Inside what could be called a theater hall, the spectators were sitting in the dark while watching the illuminated stage. There, various goods were put up for auction and everyone competed for what interested them.

“SOLD! This rare painting is sold for 20 gold coins!” [Announcer]

An announcer was in charge of making things lively as well as selling all of the goods at the highest price possible. In this underground auction, the items were a bit illegal, so only trusted invitees could participate. Nevertheless, the quality of the goods was guaranteed, even if they could put the owners in jail.

The announcer was happy to have sold a painting that was stolen from a certain noble and couldn’t help but grin. But, that was nothing compared to what they had saved for last. Thinking about the profit, his greedy smile widened further.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen, for the final item of this auction, we give you the prized jewel of the day.” [Announcer]

Next to him, a large cage that was covered by a white cloth was rolled in by four men and all eyes turned to it.

“An incredible product that we secured with much hard work and a lot of luck. Powerful, yet heavenly beautiful. Truly, it is one of the treasures of the forest!” [Announcer]

He grabbed onto the cloth and in one, dramatic move, he unveiled the contents inside the cage. Instantly, gasps and murmurs of joy could be heard.

“The final item is an ELF!!” [Announcer]

The one sitting inside the steel cage was a maiden that had long blonde hair which seemed to shine golden under the light. Her emerald green eyes were teary and moist from fear. Her beautiful face entranced any man. Her well-developed body that was clad in a simple white dress fanned their excitement. Her fair and flawless skin looked soft and creamy to the touch. Finally, her long, pointy ears showed that she was not human, but an elf.

She was part of a reclusive race that possessed incredible magical power. However, the elven maiden that was perhaps in her late teens or early twenties was completely powerless. Around her thin wrists were shackles with strange engravings that were keeping her from using any magic.

“Her beauty will not wane for centuries and, once under your control, her power will be at your complete disposal! Moreover, she is untouched and unspoiled! A pure and delicate virgin! Now then, let’s start the bid at five hundred gold coins!” [Announcer]

The announcer stirred the spectators up and they began fiercely bidding for the elf one after another. But…

“1500 coins!” [Tenneb]

In the end, the one who won was someone they all expected. Everyone smiled bitterly. There was no way they could win against him when an elf was involved. He was an elf lover that always splurged without hesitation to buy them up.

“SOLD!! This beautiful young lady has now been sold for 1500 gold coins!” [Announcer]

Earl Tenneb nodded at that announcement in joy while the acquaintances that he brought to Jadistro with him were congratulating him. All four of them had a lewd smile on their faces as they glanced at the elf, wondering if they would get a turn.

During the whole time, the elven captive was tightly holding her hands together while trembling as she endured the disgusting malice aimed at her from all sides.

“Hurry! We can’t keep the customer waiting!” [???]

After the auction, Tenneb pricked his finger and dropped a drop of his blood in a black ink by the staff’s request. He did it with practiced movements since he knew what it was for and had done it many times already. While he and his four friends went to relax, his new possession was placed in a circle that was drawn with strange symbols and on her exposed back, another circle of symbols was drawn.

“The slave curse takes an hour to apply.” [???]

Four men, who were located at the cardinal points of the circle, were drawing some additional symbols on the floor.

“That’s no excuse. You know who the buyer is.” [???]

“I know and he’s currently having tea with his friends in the waiting room, right? Look, boss, the magicians are done with the setup.” [???]

Watching from a corner of the empty room were two men. One of them was the announcer as well as the one in charge of the underground auction while the other was an employee of his. In front of them, the four magicians began chanting and the symbols on the floor glowed red in response.

“All that ink for the magic formation is quite expensive.” [Employee]

“Are we running low on cursed serpent’s poison?” [Announcer/Employer]

“No, we still got some left.” [Employee]

“Then don’t whine. This is a necessary expense. Besides, the cost will be covered by the customer.” [Announcer/Employer]

As they talked, the glowing symbols began moving by themselves. They slid on the floor like insects and headed for the elf that was kneeling at the center.

“… Boss, I would have like to have a turn with that elf. I mean, it’s an elf.” [Employee]

“I know how you feel, but business before pleasure. Virgins sell for more.” [Announcer/Employer]

“Well, she could still be a virgin…” [Employee]

“Unsoiled virgin.” [Announcer/Employer]

“… Understood, sir.” [Employee]

The announcer glared at his employee who nodded, but still unhappily grumbled under his breath. It was a shame that he couldn’t touch that wonderful, elven body. Moreover, the girl was meek and obedient, which was his type. Even now, she sat still while the symbols crawled towards her back like living things and went to the center of the circle that was drawn there. Then again, if she tried to escape, the men standing by would gleefully subdue her. Her white dress was untied and she was covering her front desperately. So, if they pinned her arms behind her back, they would get to see something amazing.

The elven maiden fully understood their intentions and her chances of escaping, so she, while holding back her tears, let them brand her a slave and, as a result, take away her freedom.

The ritual to put a slave curse on someone was hard labor that required an hour of chanting from skilled magicians with at least B rank mana pools. Once they were done, the four of them were panting from exhaustion. The elven slave now had, on her back, a circle made of symbols and in the middle, a black oval. From afar, it looked like a creepy eyeball.

Now that it was done, Earl Tenneb was notified and he, along with his friends, happily picked up their new toy before leaving by carriage.

After returning to the mansion and telling Isecke not to disturb them, they headed for the basement where a secret passageway was located. It took them to a large, bright room where the earl kept his collection. Although there were no windows and the walls were made of bricks, the place was quite roomy and comfortable. A carpet covered the floor, beds and tables were placed as well as food and drinks.

