Chapter 228: Human Trafficking Prevention Mission.

Chapter 228: Human Trafficking Prevention Mission.

Multiple proficiency requirements fulfilled. [Fluid Cast Lv. 3] [Dagger Technique Lv. 6] [Mid-Air Maneuvering Lv. 2] [Lightning Resistance Lv. 4] [Holy Resistance Lv. 9] [Earth Resistance Lv. 9] [Water Resistance Lv. 8] [Wind Resistance Lv. 8] [Tenebrous Resistance Lv. 2] [Merchant Lv. 2] [Accounting Lv. 2] [Royal Etiquette Lv. 5] [Humanization Lv. 10] gained

[Thank you Sarasa. Quatre. Be ready to fight.]

I stood up, peering from my perch on the rooftop down at the other buildings. The sight of a shining building standing conspicuously in this dark realm could be seen. Like fireflies, the path to our destination was clear, with lamps lightning up the streets like a guide. But we would not take that path. For shadows approach, not for us, but for those who harmed the ones under our protection.

Mhmmmmmmmmmmm

Blades and strings are in my hand, shadows and lightning ready to sunder metal and leather stir in my blood, and garms salivating for blood and flesh prowl beside me. I peer forward. With the information on hand from my fiery friend and my pack, I knew it was time to strike. In the basement lie those who require my help, and, as their teacher-for-a-day, I shall make sure to escort them home.

Mhmmmmmmmmmmm

What? My thoughts were interrupted, I looked down at the source of the noise. It was a dwarf, fully clad in armor with two large gauntlets looking out of place with his outfit.

I know that look, Saori. Knew someone with a vivid imagination who stared into the distance. Nothing could interrupt their fantasizing except for a good whack on the head to get back to work. The dwarf Grimnir stroked his growing beard, looking curiously at how I would respond.

My face felt hotter, I was sure it reddened as I couldnt help but reflect on what I had just been thinking. I just felt a bit poetic right now. D-Do not mind me. Ahem, anyway, I have the information. Let us begin.

I turned around, looking at the people behind me. Aside from most of Aurora, sans Hestia doing her part inside the auction house, there was also Gael, Friell, Kaian, and a few others Friell had brought with her. It seems that these beastmen were former slaves who had a history with Gael, seeing as they glared at him much like Friell did.

While the latter few were people I wouldnt exactly call friends, especially since they were criminals, I wasnt in the position to reject their assistance. Based on the information that Sarasa and Quatre just brought back to me, there wasnt just the orphanage kids but rather there was a whole crowd of slaves in the basement, all huddled in cages.

This was a raid to get all those people out while also looking for a way to dispel the slave marks tattooed on their bodies. From what Eshe told me, removing a slave mark like that was expensive if you didnt want to fry up your mana paths and potential to use mana. Outside of the costly option, the best method would be to persuade the current owners to release them.

As such, we needed all the help we could get. Fighting and protecting at the same time wasnt easy, and I had no intentions of letting strangers, even those we saved, into our partys [Room] subspace. The orphans were a different matter, but getting them out was never the problem.

I hoped Friell wouldnt double-cross us in the end, but she and her crew seemed reliable for now. They hated slavers just as much as Eshe seemed to, and they were especially motivated seeing as there were beastman slaves to save. There seemed to be some beastman solidarity I wasnt aware of.

Ready? I asked everybody. All of them nodded. Good. We are going as planned, alright? Leave the fighting to us from Aurora as well as Kaian. We will be your distraction. Friell, you and your crew get the kids and the other slaves free. Hestia and Eshe will be causing a ruckus from within, and, once the auction itself is under lockdown, Gael you swoop in and get that Executive named Estas.

Gael nodded. Estas, huh? Yeah, I know his face from around here. He used to work as a majordomo for a noble or something.

Hope you guys can stay alive. Id hate to inform those kids their saviors died in all of this, Friell wished us luck in her own way. It was fine. If the information weve gotten is up to date and accurate, nothing should go wrong.

I activated [Shadow Armament] and shrouded everybody accompanying me with it, helping them blend into the dusky city of Shaturein. Using the wooden planks connecting each rooftop like bridges, we traversed from one building to the next, trying to avoid getting seen by the enforcers patrolling the streets.

After jumping over a few roofs, we descended into the back alley, seeing as how the light of the bright auction house could reveal us if we came too close. Instead of approaching the back entrance of the auction house, I ordered everybody to enter a house a bit further away. According to my garms information, there was a secret entrance here that the slaves would be moved through.

After Gael unlocked the door, we sneaked into the place, making sure nobody was around. We entered a small room on the ground floor, a rather empty one if it werent for a pile of broken-down debris from the upper floor. Sweeping it aside, we uncovered a trap door.

