V2 Chapter 19
Okmahun City, the Demon City located at the Northern Border of the Demon Empire. Its size may not be comparable to large cities like the Demon Capital, but when compared to Colmar in France or Bled in northwestern Slovenia, it was still quite a lot larger. Moreover, it neighbored the Unexplored Northern Mountain which possesses numerous ruins and relic of the past civilization, containing unknown treasures and magical beasts. Therefore, countless risk takers and business groups came and went despite the war, giving the city a never-ending flow of human traffic.
Although only half of the Northern Mountain was in the Demon’s hands while half of it was in the Human hands, signifying each of their borders, many people, either they went to participate in the war or they came for the Northern Mountain, still caused a lot of people staying in this place. Despite the chilling coldness of the location, the human flow moving to and from the city nearly clogged the city gate, making it quite a prosperous City based on distribution despite its location and weather. It wasn’t just goods, but various races gathered there as well.
Besides demons, there were therianthropes, with beast-like claws and fur, people with wings upon their back, dwarves that specialized in delicate decorations, at odds with their short and boorish appearances. Although this is a warring state, but business cannot be affected by it, especially in this Northern Region where crops and livestock are difficult to maintain. Although there are still limits and restrictions, as long as one obeys the laws of the Demon Empire, they are still able to do business in this region. After all, not all races and beast tribes participate in the war—some still remain neutral.
Obviously, aside from humans, that is. Only a few people can be counted by two hands are those eligible to enter the City and their safety is not guaranteed. Although they can hire elite and powerful bodyguards but entering this city needed balls of steel… you can see yourself as a lamb entering a wolf’s pack.
Not far away from the northern gate was the seemingly endless Northern Mountain Range. Small groups of mercenary troops from various races and tribes with differing line-ups were repeatedly entering and exiting from this point, much like ants moving their home. Occasionally, there would be troops which used a horse cart to carry the corpse of a Magical Beast running out of the forest and a wisp of dust behind. This would attract numerous envious gazes from those around. It was not an easy matter to kill satisfactory prey within the Northern Mountain due to many dangerous factors including the chilling cold.
Looking around, one could also see that there were several within this city wearing collars with chains attached. Slaves.
There were humans, but also those of other races, and the people they were with weren’t limited to humans. There were dwarves or imps striking at huge men with canes, demons accompanying beautiful winged women, and therianthropes lapping up milk from plates on the floor like dogs.
Some of them were no doubt ‘goods’ to be auctioned off.
The difference between those who were slaves and those who were not was in money, power, and luck. Cian, despite being a modern man was hailed from a family of killers and assassins. He had been accustomed to the horrors of the world. So he wasn’t sympathetic.
However, he couldn’t help but murmur. “That world was already worst enough for my taste—however, this world is even more so. Strength is everything…power is almighty…huh,”
“Master…?” Ruka asked concerned.
“It’s nothing…” Cian shook his head. Aside from this sorry and terrible sight, Cian also noticed something. “It feels oddly charged.”
He was talking about the City’s atmosphere.
Although this was the first time he had come to Akhamun, but the Demon Knights and guards were patrolling everywhere. The citizens seemed frightened too, and full of rage. It was a presence that wasn’t normally tangible.
Ruka smiled gently as she understood what Cian meant. “It seems like a prisoner had managed to escape, thus the entire city was on high alert.”
“Prisoner?” Cian asked, interested.
“According to what I had heard, one of the famed Knights of the twelve, the Round Table and the pride of the Aristocracies Empire was captured from the battle a few months ago. However, at this moment, due to some outside help, the Knight seemed to have managed to escape.”
“Roundtable…huh,” Cian muttered. “So that was why the crowd is so lively,”
“Yes, it seems like there is already a dozen casualties from the Knights hands…” Ruka responded.
Cian was wearing a cloak as he walked. As he was walking, there was a sudden commotion coming from far away and streams of people were gathering towards that direction.
“I wonder what’s going on?” Cian frowned his brows for a brief moment and pondered. Thereafter, he quickened his steps and followed the stream of people. He passed through the street which had a turbulent human flow. He swept his gaze, and his brows slightly knit together.
Following the crowd, he was actually led to an underground area within the city. There were old ruins within the area, probably an arena, and they had been repaired and made into a market, dealing in things that wouldn’t sell well above-ground. After listening to many conversations, Cian finally learned what was in this place.
Auction House…
This place was actually an underground auction house. Cian’s lips curled upwards.
