Episode 198
Of course, this is why Abyss Auction is illegal. This is because slavery was already abolished in the empire.
Of course, even though the word was abolished, slave trading still takes place in the shadows.
I’m sorry I keep talking about the South, but that’s exactly what it was like there.
Although they were nominally mercenaries, the client held the power over life and death, and the duration was unlimited, so what was the difference between them and slaves?
Of course, like most violations, it is a play on words, but it is an issue that is difficult to punish in reality.
This is especially true if the person who violated the law holds enormous power.
I sighed.
“It looks like you have something to say.”
“… … .”
Sanghyeolgong looked at me and asked. Anyway, one thing I noticed was that he was quick as a ghost.
Anyway, I couldn’t fake most things because of Jinwi’s protection, so I just expressed my honest feelings.
“That’s because it’s unexpected.”
“what.”
“I didn’t think the Badnicker family would have any regrets, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“… … .”
Maxim and the two disciples were silent as if they felt something was off… … .
Sanghyeolgong looked like he was considering my words.
I asked again.
“Is the matriarch’s blade aimed only at the church?”
Are you knowingly condoning other crimes and violations of the law?
If that’s the case, I’ll be disappointed with Sanghyeolgong and Badniker.
The feeling itself was unexpected.
That’s because there is no room for disappointment without expectations.
Perhaps I still had high hopes for Badknicker.
I couldn’t tell if it was a feeling carried over from the past or a new feeling gained from living a different life.
“wait for a sec… … . “I’m sorry for interrupting the conversation.”
At that moment, Maxim’s expression changed and he looked at me and said.
“Is this child your child?”
“That’s a dull question.”
“what?”
Sanghyeolgong’s eyes turned to me… … .
I nodded, hiding my nervousness.
Anyway, all unknown middle names have left.
If it were Maxim and his disciples, it would be relatively less dangerous even if their identities were revealed.
Sweet.
took off the mask
I didn’t feel particularly stuffy when I was wearing it, but I definitely felt liberated right after I took it off.
I spoke with much more relaxed breathing.
“This is Luan Badniker.”
Maxim looked at me with startled eyes.
“Huh. amazing… … .”
“yes. “It’s an amazing magic tool.”
“… “It’s a hobby.”
“… … .”
Sanghyeolgong tried to change the uncomfortable topic.
“Respectfully.”
“Of course you should. My mouth is heavy so rest assured. Anyway, it’s an honor to see the youngest son of the famous Badniker like this. May I express my gratitude as a member of Heros and, above all, as a subject of the Empire?”
“… of course.”
I shook Maxim’s thick hand.
I felt like I was holding hands with a bear’s outstretched paw.
And he narrowed his eyes slightly at the two disciples who were making angry expressions.
“… … !”
Meanwhile, Sanghyeolgong opened his mouth.
“My blade cannot exist throughout the empire. But I have never failed to condemn a criminal who came into my sight.”
“That means… … .”
“The reason for participating in Abyss Auction is not for the auction. “I have business with the organizer.”
“The host?”
“Rizen.”
“… … !”
I was shocked.
The name that came out of nowhere seemed a little familiar.
Ryzen.
The full name is Ryzen Badniker.
He was the third son of Sanghyeolgong.
* * *
Iron Bloodsmith Delac C. Badnicker.
A vicious bloodthirsty.
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As such, all of Delac’s children showed remarkable performance in their respective fields.
The ones who have shown the greatest presence at the moment and in the future are, of course, the eldest son, Heiro, the second son, Hector, and the second daughter, Nero.
In addition, the eldest daughter, Aquata, distinguished herself as a magician, and the third son, Atsu, showed talent in business from a young age.
Like Ludvik, there were cases where he faked his death and infiltrated the church, and actually showed off his skills as well as Heero and Hector.
However, not all of this man’s children distinguished themselves.
For example, there are failures like Luan Badniker in the past… … . In addition, there are some children whose names are not known.
Of course, he could not shake off his military reputation, but he may have been quite famous in the political or business world, or in the behind-the-scenes world.
It’s possible that those rumors aren’t widely spread, and I don’t know because I didn’t listen.
The reason I was surprised to see the name Ryzen here… … .
That name comes from the fact that he was one of the three children of an Iron Blood Prince who died before reaching adulthood.
‘The death of one of them, Ludwig, was disguised… … .’
