Chapter 109 - Kept
"Hello, Lord Frey. Thank you for visiting our slave market."
"...Yeah."
I snapped back to reality only after the guide summoned by the security captain approached and greeted me warmly. I responded in a low voice.
"But who is the lady beside you..."
"I'll vouch for her."
"...Understood."
I watched the guide bow his head and slowly walk ahead, then quietly began following him with Perloché.
...Perloché is hiding something.
In the ensuing silence, I quietly began pondering about Perloché.
And it's something very important.
She knows about the existence of the Demon God, occasionally flashes a chilling gaze, and... even has memories of the past.
She might just be a crucial key.
That's why I'd love to sneak into her subconscious with Kania while she's asleep, but since she's a saintess, she resists Kania's black magic, leaving me no choice.
So, once Serena returns to the academy, I should consult her about Perloché.
"Yes, this area holds other races from the Western Continent."
"...Hmm."
Lost in those thoughts as I walked quietly, the guide pointed to the iron cages on the right and began his explanation.
"Unlike the Southern Continent where the Sunrise Empire is located, the Western Continent is home to 'other races' different from humans. Elves, beastkin, dragonkin, and so on... creatures straight out of myths."
"So this is where you keep the other races?"
"That's right. Of course, the thrill of enslaving those noble mythical beings isn't easily obtained, so the prices are exceedingly high."
With a snap of his fingers, the dark interior of the iron cage lit up.
"This is the elf corner! Care to buy one? We even take pre-orders for VIPs like you, Lord Frey..."
"Pass."
I refused swiftly, and the guide smacked his lips with a regretful expression.
"Sigh... Elf slaves have suddenly lost popularity lately. I wonder if some ridiculous rumor is circulating."
"Enough. Next corner."
I needed to survey as many sections as possible before drawing suspicion, checking for any changes from previous loops.
Urging the guide along, he let out a deep sigh and pointed left.
"Over there are the beastkin. Catkin, rabbitkin, foxkin, etc... Honestly, for creatures with animal ears, they're hardly different from humans, so they're quite popular."
"Hmph."
Looking where he pointed, I saw catkin beastkin in rags, their eyes lifeless.
Covered in whip marks and wounds, they seemed to have been treated harshly.
"All females?"
"There are males too. We're just showing them according to gender preferences."
"But is it okay to handle the merchandise that roughly?"
I scowled deeply at the sight of what looked like a mother and daughter catkin beastkin, battered and clinging to each other, and posed the question.
"No issue. It's all from magic whips, so it'll heal in a few days. Just momentary pain remains."
"Hm..."
I frowned at his words, while the guide led us forward.
"And here... the highlight: dragonkin! It was hell to acquire them!"
"All hatchlings?"
"Yes, adults are useless as slaves. Too powerful."
"Forced polymorph?"
"As expected, an expert in this field. The magical shackles and collars there enforce it. It'll hold until adulthood."
The guide then led us downward with Perloché.
"This is the most premium stock... The lower level has mongrels and commoners. Care to see?"
"Yeah. I'm combing through the whole place today."
"Understood. Then..."
"Please, there has to be some way!"
As we descended with the guide beaming like he'd hooked a sucker, a shrill voice suddenly echoed from somewhere.
"This is problematic."
"Please! I beg you!!"
Something was going on. I needed to check.
......
"We merely followed the rules."
"Rules?"
"Yes, the rule that the highest bidder takes the slaves."
In the dim corridor, someone in a sky-blue robe was speaking to the staff in a trembling voice.
"Unless you outbid the current highest offer, we can't sell them to you."
"H-How much is the highest bid?! I'll pay more!"
"Well..."
As the robed woman shouted, pointing at the slaves, the staff quietly checked the manifest and spoke.
".....!"
Hearing the amount, the woman froze on the spot.
"These slaves must really catch your eye. Same price as the top-floor premium ones."
"Urgh..."
The woman ground her teeth quietly, and the staff patted her shoulder.
"Give it up already. Keep interfering like this, and... we'll have to take measures."
"...Viewing is fine, right?"
"Of course."
The staff permitted the dejected woman to observe, then stepped aside and muttered irritably.
"Jeez, how did a penniless beggar like her even get VIP status..."
Glancing warily at the staff, the woman cautiously approached the slaves in the cage.
"Kids, it's me."
She smiled as she spoke, but the imprisoned slaves merely hung their heads with dead eyes.
Clang! Clang!
"...Ah."
Puzzled by their reaction, she tapped the cage and realized a transparent barrier blocking sight and sound had been installed since yesterday.
"...Don't worry too much. The plan is proceeding as scheduled."
Standing dazed, staring at the slaves inside for a long while, she began murmuring softly.
"Just like I said last time, I enchanted the cabinet with escape magic. Before the auction opens, use it to slip away unnoticed, return quietly to the kingdom, and..."
"How much for these slaves?"
"Eek?!"
Interrupted mid-soliloquy by someone appearing beside her, she let out a startled yelp.
"Wh-Who are you?"
"Here's my visitor pass."
