Chapter 68
The "proof" Foina referred to was as follows.
"...So, you're asking me to rescue elven slaves from the southern border town of Reben, correct?" Caron asked.
Foina took a sip of tea and explained, "There are no more slave trades happening in Thebe. I buried all those scum myself. But now, the slavers have shifted their operations to Reben. There's still an active slave market there. Plenty of war refugees and deserters from the southern kingdoms make for ripe targets."
She set down her cup and continued, "Recently, I received intel that elves were being traded in Reben. I would go and handle the matter myself, but... Circumstances aren't on my side."
"If you were to move on your own, your presence would be revealed," Caron noted.
Foina nodded and said, "Exactly. Right now, I'm responsible for many people, and I can't afford to move freely."
Foina was an 8th Circle mage. Her existence alone made her a strategic asset. The fact that she had managed to stay hidden in Thebe, evading the empire's information networks, was already an impressive feat. But if she were discovered now, the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Mage Tower would make moves immediately. While Foina could easily evade pursuit on her own, as the leader of Caligo, she couldn't risk the entire organization for the sake of her kin.
"So, you're entrusting this mission to me," Caron said.
"That's right," Foina answered.
"Elven slaves, huh... It's not as if anyone can access that kind of market," Caron said.
"It's strictly members-only. Though, I hear there are exceptions for individuals with high enough status," Foina said.
Being able to access a members-only slave market required significant influence, not to mention the ability to operate solo. There weren't many people who met those criteria, and out of those, Foina could only rely on one person: Caron.
When Caron realized her plan, he gave her a subtle smile and said, "This feels like a bad deal for me."
"Do you really have so little affection for your friends that you'd fuss over such things?" Foina teased.
"Come on, the closer the relationship, the more fair the deal has to be. So, to sum it up, isn't this what you're saying? 'I'll take on all the risk, and if I do that, you'll introduce me to the elves...' No matter how you look at it, the deal just doesn't add up," Caron said.
"You're really haggling with me over this? Don't forget, you'll need my help to get into the Southern Great Forest," Foina said, narrowing her eyes at him.
Caron shrugged and retorted, "Spare a thought for those of us who do the actual fieldwork."
"Are you serious right now?" Foina asked.
"I'm not saying no. I'm just asking for a little more compensation. There's a good term for that: hazard pay," Caron answered with a grin.
Foina chuckled softly at his audacity. Then, she raised her hands in mock defeat before saying, "You know, they say the ones who have everything are always the greediest. Fine. Tell me what you want."
After all, an 8th Circle mage could perform miracles.
"How about a dimensional pouch?" Caron asked.
A dimensional pouch was a miracle that transcended the limits of space itself.
Foina let out a laugh at his request and replied, "Wow. You really have no shame, do you? Do you know how hard it is to create a dimensional pouch, even for a grand mage?"
"Oh, come on, it's just a little bag," Caron said.
"A little bag? It's not just a bag! You need to design a magic circle that controls spatial creation, fixes coordinates, maintains the magic's duration, and enables automatic casting. If they were easy to make, everyone would be walking around with one," Foina passionately explained the situation, her intensity suggesting just how difficult the task really was.
"Even a grand mage can't make something like that?" Caron asked.
"It's not that simple. First, you need top-tier mana stones of the highest quality. Then, you need to liquefy them to draw the magic circle. On top of that, you need premium leather to enchant. The costs are astronomical," Foina explained, waving her hands in exasperation.
"So, it's just a matter of money?" Caron asked.
"If you can get the materials, I can make one, but that takes time. It will take at least three months. And just the cost of the materials alone? It's about the same as the yearly budget of a minor barony... Oh," Foina paused, realizing her mistake. She had forgotten, for a moment, that the boy sitting before her was incredibly wealthy.
"If I rescue the elves, you'll make me a dimensional pouch," Caron said with a grin, sensing an opportunity.
Even Azureocean Castle only had about three such pouches, and their capacity wasn't particularly large. Each was only enough to hold the equivalent of two large wagons at most. Grand mages were notorious for their pride and eccentricity, and they rarely made such items for money, no matter the offer.
