“Do you still think that this city is beautiful?”

Alexis was ashamed of saying something like that and if he could slap his past self he would surely do it before he could say so.

“The ones that are auctioned here will only be the 'best' of the illegal slaves, there are still many more of them in those shops you passed by.” Damian added just to make him feel more miserable.

The Empire also has slaves but these slaves are ones that was sold by the parents of a struggling family or those that committed crimes that are still pardonable and this kind of slaves are still considered as citizens of the empire that's why they are to be paid for their work giving them a chance to be a freeman once more, however illegal slaves are different they have no documents or anything so their lives are in the hands of their masters, just remember that no kind man would ever buy an illegal slave.

Alexis took his gazed away from the stage and said, “I take back what I said.”

“What do you mean?”

“The words I said after I just stepped foot in this place.”

““So beautiful…”, that one? Hahaha!” he mimicked the words and also his voice before he laughed at his face while also patting his back forcefully that it made Alexis sit straight properly.

After having a good laugh Damian looked at the young man seriously and continued, “Well its not like what you said is not true.”

“What do you mean?”

Alexis was confused, just as he starting to view this place as the den of evils, the devil that was guiding him into thinking that way suddenly turned into an angel.

“Every thing has an ugly side and a beautiful one, its the same to this city, what I just showed you was the horrendous part of it, and you have not seen the other part yet.” Damian said with a smile.

“A beautiful one...where is it?”

“If you want to we can go there now.”

Alexis did not hesitate to stand up and head towards the door, Damian chuckled when he saw his actions still he guided the two of them out the auction before heading towards the part of the city that is close to the rocky wall.

There was no chaotic building here iinstead there are big and colorful tents that are propped up around the wide open field. Alexis tilted his head upwards to look at the wooden arc that acts as both the entrance and the holder of the sign of this place, carved on the wooden plaque were a fairy's side profile and letters that says:

“Phantasma.”

“This is the place. Even I was amazed by this when I saw one, as far as I know this attraction is unique to this city's black market, its more of a theater troupe than an illegal gambling den.” Damian commented as they passed inside.

“Why?” Even Lance was curious after he praised this place like that.

“Except for the tent where their casino is anything else can be brought back to surface and be considered as an entertainment.”

“Entertainment?” Alexis tilted his head to the unfamiliar word.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Damian slapped his head as he looked at him with pity. “Something you do to waste your time on.” For a person of the countryside that only experienced a once in a year performance of an amateur bard it would take a long time to explain the things about operas and plays, so he just explained it short and precise before he continued leading them towards the biggest tent.

They stopped at the end of the line in front of the rectangular booth and paid a seat for three once their turn came, they then entered inside the tent and what they first saw was the beast tamer teaching a mammalian four legged monster to jump through the ring of fire, once the man lashed his whip the monster ran and brilliantly did its jump without any wick of flames on its fur, the man gave it a treat before performing a bow towards the applauding or whistling crowd.

“This is like...”

“The Colosseum right?” Damian finished the rest for him.

“Yes, but at the same time they are not the same.” Alexis said as he took his seat next to Lance.

“Its not like they are going to watch someone fight until they grew old, most people chase for something new once they grew bored of the old.”

They did not talk after that as they enjoy the rest of the show with a smile on their faces. Performers have a separated acts on their own that's why after the beast master left another one appeared to hold the show, acrobats that performed breathtaking and beautiful stunts, performers that balances dangerous items while juggling numerous balls in the air, people that make flames came out of their mouth like a wyvern, a colorful man that made everyone laugh by his silliness, on the contrast was the leading performer who awed everyone by his unbelievable tricks, and finally the climax and the last act came with a performance combining each and every one of those performers, they made the act blend harmoniously that it put an end to their show in a great note.

Once the actors held hands and deeply bowed towards the crowds they are rained with cheers and claps even some flower petals from their standing audiences.

“That was a great show!” Damian praised once they left the tent, the two nodded agreeing with him.

“They were like court jester.”

Damian glanced at him and scoffed, “The only same thing was the way they entertain, but those jesters were true magicians unlike them yet they are not funny and their magic is bland and repeated.”

Seeing that Lance was quiet and did not make any rebuttal he was satisfied and led the two of them to a different tent, they did not stopped until they toured almost all tent in the field.

“So where's are we going next?” Alexis eagerly asked, almost like he forgotten the things he was shown before they came here.

“I already showed you around the place and now I am going for a drink, if you want some then you can follow me.”

“Um…I think I'll passed, and now that I think about it its already too late in the night and I am starting to get tired.”

“Then you can go back the stairs we entered in at the east.” Damian pointed at the distance before he turned to glance at his side, “What about you Lance? Are you going to come back with him or join me for a drink?”

“I'll go back with him.”

“Tsk, you're no fun.”

Damian patted Alexis’ shoulder before leaving them to their own accord, the two then quietly walked towards the east.

As the young man could not stand the silence and awkwardness between them he hesitantly opened up his mouth, “C-Can I asked something?”

When he saw him give an approving nod his lips parted and his throat readies but then he remembered that he did not have any questions to ask, so his eyes wandered around especially the sky to see the weather but instead he saw the crystals up in the ceiling.

“…w-what are those? They are much brighter than the light of a torch.” Alexis pointed at the ceiling.

Lance looked up before he answered him, “That is the Light Crystals, it is designed to gather mana from its surroundings and convert them into light.”

“So they can do that! But if they have something that convenient why not install them aboveground?”

“Mana crystals which can gather mana inside it is a rare mineral, not rare as diamonds but the places they could be mined are dangerous and extreme, also an artificier with enough skills to carved that complex magic inside the it was much rarer than any precious metal.”

“Ooh...”

Alexis was amazed at Lance’s knowledge and with him also giving a proper answer to his question he was tempted to ask him about the current predicament he is in.

And once he talked about that to him the captain gave him a proper guidance for his training, they then talked different topics until they arrived at the inn they are staying, Alexis was able to learn a lot from the conversation between them and just before he climbed the stairs he made a bow to thank him.

“Thank you for your guidance.”

He then immediately rushed to his room while his right hand clutched the small pebbles inside his palm. That night Alexis' room resounded with groans and cries that are filled with pain.