Could it be that the same goes for Ryzen’s death?
I do not know.
This is also the reason why Sanghyeolgong wants to meet Badniker’s third son.
I tried to think of Ryzen Badniker’s past activities, but I couldn’t find any useful information.
ah.
Now that I think about it, you said you were attending Cartel Academy?
“The organizer of Abyss Auction is Ryzen.”
“… yes?”
I blinked my eyes slightly.
I thought he was a participant at most, but what?
“Aren’t you too young?”
The size of the Abyss Auction is by far the largest among the secret auctions of the Empire.
I heard that the amount of gold that moves in a single night is at least tens of thousands, or at most hundreds of thousands of gold… … .
That amount is almost comparable to the annual budget of a large estate.
Even as I, who joined the ranks of rich people by obtaining 5,000 gold thanks to the corpse of the Sapphire Snake… … .
The unit of hundreds of thousands of gold still feels somewhat abstract.
However, Sanghyeolgong spoke in his characteristic grave voice.
“There is someone who killed a priest at just 15 years old, so there is nothing strange about it.”
“hmm… … .”
It’s hard to refute that.
“Use this.”
Sanghyeolgong held something out to me.
It was a pendant.
What is unique is that the color of the jewel in the center is black.
“It’s a membership. You can prove your identity with that. If you show it, we will allow up to two people to accompany you.”
“Two people?”
“okay. “You three will act as bait.”
Sanghyeolgong’s eyes turned to me, Zial, and Haro.
“Act like an immature brat and buy whatever auction items you can find. Then there will be a response from the organizers soon.”
“What about the matriarch?”
“We will have to find conclusive evidence together with Maxim.”
I nodded.
So, Sanghyeolgong was proposing a diversionary operation.
‘by the way… … .’
It’s been so long since I got out of bed that I got caught up in something like this. Is this the price I pay for living a comfortable past life?
I also thought that I really wasn’t the type of person to play around and eat.
* * *
I parted ways with Sanghyeolgong and Maxim and headed straight to the place where the Abyss Auction was held.
“You, you… … !”
Of course, as soon as I left the restaurant, Haro pointed at me.
“It was a boat, boat, badnicker!”
“that’s right.”
“I heard you’re a student at the academy!”
“Are transfer students also current students?”
Haro, who looked like he had been punched, shouted again.
“You cursed Badniker in front of me!”
“You were the one who cursed, I just sympathized. “It’s the basics of conversation.”
“uh… … .”
Haro made a blank expression.
Looking at it this way, it seemed as simple as Mir.
“You even insult your own family just to deceive me! “As expected, he’s an insidious Badknicker!”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“You call yourself a nice guy without even knowing the numbers and shame!”
“I’m actually a nice guy.”
“A pervert who dresses up as a woman is a piece of cake!”
“This rude guy?”
I don’t mind cursing my family, but I couldn’t bear cursing myself.
Jial stopped Haro, whose face turned as red as an octopus.
“Haro, stop it. Naru… no. Luan didn’t cheat. “It just hid some truths.”
“What the hell said is right.”
“… “I’m G.R.”
I continued talking while looking at Jial who sighed.
“Anyway, there is no lie in what I said. I will let you meet Brother Hector tomorrow. Then whether you fight or compete among yourselves is none of my business.”
“under! Have you already forgotten what I said back then? “You’re the one we want to fight with the most, Luan Badnicker!”
I chuckled with a haggard complexion.
“I’m sorry, but I’m still not feeling well. “Even now, I am forced to stand.”
“what?”
“Surely the hero of Heros wouldn’t propose a duel to the patient?”
“that… … .”
Haro didn’t know what to do.
On the other hand, Jial looked at me with a calm face and slowly opened his mouth.
“… “I think it’s true that I’m not feeling well.”
“huh?”
“It wouldn’t be difficult to beat us in that condition, right?”
“… … .”
As expected, this guy is skilled and quick-witted.
Instead of responding, I took out the map from my pocket and said.
“If it bothers me, let’s just move separately. Since the head of the family ordered me in the first place, it doesn’t matter if you guys just go home, wash your feet, and sleep.”
Jial shook his head at my words.
“You can’t do that. “It seemed like Master had expectations for us too.”
“I see. Then I won’t receive any more complaints. “Shut up and follow me.”