"That's why it's handy to have a grand mage as a friend," Caron added.
"...Seriously, though, these days, there's an artifact that makes spending all that money unnecessary.. Plus, transportation has gotten better too..." Foina said.
"It's about the charm of it, the charm," Caron replied nonchalantly.
"Spending a year's worth of a barony's budget for the sake of charm?" Foina asked, incredulous.
"That's what makes it charming," Caron said with a grin.
Foina let out a heavy sigh, shaking her head slowly before finally nodding. "Fine. If you can rescue my kin, I'll make you the dimensional pouch. What else could I possibly do, refuse?"
"Well, some dew of the World Tree would also work," Caron suggested with a smirk.
"Were you even born with something called a conscience?" Foina asked.
"Probably?" Caron answered.
"...Fine. I'll make you one dimensional pouch. It'll be a large one. Satisfied?" Foina asked.
"Deal," Caron said, then rose from his seat and extended his hand to Foina. He flashed a mischievous smile and said, "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."
"For you, maybe. This was a good deal only for you," Foina muttered, shaking his hand.
"Well, that's what makes it a good deal," Caron replied, his grin widening.
Since Caron was heading south anyway, stopping by the southern border town of Reben wasn't too difficult. With both his mission and a bonus of a dimensional pouch, it was the kind of deal that left him thoroughly satisfied.
"So, what happens after I rescue the elves?" Caron asked. "You're not expecting me to escort them all the way back to Thebe, right? That would cost extra..."
"...I'll handle the rest. Just get them out of the slave market," Foina said, shaking her head at his audacity.
If he had been born in the slums instead of a noble family, he'd probably be ruling the underworld by now, Foina thought. In fact, being a crime boss seemed to suit him more than being a noble heir.
"In the name of the Leston Duchy, I guarantee I'll accomplish your request through," Caron said, unflinchingly throwing his family name into the deal.
After stretching, he flashed another grin at Foina and said, "Now that we're done with the important stuff, how about we get something to eat? Do you know any good restaurants around here?"
"Wait, you're not sticking me with the bill, are you?" Foina asked suspiciously.
"I'll pay. I also have some catching up to do with Mayor Grine, so we'll bring him too," Caron said.
Negotiating information on Kerra, and securing a dimensional pouch on top of that. Caron smiled contentedly, because this was truly the perfect sort of deal for him.
***
The next day, Caron boarded a train bound for Reben, which was a southern border city of the empire. There was no reason to linger in Thebe any longer.
"I'll relay the information through the communication orb as soon as it comes in. Oh, and let me know immediately once you've rescued my kin."
Caron recalled Foina's parting words as the train sped toward Reben. A slave market... The thought pulled him into memories of his previous life. They were memories he had tried to bury deep. The place that haunted his mind was filled with nothing but horror.
No place where slaves were held could ever be pleasant, but the slave markets, in particular, were the worst. In them, people were sold like livestock. They were places that crawled with vile desires. There were always people looking for slaves to cater to their every twisted whim. Some wanted slaves to serve them through the night; others sought targets for their sadistic urges. Those with strong bodies were sold off to underground arenas, or forced into mines where they'd be worked to death.
In the eyes of slavers, slaves weren't even beasts. They were less than that.
That's what a slave is, Caron thought bitterly.
His first master in his previous life had been a baron, who was a complete piece of trash. The man's favorite form of entertainment was a high-class one, or so he'd thought: Watching children forced into gladiatorial combat, slashing at each other with knives and spilling blood for his amusement.
The house of Baron Norang, Caron recalled.
He still remembered that wretched family. After his reincarnation, he had tried to find them, but it was as if they'd vanished. Either the family had been wiped out or they'd changed their name. There was no trace of them.
"No way that cockroach died," Caron muttered to himself. He had submitted an inquiry through the Caligo network, just in case. If any remnants of the Norang family still existed within the empire, they wouldn't escape his grasp for long. And once he tracked them down?
"Just let me catch you," he whispered, his eyes darkening. He would show them a hell far worse than what he'd endured.
As Caron was staring out the train window, lost in thought, the train pulled into its destination. Twelve hours had passed since he left Thebe.
