"Who exactly are we following?" Alaric asked Cedric, curiosity and a hint of frustration in his voice.

Cedric glanced back at him, his expression serious. "As soon as we passed the gate, I heard two people whistling at each other. I suspect they might be part of the rebellion."

Alaric followed closely, his eyes scanning the surroundings. They tailed the two people for a while, moving through the crowded streets and into quieter, more secluded areas. But nothing happened. The men didn't seem to be doing anything particularly suspicious.

Alaric started to doubt their lead. "Maybe we just misheard" he suggested. "We should go back to the palace and inform Leander and Father. They can gather a search party and investigate properly."

Cedric shook his head, his determination unwavering. "This might be our only lead to the rebels. We need to see it through."

Alaric sighed, feeling a bit bored and restless. He decided to make a light joke to ease the tension. "The detective and his aide follow two suspicious men through a dark alley" he sang softly, a playful smirk on his face.

"You're not helping," Cedric tried to brush Alaric off, but Alaric smirked and replied, "Come on, It's not like we're slacking off or anything."

Alaric continued his playful narration for the rest of the way until the two men went into a bathhouse. "The detective and his aide arrive at the scene, looking for the two suspicious men with hidden motives."

Cedric shook his head but couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief. At least this was better than seeing Alaric as a hot-headed tyrant.

They entered the bathhouse, and Alaric continued, "The detective and his aide enter the lion's den, looking for the evil men. Oh no! Where have they gone now?"

Alaric giggled at himself, but Cedric raised his hand, signaling him to stop. They sat at a table next to the suspicious men's booth and began to eavesdrop on them.

The two men talked quietly but urgently. "Our man just came back with the news about the men getting wiped out at the baron's manor" one of them said. "Lord Thorne is not going to be happy about this."

"Who's going to deliver the news to Thorne?" the other asked, shifting uncomfortably.

They continued passing the responsibility back and forth until one of them finally relented with a sigh. "Fine, I'll do it. But you owe me drinks for the rest of the week."

The other man grinned. "Deal."

Cedric and Alaric exchanged a glance. This was the lead they had been hoping for. Cedric leaned in closer, signaling Alaric to stay quiet and listen intently.

The first man continued, "Good luck getting out alive. Thorne will want a full report."

"Yeah" the other replied. "Don't forget that you owe me big time"

Cedric nodded slightly to Alaric, signaling that they had gathered enough information. They quietly left the bathhouse, ready to follow their new lead and uncover more about the rebellion and Lord Thorne's involvement.

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They waited outside for one of the rebels to leave the bathhouse. A few minutes later, one of them exited, and they followed him closely until they reached a normal-looking building.

The guard in front of the building asked for an invitation from the rebel, who handed it over before being allowed entry.

Alaric turned to Cedric. "How are we going to follow him inside?"

Cedric looked around, scanning the area. "There must be a way in somehow."

They discreetly moved around the building, trying to find an entry point, but their efforts seemed fruitless.

Then, they heard a commotion in front of the building. The guard was shoving a woman to the ground. She picked herself up and went to a nearby watchman for help, but he too shoved her away, muttering something about not taking words from disgusting commoners.

Defeated, the woman walked back to her building. From the sign, it seemed she was a physician. Once she was inside, Cedric knocked on her door. When she answered, he spoke briefly, and then he and Alaric were allowed inside.

The woman, still brushing off dirt from her fall, looked at them with wary eyes. "What do you want?" she asked, her tone tired but defiant.

Cedric asked her why she was shoved away from the building. The woman started crying, tears streaming down her face. "One of my patients got dragged inside that building. She was just a commoner like me but seems like the guards know her. I suspect they’re auctioning slaves in there."

Cedric's expression hardened. "What do you know about the place?"

She sobbed, shaking her head. "Not much. But a lot of people who stay at the hostel across the street often come to that place."

Cedric calmed her down, his voice gentle. "Stay here and keep safe. We'll handle this."

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Leaving the woman in her home, Cedric and Alaric headed to the hostel. They watched as people came and went, waiting for an opportunity. After a few tense minutes, a drunken man stumbled out of the hostel and into a nearby alley to relieve himself.

His personal helper, a 12-year-old boy, followed closely, asking, "Do you want to go to the auction place again, Mister Gareth Ironwood?"

