Chapter 85: The Underground Slave Market

“Mora? Why are you here?”

Mora, the vice-leader of the Silver Wolves, was a tall archer known for her precise archery, incredible speed, and keen perception of danger. Her sharp intellect earned her deep trust within the team.

Although Yufinika had never officially joined the Silver Wolves, she had collaborated with them on numerous occasions. Over time, she and Mora had grown quite close.

The two women often gathered to chat or discuss combat techniques. However, with the occurrence of a certain incident, a heartbroken Yufinika left the town alone, severing all contact with Mora.

It wasn’t until Mora’s sudden arrival in Ailamia a short while ago that their relationship was rekindled.

Recognizing her immediately from her figure and revealing attire, Yufinika saw Mora.

“You should let me in; it’s quite cold outside.”

“You know it’s cold, yet you wear so little?”

Yufinika looked at Mora, clad only in a small tank top and shorts, and found herself somewhat speechless.

“Aren’t I used to it? The more clothes I wear, the more inconvenient it is for combat. If I weren’t afraid of being caught, I’d even be too lazy to wear anything at all.”

Mora said with a cheerful grin.

Yufinika chuckled several times. Although this particular friend of hers always seemed so carefree and irresponsible, Yufinika didn’t dislike her in the least.

“Oh, no matter how many times I see it, your house is ridiculously huge, you know.”

Mora unceremoniously walked into Yufinika’s villa, her gaze sweeping curiously over various monster specimens as if touring a museum.

“But, living in such a big house by yourself, don’t you feel lonely?”

“It’s fine; I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Hmm Really now”

Mora plopped down onto the sofa, a sly smile playing on her lips.

“So, who was that young man who came out of your house earlier?”

Yufinika’s expression shifted slightly.

“You saw him?”

“Of course I did. Oh dear, how should I put it? Such a beautiful boy is truly rare, isn’t he?”

Mora extended her small tongue, licking her moist red lips. “He was truly so delicious, I almost couldn’t resist devouring him~”

Yufinika’s eyes instantly turned several degrees colder. “He is…”

“I know, I know, just kidding around. He’s the important person to you, right? Don’t worry, I wouldn’t dare mess around with him.”

Mora burst into laughter.

“Speaking of which, Little Yufie, you’ve finally seen the light and found a man? I thought you’d really be delayed for life by that scoundrel.”

“But, well, he really does resemble that person…”

Mora blinked, then, seeing Yufinika remain silent, paused for a moment and uttered those two words: Noah.

Seeing Yufinika say nothing, Mora couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

“Oh, so that’s how it is,” she said, leaning back on the sofa and looking up at the chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

“I say, Little Yufie, you’re clearly a platinum-level adventurer. There are few people in all of Ailamia who are your match, but why are you so slow when it comes to love?”

“I truly don’t understand what was so good about that guy. Wasn’t it just luck that he managed to ditch Little Yufie early?”

“As your friend, I sincerely advise you not to fall into that trap again! Forget that scumbag as soon as possible and learn to enjoy your current life, alright? For the current you, whether it’s men or women, everything should be within reach, right? Oh, and that young man just now, wasn’t he quite good? I think he shouldn’t even be a substitute.”

“Enough!” Yufinika coldly interrupted Mora, who was in the middle of her excited speech.

“Our affairs have nothing to do with you!”

Mora shrugged helplessly, spreading her hands. “Alright, alright, I won’t say any more. You do as you see fit.”

She stood up from the sofa and winked at Yufinika. “This is the perfect time. Let’s not eat here. Let’s go out for a walk? Consider it a post-dinner stroll.”

“Go where?”

“Hehe, I know a good place you’ve definitely never been to.”

The city center of Ailamia was bustling with people. As they walked through the crowd, Yufinika could clearly feel countless gazes falling upon them. Although most of the gazes were directed at Mora, she still disliked the feeling of being stared at like an animal.

“Oh, no wonder you wear a cloak even when you go out, walking with such strange people,” Mora complained petulantly, pulling her hood even lower. “Looking at that cloak, it makes me feel like some dressed-up guard.”

“I’m used to it,” Yufinika replied, ignoring her. “Don’t be so impatient, we’ll be there soon.”

Despite having only arrived two months ago, Mora seemed as familiar with the place as a local.

A moment later, she led Yufinika to the entrance of a small shop. This shop was located on an inconspicuous small street; although the location was somewhat secluded, its decor was very classical and elegant. There weren’t many people inside.

“Where is this… a bar?”