Whew, Gael gave a silent whistle. Your garms are pretty good. Traveling through shadows makes them better dark mages than us arcane tricksters, Saori. I should maybe become a tamer, too.

I do not believe you can find a monster anywhere as competent as mine, Gael, I stated with full confidence, before giving my praises to my garms. [Good work, Song. Sarasa. Quatre. You three did amazing.]

[Your praise is reward enough, Alpha!] They were adorable.

[] However, poor Uno was brooding silently. I had not sent him out since I wanted him to take a rest after spending five days following those spies, but it seemed he was dissatisfied with being left out. Since Uno considered himself my Beta, my second-in-command, he might dislike not being relied on. I should remember this.

Although our way into the auction house was right in front of us, everybody on Friells side was waiting for me to do something. It seemed they were used to working with dark mages.

While my garms did bring the information about this secret entrance, they only heard it through gossip. They were fast scouts, but they didnt have enough time to look everywhere. As such, I was not sure if there were traps inside or not. I couldnt hear anybody, but I needed to see if there were traps myself.

Sending in a [Shadow Snake], I looked through its eyes as it slithered to the end of this tunnel. Once I was satisfied there was nothing dangerous, I told everybody the coast was clear and we made our way through it, ending up in a dusty room inside the basement of the auction house. After inquiring with the garms where we were, they told us we should be close to the wine room.

Since the auction house constantly moved around to not arouse too much attention, only a few rooms would be furnished. Of course, the wine room would be a priority. I wondered if stealing from criminals would be considered a crime, in this case. They probably wouldnt realize a bottle or three would be missing after the chaos well leave this place at.

No time to waste. Our time to prepare for the ambush wont last long.

I perked my ears, hearing noises coming from above ground. The auction should have begun.

The auction has started. They will probably begin sending slaves above ground. Friell, how does it work? Which group gets sent out first? I turned towards the loopridae fire mage.

Strong start, average middle, and the best for last. Former adventurers or soldiers would fetch a good price, while wage workers and such arent as popular. Beastmen are great at menial work and popular outside of Artorias, in particular, to torture. The kids, however, might be presented first, so we should hurry.

I nodded and sent Song out to investigate to keep a watch on Hestia, Eshe, and the auction for us. I then followed my question with another one. Are there any mana barriers we have to be aware of?

The usual climate control one. The ones nobles like to use around their mansions, Gael answered.

Alright, lets go. Ellaine. Grimnir. Prepare that.

I activated [Detection Sensor], creating a map of signals to warn me of any targets in the vicinity. With this clairvoyance, I ordered everybody to dash out of the room. Ellaine, Grimnir, and Gael separated from us to do their parts, while the rest of us moved towards the slave pens.

If we found any mercenary or gang member, dispatching them was our first reaction. While Tasianna and I were alright with just knocking them out till next week, Kaian was a different case. He showed no mercy as he skillfully decapitated anybody he got his hand on. Complaining wouldnt change that bandits mind; after all, that guy was actually somebody willing to kill for nothing.

Although, staying silent about it might not be the best. These people are our enemies so kil Actually, I have no idea if they deserve it or not. With no information, shocking them with electricity until they black out is good enough for me.

After moving a bit further in, I noticed a large gathering of signals. Either they were a garrison or some slaves, so we had to check it out. I sent Sarasa and Quatre through the shadow of the door. When their telepathic message arrived, I stomped the door open and located the two guards.

Gale Steps!

Dashing forward with proper footwork, my speed increased to the point my sudden appearance stunned them long enough for me to subdue one of them while my garms handled the other. As I choked one guard unconscious, I began to notice how all the guards we met up until now had tanned or brown skin, similar to Eshes and her knights. Did they come from the east?

Miss Saori! It wasnt Tasiannas voice. I turned my head to the source after throwing the unconscious body of the guard away like a ragdoll, only to see sobbing children holding onto metal bars, reaching their hands out as they called for my help. Y-Youre here! Youre here! Miss Saori! Big Sis Tasi! The Goddess heard us muwhaaaaaaaaaaa!

Tasianna encased the cages with her [Air Shield], preventing more sound from escaping the room after Friell closed the door. It was just in time, as the two orphan kids couldnt help themselves from crying, bawling their eyes out as they saw Tasianna and me. After I cut the cage open with my daggers, those kids ran into my embrace.

Aside from Abi, Yeffon and Danny were the only young kids who accompanied the caretakers for shopping. The rest were the older ones, around nine to eleven.

The kids in the orphanage came from a wide range of backgrounds. Some were street kids the orphanage took in, some came in as abandoned newborns, and some, I heard, were the children of the grey-robed priests. Information like that was not to be talked about. While white-robes were allowed to marry and have children, grey-robes werent, since their dedication to the Goddess was supposedly the only love they were allowed to have.

Orphans.