Haro got angry again at my change in tone, but Gial gave me some pressure with a look and he closed his mouth.
Seeing things like this, it didn’t seem like Haro had the initiative at all, and it seemed like Ji-al was the one making the really important decisions.
Anyway, after leaving the academy for the first time in a very long time, I headed to the place that Iron Blood Prince had told me about.
I felt it from the moment I received the map, but it was a somewhat unexpected place.
“I never thought an auction would be held at [Owl’s Magic Tower].”
“That’s right.”
The place where the Abyss Auction was held was on the top floor of the Owl’s Magic Tower.
It was taking place in the sky, not underground, and I thought that maybe this was one of the reasons why the Abyss Auction had not been caught.
It’s a small but effective trick.
‘Anyway, the fact that you’re wearing a magic tower means you’re tied to the tower’s owner.’
It’s not strange.
This is because wizards are generally utilitarian, and it costs a huge amount of money to pursue personal research or the next level.
If a deal with a huge amount of gold had been offered, it would not have been easy to refuse.
Anyway, it was my first time going to the Magic Tower.
“Do you know anything about the Owl’s Magic Tower?”
When I asked, Haro ignored me and Jial answered.
“well… … . “I heard that among the seven colors of magic, he is responsible for indigo magic.”
“If it’s dark blue, maybe it’s summoning magic?”
Summoning magic is a field that becomes especially more difficult the higher you go. This is because it is closely related to space and time.
‘It’s space-time magic… … .’
Somehow, it occurred to me that even if Abyss Auction were discovered, the organizers would be able to quickly erase their traces and disappear.
There must be a reason why an unofficial auction is held in the middle of the island.
‘The country is doing really well… … .’
I thought it was natural for Glenn to have doubts about the empire.
The empire, which seemed to be healthy at first glance, was actually in such a precarious situation that it would not be surprising if it collapsed at any time.
Anyway, we headed towards the back door of the Magic Tower as Sanghyeolgong said.
‘He was a wizard wearing a black robe, right?’
Most of them were wearing navy blue robes, so it wasn’t difficult to find them.
When I showed the pendant to the wizard, his expressionless face nodded slightly.
“Welcome to visit.”
The way you speak to customers.
An ordinary magic tower wizard would not necessarily say “welcome” to a guest.
Follow the wizard and move to a room.
It is a spacious place with luxurious carpets. However, it felt empty compared to its size. In reality, there were only tables and chairs inside.
It appears to be a waiting room.
I sat down with my butt in an appropriate place and looked around.
There were about fifteen people waiting inside the room, and judging by their attire, they all seemed to be auction participants.
What is unexpected is that no one has their face covered.
‘Is this bold? Or do I trust the security of this place?’
Otherwise, there may be another reason that I don’t know about.
That’s the moment.
“Abyss Auction isn’t what it used to be.”
From the moment I entered the room, I felt eyes on me… … .
I’m not the kind of person who particularly avoids things like this, so I looked at them face to face.
The plump, plump pig raised the corners of its mouth while purring.
“You’re giving a membership card to a kid like this.”
Looking at the clothes they were wearing, it seemed like they were from a fairly well-off family.
Because his body was so large, all luxurious clothes and accessories felt extravagant.
“That guy… … .”
“Stay still.”
Jial calmed down Haro, who was upset.
Meanwhile, I looked at the pig and nodded to myself.
Contrary to his attitude of ignoring others, the value of the clothes and accessories he was wearing was real.
This means that apart from your fashion sense, you know the value of items.
‘Is it worth using?’
Actually, I don’t have the insight to evaluate things.
You can tell the value of a weapon or armor just by looking at it, but appraising antiques requires appropriate knowledge.
This means that you must know the names, characteristics, and cultures of ancient kingdoms, cities, and tribes that have already fallen… … .
Of course, I don’t have that level of knowledge.
Of course, I have a person with a high level of insight that cannot be compared to most appraisers, but… … .
Unfortunately, I don’t have the Seven Deadly Sins Sword right now. This means that it is impossible to communicate with martial arts.
So, when the auction starts, we will be able to use this pig.
This means that I can bid higher on all items that pigs participate in the auction.
‘Aka, Operation Just One Guy.’
what.
Anyway, since Sanghyeolgong intervened, the auction house will be destroyed today.
fantasy,