The auction hall was in the main area of the arena. It was similar to the Colosseum in Rome. There was a circular stage with chairs arrayed around it. It seemed that the auction had already begun, as several voices resounded, calling out numbers.
Only the stage was lit, the seating didn’t even have candles. This wasn’t a discourtesy, it was a measure so the bidders could not see each other’s’ faces.
…Well, it didn’t mean much to demons though.
Securing their seats, Ruka edged towards Cian and spoke with a soft voice.
“Master., it seems like the Black Ogre Caramite, and the Crimson Temptress Gregory is here. There’s also Ghost Theodore... it seems like this auction hall is quite famous for them to also appear in here,”
Even without light, demons and magic creatures, being able to use night vision magic was only natural. Looking in the direction Ruka indicated, Cian saw the silhouettes of several clad in an overbearing presence. He didn’t know them, but they were all well-known demon warriors and personas, especially in the Demon Empire. The majority was Demon, but other races were visible here and there. Black Ogre Caramite is an Ogre, Crimson Temptress Gregory was a therianthrope with a beautiful nine fox tails, and Ghost Theodore was covered completely with a hood and robe, so it was impossible to tell their race. However, if he wasn’t mistaken, this monster is an undead creature…!
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
The prefixes such as ‘Black Ogre’ were these monsters aliases and could be thought of like titles, given to those who held a certain amount of power and fame within the Empire. Amongst the most famous would be her Elder Sister, Oriel [ Princess of Ice ]. His elder brother Lucifalion was also called [ Prince of Purgatory ].
In fact, Aanuel was also a well-known demon, with prestige and fame covering every nook and cranny of the Demon Empire. But unfortunately, he hadn’t been given an alias due to some… reason…
When Cian’s gaze swept over, he coincidentally saw a group of people walking from the red-colored carpeted pathway and then passing their seats, walking directly towards the seat a few rows in front of him. His gaze swept over this group of people and finally stopped at a somewhat overly pale-looking, handsome, young man in the middle. From his outer appearance, his age seemed to be around twenty-four or twenty-five and seemingly from the beast Lion tribe due to his red flaming fur and gallant mane. However, from the tiny undulation caused wisps of energy to be occasionally emitted from within his body, he was without a doubt extremely powerful!
“This person… his strength is quite good. Moreover, he is actually this young? Looks like this Northern Border is really a place where tigers and dragons are hidden.” Cian was somewhat surprised as he eyed the young man with a pale expression, while he muttered in his heart.
“Hei, look over there. It seems to be people from the Bloodhole Gang?”
“They are indeed a group of overpowered fellows. That person in the middle should be one of the leaders, Gobing, right? Hee hee, it is said that the disappearance of the third leader of the Thousand Illusion Gang not long ago had something to do with him.”
“The blood of his entire body was dried, it seemed like his blood had been completely and forcefully drained by someone. Only the Bloodhole Gang would be interested in such things. It is just that it was really unexpected that he actually still dares to come to here when the Crimson Temptress is present.”
“What does he not dare to do? His father is a strong person, the leader of the Bloodhole Gang. That old fellow is ruthless and very powerful that even the Eastern Tyrants didn’t dare to move. Moreover, the Bloodhole Gang’s strength is greater than the Thousand Illusions. Would they dare touch Gobing here? Would they not be afraid that his father would bring people, and wash the Northern Border away with blood in his anger?”
Cian came to a sudden realization as he heard the private conversations transmitted from the human flow. His gaze once again settled on the face of the young man and remembered the faction called the Bloodhole Gang deep within his heart. Isn’t that the gang with that little Imp? I guess I have a need to visit them in the future… Cian’s lips curled upwards.
Since fate brings us together, I will surely receive it with open arms.
Seemingly having sensed a somewhat different gaze, the young man, who was about to sit, suddenly paused his footsteps. He tilted his head slightly and his extremely cold eyes, which were void of even the slightest emotion, glanced directly at Cian, whose entire body was hidden in a black robe, standing a short distance away. Immediately, he raised his eyebrows slightly, hesitated for a moment before sitting on the chair while carrying some doubt between his brows.
“...ho… scary,” The young man’s thick, cold gaze caused Cian to have a certain feeling of being stared at by a blood-sucking bat from within the darkness. He spread out his hands while laughing wryly in his heart. “Master,” Ruka frowned as she looks at Gobing’s direction. Her expression heavy and full of murderous intention—to try to intimidate my beloved master, this guy is seeking death…!
