Knight Lords: Infinite Simulation and the Path of Light

Chapter 126 Your Opponent is

As each item in the collection was auctioned off to guests in the various luxury boxes, Haven and Alice, sitting together, quietly watched the other bidders compete. Some items were quite eye-opening, but after seeing half-elves, children, and women being pushed onto the auction stage, they were so shocked that they lost all interest in buying anything.

Feeling a bit bored, Haven turned to look at Alice, who was frowning and deep in thought, and also seemed uninterested.

Seeing this, Haven decided to change locations. Although this place was luxuriously decorated and the guests were all wealthy and powerful, he didn't like it. It had a rotten, blood-soaked smell.

"Let's go, Alice, this place is boring. It's a bit stuffy, let's go somewhere else."

Alice wasn't very interested from the start, and Haven could understand that. After all, such things happened right under her nose, something a pampered princess like her couldn't comprehend.

Seeing Alice still lost in thought, and not knowing what she was thinking, Haven could only guess and ask:
"What? You're still thinking about that half-elf from earlier, and the group of children and women who appeared later?"

Alice, her eyes somewhat vacant, turned to look at Haven.

"Ah."

Haven, who had stood up, sat down again when he saw that Alice showed no intention of getting up.

"So what do you want to do? If you're really uncomfortable with this, then we can go and buy those people."

Upon hearing Haven's words, Alice's previously dazed eyes finally lit up.

“Yes, Haven, let’s go buy him. They’re so pitiful.”

Seeing that Alice seemed somewhat interested, Haven turned around and waved to 0924, who was standing to the side waiting for instructions.

"Hello, esteemed guest, how can I help you?"

Perhaps harboring some resentment, Haven looked at the attendant beside him, whose name was just a cold, impersonal number, and felt increasingly awkward.

"Could we contact the seller who just bought the half-elf and the group of children and women? We want to buy them from him."

"Okay, I understand your needs. Please have a seat in a moment."

After leaving at 0924, Haven took small sips of wine from the glass on the table and continued watching the auction on stage.

"why?"

"Ok?"

Haven turned his head and saw Alice staring at him with wide eyes. Her eyes were full of doubt and confusion, and even a hint of bewilderment deep within them.

"Why what?"

Seeing Alice's somewhat unusual expression, Haven was momentarily confused about what the little girl was saying.

"This is different from what Father and Mother said!"

Looking into Alice's large, pale golden eyes, Haven was at a loss for words, and could only stammer:
"Huh? What's different? What are you talking about?"

"My father said that the English Empire is the greatest country in the world. We have a glorious history, and everyone who lives on this land is happy and honored."

My mother always said that the world was a wonderful place, and the Empire was the most wonderful place in the world, where everyone could live freely.

Listening to Alice's description, Haven scratched his head, thought for a moment, and realized that if it came down to the impression given by the brief history of the Empire, it was indeed very great and glorious. Was that not wrong?

"Hmm. Well, generally speaking, what His Majesty and your mother said does seem to be correct, and they are mostly right."

At this point, Haven crossed one arm, rubbed his chin with the other, and leaned back on the sofa, thinking as he spoke.

"But why does this happen? Like you said, people auction themselves off because they have no other choice."

Alice stared intently at Haven, as if trying to get an answer from him.

"Hmm... Well... It's my fault. I shouldn't have brought you here. There was a nice restaurant up ahead; we should have gone there. I thought this was some kind of interesting shop~"

Unable to answer, Haven could only try to change the subject. After all, the reasons for this were multifaceted and not something he could explain in a few words. Moreover, this was a magical world, and he couldn't use the theories from his previous life to explain it.

"No, this isn't your problem, nor is it a problem of whether we came or not."

The little girl was so excited that she braced herself on the sofa with both hands and pressed her face against Haven's, with the distance between them less than a fist's width.

Seeing Alice suddenly get so close, he was a little unsure of what to do. He awkwardly scratched his face and, under Alice's stare, could only offer a vague answer based on some knowledge from his past life.

"What is that? I can't really explain it to you. It's a very complicated matter. It's just that everyone has a different perspective. From your father and mother's point of view, the country is not experiencing any major wars or disasters. In fact, if we look at the financial reports, the empire is at least making steady progress every year, if not rapid development."

So if you really ask me why this happened, I can only say it's a very normal thing, although it seems cruel, but that's how it is—the strong prey on the weak, survival of the fittest. If you're really upset, then we'll go buy them later.”

No, that's not how it is.

Alice sat back down, looking somewhat dejected. Haven looked at the startled girl and couldn't help but remark that girls' minds were indeed hard to understand, and this kind of thing didn't happen every day in the English Empire.

Just then, 0924 returned, bowed to Havent, and said:

"Dear guest, we have contacted the buyer for you. However, the buyer has indicated that he is not willing to transfer the property directly, but agrees that you two should meet to discuss the matter. Would you like to meet with him in person?"

Haven turned to look at Alice and saw that the little girl was still thinking. He then said:

"Sure, we can communicate there."

