Chapter 73
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Who Asked You to Trust Me?
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1.
At Karrons words, Nur left the reception room with a grave expression.
Only Karron, Cobbler, and the three elves remained.
Young Master, you were of the Leston Ducal Family Th-that Karron Leston?
Cobbler stammered, staring at Karron.
Karron nodded, annoyed.
You know me?
Is there anyone in the Empire who doesnt know your name, Young Master!
Ignoring Cobblers fuss, Karron gazed intently at the elf.
Was it his imagination?
He could find no trace of hostility in her eyes as she looked at him.
Want me to take it off?
Karron gestured to the gag with his chin, and she slowly nodded.
But upon hearing this, Cobbler waved his hands, trying to stop him.
You cant, Young Master! What if she tries to kill herself.
Shinggg.
Gaaah!
Guillotine was out of its sheath in an instant.
The moment Cobbler saw its ominous blue light, he shrieked and fled to a corner of the room.
I have to cut the lock on the gag. That okay? As long as you stay still, there wont be a problem.
The elf nodded once more, and Karron swung Guillotine gently.
Clang!
The blade aura flowing from Guillotine precisely split the gags lock in two. Karron slowly approached her and removed it.
Her bloodied mouth was revealed.
It was a testament to how much she had resisted, how she had tried to take her own life.
Karron took a small bottle from his pocket and uncorked it, pouring the liquid inside into her mouth.
The elf quietly swallowed the liquid.
A moment later, the wounds around her mouth began to heal. Soon, a small voice escaped her lips.
Thank you.
So youre an elf who can speak the human tongue.
Karron nodded and proceeded to destroy the other restraints binding her body.
He couldnt help but notice her emaciated limbs, a clear sign she hadnt been fed properly.
After freeing the elf from her bonds, Karron sat on the sofa and spoke.
Im glad youre calmer than I expected. I was honestly worried youd bite your tongue off the second I removed the gag.
I felt the trace of your kin on you. And the aura of my mother
My mothers aura? Ah, the Dew of the World Tree.
She must have been referring to the Dew of the World Tree that Rebellio had forced him to drink at the Imperial Palace four years ago.
And as for the trace of her kin it seemed Poina had placed some sort of spell on him.
Thats right. I came here at the request of your kin to rescue you. My name is Karron Leston. And yours?
The elf answered cautiously.
Neria.
Neria Alright, Neria. Im going to get you out of here. You can rest easy now.
Perhaps because of the expensive potion, her recovery was remarkably fast.
Karron looked at her and began to ask questions.
How did you get caught?
I was ambushed while subjugating monsters that appeared near the Southern Great Forest.
Outside the forest?
Yes. I was ordered to destroy the monsters habitat. They kept crossing into the Great Forest.
Elves were a race that rarely ventured outside the Great Forest.
For them to have made such a choice meant the scale of the monster infestation must have been quite large.
Karron continued his questions.
Were there other elves captured with you?
I was separated from the others when they got me Oh, and there were knights mixed in with the hunters.
Oh, now thats good information.
Knights were involved?
And from another country, at that?
The southern kingdoms, currently at war, wouldnt have the spare forces. It was highly likely they were knights belonging to Margrave Leandro.
Do you remember their faces?
Not their faces, but I remember their mana.
Thats enough, then.
Elves are born with a natural aptitude for mana, having been born beneath the World Tree, the wood that holds the purest mana.
While they surprisingly lacked talent in swordsmanship, elves tended to achieve great heights in archery, spirit arts, and magic.
Naturally, their ability to discern mana was also exceptional.
Since she remembered their mana, finding them wouldnt be too difficult.
Karron nodded and crooked a finger at Cobbler, who was still huddled in the corner.
Cobbler.
Cobbler reluctantly approached.
You called, Young Master Karron!
Lets do a job together. Since youre already here, if I cause trouble, youre an accomplice, right?
No, how does it work like that?
I can just hide under my familys sturdy roof, but you dont have anything like that. Instead of getting your head chopped off by the Margrave, why dont you throw your lot in with me?
Cobblers voice was fading.
So if you just leave without causing trouble
You said youd do anything for money. Hey, honestly, how long are you going to live like this? This could be the last chance you get in your life to change professions.
Money is money, but I have to be alive to spend it
One hundred thousand gold.
I will serve you with utmost loyalty. How may I be of assistance?
Presented with a sum of money so enormous it could change his entire life, Cobblers attitude shifted instantly.
One hundred thousand gold.
For a mere slave trader like Cobbler, it was an amount he simply couldnt refuse.
Having secured Cobblers full cooperation, Karron spoke in a low voice.
Im going to start a rebellion here.
Could you repeat that, please? Ive been a bit weak lately, so I think I may have misheard you.
A rebellion.
Are you perhaps trying to enact justice after seeing the slave market?
Nope. I just want to start a rebellion.
But why a rebellion all of a sudden
Why, you ask?
Karron tapped his neck with the flat of Guillotines blade and grinned.
It drives me crazy seeing these bastards who sell slaves living so well. They say you get a stomachache when your cousin buys land, so how can I just walk away after seeing this?
He was going to turn this city upside down.
This was no righteous act of justice.
It was purely personal vengeance.
An act born from the dark, sticky emotions etched deep in his mind from his past life as a slave.
These bastards dont deserve a peaceful death.
