Chapter 103

Chapter 103

Chapter 103

At the edges of Guild City, the nocturnal ocean shimmered under the faint starlight, while the surf gently struck the coastline.

That site corresponded to the coastal town of Cambio, recognized as the most colossal mercantile epicenter in the entire empire, settled in the southern waters of the continental landmass.

Art of the Change.

This powerful group, in charge of monetary and financial control, housed the so-called “City Master,” an individual who controlled the seven metropolises along with their respective guilds. Beneath the facade of this city, the darkest ambitions were intertwined in the depths.

The Parade of Beasts.

It was not in a figurative sense, but a real congregation of individuals hidden behind costumes of porcine, avian, equine, and bovine creatures. Emulating a carnival festivity, they wore highly sophisticated masks and rejoiced in an opulent celebration that competed directly with the splendor of the imperial court itself.

Dale was part of that scenario.

He protected his face with a white piece that evoked the Phantom of the Opera, also wearing dark attire that resembled a black-toned tunic in order to safeguard his anonymity.

That was the day the largest illegal trade in the region opened its doors.

Walking among that crowd disguised as creatures, Dale looked away.

Living up to its reputation, that clandestine site exhibited an overflowing amount of merchandise.

Similar to the glass counters of the most exclusive establishments.

They were pieces whose value did not reach a high-category bid, but they were ideal for fueling undercover trade. Everything was displayed, from living creatures to exotic relics that various explorers had extracted from the labyrinths by risking their own lives. Riches that would exceed the entire net worth of a low-ranking aristocrat were treated in this place as simple trinkets.

An authentic territory of financial combat where even the most influential aristocrats of the kingdom did not dare to enter without risking their own capital.

“Respectable attendees…”

An individual spoke.

“And distinguished puppets of high society.”

His lips drew an arched gesture that emulated a crescent moon.

He was dressed in the mask of the “Man Who Laughs.”

That subject was one of the seven guild leaders, acting in representation of the remaining six guilds and the seven cities.

“Welcome to the greatest jewel of our guild metropolis, the ‘Black Market’.”

The pinnacle of the urban structure was present. The supreme leader was finally showing his face.

“We will begin the offers starting from three dark currencies.”

“I offer four.”

“I raise it to five.”

“They offer seven!”

“Excellent, we have seven, seven currencies on the table!”

The City Master exclaimed with joy, while his gesture curved into that peculiar crescent moon grimace behind the protection of the “Man Who Laughs.”

Being the most imposing smuggling space on the continent, the mentioned amounts could be perceived as ridiculously low. However, each of the currencies delivered possessed a value equivalent to an immense fortune.

Seen in a certain way, it held great similarity to the betting elements in a gambling hall.

The objects were presented, a cost was set for them, and possession was awarded. There was no more mystery.

An item was handed over and the subsequent one was immediately displayed. The attendees participated with great fervor using their tokens, and the following piece was obtained by whoever put seven of these currencies on the table.

None of those objects managed to capture Dale’s attention.

The evening was just beginning.

Feeling the presence of the “hundreds of black tokens” guarded among the folds of his clothing, he chose to turn around.

Moving away from the royal guards who lurked in the shadows, he blended in inadvertently among the crowd disguised as animal beings.

“One hundred.”

The word of an attendee caused an absolute silence to cover the enclosure. The applause coming from the leader of the city broke the stillness.

“A formidable determination.”

The number of authorized bidders was decreasing with great speed.

After making their offers with the corresponding currencies, they proceeded to settle the amounts through the “Change Guild” branches that operated throughout the length and breadth of the continental territory.

Collection documents.

In other words, the belongings were not delivered at that precise moment, but once the monetary transaction was fully ratified. The city of the guilds possessed enough cunning not to congregate relics and fortunes of such caliber in a single location.

Upon running out of available tokens, the emissaries of the aristocracy began to leave the establishment gradually. However, certain individuals remained completely static.

Leading the group was the “Black Prince” belonging to the Sachsen lineage, escorted by the emissary of the Ray Yuris kingdom, along with Mikhail, the Duke of Lancaster, in addition to other subjects whose features were hidden behind various masks.

Despite the constant parade of precious objects, the group of attendees was progressively reduced and no element managed to awaken the ambition of Dale or the Black Duke.