“Truly, Earl Tenneb, I can only be jealous of you.” [Tenneb’s friend]

“As he said. Only you can gather so many fine products.” [Tenneb’s friend]

“Hahaha! I was given this territory that bordered the elven forest and made use of the opportunity. It was simply luck, dear friend.” [Tenneb]

“Then I must be blessed to have forged a friendship with a personage like you.” [Earl’s friend]

“Come now, I do not mind sharing my collection. Please, take a break from work and enjoy yourselves.” [Tenneb]

Such conversations continued even during the whole trip back. Tenneb’s friends kept flattering him while he joyfully returned words of kindness. They were all, however, making use of each other. The “friends” wanted the benefits of being on his good side, mostly his collection, while Tenneb wanted their connections since they were all influential nobles of the empire.

Although these men were smiling at the jolly fat earl, they kept thinking about the elven maiden that was with them. These nobles couldn’t wait to play with her as well as with the rest of the products that they hadn’t seen in a while.

“Well, I’m sure you’re all impatient, so let’s all enjoy ourselves for the day.” [Tenneb]

Tenneb, under their gazes, headed for the far corner of the room where a curtain was put. When he pushed it aside, the figures of seven women could be seen sitting on the floor. All of them wore a white one piece dress and had magic shackles around their wrists. A metal collar linked to the wall by a thick chain was also around their necks. Furthermore, they were all beautiful, blonde-haired, green-eyed and elves.

“Let us feast on my collection.” [Tenneb]

His friendly, easygoing tone didn’t match at all what they were about to do. It especially didn’t match the vulgar laughs of the other nobles. They approached the women while sending a regretful glance at the elven maiden that was just bought. Earl Tenneb would always have the first go with the newest product. It was a tacit understanding. Still, the other products weren’t inferior goods. All of them looked like beautiful women in their twenties. Although fatigue was visible on their faces, they were properly fed and washed every day.

The elven maiden was at first stunned when she saw more elves. But, after snapping out of it, she ran towards her compatriots that had been captured while on the verge of crying, but the fat earl held her back by the arm.

“Now, now, let us spend some time by ourselves first.” [Tenneb]

Tenneb told her in a friendly tone, but his narrowed eyes caused her to shiver in fear and tear up.

The seven elves, who were frowning in disgust, widened their eyes in surprise when they saw her. Some whispered a few words in shock, though no one understood what they were saying. However, the next moment, they all smiled at her reassuringly, which greatly puzzled the girl.

“Oh? Smiling? Usually you always have an unpleasant expression. My dear, are you perhaps finally falling for me?” [Tenneb’s friend]

One of the noble said jokingly as he got on one knee and caressed his favorite product’s face. The elf, strangely, didn’t insult him or look away. Instead, she stared straight at him and smiled fearlessly.

“You have one more person you need to protect, but I assume there’s no problem with that, Ryner.” [Elf]

“Yeah, yeah, fine.” [Ryner]

Right after everyone heard that unknown male voice, the noble that was caressing the elven woman’s face was grabbed by the back of his neck and strongly tossed back. The inhuman strength caused him to crash against the wall on the opposite side of the room. The air was knocked out of him and he lost consciousness.

“You better increase my reward for this.” [Ryner]

“If you can keep your end of the bargain, then we will.” [Elf]

Ryner casually appeared before the stunned nobles and the elven maiden while talking to the elf. No one noticed him until he was right there besides them. It was as if he materialized from thin air.

“W-w-w-w-w-who are you?!?” [Tenneb’s friend]

One of the noble, who had removed his pants, shouted up in outrage. His face distorted by both shock and fury.

“Do you know who you laid your hands on?!! That was-!!” [Tenneb’s friend]

“A pervert!” [Ryner]

“Wha-?! No! He’s!” [Tenneb’s friend]

“You’re not wearing pants!” [Ryner]

“Who cares about that, you imb-?!!” [Tenneb’s friend]

“Also, your wig’s slipping.” [Ryner]

“I’m not wearing a-! What?!” [Tenneb’s friend]

“Shut up! If I say you’re wearing a wig, then you’re wearing a wig, baldy! Don’t copy one p-!” [Ryner]

“EARL TENNENNEEEEEB!! HURRY AND CALL THE GUAAAARDS!!!” [Tenneb’s friend]

The noble, who wore no pants, yelled angrily as his face turned red from extreme anger and confusion. The others were hurriedly taking distance from the intruder after snapping out of it and were throwing their own threats at him.

“Do you know what you’ve done?! You’re dead!” [Tenneb’s friend]

“You and your entire family will be executed for going against us!!” [Tenneb’s friend]

“THIEF! WHERE ARE THE GUARDS?!! KILL HIIIM!!!” [Tenneb’s friend]

Their pride and the influence they exerted as nobles allowed them to speak haughtily, but they weren’t really threatening since they glued themselves to the walls. Amidst the ruckus, the fat earl was still shocked into stupor because the situation was much too unconventional for him. His fake smile was still glued on his face. However, when the elven maiden shook off his hand and ran towards her compatriots, he finally moved again.

“ISECKE!! ISEEECKKEEE!!! GET THE SOLDIERS! THE ARMYYY!!!” [Tenneb]

He pathetically called for help and ran for the door with a pale and scared expression. All of his friends, seeing him, also did the same thing and tried to escape.

“Where are you all going? Don’t you want to have some fun?” [Ryner]

Unfortunately, Ryner didn’t let any of them leave.

“Who wants to spill first blood?!” [Ryner]