Cedric and Alaric exchanged a quick glance, recognizing their chance. The boy, wanting to give Gareth some privacy, stepped away for a moment. Cedric seized the opportunity, swiftly moving in and knocking the drunken man out with precise movements. He dragged Gareth deeper into the alley, hiding him behind a dumpster.

Alaric watched with a mix of fascination and disgust as Cedric began undressing the unconscious man. "What lowly action are you doing?" he asked, unable to hide his disdain.

Cedric, undeterred, turned to Alaric while pulling on Gareth's clothes. "This is our ticket to get in. Stay sharp."

As the helper boy returned, Cedric, now disguised as Gareth, addressed him. "You’re done for the day. You can go wherever you want."

The boy looked surprised but relieved. "Thank you, Mister Gareth." He hurried off, leaving Cedric and Alaric to their mission.

"Remember, we need to blend in," Cedric said, his tone serious. "Follow my lead, and stay alert."

Alaric nodded, his earlier humor replaced with determination. They approached the building again, this time dressed in their disguises. The guard at the door barely glanced at them before waving them in.

Inside, the atmosphere was tense and filled with a sense of illicit activity. The room was dimly lit, with groups of people huddled together, speaking in hushed tones. The scent of fear and desperation hung in the air. Cedric and Alaric exchanged a brief glance, knowing that they had successfully infiltrated the auction.

They moved through the crowd, careful to keep their expressions neutral and their movements inconspicuous. They could hear snippets of conversations around them, most of which confirmed their suspicions about the place.

They were approached by a man who seemed to be welcoming them. "Mister Ironwood! I've been waiting for you, sir," he said, shaking Cedric's hand enthusiastically.

Cedric, maintaining his composure, asked, "And you are?"

"I'm Valen Drakemore, co-owner of this place," the man replied with a grin. "I'm here to inform you that the 'special delivery' has been prepared for you. Also, are you still planning to make the donation you mentioned last time?"

Cedric nodded, going with the flow. "I'll consider how much I will donate after seeing this 'special delivery.' "

"Excellent! Follow me" Valen said, leading them deeper into the building. They descended a set of stairs, and what they saw below shocked both Cedric and Alaric.

It was a platform with several slaves, and below it, people were actively bidding. The barely lit room was filled with the murmur of transactions and the occasional shout of a bid. Cedric's mind raced as he realized this wasn't just a slave auction; it was full-on human trafficking.

They followed Valen through the crowd, witnessing the grim reality of the underground market. Men and women, stripped of their dignity, stood on display as commodities. Cedric's anger simmered beneath his calm facade.

Valen led them to a room from which they heard loud yelling. "I lost a bunch of men because of a mere seer! Once all this is finished, that seer will be my next target!" the voice raged.

A few minutes later, the man they had originally followed limped out, his face bruised and scarred. Valen led Cedric and Alaric inside and introduced them to the man who had been yelling.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"This is Thorne Ravenshire, the other co-owner" Valen said, gesturing towards a tall, muscular man with a steely gaze.

Thorne exchanged a handshake with Cedric, thanking him for the donation. "Enjoy your 'special delivery' " Thorne said, his eyes narrowing as he sized up Cedric. The handshake lingered a moment too long, each man silently assessing the other.

Valen then led them back upstairs but took a different route, leading them down a narrow corridor to a room. "I hope you enjoy your time here sir" he said, leaving Cedric and Alaric to their business.

Inside the room, a woman was chained to a large table, her eyes wide with fear and tears streaming down her face. Nearby, a smaller table held a variety of tools clearly meant to inflict pain.

Cedric quickly grabbed the tools. The woman screamed, "Please, don't hurt me!"

Cedric used the tools to destroy her chains while Alaric tried to calm her down. "We're here to help. We're going to get you and everyone else out of here," he said gently.

The woman's eyes darted between Cedric and Alaric, confusion and hope mixing in her expression. "Thank you" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Alaric clenched his fist. Although owning slaves might not be considered illegal, he couldn't believe that all the horrors he had seen today were happening right under his nose in his very own empire. Regret for the way he had lived in his past life washed over him, and he unconsciously began to gather his power.

Cedric grabbed him, stopping him. "This is not the time " he said firmly. "Right now, we need to focus on finding a way to rescue everyone here."

