Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: City of Desire and Despair (8)
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When they had fallen into slavery and tasted utter misery, Solen and Andrea had sworn an oath.
If they regained their freedom, they would surely exact revenge.
It wasn't just about killing those who had captured and tortured them.
It was about destroying the black market of Akella City—and the slave market within it.
That was their deepest wish.
And now, Martin, the second son of the Adalbert family, had declared he would do it himself.
"...Anyone can talk a big game. But you apologized to us right away and destroyed the magic circles binding us. At the very least, I acknowledge you're different from the humans I've encountered so far."
"Only now admitting I'm different? Your standards are way too stingy."
"I can't help it. Every human I've dealt with has been utterly vile. At least the Adalbert family has a high reputation even among us elves. If you're their second son, then even as a human, you deserve one chance to prove yourself."
"That's good enough for me."
Hearing Solen's reply, Martin turned to Andrea.
The old dwarf spoke up.
"I share the same view as this high elf. I can't trust you based on a few words alone, but for the sake of the Adalbert family's reputation, I'll give you one shot. As the second son of a prestigious house, you won't break a promise made in your family's name."
"Of course not. Then let's get along for now, both of you. Like it or not, we'll be together until we join up with your kin. Just keep those collars on until we leave the city. We don't want any bugs swarming us."
Solen and Andrea nodded readily.
They no longer shot him hostile glares.
Martin was satisfied with that.
He hadn't expected to win them over with mere words from the start.
Their hatred for humans ran too deep for that.
The same would apply to the elves and dwarves they were about to join.
'No problem.'
Rescuing the elves and dwarves, and ultimately destroying the slave market.
That would give him the chance to build rapport with elves and dwarves alike.
It was just step one.
Step two, walking together, had its own preparations, so there was no need to rush.
Thinking of the events to come, Martin turned to leave the room.
But he stopped almost immediately.
"Martin."
"Ahh. Looks like more trouble's brewing."
Sien spoke with a grim expression, and Martin shook his head.
The reason was simple.
Ever since entering the black market, his detection net had snagged multiple intruders.
"Total of twenty-two. They've surrounded the mansion."
"Skill level?"
"All comparable to regular knights."
"So, a proper knight order?"
"Hmm. Their movements are too disorganized for that. Probably mercenaries bought with coin. The real issue is their employer... Though honestly, anyone who showed up here wouldn't be above pulling something shady."
Martin gave a wry smile.
Everyone at the slave auction boasted immense wealth.
Hiring experts was child's play for them.
Plus, from the lion-masked troublemaker onward, they'd all shown their desire to own the high elf and dwarf, so the motive was clear.
Then it happened.
-Hear me, number twelve!-
The lion mask's voice shook the mansion.
Sien frowned once she identified the voice.
"See? I warned you. This guy's the type to come crawling back for revenge."
"That's why I let him live in the first place."
"You're not sparing him this time, right?"
"Of course not. He should be grateful I didn't end his pathetic life then, but he spat on that mercy."
"That's exactly what I mean. That fool's really cutting loose thinking his backing will save him. As if he hasn't already been disowned by his family."
"Sure, his background's solid on paper. Most people would hesitate to touch him."
"But you're not most people, are you?"
"Exactly his greatest misfortune. Time to show him loud and clear: a flimsy background is no shield."
"You sure? I could handle this lot myself."
"I just need to stretch my legs a bit. Got some stress built up. Go on ahead without me, Sien."
"Sigh. Fine."
With that, Sien left the mansion alongside Solen and Andrea.
Martin was alone now.
"Hoo."
Ever since arriving at the slave market, his mood had soured.
He hated the air here, and above all, having to watch these scum.
He'd deal with them all eventually, but for now, he'd vent a little frustration.
With that resolve, Martin donned his mask again.
He flicked his right hand.
Crash!
One window shattered outright, and Martin stepped forward without pause.
He then used Distortion of All Things to manipulate the air, wrapping wind around his body.
Maintaining that, he leaped outside and landed steadily on the ground.
"Hey, employer. This ain't what we signed up for. How's that guy a 'regular noble'? Moving like that in midair takes at least five circles."
"If he can straight-up fly, I'm out. Not risking my neck for pocket change."
The adventurers hired by the lion mask grumbled.
They'd taken the job expecting an easy mark—a weak noble brat—but now their lives were on the line.
No way they'd take it well.
"If you grab those two runts, I'll triple your pay. That good enough?"
"Whoa, this employer's got deep pockets. Still bailing if it's seven circles."
"A seven-circle powerhouse ranks in the empire's top hundred easy. You think one of those would poke around a dump like this?"
"Yeah, fair point."
"Mister, we don't know who you are, but don't take it too hard."
"If our wallets were fatter, we'd have let you live."
The adventurers glared at Martin, radiating killing intent.
Emboldened, the lion mask spoke confidently.
"Hand over the elf and dwarf now, number twelve. Do that, and I'll spare your life."
"Aren't you awfully cocky for trash who couldn't do shit on his own? Hell, you had less cash than me and couldn't even snag what you wanted. What makes you so special?"
"...I guarantee you won't die easy. That bitch by your side neither."
"That's my specialty. Let's see who's better at it."
A cold smirk curled Martin's lips.
Unmistakable mockery.
"Kill him now!"
Whoosh!
At the lion mask's order, the hired adventurers charged as one.
Each coating their weapons with aura.
"Be grateful, all of you. You'll learn that money isn't everything."
Instead, he'd collect their tuition in blood.
Still sneering, Martin clenched his fists tight.
* * *
Martin calmly assessed the adventurers.
Their movements weren't just visible—they telegraphed every step and strike.
