<h4>Chapter 70. The Auction House</h4>


    Typically, when people thought of ve holding pens, they imagined filth, stench, and horrifying conditions. The holding pens Caron had experienced in his previous life were like that. They were ces where people died in droves from disease. The term "living hell" perfectly described those wretched ces.


    But something about this ce felt very odd.


    "Do you see this, Young Master?" Cobler said with a grin. "Our holding pens here are on apletely different level from the others. Look! Everything is run with strict and systematic management."


    The holding pen they arrived at wasn''t an underground facility, but rather stood above ground. It was a massive house with arge yard, surrounded by high walls. The only indication that this ce contained prisoners was the barbed wire mounted atop the walls. The rest of the property looked so pristine that it bordered on extravagance.


    "Good day, Boss," a clean-cut, middle-aged man wearing sses said as he approached Cobler.


    "Oh, Dale! I heard you weren''t feeling well recently," Cobler responded.


    "Thanks to the doctor you arranged, I''m fully recovered. I appreciate it, Boss," Dale replied.


    "Of course! If you need anything, don''t hesitate to ask!" Cobler said.


    Caron thought this was a bizarre conversation. He couldn''t understand what was going on. He wondered if that man Dale was supposed to be a supervisor or something.


    Cobler chuckled darkly and asked, "Hehe, what do you think, Young Master? That man used to be a professor at a famous academy in the southern kingdom. Doesn''t he look clever?"


    "Is that man your supervisor?" Caron asked.


    "Oh no! I see there''s a bit of confusion. That fellow isn''t a staff member, he''s part of our merchandise. Smart ones like him tend to fetch a higher price, though. Are you interested?" Cobler asked.


    "...You mean he''s one of the ves too?" Caron asked in surprise.


    "Well, technically, yes. To be honest... We try to avoid using the word ''ve'' here," Cobler said, rubbing his misshapen nose before bowing deeply. "Allow me to formally introduce myself: I am Cobler, the head of the Cobler Manpower Agency. Like the others here, I don''t have a family name because I used to be a ve myself."


    "''Manpower Agency''? What a load of crap. You''re still just a filthy ver," Caron scoffed.


    "Ah, but this is exactly why we''ve survived here in Reben!" Cobler replied with pride. "Unlike other vers, we treat our merchandise with respect! Trust! Honesty! And guaranteed quality! You can acquire the finest personnel from the south at incredibly affordable prices!"


    It finally clicked for Caron. Something was definitely not right here.


    Cobler''s beady eyes gleamed with twisted excitement. The man was clearly deranged. Caron let out a dryugh as he cast a nce around. There were men engaging in physical exercises and women tending the garden.


    "What about those women?" Caron asked as he looked at the group of women working in the garden.


    "They''re learning skills to maintain gardens. Thorough, repetitive training is the only way to be a true expert, don''t you agree?" Cobler exined.


    "No, I mean, why the hell are they learning that in a ce like this?" Caron asked.


    "They''re doing that to increase their value, of course!" Cobler replied eagerly. "Learning skills is the key to a better life. That''s my motto, by the way! Ah, is there anyone here who''s caught your eye, Young Master?"


    In the end, this man was still nothing more than a ver. Female ves often endured terrible fates. From the moment they were captured, they were treated as less than human.


    However, the words that followed from Cobler left Caron momentarily speechless.


    "Ah, unfortunately, those women aren''t for sale," Cobler said apologetically before continuing, "If you''re looking for that kind of ve, I can inquire with other vers—"


    "I asked about those women specifically," Caron cut him off. "Exin it so I can understand."


    "Well, as you know, there are many bachelors like me in the empire. I''ve made an agreement with a marriage brokerage in Thebe... Ah, yes! International marriages! You see, refugees aren''t granted Imperial citizenship. However, if they marry a man from the empire, they can obtain it. It''s a win-win situation. These women get to settle down in the empire, and the bachelors can finally find wives. Two birds with one stone, don''t you think?" Cobler exined.


    "And you get paid a fee for matchmaking?" Caron asked.


    n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Ah, a young master from a prestigious family sure is different! I didn''t even exin, and you already figured it out!" Coblerughed.


    Caron could now confirm without a doubt that Cobler and his organization were utterly insane. He had never imagined such a twisted version of very could exist. Caron wondered if they could really even be called vers.