Cedric took his cloak from his pouch and handed it to the woman to cover her naked body. "Alaric, take her to the physician we met earlier, then go back to inform Leander to bring the soldiers here. This is getting too dangerous now."

Alaric nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. As they walked out, Alaric told the guard, "Mister Gareth wants the 'special delivery' back at the hostel. I'll bring her while he enjoys himself here."

The guard nodded and escorted Alaric, who dragged the woman upstairs. Once they were out of sight, Cedric turned back and headed downstairs.

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Cedric made his way down to the lower level where Valen approached him. "Is there anything you need?" Valen asked.

Cedric forced a smile. "I'm satisfied with my gift, but it's not enough. I want to see more 'product.' "

Valen's face lit up with a pleased expression. "Of course, right this way." He escorted Cedric through a series of corridors to a larger room filled with cages. Inside each cage, humans were packed tightly, their conditions worse than animals.

Cedric's heart ached at the sight, but he maintained his composure. Valen continued to boast about his so-called 'products' pointing out various individuals. "You can choose whichever one you like" he said with a grin.

Cedric nodded, feigning interest as he looked around. He needed to gather as much information as possible to ensure they could shut down this operation entirely. His eyes scanned the room, noting the layout and the guards' positions.

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Meanwhile, Alaric had successfully escorted the woman to the physician's house. "Stay here," he told her gently. "We're going to put an end to this."

The woman nodded, tears of gratitude in her eyes. Alaric then hurried back to the palace to inform Leander. Every second counted, and they needed to act swiftly.

Back at the auction, Cedric continued his ruse. "I'll take my time to decide" he told Valen, buying himself more time.

Valen nodded. "Take all the time you need. Our merchandise is top quality."

Cedric suppressed his anger, focusing on the mission. He needed to wait for Alaric to return with reinforcements. Until then, he would continue to gather information and keep Valen distracted.

Cedric glanced around the room, counting six guards and Valen. He moved with deliberate slowness, feigning interest in each cage while discreetly setting up thin wires as makeshift traps, just in case. He knew he didn't have enough on him for a full-scale assault, but the wires might buy him precious seconds if needed.

He calculated the guards' positions and considered his options. He could sacrifice a month of his life for a 30-second time stop and eliminate everyone, but Valen's sudden disappearance would raise suspicions. Thorne, in particular, looked like someone he shouldn't underestimate.

Cedric sighed and turned to Valen. "I think I'll go back to my room and think about what to buy here."

Valen nodded, pleased. "Of course, Mister Ironwood." He led Cedric back to the room "If you need anything, I'll be upstairs."

Once Valen left, Cedric called for the guard outside the room. When the guard entered, Cedric swiftly stabbed him and hid the body in the corner of the room.

Moving stealthily, Cedric made his way back downstairs, eliminating any guards who were alone and hiding their bodies in secluded spots. Each kill was precise and quiet, minimizing any chance of detection. The bidding in the main hall continued, unaware of the murders Cedric had committed.

He sneaked his way back to the cage room. In the blink of an eye, every guard in the room dropped dead, their throats slit or necks broken. Cedric started unlocking cages one by one, whispering to the captives, "I'll get you out."

Moving a large group of people would be too risky, so he took a few at a time. They followed him through the darkened areas of the building, avoiding the well-lit platform where the auction continued. The darkness surrounding the platform provided just enough cover for them to sneak past.

Cedric led the first group up to his room, whispering instructions. "Stay here and stay quiet. I'll be back for the others."

The freed captives nodded, their eyes wide with fear but filled with hope. Cedric turned back, ready to return to the cages and free more people. His heart pounded with urgency. The clock was ticking, and every moment counted.

As he made his way back down, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go terribly wrong. But he pushed the thought aside, focusing on the mission. He had to get these people out, and he had to do it now.

With silent determination, Cedric continued his rescue operation, knowing that Alaric and reinforcements were on their way. The fate of many innocent lives rested on his shoulders, and he was determined not to let them down.

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Cedric walked out of his room after another group of people had settled in. He made his way back downstairs to get the last group out of the cage room. As he navigated the dimly lit corridors, he suddenly encountered Thorne.

"Mister Ironwood, is everything to your liking? Do you need anything?" Thorne asked, his eyes boring into Cedric.

Cedric forced a smile. "Everything's good. I was just going to watch the bidding downstairs."

