nChapter 113 - Chapter 18: Auction #5

nIt was an unexpected situation.

nNayatra wasn’t a slave.

nIn fact, this was more natural. If he looked at the entire Demon World, the number of slaves traded was actually quite small. Apart from places like Takar, it was difficult to find a proper slave market.

nOf all the places that In-gong had been to, there hadn’t been a place exclusively for slave trading.

nSo, why had Nayatra become a slave?

nWhat type of experience changed her from a free person into a slave in just one year?

nHowever, now wasn’t the time to deduce this. While In-gong was thinking, Nayatra had finished her conversation with the slave dealer. She turned and walked away.

n“Nayatra!”

nIn-gong shouted reflexively, but Nayatra didn’t look around and just walked away like it didn’t involve her.

nInstead of asking if he was mistaken, Carack started running toward Nayatra, and In-gong hurried to follow. There were so many people on the narrow road, but he still moved quite quickly.

nNayatra turned the corner. In-gong felt an ominous feeling the moment she disappeared from sight. In movies and novels, the person always disappeared after turning the corner.

nIt was the same in this case as well.

nHe turned the corner hurriedly but couldn’t see Nayatra. Among the people present, there was no pink hair or even red hair.

nIn-gong looked around, while Carack peered over the top of the heads but couldn’t see her either. Nayatra must have used stealth or something similar to disappear.

n“She looks like the one you called Nayatra, but she ran away. There wasn’t even a reaction.”

nCarack said while scratching his forehead.

nShe hadn’t even blinked at her name being called and just continued on her way. Additionally, she had showed no signs of hurry.

nNormally, people couldn’t react like this unless they were prepared for the situation. There would usually be a small flinch or reaction.

nCarack’s common sense told him there were only two occupations with such behaviours: one was a thief and the other was assassin.

n

"Prince, is the relationship between the two of you bad?”

nCarack asked In-gong with an expression of concern.

n“It isn’t like that. Nayatra doesn’t know me yet. I was a little careless.”

nIn Knight Saga, Nayatra was both a thief and assassin. If someone she didn’t know called her name, it was natural for her to run away.

nCarack was confused by the ‘doesn’t know me yet’ but didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, he comforted In-gong like a good aide.

n

"It isn’t Prince’s fault. Prince isn’t to blame. She is just too familiar with the area.

nHis smiling expression was comforting. Was this why Karma, Delia and all the aides were crazy about Carack?

nIn-gong smiled after being reassured and spoke to the air,

n

"Green Wind, take a look around.”

n‘I understand Master.’

nGreen Wind, who appeared in a solid state, turned into wind and disappeared. She would observe the area from a high location.

n

"Carack, let’s go to the slave trader who talked to Nayatra.”

nIn this current situation, it was In-gong’s only clue. Perhaps he could get more information than expected.

nAs he entered the store, the trader, who had spoken to Nayatra, came up to him first.

n“How can I help you?”

n

"There is something that we want to ask you.”

nCarack smiled widely and handed some money to the trader. In-gong didn’t know how much was given, but it seemed to be an appropriate amount judging by the trader’s expression.

nUnfortunately, the slave trader didn’t know that much about Nayatra or how to contact her. He knew that Nayatra had visited once a few months ago and was very curious about the type and number of slaves being traded.

nWhen In-gong saw her, it had been her second visit. If there was a second visit, the possibility of a third visit was also high.

n

"I want to leave a letter.”

nIn-gong gave a few ancient gold coins from the dwarf inventory to the slave trader. The trader’s face brightened at the unexpected windfall.

n

"I'd be happy to lend you my writing instruments. Make yourself comfortable.”

nBased on his reaction, there was no need to worry about the letter not being delivered properly.

nIn-gong thought for awhile before writing the letter.

nIt was a letter with a brief description of how In-gong wanted to meet her as well as a way to contact him.

nAt first, it seemed innocuous, but it contained a secret that Nayatra couldn’t ignore.

nThe next time Nayatra visited, the slave trader should contact In-gong after the letter was delivered, and he would be awarded with more ancient gold coins. Looking at his face, it seemed like In-gong’s request would be fulfilled faithfully.

nAs he handed the letter over, he heard Green Wind’s voice in his ears. It was a crestfallen voice.

n‘Master, I couldn’t see her. I'm sorry.’

n“No, good job. Thank you for the hard work.”

nIn-gong stroked Green Wind’s head. Then he returned to the other slave stores and started questioning them about Nayatra.

nThere were several more stores that she had visited with the purpose of knowing how many slaves they had.

nIn-gong left letters at all those stores. Carak, who was watching from the side, reassured In-gong that anyone would be curious after seeing so many letters.

n‘It isn’t bad if I spend some money on Nayatra.’

nJust as In-gong received information from the slave traders, Nayatra could also get information about the letters.

nBy the time he visited all the slave stores in Takar twice, it was late afternoon. It was now time to return to the hotel.

nEven though In-gong returned to the accommodations with heavy steps, the atmosphere of the others were different.

n‘The talking raccoon has become a happy raccoon.'

nLike Green Wind said, Amita had become happier as they sat on their tail eating sweets. Every time they ate, their body shook. So, they tried hard to maintain a calm expression.

n

"What type of candy is that?”

n

"I went to a sweets shop with Unni. Shutra and Carack should try it. It is really delicious.”

nCaitlin laughed at Carack’s question and handed over the sweets. They looked like a bunch of mooncakes.

nAlthough he didn’t really like mooncakes, there was no way to turn down Caitlin’s expectant eyes. In-gong picked up the smallest one and put it in his mouth.

n“How is it? Delicious? Yes?”

n

"Yes, delicious.

