"Who are these people?" Elizabeth's gaze fixated on the five people in front of her as if she had just witnessed something peculiar. She was smiling but her eyes carried a tinge of disdain directed particularly at the individuals standing behind Seth.

Leon directed a fierce glare at Elizabeth, while Noel expressed discontent. In contrast, Isaac remained unbothered by her presence.

Seth took the initiative to introduce everyone he brought. Celia couldn't join them since she was studying in the library for the examinations to get accepted as the Legendary Master of Rejuvenation’s apprentice in the next few days.

Since this wasn’t a quest, Karles also joined them as Seth’s personal servant.

“I didn't agree to bring anyone but you, Seth.” Elizabeth swept her gaze at the tall man with black hair. “And your servants.” She remarked with a hint of displeasure.

Seth couldn't help but bring them with him. The twins were curious about the place Elizabeth and he were planning to go to. Isaac said he had something to do at the black market.

“Do me a favor,” Seth smiled slightly.

Elizabeth’s face turned red and she furrowed her eyebrows as she seemed to be contemplating. The old maid standing upright next to her wore a benign smile.

“Alright, fine. Just this once. And you owe me.”

And so, they rode the carriage through the bustling place until the sea of people and stores began to recede.

The transition was obvious as they entered an area with shady pubs, lurking thugs, and gambling houses.

“Are we still in the capital?” Leon asked as he was taken aback at the sight of their surroundings.

“Wow…” Beside him, Noel also gazed outside through the window of the carriage.

It was definitely different from the place they had just left.

This area was known as the Red Light District, a hotspot for shady dealings, attracting even the nobles for less-than-reputable affairs.

“It’s a place that you, children, shouldn’t go to.” Seth leaned on the seat as he took a look at the streets.

A woman with a flirtatious smile approached a man on the street. Her long fingernails delicately hooked onto the man’s tie. She leaned in and whispered something near the man’s ear. Although the exact words remained unclear, the man accepted her invitation with joy and followed her into the premises.

"That's what the other concubines usually do to the king," Leon said disdainfully, with a nod of agreement from Noel.

"True."

“...”

Their trip continued until they reached an inconspicuous alley. They stepped out of the carriage and walked into the narrow passage. The noises of the bustling city gradually faded behind them.

The alley had worn cobblestone underfoot and dimly illuminated edges lit by flickering lanterns. Ivy grew in layers on the walls. A scattering of weathered posters and faded graffiti could also be seen.

As they reached the end of the alley, a tall wall stood before them. Rats skittered in the shadows and nearby trash cans.

"Huh? The road is blocked. Did you get us into the wrong place?" Leon turned his head to look accusingly at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wasn't bothered by him and instead smugly said, “It looks like you all have never been here before. Anyways. Diana, show me the stuff.”

Diana, the old maid who had been carrying a suitcase, pulled out several plain black robes from it.

"Fortunately, I brought a bunch of these robes in case one of them gets destroyed. Put this on first. We are headed to a dangerous black market. There are many people from various backgrounds there, and there are also questionable laws."

Each of them donned black robes.

“What do you mean by ‘questionable laws’?” Leon asked curiously.

“Is it different from here?” Noel added.

“Something like that, like how the ruling people don’t care when people kill each other in the market.”

“That’s horrible…”

“It’s also important for you to know that the black market closed at three in the morning for ten minutes.”

“For ten minutes? Why?”

Elizabeth shrugged. “I don’t know for sure about that.”

Noel and Leon immediately looked at Elizabeth as if she were incompetent.

"Why are you two looking at me like that?" Elizabeth turned away from them and mumbled, "Ugh, why are these kids even here?"

"I can hear that, you know!"

"Anyway, let's not waste time here."

Elizabeth took the lead and walked right into the wall. Instead of knocking herself on it, she passed through it. Her maid Diana followed her from behind and disappeared beyond the wall.

They followed them, and a new world unfolded before them—a bustling street with vendors peddling their wares.

The sky in this place seemed to have a different vibe. The night sky draped the world in obsidian hues with dazzling stars, and the moon cast a subtle glow on the evening scene.

"The alley we just passed through is just one of the ways to get to this place," Elizabeth explained.

The products for sale were not typical goods. They sold a variety of illegal items, including rare herbs, high-ranking monsters, and organ trafficking.

