Revised on December 29, 2015.
Additional revisions have been made.
Revised again on March 27, 2016.
Revised once more on April 17, 2016.
—
As I was lost in thought about the future of Elnesia, the next entry was announced.
“Now, let us continue. The slave with entry number 2 will now enter the stage.”
Following the somewhat pretentious announcement by the gentleman host, a girl who was slightly too young to be called a maiden appeared from the wings of the stage.
The second slave was a young girl dressed in an extravagant gothic-style outfit primarily in black.
Her long, shimmering silver hair, which reached halfway down her back, had an angelic halo, suggesting she had been well cared for.
Her eyes, likely as clear and blue as the winter sky, were wide open in a childlike manner, with a well-shaped nose and small, thin lips—features befitting the daughter of a high-ranking noble, even at her young age.
The gothic-style outfit she wore was a long-sleeved, ankle-length dress. The fabric appeared to be silk with a glossy sheen, adorned with intricate black lace patterns and accents of white lace in key areas.
Though her limbs were hidden by the dress, it was easy to imagine her having a slender figure underneath.
“This slave is Yurisha Amelia von Kinder, the second daughter of Duke Kinder, who was abducted a month ago,” the host announced, his words tinged with a criminal undertone.
“She is 10 years old, has a bright personality, and as you can see, shows great promise in her appearance. Though secondary sexual characteristics are just beginning to develop, at this age, she has…” the host continued, describing the “product.”
“Father, isn’t this a bit problematic?” I couldn’t help but ask my father.
“No, this has its own significance,” my father replied calmly.
“Just watch,” he added, so I decided to observe quietly.
“Now, she will demonstrate her talent,” the host announced, and Yurisha began to sing.
Her song was a well-known lullaby from the Espana Imperial Kingdom. Though she stumbled occasionally, she managed to finish, easing the tension in the auction hall.
After all, she was still the daughter of a duke, despite her young age.
“Now, let’s proceed to confirm her quality,” the host declared.
The auction hall dimmed, and a spotlight focused on Yurisha as the orchestra began playing a slow lullaby, likely considering her age.
Meanwhile, Yurisha calmly began to undress.
She untied the ribbon on her chest, reached behind her back to unhook the gothic black dress, and zipped it down. She then removed the sleeves roughly and discarded the dress.
Now, she stood in her undergarments—a childlike, pure white silk chemise and cotton drawers with floral embroidery, clearly high-end.
Her slender frame was accentuated by her collarbone peeking out from the chemise, and her arms were delicate. Her drawers revealed the faint creases of her crotch, confirming her femininity despite her youth.
Her hips were still childlike, with no defined curves, but her chest showed the slightest hint of budding breasts.
She removed her black socks and boots, revealing her bare legs from the groin down. Next, she lifted her chemise and tossed it aside, exposing her upper body.
Her body was still that of a child, with barely any waistline and only the faintest swelling on her chest.
Finally, she removed her drawers, standing completely naked. Her crotch revealed a small slit, a mark of her femininity, though anyone who dared to exploit her would undoubtedly be condemned as a pedophile.
Yurisha, unaware of any shame due to her young age, stood calmly.
Her nudity was devoid of allure, merely a precursor to a change of clothes. Her body, aside from the slight swelling of her chest, was completely childlike, with her hair and lack of male genitalia being the only indicators of her gender.
I had no interest in young girls, but some of the attendees seemed overly excited, which was concerning.
“Now, please come closer to take a closer look,” the host announced, and Yurisha descended from the auction stage to serve drinks, just as Elnesia had done earlier.
When she reached our box, she asked, “What would you like to drink?”
“My father pointed to the amber-colored liquor on the middle shelf.
“I’ll have the red wine,” I said, pointing to the bottle labeled with the castle emblem on the top shelf.
Yurisha poured the drinks and moved on to the next guest.
As I observed her up close, I noticed her skin was smooth, but her body was still that of a child.
In a few years, she might grow into a beauty, but for now, she was just a young girl.
She returned to the auction stage and struck a pose, slightly spreading her legs and raising her arms behind her back, emphasizing her still undeveloped chest.
“Let us begin the auction for entry number 2,” the host announced.
The bidding started at 350 platinum coins (equivalent to 350 million yen) and quickly escalated.
“400 platinum coins.”
“450 platinum coins.”
“600 platinum coins.”
“625 platinum coins.”
The bidding continued between the gentleman with token number 35 and the one with number 28.
Eventually, the gentleman with token number 28 won the bid for 700 platinum coins (equivalent to 700 million yen).
Yurisha was given a slave garment and quickly dressed before hurrying off the stage.
My father sighed in relief and explained the situation.
“Yurisha was saved,” he said.
“The man with token number 28 was an agent hired by Duke Kinder’s family.”
He continued, “The man with token number 35 was a count from a certain country with a preference for young girls.”
I was stunned by this revelation.
“Father, while it’s good that Yurisha will return home, I can’t help but feel unsettled,” I said.
“Normally, kidnapped princesses rarely return alive. Sometimes, parts of their bodies are sent back as proof of the kidnapping,” my father explained.
In this world, life is cheap, but the treatment of young girls is still horrifying.
“This slave auction operates under an unspoken rule: once a slave is accepted, the kidnappers are not pursued,” my father revealed.
This was a way for the victims’ families to buy back their loved ones, albeit indirectly.
While it provides a way out for kidnappers, the families have no other means of retrieving their daughters if this system isn’t followed.
Even so, the auction must proceed by the rules, as the slaves are formally registered as auction items.
This system also benefits other bidders, and in the past, some girls have been sold as slaves.
In the end, money seems to dictate everything in this world.
As we discussed this, the auction continued.
—
**Currency Exchange Rates**
1 Platinum Plate = 100 million yen
1 Gold Plate = 10 million yen
1 Platinum Coin = 1 million yen
1 Silver Plate = 1 million yen
**Standard Currency**
1 Gold Coin = 100,000 yen
1 Silver Coin = 10,000 yen
1 Copper Plate = 1,000 yen
1 Iron Plate = 100 yen
1 Copper Coin = 10 yen
1 Iron Coin = 1 yen
