Lucian's POV

The darkness covered us like a thick blanket, making it hard to see in the dim moonlight struggling to peek through the rugged terrain surrounding the mine. Despite its plain appearance, the mine entrance hid a secret—a hidden chamber filled with the cries of people who needed our help.

Ethan, a person with lots of experience, led the first group. Their job was to secure the area and make sure no one escaped before the authorities arrived. Meanwhile, I led the second group, a smaller but determined trio. Our mission was to go deep into the mine, find the captives, and bring them to safety. Excitement buzzed in the air as we waited for our chance to move.

Finally, we got our chance.

With a silent signal, Ethan's team sprang into action, swiftly taking down the guards.

We hid their bodies and put on their uniforms, blending into the darkness like shadows.

As we moved deeper into the mine, our senses were on high alert, ready for anything. Each step brought us closer to our goal, and our hearts pounded with anticipation. We were like ghosts, slipping through the tunnels with ease, determined to free the captives.

The adrenaline surged through us as we approached each corner, unsure of what lay ahead.

As we ventured deeper, our senses sharpened, attuned to the slightest movement. Each step forward carried us closer to our goal.

The sound of our footsteps echoed softly against the stone walls, a reminder of the path ahead.

With determination guiding us, we pressed onward through the maze-like tunnels.

"Hold," I mouthed, signaling my companions to pause silently. Our progress was suddenly interrupted by the presence of guards stationed along the tunnels. I motioned for one person to stay back while two of us advanced towards the guards.

As we approached, the guards looked at us curiously. "Hey, why are the two of you slacking off?! Go back to your station," one of them barked.

"Wait, this is the first time I’ve seen your faces!" the other guard exclaimed, suspicion evident in his tone.

"Hoping it'll be the last too," I replied with a smile, before swiftly knocking them unconscious with precise strikes to the back of their heads.

We concealed their bodies, ensuring that no one would stumble upon them and raise the alarm.

As we ventured further into the mine, the boring sameness of the passage suddenly changed. We stumbled upon a chamber filled with mining tools and equipment. Initially, it looked like a regular storage area, but upon closer examination, the thick layer of dust on everything suggested it hadn't been used in a while.

However, amid the dust, one path caught our attention. Despite seeming to lead to a dead end, it appeared to have been recently traveled. This discovery piqued our curiosity and raised questions about what lay beyond. 

Instinct whispered that there was more to this chamber than met the eye. Why would people repeatedly journey to the end of a seemingly pointless path? There had to be a reason—a hidden passage, perhaps, known only to a select few.

Drawing on insights from a trusted informant, we pressed on, our anticipation mounting with each step. Finally, we reached the apparent dead end, our hearts pounding with the promise of discovery. As I studied the worn-down area of the wall, a surge of hope coursed through me. With a tentative push, the wall yielded, revealing a concealed door—a portal to the unknown.

"Both of you, stay here and keep watch," I told the two men. They looked determined as they took their positions. I went into the secret hallway, feeling alert about what was ahead.

Walking through the hidden passage was scary. It was narrow, and every sound seemed louder. I could hear distant cries.

Finally, I heard the cries louder. It felt like a sign that I was getting closer. The people sounded sad and desperate. Their cries made me want to help them more. Despite the challenges, I kept going, knowing we were close to finishing our mission.

Eventually, I found the room where the cries were coming from. It was full of people who looked scared and in pain. When they saw me in my guard uniform, they looked even more frightened. I stopped, not wanting to scare them further.

"I'm not here to hurt you. I'm here to help you get out," I said, trying to sound comforting.

As I unlocked the door, I noticed none of them dared to step out, and I understood why.

These people had willingly submitted to slavery, driven by desperation. Many hailed from regions beyond the empire, while others were from within, their livelihoods decimated by the encroaching darkness that swallowed everything in its path. Crops failed, goods spoiled, and once-thriving lands became barren wastelands under the relentless assault of the dark storm.

"We were sent here under the orders of the Crowned Prince," I announced, hoping to kindle a spark of hope in their eyes.

"He promises safe return to your lands if you wish, or the opportunity to stay in the empire. Either way, the Crowned Prince pledges to assist you in building a new and comfortable life."

A glimmer of hope flickered in their eyes at the mention of the Crowned Prince, known for his benevolence and compassion towards the downtrodden. He was a ruler revered for his unwavering commitment to justice and fairness.

"The Crowned Prince?" an old man asked, his voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Yes, the Crowned Prince himself," I confirmed, hoping that his reputation would be enough to inspire trust and belief in a brighter future.

Finally, they stepped out slowly, one by one.

I smiled at them and said, "Just keep walking straight. You'll see two guys who look like me, but their swords have white cloth tied to them. They're friendly."

As they followed my instructions, their strides grew more confident with each step.

Approaching the last group of captives, a woman urgently called out to me, her voice thick with desperation.

"Please, help my daughter! I beg of you," she implored, her grip tight on my clothes, tears streaming down her face, her anguish plain for all to see.