Customers and sellers on the black market were not only humans; there were also beastmen, dark elves, dwarves, and even demons.

"What is that thing? A ghost?" Leon said in shock.

The ghost was a spectral with a bluish glow. Tattered remnants of clothing clung to its figure, and wisps of shadow danced around it. A hideous grimace was etched across its face.

The ghost passed by them and snarled at Leon. When it saw the terrified Leon hiding behind Noel, it let out a terrifying laugh with a haunting 'kekeke.' Noel stood protectively in front of him, and the ghost left after having fun.

‘It was a bit funny.’ Seth was relieved that the ghost did not harm them and hid the smile on his face.

Elizabeth smiled in satisfaction when she watched Leon get frightened by the ghost.

They continued their journey as Elizabeth explained about the black market. “As you can see, there aren't only humans here. Which means that they won't follow laws or rules like civilized humans do. They could be a bunch of savages who have no hesitation to kill. That's why you have to be extra careful when you go to this place, that is, if you want to leave this place intact.”

"I heard that this place is controlled by a new ruler," Seth mentioned, trying to gauge more information from her.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Elizabeth nodded. “This place used to be a part of the Underworld. However, the new boss changed the existing law and decided to break ties with the Underworld. I also heard that they abolished slavery at this place.”

“They seem to be nice.”

Seth was absorbed in examining the surroundings until someone bumped into Noel.

"Watch your steps, moron!" yelled a giant man.

"Hey, you!" Leon shot back a furious cry.

Elizabeth immediately put her palm over his mouth. "Mmmpph."

Seth immediately pulled her to her side, away from that man. Karles was near them and he put his hand into his coat, where he kept his daggers. Isaac held the hilt of his sword.

The man shot them a glare, but as he realized they were there in a group, he left with a scoff.

Elizabeth finally let go of Leon, and he angrily glared at her.

“What was that for, you old hag?! And why did you let him go, Seth?!”

“Old hag? What the hell did you just call me?!”

“Miss Elizabeth, please calm down.” Diana intervened with her usual benign smile.

Noel tugged on Leon's hand, and the two calmed down slightly.

Elizabeth smoothed her hair and took a deep breath. “Haven’t I warned you? Don’t make a ruckus here. They don't know the background of the people in this place. Some people are among the Ten Most Wanted Criminals here.”

Ten Most Wanted Criminals, huh? They were the people who had committed enough crimes to be considered dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. They were also worth millions of gold coins in bounties as they were national-level threats.

“So what does it matter to me?”

“You still don't get it?!”

Elizabeth and Leon were bickering again.

Seth turned her attention to Noel. She looked guilty as she fiddled with her fingers.

“Did you get hurt?”

She shook her head, and Seth felt slightly relieved after making sure. Leon was still angry, pursing his lips. Seth sighed.

"If you want to get back at him, you should get stronger first. By then, everyone will fear you and your sister," he advised.

Leon looked her in the eyes before looking away and grumbling. He knew that.

"That's terrible advice, young master," Karles said with his usual smile as he stood behind them.

Seth ignored him.

Isaac suddenly spoke to him and said, "Let's part ways here. My destination isn't the same as yours."

Seth nodded his head. "We'll wait for you?"

"You don't have to. I can go back on my own."

"Alright."

Seth guessed Isaac was coming back to the estate then.

Initially, when they first met, Isaac appeared somewhat distant and cold.

As he walked away, his back seemed rather lonely. He gradually disappeared into the bustling crowd on the street.

"Who is that guy anyway?" Elizabeth asked, giving an odd look at Isaac.

"He is a wandering knight."

"What?"

"He helped me once upon a time."

Elizabeth assumed that he was the one who saved Seth back then, in Tudela Village.

She pressed her lips together and muttered, "You're nicer to some random person than to your own fiance."

As they navigated through the crowd, a familiar face caught Seth’s attention.

"Hey, isn't that...?"

"Did you see someone familiar?"

The man in question stood there, nervously chuckling and pretending not to notice them. He was dressed in a tailored green jacket with strange red patterns and brown pants.

"Who's that?" the twin with brown hair asked simultaneously.

"Berko," Seth approached the man in question.

"Berko?"