Cian tap Ruka’s clenched fist with a faint smile. He then leaned over, “It’s okay,” he muttered gently then bit her earlobes. Ruka felt being electrified and shivered. Her expression beet red. She hanged her faced down in embarrassment. Some people who were sitting behind them saw their action and couldn’t help but feel annoyed. Damn it! I came here for the auction not to be feed by dog shit!
If not for the Auction Hall’s power and prestige, they would surely beat this couple up!
The clear ‘gong’ slowly reverberated throughout the auction ground. Following the sound of the ‘gong’, the racket and noise in the ground also gradually receded. A countless number of gazes was thrown toward the platform at the center of the Arena. Their eyes were all heated.
On the auction platform in front of the white-haired old man, there was a longsword which was entirely blue, reflecting a thick, cold luster as the light reflected off of it. Seeing the energy traces flowing on its body, it was clearly a magic weapon that a renowned blacksmith had meticulously created.
“This sword is named ‘Blizzard Blade’. It is molded from cold metal and is said to be able to cut iron like one would cut soil. Moreover, it is perfectly embedded with a 4th rank ice affinity Monster Core of a Blizzard Ape. If a person who practices water or ice affinity skills uses it to fight with an opponent, their strength will definitely be increased. Powerful magical weapons are something that one must bring when going out. If anyone is interested, do not be reluctant to spend the money on your bags. Money may be precious, but that is only on the precondition of one having the life to enjoy it, no? Ke ke.” The old man held the blue long sword in his hand. The body of the sword trembled and a faint, cold air rose, forming an indistinct white fog that was partially visible. He turned his head toward the auction ground and smiled as he said, “The base price is one hundred thousand gold coins. Everyone please.”
“A Magic Weapon, huh…and for it to be above hundred thousand Gold Coins, it seems like being a blacksmith is extremely profitable,” Cian muttered as he eyed that long sword. However, he was not too interested in it. The current him already had a weapon like the ‘Imagis Realis’, where one made big motions with its attacks, having momentum that put pressure on others and can even turn into any weapons he so desires. He would really be a waster if he was to change weapons to a narrow and elegant long sword. Therefore, he did not have any intention of participating in the bidding for this item. After all, he knew that the good things came at the end.
Of course, Cian’s lack of interest did not naturally mean that the other people would not be interested. For a warrior, a weapon that fitted one’s hand was like the medicinal cauldron in an alchemist’s hand. That was something used to make a living. Therefore, after the words of the white-haired old man fell, quite a number of bidding sounds repeatedly rang out through the auction ground.
The first bidding persisted for a couple of minutes before the sword was successfully auctioned off to a skinny, weak-looking man with an excited face for one hundred and eighty thousand gold coins.
“…now for the next juncture, I'll break the ice by taking out a few trinkets I chanced upon while traveling the Sinkhole in recent years. They're not very valuable but they would prove pretty useful if they land in the hands of someone who needs them. Feel free to take a look."
As the auctioneer spoke, a woman behind him took out three rectangular jade boxes from the tray she was pushing. She opened the boxes one after another and revealed the divine treasures within. They were an emerald-green bead, an azure colored crystalline fruit, and a foot-long bone.
"I wouldn't introduce the items. All of you have the ability to discern what they are, I'm sure. They aren't anything impressive."
Cian remained silent after taking a glance at the three treasures. His eye gleamed.
"What are these items?" Ruka could not help but ask.
"If I’m mistaken, I had seen those in the records before. The core of the Blue-Skinned Titanic Python living in the Northern Mountain, a fruit born of the Sky Bearing Tree, and an arm bone of a Demonic Blood Ape. These three things are all found in the deeper parts of the Northern Mountain Forest. From its size and color, the Python’s Core is only around the intermediate 4th rank monster and the arm bone was that of a 5th rank Demonic Blood Ape. They can at most increase one’s magic power and physical strength for quite a significant amount. And it can also give the Poison Immunity Skill and Herculean Strength Skill. As for the fruit of the Sky Bearing tree, the fruit was taken when it was completely ripe. It's the most valuable of the three. It can change one’s physique and transform it into something better, a 1st rank physique would become a 2nd rank and so on. There was also a chance of it awakening the hidden blood lineage…but this happening is extremely low."
Cian very calmly informed her of the origins of the three items. This description left people closer to them stunned. They were also very knowledgeable people as they are members of famous groups and organizations. They were able to identify the three items but definitely not as quickly as Cian. He had even managed to date the items. One must know these items are not that common and is still treated as valuable and precious for them being extremely rare.
Just Cian’s knowledge alone was impressive.