Arrest (2)
‘What the hell is this guy?’
Depi felt fear rising from the Ellen standing before him. At first glance he had written the boy off as some glory-hungry brat. Reality had proven otherwise.
‘I’ve fought plenty of Magic Assistants. Even greenhorn mages who still need to chant, I can handle.’
Against a mage, all you had to do was close the distance. Force them into melee before they could finish a spell and nine times out of ten they froze long enough for you to open their throat.
‘But this bastard doesn’t even chant.’
Ellen’s lips never moved. That did not mean he was not using magic. Fire and lightning simply erupted from the tips of his fingers at every gesture.
‘Close combat doesn’t work either.’
Chant or no chant, the plan had been simple: dodge the magic and get inside his guard. Reach him with the greatsword and it would be over.
He had even slipped past a lightning bolt and closed the gap, certain of victory. Instead the boy had blocked with some bizarre body technique and counterattacked on the spot.
‘Is he a monster?’
Depi’s eyes flicked left and right, hunting for any opening.
“Let’s finish this.”
A thin streak of light lanced toward him—the attack that worried him most. One hit from that would punch a clean hole straight through flesh and bone.
Depi cut diagonally, dodging the beam while using the motion to launch himself forward.
‘He leaves the biggest opening right when he fires that light. I’ve been waiting for this.’
A faint smile curved Ellen’s lips.
‘He’s… smiling?’
Unease crawled up Depi’s spine.
In a blur Ellen vanished and reappeared behind him. Depi felt the chill on the back of his neck and dropped low. A fist whistled over his head; a solid hit would have knocked him cold.
‘Big attacks always leave openings.’
Depi swung his greatsword at the exposed flank created by the punch—or tried to.
Something was wrong.
He had watched the fist pass overhead with both eyes. So what was this elbow now dropping like a hammer?
A sickening crack exploded through his skull, as if an axe had split his crown.
“Urgh—”
“Take a little nap.”
Cold floorboards pressed against his cheek. Ellen’s voice seemed to come from very far away. Vision blurred, darkened.
Bind.
Confirming Depi was out cold, Ellen bound him securely.
“Over there!”
“Get that bastard!”
“The boss just got wrecked by that kid!”
A pack of gang members spotted him.
‘They’re even lining up for me. How thoughtful.’
While Gavin led the civilians to safety, he kept roaming the fortress, drawing the gang’s attention. Thanks to that, Ellen only ever ran into groups of ten or so.
“Aaaaaagh!”
“It’s a mage!”
“Move! We have to run!”
Two casual gestures from Ellen and the entire group was finished.
‘This section’s about cleaned up.’
Using the same method he had employed on Enis, he had people escape through tunnels.
‘Almost everyone’s out by now.’
He felt the clone he had linked arrive at the exit hole it had prepared.
“Surround the fortress!”
“Don’t let a single one slip away!”
Right on cue the Thorn Unit arrived with Cabin.
‘Faster than I expected. Then again, they had the seal—they must have left immediately.’
Ellen grabbed the unconscious Depi by the scruff. The man’s body hung limp.
‘Now I just have to string them all up like dried fish.’
His head felt ready to split. Even the worst hangover of his life had never hurt this badly.
“Ugh…”
A groan slipped out before he could stop it.
‘How the hell…’
A sharp crack.
The world tilted sideways as his face went numb.
“What…?”
“Should I give you a few more first?”
The voice slicing into his ear snapped Depi fully awake. Fragments of last night’s nightmare crawled back into place. His vision cleared.
And he finally saw his situation.
“Please spare me!”
He dropped face-first onto the floor. With his hands bound behind him the posture was awkward and undignified.
“Of course I’ll spare you.”
Ellen hauled him upright. Four men came into Depi’s view.
“Demion, this one will help with the plan I mentioned.”
“Understood. The Thorn Unit will follow Baron Veritati, who carries the royal command.”
Ellen turned back to Depi.
“Answer every question honestly and immediately. Clear?”
“Y-yes, I underst—”
A vicious slap rocked Depi’s head. His cheek immediately swelled red.
“Too slow.”
“Understood!”
Depi could barely think straight. None of this made sense. One thing, however, was crystal clear.
‘If I’m even a second late, this monster will kill me.’
“There’s a deal scheduled for tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, there is.”
Depi answered before Ellen even finished the sentence.
“Good. Who’s attending?”
“W-well, that is…”
Another slap landed the instant he hesitated. Blood seeped from a split lip.
“Who’s coming?”
“Several people. The notable ones are Garet of the Hadell Trading Company, Gale of the Riodi Trading Company, Baron Camello, Baron Denny, and…”
Depi’s voice trailed off. Terrified of another blow, he hunched his shoulders high.
“If you don’t spit it out right now, it won’t stop at your face.”
Murderous intent flooded Ellen’s eyes. Depi’s entire body broke out in goosebumps.
“And Viscount Cliff.”
“Ah.”
Demion let out a quiet sound of surprise. He had not expected figures of that caliber to be tangled in the trafficking ring.
“You want to live?”
“If you spare me I’ll never touch this business again. I swear!”
The answer came faster than ever.
