Artist's commentary
Having Defeated the Demon Lord, the Hero's Next Task is Perpetuating His Descendants Tonica Age 1ā
Due to the threat of the Demon Lord, a large number of children lost their place to belong, and were then used as slaves for such things as manual labor and prostitution.
This girl is one of them; having lost both parents, she left the village after their funeral and then was caught by a slave trader as she was leaving one of the neighboring countries.
Smart for her young age and still possesing her youthful cuteness, she caught the slave trader's eye.
While watching the slaves of similar age be worn down and broken around her, she continued to smile as the slave trader ordered her to.
She got used to smiling.
After all, after being separated from her parents' side, the only way she could continue to live was by currying the favor of others.
She was, unforunately, far too clever for her own good.