Chapter 03
In the dead of night, not even the sound of insects could be heard. Two figures walked silently along the path, wearing masks and black hoods.
Their movements were so quiet that not a single footstep was audible.
Eventually, they arrived at a forest on the outskirts of the Grand Duchy.
Under the dim glow of magical lamps, large tents were guarded by well-built soldiers.
Everyone entering the tents wore masks and hoods, just like the two newcomers, though for reasons unknown.
The two stood before the largest central tent, where a guard blocked their way.
“Show your tickets.”
One of the two reached into their chest and produced two golden, gilded passes.
Upon seeing them, the guard quickly bowed respectfully. These were VVIP passes, reserved for only the most distinguished guests.
“I will guide you to your seats.”
The guard led them to a central second-floor spot with a perfect view of the stage. The area was enclosed, offering privacy.
Once the guard left, the two removed their hoods and masks.
“I’ve never been to a place like this before.”
Melina looked down with curious eyes.
Though she found the slave auction abhorrent, its novelty sparked a strange fascination.
“This will be the first and last time. You’ve prohibited the slave trade, after all.”
Ran’s words carried the determination to ensure that no one would ever defy the leader’s orders again.
“That’s exactly how it should be.”
Tonight would also serve as a test—could she survive as Berta? Melina wanted to succeed at this, above all.
To live as Berta, she had to shed the obedient, good-girl persona. Otherwise, she could not handle this situation.
Old habits of hesitation and doubt still surfaced at times, but each time, she mentally “killed” that part of herself.
There was no going back—and she had no desire to.
Melina’s eyes gleamed with resolve.
“Shan.”
At her call, Shan appeared silently.
“If there’s any commotion here, start with Bern. You must capture him yourself.”
Throughout generations, the leader’s face was known only to the closest aides. This was a precaution for the leader’s safety.
Thus, Ran and Shan acted as proxies for the leader. Shan’s presence signaled that the leader had come in person.
“When should I make my entrance for maximum impact?”
As Shan disappeared, Melina smiled faintly, gazing at the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we shall begin today’s auction. Tonight, we have prepared exceptional items guaranteed to ignite your purchasing desires, so please look forward to them.”
The stage curtain rose, and the auctioneer energized the crowd. One by one, slaves were presented.
Midway through the auction, a report came confirming Bern’s location and that preparations were complete.
Melina rose, stretching lightly.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted on the first floor.
“Stop!”
A deep, commanding voice echoed through the hall. Silence fell instantly, and all eyes turned toward the man.
The auctioneer, frozen in shock, stared blankly at him.
“Who is that?”
Melina glared at the man with displeasure—he had stolen her “opening move.”
His face was hidden by a mask and hood, making identification impossible. Yet his tall, solid build and fierce aura made his presence unmistakable.
“Ran.”
Melina’s gaze asked if Ran knew him, but she shook her head.
“Immediately halt the auction! No one leaves this place from now on!”
Melina, unsure how to proceed, realized there could be no hesitation. As Temno’s leader, she had to handle Bern herself—or lose face.
“I can’t let this slide.”
She leapt from the second-floor railing and shouted:
“Black Wolf!”
The Black Wolves revealed themselves, surrounding the hall.
The sudden appearance stunned the crowd. The man blinked in surprise, staring at Melina.
Those attempting to flee were blocked by the Black Wolves. Even the auction guards who entered were subdued instantly.
The auctioneer, seeing the Black Wolves, turned pale.
“Do not interfere in Temno’s affairs.”
Melina whispered as she brushed past the man. His pupils flickered briefly.
“My deepest apologies to our guests. Please remain seated, and we will resolve everything shortly.”
Ascending to the center of the stage, Melina bowed gracefully. Eyes turned to her. Murmurs subsided, and those trying to flee hesitantly returned to their seats.
As she raised her head, her expression suddenly hardened, and her hand moved subtly.
“Ugh!”
The auctioneer stumbled backward, groaning in pain, an armed shuriken lodged in his ankle.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Melina twisted her lips as she hurled shurikens at fleeing men. Ran followed, handling those nearby.
Where they passed, the auction staff groaned and fell sprawled across the floor. The slaves on stage trembled at the sight of her.
With Melina and Ran neutralizing those behind the stage, the Black Wolves had complete control of the hall.
Melina advanced toward Bern, pausing as she sensed an unfamiliar presence nearby.