    <i>Is this some sort of high-level act? </i>Caron briefly wondered if all of this was an borate performance to lower his guard. But the way Cobler grinned so idiotically wiped away any such suspicions.


    "Hehe. What do you think, Young Master? Isn''t this amazing?" Cobler asked.


    "You could just sell the ves you capture as they are and make more money, couldn''t you?" Caron asked to confirm one more time.


    Cobler sneered and replied, "That''s what every other ver does. There''s no way to staypetitive that way! You''d be shocked if you knew how many ve dealers operate in Reben."


    "So, this is purely about money, then?" Caron asked tly.


    "What else would this be about? Why bother with all this if it weren''t for profit?" Cobler''s voice practically dripped with greed.


    Caron had wondered if perhaps this man was driven by some twisted sense of goodwill, but that thought quickly vanished.


    Cobler continued, "Besides, we aren''t big enough topete with other vers who can go out and capture them directly. So, we focus on quality over quantity! Our motto is, ''One well-trained ve is worth ten average ones!''"


    <i>Smack!</i>


    Caron''s hand met Cobler''s face in a sharp p, the sound filling the air.


    Despite the p, Cobler onlyughed and bowed even deeper, eximing, "Oh! Haha, Young Master! That fiery p fills me with even more respect for you!"


    "When you say you capture them directly, you mean ve hunting, right?" Caron asked, his tone icy.


    "Yes, yes! That''s the simple way to put it. But you see, my men aren''t exactly the best at fighting..." Cobler trailed off.


    "Then, how did they end up here?" Caron gestured with his chin toward the others in the facility.


    Cobler snickered, then said, "Well, that''s a bit of a trade secret..."


    He was clearly trying to dodge the question, but as he nced at Caron''s raised hand, he immediately straightened up and said, "We take in ves who have escaped from other vers."


    "...Take them in?" Caron asked.


    "Yes, yes, we re-kidnap them! But instead of selling them back, we offer them protection and match them with suitable customers. As you''ve seen, this ce is highly secure. Outside the walls, the Lord''s soldiers regrly patrol to ensure safety," Cobler exined.


    "You''re saying you''re backed by Leandro, the Marquis of the Border?" Caron asked.


    "That''s right! That''s because our agency pays the highest tribute. Which is why we get the best protection!" Cobler boasted proudly.


    Caron now had a rough idea of how this ce operated. Still, despite Cobler''s exnation, Caron found it hard to make a decision because everything he had heard seemed too absurd to believe.


    "Re-kidnapping" was a term he had never heard, even in his previous life. And this re-kidnapping was supposedly done under the guise of offering protection and employment to those in need. vers acting as employment agents was aughable notion.


    <i>Does he expect anyone to buy this nonsense?</i> Caron thought. Anyone who believed this guy''s words would be the odd one.


    "If I find out you''ve been lying," Caron said coldly and threateningly, "You''d better be prepared."


    "I wouldn''t dare lie about anyone''s safety! Especially not to such an esteemed guest!" Cobler quickly said.


    Caron figured it was worth checking with Foina once again to confirm these oundish ims. Because if Cobler''s words turned out to be true...


    <i>This operation might actually be useful,</i> he mused. There was a chance it could help him with his current mission. So for the time being, he decided to withhold judgment.


    ***


    That evening, in his room on the top floor of the so-called camp, Cobler poured a generous amount of liquor into Caron''s ss and rubbed his hands together with a sly smile. His voice cracked as he spoke. "Heh, so... How do you find our facility? Does it meet your expectations?"


    Caron took a sip of the amber liquid, letting it settle before slowly nodding, then said, "I''ll believe about half of what you said."


    After thoroughly inspecting the camp, Caron had to admit that Cobler''s words weren''t entirely false. The food provided to the captives was plentiful, and their health seemed remarkably good. Compared to other camps, where food was deliberately withheld to sap their strength and prevent escape, this ce was surprisingly well-maintained.


    Some of the ves had even said things like:


    <i>"At least we can survive here, right?"</i>


    <i>"You wouldn''t understand, Young Master. The world outside is like hell. This ce... is better."</i>


    It was possible, of course, that Cobler had brainwashed them, but it was undeniable that the conditions here were far superior to those of other camps. And most importantly, Caron could tell from Cobler''s tant greed that he wasn''t the type to be overly cautious or meticulous.


    "Young Master," Cobler interrupted. "How much do you think we could get if we took you to the elf auction house?"