"Just follow me. We have private rooms here, specifically for this kind of thing, which will meet your needs."

Hearing the servant's words, Havente nodded and snapped his fingers in front of the dazed Alice, drawing the little girl's attention.

"I can't answer your question. After all, I'm not His Majesty, nor am I a scholar of sociology or anthropology. It's difficult for me to explain how these things unfolded. But I do have one option that might help. Let's go. Let's see how to do it."

Alice, who had become somewhat quiet, stood up and silently followed Havent. The group circled around a few times before leaving the auction hall and arriving at the door of a private room.

"Please come in and have a seat. Another buyer will be here shortly."

The two entered the private room and sat down on the sofa. A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

The door opened and a thin, middle-aged man walked in. He casually glanced at the two of them, then crossed his legs and sat down on the sofa opposite them.

"My name is Charlotte Fuson. May I ask how you two are addressed?"

"My name is Will. I'd like to ask if you can transfer ownership of the half-elf and those women and children you just bought to me?"

The middle-aged man did not answer Haven's question directly. Instead, he scrutinized the two of them for a long time with an extremely aggressive gaze, as if he wanted to see through Haven and Alice's souls.

"If you two are interested, I wouldn't mind accommodating you. However, I'd like to know what you intend to use it for. I'm the head of the Boyka Medicine Association, and I'd like to see if there's anything else I can do to help you."

Just as Havent was about to answer the question from the person in charge of the Boyca Medicine Society, Alice, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up.
Why would this happen?

Charlotte was momentarily taken aback by Alice's abrupt question.

"What did you say, beautiful lady?"

Why would someone sell themselves?

Clearly, Alice, who had remained silent the whole way, was still struggling with this question.

"Oh, beautiful lady, is that what you mean by this?"

"Of course, it's because they had no other choice. Some of them, either because of personal greed, wanting something, or because their family needs a large sum of money, or because they've gone bankrupt, there are countless reasons, I couldn't list them all."

"But, but, why sell yourself?"

Alice stared intently at Charlotte, who, sitting opposite her, felt a little uncomfortable under Alice's gaze and shifted uncomfortably on the sofa.

"That's because their most valuable asset is themselves, and they don't have time to let them take their time and recover slowly."

And we just happen to be willing to pay a very high price, they offer their bodies, both sides get what they want, isn't that a very fair thing?

"But, but~"

Seeing that Alice still wanted to ask questions, Charlotte's patience had run out, and she said impatiently:
"Alright, beautiful lady, my time is very precious. I'm not here to answer your questions. If you're not going to buy anything, please allow me to take my leave. I need to go back to the store and see if there's anything I like."

After saying that, Charlotte stood up, straightened her clothes, and prepared to leave the private room.

"Wait a minute, we'll buy it."

Seeing that Charlotte was about to leave, Haven quickly stopped her. Hearing Haven speak, Charlotte, who had already stood up to leave, turned around and smiled:
"Ah, since you're still interested in the deal, we can certainly continue our discussion. What do you think?"

Seeing the middle-aged man about to launch into a long speech, Haven quickly raised his hand to interrupt Charlotte.

"Can we go take a look first? If the price is right, I can pay you right away."

Charlotte showed no displeasure at Haven interrupting her, and instead rubbed her hands together as she said:

"Of course, of course no problem."

I still highly recommend the Boyca Merchant Guild to you. Actually, besides researching and producing medicines, training servants, and even training specialized personnel, we can also do that.

Heavent frowned a few times as he listened to Charlotte's explanation.

"Okay, I understand. Let's go check on the person first. If it's okay, I'll pay directly."

"Of course, if you've already done it, you can come with me."

After saying that, he walked out of the private room first. Haven looked at Alice, who was still standing there, patted the girl on the shoulder, and pulled her out of her reverie.

"Let's go. Let's not think about things we can't figure out for now."

Once outside, led by a servant, Charlotte led them through a maze of left and right to the back of the auction house, where various cages were scattered haphazardly.

“Let me tell you, the moment I looked at your face, I knew you were destined for great things. I would love to be your friend.”

Charlotte talked incessantly as she walked, demonstrating the full extent of a businessman's nature.

'咻咻咻'

Several arrows flew over, but because it happened so suddenly, the men were caught off guard and startled. The servant leading the way was pierced through the chest by an arrow, coughing up blood, and fell to the ground lifeless a few seconds later.

Startled, Charlotte turned and ran like a panicked rabbit, but in her haste, she crashed into a pillar and passed out.

Seeing this, Haven quickly grabbed Alice's arm and pulled the girl behind him. The two hid behind a pillar, peeking out to observe secretly.

Faintly, he heard the sounds of fighting and the howls of monsters coming from ahead. Curious, Haven wanted to see what was happening.

"Alice, you stay here and hide. I'm going to see what's going on."

After saying that, he half-squatted and walked forward. He had only walked a short distance when he saw several people lying haphazardly ahead, their fates unknown.

