Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 210: Karari’s Banquet
After obtaining the specially made disguise potion, they bid farewell to Tiger and the Holy Knight of Light.
Led by the imp, a group of players visited all the slave traders in the market according to the list and purchased all the female slaves at a normal price.
It was evident that Tiger and the Holy Knight of Light, Audi, were “infamous” in this market.
Many slave traders’ pale faces and trembling legs upon hearing Tiger’s name clearly indicated this.
“Alright, imp, here’s your gold coin. Keep it safe and don’t let anyone steal it.”
Nobody Does Human Things (M) tossed the gold coin to the eagerly watching imp and then returned to the player “merchant guild” team amidst the imp’s tearful gratitude.
They had purchased over seven hundred female slaves in the slave market, primarily comprised of demi-humans and treants, along with a portion of other humanoid races, such as gnomes, horn tribes, and feather tribes.
It wasn’t that they were sexist.
It was simply that there were no male slaves in this market.
It was said that many strong male slaves were directly conscripted into Karari’s army for hard labor, or sent to the mines as soon as they were captured, without even the chance to be chosen.
Only a small number of handsome male slaves were pre-ordered by noble lords with peculiar tastes.
But this was a matter of chance.
“Escort these slaves out of the city. Next, we’ll head to Northwest Street to wait for that unfortunate baron.”
Looking at the ragged female slaves, a trace of insufferable pain and suppressed anger flashed in Nobody Does Human Things (M)’s eyes.
The youngest among them were only seven or eight years old.
In modern society, these exquisitely carved girls should be pestering and amusing themselves in their parents’ embrace, right?
But them?
They could only stare with confused, large eyes, mechanically shuffling along with the slave procession, moving aimlessly.
Perhaps they already knew their tragic fate, but had lost the courage and hope to resist. The pain of whip marks on their bodies served as a warning, and the heavy shackles on their hands and feet confined them.
“I hope you can live happily and well in Winter City.”
Nobody Does Human Things (M) sighed.
He was not from this game world, and naturally could not represent humanity’s stance.
He also held no concept of human supremacy.
The relationship between humans and monsters was indeed irreconcilable.
However, besides the treants, these humanoid races were completely oppressed and enslaved by humans.
They were like rats crossing the street, constantly hiding and scurrying.
Yet, they were still dragged out of dark, dirty corners by humans and fitted with shackles.
Clearly, they had done nothing wrong.
Just like the demi-human kingdom, which was merely struggling to survive in the gap between humans and the Orc Empire, yet still attracted unprovoked invasions.
A war aimed at slaughter and extermination was evil, no matter when it occurred, whether inside or outside the game.
“Where… where will we be sent?”
Following the player’s group, a demi-human female slave murmured to herself, as if asking herself, and also to the female slave beside her.
“This direction appears to be heading out of the city.”
The horn tribe female slave next to her shook her head.
They were targeted by human slave catchers because, despite their petite stature, they possessed devilishly breathtaking curves.
Combined with a pair of long, backward-curving horns on their heads, slave owners called their horns the best leverage points.
Before this, they had never had any conflict with Karari’s army.
“You will be sent to Winter City.”
“You will live a peaceful and stable life there. Believe me.”
A player whispered as a reminder.
However, the demi-human girl and the horn tribe girl said nothing. They didn’t believe him at all, simply lowering their heads, afraid to make eye contact with the player, and even their bodies subconsciously trembled.
Conversation among female slaves was almost forbidden.
If discovered, they would inevitably be whipped.
“You don’t need to be afraid…”
The player felt a little awkward.
But the two female slaves trembled even more violently.
Seeing this, the player sighed helplessly, walked away, and did not continue speaking.
Clearly, these female slaves had been abused to the point of habit, and even when faced with kindness, they would instinctively deceive themselves, showing fear and defensive reactions.
“Damn nobles.”
The player muttered indignantly.
He regretted not having the chance to participate in the upcoming mission. He had previously been a more life-oriented player, and now, his level was insufficient, so he could only escort the slave team out of the city.
“I must level up properly in the future!”
He clenched his fist, wishing for the first time that he could possess greater strength.
…
Three hours later.
Northwest Street.
This was a more secluded section of Northwest Street.
Tall walls and ruins surrounded the area. It was rumored to have been a slum before, but an earthquake had caused everything to collapse, and the rubble had not been cleared even now.
Nobody Does Human Things (M) and seventy to eighty other players hid among the ruins, only their shifty eyes peeking out to observe the surroundings.
“How much longer?”
“Three minutes left,” Call Me Arin (Male) glanced at the system timer, a hint of doubt creeping into his mind.