"Final stop, Reben. Please check to make sure you haven't forgotten any belongings."
Caron had finally arrived at the border city of Reben. Stepping off the train, he took in the sight before him.
"...The atmosphere here," he murmured.
True to its nature as a border city, tall, imposing walls stretched high into the sky, casting long shadows. Uniformed soldiers patrolled every corner of the train station, a stark contrast to the bustling energy of Thebe.
The entire place felt tense, weighed down by a stifling sense of unease. The air seemed thick with anxiety, and the dark, dreary atmosphere was unmistakable. As Caron exited the station, the oppressive mood only grew more intense.
The city was shrouded in darkness, with its inadequate lighting casting long, ominous shadows. In the background, lifeless citizens moved through the streets like ghosts, their expressions devoid of any hope or joy. Some people huddled beneath blankets, trying to sleep wherever they could find shelter on the streets.
The stark difference between these people and the citizens of Thebe was shocking. It was hard to believe they were part of the same empire. And with those towering walls encircling the entire city, it didn't feel like a city at all. It felt like...
" A massive prison," Guillotine remarked.
"You're right," Caron replied to Guillotine's voice in his head, agreeing with its assessment. This place wasn't just a border town. It was a fortress city.
It seemed as difficult to escape this city as it would be to conquer it. Caron thought about the man who ruled over this massive stronghold, Leandro, the Marquis of the Border. He was one of the empire's most powerful figures, closely aligned with the influential Duke Salmon. Because of the ongoing wars with the southern kingdoms, Leandro had received the emperor's approval to maintain the largest private army in the region. He ruled over this city like a warlord.
Even if I manage to rescue the elves from the slave market, getting them out won't be easy, Caron thought.
The soldiers patrolling the streets were a sharp contrast to the lifeless-looking citizens. They were well-equipped, with disciplined movements that marked them as an elite force. It was clear from just a glance that these men were highly trained. Leading them were knights, their shining armor distinguishing them from the common soldiers.
"Hey, you," a voice called out.
As Caron observed the soldiers, a knight caught sight of him and strode over. The knight's eyes flicked down to the sword at Caron's waist before he asked, "Are you a mercenary?"
The knight wore reinforced leather armor with shin guards and leather boots, the bottom half of his face hidden behind a metal mask. Meanwhile, Caron's attire, a typical mercenary outfit, made him blend in with the others arriving in the city.
Caron nodded and answered, "Yes."
"Show me your mercenary badge," the knight demanded, his tone authoritative.
Without hesitation, Caron pulled out his badge and handed it over. The knight inspected it carefully before nodding and returning it to him.
"What's your destination?" the knight asked.
"The Keath Kingdom," Caron replied.
"The Keath Kingdom, huh... A nasty place to go. Alright, just don't cause any trouble while you're here in Reben. With the influx of mercenaries lately, the city's peace is hanging by a thread. If you make any trouble, we'll meet again, but under worse circumstances. Understood?" the knight warned.
"I understand," Caron said, his voice calm.
The knight seemed to be 4-Star. It seemed fitting for a border marquis like Leandro to command such a well-armed and trained force, including his own knight order. Watching the knight's back as he walked away, Caron exhaled softly.
"I've got a pretty clear picture now," he muttered.
With an army of this caliber, including both knights and elite soldiers, the marquis clearly had total control over the city. After all, a border marquis wielded tremendous power, and in a fortress city like this, military strength was synonymous with control.
But despite the ironclad order enforced by the soldiers, Caron couldn't forget the information he had received from Caligo. Slaves were still being traded in this city.
"...Could that be it?" Caron mused, piecing together the clues. He couldn't shake the suspicion.
"Marquis Leandro is either turning a blind eye to the slave trade... Or..." Caron's gaze drifted to the brightly lit mansion at the city's center, where the lord resided. The building gleamed in stark contrast to the darkness surrounding it.
"...Or he's directly involved in running it."
If that were the case, the entire city could be his enemy. Realizing that, Caron's expression hardened, his brow furrowing. He could almost feel the sinister malevolence lingering in the air, carried on the cold night breeze.