Although Yufinika enjoyed drinking, she usually only did so in taverns or bought drinks to consume at home. This was her first time visiting such a high-class bar.

Pushing the door open, Yufinika entered. Small purplish-red lights glowed at the bar, and the air was filled with a pleasant, perfume-like scent. A few scattered people sat in the hall; they weren’t drinking customers but rather elaborately dressed guards. Moreover, their strength was quite good. This shop was truly peculiar.

Mora, however, didn’t mind in the least.

A tall demi-human man stood there; upon seeing Mora, he bowed slightly.

“Esteemed Miss Mora, welcome.”

“No need for formalities. This is my friend; there’s no need to inspect her.”

“Since she is an acquaintance of Miss Mora, we naturally have no objections.”

The demi-human man pulled open a curtain, revealing a hidden underground passage.

“Please, enter.”

“Yes, thank you for the trouble.”

Mora turned, casually patting Yufinika’s shoulder. “What are you standing there for? Come in.”

Yufinika couldn’t help but frown, but she followed her inside nonetheless. The eerie place made Yufinika touch the iron sword hanging at her waist. Just as they passed through the thick curtain, a cacophony of noise immediately poured into her ears. It seemed that an expensive sound-insulating barrier was employed here.

Led by Mora, Yufinika descended to the first underground level. When she clearly saw the scene before her, her eyes widened involuntarily.

She had never imagined that such a massive trading market was hidden beneath the bar. Moreover, all the items being traded were—slaves!

Looking around, iron cages stretched one after another, like livestock pens. Inside the cages, various young girls were imprisoned. They neither cried nor struggled; instead, they all wore broken smiles, their hands clutching the bars, constantly begging the people outside the cages, as if trying to please their masters.

Most buyers wore lavish clothing and masks to conceal their identities. Of course, there were also many, like Mora, who showed no concern about their identities being exposed.

A chill rose from Yufinika’s heart.

“This, this place…”

“Can’t you tell it’s a s*ave market at a glance? Larger cities basically have these, right?” Mora said casually.

“Are you insane? Is this allowed? The kingdom only forbids s*ave trading, yet doesn’t deny the existence of slaves themselves. The people here naturally have no objections.”

“Of course, we just need to pay a little money,” Mora bared her teeth, a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Besides, even if it’s not allowed, what then? We are above the rules. We do whatever we want. Who are others to criticize?”

Yufinika was momentarily speechless. The strange and absurd sight assaulted her mind, leaving her momentarily unsure what to say.

“Alright, alright, whether you like it or not, this place operates as usual. Why don’t you take a look first? Maybe it’ll change your mind.”

Mora pulled out a shimmering card. “I’m a regular here.”

Just as she was speaking, a woman wearing a butterfly mask and a uniform approached.

“Esteemed Miss Mora, thank you for visiting our establishment again. How may I assist you?”

“Oh, you’ve come at just the right time. I’ve brought a friend to look around. Could you take us to… you know?”

Mora raised an eyebrow at her, and the woman, understanding perfectly, smiled and said, “Follow me.”

She led the two to a secluded corner of the venue. The cages in this area were noticeably larger than those upfront, and their number was much smaller.

“These are all the male slaves,” the woman explained.

Mora ignored her, instead carefully observing the inside of the cages. “Hoh, there are still quite a few good ones left. This child is quite good.”

She looked at a dark-skinned, strongly built male s*ave. Sensing Mora’s gaze, the male s*ave stuck out his tongue like a puppy, revealing an ingratiating smile.

“Mhm, mhm, as expected, I prefer the wilder types.” She looked at the woman beside her. “But Little Yufie probably doesn’t like this type. Do you have any smaller ones?”

“Of course. Please wait a moment.”

The woman clapped her hands, and several staff members wearing similar masks hurried over, leading two young boys out of the cages. One boy appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen, his body frail, his eyes holding a hint of timid fright. If one only looked at his face, he was indistinguishable from an ordinary girl. Soft golden hair, fair and translucent skin, delicate features, as fragile as porcelain. A black collar hung around his slender neck. The woman held the chain, pulling the kneeling boy closer.

“He’s one of the finest little boys here. Reservations have been quite popular recently,” the woman introduced with a smile.

“Oh, isn’t this adorable? This kind, who looks like a girl, has always been snatched up by many gentlemen, you know!” Mora leaned close to Yufinika’s ear. “How about it? Do you want to buy a docile one?”

The boy looked up at Yufinika, revealing a pitiful expression. “Big sister… please, take me away.”