Did they intend to save their best options for the ending? That lacked relevance. Experiencing a painful sting, Dale extended his dark artificial limb while he reflected.

“The moment has arrived.”

Just at that instant, the City Master continued his intervention, using a tone charged with mysticism and in a low voice.

The closing piece.

“…!”

Dale’s countenance, and in reality, the face of each of those present, became rigid due to astonishment.

At that same instant.

The nocturnal ocean manifested strong swells under an intense gloom. Distancing themselves from the overwhelming silence, multiple ships furrowed the waters until they approached the shore. Various silhouettes moved with extreme agility.

In the defensive structures of the coastal city of Cambio, the hooks used for sieges were secured silently. The dark figures climbed rapidly up the stone structures.

Zip!

A blade descended violently upon a sentinel who was in one of the surveillance positions.

“Gah, urgh…!”

The vital liquid emanated with force from the wounded throat, interrupting any attempt to emit an intelligible voice. The guards destined for the protection of that tower perished without the slightest opportunity to defend themselves.

Moments later.

Beyond the horizon line submerged in total darkness, monumental silhouettes began to be outlined one after another. The front structures of the ships cut through the water, exhibiting their imposing volume while the night wind inflated their canvases.

On those canvases, the insignia of a cranial bone mounted on two crossed bone remains could be distinguished clearly.

The Jolly Roger.

On this plane, the mentioned emblem possessed a unique interpretation. It corresponded to the heraldry of the Barbarossa lineage, considered one of the “Three Great Ducal Houses” of the nation, sharing status with the Sachsen and Lancaster lineages.

Absolute masters of the islands that made up the Sea of Death, possessors of the control of an unbeatable armada.

Clank!

The vessels extended their moorings and the heavy iron structures descended to the seabed. That portentous maritime squadron was under the direct command of the “Drowned Duke,” Francisco Barbarossa.

Like mystical creatures emerging from the bottom of the sea, the silent armada reduced its speed until it remained static next to the coast.

However, there was no sentinel left alive to give notice of the arrival or to light the warning signals.

“City Master!”

A boisterous exclamation interrupted the stillness of the clandestine trade, a site that supposedly enjoyed impregnable security. A fighter, visibly altered by the surprise, entered the enclosure hurriedly and addressed the leader of the city and the guild executives with vehemence.

“The armada belonging to the Drowned Duke Barbarossa is carrying out a deployment in the vicinity of the city!”

“…”

Perpetrating an assault against the black market constituted an action of immeasurable gravity that no one could overlook.

That not only implied becoming enemies directly with Guild City. It meant standing up to the royal dynasty, the sovereign, the Red Tower that acted as a pillar of the nation, the two ducal lineages, and a considerable amount of the high aristocracy.

It represented, literally, turning against the entire known environment.

Despite this, none of those present at the clandestine auction allowed themselves to be disturbed by the news.

Neither the seven leaders of the guilds, nor the emissaries who were in the place.

“Therefore, under what amount will we set the beginning of the bid for this piece?”

The leader of the city asked.

Without showing the slightest hesitation, he fixed his gaze steadily on Dale.

The assertion that the guild city was guarding an object highly coveted by the Black Duke turned out to be completely true.

What is more, it was not limited only to the Black Duke. Was there perhaps anyone in the kingdom who did not covet such an article? There was no room to lament for the limb he had lost in the combat enclosure. Even if he had to do without that arm permanently, such a situation would not alter the current facts.

“It is impossible for me to calculate an approximate price for this.”

“…What are your pretensions?”

Finally, after a prolonged pause, Dale pronounced a word.

“How did it fall into your hands?”

Immediately after, he threw the facial protection inspired by The Phantom of the Opera to the floor.

“Reserved information of the office.”

The urban leader outlined a malicious grimace behind the protection of the “Man Who Laughs.”

“What is the reason for not keeping it yourself instead of making it available to us?”

“Because it lacks utility for me.”

The leader of the city replied.

“Preserving it does not bring me any benefit.”

“Do you consider that clears up my doubt?”

“Allow me then to pose it in another way.”

The leader continued.

“What relevance would it have if it remained under the custody of our Guild City?”

Showing an attitude of bewilderment.

“With Dale coercing the leader of Calimala to assume dominion over the Court of Shadows… Ray pressing the leader of Lana and Mikhail adding Santiago to his ranks…”

“…!”

