Chapter 165: The Midnight Auction (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 165: The Midnight Auction (3)
“...A deal? I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about.”
The moment I said the word 'deal,' any trace of agitation vanished from Lina Hessler's eyes.
Her shift in emotion was so swift it was hard to believe she was the same person who, just moments ago, had watched her maid collapse before her and learned she'd been branded with black magic.
The way she watched me, pretending to reach for her teacup, was quite unnerving.
It's not like she'd find anything out by staring.
“It seems you're quite the suspicious one, Lady Hessler. As a show of good faith, I'll show you one of my cards first.”
I took the lion mask out of my inventory and placed it on the table.
“...?!”
After staring blankly at the mask for a moment, a look of bewilderment crossed Lina Hessler's face.
For the record, the lion mask I wore at the auction had been shattered, so I'd left it there that day. This one was just a souvenir I'd bought off the street.
Though I had been planning to throw it away, since it was just taking up inventory space.
“...Hmph. Sir Henrik, do you have any idea what you've just done?”
“I'm not sure I do.”
“Hah... My father is furious right now. Not only were the three elf slaves he worked so hard to capture stolen from him, but his guards and combat slaves were killed as well. The losses are...”
Thump!
In that instant, the magic power within me expanded, radiating outwards.
I hadn't yet reached the stage where I could exert physical force with my magic, but it was more than enough to pressure an ordinary person like her.
Her face pale, Lina Hessler trembled slightly as her gaze met mine.
“It seems you need to learn to watch your mouth, my lady. 'Elf slaves' and 'stolen'...”
The words "elf slave" brought the faces of Bella, Grace, and Mia to my mind.
In the past, I would have gotten angry solely for Iris's sake, but this was an emotion welling up from my own heart.
“I must ask that you never again refer to elves as slaves in my presence, nor treat any slave as a mere object.”
I had no intention of interfering with this world's culture of slavery.
But my reaction might vary depending on who was involved.
If a healthy man were unjustly enslaved, I'd most likely look the other way, thinking it was none of my business. The same would probably go for an old woman.
But what if it was a beautiful woman or a child?
I might be swayed, or even try to save them. No, I probably would, with a high degree of certainty.
Call me fickle if you want.
That's just human nature.
When I released the magical pressure, Lina Hessler seemed to relax. She took a deep breath and glared at me.
“...I've heard that mages often purchase... no, acquire slaves for human experimentation. I never imagined you, Sir Henrik, would be so concerned with slave rights.”
She voiced her complaint even as she broke out in a cold sweat, but my attention was already elsewhere.
'...Human experimentation?'
The label of "human experimentation" followed mages everywhere.
Even on Earth, some civic groups held protests every weekend to condemn mages for it.
Of course, mages didn't actually conduct human experiments.
It was nothing more than a groundless rumor spread by people ignorant of magic.
Besides, the field of magic that would require human experimentation was mostly alchemy. Would alchemists, who were overflowing with money, really do something so inefficient?
From acquiring subjects to maintaining secrecy, every step was a hassle.
It was far more efficient to offer high wages and conduct clinical trials.
In fact, clinical trial part-time jobs run by alchemists were famous on Earth. The first thing I did after becoming an adult was sign up for one.
I remembered the competition being fierce, as they provided room and board on top of an incredibly high hourly wage.
'Should I consider mages using slaves for human experimentation a unique characteristic of this world?'
I glanced over and my eyes met Iris's.
In that fleeting moment, we both knew we were thinking the same thing.
“You said mages bought slaves. Has this happened often?”
“Pardon?”
Lina Hessler asked, looking dumbfounded.
I suppose it made sense. She'd brought it up to mock me, so she must have been taken aback when I pursued the topic.
But this was important.
Of course, it was possible that the magic system here was different enough from Earth's to require human experimentation.
Or, it could just be a baseless rumor created by people ignorant of magic, just like on Earth.
But the black mage at the auction, the black magic circle on the maid's thigh, and now this talk of human experimentation...
It felt as if this series of events was connected by an invisible chain.
“...I'm not sure I understand your question. I was merely pointing out that wandering mages have purchased slaves in large quantities.”
“Large quantities? How many would you consider a large quantity?”
Just as my suspicion was hardening into certainty, Lina Hessler's brow furrowed, her emotions on full display.
“Hmph... Sir Henrik. Are you trying to test my patience?”
I watched her silently, looking as if she might storm out at any moment.
