🔊 TTS Settings
CHAPTER 81
The sound of the Imperial Knights’ armor grew louder as the tents around the auction hall were ripped open and torn apart.
As the knights poured in one after another, the hall turned into chaos in an instant.
“Screeeam!”
“Run! Don’t get caught!”
“What’s going on? How dare they make a scene in this sacred auction hall!”
The auctioneer, not yet grasping the situation, frowned in irritation and shouted.
Then, when he finally saw the armored knights, he gasped sharply.
“Eek!”
Merchants who had been pricing the captives and spectators from the stands screamed and scattered in all directions.
The auctioneer quickly regained his senses and shouted at the mercenary knights hired by the auction.
“Stop them! You’re getting paid, aren’t you? At least buy us some time!”
Finally, the auction’s guards raised their swords and spears, clashing against the advancing Imperial Knights.
Clang, clash, kaang!
It was the first time I had seen a real battle up close.
The metallic sounds were sharper and louder than I imagined, and my body stiffened.
But I couldn’t just stand here.
I was still safe in a corner for now, but it was time to move.
“We’re moving out. Amelia, don’t go ahead of me.”
Vincent glanced back, and I nodded in response.
At the same time, I tried to locate Sylvia, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Just in case, I whispered to him, “Your Highness, the slaves—”
“Of course, we’ll save them. But first, we clear this place.”
Before I could answer, Vincent suddenly dashed forward.
The ones blocking his path were knights of Duke Wentworth.
“Ah!”
Recognizing the Imperial Knights, the Wentworth knights chose to withdraw instead of fight.
It was a wise decision, but Vincent wasn’t the type to let them go easily.
“Strike! Clear the way!”
The moment their escape was blocked, the knights drew their swords.
Clang, clash, clash—!
Vincent, dressed in black and wearing a mask, wasn’t recognized by them.
“Ugh, going in alone again… Lady, please stay here,” Oscar groaned and joined the fight.
I stayed hidden, scanning the chaos around me.
It was frustrating not to help, but I knew sometimes staying out of the way was the best help.
There were eight knights from Wentworth’s order in total.
Even without knowing swordsmanship, I could tell they were much better than the auction’s mercenaries.
But Vincent and Oscar were still holding them off easily.
That was thanks to Vincent’s divine blessing.
The Wentworth knights hadn’t noticed it yet, probably because Vincent avoided or blocked with his sword instead of using divine protection openly.
As I watched, my mind went blank for a moment, and then I suddenly saw a vision—an image in my head.
I turned quickly and spotted a stack of crates near Vincent.
‘That’s it.’
I had just seen one of the Wentworth knights pushing those crates down in my foresight.
And now, one of the knights was missing from the front line.
‘Is that an attack or an accident?’
I didn’t see what happened after, but I knew it would cause an opening.
The stack began to wobble.
“Watch out! Beside you!” I shouted.
Vincent reacted instantly, grabbing Oscar by the collar and pulling him aside.
Crash—!
The crates collapsed, scattering across the floor.
“Thank goodness.”
Both were safe, but now there was another problem.
My shout had revealed my position.
“There! Get her!”
One of the knights shouted, glaring at me with murderous intent.
Two of them charged straight toward me, swords raised.
I turned and ran, but they were much faster.
One of them grabbed my cloak.
Thud!
I fell hard and thought I’d be stabbed, but a sharp metallic sound rang behind me.
When I looked back, Vincent had deflected the knight’s sword, while Oscar blocked another from the front.
“Are you alright? Get up.”
I grabbed Vincent’s hand and stood up quickly.
Just as he moved forward again, one of the Wentworth knights suddenly shouted.
“Stop! Lower your swords!”
The other knights froze in confusion.
“I said, lower them!” he barked again.
Some obeyed immediately, while others hesitated but stopped attacking.
The man stepped forward.
He had recognized Vincent—the Crown Prince.
He must have noticed how several deadly strikes had been deflected by divine power.
And I recognized him too.
From Amelia’s memories, I remembered seeing him speaking with Duke Wentworth.
He was Manuel, the vice-captain of the Wentworth Knights, and one of the few who treated Amelia with respect.
Still, I couldn’t afford to be recognized, so I pulled my hood lower and hid behind Vincent.
Manuel knelt down before him.
“I pay my respects to His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
Finally realizing the truth, the knights lowered their swords and followed suit.
“We greet Your Highness.”
Even though the Wentworth family was at odds with the Crown Prince and under the Duke’s orders, raising a sword against him was treason.
If they had the strength to defeat the Imperial Knights and the Crown Prince, things might have been different, but that was impossible.
They surrendered quickly.
Vincent lowered his sword and looked down at them.
Then, removing his hood and mask, he revealed his face.
Seeing him clearly, the Wentworth knights bowed their heads deeply.
Meanwhile, the Imperial Knights surrounded and restrained them.
“Your Highness!” one of the Imperial knights called.
Vincent gave a calm order.
“Tie them up.”
At his command, the Imperial Knights began binding the Wentworth knights with ropes.
There was no resistance—they knew it was useless.
Once they were secured, Vincent turned toward me and walked closer.
He gently lifted the hood of my robe.
“Are you alright?”
I nodded silently.
Vincent smiled faintly.
“Good.”
Ugh… why does that make my heart race?
He then turned back to the captured knights.
“If you tell the truth, your loyalty will be taken into consideration.”
Manuel and the others stayed silent, clearly conflicted.
The Imperial Knights led them away.
They were probably torn between their duty to their lord and their loyalty to the Empire.
‘Vincent’s bait will test their resolve,’ I thought.
While Vincent and Oscar spoke to them, I scanned the area.
The Imperial Knights were rounding up the escaping merchants and subduing the mercenaries who resisted.
The section with the slaves’ cages was finally calm again.
I began moving quietly toward it, keeping my eyes on Vincent as I searched for Sylvia.
