As I got off from the carriage I stifled my presence further.

There were simply too many people around, a festival or some sort of celebration seemed to be underway as petals were thrown from each and every window.

The nearby lights flickering and bouncing off the thrown petals simply looked majestic, as if a rain of firelit flowers were gently gazing down at the people below.

It was like watching a fully immersive CG from a well-known company, coupled with the impeccable designs of the roads and buildings it really seemed to be a scene straight out of an Otome game.

Yet I have no time for such tempting scenes, time is of the essence.

Quickly get the annoying bug out of trouble and get out.

Waahhh--!

Startled by the sudden shouts and cheers from behind, at my peripheral vision I could see bursts of light as it seems to be a show made from combining the [Burst] and [Appear] spells simply put a 'magic' show using real magic.

Grumbling slightly at the noises, I swiveled past the numerous waves of people as soon delicious smells from the countless stalls lined-up threatened to assault my nose and rumbling stomach.

Thus begrudgingly making my way towards the plaza I covered my ears and nose paying no mind to any of the glowing lights and festive atmosphere as I swiftly turned to a nearby alley where the trail seemingly stopped.

Moving further in, I could see a ton of people wearing fancy clothes and all were wearing masks.

‘Is this an auction? They have some guts to hold an auction when the returning knights will soon pass by this area...’

I slowly followed the crowd of masked people to a basement, inside is a very spacey room that looked like a theatre.

‘Contrary to the outside that seemingly looked ordinary this 'basement' is downright overkill… was this also done by magic?’

As I scan the surroundings, the host soon started the auction.

My goal here isn’t to eradicate this filthy place just yet… I have to find that troublesome excuse of a mage.

‘Now my plan would be delayed for a bit… though this experience is a bit indeed worth it.’ A smirk then appeared on my face as I slowly registered the scene happening in this theatre into my brain.

Snapping out of my 'dark' thoughts I then remembered that I was currently on a mission.

Leisurely walking I proceeded to get to the back stage and thus followed the workers transporting `the goods` as they call it.

Leading to huge warehouses outside of the basement, I suspect that all of these are enchanted with a [Camouflage] spell.

They may have also used an [Obscuring Fog] spell to mask the enchantments as mages or sword masters can sense inscribed spells.

I stifled my presence to the limit as I made my way towards one of the warehouses.

Upon entering only one thought crossed my mind. ‘This is really disgusting’

I was currently staring at cages… filled with children possibly the same as 'my' age.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Suddenly a nearby booming voice yelled in a gleeful tone. “This is a really big catch! I wonder how much that kid with the shiny hair would sell.”

‘So those guys don’t even know the identity of the supposed 'shiny kid'? it seems that the people here aren't the ones responsible for kidnapping the mage.’

Another booming voice gleefully chimed at the other's previous statement. “The people in suspicious clothing did sell that kid to us for a ton! So maybe twice no, thrice the amount!”

Following them a bit further in, I could now see the troublemaker.

‘He seems to be ok? For the most part at least. The sleeping poison hasn’t faded yet... or so it seems.’

I stare from a far as I see his little body 'sleeping' inside a barely wide steel cage.

‘If I was the one kidnapped and put to sleep I would’ve had a hard time getting myself free from restraints, but I’m naturally confident in my escape abilities.

I then waited for the workers to leave as I slowly approached the cage.

“Hey, wake up we need to move, I know you’re awake.” Flinching at the sudden sound of my voice, the 'sleeping' mage soon opened his eyes as a wry smile appeared on his face.

“Ah… I’ve been caught thankfully it’s just our young Sun-- Wait no, our young Sun what are you doing here?!”

“Keep it down. You left a trail remember? If I didn’t follow it you would've been sold off to a faraway land by now."

“Even so… our young Sun you should cherish yourself! You’re the heir to this very kingdom!”

“Heir? that isn't decided yet, also I already have a younger brother to take over if needed and besides… I was the original target in the first place so I apologize that you got involved in this mess.”

“But-“

“Enough.” I then stared at him as if I were voicing my frustrations.

“Yes…”

“I’m gonna get you out of here now just wait.”

“But this cage can’t be unlocked unless it responds to the owner’s mana…?”

As he continued to blabber I took out some steel pins and proceeded to unlock the cage.

Of course, I came prepared. Any key would open a lock and a lock would open as long as there's a key.

Click-

After a couple of seconds, the lock was soon opened by the steel pins riddled with weird ridges and crooked shapes.

“Huh how…”

A tug on the side of my face threatened to rise as I could feel myself briefly smirking.

Silently twirling the metal pins that I soon placed inside of my satchel a low but amused voiced escaped my mouth. “I guess it is quite satisfying to see your bewildered face.”

Lightly chuckling, I soon turned to touch the cage handle so as to open it.

But as soon as I barely touched the cage a burning sensation shocked my palms.

Quickly pulling away and looking at my hands that didn’t seem to show any signs of being burnt, I steeled myself and opened the cage.

As soon as I opened the cage, the troublesome guy that was standing collapsed towards me.

“Hey are you fine? You feel kind of light…” I asked in slight confusion as I easily carried his arm over my shoulder.

A 4 year old kid carrying a guy well above his age this easily...

No matter how you think of it, isn't that plainly disturbing?

Is this another work of magic? Did this mage really transformed his body to that of a child?? and it's not a mere matter of an illusion but a matter of form altercation?!

Then if so, that explains how the kidnappers were able to easily carry him like a child because he did in fact turned into a child!

Rather, maybe even his thoughts turned to that of a child!

Disturbing my raging thoughts was the voice of the mage beside me.

“Ah… there is no need to worry our young Sun, for now we should move and get out of here. Though if you had given me more time, I could’ve gotten away on my own...”

“There is no point in contemplating about that right now and looking all smug about it too right?” With a dead pan expression on my face I instantly shut down any of his delusions there and then.

Ah never mind, his thoughts were childish to begin with.

“Yesss….” The sorry excuse of a mage soon sulkily voiced out a response.

Although I can’t see his face I could imagine him sulking with a stupid expression.

“By the way our young Sun, I broke their [Obscuring Fog] spell so the knights are bound to notice soon.”

"... You WHAT?!"

Great now there goes my plan in cleaning this filthy place up in the future, well regardless even if this auction was cleaned another would soon be bound to sprout up in another place.

Letting out a small sigh I then threw another one of my plans out the window as we then focused on escaping this hell hole.

As we trudged towards the exit we could hear some muffled noises getting closer.

Chaos was brewing.

Noticing the chaos, Rohwaldt turned to me and said in a worried tone.

“…The monsters got out from the auction didn’t they?”

Trivia [Enchantments] are called Inscribed spells simply because they are enchanted or inscribed into the desired object.