The Extra's Return

Yary and Marquess Stronghold's response was interesting to see.

They raised their eyebrows in unison. Their eyes met each other as if they were confirming to each other that they were both equally surprised.

Since I was able to find out a piece of information that I wasn't supposed to know, it was only natural that they were surprised.

The slave auction.

The main reason for organizing the slave auction was to sell premium quality slaves.

Most of the slaves that were auctioned off were slaves from the beastmen race.

The bidders usually called the auction a special auction of the beastmen race.

Beastmen were premium quality slaves. Apart from their uniqueness, they were a rare commodity also because there were no more wars on this continent. Therefore, it was not easy to obtain slaves of the beastmen race in this era of peace.

Although the Marquess Stronghold territory was adjacent to the Varmint Association territory, the slave hunters had to conduct all slavery-related activities clandestinely.

Thus, if they only sold directly, then they could lose. Since many people were fighting over them, the slave auction was the best way to get the maximum profit.

Actually, not only beastmen but other premium quality slaves were also sold there, just like humans.

That was the reason I volunteered to become Yary's asset or slave.

"Pfftt." A muffled laugh escaped from Marquess Stronghold's mouth. "In other words, you want to be a slave instead of just getting killed?"

"That's right, my lord. I'm confident enough to fall into the premium slave category." I said confidently.

I wasn't talking nonsense.

Just by my identity as a noble child, I think was enough to add to my marketability.

Marquess Stronghold continued to watch my face, "Hm-" while looking at my face, he seemed to be thinking hard.

"I think what you said is quite reasonable." Finally, after touching his beard for a long time, he gave a positive response.

There was no reason for him to reject my offer.

Moreover, I knew that Yary was willing to go to great lengths to capture Jeanne because he wanted to keep her as a slave, and he intended to auction her off there.

For the sake of enlivening the slave auction event, more quality products would be better.

"D-Daddy, are you serious?" Yary shouted.

My assumption was not one hundred percent accurate. A rejection response had been issued by Yary. He had gritted his teeth in annoyance.

"Think about it once more with a calm head, my dear. You should always be able to weigh the gains and losses. This can be a valuable lesson for you as the future leader of this region."

"You mean, I'm stupid? So that I have to learn again, is that it?! I also agree, but that's if it's before he's insolent to me."

The fight between father and son seemed about to begin. However, after Marquess Stronghold embraced and patted Yary's head, the tension seemed to subside.

"Oh, my dear. Calm down. Making a decision for something more favorable can make you more able to exploit your big foster brother," Marquess Stronghold whispered softly in Yary's ear.

Perhaps you're curious about who the big foster brother they've been talking about was.

It hasn't been publicly announced yet, but Marquess Stronghold has actually adopted a child.

It would be inaccurate to call that person a child because that person was already a middle-aged man.

Since Yary was impotent, it was obvious that he could not have children.

Perhaps that was why he was allowed to fool around with many women, which Marquess Stronghold probably hoped his son's impotence could cure.

I spoke a little out of context.

My point was, because Yary was impotent, the Marquess Stronghold adopted someone else. And that other person was Gyas Stronghold. He was the same Gyas who became the Head of the Adventurer's Association of Burgenfield city branch.

"By the way, how did you know that there was going to be a slave auction in this city? I'm sure any information regarding the auction has been kept secret," asked Marquess Stronghold with a serious expression. His gaze was menacing despite his old age.

It was only natural that he looked at me with a menacing gaze. In general, slavery activities, such as buying and selling slaves, displaying slaves in public, and so on were classified matters.

It was usually done by slave sellers secretly. However, people in general can still get information with a little effort.

In contrast to ordinary slavery activities, all information about slave auction events was kept tightly under wraps. Only a select few nobles, wealthy merchants, and other important people knew about slave auctions.

Not even the slightest rumor was allowed.

The reason was...

In public, while the sale and purchase of slaves and all slavery activities would normally be conducted by the slave seller, the slave auction was conducted by the person who controlled the slave market in this city.

Should we call him the boss behind the scenes?

Therefore, all information about the slave auction was kept secret because the boss would be present at the event.

