The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

Chapter 72

"This is the final item of the day! The one all of our esteemed guests have been eagerly awaiting!" Noor announced as the auction reached its climax.

"Our star of the show is an elf who was captured near the great southern forest!" Noor's voice boomed as an elf was dragged onto the stage.

Her pointed ears, peeking through her long hair, made it clear what she was. Unlike the other slaves who had been presented earlier, she was thoroughly restrained. She had a gag in her mouth to prevent her from taking her own life, and a blindfold covered her eyes to ensure she couldn't see anything.

"So it was true!" someone exclaimed.

"I'm bidding on her, so the rest of you had better back off!" another person called out.

The auction hall, which had been relatively calm until now, buzzed with raised voices as excitement filled the room.

Noor smiled, clearly pleased with the rising tension as he said, "Elves receive basic training. In the process of capturing her, we severed the tendons in her limbs to make sure she wouldn't resist. We ask for your understanding regarding that. Now, let's start the bidding at a hundred thousand gold." Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The auction began with a price that would rival the yearly budget of a small barony. For commoners, it was an unimaginable sum.

"110,000!" a person said.

"120,000!" someone else called out.

"150,000!" another person yelled out.

But to the so-called nobles in this room, it didn't seem to matter. The price skyrocketed within seconds.

Cobler, who was watching the auction unfold beside Caron, leaned in and asked quietly, "You're not planning to participate in the auction, are you, Young Master?"

"How much do you think she'll go for?" Caron asked.

"It's hard to say. The last elf we captured sold for 300,000 gold, but this one's in much better condition. The last one had already lost a hand... If I had to guess, maybe around 500,000 gold?"

It was a ludicrous sum, but Caron knew all too well that there were plenty of people in this world with money to burn.

"500,000 gold... I suppose that's a tolerable price for high-ranking nobles who own multiple thriving businesses," Caron said.

"There's also that absurd superstition that sleeping with an elf grants immortality. The crazier perverts will throw themselves at the chance. And the higher up the nobles are, the more they believe in that nonsense," Cobler explained.

Caron noticed a flicker of disdain in Cobler's tone, as if to convey insult toward the nobility. Cobler seemed to realize his slip-up and quickly slammed his forehead onto the ground.

"I-I misspoke..." Cobler stuttered.

But Caron merely chuckled and nodded, then said, "True enough. Plenty of fools believe in those stupid myths. I've even met some who believe in devils."

He drained the rest of the liquor from his glass in one gulp. For some reason, the drink tasted unbearably bitter.

"300,000!" someone called out.

The bidding for the elf had reached 300,000 gold. Unlike the frenzy at the beginning, only two or three bidders remained in the race.

"Cobler," Caron said as he cut through the noise.

Cobler looked at Caron and replied, "Y-Yes, Young Master?"

"You said your specialty was kidnapping slaves from other traders, right?" Caron asked.

"That's correct," Cobler answered.

"Then, can you do the same for the slaves being sold here at this auction?" Caron asked.

When Cobler heard the question, his ugly face turned deathly pale. He slowly answered, "I-It would be difficult."

"Why?" Caron asked.

"The clients who use this auction are all from prestigious families. After the auction ends, the organizers assign mercenaries to escort the buyers and their goods to their desired destinations. There's no way a group of slave traders could hope to take them on... They're far too well-guarded," Cobler explained.

They were being extremely meticulous. Caron knew what it meant to provide an escort for high-value merchandise. There would likely be knights among the guards, and in this city, there was only one person capable of wielding such power.

"So that's why you mentioned Marquis Leandro was behind all this," he said, his voice tinged with understanding.

"...Young Master, you're not the first to think of such a plan. But... Every single person who's tried it has been brutally killed. If you're even considering such thoughts—" Cobler said.

"I'll handle the rest from here," Caron interrupted.

"I-I cannot be involved, Young Master! Please, just kill me right here if you're serious!" Cobler pleaded, visibly terrified.