Thorne smirked and began to speak. "Do you know what fascinates me about human life? It's the inherent contradiction. On one hand, we speak of the sanctity of life, the irreplaceable value of each individual soul. On the other hand, we wage wars, commit atrocities, and treat each other as mere commodities."

Thorne's gaze hardened as he continued. "These captives, for example. In one context, they are seen as worthless, expendable. In another, they hold immense value, not as individuals, but as property. It's a cruel irony, isn't it?"

Cedric tried to play along, maintaining his calm facade. "I'm just interested in buying, nothing more."

Thorne's smirk grew wider. "Funny you should say that. I heard an amusing story. Someone found a naked, drunken man in an alley, claiming to be Gareth Ironwood."

Before Cedric could react, the announcer on the platform began describing the next slave up for auction, highlighting their strengths and skills. The bidding started with fervor.

In an instant, Cedric was thrown across the room, crashing onto the platform with a force that left the crowd gasping. The impact was brutal, knocking the wind out of him as he struggled to get his bearings.

Thorne's eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction as he approached the platform. "I knew something was off about you" he said, his voice dripping with contempt. "You thought you could deceive us so easily?"

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Cedric staggered to his feet, surrounded by guards below the platform. Thorne slowly walked towards him with a smirk on his face, instructing the guards to capture this "Gareth" alive. "I don't care about the condition" Thorne said coldly. "Even if he's barely alive, he could still be sold for a high price, even without arms."

Cedric pulled out his sword and looked around, trying to assess the situation. He needed to buy time until help arrived. The guards jumped onto the platform, and the fight began. Cedric dodged and slashed at the guards, taking down one after another, but their numbers were overwhelming.

Just as Cedric was getting the upper hand, Thorne threw a nearby body at him, knocking him off balance. Cedric fell from the stage, quickly pulling himself out from under the body. He retreated towards the cage room with many guards in pursuit.

Entering the cage room, Cedric closed the door behind him and waited on the side. As soon as a guard kicked the door open, Cedric grabbed his leg, causing him to fall. Cedric swiftly stabbed the fallen guard. More guards flooded into the room, and Cedric retreated deeper, using the traps he had set up earlier to take down more guards. Despite this, he found himself in a one-against-three situation.

With quick, precise movements, Cedric managed to take down the remaining guards using his power. However, just as he caught his breath, Thorne entered the room, his eyes filled with malicious intent.

"Impressive" Thorne said, slowly clapping his hands. "But this ends now."

Cedric tightened his grip on his sword, preparing for the fight ahead. Thorne was a formidable opponent, and Cedric knew he had to be at his best to stand a chance.

Thorne drew his own weapon, a wicked-looking blade that glinted menacingly in the dim light. "Let's see how well you fare against me" he taunted.

As they circled each other, Thorne's eyes narrowed, noticing Cedric's stance. "I see you've learned a few tricks about sword fighting" he said with a sneer. "But it won't be enough against a swordmaster."

The two men clashed, their blades meeting with a resounding clash. Cedric made the first move, lunging at Thorne with a swift, powerful strike. Thorne parried the blow effortlessly, countering with a series of rapid attacks that forced Cedric to stay on the defensive.

Thorne's movements were precise and deadly, each strike aimed to maim or kill. Cedric struggled to keep up, his skill as a sword expert no match for Thorne's mastery. Every time Cedric thought he saw an opening, Thorne's blade was there to block or counter, driving him back with relentless pressure.

Cedric's arms grew heavy, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Thorne's attacks were relentless, and it was clear he was toying with Cedric, enjoying the upper hand.

"You thought you could deceive us so easily?" Thorne sneered, pressing his advantage. "You're nothing compared to me."

Cedric's mind raced as he desperately tried to find a way out of this situation. He needed to hold on, to buy time until help arrived. But Thorne was relentless, driving him back with each brutal strike.

Cedric decided that he couldn't win against Thorne with just his sword skills alone. He took a deep breath, and in that instant, the world seemed to slow down. Time itself bent to Cedric's will, granting him a precious advantage.

In this slowed-down world, Cedric attacked relentlessly. His movements were a blur, striking from every angle. He could see that Thorne could move much faster than an ordinary person in this slowed-down time, but he still couldn't match Cedric's speed in this domain.