Seeing this, Haven took a deep breath and tiptoed over using his not-so-skilled stealth techniques. He found that the people lying there included auction staff as well as some men in black whose identities were unclear.

He walked over and moved the person a few times, only to find that the body was already cold. Just as Haven was about to take a few steps forward to check on the situation further...

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and goosebumps instantly rose on his back, startling Haven so much that he almost screamed. He covered his mouth with one hand and clenched his fist with the other, swinging it backward.

There was a soft 'snap' sound.

His fist was caught by a hand. Haven quickly turned around and saw that it was Alice who had followed him there at some point.

He caught his fist with one hand, and with the other hand, he put his fingers to his mouth, signaling not to make a sound.

"Why did you follow me? Wasn't I waiting for you behind me?"

Alice loosened her grip and whispered.

“I also want to see what happened. Besides, it’s safe for you to be alone if you have each other.”

Hearing Alice's words, Haven rolled his eyes. He was the only one there, and he could leave at any time if things went wrong. Now he had a burden on him.

"Forget it, let's go back. You're a princess. If anything happens to you, I can't bear the responsibility. My father would beat me to death."

"It's alright, it's alright. Don't you know how powerful this princess is?"

Seeing the girl's boasting, Haven rolled his eyes. That's why he didn't want to bring you along.

Before he could finish speaking, Alice started walking ahead on her own. Helpless, Haven could only shake his head and follow her.

The two crouched and crouched for a while, passing all sorts of corpses along the way—human, magical beast, and even some unidentifiable creatures. As the moonlight shone down, they could clearly see the gruesome scene.

"Hey! There's a moon. Have we come outside?"

Alice looked up at the moon peeking through the hole in the roof, then turned to Havent, who was crouching beside her, and said:

"You forgot, we just went through a portal. I thought his warehouse was built underground, but it turns out it's on the ground."

"Oh, I see. Let's walk a little further then. I can hear the sounds of fighting."

Having already come this far, Haven couldn't say anything more. Besides, they were already outside, and if things got really bad, he still had a random teleportation scroll, so running away wouldn't be a problem. He nodded, signaling Alice to follow him and continue walking forward.

They walked a few dozen meters more. The sounds of fighting grew clearer. The two climbed onto a wooden crate and looked over, discovering that a group of men in black were attacking another group of people.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the half-elf from before was also inside, currently confronting a group of men in black while wielding a battle sword.

From a high vantage point, it was clear that the men in black had a significant numerical advantage, numbering around fifty, while the half-elf group only numbered around twenty, including half women and children.

At this moment, the two groups were facing off at the door. Haven leaned over the wooden crate and looked around before realizing that it was a huge warehouse.

The half-elf seemed to be talking to the leader of the men in black. However, they were a bit far away and couldn't hear clearly. The two climbed onto the box and moved forward a few more meters, gradually making out the conversation between the two groups.

"Who are you, daring to rob the merchant guild? Give up resistance now. I can guarantee that I will only kill you, and I will spare the lives of the others."

The leader of the men in black pointed his knife at the half-elf and said contemptuously. The other men in black slowly dispersed, blocking the entire exit.

"Bah~~~"

The half-elf spat out a mouthful of blood. The two deep, bone-revealing wounds on his chest made him feel dizzy from the pain, and he subconsciously shook his head and said...

"And then you sell them as objects? Impossible. If you want to take them away, you'll have to step over my body."

Just then, a round of applause broke out, and a man in a fuchsia suit walked out, clapping. His short, stocky build was visually comical, and he sported a long mustache, exuding an air of cunning and treacherousness.

“Okay, okay~

"That's ambitious. I was wondering where this Tier 3 warrior came from. He even volunteered to become a medicine man. So he planned to sneak in and rescue these damned guys to be a hero."

tsk tsk~
Let me see. Could your family be among this group?

tsk tsk~
That doesn't seem like it. Could it be that you have a lover?

As he spoke, the short, fat man scrutinized the group, wanting to see how the half-elves would react.

"Look, we don't need to do this at all. I'm just a businessman, and a businessman just wants to open his shop and make money. I don't want things to turn out like this. I personally dislike fighting and bloodshed the most."

How about this? I admire heroes the most. Let's be friends, and you can take the person you need with you.

Come on, make way!

As soon as the short, fat man finished speaking, the crowd of people in black who were surrounding him parted to make way for a passage about one meter wide.

"Please, everyone."

A buzzing sound came from the blocked and surrounded crowd, clearly indicating that some people were tempted to go through.

"Don't move~"

The half-elf held a knife in one hand and stretched out the other to block the crowd.

"He wouldn't be that kind. He just wants us to walk into his trap, without causing too many casualties."

Upon hearing the half-elf's words, the short, fat man's smile froze. He then stared intently at the half-elf before flashing his signature smile again.

"You damned bastard, I've actually come to admire you a little. Give me your name. I'll make sure you die a quick death."

The half-elf took a few deep breaths, knowing that things were unlikely to end well for him today.

"Your opponent is Tata Village, Youwei County, Half Province."
Ansfati Moto Moro

(End of this chapter)