    "I''m thinking about it. What? Are you thinking I''ll cheat you out of money?" Caron asked.


    Cobler immediately backpedaled. "No, no! Forgive me, I''ve never once doubted you for a second! Haha!"


    Caron gently ran his fingers along the edge of the ss, deep in thought.


    <i>It is true that I needed a local coborator,</i> he mused. Even the intelligence from Caligo''s side hadn''t provided much on Reben. It was a border city, where the local lord wielded significant power. The title of marquis came with considerable autonomy. If the Oceanwolf Knight Order were to be summoned, it could raise usations of interfering with the region''s local affairs.


    Of course, Azureocean Castle had the power and authority to easily suppress such talk, but in a situation where it was clear that Marquis Leandro was involved in the ve market...


    <i>He''ll go underground like a mole,</i> Caron thought. Leandro would undoubtedly try to hide his involvement. That was why he needed a local coborator. And Cobler, for all his ws, fit the bill perfectly.


    After Caron made his decision, he smiled at Cobler and said, "I like your business philosophy, Cobler."


    Cobler''s face lit up with gratitude, and he repeatedly bowed as he said, "Oh, thank you, Young Master!"


    "So, I''m thinking of making an investment. What do you think? Are you interested?" Caron asked.


    "I-Investment? Did you just say investment? Me? Finally, this is really happening to me too!" Cobler stuttered.


    "I need someone to fill my pocket," Caron exined casually. "And your business seems like it has potential."


    He dangled the bait, fully aware that Cobler wouldn''t take it immediately. A man like this, who was involved in such a shady operation, was bound to be suspicious.


    "I''m an expert at filling pockets, especially with clean money. The kind of money that won''t cause any troubleter! For nobles, isn''t that the most important kind?" Cobler continued with exaggerated gestures.


    He rolled his ugly eyes up and down, sizing up Caron. Then his voice dropped to a more discreet tone as he added, "But young master, an investment like this... it''s built on trust, wouldn''t you say? Not that I''m doubting you, of course—"


    "You want to know who I really am, don''t you?" Caron interrupted steadily. "Why beat around the bush?"


    "Heh, well... Isn''t it better to be clear about these things?" Cobler replied in a servile tone, even though he was trying to probe for more information. It was obvious that he was assessing whether Caron was someone worth taking advantage of or not.


    Trying to fish for details, he suggested, "If I knew what grand ns you have in mind, I could offer more direct support—"


    "I figured it was too early for us to discuss the level of trust between us," Caron said smoothly. "But you''re right, if we''re going to work together, we need trust. Shall we build some, then?"


    Fortunately, he knew exactly how to build trust. With a sly grin, he stood up suddenly.


    Cobler nodded wickedly and, licking his lips, he said, "I''m already looking forward to it—"


    Caron shed a sly grin as he rose to his feet. Cobler nodded eagerly, his smile growing wicked as he said, "I''m looking forward to this already..."


    <i>Shing!</i>


    "Eeeee! Y-Young Master?" Cobler gasped, eyes wide with terror.


    It only took a single second for Caron''s Guillotine to be unsheathed and pressed against Cobler''s neck. The de''s dark blue surface gleamed ominously under the dim light. Cobler stared down at the de in disbelief and asked, "W-Why... all of a sudden...?"


    "You said our trust wascking, didn''t you?" Caron replied calmly. "This is the best way to build trust."


    ording to him, at least, this was the perfect way.


    With shameless confidence, Caron continued, "I could kill you right here and now, but I''m not. In a way, I''m sparing your life. Isn''t that trust? I mean, what better trust is there than this?"


    It was madness. Not just madness, it was utter madness.


    But Cobler couldn''t muster a single rebuttal. His soaked pants, evidence of his lost control, were the least of his concerns. The de, sharp and steady at his throat, felt as if it could pierce him at any moment.


    "How is it? Do you think we''ve built enough trust now?" Caron asked.


    Cobler finally realized that Caron wasn''t some rich, gullible young master who had entered his precious haven.


    "Now, shall we have a more productive conversation?" Caron continued.


    No, this was a devil. Caron was definitely a devil in human form. But by the time Cobler came to that realization, it was far toote.


    Desperately, Cobler forced a smile onto his trembling face and said, "S-Spare me, Young Master! I swear my loyalty... I''ll serve you with everything I have!"


    Survival was the only thing that mattered now for him.


    That moment was when Cobler''s Manpower Agency fell into Caron''s hands.