Chapter 26
Slave Market (1)
“…What do you mean, I lied?”
“You just lied.”
Izumi, speaking firmly, gently brushed under Ricardo’s chin. His other hand was subtly checking the wrist of the arm that had grabbed him.
He muttered,
“Pulse. Pupil response. Change in body temperature.”
“…What?”
“Lying always shows up physically.”
Ricardo’s body stiffened.
‘What the hell is this guy?’
That silly smile. The reputation of a lazy noble who had done nothing worthwhile for over twenty years. All of it—an act.
Those green eyes he once thought dull now appeared strange. There was a gleam to them that stirred up pure fear from the depths of his gut.
An unknown entity.
A fear born from the unknown gripped his tongue and froze his mouth. Just as he opened and closed his mouth, forgetting what to say—
“Ah—just kidding! I actually studied a bit of medicine, so I’ve been trying it out on people lately.”
Izumi winked.
“Anyway, you really don’t know where the Saint is, right?”
“…I don’t.”
“Oh dear, that’s a problem.”
“…Didn’t you say earlier that you could track her by scent?”
“Come on.”
He chuckled.
“Of course, that was a lie. How would I track someone five kilometers away by smell? I’m not a dog.”
“Well… that’s true.”
He had a point.
Even so, Ricardo couldn’t shake the chill he felt from the hero.
‘He’s dangerous.’
He had been wrong from the start.
This hero—an unprecedented title.
Like the Saint, he too was blessed by Aether. He might appear ordinary, but beneath that must lie something extraordinary.
And that extraordinariness would be lethal to a demon like himself—a blade to the heart. Swallowing hard, he tried to maintain his composure and averted the hero’s gaze.
“Well, I’ll be going now—”
“Ah, just a moment, Duke.”
…His path was blocked.
The hero, who had been behind him, now stood in front, blocking his way the moment he blinked.
The pressure was suffocating.
“What is it?”
“To be honest, I’m a little interested in buying some slaves.”
“…Slaves, you say?”
“Yes, slaves.”
The hero bowed slightly, grinning as he whispered.
“You’ve heard the rumors, right? That there’s an underground market in the capital that deals in young slaves?”
Ricardo’s head jerked up.
‘He’s interested in slaves?’
He carefully studied the hero.
A robust build and a smirking expression.
A young man in his prime. A noble by birth, even if from a lesser family.
As the son of a lord, exploiting serfs would be nothing unusual—but Baron Polly was famous for his integrity. No wonder he’d pressured his son so hard.
Ricardo’s mind spun.
‘If I connect him to the slave market… I might win his favor.’
But what if this was a trap?
Clergy types were all cunning and twisted. What if it was all a lie?
“What are you trying to say…?”
Just as he was about to decline, an image flashed through Ricardo’s mind—one of the massive man among the Saint’s party.
Black hair and eyes. Bearing features of the ancient race, yet strangely… human.
‘Could he have brainwashed the hero?’
It was a plausible theory.
—Or at least, Ricardo wanted to believe it. If the hero had been corrupted, all his prior worries would disappear in an instant.
With his logic neatly justified, he began to rub his hands together.
“Ah-ha. If you’d said so earlier, we could’ve skipped the small talk.”
“Cough. Still, I have my image to maintain. I can’t just break the rules openly.”
“Of course, of course. Just tell me what kind of slave you want, and I’ll find one for you at a good price.”
“Oh, no need for that.”
The hero waved his hands.
“I’d rather pick one out myself. I’ve got… preferences, you know?”
“Ah! Naturally, of course.”
Ricardo nodded.
“There’s a big slave auction at the Black Market tomorrow. I’ll help you attend. Are you bringing anyone? That man from the Western Continent, perhaps?”
“What would I do with a Westerner? I’ll go alone, quietly.”
“A wise choice!”
Ricardo beamed.
‘A fallen hero—so even Aether’s goddess has her limits!’
To think someone this garbage had been chosen by a god—it was delightful.
‘I should contact that demon separately. Didn’t they say he was from the Western Continent? He might be a mid-to-high-tier demon affiliated with Mincheon…’
His hopeful delusions burned bright.
The entire Black Market was under his control anyway.
Even if the hero had ulterior motives, he could be managed.
And if that black-haired man had similar intentions, then playing along for now was best. After issuing the ticket to the hero, Ricardo planned to approach the man separately and figure out what he was up to.
‘This just got easier.’
He’d been worrying about planting a spy—but there was already a demon embedded in their party.
Even the Saint couldn’t do much if her bodyguard and hero were both corrupted.
“Come wearing a mask and head to this location drawn here. Show the ticket and they’ll let you in quietly.”
With a crooked smile, Ricardo discreetly handed the hero the Black Market entry ticket.
“Hmm.”
Izumi admired the entry ticket he received from Duke Villa.
‘The Saint really is amazing.’
Everything had gone just as she said it would.
He recalled their earlier conversation.
“Wait a moment, Izumi.”
“Yes?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
Before the banquet started, Izumi had been pulled aside by Eustinas.
Cedric, who usually followed her around, had briefly left to use the restroom.
Thanks to that, Izumi was alone with her—and heard something shocking.
“Duke Villa is actually a demon.”
“…What? Really?”
“Really. I can tell the difference between humans and demons.”
He didn’t doubt her.
She was the Saint, after all.
In countless RPGs, Saints were basically living undead detectors. Blessed by the gods, she could definitely perceive things he couldn’t.
“Then… what should we do? Should I capture him?”
“He’s a duke and the prime minister of this kingdom. If we act rashly, we could be the ones in trouble.”
“…That’s a problem. But if you’re telling me this, then you must have a plan, right?”
“Of course. Which is why I have a favor to ask, Izumi…”
The favor was simple:
First—keep Duke Villa occupied and unaware while she removed the prince’s brainwashing.
Second—obtain an entry ticket to the underground slave market, the Black Market, from him.
“Can I really do that? I come from a humble family…”
“You’re not just any noble now. You’re a splendid hero chosen by Aether.”
When he hesitated, Eustinas gave him a bright smile.
“I believe in you, Izumi. You can do it.”
“…Okay.”
All he could do was nod, blushing.
“And I succeeded, after all…”
He gave the ticket a little wave, then quickly tucked it into his pocket. If another noble at the banquet spotted it, it would be more than just a minor suspicion.
After hiding the ticket, Izumi scratched the back of his head, returning to his usual innocent expression.
He remembered what happened after the talk with Eustinas.
‘By the way… I wonder if the princess and that dark-haired guy are okay. They were fighting like crazy.’
The Saint in the middle looked like she was having a really hard time.
Feeling an odd pang of pity, Izumi sighed.
‘I need to help her more.’
After all, only he and the Saint were sane in their party.
At the same time—
‘It worked.’
Still in Diold’s room, Eustinas had watched the whole exchange using her clairvoyance skill.
‘Got one ticket. Good call. I might trust Cedric, but I definitely can’t go into the auction myself.’
Her silver hair stood out too much. Even with a mask, her glass-like eyes would give her away.
Besides, a Saint entering the Black Market as a guest? That was just… off.
‘I need a different approach.’
With her thoughts clear, Eustinas turned to Cedric, who was quietly gazing into the air.
“Cedric.”
“Yes.”
He answered immediately, having watched the tearful sibling reunion without any emotional reaction.
“I have a job for you.”
“Just give the order.”
At his faithful-dog-like response, Eustinas smiled kindly and declared:
“I’m going to become a slave for a bit.”
“…Pardon?”
