Chapter 170: The Chain Market and the Iron Warlord Army’s Plea

” “Really?” ”

” “Of course. Our allies are one of the largest insurgent forces in the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, known as the Iron Warlord Army. They have an excellent reputation there.” ” the Mad Hatter said.

Jeanne Decker offered no further objections. While she remained somewhat skeptical of the Mad Hatter’s words, she decided to listen for now.

” “By the way, what does this have to do with our mission?” ” Alice Liddell interjected suddenly.

” “Don’t rush, your part in this will come soon enough.” ” The Mad Hatter waved his hand. ” “Have you ever heard of the Chain Market?” ”

Alice Liddell and Jeanne Decker exchanged glances, both shaking their heads.

” “It’s a black market operating in the Imperial City, specializing in the auction of various contraband, including stolen goods, smuggled items, heretical artifacts, and even…” ” The Mad Hatter paused, his voice suddenly deepening. ” “…slaves.” ”

” “Selling living people?” ” Jeanne Decker’s eyes widened. ” “How is that possible?” ”

To her knowledge, while the city’s public order wasn’t exemplary, it shouldn’t be plagued by such severe crime. If slaves were being transported into the city, were the guards at the city gates simply incompetent?

” “No, that’s not necessarily true.” ” Alice Liddell suddenly offered a dissenting opinion. ” “Duchess Liddell’s intelligence network once uncovered a waystation for contraband, protected by powerful nobles.”

That night, to slip out of the city and help Jeanne Decker, Alice Liddell had even used this very channel to obtain a forged travel permit.

” “I’m afraid that facility is part of the Chain Market, and it’s unlikely to be the only one of its kind.” ” The Mad Hatter said. ” “The slaves in this market mostly come from the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, which is currently the only country on the continent that still trades in them.”

Alice Liddell and Jeanne Decker were quite familiar with this particular aspect.

What the Empire’s people colloquially called ‘barbarians’ was, in fact, a collective term for numerous tribes in the north. The Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom had originally been a small tribe, struggling for survival amidst larger ones.

Later, to curb the barbarians, the Empire devised a strategy. They simultaneously dispatched troops to attack several tribes while vigorously supporting this inconspicuous small tribe in raiding those fighting the Empire.

Soon, with the Empire’s assistance, the Dragon’s Ridge tribe successfully conquered several large tribes, establishing a kingdom allied with the Empire. They became a regional hegemon, suppressing the remaining smaller tribes.

The barbarians had always maintained a system of slavery, and the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom retained this institution. The captured members of the conquered tribes formed the s*ave class of the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom.

However, in all member states of the Holy Alliance, including the Empire, and among the southern nations, the trafficking of living people was considered a grave crime.

” “The Chain Market is run by several influential nobles in the Imperial City and protected by numerous internal clients of considerable standing. To my knowledge, this black market has been active for at least seven years, secretly engaging in s*ave trafficking.”

” “They covertly purchase slaves from the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom and smuggle them into the Empire, to the Imperial City. However, their supply of goods in this regard is unstable because the transit route for slaves is difficult to bypass in the Northern Frontier, a territory beyond their reach.” ”

Jeanne Decker’s eyes widened as she suddenly realized something.

” “That’s Duke Alençon’s territory!” ” Alice Liddell understood.

” “Exactly. Duke Alençon, who holds military power, has absolute dominion over the Northern Frontier and cannot be bought. In recent years, as Jeanne Decker mentioned, the border villages have received support to form self-defense groups to resist raiders, which has made smuggling activities in the Northern Frontier even more difficult. It’s likely Duke Alençon has made quite a few political enemies because of this.”

The Mad Hatter glanced meaningfully at Jeanne Decker. ” “But times have changed. Now, Duke Alençon’s military authority has been restricted, the Northern Frontier’s garrisons have been recalled, and Duke Alençon has been ordered to undergo a period of review, forcing him to remain in the Imperial City.”

” “So, smuggling activities will suddenly become much easier now.” ” Alice Liddell realized. ” “And human trafficking in the Imperial City will also revive overnight.” ”

” “Not only that.” ” Jeanne Decker’s face was grim. ” “In recent years, insurgent forces within the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom have grown powerful, making the region increasingly chaotic. More and more bandits are active at the border. If the garrisons are reduced and my father isn’t stationed there, the border villages… the harassment will be even worse than before!” ”

” “There’s actually even worse news; the problems you mentioned are amplifying each other,” ” the Mad Hatter continued. ” “According to intelligence provided by the Iron Warlord Army, the forces involved in s*ave trafficking within the Empire have found a cheaper way to acquire their goods. They no longer buy slaves through middlemen in the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, but instead hire groups of bandits to directly raid and seize them.”

” “The Iron Warlord Army, at our request, previously established a policy to abolish slavery, liberating many. Their bases have become targets for these raiders; in the past week alone, two villages were plundered, and twenty-six liberated slaves were captured by these marauders.” ”

” “Were they all transported to the Empire?” ” Alice Liddell asked.

” “Probably not all, but certainly some.” ” the Mad Hatter replied.

The Iron Warlord Army believes these raiders are backed by hostile warlords. Taking advantage of the Northern Frontier losing Duke Alençon, their protector, these warlords support the bandit groups to attack the Iron Warlord Army’s bases, abducting people to sell them to the Empire. This both strikes at competitors and raises funds. Therefore, the Iron Warlord Army hopes to cut off this burgeoning s*ave trade as soon as possible and has entrusted our Tea Party with the mission.

” “So we need to help them deal with those barbarian raiders?” ” Jeanne Decker’s gaze grew serious.

” “No, matters in the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom are for them to resolve themselves. They will find a way to deal with those bandits and the warlords behind them. Our responsibility is on the Empire’s side: to strike at the demand side of the s*ave trade that funds those bandits—the Chain Market!” ” At this, the Mad Hatter paused, his eyes sharpening. ” “We’ve actually had a plan for this for a long time, but it’s only recently been put on the agenda. We’ve identified the primary backers behind the Chain Market.” ”

” “I see.” ” Hearing this, Alice Liddell finally grasped the general reason for the entire mission. ” “So, who are the targets?” ”

” “Currently, two individuals are on the agenda.” ” The Mad Hatter said, pulling two folded portraits from his pocket and spreading them open. They depicted two men, one old and one young.

” “This young man is Count Gina, the heir to the Cauchon family. Ostensibly, their family business involves importing ores from the Dragon’s Ridge Kingdom, but secretly, they also engage in smuggling and selling at the Chain Market, serving as a crucial source of goods and a channel for it.” ” After introducing the young man, the Mad Hatter held up the portrait of the older man. ” “As for him, Duke Bedford, the Grand Lord of Warhammer Province and the Empire’s Minister of Finance—he is the founder of the Chain Market. Our next objective is to send these two to meet their maker!” ”