The mad dogs first move after four years out of the Azure Fortress was rebellion.
2.
After some time, a middle-aged man appeared in the reception room.
Sorry to have kept you waiting.
The middle-aged man who entered the room was dressed in a neat suit.
The suit fit him snugly, clearly revealing his firm, sculpted muscles.
As befitting the Margrave who ruled a border city, Margrave Leandros first impression was that of a natural-born warrior.
A towering height approaching 190 centimeters, supported by a massive frame.
He was a man who exuded an intimidating presence just by being in the room.
Karron rose from his seat and extended a hand.
Karron Leston, Margrave Leandro.
I never imagined such an esteemed guest would visit. Why didnt you stop by the lords castle when you came to Leven? I would have welcomed you warmly.
Margrave Leandro smiled leisurely and took Karrons offered hand.
He then glanced at the elf standing quietly behind Karron.
How does it feel to be the star of the show today, Young Karron?
Not bad.
Haha! I never knew the Mad Dog of the Azure Fortress had such a hobby. Had I known sooner, I would have prepared a different gift for you.
Laughing heartily, Margrave Leandro sat on the sofa.
Hmm, the elf seems more docile than expected. It would have been better if she were like this from the start. Do you have a secret? Id like some help next time I capture an elf.
Is that so? She was quiet from the beginning.
It seems elves have a weakness for handsome faces. Heh heh.
His attitude made no attempt to hide the fact that he was the owner of this slave auction.
Perhaps he thought there was no need for secrets between them at this point.
Margrave Leandro leisurely poured a drink into his glass and offered one to Karron.
Care for a drink?
I had plenty before you arrived, Margrave. Ah, everything I had today is on the house, right? I spent 500,000 gold today, so my pockets are empty.
At Karrons words, Margrave Leandro laughed loudly once more. He gulped down his drink, then slowly nodded.
For those who are about to share a secret, that much is a given. Have more if you wish. I heard from Nur that you plan to pay later.
I cant pay right now. You know the gist of the reason, dont you?
Ive heard rumors of your excellent swordsmanship, Young Karron, but I never expected you to have already amassed a slush fund behind their backs.
His tone was faintly mocking.
Margrave Leandro wiped the drink from his lips with the back of his hand and said with a booming laugh.
Even so, Ill have to ask for some collateral, wouldnt you say?
At those words, Karron casually crossed his legs. He replied with a smile.
Is collateral really necessary? This situation itself is the collateral.
Explain. Why is this situation collateral?
Grand Duke Halos youngest grandson coveted an elf slave at a slave market Youve managed to grab hold of a very attractive weakness. Its a bit disappointing that youd ask for more collateral on top of that. My name carries some weight, doesn't it?
Hahahaha! This one is completely insane. Youd put your familys honor up as collateral?
Not just any familys honor, but the honor of the Leston Ducal Family.
This isnt just 500,000 gold worth of collateral! What a piece of work!
Leandro smiled as he looked at Karron.
Hes rotten to the core.
The young genius who had vanished for four years.
The path this young man had walked four years ago was shocking enough to make him the hope of the Empire.
A level of skill that even he, a 6-Star Knight, couldnt easily grasp.
Considering he was only seventeen this year, he had undoubtedly achieved something incredible.
Has he surpassed 6-Star?
A 6-Star at seventeen.
A talent that could be called unprecedented.
But contrary to his overflowing talent, he seemed to possess a fatal weakness.
Its not logical for someone his age to have a slush fund of 500,000 gold.
This boys father was Peil Leston, the man who currently managed all the ducal familys businesses.
It was obvious he had siphoned his fathers money to create a slush fund.
To think that the one who carried the familys expectations was, in reality, a tumor eating away at it.
Duke Salmon will be so pleased when he hears this news.
The thought alone brought a smile to his lips.
Karron Leston, called the future of the Leston Ducal Family, was actually obsessed with collecting slaves?
The moment that rumor spread, the Leston Ducal Familys momentum would surely be broken.
However, Leandro forced his smile down and spoke to Karron.
Arent you afraid of your family, Young Karron? You seem fearless. What will you do if I go and tattle to Grand Duke Halo right now?
At that, Karron smiled back at Leandro.
Lets just say we each have a secret to bury, shall we?
A secret?
In exchange for you keeping my purchase of a slave here a secret, Ill keep it a secret that you, Margrave Leandro, are running a slave market. I get an elf, which is good for me, and you make money, which is good for you. I believe this is what you call a mutually beneficial relationship.
Karron slowly approached Leandro. He poured a drink into an empty glass, then looked at Leandro and gently raised it.
People call this a good deal. So youll let me pay later, right?
Hearing this, Leandro pretended to consider it for a moment. But only for a moment. He raised his glass and clinked it against Karrons.
Clink.
Since this is our first transaction, I will graciously make a concession. But this is a one-time offer. Understood?
I am grateful for your generosity, Margrave.
You said youre heading to Tebe, so Ill have my men accompany you. No one will dare to challenge you.
These sound less like bodyguards and more like debt collectors.
As you know, the area around Leven is quite dangerous. Surely you wont refuse this as well?
Of course not.
Karron smiled and downed his drink.
The delusion that you hold someone on a leash always invites carelessness.
Foolish bastard.
The crack in this iron-walled city would begin with that very carelessness.