Chapter 1053 Memories, Sorrows, And Thorns [Part 2]
In a Black Market within the Fynn Kingdom…
"Everyone, the moment that all of you have been waiting for has arrived," the Auctioneer enthusiastically said with a smile on his face. "I present to you an Elven beauty who nearly died after facing an Argonaut Ranked Monster near the border of the Vahan Empire.
"Fortunately, one of our merchants came across her and managed to save her life. If not for him, we would not be able to auction off this beautiful lady, who had just turned twenty a month ago!"
As if to prove that he was telling the truth, one of the Staff took a blue crystal from his pocket and placed it on top of the Elf's head.
A projection then appeared in front of everyone and the number twenty was shown.
The artifact was something that most people used to determine the bone age of a person.
Appearances could be deceiving, especially when it came to Elves, High-Rankers, and other Races who aged slowly.
Seeing that the elf was indeed young, the buyers became more interested in purchasing her.
"I guarantee that she is still pure, so her price will be set more expensive than usual," the Auctioneer stated. "I'm sure that all of you are looking forward to breaking this slave and making her your loyal servant. So, without further delay, bidding starts at one million gold!"
"Two Million!"
"Three Million!"
"Five million!"
The rich and powerful nobles from the Fynn Kingdom, who regularly participated in this Underground Auction hosted by Crime Syndicates, tried to outbid one another.
Adeline was currently under a spell that prevented her from forming any thoughts inside her head.
Because of this, she wasn't aware that everyone inside the auction was fighting to become her new Master, to whom she would offer her body and heart for the rest of her life.
"Thirty Million."
A voice radiating confidence and power silenced everyone inside the Auction House.
Those who were trying to outbid each other just now looked in the direction where the one who bid thirty million to purchase the Elf was seated in a leisurely manner.
The young man seemed to be around fifteen years old.
He had short red hair and eyes that made everyone who looked at him feel as if he could see everything, including their soul.
"T-Thirty Million," The Auctioneer stuttered. "Any other bidders?"
Clearly, even he was affected by the young man's charismatic gaze, making him lose his composure for a brief moment.
"Going once!"
"Going twice!"
"Sold!"
The young man smirked before standing up from his seat.
The Elf was the final item in the auction house, so there was no need to stay any longer.
Everyone looked at him with envy. After all, it was rare for a young Elf to be found in the Auction House. Because of this, everyone wanted to do their best to make her their possession.
However, it was simply impossible to fight against the young man.
The reason?
Because he was the bastard son of the King of the Kingdom of Fynn.
Although he was a bastard, his father was still a King, making it hard for them to fight him in the open.
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In the back room of the Auction House…
When Adeline opened her eyes, she found herself staring at a handsome young man who was looking at her with a smile on his face.
"Good. You have finally regained your consciousness," the young man said as he approached Adeline, who was still trying to understand what was happening around her.
She could tell that the young man was younger than her at a glance, which made her frown.
"Do you understand my language?" the young man asked and then raised three fingers in front of the elven beauty. "How many fingers do you see?"
Adeline's wits returned to her slowly.
However, once she finally recalled what had happened to her, she immediately raised her hand to touch her neck.
At that moment, she felt a cool metallic sensation on her hand, confirming her worst fears.
"A slave collar…" Adeline muttered absentmindedly.
She then looked at the young man in front of her who was busy groping her right breast while muttering things that made Adeline's cheeks burn in embarrassment.
"Oh, my God! Why is this so soft?!" the young man exclaimed. "Are all breasts like this? Um? Why is this thing at the center becoming firm? Hmm… I wonder what it tastes like…"
Just as the young man was about to put Adeline's breast inside his mouth, the Elf was no longer able to hold back and pushed the young man away, making the latter fall on his butt and cry out in pain.
Fortunately, the floor was covered in carpet, so the young man didn't get hurt that much.
"Hey! What do you think you are doing?" the young man complained as he stood up. "Do you not know who I am? I am your Master!"
Adeline ignored the young man and looked at her surroundings. She needed to escape no matter what and return to Solais.
"Hah… I guess you still don't understand your place," the young man said in an arrogant tone. "Since you don't recognize me as your Master, I will make you recognize me as one."
The young man then pointed at Adeline with a smirk on his face.
"Kneel!" the young man ordered.
Adeline, who had just been given an order, walked towards the young man until she was only two feet away from him.
The young man stared defiantly at the Elf, who was a head taller than him.
He had given her the order to kneel, and he was looking forward to making her understand her place.
However, instead of kneeling, Adeline raised her hand… and slapped his face, making the young man cry out in pain.
"Just who are you ordering to kneel, huh?" Adeline grabbed the young man's robes and lifted him up. "A mere Apostle like you dares to order around a Ranker like me? Just who between us doesn't understand their place?"
The young man struggled to escape from Adeline's grip. But no matter what he did, he was unable to escape her grasp.
After a full minute of futile struggling, the young man sighed and looked at the defiant Elf with a pout.
"Hah… I guess ordering you while the slave collar is deactivated won't work," the young man said. "Very well, since you don't want to obey me when I'm being nice, I will stop being nice."
Adeline suddenly felt the collar on her neck tingle, making her eyes widen in shock.
"Let's try this again from the start," the young man said with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Kneel."
This time, Adeline felt a strong compelling force for her to obey her Master's command.
She slowly placed the young man down before kneeling in front of him.
The young man then placed his finger under the elf's chin, and slowly raised her head, making her look at him.
"Let me introduce myself," the handsome young man said with a smile. "My name is Vincent, and from this moment onwards you will protect me from those who wish to end my life. I hope we get along well. Um, I forgot to ask. What is your name again?"
"Adeline," Adeline replied in a heartbeat. "My name is Adeline."
"Good." Vincent then crouched down and planted a kiss on Adeline's forehead. "By my name, I hereby declare that five years from now, the slave collar on your neck will break, and you will regain your freedom.
"Until then, you are to protect me. Do I make myself clear, Adeline?"
"… Yes," Adeline replied as she looked at the young man, whom she was forced to serve for five years.
Whether she would be able to protect his life or not, Adeline would only know the day the slave collar on her neck broke into pieces.
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