Chapter 37 – The Best Product (2)
‘To hear news about my kin like this.’
I didn’t really feel much like I belonged to the same kin, but anyway, they were the descendants of climbers like me from long ago, and the people of this world see me as one of those Elves.
Maybe that’s why I’ve been so concerned since I heard about the Elf slaves. After eavesdropping on the enemies’ conspiracy, I returned to the lodging feeling uneasy.
“Is something wrong? Why do you look like that?”
Patrick, who had arrived first and was resting, noticed my expression when I took off my hood and headband and spoke up.
“How much do you know about Elf slaves?”
“Wh-what?”
I decided to bring it up to him. His reaction was more intense than I expected.
“Why are you reacting so strongly? I just asked.”
“Sl-slavery is illegal. At least in Su’an and here in Id.”
“So there are places where it’s legal?”
“…It’s the same as other things. As long as you don’t get caught, it seems fine.”
Clearing his throat, Patrick shared his extensive knowledge as I had predicted. Slavery wasn’t entirely legal, but not everything in this world flows according to the law.
In fact, things that are hard to obtain tend to increase in value. Slaves, not just for labor but those considered somewhat special, were seen as a kind of discreet luxury and thus held higher value.
Elf slaves were no different. The scarcity of their numbers indicated their rarity, and the Elves’ unique grace added value beyond just rarity.
It meant there were plenty of items for the leader of an organization, seeking a big score and promotion, to covet.
“Why are you suddenly like this?”
“It seems an Elf has been captured somewhere in this city. The ones who caught her are trying to sell her into slavery.”
I told Patrick and Rina about the information I had overheard, and their eyes widened in shock.
“Shouldn’t we report it to the city guard to rescue her?”
Rina looked at me and suggested we report it.
I guessed she thought I cared because I was also an Elf. And while I was indeed concerned, I had no plans to put myself in danger, so I flinched at Rina’s suggestion.
“Do you really think reporting it would help?”
However, I harbored doubts about the city guard. I had seen Ethan loath the public authority, yet still working hard to bribe and entertain the higher-ups to maintain at least some connection with the guards.
Our priority was the safety of that Elf, and I didn’t think a single report would resolve everything.
‘It’s definitely an opportunity to take down Ethan’s competitors.’
Of course, I had no intention of letting this slide. Now that I had discovered who had struck the first blow against Ethan, it was time for revenge.
Having provided a solid justification and pretext, it would be a waste not to take advantage of it. It was an opportunity to use the guards without getting my hands dirty.
“You two should report this to the guards tomorrow night so that they can raid the designated location. Since you are travelers, reporting it as a coincidence might help prevent any unexpected occurrences.”
“What about you, Iriliana?”
“I’ll hide nearby and only move when necessary. If everything goes well, there won’t be a need for me to act.”
I smiled at Rina, who looked worried. The enemies weren’t entirely foolish, but they had no idea who I was or what powers I wielded, so I could operate relatively easily.
I planned to leverage that advantage and find opportunities as much as possible.
*
“Did you check it out?”
“Yeah. I sent a little bit of that girl’s hair as proof, and they believed it right away. They’ll send their people over soon. We’re going to make a fortune.”
It was midday, with the sun high in the sky, but this underground place still felt dark and damp.
Rogers, the leader of a gang that occupied this dimly-lit space, glanced sideways as he heard his comrade’s response, smug with how things were going.
“…”
Locked in a cage with chains and handcuffs was a blonde woman, glaring at him with green eyes burning with rage. Her mouth was gagged, but her eyes expressed the hate clearly.
“Should’ve trusted the right people. That little rat, Steven, has been the type to betray people whenever he saw an opportunity. And this time, I betrayed him.”
Rogers mocked her and chuckled. This laughter also contained a bit of self-praise for having boldly struck his friend and abducted her.
‘Sure, I was foolish.’
She clenched her teeth as she looked at Rogers.
It was her own mistake to have disregarded her seniors’ advice about not revealing she was an Elf if she were to travel solo, and that she couldn’t have recognized someone she thought trustworthy was a trafficker who drugged and sold people.
It was an irreplaceable life lesson for her—if she ever got a second chance.
“Feel free to be as angry as you want while you can. I haven’t seen many Elf slaves, but from what I’ve seen, they all act like obedient pets, seemingly happy with whatever they go through. Come on, it’s okay to celebrate with a drink beforehand, right?”
Rogers derisively teased and threatened her, laughing as he left the room with his companions.
She struggled desperately, but she couldn’t break free from her restraints. There was also no way to call for help.
She wanted to resist, but despair gradually took over instead of hope.
‘No. If this continues…’
In the underground space where she was trapped and lost track of time, she began to sweat nervously. If she stayed still like this, she would be sold to another slave trader tonight, and she could be dragged to some unknown place with an uncertain fate.
“…?”
It was then that a cool breeze began to blow. Staring blankly at the ground, she initially couldn’t feel the wind but then opened her eyes wide as she recognized it.
Upon thinking, fresh air shouldn’t be able to come into this entirely enclosed underground space.
[I’ve reported to the guard to rescue you. Don’t worry, just wait.]
“Huuh!?”
Then she gaped in shock at the voice that tickled her long ears, as if the wind were whispering.
“Bound? Mouth gagged? That doesn’t matter.”
Of course, it was Iriliana who sent the wind spirit to convey the message to her in the underground.
Knowing in advance that the seemingly ordinary store building on the outskirts of the city was where Herman and his subordinates would raid tonight, Iriliana had come here first while her companions had gone to the guards.
“Let them fight among themselves and get sorted out.”
She chuckled softly while talking to the spirits and climbed up to a nearby building’s roof to watch the scene she created.
As the sun gradually set, Rogers and his gang were already reveling in their success, while Herman, who had secretly obtained this information, was quietly gathering dozens of armed subordinates to snatch the Elf.
“What the hell? Who are you guys!?”
“Attack!”
The quiet street was instantly transformed into a battlefield as the two organizations clashed.
Gang members armed with weapons began to beat their discovered opponents mercilessly, causing unsuspecting pedestrians to scream in panic, and the street quickly descended into chaos.
The fight turned one-sided as Herman’s subordinates, who had successfully ambushed, began to mercilessly beat the opposition with sticks and other weapons.
‘Now all that’s left is the guards coming on time.’
Seeing things unfold as she had anticipated, Iriliana smirked as she glanced at the castle in front of her. She had notified them about the place and the timing; it would be absurd if they didn’t arrive on time.
“Hurry up and search! They must be keeping her nearby. Don’t touch anything else! We don’t have time!”
Finally entering the building, Herman urged his subordinates to find the Elf. Since they had already planned the raid, it didn’t take long for them to discover her hidden underground.
“Herman! You bastard!”
“You’re just a washed-up hunting dog trying to hog everything alone. You should know your place.”
As his subordinates dragged her out of the cage, Herman laughed at Rogers, who lay on the ground, beaten and bloody.
“The guards are here!”
“Boss! The guards are rushing here!”
“Wh-what?! How the hell…!?”
The moment the guards stormed in was just then. Those watching from above had hurriedly delivered the news.
Herman, who had originally planned to enjoy himself and clean up afterward, panicked and stammered. His bravado was merely in the underworld; he dared not challenge the soldiers of the Duke.
