Indeed, the festival's highlight was the night street, yet even not far from the duke's mansion, the street was crowded with people.
The once deserted avenue was bustling with colorful lanterns and various street vendors.
I had encountered such festivals many times in my current life, so I just passed by indifferently.
"Hey, are you really here to enjoy the festival?"
Perhaps my behavior seemed strange, as Leonard, unable to hold back, asked me. I glanced at him and replied half-heartedly.
"Am I not enjoying it?"
"You don't even ask for anything, like a girl asking for something. You go crazy for accessories, don't you?"
He pointed to the crowded women's accessory stalls.
'As if I really came out to enjoy the festival with you.'
I gave him a cold look and turned my head away without a word.
To be honest, nothing about the festival caught my eye at the moment.
I was extremely anxious because I had no idea where to start looking for Eclis.
"Hey, come here for a moment."
"Wh-what?"
At that moment, Leonard suddenly grabbed my hand and dragged me along.
Derrick silently followed us without a word.
"Here, there's something decent."
Leonard led me to a jewelry stall.
"Oh, welcome! Please take a look, customers! We have many new items from the East this time."
Not knowing what he was up to, I just looked up, and he shouted in frustration.
"Come on, just pick something! Look, quickly!"
Only then did I look at the display. There were indeed many unique decorations that you could only see during the festival.
However, I didn't feel like buying anything. Penelope's jewelry box was already overflowing.
I quickly lost interest. But then,
"This one is pretty good."
An arm suddenly reached out next to me. Derrick picked something up.
It was a bracelet with ripe plum-colored gems on a platinum chain.
"Oh! You have a discerning eye, sir! This bracelet is made from rare gems found only in the mines of the East, processed day and night for three months..."
Thinking he had a customer, the merchant started his sales pitch, spitting as he spoke.
I felt a strange sensation looking at the bracelet Derrick held.
The purple gems seemed similar to my hair color.
'No way, he can't be buying it for me, right?'
I was well aware of the [10% Affection] and knew it was an overreaction.
"Then I'll take this one."
Seeing Leonard about to pay, I quickly picked something I liked.
The merchant, who had been enthusiastically describing the bracelet Derrick held, suddenly shut his mouth.
"Really?"
Leonard frowned at what I held. Derrick's expression was also strange.
"Yeah. This mask."
What I chose was a white mask tucked away in a corner of the stall. It had only the eyes, nose, and mouth cut out, similar to a Hahoe mask.
Thinking about it, even if I wore a robe, they wouldn't bring a young girl like me into the slave market.
Therefore, my choice was justified and wise.
"I'll take this one."
"Hey, I was about to ask you something..."
Seeing my determination, Leonard asked with a serious face.
"Are you feeling okay lately? Do you sometimes feel dizzy, fall asleep, and wake up in a different place?"
"If you don't want to buy it, just say so."
"No, it's not that... Do you really want this?"
"Yes, I do!"
I finally lost my temper with Leonard's repeated questioning.
He looked at me skeptically and reluctantly paid for Derrick's bracelet and my mask.
At that moment,
Whoo-! A loud noise came from a distance.
Looking that way, a group of people was walking down the street, filling it.
Firecrackers exploded, and the area suddenly became chaotic. The parade had begun.
People poured out to watch the parade.
Just as I was getting jostled and feeling disoriented,
"Grab on."
A luxurious sleeve was suddenly thrust in front of me. Derrick looked down at me with a stern face.
"...Thank you."
Thinking I might get swept away by the crowd, I quickly grabbed his arm.
But I must have grabbed the wrong spot because something rattled in my palm.
Whoo-!
At that moment, the parade procession passed in front of the stall where we stood.
I held onto Derrick's sleeve tightly to avoid being swept away.
However, *rip*.
"Wh-what...!"
"Penelope!"
Feeling something tear, I saw Derrick's urgent face gradually moving away.
"Oh no..."
Trapped in the crowd, I moved aimlessly for a while before finally managing to escape the dense throng.