He didn't want to expose himself to people from the royal family faction who strictly adhered to the royal law.

Are you wondering how the boss managed to hide such information so well?

Understandably, the person behind the scenes of the event was not a random person. He had so much power and influence in the city that he was able to hide the fact from the general public that there had been a silent slave auction.

There was only one person who fits the above description. Who else if not Marquess Stronghold himself the boss was?

In the novel Demon Lord and Hero of Light, it was mentioned that the real masterminds of slavery activities were the slave traders.

Indeed, it was not wrong. The slave traders were arguably the ones who ran and were actively involved with slavery activities, but they were not the real masterminds.

Perhaps Marquess Stronghold used his men as sacrificial lambs when Jullian and Jeanne attacked the slavery hotbed area in this city, so that only the slave traders were exterminated by Jullian?

'In the novel, it has been told that Jullian learned the information about the slavery den from the black market. So, it looks like Jullian was fooled.'

I had heard about Marquess Stronghold, who was the boss of all slavery activities in this city, through the mouths of the people who participated in the war. That was after the flames of war had spread across the continent. So, there was no reason to doubt the source of the information I had.

'Another secret that is not recorded in the novel, huh.'

I'd better think of a reason that I can give him, about why I know about the slave auction that will be held soon.

With a flat face, I said firmly.

"Because I'm a former noble. I happened to meet a wealthy merchant in this city, so with a little effort, I was also invited to attend the event. It's a pity that I meddled in young lord Yary's affairs unintentionally, resulting in me being in the current state."

"Hmm. I'll investigate that later. By the way, why did you run away?"

I wonder why he wants to know about that matter.

"Your background story is important if we want to sell you at a high price." Marquess Stronghold told me.

".... The main reason I ran away was because I had been humiliated by Jullian Arkie."

"Oh, you mean the eldest son of Duke Arkie?"

"I think so."

"Ha ha ha. What a good story. Well..."

Marquess Stronghold took out a paper from beneath the pure white robe with blue lines he wore.

What he took out was a paper.

I can guess what it is.

[Name: Agreement Paper.

Grade: Low

Description: A paper mass-produced by a magician. It contains a magic that prevents people from hurting and harming the user. Once active, the user can hand over their Agreement Paper rights to another person.

Conditions: The designated party must agree of their own accord.

Note: Effects may disappear at any time].

I thought he was going to use Magic Contract Paper, but that doesn't seem to be the case. If it's just Agreement Paper, then it's just to prevent slaves from hurting their masters.

Moreover, it was a mass-produced magic item, so the effect might be ambiguous.

Magic items do not always come from dungeons, there was also a category of general magic items that could be mass-produced by some skilled magician.

Usually, the magic contained in mass-produced magic items was very poor. Even though they are in the same category, the effects were can be very different compared to magic items found in a dungeon or other places. For example, potions or magic scrolls.

After taking out the Agreement Paper, Marquess Stronghold then recited a magic spell. Then the Agreement Paper that he held began to emit light.

"...You will never harm me in any form. Do you agree?"

"I agree."

Marquess Stronghold had told me to agree. So, I answered in the affirmative as instructed.

With me having agreed, the conditions for activating the Agreement Paper seemed to be active.

A strange energy entered my body. But I resisted the arrival of that strange energy.

[Agreement Paper fails to affect your soul.]

'This is the same as what happened when I used Magic Contract Paper.'

I smiled in my heart.

"Please use me as you wish."

I said while kneeling in front of Marquess Stronghold.

Seeing me obey, Yary suddenly came forward and wanted to kick me again.

However, suddenly a report came.

A soldier came from the front door and reported to the old butler. He reported in a whisper in the ear.

After that, the old butler relayed it to Marquess Stronghold. What a structured reporting sequence.

Was that what you called hierarchy?

"We have confined the fox to the Nest of Darkness, My Lord."

Marquess Stronghold clicked his tongue when he heard the report.

In contrast to Marquess Stronghold, I let out a bright smile in my heart.

'I finally know where she's been locked up.'

The Real Villain.