“Is it necessary to be so precise? Can that codename’s Ghost Bat really pinpoint Baron Boonnette’s arrival time to the second?”
“I don’t know,” Nobody Does Human Things (M) shook his head.
“But you should know Alence. He has never made a mistake when working for the King of Winter, and his intelligence gathering capabilities are astonishing.”
“Since Ghost Bat was trained by him, it’s unlikely to be that bad.”
“Just wait patiently.”
The players ceased their conversation.
Time ticked by, the ground began to tremble, and the sound of hooves approached from afar. All the players’ eyes lit up, and they immediately became alert.
“They’re here!”
“We only have three seconds. We must capture both the baron and his knights!”
The sound of hooves grew closer.
Not far away, a group of knights surrounded a middle-aged nobleman with chestnut hair, galloping towards them. The players calculated the distance and counted down the seconds.
“Pull!” Suddenly, Nobody Does Human Things (M) let out a roar.
The sound echoed throughout the alley. The players holding the tripwires’ minds went blank, and reflexively tightened their grip on the ropes.
“Snap!” Under the immense force, the tripwire snapped taut, and the strong rope made a dull sound. At this moment, the baron’s entourage also rushed forward.
Nobody Does Human Things (M)’s roar not only alerted the players but also startled Baron Boonnette and his group. However, they were riding at too high a speed to have sufficient time to react.
The horses’ legs were broken by the tripwires.
The neighing of horses, the roars of men, a cacophony ensued.
The horses stumbled, and the riders were thrown off.
However, they were skilled and trained, possessing Qi, and managed to stabilize themselves immediately, forming a formation to protect the dazed baron.
“Who goes there? Attacking a Karari noble is a capital offense! Come out!”
Come out?
Not a chance. When did players “come out”?
They were going to make a triumphant entrance.
Instantly, seventy to eighty figures sprang out from the ruins, the glow of Qi and the warrior’s bloodlust swirling around them. Some held heavy scepters, emitting a soft light – they were priests.
They instantly surrounded the baron and his knight squad.
“Ugh…”
The leading knight’s words were choked, as if he were a duck with its neck squeezed.
“My lords… sirs, what brings you to us? We were merely passing through this place. if you require money, we are willing to pay a toll.”
The knight wore a fawning smile.
He wanted to sheath his sword, but his hand trembled so much that he couldn’t manage it after several attempts.
The aura emanating from these bandits was far stronger than his own. They were not even enough to fill the gaps in their teeth.
“Yes, yes, brave warriors. I am just a minor baron, there’s no need for you to make such a fuss. Just name your price, and I am willing to pay!”
At this moment, Baron Boonnette also recovered. He began searching his pockets, taking out everything valuable he had and respectfully placing it on the ground.
“We don’t need your money.”
Nobody Does Human Things (M) sneered.
“Then… then what do you want?”
Baron Boonnette sensed impending doom.
“We… we want your life!”
“Attack!”
…
Ten minutes later.
Baron “Quainite” rode his horse out of the alley on Northwest Street and galloped towards the auction house.
However, the knights around him seemed to have poor horsemanship, for they were clearly being jostled by their mounts, their faces contorted.
[Information that can be skipped]
Tiger was one of Alence’s hidden agents, codenamed Ghost Bat.
His original identity was a shield swordsman in Winter City. In addition, he had a younger brother, also a brave shield swordsman, who died in battle.
After his brother’s death, the King of Winter immediately issued the compensation for fallen heroes.
Tiger intended to use a portion of this compensation to arrange a dignified funeral for his brother. However, just as he was about to leave his home, he was intercepted by thugs sent by Grand Knight Gall.
Tiger, already an injured soldier, was no match for multiple assailants. Not only was the compensation stolen by the ruffians, but he even lost a finger.
Having failed to secure the compensation, Tiger felt he had failed his brother and was heartbroken. He dared not confront the Grand Knight, so he could only borrow money from everywhere, hoping to accumulate enough to afford his brother’s funeral.
But he never expected that.
Within two days, Grand Knight Gall was personally executed by the King of Winter. The compensation was fully returned, and he was even compensated for the finger he had lost.
Later, when Alence was recruiting hidden agents, Tiger signed up without hesitation, even knowing that becoming an agent meant a high chance of death.
Under Alence’s tutelage, he not only awakened his Qi and became a Knight but also became increasingly proficient in various disguise and tracking skills. When asked if he wanted to have his severed finger healed,
Tiger merely smiled and shook his head:
“Every time I see my broken finger, I remember Your Majesty Winter’s kindness.”
“It reminds me to be loyal to His Majesty, loyal to this gradually great nation.”
Recorded in —
“Miscellany of the King of Conquest the Great”
