Kisha smiled, understanding their perspective. These were people who had known hardship from a young age. To them, death wasn't something to fear—they had already lived through worse. They had watched their loved ones suffer and die from hunger, powerless to help, burdened by the cruel weight of helplessness.
They knew that the true terror wasn't death itself, but the agony of being unable to protect or provide. In that sense, the idea of this contract didn't seem so different from the life they'd always known—one shaped by dependence on the whims of the rich and powerful. To them, this was simply another step in the ongoing fight to survive.
One by one, starting with Hugo, they agreed. There was no fear in their voices, only a quiet resolve. They knew the price of loyalty, and in the end, they would choose to follow Kisha—come what may.
