BXBX NOVEL Chapter 58 58: A Well-Laid Trap [Pt1]
Port Hermis boasted itself to be a peaceful town with a lot to see. Even though it was called a Port, it only had a small stretch of territory that connected it to the main ocean. And that small stretch was heavily guarded by Master Shinzou's people.
It was a well-known fact that this port was a place under Master Shinzou's control and no one could even squeak in here without his permission.
So, people were often surprised and intrigued when they heard that this town had a slave auction house. That was what attracted people to this forbidden place and it soon became popular and more daring.
That was what created the current situation - slave auctions being held often.
That was what the description in the MMO had said in the game. But Keith had been in here for a day and he had not heard anything about the auction being held.
"It's your lucky day today. Both of you will be able to see your first auction. Oh, do not look so sad because you are not the merchandise tonight. We need to save you for a grander stage than this. Today, we will announce your auction dates so you will need to make an appearance."
Keith remained calm due to his grandmaster mask but Shinu was not as composed. His wide eyes looked at his captor with horrified wide eyes.
"Let me go. Please, let me go."
Shinu was exhausted by now. He had not taken Keith's advice to sleep last night and was now tired. His body was even aching due to the weird angle he had been tied to.
And it was because he tried to bite his captor a few times already.
"Stop begging already or I will be forced to whip a disobedient slave like you in shape. Be more like your cooperative companion."
Shinu shot Keith a betrayed look but he was not able to do anything else. The lack of food was messing with Shinu's draconic instincts. He would soon go berserk if he did not eat.
Not that he or these people knew that truth. They were all pretty much unaware of the danger they were in.
'I sent Clair the message yesterday so she should be here today. I think she will decide to appear in this auction tonight to help me out.'
Keith was convinced of this so he knew he had to wait it out now. Soon he would be free and these people would pay for laying their hands on him.
"Sorry kid, but you now live in a world where the strong eat the weak. If you do not want to get eaten, then you simply must become strong. That way, no one will be able to walk all over your beliefs."
The words of that slave trader stuck with Shinu. He had never believed in being strong before since there had been no need for him to be strong. But the society outside his camp was making him realize his helplessness.
He had a feeling that nothing like this would have happened had he been strong enough to prevent it.
'I need to gain power. If Keith ends up keeping his word, then I will take his offered hand and become stronger.'
Shinu promised himself as he went quiet. That was all he could do to conserve his energy.
...
"So, let me get this straight. Our grandmaster decided to infiltrate a slave auction to gather more information and free the slaves there. And you are worried about our grandmaster and decided to come here and help him out. Is that what you are saying, Clair?"
Amelia tried to warp her head around what Clair had said. Clair was using cloak magic to make herself look older right now. She looked to be 16 right now and her asset was big.
And she was not the only one in disguise. Everyone else had worn one to conceal their identities as well.
Somehow, Amelia did not find herself doubting Clair's words about Keith's actions. Maybe it was her new age or something. He could be reckless at times when he felt like he needed to be. That was what made Keith a good man and a good person in Amelia's eyes.
That and the fact that Keith was taking down a slave ring all by himself and gathering evidence on the way as well.
"Yup, you pretty much got all of it. Oh, look, more street food. Wait for me to buy it and I will be back."
Clair only took one step when his shoulder was held in place by Shinzou. Amelia's master had the most serious look Amelia had seen to date.
"What do you think you are doing? How can you run around so freely when our grandmaster is in such a dangerous situation? What if he got hurt or worse? How do you even have an appetite right now? And can you finish the rest of your snacks before you buy more?"
Shinzou looked close to hitting Clair with his bare fists.
The only thing that was holding Shinzou back was the fact that Clair was the only one who knew where their grandmaster was being kept. She was their guide and the one person they needed to depend upon.
It wounded Shinzou's pride but he had no choice. He did not want to run around blind. But he could always charge into the slave house and-
"Oh, come on. We cannot do anything about this situation until the evening so there is no need for you to be so on edge. We need to infiltrate a slave auction and catch everyone off-guard if we want to catch all related parties. Oh, were you thinking of charging in recklessly right now and blowing our covers? It would be tragic, right?"
Clair's words were light but they jabbed Shinzou a few times in delicate places. He had to hold his winch back as soon as he heard her mocking tone.
She had someone end up guessing everything right without even looking his way. Even Amelia was surprised at how well Clair knew her master.
"I-I was not going to charge in recklessly. I did have the plan to follow along-"
"One that would put the grandmaster at risk, right? You might as well give up now, master Shinzou. We are going to follow my plan, alright?"
Master Shinzou gritted his teeth in irritation. He did not want to do this but he had no choice. He had to listen to Clair.
"Fine, I will back down, alright. So, what is the plan?"
Shinzou asked and Amelia was interested to know as well.
So far, all they had done was look around this marketplace and buy food. They had not made any progress on their actual mission.
"Oh, calm down. I am just looking for a 'victim' who would be willing to sell us an auction ticket. We do not want to break in by force, right?"
Both Amelia and Master Shinzou looked away at Clair's declaration. They both had been thinking of breaking into the auction house by force if needed. But Clair's words were both advice and a warning not to be foolish.
"Y-You are right. There is no need for us to force our way in. We should observe our surroundings for now."
Clair grinned and led them both to another food stall.
According to Keith's message, one of these food stalls was a fake one that sold the auction tickets. But Keith had forgotten to mention which street food stall he was talking about.
"E-Excuse me miss, but are you, travelers? I saw you looking around various food stalls in this neighborhood and I cannot help but think you are looking for something more 'exotic' right? Then, I might be able to help you out. Please follow me."
A shopkeeper made his way toward Clair and her party. He looked shady no matter how you looked at him and Shinzou tried to step in front of Clair.
Clair held her hand out to stop Shinzou and even passed him the look. Shinzou understood what Clair was saying to him and he backed down.
This was the person Clair had been looking for all his time.
"You are willing to offer me something exotic, right? Then it better be worth my money and time. Otherwise, you will not like what I do to you."
Clair spoke like a spoilt princess with a lot of money. The shop owner grinned as soon as he saw her attitude. He was sure that his girl was a big fish he needed to reel in.
"Of course, it will be worth your effort and money. If not, then you can report me to the authorities and I will confess to everything."
The shopkeeper offered and Clair tried hard to contain her grin. This man thought he was tricking Clair but it was the other way around. This man was already in Clair's palm and he did not even know it yet.