𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝
Albero and the group arrived at the auction venue.
As they got off the carriage, Ashe looked dumbfounded.
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“Wow. . . . . .I can’t believe there’s a place like this underground in a cave.”
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Ashe’s astonishment was understandable.
Both Albero and Lapis were looking up at the building that served as the auction venue.
It was like a palace shining in gold. Huge golden statues of Minotaurs were placed on either side of the entrance, and well-dressed slave traders were entering one after another.
Then, Kid kicked Albero’s behind.
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“Ouch! What the. . . . . .”
“Hurry up and line up. Don’t stand there like a fool, you slave!”
“Huh? What. . . . . .oh.”
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It was an act.
Yes, this place was the auction venue. . . . . .Albero and the group were posing as slaves, while Kid and Arnaud were slave traders.
Arnaud was speaking with someone who seemed to be in charge of the auction.
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“So, Fragarach Slave House is presenting three slaves. Let’s verify them.”
“Yes. You all, line up quickly.”
“Y, Yes!”
“Yes.”
“Yeees.”
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Lapis was nervous, Albero was neutral, and Ashe responded in a drawn-out manner.
There were two officials, a man and a woman.
When they lined up, the female official touched Ashe.
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“Ah! . . . . . .What?!”
“Checking the collar. . . . . .head, inside the mouth, clothes. . . . . .cleavage, under the skirt, underwear. . . . . .done.”
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Ashe, after being thoroughly checked, blushed deeply.
Then, the male official examined Albero, even his underwear.
Similarly, Lapis was checked thoroughly and blushed, tears in her eyes. It might have been too much for the young lady of the Duke house.
After the check, the official handed a card with a number to Arnaud.
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“The check is complete. The Fragarach Slave House will be number ten. Please wait in waiting room number ten. Put these handcuffs on the slaves and place them in the cage with the number on it.”
“Thank you.”
“Enjoy the auction.”
“Come on, move.”
“. . . . . .”
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Pushed by Kid, Albero started walking.
Kid seemed to be really getting into his role as a slave trader, looking quite pleased.
They went to the tenth waiting room of the auction venue. Inside the room was a cage, and they entered it.
Arnaud locked the cage and whispered.
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“I’m sorry. I think we’re being watched, so I want to avoid any suspicious actions.”
“We understand.”
“Kid, the list of auction participants.”
“Yeah, they were distributing it. I already have it.”
“Good. . . . . .”
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Arnaud and Kid were comparing the names on the participant list with a list of villagers from the village where Demon Hubris resided.
Albero sat on the ground, and Ashe and Lapis did the same.
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“Aah. . . . . . was touched all over.”
“Me too. . . . . .ugh, so embarrassing.”
“Me as well. Haha, the male official had a really disgusted face. But they have men check men and women check women, huh.”
“True. . . . . .I’m glad I wasn’t touched by the male official.”
“Being touched by a man would be a bit. . . . . .”
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The three sighed deeply.
But they couldn’t let their guard down here. After all, it hadn’t even started yet.
Both Arnaud and Kid had serious expressions.
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“Seriously?. . . . . .Eighty percent of the participants are from the demon village. And even children are participating.”
“. . . . . .But, that’s convenient. The goal is to sell to the demon village residents. Plus, I’ve added a 『All Three Together』 condition for the sale, so they shouldn’t be sold separately.”
“So for now, all we need to do is wait quietly until it starts?”
“Yes. But, stay alert.”
“Got it. By the way. . . . . . What’s this Fragarach slave trading house? Who named it that?”
“Haha. 『Fragarach』 is the name of my equipped summoned beast. Good name, isn’t it?”
“Oh really? I see.”
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Having overheard this conversation, Albero quietly remarked.
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“You guys get along well. . . . . .”
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
The auction began.
Albero was in a cage, but he could feel the venue shaking from the cheering.
At the same time, the unfamiliar experience of being auctioned off was approaching.
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“Are you two prepared?”
“Yes. Albero, this time I’ll protect you.”
“I will protect Albero and Ashe too!”
“That’s reassuring. . . . . .Let’s get pumped up!!”
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Albero stands up.
Ashe and Lapis try to stand as well, but their hands are restrained, causing them to wobble. Lapis, losing balance, bumps into Ashe.
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“”Ah?!””
“What are you two doing. . . . . .oh.”
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Due to Ashe and Lapis falling over, their skirts got lifted.
Albero turned away in haste, but he had already seen.
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“. . . . . .Did you see?”
“. . . . . .Did you look?”
“. . . . . . . . . . . .”
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Albero nods slightly. The two girls blush deeply.
Looking at the three, Kid says with a cold stare.
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“Hey, you dumb slaves. Don’t have time to show panties. Save that for when you get home. . . . . .Let’s go.”
“We weren’t showing each other!!”
“Ugh. . . . . .”
“. . . . . . . . . . . .”
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Arnaud chuckles bitterly, unlocks the cage, and lets Albero and the others out.
He chains the three slaves’ handcuffs together, with Arnaud leading the way and Kid following from behind as they leave the room.
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“It’s almost our turn. When on the stage, the bidding will happen. You don’t need to do anything special, just be as dignified as possible.”
“””Yes.”””
“Don’t make a pitiful face.”
“I know. By the way, you’re too engrossed.”
“Well, it’s hard selling a noble young master.”
“. . . . . .You’re lying.”
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They arrived at the wings of the auction stage.
The current item is number eight. In the wings, there’s a slave girl set to be presented ninth.
Ashe and Lapis wear the same slave outfit and look down. The girl’s long red hair is striking.
Albero instinctively looks at the slave girl━━and she looks back at Albero.
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“. . . . . .”
“. . . . . .!”
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Albero was ensnared in an illusion as if a heavy black lump had fallen into his stomach.
The girl’s eyes were black. . . . . .endlessly cloudy.
Yes, her eyes were lifeless.
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『Now, entry number 9! From Yazawa slave traders, a rare girl!』
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The girl was led onto the stage by a man from Yazawa slave traders.
Albero could see from the wings and was intently watching the girl.
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“Albero, what’s wrong?”
“. . . . . .There’s something about that girl.”
“Hmm, is she cute?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Hey, slaves shouldn’t be talking. Be quiet.”
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Kid blamed her.
Since there was nothing to look at, everyone was watching the girl.
A man who seemed to be the host explained about the girl.
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『This child is such a pitiful girl. . . . . .She was living happily with her family in a certain village, but the village was devastated by a stampede of the demon beast Minotaur! The only one who survived with serious injuries was this girl, who was on the brink of death. . . . . .』
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A sad episode was narrated.
Then. . . . . .the girl’s collar and shackles were removed.
The venue was buzzing. However, the host calmed it down.
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『It’s okay. It’s alright!! She was about to die, but a miracle happened! Somehow, the girl’s Summoned beast saved her! The details are unclear. . . . . .but it seems the girl’s Summoned beast merged with the dying girl.』
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Albero’s heart raced.
And then. . . . . .a slave trader patted the girl’s back.
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『Look! The girl’s 『legs』 are turning into a bright red 『something』! Yes, she’s a rare being who has fused with a Summoned beast!』
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The girl’s legs transformed into deep red 『leg armor』.
From her thighs to her toenails, she was completely covered in bright red metal.
Albero, Kid, Lapis, Ashe, and Arnaud were all stunned.
The crimson legs of the girl, they were.
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“A Parasitic type?!”
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The crimson girl was the third 『Parasitic type Summoned beast』.
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