Chapter 52 : Captive Elves

Captive Elves

"Boss, is there anything to eat here?"

Vina walked up to the counter and asked, but the plump woman behind it didn't answer. She didn't even turn her head, instead showing a look of irritation on her face.

Knock, knock, knock!

Vina tapped on the table. Hearing this, the plump woman had no choice but to put down her book and turn to face her, saying impatiently:

"There's nothing to eat here. If you want food, go to town."

"But isn't this an inn?"

"Is an inn supposed to feed you? Be glad you have a place to stay. Stop bothering me, you hear?"

The plump woman ignored Vina, picked up her tattered book, and started reading again, chuckling to herself from time to time.

Seeing this, Vina didn't pursue the question. She glanced out the door—it had just turned dark, so there was probably still time to buy something to eat.

With this in mind, Vina left the inn and looked around the dark, run-down slums.

Clearly, there was nowhere to buy food here, so she had to head toward the center of town.

Upon reaching the main street, Vina was met with the bustling night scene of Jones City. Vendors lined the commercial street, most of them selling human cuisine.

Vina stopped at a random shop and bought dinner for four. She was about to head back when the sudden sound of hooves rang out.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop!

She looked toward the source and saw the once tightly closed main gates now wide open. Outside, a merchant caravan burst into town.

When Vina saw the golden emblem on the lead carriage, her eyes widened—she knew that emblem all too well!

It was the slaver's emblem!

"Make way, out of the way!"

The mounted guards scattered the crowd, clearing a path for the caravan.

Upon realizing these were the human slavers who hunted elves, Vina instinctively shrank back to avoid being discovered.

But as she was preparing to slip away, the chatter in the crowd caught her attention.

"Wow, those really are elves!"

Vina stopped in her tracks at those words and turned to the group talking.

"I've never seen so many elves in my life."

"Heh, just look at those pointy-eared folks; each one more exquisite than the next. If I could take one home, tsk, tsk, tsk..."

"In your dreams. You think you could marry an elf? Do you know how expensive that is? It'll never happen for you."

"Ah, listen to yourself. I was just talking. Who'd actually marry one of those foreigners? They're just playthings, nothing more."

The crowd kept talking, and their words stabbed deeply into Vina's heart.

There was a time when her people, the elves, wouldn't have suffered such humiliation.

If this were the elven empire of the southern continent, any human who dared insult the great ancient guardians—the elves—would have been put to death.

But this was the Ailera Empire, a human nation built on slavery.

Here, those weak or abandoned by the Elven Empire were nothing but toys; hunting and abusing elves was commonplace.

Yet, this wasn't what infuriated Vina the most. She looked toward the caged wagons at the rear of the caravan—seeing elves bound and chained, she clenched her teeth in rage.

Her eyes blazed with fury!

Seeing those elves—tied up, bound, even abused—a powerful urge rose within Vina. And when she recognized several familiar faces within the cages, her fury reached its peak.

"Dorulu, Dolusam, Ephis—it's everyone!"

Calling out the familiar names, Vina covered her mouth in disbelief.

Yes, the elves inside the cages were none other than the Darkmoon Clan elves who had been captured before.

And as the caravan passed through the crowd, a female elf in one of the cages seemed to sense something. She looked to the side and spotted a mysterious figure in a mask.

Even though the person was masked, Dorulu recognized that unique natural energy—it was definitely one of their own!

Seeing this, Dorulu looked excitedly in Vina's direction, her eyes full of hope. In her view, Vina's presence here had to mean she'd come to rescue them.

But as the carriage kept moving, Dorulu's line of sight stretched further and further back, until finally she could no longer see Vina at all.

Save them!

That was Vina's only thought. She decided to rush back to the inn to inform the queen, then figure out a way to rescue her people. Their Queen Serea was so powerful—there would definitely be no problem!

But as the caravan rolled off into the distance, a question arose.

Where had the caravan gone? Where were her kin being held?

She had to find out!

With that thought, Vina pulled her cloak tighter and, using the cover of night, trailed after the almost-vanishing caravan.

She needed to gather information about the enemy first; otherwise, it would be too troublesome to look for them once they were gone.

At this moment, back at the inn, Serea was still unaware of Vina's reckless actions. She was still waiting for dinner, while instructing Little Black to tail Cain.

By now, Little Black was already shadowing Cain, ready at any moment to play his part.

Following Cain to a vast manor, Little Black stealthily crept behind a wall, using his 'Reaper's Shadow' ability to approach Cain unnoticed.

Cain rushed from the 'Xiyun Merchant Guild' shop to the estate, as if something urgent had come up.

After an anxious wait, the sound of approaching hooves echoed from afar.

Clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop, clip-clop!

Upon hearing the sound, Cain immediately stepped out of the manor, and Little Black activated his 'Phantom Veil' skill.

Hiding in the darkness, Little Black watched as a man approached Cain. The newcomer had a sword at his waist and wore silver knight's armor, striking an imposing figure even at a glance.

Upon seeing the man, Cain hurriedly led his people forward to greet him.

"Sir Pedory, you're finally here."

"I've brought the goods. Let's talk inside—this isn't a good place."

"Of course, I've already prepared wine and food, sir. Please, come in and rest with your men."

Cain ushered them in. Little Black was about to follow when, suddenly, he caught sight of the 'merchandise' on the caravan.

They were elves in ragged clothing, bound and chained—immediately, Little Black recognized them as the Darkmoon Clan elves.

After relaying this information to Serea, she, too, was surprised.

She issued another order, telling Little Black to follow them in and investigate. Little Black prepared to sneak in.

But then, in the empty fire of his soul, a familiar figure appeared.

It was Vina!

He saw her trailing the caravan from afar. When the caravan pulled into the manor, she found the wall on the other side and climbed right over.

"Why is she here?"

Hearing Little Black's report, Serea was puzzled.

But for the safety of herself, her people, and Vina, she knew she had to have Little Black stop Vina from going any further.

The order came. Little Black wasted no time—he activated Phantom Veil and dashed in after Vina.

(To be continued...)

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Tsk, if you're a subordinate, act like a subordinate...

Why the fuck you acting alone?