Smoke from questionable plants filled the streets; the cries of parents who had given up their children for a low price, and the sound of fists hitting flesh as they fought for dear life rang.
For anyone who is a firm believer of morality and humanity, they would say at such a scene:
âLoyalty to the world has crumbled to the ground.â
The country fell after the emperor conquered the continent and established an empire. Besides, with this new emperorâs ascension, the chaotic expansion of shady dealings has turned into a cradle of devious desire.
It was a human trafficking business that emerged from this situation.
Among them, the largest auction house held such luxurious exchanges. Rumors even abounded that expensive carriages rolled in every night, bringing with them several âgoods.â
âYes, an ethnic boy from the western desert at the tender age of fifteen! Sold for 2,000 gold! Congratulations!â
Business is currently flourishing. Hilaryon, the owner of the auction house, watched the scene from the very back seat, unable to resist the pride he felt.
In his prime, he was a natural with his fists and made a living out of it. But he became weary of the prisons. He finally set out to establish a business from the wealth he obtained, which was initially quite a small profit.
âThe monster birthed from a mother who took a devilâs seed! Look at this hideous face! Starting at 800 gold; would anyone make a bid?â
While the host was in the process of auctioning, Hilaryon was closely monitoring the guests for any outstanding faces.
âHeâs a nobleman from the looks of it. He must be the best customer of the day.â
It was a man who had visited his auctioning house for the first time.
Tall, with broad, angular shouldersâthe gender was evident at first glance. Although the color of this personâs clothes was not particularly eye-catching, the material was valuable.
Despite his excellent outfit, he hid the lower half of his face beneath a mask.
From the points he had garnered, he tried to guess this manâs face.
âHe must have been unlucky with his appearance. Probably a little over twenty years old and an aristocrat who has somehow managed to grab his parentsâ money.â
Hilaryonâs care for his appearance has long gone as he aged. So he stared at the guest openly with a mixture of hostility, jealousy, yearning and envy.
This visitor was unaware of the probing gaze; his eyesight still trailed on the stage.
With his elbows on the table, he supported his head loosely with one hand. The tip of his leather shoes tapped on the ground in rhythm.
As if he was waiting for something.
âThen letâs see the next one! This productâŚhuh?â
In a momentâs panic, the host broke free from his usual poised speech.
The audience roared with cheers. Unlike the previous one, this one was a woman. She was even a girl who seemed less than twenty years old.
The dress she wore as a presentation to the guests was gorgeous. The blonde locks, long and shiny, ran to her waist. Her fair skin, reflected by the stage lights, gave the image of immaculate porcelain.
Her eyes that glowed blue and green looked like peacocks under the thick eyelashes. If she hadnât blinked and breathed, one would have mistaken her for a high-end doll.
Without a doubt, she was a great beauty â one not easily found even if he had searched all over.
The girl calmly looked down at the belt bounding her wrists as the crowdsâ excitement, and exclamations of money rose out upon seeing her face.
â3,000!â
â4,500!â
â5000!â
âNow, wait a minute! You have to listen to the explanation first! So this is, this productâŚâ
The host sweated as his fingers rummaged for the pages of his manual. Ultimately, he directed his perplexed glance towards the last seats where Hilaryon was.
Only then did Hilaryon realise the situation and jump to his feet.
He was slightly upset because it was also his first time seeing the girl on stage. He had initially wanted to scold him after the auction for the messed up reporting system.
But judging from the reaction of the host, this girl is probably a product that has just been brought in and yet to be recorded.
Then today is not the day for this, he thought jovially. Foremost, he has to bring the girl with him and apologise to the guests. In the event he successfully sells them unrecorded goods, it will be a massive headache.
Furthermore, a dark desire also brewed inside him, has this product ever kissed anyone? Since he didnât know such a thing, he could sell her for a high price. However, that was insignificant now.