Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: Hassan Goes to the Auction House #2
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Two days after Elfriede's arson incident.
"Hassan, with all the fires breaking out and the mood so tense outside lately, wouldn't it be better to just stay home?"
Luna expressed her concern as I prepared to head out into the streets.
"It's pouring rain too. Why not rest up at home when you're still not fully healed?"
She probably wasn't thrilled about me wandering the streets in the rain, all wrapped up in bandages.
I agreed that staying home and resting was the sensible choice under normal circumstances. But I couldn't just sit this one out.
Today was the first trial for the heinous criminal who had set fire to part of eastern Sodmora—the Arson Witch, Elfriede. As a key witness, I had to be there.
Even without any obligation, since it was Elfriede's trial, I was more than eager to attend.
I had to see with my own eyes what stories unfolded and how things played out.
After all, I was at the center of this incident. So, I needed to show up and demonstrate my own sense of responsibility.
She was dodging questions about her motives for some reason, managing to skirt by for now. But it was only a matter of time before the truth came out.
"It'll probably wrap up quick. Want me to grab some bread on the way back?"
I slipped on a robe coated with special wax to repel the rain over my bandaged body.
It was a raincoat I'd bought for a hefty sum back when exploring the sewers. Saving it for a rainy day like this had been the right call.
Luna didn't try to stop me anymore at that point.
"You don't need to get bread, but since you're heading out anyway, could you do me one favor?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Hold on a sec."
Luna rummaged through a jar on the first floor and pulled out a rainbow-colored spider curled up inside, cradling it in her palm. She held it out to me.
"If you're going out, take Barky for a walk!"
"Wait, what?"
"Barky needs some fresh air, but I've been too swamped the last couple days. I was gonna ask Paranoy, but he's been MIA lately—who knows what he's up to."
Krurrng-.
A rainbow-colored spider the size of a human hand crouched on Luna's palm, growling lowly.
Deprived of its favorite mice lately and stuck on a diet of bland centipedes and bugs, Barky was letting out sharp growls that didn't match its usually docile nature.
Diets make anyone irritable, humans and animals alike, it seemed.
Krurrng, kkyung-kkyung!!
"Barky looks pretty pissed. Maybe leave it home?"
I frowned slightly at the snarling spider. Luna just stroked its back gently with her palm.
"Nah, it's excited about heading out."
"Is that so."
It reminded me of my big spotty dog back home—whenever I geared up for a walk, it somehow knew and went berserk, tail wagging like mad. Was Barky the same?
Grurrr-.
But no matter how I looked at it, this just seemed like a spider going feral from bug snacks.
I'd faced all sorts of beasts and monsters since debuting as an adventurer, but I still couldn't get used to a spider this big sitting on my shoulder.
Take it for a walk? How the hell was I supposed to do that?
"Hassan, make sure you don't lose Barky!"
Oblivious to my thoughts, Luna plopped the massive spider onto my shoulder.
Barky perched there without budging an inch, just growling. I could tell it was fucking furious.
In the end, I stepped outside with this bizarre rainbow wolf spider draped over my shoulder.
Raindrops pelted it as it rode along, but true to its wild roots, it didn't flinch—just sat there unfazed.
Krurrng-.
"Want a mouse or something?"
Kkyung.
I picked up a pebble from the ground and flicked it toward a huddle of rat pups scavenging in a slum alley corner.
Pssshwing-.
The sharp whistle cut the air as the stone nailed one right in the midsection.
Squeak, skreeee!
The rat writhed, shrieking.
It wasn't quite like Hippolyté smashing goblin skulls with stones, but my slinging had reached a respectable level of skill.
Psssh-.
Right then, Barky launched off my shoulder toward the downed rat. Wild beast speed—too fast for my eyes to track.
Spiders really were damn quick. Even without webs, they could snatch cockroaches and overpower speedy prey on foot.
Did Barky have some kind of footwork technique?
Footwork.
The word triggered a memory from last night—Kallidour's talk about footwork secrets.
Train your lower body relentlessly, then stomp the ground repeatedly in an instant for explosive acceleration—like moving in a flash.
Tadak-tadak-.
I tried it his way, stomping rapidly, but it just sounded like clumsy tap-dancing, thudding uselessly.
This world's martial arts and techniques were full of baffling intricacies for me. Probably need a solid month of practice to mimic it halfway decently.
Still, since Kallidour said he didn't share it with just anyone, it was worth the grind.
Lost in those thoughts, Barky returned to my shoulder, having devoured the rat whole.
Grurrng, grurrng-.
It purred in some weird frequency. Cats do that when they're content, I recalled.
"Feeling better now?"
Hioong.
We couldn't talk, but Barky's moods swung fast—sour one minute, sunny the next. Walking a spider like this, a hand-sized monster perched on my shoulder. It hit me anew how surreal it was.
Had I grown as a person?
Grurrng-.
But those blood-red eyes and fangs right by my face sent chills crawling over my skin. Looked like overcoming arachnophobia would take time.
*
*
*
By the time I'd fed Barky a rat or two, we'd reached the city square where Elfriede's trial was set.
Despite the trial time having passed, the vast outdoor amphitheater-like space was deserted.
What the hell?
Did I get the time wrong?
The thought crossed my mind, but then I remembered they might move indoors for rain.
So I headed to the central outdoor square and its adjacent indoor venue. The indoor hall hosted pricey plays and famous musicians—nothing to do with a guy like me.
Wandering lost for a while, Barky raised a front leg, pointing somewhere.
