56. Your Support’s Support Was in My Bed Last Night
The script unfolded before my eyes, accompanied by the restless actions of Louis the Ninety-Ninth’s sycophants. I knew all too well: in the face of a script that already threatened death, it would be safest for me to keep a low profile and cheer for Kephiel from the sidelines. But…
Kephiel’s identity was special, tied to the queen sitting nearby. To ensure the safety of both women and keep their identities hidden, I had no choice but to put on a brave front.
“Isn’t the rule of the ‘talent market’ to bid? I have an elf I’m interested in buying, so making an offer shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
I discreetly moved away from Kephiel and the queen, inevitably exposing myself to the light. Thankfully, I had no distinctive features, and this was a distant noble territory. Although Louis the Ninety-Ninth could see me clearly, he didn’t seem to recognize my identity.
“A skilled and beautiful elf—why wouldn’t I bid? Am I a fool?”
Some things are only understood among men, and I said it without shame. After all, Kephiel and the queen would understand me. After all…
My gaze swept over the panicked and noisy buyers around me, finally landing on the stage illuminated by the lights. The script appeared the moment I spotted that elf!
【The spy elf of the Prussian Kingdom has found Oujilide!】
This elf recognized me immediately! Yet, even upon recognizing me, she didn’t rush over crying out, which made me realize: she was here as a secret “messenger” to convey something that only Adéle could tell me!
Since the queen had already opened the door for my hesitation, I had no reason to hesitate now. I had to snatch her away from Louis the Ninety-Ninth!
After hearing my reasoning that any man would understand, Louis the Ninety-Ninth finally pushed through his entourage to reveal himself. This young golden-haired man, with an air of arrogance and a sense of superiority due to his status, was someone I had seen many times before, and I would have simply categorized him as a “background character.”
However, this time, the script he brought intrigued me.
【Louis the Ninety-Ninth is serving his master behind the scenes!】
This “master behind the scenes” must be the one who drives Louis the Ninety-Ninth to buy various “contract workers.” Well, I could guess who it was, and that made me even less anxious.
“Hmph, superficial.”
Louis the Ninety-Ninth stepped forward, disdainfully sizing me up. “This isn’t a place for someone like you! If you want a woman, go to the slave market!”
“Hey? Are you afraid to bid, my lord?”
“!”
【Louis the Ninety-Ninth is enraged!】
Strangely enough, as the big boss Oujilide, my words seemed to have a heightened mocking effect. I was merely asking if this Lord Ninety-Ninth was afraid to compete with us on price, but before I could finish my sentence…
He looked as if he had just eaten something foul and became furious!
“How dare you mock me! Hey! Seller, how did you let someone who doesn’t understand the business in here!”
Seeing the host cower, Louis the Ninety-Ninth couldn’t wait any longer. He took a few steps forward, and amidst the gasps of those around, he reached out to throw a punch at me!
“Looks like I need to teach you a lesson, you arrogant little brat! Do you think this is paradise?”
In the next moment, Louis the Ninety-Ninth swung a punch at my face. In the past, I might have thought it was fierce and dangerous, relying on the script to dodge, but now…
This level of provocation was even less intense than the slap Kephiel had given me when she misunderstood me. In fact, Kephiel knew I could handle it and didn’t even plan to intervene!
Seizing the opportunity, I immediately grabbed his fist and twisted! A sharp cry echoed as Louis the Ninety-Ninth screamed, startling half the buyers around us!
“Lord Louis the Ninety-Ninth, you say I’m an outsider? Then buying citizens from other countries is definitely illegal and should go to trial. You say I’m an insider? But you don’t dare to compete with me on price, so do you see me as an outsider or an insider? You’re making me… very confused, noble lord!”
Then, I delivered a kidney shot, knocking him to the ground, unable to shout out from the pain! After a while, when he finally caught his breath, Louis the Ninety-Ninth began to wail.
“Ow… you… you… ah… my waist… where are the others!? Where are you all!?”
—
If possible, I wouldn’t want to go this far. Right now, I’m doing this to provide cover for the queen. Although no one here knows me, it’s all because the queen’s image is simply too dazzling. There are many in the Great Yīng Empire who recognize the queen with her hat pulled low nearby.
Of course, there’s bound to be a side effect to what I’m doing, and… it’s about to hit.
Louis the Ninety-Ninth’s lackeys, after being startled, have already reacted and are rushing towards me! There are quite a few of them, and the place is narrow and crowded. More importantly: the queen is sitting right behind me, so I can’t possibly choose to run away!
Should I continue to mouth off and intimidate this Louis the Ninety-Ninth? Or should I just go all in!? With Kephiel by my side, a death script really doesn’t mean much…
Just as I was hesitating, Louis the Ninety-Ninth, who was scrambling to his feet while shouting, looked even more frantic!
“Dare, dare to provoke me!? Do you know who my backer is!? Who here dares to take my things! I am a great hero of the Great Yīng Empire, and also the lord here, Zer…”
This guy seems to have let slip something significant, so… he’s destined to not make me suffer any consequences!
Before his words could finish, and before I had a chance to figure out how to deal with the lackeys in front of me, Kephiel… as expected, couldn’t sit still!
A waft of fragrance passed before my eyes, and after tossing a few lackeys aside as if they were mere toys, in just a short while, Kephiel had already grabbed Louis the Ninety-Ninth by the hair and yanked him up.
“Ah! W-where did this foul woman come from!? Can’t you see!? Don’t you understand human language!? Do you want to be Zer…”
“Zerra? My noble lord, could you say that again? Who told you to do this?”
Kephiel’s eyes were already ablaze with anger, making me want to keep my distance.
“Don’t understand! Of course it’s Zer…”
Halfway through his words, Louis the Ninety-Ninth suddenly shut his mouth. After all… although Kephiel isn’t as dazzling as the queen, there are still quite a few nobles in the Great Yīng Empire who recognize her.
【Louis the Ninety-Ninth recognized Kephiel!】
“Ah, uh… you… Ke… why are you here…”
“Could you repeat what you just said about your backing? Or should I shake your head until you remember!?”
Kephiel’s grip tightened suddenly, accompanied by Louis the Ninety-Ninth’s wails. Now he couldn’t threaten me with any more talk of “my powerful backer.”
He probably doesn’t even know that this greatest backer slept beside me last night.
This scene sent all the guests present fleeing in a panic! Only the host, a mere extra, remained, trembling after discovering Kephiel’s identity.
I messed up. I said I would investigate discreetly, but ended up causing such a commotion. The queen, that…
“Sigh… there’s really no helping it, Lid. Go bring that elf over.”
The queen lowered her hat and didn’t express any discontent about our recklessness; instead, she chose to resolve the last “cleanup” immediately.
“Kephiel, don’t keep staring at them and asking questions. Let’s wrap this up and leave quickly, or we won’t have time to clean up. You two really… love to give me trouble~”
I’m sorry, my queen. By the way, I’m truly grateful that you can sense my thoughts and even help me resolve them. When I return, I will sincerely sing your praises with “God save our queen,” Louise.
—