Yufinika took a slight step back, a surge of emotion she couldn’t discern as fear or anger suddenly rising within her. She instinctively placed her hand on the hilt of the sword at her waist, but Mora pressed it down.

“Don’t be so angry. The children here all willingly signed contracts to become slaves because their families went bankrupt or they couldn’t make a living. After all, they wouldn’t dare take in those with unknown backgrounds, and we wouldn’t dare buy them, would we?”

In the end, she still lowered her hand. Yufinika remained silent. Ultimately, she understood the underlying meaning. Although Mora didn’t explicitly say it, these were people abandoned by fate; they had no other path. If they didn’t become slaves, only death awaited them.

Yufinika possessed absolute confidence in her own strength. Although there were many skilled guards here, even all of them combined wouldn’t be enough for her to fight alone. If she wished, she could easily cleave open all the iron cages with a single sword, granting these slaves their freedom. But what would be the point of doing so? She could save them for a moment, but not for a lifetime.

She lacked the ability and the inclination to provide lasting refuge for all the slaves. Therefore, even if she freed these slaves today, they would only be doing similar things tomorrow. They would end up on the streets, be resold as new slaves, or even die more quickly from hunger and disease. Moreover, she would only gain temporary self-satisfaction now. In the end, besides making herself feel good, it would be meaningless.

“Oh dear, oh dear, Little Yufie is just too kind,” Mora lamented. “Isn’t the world inherently unequal? We, however, are above the rules. Everything is predetermined by fate. So, why not live a little easier? As long as you buy him, you can do anything you want to him. Whether it’s cooking for you, cleaning the house, or even pleasing you to your heart’s content…” Mora’s voice was full of temptation.

“And even if you don’t want to buy this child, it’s still possible to simply buy a collar, you know? It’s said to be made by the most skilled alchemists. As long as you put it on, anyone will obey your every command. Don’t you have anyone you wish to dominate?”

Yufinika froze for a moment. Dominate? For some reason, an illusion of Yalin flashed through her mind. Mora noticed the change in her expression and curved her lips into a smile.

“For example, that black-haired boy. Put the collar around his neck, make him lie on the ground, and obey your every word.”

Yufinika recalled that image, and her breathing quickened involuntarily, her cheeks flushed slightly. Mora’s eyes grew fervent.

“Imagine, he will unconditionally obey you, dedicating his most loyal and passionate love to you. He will no longer need money to maintain his inner self. He will become the perfect lover in your fantasies. He will always belong to you, never leaving you. That betrayal and departure that caused you pain will never happen again…”

“Never… betray?” Yufinika murmured, her voice sounding somewhat shaken.

“Exactly,” Mora pressed on, seizing the advantage. “Follow your desires, Little Yufie. There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t forget, no one can restrain us, so…”

Yufinika abruptly snapped back to reality, glaring at her angrily. “Don’t say another word!” She forcefully shook off the chaotic thoughts in her mind. Yufinika took a few deep breaths, which helped calm her. She knew she wasn’t a good person, but she couldn’t bring herself to do something so excessive.

“I’ve told you, this has nothing to do with you!”

Mora was silent for a moment, then spread her hands and apologized. “Alright, alright, you’re too stubborn. This time I was wrong. Since you don’t like it this way, I promise I won’t mention it again next time.”

Yufinika coldly averted her gaze. She glanced at the boy kneeling on the ground, who was looking at her with eyes full of hope and pleading. She gritted her teeth.

“Buy him, find a place to settle him, then come to my place for the money.”

“Sigh, alright. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it properly. Consider it my apology to you.”

Yufinika said nothing. She suppressed the disgust in her heart and quickly left the nauseating place.

Mora leaned back, resting her head on her hands, and sighed helplessly. “Hah… Little Yufie is really scary when she gets angry. But this trick still didn’t work, huh? Tsk, this is difficult.”

The woman who had stood silently by, only approached to ask after Yufinika had left. “Miss Mora, what about this child…”

“Didn’t you just hear her? Just do as she said.”

“I understand,” the woman said with a slight smile, continuing to explain. “People who buy slaves and wish for them to have a new life, or even be given away, also have corresponding services here. We can ensure their safety, and as for the price, it doesn’t matter, since it’s not coming out of my pocket. You all can decide amongst yourselves.” Mora waved her hand casually. “I understand.”

The woman finished speaking, and two staff members unfastened the boy’s collar and led him to another room. Mora paid them no mind. She looked in the direction Yufinika had left, her eyes growing several shades colder. “Sigh… she’s truly unyielding. As expected, I’ll have to do it myself then…”