Listing precisely the conspiracies that were taking shape in Guild City.

The six guild leaders found themselves unable to hide their astonishment, and even Dale himself lost his imperturbable expression upon hearing the direct mention of the Court of Shadows.

“Damn it.”

Neither the leader Baro himself nor the individuals with bird masks who guarded the clandestine enclosure could contain their agitation.

“What real impact does this have on the future of a city whose pacts dissolve when it becomes the stage of dispute for the most powerful?”

At that precise instant, it happened.

Boom!

At the main entrance of the black market, a space that required total confidentiality, a great uproar broke out. At the front of the defense stood leader Baro, accompanied by the most prominent fighters of the “Court of Shadows,” who brandished their combat tools.

They represented the most renowned guards in the city, with the specific task of watching over the integrity of the illegal trade attended by the most exclusive personalities of the Kingdom.

The echo of footsteps was perceived in the distance.

“I ask you not to get agitated, there is no reason for fear.”

A phrase resonated to the rhythm of the steps that shortened the distance.

“Under no circumstances would I commit the imprudence of handing ‘that’ over to the forces of the Kingdom.”

The City Master continued with his speech.

“From the beginning, there were only two individuals with sufficient merits to claim this element.”

Two subjects.

“Jaxen and Lancaster.”

He alluded to two of the three main ducal figures of the nation.

“And I maintain the certainty that Prince Dale gathers the best conditions to be the possessor of this article.”

“……”

“After observing your performance in the combat field, I finally dispelled my doubts.”

“What is it that you have corroborated?”

“That you possess a unique genius, being cataloged as the most dazzling talent in the nation both in the arts of the sword and in mystical disciplines.”

The leader of the city declared.

“Added to this, in the face of highly adverse scenarios, you demonstrate the courage and sharpness necessary to decipher the intentions of others and face previously evaluated dangers.”

“……”

“Prince Dale, you possess the ‘aptitudes’.”

“To what kind of aptitudes are you referring?”

“The indispensable conditions to exercise dominion over this environment.”

“…!”

From its conception, this event was never planned as a traditional auction. It was an evaluation.

A test designed to verify who possessed the right to obtain it through triumph in the combat space.

To identify the one who would rise to victory over the most gifted prodigies of the Kingdom.

“The balance of forces that supports the nation will suffer an alteration, the structures will collapse and profound transformations will occur.”

Despite everything, a question remained suspended in the air. What was the final purpose of the City Master?

The footsteps were closer and closer.

Bang!

Finally, the reinforced gate of the clandestine enclosure broke into pieces, exposing a subject.

An individual who presented the unkempt appearance of a drenched rodent.

As soon as one of the highest-ranking executors belonging to the “Court of Shadows” spotted him, he launched an attack, modifying the posture of his blade.

“Fool, stop your advance immediately!”

Simultaneously, leader Baro let out a cry charged with consternation.

The executor’s advance was interrupted abruptly, remaining rigid in his position.

A creak similar to the boiling of a dense liquid propagated through the space.

The fighter, who should have attacked the intruder, found himself trapped without the possibility of making the slightest movement.

“Gah, gah… gah!”

At the same time, he began to experience a sensation of sinking, just as if he were submerged in a mass of water, struggling in the suspended space. The marble surface under his feet gave the impression of transforming into the ocean itself.

“Next, I will proceed to exhibit the article before you.”

Protected by the “Smiling Man” mask behind his back, the leader of the city took the floor.

Before the attentive gaze of Jaxen, Lancaster, and Barbarossa.

“One of the three great dukes of the nation, the Drowned Duke Francisco Barbarossa.”

“……”

“We will begin the offers starting from one dark currency along with the chest that guards the vital organ of the Drowned Duke.”

The chest that guards the heart of the Drowned Duke.

A mystical tale from the time when Barbarossa was identified as the Pirate Duke, an individual who made a pact with a demonic entity from the deep seas to achieve eternity, hiding his vital organ inside an obsidian container in the deepest part of the sea.

And the event that the Drowned Duke himself had mobilized his entire armada to this specific point.

That event constituted in itself the irrefutable testimony of the statements made by the City Master.

In other words, the last piece subjected to bidding in the illegal trade represented a single reality.

Whoever managed to adjudicate it would take absolute control over the existence of one of the three maximum ducal figures of the Kingdom… the Drowned Duke.

Chapter 103