“How long must I entertain this ridiculous charade? Did you think you could push me around just because I'm a viscount's daughter?”
Though she appeared angry, Lina Hessler's eyes kept darting to the lion mask on the table.
That's when I realized she wasn't truly angry.
She was likely calling out my rudeness to gain the upper hand in our future negotiations.
“I have just cause to have you thrown in prison, Sir Henrik. The only reason I remain seated is out of respect for you. You would do well to remember that...”
“You know, for a noble lady, you don't act much like one. The way you look at people, your little mannerisms.”
I cut her off, holding up my open palm.
A pulsating blue heart materialized, surrounded by four rings of light.
“...A 4th Circle mage?”
A wave of shock, far greater than anything before, washed over her eyes.
“Let's just say we both share the blame for our prior rudeness and move on. I'll get straight to the point.”
I pulled a simple iron sword from my inventory. The blue aura that bloomed along the blade captured her attention.
“If you can keep one promise, I will make you the next Viscountess Hessler.”
You might think I was being reckless, but my current identity was a fake anyway.
If a problem arose, I could just dispel the magic and leave the city.
After that, I could destroy a few major slave caravans and head to the next city.
But to stop elves other than Luna and Elly from being captured, securing the cooperation of the next lord was a much better option.
The risks were greater, but in terms of stability, there was no comparison.
Besides, there was a lot I could gain from her once she inherited the title: information about this world's customs, the international political climate, and the fastest route to the Santala Kingdom.
“...I don't know where you heard such a thing, but I have no intention of inheriting the title. My older brother will succeed our father through the proper procedures.”
“Is that so?”
“I'll pretend I didn't hear what you just said, so...”
“You're surprisingly bad at lying.”
I could still vividly recall how her expression had changed the moment she saw the four rings of magic in my hand.
“Shouldn't you at least try to hide that smile?”
A single flower of hope blooming amidst terrible anxiety and despair—that was the change in the woman named Lina Hessler as she looked at me.
After observing me with a peculiar expression, Lina Hessler must have decided that probing further was a waste of time. She dropped the pretense and leaned back against her chair.
“Could you give me a moment to think?”
I gave a slight nod and leaned back on the sofa, sipping my tea.
It probably wouldn't take long, so there was no need to bother waiting in another room.
About ten minutes later, Lina Hessler spoke, her expression resolute.
“...There is a knight who has reached the high rank of Aura Expert. He is my father and brother's personal guard. Can you take care of him discreetly?”
“An assassination?”
“It's the fastest way.”
“Won't a faster path lead to more complications?”
“That's my problem to handle.”
Her hand, holding the teacup, was perfectly steady.
It meant she had no hesitation about killing her own family.
“If you can take care of my father's guard knight, Sir Henrik, I will handle the rest.”
“You're not going to kill your brother?”
“He's a lower priority. My father is the biggest obstacle right now. Besides, if I go after my brother first, it's hard to predict how my father will react. In the worst-case scenario, he might try to return the title to the royal family or adopt an heir.”
Her words told me which way the succession was leaning.
That must have been why she accepted my proposal, even though it could have been a trap.
“Very well.”
Sylvia would be here soon anyway. A high-rank Aura Expert would be easy enough to deal with if we attacked together.
Pleased by my straightforward answer, Lina Hessler smiled.
“However, I'll take care of it tonight.”
“...Isn't that a bit sudden?”
“There's no need to drag it out.”
“That's true, but...”
Lina Hessler fell into thought again. After a brief moment of consideration, she spoke.
“...Fine. But could you postpone it until after the auction? I want to avoid any trouble at a party with so many distinguished guests.”
It wasn't a difficult request, so I nodded lightly.
“Then, may I hear your demands, Sir Henrik?”
“I'll tell you after the job is done.”
I didn't want to reveal what I wanted just yet.
Once this was over, she wouldn't be able to pretend she didn't know me.
“...That's problematic. I know this isn't something we can put in a contract, but shouldn't we at least confirm each other's demands?”
“Don't worry, I won't ask for anything unreasonable.”
My words carried an unspoken message: 'What are you going to do if I refuse to tell you?' Lina Hessler sighed.
But having come this far, she couldn't back out now, so she said nothing more.
“I'll trust you.”
“I will reward your faith.”
And so, my unplanned negotiation with the viscount's daughter concluded.
All that was left was to wait for nightfall.
“...By the way, how long are you going to keep touching my maid's thigh?”
“Ah.”
My hands have been getting worse lately.