Chapter 33.2: Vampire (3)

She nodded and organized the situation by leading the other prisoners.

She looked after her colleagues who were seriously injured and rescued those who were imprisoned inside the iron bars.

The young prisoners who were released from captivity wept and cried and embraced them.

I watched the scene, and as I was about to turn to the carriage, the woman shouted.

"Thank you very much, humans! I am Kagor, the chieftain of the Hard Rock clan! I will never forget this favor on the honor of my clan!"

Hard Rock?

It was unnecessary to put any special meaning in this encounter, since it was a beastman tribe that was widespread on this continent.

"If we see each other again. Be more careful with slave hunters in the future."

"…I will always remember this grace! Please tell me your name!"

"It's Ron."

I turned around and walked to the carriage.

Suddenly, I saw Rudica, who was sticking her head out the window.

There was a look of fear on her face, so I stroked her hair once.

"Your sister seems to be in the auction house. I'll save her right away."

After tidying up, the beastmen left first.

I thought about the future.

Auction house…

First, I had a rough idea about the auctions held in the city of Domihawk

It would be held a fortnight later, in the mansion's basement owned by a person named Horton. That mansion must also be a mansion managed by the Valkilov.

Should I participate?

Two methods came to mind.

The first was to just quietly take part in an auction and save only Rudica's older sister.

I had plenty of money anyway, so unless there's a bidding competition with some vampire-crazed pervert aristocrat, I'd be able to win the bid with ease.

The second was to overturn everything in the auction.

I could do this with Asher.

It didn't matter how many Valkilov fighters were in the auction house. Because the number of people in the face of a high level difference had no meaning.

Or maybe I could go to the mayor of the city of Domihawk and press him down with the power of a Lord to interrupt with Valkilov's business.

An auction was being held in the city he managed. I could tie them all together like that.

"···"

After weighing for a while, I ended up choosing to do it quietly.

Also, I was reluctant to do something big like that in other Lord's territory.

Without getting involved in any more annoying things, let's just get Rudica's sister and head to the Elrod Forest. That was it.

And the ones I just killed…

There were no witnesses, but I thought they might follow the tail. Just because there weren't any witnesses didn't mean no one could track what happened here.

Of course, it wasn't much of a concern.

I just had to deal with them.

If they still bothered me, then I could turn the whole Valkilov over.

My thoughts were quickly organized.

The carriage, which had started again, crossed the road.

***

After some time, we arrived in the city of Domihawk.

There was still some time before they held the auction, so in the meantime, I just looked around the city.

And the night of the auction finally came.

I left Baros and Rudica at the inn, and Asher and I went out into the street.

I see.

There were already several people with masks in their hands circling the streets.

Judging by the fact that people who looked like escorts were also attached to them, they were nobles who came to the city to participate in the auction.

I looked around them and walked through the streets where the night market was open.

There was a street vendor selling masks just in time, so I stopped and looked at the masks hanging from the stalls.

There were various animal masks, and there were also masks that were ridiculous like the ones worn by clowns.

I chose roughly one of them, a fox animal mask.

"You choose one too."

I spoke to Asher, and she glanced at the masks.

Considering her personality, I thought she would pick just one, but she was choosing more carefully than I thought.

"I'll pick this."

Soon, Asher picked up one mask. It was a rabbit mask with elongated ears.

She picked something that didn't suit her, so I stared at it, and she said as if reading my mind.

"If it stands out too much, I'll pick another one."

"No, it doesn't matter."

After picking the masks, we headed straight for our destination.

Horton's mansion was on the outskirts of the city, and the location had already been determined.

After walking down the street, we fell into an alleyway and came out on a narrow road again.

The surrounding people vanished, and the mansion began to slowly appear in the distance.

Although the size of the mansion was not very large, it didn't matter since the auction was held underground, anyway.

Near the entrance to the mansion, masked men were entering the mansion one by one.

"Now put on your mask."

"Yes."

Asher and I put on masks and snuggled between them and entered the mansion.

An old elf stood at the entrance of the mansion, which passed through a short garden.

Since he was examining the invitations of the people ahead of me, I also took mine out of my arms.

My turn came, and I showed the invitation to the old man.

He glanced over at Asher and I, then accepted the invitation and bowed his head.

"I hope you have a great night. Just go inside and go down the stairs right in front of you."