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Chapter 80
The knights of Duke Wentworth had little trouble persuading the auctioneer and his associates.
The ownership documents the Duke presented were genuine, and the staff were never deeply concerned about who actually owned the place.
What mattered to them was whether a powerful patron existed who could protect their illegal trade and keep money flowing.
The man who seemed to be the auction master nodded and said,
“If Your Grace truly is the new owner, I’ll greet you in person after the auction ends. But there’s still a lot left on today’s schedule… We have plenty of items to sell before the day is over.”
The knight captain replied coolly,
“I’m sure Your Grace understands. We only need to verify the papers. There’s no need to interrupt the auction. We’re not here to drag anyone away just yet, so finish up and then report directly to the Duke.”
The auctioneer smiled politely and bowed.
“Of course. In that case, would you like to take a brief look around inside? A new owner should be familiar with the place.”
He spoke pleasantly to the Duke’s men, and the knight captain accepted the offer.
“Very well. I’ve never seen a slave before.”
“Oh, is that so? Then allow me to show you around. Be careful though, the smell can be a bit strong.”
The representative led the way deeper inside, and Duke Wentworth’s knights followed, feigning caution while clearly intrigued.
***
As they stepped into the inner hall, a strange odor filled the dim tent.
It was a mix of sweat, faint rot, and heavy perfume.
The knights frowned as they trailed the auctioneer, who began showing them the “goods” kept inside large pen-like cages.
He raised his voice deliberately, trying to hold their attention.
“Most of the male slaves are suited for mines or farms, while the women are highly popular for household duties or… other purposes.”
The knight’s eyes glinted with curiosity at his words.
The auctioneer, sensing their interest, continued smoothly.
“The slaves here are carefully selected—from strong young men to beautiful young women.”
As soon as he finished, one of the knights’ eyes stopped on Sylvia, who sat quietly in a corner of a cage.
A few of the knights’ expressions shifted as they noticed her beauty.
A beautiful female slave always fetched a high price.
“Is that woman a slave too?”
One knight asked, his eyes gleaming with greed.
The auctioneer glanced at Sylvia, then smiled faintly.
“She’s a sorceress captured just today. Not part of the original list, but she seems useful enough to add to the sale. We’ll need to prepare her a bit, though. If they look too healthy, they tend to resist too much.”
The knight nodded, studying Sylvia.
“A rather valuable piece of merchandise.”
Hearing their exchange made Sylvia’s stomach twist.
She couldn’t resist because of the restraint device clamped on her body.
All she could do was glare at them, gritting her teeth inside the cage.
But the auctioneer only laughed off her defiance.
“Yes, very valuable indeed. Especially when a sorceress can be sold as a usable ‘commodity.’ That makes her worth even more.”
He sneered as he spoke.
Among Duke Wentworth’s knights, several began watching Sylvia more closely.
Some even asked how much she would cost if they wanted to buy her.
***
I was watching everything unfold from the shadows in the corner of the auction hall, hidden with Vincent.
The huge tent was filled with oppressive air and a stench that made breathing hard.
Laughter, fake cheers, the booming voice of the auctioneer, the clapping of the audience—
Everything felt chaotic, and anger and disgust slowly rose inside me.
I swallowed hard, trying not to choke on the bile in my throat.
Then I felt a firm hand on my shoulder.
It was Vincent.
His touch wasn’t warm or cold, but strangely steadying.
Even with his usual indifference, I could sense his quiet concern, which helped calm me.
“You alright?”
Vincent’s low voice reached my ear.
I managed a small nod.
It wasn’t the time to show weakness.
“This way.”
Under his guidance, we slipped deeper into the shadows, keeping watch on the auction.
After a while, we saw Duke Wentworth’s knights entering the hall.
The auction staff welcomed them obediently.
From the way they bowed, it was clear the Duke’s name carried real weight here.
“They’ve gathered,” Vincent murmured.
His tone carried certainty.
I looked at him.
Vincent’s eyes were sharp and cold.
Hidden nearby, his knights were ready to strike at any moment.
Now it was just a matter of timing.
Then I caught a few words from the knights’ conversation.
“They said a female sorceress?”
My gaze immediately turned toward the cages.
Among the captives, one woman came to mind.
If what they said was true, there was a female sorceress among those caught.
My thoughts tangled.
Vincent needs to be the one to rescue her. That’s the only way the story will move naturally.
I tried to convince myself, but a strange unease grew in my chest.
The thought of leaving after Sylvia’s rescue suddenly felt heavier than before.
It wasn’t the time for emotions, but I couldn’t help it.
Focus. One thing at a time.
I shook my head to clear it and glanced at Vincent again.
He was still observing the situation, calm and calculating, but every now and then, he looked back at me.
That alone was enough reassurance.
First, I had to find exactly where Sylvia was.
As I scanned the cages, I saw Oscar hiding nearby, giving a small signal.
It meant the auction was about to reach its final stage.
Vincent saw it too. His expression hardened as he quietly pulled out a communication stone.
“Everyone, to your positions.”
The royal knights were hiding close by, awaiting his order.
Vincent narrowed his eyes, took one last breath, then looked straight at me.
I didn’t know what he was about to say, but I nodded silently.
That seemed to be enough.
“Commence the raid.”
Vincent’s voice dropped like a commandment.
In the tense silence, the faint sounds of armor and weapons grew louder, pressing in from every direction.
“Move in!”
With the commander’s shout, the royal knights’ heavy boots struck the ground in unison.
“Waaaaah!”
Clang. Clatter.
The clash of armor and shields echoed as they stormed in from all sides of the auction house.
The stillness of the dark mountain night shattered in an instant.