"

nIt was as he had expected although the taste wasn’t too bitter. It felt like he was eating a macaroon with a very high sugar content.

n“Shutra? Did something bad happen?”

nCaitlin inquired about In-gong’s complexion. In-gong smiled and shook his head.

n

"I’m just tired from walking around.”

nHowever, the worry on Caitlin’s face just increased further. Felicia frowned from where she was sitting on the couch and asked,

n

"Well, why don’t you just rest and not go to the auction in the evening?”

n

"No, I don’t know when I will be able to come again. I need to participate. And isn’t there still a lot of time left? I will be fine after taking a break.”

nThey would leave Takar tomorrow afternoon with the reinforcements. So, if he missed this opportunity, there would be no way to participate in the auction for a while.

nHe had missed Nayatra right in front of him, so he couldn’t miss the auction.

n

"Then I'm glad. If there is any trouble, just tell me. You don’t have to overdo it.”

n“I understand. Then I will get some rest first.”

nIn-gong entered the room that was assigned to him.

nThen after approximately two hours...

nThe party of well dressed people gathered in the living room of the hotel.

nCaitlin was wearing a cute yellow dress, revealing her shoulders which was unlike her usual style.

nAs In-gong’s eyes widened, Seira laughed and whispered to Carack. It seemed like her usual dresses were due to Chris.

n

"Does it suit me?”

nCaitlin asked with red cheeks. She was very excited about wearing a type of dress that she normally couldn’t wear because of Chris.

nIn-gong looked Caitlin up and down and laughed.

n“Caitlin noona is great.”

nAs he mimicked Caitlin’s reaction, Seira covered her mouth with her hands while Carack just laughed.

nCaitlin looked coy, but it was only for a moment. Then she smiled widely again.

n“What about me? Shutra, isn’t this provocative compared to the Demon King’s Palace?”

nUnlike Caitlin, Felicia was wearing the same type of clothes. In other words, it was a purple dress with a high degree of exposure. Even though he was familiar with Felicia’s style, In-gong still blushed for a moment.

nFelicia laughed as she laid a shawl over her shoulders, then she evaluated In-gong’s attire.

n

"Black suits you well. Don’t you look a little more mature?

"

nIn-gong usually wore a white suit to the court gatherings.

nWhile Felicia and Caitlin were interested in In-gong’s outfit, Seira and the other aides showed interest in Carack.

nDelia approached Carack and said casually,

n

"Carack, your tie is crooked. I’ll fix it.”

n

"Oh, thank you.”

n

"It isn’t a big deal.”

nDelia smiled gently as she stuck close to Carack, while Seira, Karma and Daphne’s eyes widened.

nIn-gong just sighed at the sight.

n'Nayatra can’t be like this.’

nOf course, Nayatra still hadn’t joined him.

nFelicia laughed and approached In-gong.

n

"Well, I’ll fix Shutra’s suit.”

nIn-gong had a bow tie, so there was nothing to fix, but he still accepted Felicia’s helping hand.

n&

nEven if Takar was the city of pleasure, the auction house was just an auction house.

nNot only were that various valuables that could be seen in any auction house, there were also things traded in the underground market such as the slave trade. Therefore, a huge amount of money passed through there.

nThe red auction house shone very brightly.

nSofas were arranged in a semi circle, and In-gong’s party received a great spot in the center.

nIn-gong looked around from where he was sitting between Felicia and Caitlin. Due to the bright room, it wasn’t difficult to see the faces of those attending.

n

"Then, I will start today’s auction.”

nEveryone’s attention became concentrated on the host, an incubus with red skin, who rang a bell on the stage. Amita, sitting on Daphne’s lap, gazed at the stage with interested eyes and seemed to be feeling better due to the sweets.

nThe auction was quite interesting, but In-gong was looking around instead of towards the stage.

n'My nerves are irritated.’

nSomehow, there were a few recognizable faces. He had seen these faces while playing Knight Saga.

nHowever, he didn’t remember where he had seen them since they were either an extra or supporting character.

nIn-gong was searching through his memories when he suddenly looked at the entrance of the auction house. Someone had come in late.

nTheir body was substantially larger than Carack’s. He had a pale face, yellow eyes and scar over his right eye. The black hair wriggled randomly like it was alive.

nIn-gong knew this face. Unlike the others, he clearly remembered where he had seen it.

n‘Paratus.’

nHe was the brother of the barbarian king Karatus, who ruled over the Eastern Limit Line to the east of Evian.

nThe memories continued... Paratus was one of the generals under the barbarian king.

nWhy had he appeared in Takar? Was it simply to participate in the auction?

nIn-gong shook my head. If Paratus coveted something, he would steal it, not buy it. It was clear that he had another reason.

n

"Carack, something unusual is going to happen.”

nIn-gong whispered to Carack, who suddenly looked very serious.

n

"What is it? Is it better to go back straight away?”

nThe incidents that involved In-gong always turned out unusual. It was natural to be nervous.

nIn-gong felt somewhat sad but soon regained his spirit. Anyway, he was really worried about the situation.

n“There is nothing definite... for the time being -.”

nKwa kwang!

nA roar coming from outside the auction house swallowed up the rest of In-gong’s words, and In-gong and Carack stood up without talking.

n