Seeing Cobler's fear, Caron sighed. It gave him a glimpse into how Marquis Leandro governed this city. Reben was governed with a terrifying iron fist.

Turning his attention back to the auction, Caron heard the auctioneer call out, "300,000 gold. Any more bids?"

The race seemed to have come to an end. A large man, who had likely bid the three hundred thousand, started shouting with glee, his belly jiggling with excitement. He exclaimed, "Haha! It's mine! It's mine! I'm finally going to have an elf slave—"

But the man's joy didn't last long, as Caron quickly wrote a bid on the magical slate in front of him.

Noor's voice soon rang out through the hall. "Bidder twenty-six, 500,000 gold."

Cobler's jaw dropped as he muttered in disbelief, "500,000... 500,000 gold? Young Master?"

"You said it couldn't be done, so I'll just take her this way," Caron said with a sly smile as he gazed at the stage.

Noor, standing on the stage, scanned the room and declared loudly, "500,000 gold! 500,000 gold! Sold to bidder twenty-six for 500,000 gold! Congratulations!"

The auction staff erupted into applause, while the other clients glared at Caron's section with obvious displeasure. Caron waved at them lightly, unfazed.

"Do you really have 500,000 gold...?" Cobler asked cautiously.

"You idiot. The Black Card requires a minimum balance of 500,000 gold to even be issued. Of course I have it," Caron said.

He had more than enough money, not only from the development business in Belrus Barony but also from the business ventures he'd engaged in over at Thebe. That was why he'd made sure to maintain a close relationship with the mayor.

Besides, even if he needed more money, all he had to do was sell a few shares. It would be easy to gather the funds.

However, Caron had no intention of properly paying the fee. He said, "Alright, Cobler. Let's begin."

"...Pardon? What do you mean, Young Master?" Cobler asked.

"What do you think?" Caron shot back. He smirked as he glanced at Noor, who was staring down at him from the stage.

"Something fun," Caron continued, a mischievous glint in his eye.

***

After the auction ended, Caron found himself in the VIP reception room on the top floor of the auction house. Noor, the owner of the auction, smiled as he faced the young man before him.

"I'm glad to see such fine merchandise has found an excellent owner," Noor said smoothly.

The young man, though clearly youthful in appearance, wore a steel mask that concealed much of his face. Despite his age, Noor had confirmed that the young man held a Black Card, a mark of the utmost financial privilege. And this same man had just spent a staggering 500,000 gold on an elf. He was indeed a prized customer.

"High-quality goods always seem to find their way to those who deserve them," Noor continued. "Perhaps your visit here today means you were destined for this very moment."

With that, Noor gave a subtle glance toward one of his subordinates. The man nodded and swiftly left the room, then returned moments later, leading in the "merchandise" they were discussing.

The elf was a woman with pale green hair. Unlike earlier, when she was still blindfolded, her eyes were now uncovered. Her striking brown eyes instantly drew attention, captivating the room.

"It seems she recognizes her new master," Noor commented with a smirk. "Earlier, her eyes were filled with hatred, but now she appears calm. However, do be cautious, Young Master. Elven beauty hides sharp thorns, and if you're careless, you may find yourself wounded."

The elf's mouth was still gagged, but her demeanor had indeed softened. Noor positioned her beside Caron, took a sip of his tea, then continued with a pleasant smile.

"So, how will you be paying?" he asked, the question a mere formality.

Caron shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "It's my first time using this place. How do people usually pay?"

"Cash is always preferred," Noor replied smoothly.

"But then the flow of funds can be traced," Caron pointed out, casually yet sharply.

It was a natural concern for nobles, especially when dealing with such an enormous sum as 500,000 gold. If too much money was moved at once, someone could take notice and start digging.

He's young and inexperienced, Noor thought as observed the young man. Despite his wealth, the young man seemed to be a fresh face in high society, possibly still learning the ways of the world.