Based on that, he decided his counters and circulated mana.
Distortion of All Things merged with golden aura in both hands, thrust forward along Rota-style martial forms.
Boom!
"Arghhh!"
Overwhelming force smashed the lead adventurer in one blow.
The target swung his sword in panic, but it was futile.
The aura-infused blade shattered first, and the golden strike pulverized his body in a blink.
The unexpected turn threw the adventurers into real panic.
"Patrick! What the hell was that hit?!"
"Damn it! Don't clash head-on!"
Whirr.
In that moment, Martin teleported.
He vanished in an instant, amplifying their chaos.
"S-spatial transfer!"
"You bastard! If you're giving intel, give the full picture!"
Their fury turned toward the lion mask.
But they had no time for distractions.
Crack!
Martin reappeared, seizing one adventurer's neck and snapping it with Distortion of All Things.
"Here, catch."
No sooner said than he punched the fresh corpse.
It rocketed like a cannonball, slamming into the charging adventurers.
"Guh!"
"Urk!"
They didn't die.
Just lost balance from the impact, staggering.
But that brief window was plenty.
For Martin to claim their lives.
He elbowed one head into pulp, then drove his right fist into another's heart, crushing it.
"Die!"
The sole four-circle adventurer lunged in frenzy.
Thrusting an aura blade at Martin's back.
Clatch.
As if waiting, Martin spun and grabbed the wrist.
Then twisted the entire arm with Distortion of All Things.
"Gyaaah!"
The man screamed in agony.
Pain forced his sword free, beyond his will.
Clunk.
Martin toed the fallen blade up.
It flipped into the air; he caught the hilt and swung horizontally with ease.
The golden-aura-coated edge sliced the throat smoothly.
"I'll put it to good use."
Whiiir!
Wind gathered around the blade.
Golden aura melted into it.
The sight alone instilled dread.
"What is that monster?!"
"Outta the way! Run!"
The adventurers chose flight.
Martin chuckled.
"They really think they can escape?"
Pathetic, clinging to hope despite the clear gap in skill.
He'd have begged for mercy in their shoes.
Not that he'd grant it.
Martin swung the sword lightly.
Kwa-kwa-kwa!
The whirlwinds split into dozens, lashing the adventurers.
Realizing evasion impossible, they resisted—but futilely.
Contact with the golden vortexes tore weapons and flesh asunder.
Clang.
The sword shattered as the assault ended, unable to withstand the strain.
Undeterred, Martin advanced on the sole survivor: the lion mask.
"Hii!"
The lion mask yelped, collapsing to the ground.
Tremble.
He desperately wanted to flee, but his legs wouldn't move.
His sweat-soaked body shook uncontrollably.
Martin kicked his face.
"Guuk!"
Pinned the throat with his right foot, then toed off the mask with his left.
Revealed was a handsome man in his early thirties.
Sharp eyes gave a sleazy vibe, though.
"So it was you after all, Simon Lois."
Martin drawled the name leisurely.
Just as expected.
"The Lois Marquisate is solid backing, sure. And you're the current marquis's own grandson. Though that's just one out of those twenty-odd."
"K-kill me, and my family will never forgive you!"
"You're already blacklisted by the marquis, stripped of succession rights. Doubt the Lois family'll stick their neck out for trash like you. Right?"
"Uwaaak!"
Martin pressed down; Simon wailed piteously.
But terror outweighed the pain, gripping him utterly.
His heart felt ready to burst.
"You know me, so you know my father too! He'll avenge me for sure!"
"I'm not scared of the current marquis—think I'd fear your old man, who lost the succession fight? Threatening me still? You never learn."
"Aaaak!"
Simon's screams intensified.
The slow crunch of his neck bones echoed endlessly.
"I-I was wrong! Please spare me!"
"Tch. I already gave you one chance, Simon Lois. You threw it away and attacked us instead. I can see exactly what you'd pull next—how could I let you live?"
"N-never again! Mercy, just once!"
"Put yourself in my shoes. Would you give a second chance? Or tie up loose ends clean?"
"That..."
Simon couldn't answer.
He'd have killed outright.
Martin grinned and bore down harder to snap the neck.
But only for a moment.
"I don't know who you are, but please, I beg you once: let him go."
"I know you, which makes me trust you even less. A city secretary showing up in a place like this?"
Martin eased off and glanced back.
Ditmaer Hessler, secretary to Jerome Mechelder.
Sweat-drenched, proving his frantic dash.
He pleaded desperately again.
"Please. For the mayor's sake, forgive him this once? I promise no backlash."
"What if there is? Killing him's self-defense anyway. And here, murder's no legal issue."
"The Lois Marquisate..."
"Told him already: I don't fear the Lois Marquisate."
"Wh-what?!"
Martin answered by removing his mask.
Then dispelled his polymorph.
Ditmaer recoiled in shock.
"Y-young master?!"
"See? No reason to fear you lot."
He'd already decided upon meeting the man.
Simon Lois dies here today.
To cloud Jerome Mechelder and Heinz Schwarzenbeck's judgment with rage.
"Guk!"
Martin stomped hard; Simon let out a final gurgle and went limp.
"Hah!"
Ditmaer's face drained pale.
A Lois Marquisate member—the marquis's own grandson—dead in Akella City.
Trembling, he spoke his piece.
"Th-the mayor won't let this slide."
"Oh? The mayor tied to the Lois family too? Nicholas von Lois gets around."
"Hah!"
"I'll hold you to that remark later. Anyway, we're switching lodgings—spread the word. This place is too uncomfortable now."
Martin turned calmly.
Joined the group who'd left ahead, and promptly departed the black market.