When I came to my senses, I was standing in a dark alley.
I only had the gold button torn from Derrick's sleeve and the mask Leonard bought for me.
"...Where am I?"
I looked around the dark surroundings and frowned.
At that moment, a white square window appeared before my eyes.
〈SYSTEM〉 The [Tragic Slave of the Defeated Nation, Eclis] episode is about to begin. Do you want to go to the slave auction?
[Yes. / No.]
I gaped in surprise.
"Really, all of a sudden...?"
And the Eclis route, which I thought had failed due to the pursuers, was about to start immediately.
* * *
Pressing [Yes] and opening my eyes, I found myself in front of the slave auction.
It was a shabby building that you wouldn't recognize from the outside.
A few people were queuing at the entrance, all wearing masks.
'So, my choice was right.'
Although it was different from the masks worn by other nobles, it was enough to cover my face.
I quickly put on the Hahoe mask and joined the queue.
I also made sure to pull my robe tighter to hide my hair color.
The line moved quickly, and soon it was my turn.
"Please show your invitation."
A bulky man with a thug-like appearance extended his hand to me.
'I need an invitation?'
I was taken aback. I hadn't imagined that an invitation was required to enter.
'Why didn't you tell me, you damn game?'
Seeing my hesitation, the man frowned.
"No invitation? This place operates strictly on a membership basis, so you can't enter without one. Next..."
"Wait, a moment!"
The mention of membership gave me an idea. I frantically searched my pocket.
"Here."
I showed the man the gold button torn from Derrick's sleeve.
The symbol of the Eckart family was clearly engraved on the raised gold.
The man's eyes widened.
"I forgot my invitation. Will this do?"
"Forgive me, I didn't recognize you, sir. Please, come in!"
He hurriedly stepped aside. I calmly walked past the entrance but was inwardly surprised.
'The power of a duke's family is so strong.'
Of course, the duke was a VIP customer of such underground organizations, often buying useful slaves, which might be why it worked so easily.
It was a bitter aspect of the game's background.
"I'll guide you to the auction."
After passing the entrance, a servant took over and led me down a narrow staircase.
After walking for a while, the staircase ended, and I reached a luxurious and vast space that didn't match the shabby building.
'Such a spacious area was hidden here?'
The vast hall was designed like a coliseum, with seats overlooking the stage below.
"Please sit here. And take this."
The servant led me to a front row seat with a good view of the stage and handed me a paddle before leaving. It was for bidding.
Staring blankly at the stage,
"Gentlemen and ladies! The auction is about to begin!"
The auction started immediately.
The auctioneer's loud voice echoed as chained slaves were brought onto the stage.
"10 gold! 10 gold, no more? 10 gold, sold!"
Despite the slaves' gloomy expressions, their prices were quickly set and sold.
As the auction progressed, more interesting and beautiful slaves appeared, and the prices skyrocketed.
"100 gold! 100 gold, no more? Ah, 102 gold!"
The competition and bidding wars heated up the auction hall.
And finally,
"Esteemed guests, you've all been waiting. The final and most anticipated slave!"
I, who had been watching the auction indifferently, straightened up when I saw the last slave being brought to the stage.
"From the nation of barbarians defeated by the empire! Introducing the slave, Eclis!"
Ash-gray hair.
A menacing appearance with a gagged mouth, but eyes that shone eerily at the audience.
It was Eclis.
"Everyone here must have heard of this slave's reputation, right?"
The auctioneer grinned.
I had never heard of Eclis's reputation.
However, the people around me nodded and murmured, as if they already knew.
"But there's a big difference between hearing a rumor and seeing it with your own eyes! So, we have a special event for our esteemed guests today! Watch!"
Following the auctioneer's gesture, a worker threw something to Eclis.
It was a small wooden sword, like those used by children for their first sword practice.
'What are they trying to do?'
I tilted my head in confusion.
At that moment, a 'squeak' sound came from a corner.