jiao Qingyin: “…”

Nameless: “…”

Seeing Jiao Qingyin’s silence, Meg added: “Although intelligence drops after atavism, they are still smarter than ordinary animals and have higher physical strength. If one observes closely, they can be identified.”

In most cases, however, when people encountered a suspicious animal, they chose the pyre directly, wasting no time on identification.

That’s better, Jiao Qingyin thought. At least atavistic demi-humans retained some logic. They weren’t like zombies—biting everything in sight and craving human brains after infection.

“Hmm…” she pondered for a moment. “Bring it back and keep it.”

“Huh? Why?” The knight who had made the mistake earlier blurted out.

Jiao Qingyin glanced at him. He turned pale and shut up instantly, his expression looking as though he were already planning his own funeral.

Meg frowned slightly. She couldn’t understand the Prince’s thinking either. Her Highness had always loathed non-human races; it was strange enough that she bought so many today, but to take back an atavistic demi-human…

She was halfway through her confusion when she felt the Prince’s gaze on her. “You explain it.”

Explain what? Meg was startled. Although she didn’t look up, she read a certain coldness in Jiao Qingyin’s gaze. Her body stiffened immediately. Connecting it to the Prince’s earlier words… Meg “understood.”

“Her Highness feels that atavistic demi-humans are rare… and should be more ‘interesting’ than ordinary slaves…”

Meg explained the “purpose” of this demi-human to the others with a solemn face. In reality, she was completely unsure. These were her guesses; it was possible the Prince had no such intention. But since Her Highness didn’t interrupt her, then… everything she guessed must be true.

Even Meg, who had worked in the manor for years, felt her scalp tingle. The other knights gasped, thinking the Prince was indeed as evil as the rumors said. She… ugh, she wouldn’t even let a dog off the hook.

The evil Prince revealed an evil smile, turned around, and walked away over the red cloak. Nameless lay on her shoulder, feeling that something was definitely off.

Upon returning to the castle, Jiao Qingyin summoned the butler and several key subordinates to arrange the new slaves.

The farm slaves were to pull up the roses in the western garden and plant vegetables instead (Lottis: “…”). The war slaves were handed to Knight Commander Meg to be trained as private soldiers (Meg: “…”). The frail, beautiful slaves were the most numerous; they were all sent to the Head Maid for unified training.

The Head Maid stood next to a hesitant Lottis and Meg. She had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Jiao Qingyin continue:

“By the way, bring those in the tower out as well. Together with the ones already in the castle, train them all together.”

At those words, everyone present snapped their heads up. Jiao Qingyin: “Hmm?” They quickly lowered their heads again.

Seeing this, Jiao Qingyin waved her hand. “If there are no objections, meeting adjourned.”

They hesitated and didn’t leave. Finally, the Head Maid spoke softly: “Your Highness, do these slaves… need to be trained in specific ‘directions’?”

Jiao Qingyin thought for a moment, assuming she was asking about professional specialization. She thought, As expected of the Head Maid, she’s not only experienced but even considering the trainees’ future employment.

She was about to nod when the Head Maid began to explain in detail: “Do you want them to be more submissive, or more defiant? Do I need to specially train different parts of their bodies for…”

Jiao Qingyin: “…”

Nameless flipped over and smacked the back of Jiao Qingyin’s hand with her tail.

Being suddenly struck, Jiao Qingyin realized there was a minor animal present. She quickly stopped the Head Maid’s increasingly derailed speech. “No need. Just train them on how to do chores and clean. They’ll be needed when the castle is remodeled.”

Everyone fell silent.

When was the castle being remodeled? No… did they hear correctly? Did those words really come from Her Highness?

The butler looked at the others. Seeing them all playing deaf and dumb, he had to brace himself and ask cautiously: “Your Highness, the two slaves gifted by His Majesty… are they also responsible for cleaning?” Besides, the castle didn’t need this many people to clean.

Seeing that there were “special connections” among the slaves, Jiao Qingyin said impatiently: “Then have one person responsible for filling the pool with water and the other responsible for pumping it out to see when it can be filled. There’s so much work to do, do I have to teach you every single thing personally?”

Everyone: “…………”