The Mad Dog of the Duke's Estate

Chapter 70. The Auction House

Chapter 70. The Auction House

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

But something about this place felt very odd.

"Do you see this, Young Master?" Cobler said with a grin. "Our holding pens here are on a completely 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 a large yard, surrounded by high walls. The only indication that this place 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 glasses 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 slaves too?" Caron asked in surprise.

"Well, technically, yes. To be honest... We try to avoid using the word 'slave' 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 slave myself."

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

"Ah, but this is exactly why we've survived here in Reben!" Cobler replied with pride. "Unlike other slavers, 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 dry laugh as he cast a glance 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 become a true expert, don't you agree?" Cobler explained.

"No, I mean, why the hell are they learning that in a place 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 slaver. Female slaves 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 slave, I can inquire with other slavers—"

"I asked about those women specifically," Caron cut him off. "Explain 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 explained.

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

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

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

Is this some sort of high-level act? Caron briefly wondered if all of this was an elaborate 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 slaves 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 slaver does. There's no way to stay competitive that way! You'd be shocked if you knew how many slave dealers operate in Reben."

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

It is true that I needed a local collaborator, 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 accusations 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 slave market...

He'll go underground like a mole, Caron thought. Leandro would undoubtedly try to hide his involvement. That was why he needed a local collaborator. And Cobler, for all his flaws, 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 explained 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 trouble later! 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 plans 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 flashed 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..."

Shing!

"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 blade's dark blue surface gleamed ominously under the dim light. Cobler stared down at the blade in disbelief and asked, "W-Why... all of a sudden...?"

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

According 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 blade, 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 too late.

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.