"No, Kael, it's not your fault! So don't apologize. The real problem is that trap being set there in the first place! Um… is it okay if I ask about Mr. Varek?"
Rafayel asked hesitantly.
"Yes… Aphy, go find out more about Elia's whereabouts. I'll explain the rest to Rafayel in the meantime."
Aphy bowed and said, "Understood," before leaving the room.
"As for my uncle… do you remember what I said during our self-introductions at the academy?"
Rafayel nodded silently.
"Until the reign of the previous king's predecessor, beastman had the same rights and noble ranks as humans. But under the previous king, they were reduced to slavery. That king never saw beastkmam as equals—only as servants or slaves. Thankfully, the current king abolished the beastman slavery system, but that was only about twenty years ago. I was lucky enough not to have lived through that era… but my uncle wasn't.