Noor softened his tone and offered a reassuring explanation. "There's no need to worry. What you're purchasing here isn't technically the elf, but rather gemstones equivalent to 500,000 gold. This auction house operates as a gemstone dealership during the day."

"...So you're laundering the money," Caron said flatly.

Noor gave a humble nod, a small smile still on his lips, then said, "We simply do everything we can to ensure that none of our esteemed clients face any undue trouble."

After that, he took another sip of tea and quietly studied Caron. There was no doubt this young man could pay. After all, that Black Card wasn't just for show. It was issued by the Imperial Bank and reserved only for the true elite, the wealthiest and most powerful in the empire. Just having such a card was a testament to both immense authority and financial might.

I've already confirmed the card's authenticity, Noor thought to himself, recalling the extra precautions he had taken. Despite what that vile slave trader, Cobler, had said, Noor had verified the card through the branch manager of the Imperial Bank in Reben; someone who, conveniently, was also a frequent guest of the auction house. And since the manager was attending the auction this very day, the process had gone smoothly.

There was no need to worry about whether Caron could pay. The only question was how he would do it. But then, Caron's next words wiped the smile from Noor's face.

"Then I'll pay later," Caron said calmly.

"...Excuse me?"

"I've got a private stash in the vaults at Thebe. Since you're already offering an escort to wherever I need to go, how about you take me to Thebe, and I'll pay you there?" Caron's unexpected proposal hung in the air.

He was suggesting that he would pay a fee of 500,000 gold after the fact.

Noor quickly regained his composure, masking his surprise as he said, "Our policy strictly requires upfront payment, Young Master. I'm afraid we can't let you take the elf without settling the transaction first. Perhaps you could send someone to fetch the funds and bring them here?"

It was a compromise that adhered to the unspoken rule of the slave market: Money first, always. Without that guarantee, there could be no trust, especially in such illegal dealings.

"Or, you could use your Imperial Bank payment card. That would allow us to complete the transaction right away," Noor offered smoothly.

Caron's face twisted in irritation as he said, "That would leave a trail proving I was here, you idiot."

Though the young man's vulgarity was clear, Noor was unfazed. He continued, "If you wish, we could assist you in withdrawing from another branch. However, you'd have to stay in Reben until then."

"I don't want to spend a single extra day in this filthy place," Caron growled.

"Isn't it too much to ask for payment after the fact when we don't even know each other? I believe you're well aware that money is the only thing we can trust," Noor pressed cautiously.

Nobles who frequented the slave market typically preferred discreet, clean transactions. No one with any sense would risk exposing their identity to commit such a heinous act.

He'll have no choice but to comply, Noor thought confidently.

However, his expectation completely missed the mark. The young man in front of him spoke up right away, as if he had been waiting for it.

"So if I reveal my identity, you'll let me pay after?" Caron asked.

"Not exactly..." Noor said.

"Good," Caron interrupted. "I was getting tired of wearing this mask anyway."

With a swift motion, he removed the steel mask from his face, revealing his features to the room: Golden hair, gleaming with health and vitality, and striking blue eyes that seemed to pierce through Noor. It was a face that would cause anyone to pause in admiration.

Is he out of his mind? Noor wondered. Even with such a handsome face, he couldn't recognize who this young man was.

"Isn't it about time your boss showed up personally?" Caron said.

"I'm the one in charge here, and even though you've shown me your face, I still don't—" Noor's words faltered as something in Caron's eyes changed. The young man's gaze suddenly turned cold and menacing.

At some point, Noor realized that his leg was trembling. Moreover, even when he tried to move his hand, it didn't budge at all. No, to be more precise, it wasn't just his hand. He felt paralyzed.

"Go and tell your boss," Caron said as he got up from his chair and slowly approached Noor. Then, after placing a hand on Noor's shoulder, he continued, "Caron Leston wants to see you."