"What happened to your daughter?" I asked gently, wanting to understand how I could offer assistance.

"They took her. They took her!" she sobbed, her cries piercing the air, her pain palpable.

"Her daughter was one of those taken to be sold tonight," another woman explained, as the distraught mother was overcome with emotion.

We had known all along that tonight would bring sales, which is why someone capable of delivering justice was en route.

"No one is going to be sold tonight," I assured them firmly.

"Let's go. There's no time to waste."

***

Kim Aera's POV

I kept staring at her face without blinking, making her sweat like she was in a sauna. She blinked nervously, afraid to break eye contact.

"Is this enough, miss?" she asked, looking down at her work.

I tilted my head down to meet her eyes again.

"M.O.R.E," I said slowly, stretching out the word like a demanding girlfriend, making her pour more chocolate onto my food. It was this ball of doughy goodness, tasting like donuts, now drowning in chocolate and decorated with strawberries and blueberries.

Prrffttt.

Hearing that the chocolate bottle had run out, I said, "Okay, that'll be just enough." I took the food in a disposable box.

I smiled at the seller, and she gave me a smile back. But it looked more like she had a stomach ache, with the way her face twisted.

As I turned away, I was surprised to see a long line of people waiting to buy. They all stared at me like I had done something wrong.

"All that time just to serve this woman," a lady grumbled.

Since I was feeling extra generous today, I decided to spread the joy and happiness I was feeling.

"I'd like to treat everyone! It's on me," I announced, and the crowd erupted into cheers of joy and praise.

But of course, it won’t happened.

"I'll buy everything, and I'll pay double," I said, smirking at the seller and the people in line.

Their jaws dropped, realizing what had just happened.

I couldn't help but burst into hysterical laughter at the sight of their disappointed faces as they walked away, realizing they wouldn't get to buy anything after all.

"I want you to take this to Marquis Beaumont's house," I told the seller, handing her the pouch of money.

"But it'll take a day to get there. The food might spoil," she worried, though she seemed excited about the pouch I gave her.

"Don't worry about that. Put a note that says, parting gift from Roselle" I said as I flashed a smile to reassure her.

I climbed into the carriage and we headed to the best seats to watch someone I didn't like fall from grace. And after about 30 minutes, we arrived at our destination.

We arrived at a cliff overlooking the grand mansion where the auction was happening. In the nighttime darkness, the estate below was illuminated by soft lights, creating a magical atmosphere. From our elevated position, the twinkling lights adorned the gardens and pathways, giving the entire scene an enchanting glow.

My personal maid had arranged a cozy spot for me, complete with soft cushions and gently swaying drapes. Overhead, lanterns cast a warm and inviting light, and a pair of binoculars awaited me to get a closer look at the activities below.

In the quiet of the night, the estate seemed to wake up with soft noises and quiet conversations, making the event feel mysterious. Being hidden away let us watch without anyone seeing us, which gave us a good advantage. The darkness of the night made the outdoor party, with everyone disguised, even more interesting. It felt like there were secrets all around us, just waiting to be discovered.

I poured myself a glass of juice, though I couldn't help but wish it was wine. Roselle hadn't reached the legal drinking age yet, so I patiently waited. After her debut, though, I planned to indulge until I passed out. But hopefully, I wouldn't even be here by then—a few more months to go!

"I really want to go back to my world!" I muttered to myself, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

With a sigh, I started eating my food, savoring each bite as I watched the events unfold at the disguised party.

The auction had started, and each slave was being showcased to the crowd. People bid on them, hoping to buy them for various reasons.

Everyone at the event wore masks, adding an air of mystery to the proceedings. It seemed like they wanted to keep their identities hidden, maybe because they were involved in things they didn't want others to know about.

The slaves were presented in different ways. Some were shown off for their physical appearance, others for their skills or talents, and some simply for the prestige of their names.

As the auction continued, things moved quickly. Each slave was brought out, displayed, and then bids were made. It was a tense atmosphere, with people eagerly vying for the slaves they wanted.

As the auction continued quickly below, I noticed one slave in particular. He was a big, intimidating man with a scary face.

They showed what he could do, and it was impressive. He was incredibly strong.

They put him in a cage with strange animals. I'm not sure if they were wolves, but they had two heads and glowing red eyes. They looked like beasts from this world.

Even though he didn't have any weapons, he managed to defeat them after a bit of a struggle.

I clapped and cheered for him when he won. That man is named Gareth, the son of the old lady I had talked to earlier. She told me about him and how I will be able to recognize him. He's the one who made the cloud-like wrapped food.

The event was suddenly interrupted when a group of men stormed in, causing chaos. I watched as the chaos unfolded, taking a quick gulp of my drink and setting it down to get a better view of the situation.

There was blood from the injured guards, but the intruders managed to take control. I spotted Sebastian, my ex, being pinned down by a man.

Fear, panic, and anger were written all over his face.

"Wow. That's quite a scene. I wish I could have seen it firsthand, but I can't risk ending up in jail for going to a party like that."

"There's more to come, Sebastian. There's more."