Thorne dropped to one knee, using his arm and sword to protect the critical parts of his body. Cedric aimed for his neck, but only managed to make a shallow slice. Despite his relentless assault, Thorne's defenses held firm.

Minutes passed, and Cedric's energy waned. He had wasted so much time and effort using his power, and yet Thorne was still standing, albeit with numerous scars and wounds.

Gasping for breath, Cedric watched as Thorne got up from his defensive position. Blood dripped from his mouth as he spat on the ground. Slowly, he began to walk towards Cedric, a menacing smile on his face. "Are you done with your little trick?" he taunted.

Cedric's vision blurred as exhaustion set in. He had pushed himself to the limit, but Thorne's resilience was astounding. Cedric tightened his grip on his sword, determined to stand his ground.

"You're strong," Cedric admitted, his voice strained. "But this isn't over."

Thorne's laughter echoed through the room. "You still don't understand, do you? You've already lost."

As Thorne closed the distance, Cedric steeled himself for the final confrontation. He knew he had to dig deep, to find the strength within to keep fighting. Just as Thorne raised his sword for a final, devastating strike, the door burst open, and Leander, along with a group of soldiers, stormed in.

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Without hesitation, Leander began to attack Thorne. Unlike the fight between Thorne and Cedric, this battle was between equals in sword fighting skill. Thorne, already injured from his bout with Cedric, found his movements sluggish compared to Leander's precision and speed.

The clash of swords rang out, each strike deliberate and powerful. Leander's movements were fluid, his technique impeccable. Thorne, struggling to keep up, made desperate attempts to counter, but Leander's expertise was undeniable. In a series of swift, calculated moves, Leander disarmed Thorne, forcing him to his knees, unable to continue the fight.

Leander, seeing that Thorne was no longer a threat, walked up and offered his hand to Cedric. Cedric grabbed Leander's hand, pulling himself up. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Cedric then turned his attention to Thorne, who glared at him with hatred. Cedric decided to use his detective skills to get the information he needed. Leaning in close, he whispered, "You mentioned the seer. I'll let you in on a little secret—I don't trust the seer either. If you act nicely, we can go after the seer, together. I just need the location of the hideout, and I'll help you."

Thorne's eyes narrowed, trying to assess whether Cedric was bluffing. "You're lying," he spat, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Cedric pressed on, keeping his voice steady. "Think about it. How else would we have found this place? How else would I know about your operations? The seer has been feeding us information, and now we've come for you. But I have my own reasons to distrust the seer. Help me, and we can take them down together."

Desperation flickered in Thorne's eyes. "You're working with the seer, but you don't trust them?" he asked, his voice wavering.

Cedric nodded, his expression unreadable. "That's right. And unless you tell me where the hideout is, the seer will make sure you never get out of this alive."

Thorne, seeing no other option, revealed the location. "The hideout is in the old mines, just outside the city," he said.

Cedric's eyes hardened as he listened. Once Thorne finished, Cedric drew his sword. Thorne's eyes widened in realization. "What are you going to do with that?" he asked, fear creeping into his voice.

Cedric's expression remained cold. "Oh, I was lying. I was never planning to spare you. You're not a loose end I can afford to leave untied."

Without hesitation, Cedric plunged his sword into Thorne's heart, granting him an undeserved but quick, merciful death.

The soldiers began to clear the auction house, helping the captives out. Their demeanor towards Leander was one of newfound respect, having witnessed his impressive skill. It seemed even they didn't know Leander's true identity.

Once all the captives and soldiers had left the room, Cedric grabbed Leander's shoulder. "Who are you, really?" he asked, curiosity and suspicion in his eyes.

Leander smiled. "This isn't the time for that conversation. I'll tell you everything once this rebellion is dealt with."

Leander advised Cedric to get some rest and suggested they go after the rebels later, once Cedric had regained his strength. But Cedric shook his head. "The rebels might already be aware of this building getting raided. We can't risk them moving to another location. We need to act now."

They left the building as the dawn light began to break. Outside, Alaric was waiting, a look of relief washing over his face when he saw Cedric alive and breathing. "The detective walks out of the lion's den after defeating an evil man, but the plot thickens as there are still more villains left," Alaric joked.

Cedric lightly smacked him on the shoulder. "Stop that," he said, though he couldn't help but smile at Alaric's joke.