53. Your Son is Truly Remarkable
Slaves…
Just the mention of the word allowed me to imagine a whole segment of content that followed, after all, this was practically the beginning of a script that could be called “tears of the era.” But I also understood: I couldn’t really give up on following the queen and Kephira just because of this. After all, from the moment the queen spoke of this plan, Kephira’s script had begun to pivot back toward the main storyline.
After a day of wandering under the guise of “investigation,” the next day, we welcomed a “new guest.”
“Young lady, it seems you not only managed to escape smoothly but have also been quite happy these past few days~”
Professor Moriarty, looking travel-worn yet full of energy, hurried over after wrapping up her assistance to us. Since we were outside, she naturally used a disguise when addressing the queen, approaching while handing over something that looked like tickets.
“And so, as per your instructions, I’ve brought a few entrance tickets. As long as you don’t draw too much attention, it should be absolutely fine to ‘visit’ this ‘talent market.'”
That’s right, we were currently on our way to investigate the “talent market” that existed in the territory of Uncle Zerola, Kephira’s father, in line with the queen’s thoughts, to uncover the details of the moon fairy Eliza. The professor’s appearance gave our mission the final push it needed.
“Thank you, Moriarty.”
The queen took the tickets and examined them before handing one each to me and Kephira. “It must have been quite a hassle for you to rush here, but within the royal city…”
“That ‘adult’ has already returned and continues her normal activities under your identity. However… Ludwig, who is always by her side, hasn’t shown up. That sprite has orders to never be diligent enough to go out, so… it’s likely he’s come to find you.”
With the professor’s words, my script also began to unfold!
【The Sword Saint Ludwig has come to eliminate O’Keefe!】
Wow, that’s quite straightforward. But at this point, how could I still fear such a level of death script?
After all, not only was Kephira right beside me, but even…
“Young lady, I think it would be better for you to hide. Why do something like this…”
“Because I like it~ Moriarty~”
Even the smartest and most cunning big boss I’ve encountered so far—Louise—was now standing on the same front as me!
The queen’s wisdom and preparation did not dull simply because her opponent this time was the Moon Fairy. In just a day, she had already figured out where the so-called “talent markets” were in Uncle Zerola’s territory. After reminding us to maintain our disguises, she led the way.
“Leader, cousin, do you know why the Great Yng Empire has always maintained a dominant position among the nations?”
On the journey, the queen, dressed like a strolling girl with her hat pulled low, gave us her final reminder. “It’s because the hidden power within the Great Yng Empire only reveals itself to the necessary extent when needed. Take the Sword Saint, for instance; she will only appear this time because her presence is required. Iris will never expose even a hint of excess power.”
“So, I’ve been considering and investigating what Iris has developed in places I don’t know about. Then, through your father Zerola’s ‘whispers,’ I gathered this information from your mother.”
Uncle… I didn’t expect you, who usually seems so cool and powerful, to also be someone who relies on his lower half to get things done?
“Iris has been gathering and training those who cannot properly learn to grow stronger. This is undoubtedly a good thing for the Great Yng Empire. But… now that I know, I don’t mind revealing this point, using it as leverage in negotiations with Iris. After all, such matters are technically prohibited by the laws of the Great Yng Empire.”
“So, we must be discreet—hmm—”
With that, the queen turned to us, no, she glanced at Kephiel. “My dear cousin, do you understand?”
The queen’s intuition was indeed sharp, for the next moment I looked at Kephiel’s script and realized she wasn’t as happy this time.
【Kephiel resents the existence of the underbelly.】
How could the true protagonist in the script be comfortable with the existence of “slavery” and “brainwashing”? But for now, I can only put you in a difficult position, Kephiel.
“We will remain calm.”
Holding Kephiel’s hand, we quietly turned into a seemingly innocuous “talent market” beside the street, as indicated by the queen. Due to the “ticket issue,” Professor Moriarty and the other patrol team members couldn’t follow us. From now on, the queen’s safety would rely solely on Kephiel and me!
“Three esteemed guests~ Are you here to see the maids? We have contract workers of all ages and races, feel free to choose~”
Disguised as a labor market, the background characters bowed and flattered the visitors, but all of this was merely a facade for the real “business” happening here. After Kephiel and I followed the queen’s lead and presented our “tickets,” the background character immediately squinted at us, then gestured for us to enter.
“Ah, VIPs! Please, come right in!”
【Ogilid and the others enter the “talent market.”】
The script appeared, and now we were truly stepping into danger. However… in order to find an opportunity to defeat the Moon Fairy, I had no choice.
The so-called “VIP room” was a hidden chamber reached after a narrow corridor. From a distance, the setup looked no different from the clichéd “slave trade” I had in mind, but the background character’s introduction surprised me.
“You three seem to be new customers. To be honest, your timing is a bit unfortunate. Although there are many impressive ‘contract workers’ in this batch, one of our regulars, Lord Louis the Ninety-Ninth, is also here to buy. Since you three are new, let me remind you: don’t compete too much with that lord; the ‘contract workers’ he has his eye on are ones he can buy no matter the cost.”
The unfamiliar name, along with the script’s appearance, made me alert: this investigation might not be so simple after all.
After all…
【Louis the Ninety-Ninth has received orders and is searching for suitable candidates.】
The content of the script clearly indicated that this fellow had “connections.”
Kephiel beside me couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Don’t you ask what you’re going to do with so many slaves once you gather them?”
“Slaves?”
The background character immediately looked at us with a strange expression. To avoid exposing our identities, I hurriedly explained for Kephiel.
“Sorry, my wife is here for the first time and isn’t very familiar with this place.”
“That’s fine, but young lady, this is not a ‘slave-selling’ place that lacks taste and dignity; it’s a genuine ‘talent market.’ The contract workers inside have all voluntarily made agreements in exchange~ You should be careful not to speak out of turn; just follow your husband closely, or you might attract the attention of other customers~”
—
“！”
I tightened my grip on Ke Fei’er’s hand a little more.
You’re not wrong, Ke Fei’er. Special circumstances call for special treatment. Even if you’re feeling furious about the existence of such a place within your father’s territory, at least hold it in until the investigation is over.
Can’t I just give you a hug? From now on, you must hold it together!