ALL NOVEL Chapter 37
Chapter
“What’s the item?”
“It’s ready.”
The man holding a cigar chuckled slyly.
“Looks like I’ll be touching some money after a long time.”
In a dimly lit space, as he took a drag from the cigar, the red glow brightened momentarily.
The light reflected on the man’s face, forming a sinister grin.
“What a foolish elf. Just how flower-filled is your head to be wandering around alone in our territory?”
“Thanks to that, we get to touch some money, right?”
“Well, that’s true.”
With a cackling laugh, the man stepped into a brighter area.
At first glance, he looked like an ordinary guy but he habitually scanned the empty auction house.
“Lord.”
“He won’t just recklessly step in. The boss is here too, so what could a small fry like me do?”
“Don’t underestimate it. After all, I’m a Master. You and I, if we meet the wrong way, we’re done for.”
“Even so, if the boss intervenes, it’s nothing serious.”
“Are you the boss? Just make sure the kids don’t slack off.”
“Yes!”
The subordinate bowed and stepped back.
The man hummed a tune, extinguishing the cigar by rubbing it on the ashtray.
“Little elves…”
The value of a young elf is unimaginable.
Even with a lifespan several times longer than that of a human, elves hardly age until they reach the end of their lifespan.
I hear that an elf who lives less than a hundred years looks like they’ve maintained their beauty for several hundred years.
Moreover, it seems that she wasn’t even wearing the distinctive earrings that married elves wear, which means there’s almost a tenfold probability she’s a virgin, drastically increasing her value.
To put it simply, the organization would see significant profits overall.
Can you imagine how much that amounts to?
With the organization’s members being numerous, even from the perspective of running the organization, it’s a substantial amount of money, hence they can’t stop elf hunting.
Sure, they could get wiped out if they mess up, but as long as they don’t make mistakes, it’s manageable.
“Shall we get ready soon?”
It’s been a while since an elf has come in.
Quite a few big shots will probably gather.
To avoid any missteps, thorough preparation was necessary.
“I wonder when the boss will arrive.”
I hope no unnecessary problems arise.
The man clicked his tongue.
*
Enok walked slowly, following the traces of magic.
Elves, elves…
If his prediction was correct, his opponents were elf hunters.
A lucky bug might have caught a lost elf by chance, but for now, he had to assume the worst-case scenario.
“Eri, we’ve got to be a bit tense this time.”
[Should we count a lot?]
“Maybe. If it’s elf hunters, that’s likely.”
Though they’re called elf hunters, they’re no pushovers.
Fundamentally, elves are superior to humans.
There’s no part where they lack compared to humans, and most possess inherent calm personalities.
They are hunting elves?
Though they’re worthless bugs, their strength shouldn’t be underestimated.
Unless they were insane mayflies, they should possess a level of power that could easily win a war against a territory like this.
[Huh…!]
Eri gasped in surprise.
If Enok said that, it meant they weren’t just ordinary foes.
The young spirit’s whiskers trembled in fear.
“Well, don’t be too nervous. After all, they’re just humans.”
[Ah, you’re right!]
Immediately, the tension eased.
“Humans are only strong among humans.”
Enok muttered as he halted.
The traces of magic vanished from the building in front of him.
This meant a carriage had entered this building, indicating a high probability that the elf was inside.
‘What should I do…’
There are two choices.
Either rush in, kill all the humans inside, and rescue the elf or wait a bit, kill all the gathering humans, and then rescue the elf.
At that moment,
– It’s solid information, isn’t it?
He strained to hear a faint comment.
“Yeah, they said an elf would appear at the end of the auction.”
“Of course. What would be the point of making this long journey otherwise? I hope it’s not a wild goose chase.”
“It’s confirmed information. It’s something disseminated by the organizers.”
Auction, elf.
Now it was certain.
In a twist of worldly logic, a great elf is being made a slave by filthy humans.
This is the ugly nature of humans envious of the superior and a wretched struggle of lesser beings unable to accept reality.
Pzzkt-!
Annoyed, Enok moved quietly.
There were two people conversing.
Four guards were standing by them.
The two conversing seemed to be noble offspring, so they might have some level of strength, and the guards were naturally formidable.
Considering that, he dashed in between them.
“What, what’s happening!”
