Chapter 69 - Curtain Falls
Old Li stared around the hall and said with a pleasant smile. "Is there anyone else who would like to increase the bidding?" no one replied. "1… 2… 3… SOLD! Congratulations for successfully winning the bid."
The entire hall echoed with a thunderous chorus. Who would have thought that Kadyn would win the most precious thing in the auction?
Kadyn walked towards the stage and looked at Old Li before speaking. "You can get the money from Leader Barret." Without giving him a second glance he turned towards the small girl inside the cart and said. "I'll take the girl with me."
Old Li eyed Kadyn with a strange expression and passed him something as he explained. "This is a slave amulet. You can control the dwarven girl with its help. Furthermore, you would be able to find her with its help, as the amulet could pinpoint the direction of the girl"
Kadyn looked at the small amulet in his hand and clenched his fist, turning the amulet into dust.
Old Li left stunned when he saw this and couldn't help but speak. "How would you control her now? She could run away anytime, and you won't be able to find her."
Kadyn glanced at the old man and said nonchalantly. "What it has gotten to do with you?" this man could do anything to increase his profit. He even sold herbs that would harm the foundation of a magus, without even telling them its side effects. Therefore, Kadyn didn't bother to hide his disdain and contempt for the old man.
Old Li heard Kadyn and his face turned cold. He clenched his fist and passed the key to open the door of the cart before scurrying away. He needed to collect the money from Association Leader Barret.
When he thought about Barret, he couldn't help but glance at Kadyn once more. What relationship does this brat have with Barret Duncan? A confused expression appeared on his face.
Kadyn paid no attention to him and opened the door of the cart. He looked at the girl inside and smiled before speaking in a gentle voice. "Come, I'll take you out of here." He extended his hand towards the girl.
However, instead of coming near to him, she became frightened and crawled away from him like a panicked chick.
Kadyn could feel her fear as he looked at her frightened expression. He became disheartened when he saw her condition. It was hard to believe that humans could be so cruel.
"Let me do this." Elora who was behind Kadyn said. He nodded and let her try. She stared at the dwarven girl and said. "Hey, I'm Elora. What's your name?" Elora asked, but the girl remained silent. She still looked alarmed and shocked and scared.
Elora didn't feel disheartened when she saw her tactic wasn't working. She went on. "Come with us, and you can eat as much as you want. We have all kinds of food at home: roasted chicken, beef, noodles, biryani, rice. Everything you want. What do you say?"
Kadyn and Khrom left stunned when they heard her words. Both of them looked at her strangely. However, when they spotted the little girl glancing at Elora with an eager expression, licking her lips—they couldn't help but think: This also works?
The dwarven girl eyed Elora and said with a little fearful and trembling voice. "Wi-will you re-really give me foo-food?"
"Of course, who do you think I am?" Elora patted her chest proudly, reassuring her. "Do you think I will lie to you?"
"That other uncle also said that he will give me food. But then, he locked me in this cart. Would you also lock me?" she stared at Elora with her innocent eyes, her voice started to fumble and her eyes became slightly wet. But the girl didn't let the tears fall.
Elora couldn't help but grimace, encountering the treatment that would fit only animals, poor kid. "No, we won't lock you up. You can play all you want. We have a large place. How could we do such a cruel thing to a sweet and cute girl like you?"
"If-if you don't lock me and give me food, then I'll come with you. That bad uncle didn't give me any food," she said and bit her lips. This time she couldn't control her tears. Then she choked and started to cry.
"Come, your elder sister won't let anyone bully you from now on." Elora grabbed her hand and hugged her tightly. Her eyes turned red when she saw how hard the little girl tried to control her tears but still failed. How much hardship this little had seen in such a tender age? Elora embraced her tightly for about two minutes before letting her go. She looked at her with a gentle face and said. "No one would bully you from now on. You see those two big brothers. They are very strong. They would beat anyone who dares to mistreat you, alright?"
The girl looked at Kadyn and Khrom with wide eyes. "Are they really strong?" she asked.
"Of course," Elora said.
"Even stronger than Uncle Sarav?" she once again asked curiously.
"Uhh.. who is Uncle Sarav?" Hearing Elora's words the girl's face saddened. She chewed her lower lip but remained silent.
Kadyn saw the situation and said with a smiling face. "Alright, we'll talk about it later. Let's go. Are you hungry?" he eyed the girl. "Big brother will let you eat anything."
"Really?" the girl asked with glittering eyes.
"Yes," Kadyn said. "Let's go."
"M-my leg is hurt." She said after some hesitation.
"Show me," Kadyn said, looking at her small legs. He could see bloody marks on her skin. The wound had started to get infected.
Elora sucked a cold breath when she saw this and her face started to tremble with rage. She clenched her teeth but in the end, she suppressed the urge to curse.
Kadyn eyed the girl and said gently. "Come, sit on big brother's back. I'll carry you."
"Yeah! Big brother is so good!" the group smiled and scurried away.