"Hohoho, you guys have the wrong person. I'm a merchant who has been doing business here for a few years," Berko said, attempting to run away and hide behind a vendor while covering his face with his hat.

‘That signature Santa Claus-like laugh…’

"The Berko we know is also a merchant," Seth said, approaching him. "You're not fooling anyone."

Berko finally gave in and sighed, putting down his hat to reveal his balding crown.

"Is this how you treat your VIP guests?"

"Oh, no, no, no. What brings you guys here, young master Seth? If you need anything, you could've just used the ring to contact me," he said, grinning and showing his missing teeth.

"It's a coincidence that I see you here. But it saddens me that you're avoiding us," Seth pretended to be sad, giving a wry smile.

He could feel Elizabeth, Karles, and the twins giving them a strange look.

"Don't get mistaken," Berko quickly tried to explain. "I'm afraid that if my customers from the outside world know that I'm also here, they'll accidentally spill it out in front of my child."

‘Orion? That orange cat?’ Seth did not voice out his question.

Berko had adopted Orion when he was still a kitten.

"I see."

“That child, you see,” Berko sighed in lament. “I got him from here, and he has a bad memory of this place. Besides, this place is dangerous for him. He always accompanies me wherever I go so it's best for him not to know that I am doing business here.”

“I understand.”

Berko placed his gaze on the noble lady.

Elizabeth had been listening to their conversation. She shrugged. “I don’t even know who you guys are talking about.”

“Ah, I remember. This old man is the one with the cat, right?” Leon said it as if his brain had finally clicked.

Noel, who already recognized Berko, nodded in agreement. “...yes.”

“Where's Orion?”

“Not here.”

“Oh, I wanted to play with him,” Leon said in disappointment.

They looked around at the vendor stall curiously.

Trinkets hung from threads from the makeshift stand, and the table displayed an odd mix of things. Berko didn’t sell a lot of stuff; a necklace with skulls, a glass orb containing swirling hues, and a napkin.

Elizabeth looked at the napkin suspiciously and asked him, “Why are you selling a napkin?”

“I thought it was to wipe the table,” Leon muttered silently.

“That one is for my client, who commissions me to get it from the artisan,” Berko explained. “Ah, there he is.”

Someone wearing a tattered brown robe approached the vendor. They were covered from head to toe.

“Here's the item you requested.”

The person nodded and gave some coins to Berko. The hand that was exposed showed that he was wearing a black glove.

They then left without saying anything.

However, Seth saw a glimpse of fair skin and red lips underneath the hood. ‘It looks like a woman?’

They bid Berko goodbye and moved back to the streets. Soon, they descended into the underground using the stairs. If Seth remembered correctly, then this place was the auction house.

Someone behind the metal door slid open a small window and eyed them. Then, a rough voice demanded from within, “Password.”

Diana opened the suitcase she had been carrying and handed a black card to Elizabeth. Elizabeth promptly presented the card through the window.

The metal lock on the door then clicked open. As the metal door swung open, the auction house was revealed. The atmosphere inside was distinct from the outside—more refined and classy. It resembled a five-star hotel.

Every person they passed wore masks, which concealed their faces and identities.

Seth encountered another familiar person. Their eyes met briefly but Seth chose to pretend not to know him. Seth didn’t know he managed to notice him even though he was also wearing a robe.

The man pursed his lips as though the sight of him being there was unpleasant to him.

“Welcome, dear esteemed guests. Please follow me to your room,” a gracious woman led the way, guiding them into a private chamber within the auction house.

One of the reasons Seth asked for Elizabeth's help was for the VIP treatment, which would ensure their identity remained confidential.

They settled on the sofas, facing the view of the stage where the items would be shown.

“Will you be selling or bidding?” the woman inquired.

“I’ll be doing both,” Seth replied, glancing at Karles, who promptly opened the box.

The inside box showed a piece of purple stone the size of a child's arm.

The woman’s eyes sparkled as she said, “I’ll set this up for bidding immediately. What’s the starting bid you want for this item, sir?”

“One thousand gold.”

It was the right amount, which was not too low or too high.

The twins looked at him with wide eyes.

“Wow!”

“Mister is rich.”

From their vantage point within the room, they had a clear view of the seated attendees with their masked faces and the well-lit stage at the far end of the chamber.

While they were looking at the crowd, surprisingly, a lot of heroes were also present.