“Block him!”
The humans’ eyes grew wide as they reacted late.
In the instant between their reaction and action, Enok swung his hand.
Kwa-dush-!
A blizzard of blood flew.
Severed heads dropped lifelessly to the ground.
“Huh?”
They die this easily?
A bit flustered, but I managed to spare one because I stopped just before the final moment.
“U-uh…”
The human who appeared to be of noble birth turned pale, collapsing on the spot.
If his parents were nobles, he should have inherited some level of education, yet is this all he could muster?
This is humans for you.
Enok clicked his tongue, grabbing the hair of the surviving noble.
Fortunately, it was nighttime, and being in an alley, no one else was around.
“Is there a condition to attend the auction?”
“C-save me…”
Crackle-! Current blackened one of the man’s arms.
“AHHHH!”
“I asked a question.”
“W-wait…! I’ll answer! I’ll answer!”
The man, gasping for breath, dropped something from his bosom.
“A mask?”
It was a fancy mask that concealed the eyes and nose.
Seeing that, a thought struck him.
‘It’s better to wear a mask when causing a scene, right?’
If word got back to Rionne, I’d be unjustly losing sleep over it.
Quickly rummaging through his bag, Enok put on the mask while he heard a trembling voice.
“Ah, the passphrase…”
“What?”
“… If you say the passphrase, you can enter.”
“Sounds easy enough.”
“Well, they’re just humans anyway; they can’t do anything.”
“So, what’s the passphrase?”
“… I came looking for fairies under the moon.”
What an arrogant passphrase.
Fairies are essentially elves.
I have no idea what kind of guts they think they have as humans.
Wearing the white mask he bought long ago, Enok looked down at the man.
“What about the mask?”
“… It’s not mandatory. Most wear one, though.”
“Is that so?”
Now, he had all the information he needed.
Enok raised his hand.
“Hold on…! I’m the firstborn of the baron family! Just let me go…! Gack…!”
With one body, another head rolled.
Enok shook the blood off his hands and pulled out gloves from his belongings.
“An auction… what a big rubbish heap.”
Crack- He flexed his gloved hands.
Despite looking like ordinary silk gloves, they were, in fact, dwarven gloves.
Crafted by Riraum, Rionne’s friend.
Previously, he thought they were just decent enough but perhaps they truly lived up to being called a legendary artifact.
Lately, the gloves had significantly improved in quality.
And they even gained a new function.
Gloves that grow.
Indeed, dwarves seem to be a step above humans.
“Shall I go in?”
[Yes, Dad!]
“Once inside, stay quiet.”
[Yes!]
Enok gently adjusted the sword at his waist as he headed towards the auction house.
*
Tall stature, a lean but muscular physique, exquisite clothing, a sword at his waist, and a refined-looking white mask made of fine wood.
Jack, who was on guard at the auction house, sensed that the person wasn’t of low status.
Well, even so, he couldn’t cause a ruckus here.
“What is it?”
“……”
No matter how low his own rank was, he belonged to an organization.
Nobility? Don’t make me laugh.
The boss could easily become a high-ranking noble if he wanted, but he simply didn’t bother with such superficial titles.
What about this guy?
He looked like a young man at a glance.
His father may have a high status, but just how extraordinary could a kid his age be?
“… I came looking for fairies under the moon.”
Would you look at that?
With a voice full of dissatisfaction, the only thing he could managed was to recite the passphrase.
“Tsk, go on in.”
Jack waved his hand.
The thrill he felt during moments like this was exhilarating.
Just then, he locked eyes with the figure behind the mask.
“What, what the…?”
It was chilling.
It wasn’t even cold outside, yet a chill crept down his spine.
Jack subtly repositioned his hand towards his weapon and readied himself to shout if necessary.
Thump, thump, his heart pounded.
Goosebumps sprouted from his toes to the top of his head.
“Don’t, don’t cause a ruckus; just go in quickly!”
“Silently, follow me.”
“What?”
He seemed to have whispered something, but it was too quiet to catch.
How long had he been glaring at him?
Step by step, like time stretched for hours, the figure finally moved into the auction house.
“Little brat. So skittish.”
Jack spat on the ground and leaned against the wall.
His legs trembled, and it seemed he had to stay like this for a while.