Shhhh, its alright. Were here to bring you back home, I soothed the two crying kids, before raising my heads to the remaining orphanage kids, the ones in their early adolescence. Is everybody together? Have they taken any of you yet?

N-No, Miss Saori. After we were imprisoned, they only put us here with some guards to watch us. They havent applied that stupid slave mark on us yet, though thats cuz we just got caught. The kids looked back at the cages, where I saw frightened children of various ages and races wearing rags. Shadows lingered under their eyes, their bodies looked malnourished, and a bright blue tattoo could be seen on their chests.

This auction supposedly would sell all their goods, so these kids were probably delivered here by wandering slave traders. Some looked almost fifteen, some were still kindergartners.

Ah, wait, Miss Saori, how are the Sisters?!

Yeah! Are they alright! Those damn assholes beat them up when they tried to defend us!

Please, tell us theyre alive!

Shhh, calm down. They are alright. For now I stood back up, telling the older kids to keep the two young ones close. I turned to Friell. We will begin the extraction now. Can you manage the kids for now?

That was always our objective. The rabbit girl nodded. However, you need to get the auctioneers party bracelet, you hear? Or get him to free all of them through a command. Whichever it is, we need it to free the rest of the slaves, you hear?

You heard the briefing. We are not leaving without sending International Desires a message. I took off my gloves, letting the white fur on my hands begin generating more black electricity while Tasianna readied herself by taking her catalyst out.

[Sarasa, go inform Ellaine and Grimnir that we are ready.] I spoke telepathically.

[Yes, Alpha!]The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.

With Tasianna, Kaian, and two of Friells comrades, we dashed out of the room and headed towards where the rest of the slaves were held. While enroute, Song returned and informed us that Eshe was ready to unleash her powers. They only needed the signal.

When we finally arrived at the location, I told everybody to hide. As my garms had told me, the slave pens were heavily guarded. The child slaves might not be able to defend themselves when most of them were young kids, but an army of desperate adults might cause problems.

We waited. We waited. There was no need to be impatient. I perked my ear up, I could hear clapping and cheers echoing through the ground. A few minutes later, a group of guards came over and picked out the next set of slaves to bring up. Still, it wasnt time to hunt just yet.

And then it happened

Boooom! A loud explosion ruptured through the basement, the heat and shockwave sending the guards instantly into alarm mode. With their minds preoccupied with the threat, none of them spared a thought for the slaves. As the number of guards dwindled, so did the difficulty of the mission.

Time for phase two. Good work on the bombs, Ellaine. Grimnir. Smokey Haze!

Speaking of the devil, I snapped my head back to the entrance, noticing in the next second how parts of the wall were being destroyed. With slow, heavy steps, a bulky giant in heavy metal armor appeared before me, dual wielding a giant khopesh and greatsword.

In the next moment, the right side of our room also broke down, revealing a four-armed, lanky giant clad in armor and a dress. In its front arms it dual wielded two khopeshes while the hind ones held a bow and spear respectively.

Theeeee enemiessss areee vanquisheeed. A metallic bass followed their voices out of their helmets, hard to listen to but not too difficult to understand.

Thank you my knights, however, we have much more to do. I can see through your eyes more enemies are coming. Please, be ready. Eshe held her hands in prayer before two magic circle appeared on the giants bodies, healing them of any wounds. Holy light then surrounded their bodies like an aura, before they resumed their fighting.

Champions and Saints blessed of the gods all received some sorta boon from their sworn deity. You may call them cheats, in a way, but it was important for the gods to reward their servants, handing them something they could protect themselves with.

Mine was the unique skill [Idol].

In Eshes case

In the holy Goddesss iridescent light, walk forward and protect me Eshe kept her shining eyes shut, preparing herself to cast the next spell through her unique skill. My Sworn Knights!

[Honored, Sworn Knight], that was her unique!

A note from AbyssRaven

Oh, look at her, Saori is finding all the trouble while Hestia sips on wine.

If you guys want to support me, Hestia and "A Dragon Idol's Reincarnation Tale" (or just read up to 17 advance chapters + any Patreon-only chapters) please check out my Patreon: Rawr!

If you guys enjoyed this chapter then, please follow the story. If you guys want the story to grow, then giving it a rating or a favorite will do wonders: Rawr

Thank you for reading this chapter.

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Monday, November 8, 2021 2:01:03 AM Germany [Member of Zard Skwad]

Bio: Hey there, AbyssRaven here. I'm just an avid Light Novel and Fantasy story reader who randomly thought of a story and began writing about it.

I eventually found out that I've been spending a bit too much time with building, planning, and researching for the story, that I've decided to just share it with others.

Writing is mostly a hobby for me, but I would still love any kind of criticism to improve on it.

I'm also german, so please excuse anything that sounds a bit weird...I wouldn't mind you pointing it out though.

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