“Then tomorrow’s deal goes ahead exactly as planned.”
“What?”
“Act like nothing happened. We need to catch every last one of them on site. Succeed, and I’ll let you all live.”
At the word “live,” Depi slammed his forehead to the floor again.
“Thank you! Thank you so much! From now on I’ll live clean, I promise!”
“Tell me that again after tomorrow succeeds.”
Ellen left Depi prostrate and stepped outside.
‘All the traps are set. Now we wait. I’ll grind the noses of those bastards who treat commoners like livestock into the dirt.’
“It’s been a while, my lord.”
“The ones I bought last time grew boring.”
“Understandable. Word is we have some excellent new stock this time.”
“Looking forward to it.”
The following night the auction house opened right on schedule. Masked figures watched the stage with greedy eyes. One of them stared with particularly oily hunger. Beside him Depi was explaining something with great energy.
“The final auction item will begin at midnight. We’ve prepared thoroughly, so Your Lordship can save your coin for that one alone.”
“If you’re that confident, then yes—that’s all I need to see tonight.”
Depi flicked a glance toward a subordinate waiting behind the stage—the signal to begin.
“First, allow me to thank all the distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence. I am Akan, your auctioneer for the evening. You’ve waited long enough, so let’s begin at once.”
Women were led onto the stage. The eyes behind the masks grew even filthier.
“Just looking at them, tonight’s merchandise is exceptional. We shall commence.”
The auction raced toward its climax. With every successful sale Viscount Cliff’s anticipation deepened. His gaze kept drifting to the clock.
When the mana-powered clock finally struck midnight, Akan’s voice rose again.
“The quality has been so high that the bidding wars lasted longer than expected. At last, allow me to introduce the final item.”
Akan gestured. The last woman stepped into the light.
“Ooh…”
Low murmurs of appreciation rippled through the crowd.
“Hooh.”
Cliff was no exception. His nostrils flared.
“Is she not exquisite? Bidding starts at ten gold.”
The masked men began shouting over one another.
“Eleven gold!”
“Eleven gold, we have eleven!”
“Twelve!”
“Twelve gold. Do I hear more?”
“Fifteen!”
“Jumping three gold at once—fifteen! Looking at her, I can hardly blame you.”
Akan’s mouth worked nonstop, effortlessly tracking the overlapping bids.
“Fifty gold.”
At last Cliff spoke.
“F-fifty gold! An extraordinary sum! Does anyone care to challenge? No one? Then the item goes to Guest Number Thirteen. Going once… twice…”
Bang. Bang. Bang.
“Sold! The final item belongs to Guest Number Thirteen!”
Akan brought the gavel down. Hot breath practically steamed from Cliff’s nostrils.
“Bring her here this instant. I’m taking her right now.”
Cliff looked ready to vault onto the stage himself.
In that instant every light spell illuminating the platform winked out.
Darkness swallowed the stage—except for a single remaining spotlight.
And standing in that circle of light was Ellen.
“Yes. Right now. Straight to prison.”
Vines erupted from the floor and coiled around Cliff’s body.
At the same moment the doors burst open and the Thorn Unit stormed in.
“Not one of them leaves this place!”
“Preserve the entire scene!”
“Everything here is evidence!”
The masked guests panicked and tried to flee.
Ellen’s magic and the Thorn Unit’s coordination left none of them free.
“What is the meaning of this?! Depi, say something!”
Cliff bellowed at the top of his lungs.
“Kindly keep your voice down. What exactly have you done that warrants shouting?”
Ellen walked right up to the man’s face.
“You… who the hell are you?”
“Baron Veritati.”
Cliff’s expression went blank. He had heard the name.
“Don’t tell me—Remi Veritati?”
“I’m honored you remember my full name. You really didn’t need to.”
“How dare a lowly baron—”
Cliff’s eyes turned bloodshot. His entire body shook with rage and humiliation.
“Human trafficking is strictly forbidden under Prode Kingdom law. You will pay for your crimes. Demion, take him away.”
“Yes, sir.”
Demion personally shackled the viscount.
“Demion, you should still be stationed in Crishu.”
“I received a royal command. Viscount Danan Cliff, I will also escort the royal military police. Your cooperation is appreciated.”
At the words “royal command,” Cliff’s head drooped. The reality of his situation finally sank in; he said nothing more.
‘These so-called nobles…’
Ellen clicked his tongue as the prisoners were dragged out. From behind, the brothers Gavin and Cabin approached.
“That was truly incredible.”
They had been stunned when they learned Ellen was a noble. Whether they had known or not hardly mattered; speaking casually to a noble could have gotten them executed on the spot. Yet Ellen had never cared in the slightest. That attitude put the brothers at ease.
“It was thanks to you two. I appreciate it.”
“Not at all. Baron Veritati’s performance was the most impressive of all.”
Their eyes shone as they looked at him.
He’s genuinely amazing.
Skill, character—everything about him is exceptional.
Ellen decided the time had finally come to broach the real topic.
“Gavin, Cabin. Would you two like to come with me?”
“What do you mean by that?”
Gavin tilted his head.
“I want exclusive rights to every piece of information you sell.”