Kkyung-kkyung-.
Suddenly, the entrance came into view. Sneaky little shit—Barky knew the city better than me. Beast instincts picking up on crowds?
Felt weird, but priorities first—I squeezed through the entrance.
Two guards with halberds crossed them in an X, blocking me.
"Who're you?"
"No open entry for the trial. Admission's 10 silver over there."
What? A public trial charging admission? And 10 silver? Who pays to watch a trial?
Waggl, waggl-.
But inside, dozens—no, hundreds?—milled about thickly.
I showed the guards my jade traveler's badge from my pocket. They inspected it, attitudes softening.
"Hassan of Samaria, huh? Official business. Go on in. Trial's just started. Uh, what's that on your shoulder?"
"A spider."
"Yeah, I see that. Whatever, just go."
"Thanks."
I gave a casual nod and pushed inside.
"The defendant admits to the-evening-."
Some guy ranted up front, but no mics or screens in this world—nothing reached or visible from the back rows.
"Excuse me, coming through."
"What the fuck, so damn wet? What're you—."
I wormed through the crowd. My soaked raincoat drew scowls and glares.
Maybe the bandages, my bulk, or Barky on my shoulder—they all shrugged and parted quick.
"Fuckin' walking around with a spider on his shoulder."
"Looks scary as shit."
"Face all bandaged up. Tamer or something?"
They didn't clock me as Samaria's Hassan.
Lately, recognition had been a mix of tiring and flattering. Being treated like a total stranger felt oddly novel.
Anyway, threading past shoulders, I reached the center of the packed citizen square trial.
Beyond the railing, robed figures in odd hats posed on tiered platforms.
Embroidered scales and hammers on their clothes—judges, no doubt.
My own death sentence memory bubbled up, stomach churning.
But the star here wasn't me—it was the pale-faced witch kneeling gagged beyond.
Arson Witch Elfriede. I have committed a grave sin. I am sorry.
A humiliating wooden placard dangled from her neck.
Bruises everywhere, hair a tangled mess—clear signs of the past two days' "interrogation."
No room for soft human rights in this world's legal grind.
Only her eyes burned undimmed, ready to torch everything if the gag came off.
A black-robed man with a long staff spoke.
"Thus, Pana Tello, prosecutor for Sodmora's city council, seeks the death penalty for the defendant, Elfriede Desmond."
Cheers and gasps erupted. Folks hurled tomatoes and veggies at her.
Splat.
"Witch!"
"Die!"
Clang-.
Her white hair stained redder. What the hell was I seeing? Elfriede getting pelted by the crowd.
Maybe the rain, my throbbing burns, or Barky rustling on my shoulder—my brain lagged catching up to reality.
"Death! Death-!"
"Witch! Hang her!"
Unlike my daze, the hall overheated like a blaze spreading.
Guards stationed around spread palms to calm the mob, but they just swore helplessly.
"My laundry line outside burned up! Full of fabrics!"
"Our fence went up too. Cost a fortune, fuck!"
"My skin's all charred! I'm even uglier now!"
"Jimmer, you were already black and ugly."
"Was I?"
East district victims, by the look—wealthy types in long wigs and ornate canes.
Mostly balding, pot-bellied middle-aged rich guys. Ladies fanning noble mouths.
Trials were stone-throwing festivals, prime entertainment in this world.
My trial had slum idiots chucking rocks— this was tame by comparison.
10-silver entry kept out the riffraff; only bearded, face-saving types filled the seats.
As I mused, the head judge on the highest dais slammed his gavel.
"Silence! We've heard the prosecution."
The thunderous bangs—fueled by beefy arms—hushed the chaos instantly.
Not rule-following, just primal fear. Damn, judge looks strong. Power breeds authority, huh.
"Defendant, proceed with your final defense."
He nodded; attendants removed her gag.
"...Nothing to say. Do what you want."
"Your Honor, the defendant's insolence mocks this sacred court!"
"Prosecutor, quiet. So, you admit your crimes?"
"...Think what you want."
"Hmm. And no rebuttal to claims of accomplices?"
"Accomplices?"
Elfriede's eyes narrowed briefly. She scanned the crowd, gaze brushing mine.
Could she spot me amid this throng? Bandages masking my face, ridiculous wolf spider on shoulder?
Heart skipped— but her eyes slid past.
"No accomplices. I did it alone. Set the fires myself."
Sighs rippled. Judge hammered again.
"Why? There must be a reason. Cooperate, and we may reduce the sentence."
"Why does a witch need a reason? I just... didn't like everything. That's it. No more to say. All me."
She clammed up. Prosecutor and judge prodded, but silence.
"Normally, three sessions. But with full admission, no need to drag. Verdict—."
Death for Elfriede, ultimately.
"But per our merciful kingdom's laws, even heinous criminals deserve rehabilitation. As proxy for just Jupiter, I sentence her to slavery."
Thud, thud, thud-.
Good. Let the games begin.
Fine merchandise promised fun times.
Gavel boomed like world-shattering, vibe shifting. Abacuses clicked; someone announced.
"Per reports, damages: 200 gold, 25 silver, 63 copper. Bidders start at 200 gold base."
The trial's real thrill—slave auction time.
Elfriede's flimsy free-person rights revoked; now just merchandise.
[Afterword] Auction house... episode...!!! Time to reap all those breadcrumbs I scattered...!!!!
Sodmora residents hit by that freak summer fire...!!! Proper compensation coming soon, so stay calm and get back to work...!!!
Light-hearted vibes incoming...!!