‘Have they been lying in wait all along? Are they the man’s associates?’
The man’s identity was suspicious. Melina decided to postpone him and continued.
Guided by the Black Wolves, she entered to find Bern kneeling, bound, with Shan holding a blade to him.
“Bern.”
At Melina’s cold voice, Bern trembled.
Though he couldn’t see her face through the mask, he reacted to Shan and Ran, recognizing them as proxies for the leader.
“You know your crime, yes?”
“Please spare me! I’ve done wrong! Spare my life!”
Bern lowered himself, hands and feet pressed to the floor in desperation.
“If you knew it was wrong, you shouldn’t have done it. Did you think you could survive defying my orders?”
“I-I did wrong. I had no means to survive due to the sudden policy change. Please forgive me just this once!”
‘No means to survive?’ Melina’s eyes turned icy. She had already provided support and compensation.
“Who is the leader of Temno?”
“Y-You, my lord, are not?”
Bern answered, confused, as if asking why she questioned the obvious.
“Really? I thought you were the leader.”
Still oblivious to her meaning, Bern stared blankly.
“Changing policy is my decision. You only need to obey. I am Temno’s law itself.”
Finally, Bern’s face drained of color as he understood.
“Spare me! I overstepped! Please forgive me!”
He pressed his forehead to the ground, bowing repeatedly.
“You said you had no means to survive? Then what about the money I gave you? Show me the accounts.”
Bern froze. His darting eyes spoke for him.
“If you break Temno’s law, there’s no second chance. Drag him out!”
Melina led the way as Shan pulled Bern along.
Outside, Bern’s subordinates knelt, all bound, surrounded by the Black Wolves. The hall was quiet, as guests had been sent away… though not all. That same mysterious man still stood, accompanied by others.
Melina’s gaze shifted toward him, and a Black Wolf approached to report.
“They refused to leave, insisting on seeing you. How should we handle them?”
Normally, she would have forced them away, but this man didn’t seem likely to back down. Moreover, she sensed she shouldn’t treat him carelessly.
“I’ll speak to him myself.”
Melina walked toward him. He had been watching her intently since she emerged from the tent.
“Still business to attend to?”
“Is this person the owner of the auction?”
The man pointed at Bern. Melina nodded lightly.
“Then hand him over to me.”
“Why should I?”
“I am here under orders from Grand Duke Caster to investigate this place. I have the authority to apprehend those conducting illegal slave auctions. Hand him over.”
Melina widened her eyes slightly at the mention of the Grand Duke’s name. The person she had been waiting to meet was connected to this man.
“Can you prove your identity?”
To verify whether he was truthful, the man produced a badge showing he was a knight of the Grand Ducal family.
Melina examined it carefully. It could be a fake. What then? She paused, then spoke.
“Even under the Grand Duke’s orders, I cannot comply.”
“Why not?”
Surprised by the lack of anger, the man looked at her curiously.
“As I said, Bern is a member of Temno. Temno handles Temno’s affairs. Surely you understand that?”
No one in the empire was unaware of that. A Grand Ducal knight would know it especially well. Yet this man insisted on taking Bern. Why?
“How do you know Bern belongs to Temno?”
“Is there anyone in the empire performing such acts who isn’t part of Temno?”
Unable to retort, the man paused to consider.
“Then how do you prove that you are Temno?”
Melina frowned, sensing his attempts to pick a fight.
“Why should I prove that to a knight?”
“This is Grand Duke Caster’s territory. As his knight, I have the right to verify identities, especially where illegal activity occurs.”
Facing a meeting with the Grand Duke soon, she could not afford to be coercive with his knight.
‘How much should I reveal?’
Should she introduce herself as a senior officer or as the leader herself? Melina scrutinized the man again. Something about him felt oddly familiar.
‘That voice… when have I heard it?’
That height, build, commanding aura—and a Grand Ducal knight.
Piecing it together, a smile crept across Melina’s lips. She seemed to know who he was.
She gestured, and a nearby Black Wolf stood at attention.
“Remove your gloves.”
Quickly, the Black Wolf complied, extending his right hand to her.
“Look carefully. Nothing here, right?”
Melina placed the wolf’s hand against the man’s, then removed it and showed it again.
“…!”
His eyes widened as he saw the black wolf insignia emblazoned on the back of the hand.