The staff approached the suspicious man nearing the cage, checked the pass he presented, nodded, and asked.
"Verified. How may I assist?"
"You don't know me?"
"Pardon?"
"Don't you know who I am?"
The man spoke bluntly, scratching his head briefly before the staff bowed apologetically.
"My apologies. I'm from the Eastern Continent, so... Judging by your attire, you seem like nobility from the Southern or Western Continent, but I don't know the details."
"I see."
The man nodded quietly, then spoke up.
"Reserve all these slaves."
"Pardon?"
"Didn't you say the highest payer takes them?"
With that, he handed over a scroll inscribed with a magic circle.
"So add me to the manifest."
"...Ah, understood."
Uncertain of the man's identity but recognizing the scroll's immense golden value upon touching it, the staff instantly shifted demeanor, fawning as he spoke.
"Then, we'll transfer ownership to you. Here's the enchanted slave contract."
Taking the contract, the man smiled and addressed him.
"I'll take them all on auction day, so treat them accordingly to my bid until then. Or face the consequences."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
After intimidating the staff, the man turned to the guide waiting nearby with a pleased grin.
"Continue the tour."
"Ah, it's guide shift change now. Please browse here a moment. Another guide will arrive shortly."
Nodding, the man glanced lingeringly at the slaves he'd just bought.
"Um, excuse me."
"Hm?"
The woman, fidgeting anxiously while watching him, finally spoke up cautiously.
"You... buying these slaves?"
"Something like that."
"Um, could we talk?"
With that, she quietly removed her robe.
"Let me introduce myself properly. I am..."
"I know who you are."
"Pardon?"
"Princess of the Cloud Kingdom."
Her sky-blue hair and eyes trembled at his words.
"You, who are..."
"Frey Raon Starlight. In charge of buyouts for this operation."
"Ah..."
Introducing himself, Frey smirked.
"Anyway, I've bought the slaves, so no worries."
"Th-Thank you..."
"Thank me for what?"
"For saving our kingdom's royals..."
As Aisi spoke with a trembling expression, Frey replied shamelessly.
"Skip the thanks. Now, what can the Cloud Kingdom do for me?"
"......You don't mean?"
Aisi stared at Frey suspiciously, but he smiled.
"Why the surprise? We're both serving the Demon King."
"I-I'm not serving! I was just blackmailed!"
"Sure. But will the world buy that excuse once they learn the Cloud Kingdom royals' true nature?"
Frey pointed to the note on the cage.
"...The Cloud Kingdom royals are half-human, half-demonkin."
"Eek."
"No idea how they ended up listed as merchandise without their disguises... but crucially, I know their secret no one else does. Your life and your kingdom's are in my hands."
Patting Aisi's shoulder, Frey continued.
"So, let's meet often. Princess."
"Grr."
Aisi ground her teeth at Frey but couldn't retort, lowering her head silently.
"Lord Frey, I'll guide you from here."
"A woman? I like it. Free after work?"
Ignoring Aisi entirely, Frey flirted with his new female guide as they walked away.
"See? What did I tell you? The Empire can't be trusted."
"...Shut up."
Aisi, head bowed in place for a while, snapped irritably as a ruby aura rose from her body with a soft voice.
"Aisi. Stop resisting me and accept my power. Saving your family would be trivial then..."
"I don't need your power. The escape plan is already set."
"That cabinet you can enter but not exit?"
"A bit more effort, and it'll be bidirectional."
Defying the inner voice, Aisi placed a hand on her chest, beginning to conjure something.
"...Frozen Heart. The curse slowly freezing your heart—one I placed on you."
"I said shut up."
"Finally planning to transfer it? Well, without it, you'll die in years."
"Just a contingency blackmail tool. If things go well, I'll reclaim it."
With that, Aisi slowly extracted an ice bird forming from her chest.
"This curse—I can take it back anytime."
"But once transferred, you can't reclaim it."
"Lies."
About to release the bird, Aisi addressed the inner voice coldly.
"Everything you've said since childhood was a lie. How much regret have I felt from trusting and acting on your words?"
"This time it's true..."
"Demon King, evil spirit, or mere hallucination—who knows. But I'm done being your plaything."
With that, Aisi smiled coldly and released the bird from her hand.
"Frey Raon Starlight, as rumored—a true villain."
Endless laughter echoed from within her.
......
Crack!!
"Hm?"
Walking the corridor with the guide and Perloché, Frey whipped around sharply at the breaking sound behind him.
"...What?"
But nothing was there.
".....?"
Only Perloché, arm outstretched.
"What're you doing?"
"A mouse on my arm! Save me!"
"...Sigh."
Frey eyed Perloché perplexedly, but as she trembled, he sighed and walked on.
"Help me, Frey! We're partners! Rub my arm!"
As Frey walked away, Perloché shouted desperately, then smiled, slowly opening her hand.
Whoosh...
Staring at her hand, she murmured not with her usual vacant smile, but a cold one.
"...Kept."
From her hand trickled shards of an ice bird, shattered by gripping it with the Sun God's Blessing.