Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Chapter 87

Not long after, Aurelia officially became part of the Grave Guard.

Each member of this select group had mastered the use of aura to perfection, having pushed their capabilities to the limit of what was possible. Although several Aura Masters were among the Duke’s hosts, none possessed the mysticism that characterized the Grave Guard of House Sachsen. Within the Night Raven Knights faction, they operated as the silent custodians of House Sachsen, bound by a strict vow of confidentiality. They wielded their weapons from the shadows, rigorously following the crude “Sachsen mode,” which lacked any kind of morality or noble ideal. They were both supreme combatants and implacable executioners, using their blades without remorse to preserve the fearsome reputation of House Sachsen.

Aurelia joined this corps of “grave guards,” becoming the first of them to be assigned directly to Dale. Through an exclusive mystical pact with Dale and Shub, her spellbook, she pledged absolute fidelity not to the Duke of Sachsen, but to the boy himself, becoming his hidden protector.

Lady Shadow. That became Aurelia’s alias. Nothing remained of the holy maiden who was condemned to hellfire accused of witchcraft in the frozen territories of Saxony, where her former self was reduced to ashes.

For his part, Dale’s training was advancing extremely favorably. Having accessed the fourth circle of magic, he was dedicated to mastering the counter-spells taught by Sepia, while absorbing the teachings of the most formidable dark sorcerer in the entire region, the Black Duke. Because knowledge is infinite, Dale’s lessons under the tutelage of the most prominent instructors continued to bear astonishing fruit.

In that same period, an unexpected guest arrived at the premises of the fortified palace of Saxony. It was a high-ranking commissioner from the Guild City. This city, which in past times inherited the legacy of the Seven City Republics in the southern region, stood as the most developed financial and commercial hub, controlling the monetary wealth of the continent.

“My respects to the Duke of Saxony and to the ‘Black Prince’ of the House of Saxony.”

The envoys from the Guild City showed their respects before the ruler and his descendant, displaying that habitual forced expression typical of merchants. That a delegation from the Guild City would travel to the frozen wastelands of Sachsen anticipated only one possible scenario.

“The reason for my visit to House Sachsen is…”

“The opening of the black market is imminent, am I correct?”

“Hehe, just as expected from your prodigious insight, Excellency.”

That was no conventional bazaar. It was the largest clandestine fair in the region, managed with pride by the Guild City. The black market. An environment forbidden to the common people, which only the few privileged who possessed a formal “invitation” from Guild City could enter.

“The city’s leader deeply regrets not having been able to appear in person before House Sachsen.”

“Spare me the unnecessary courtesies. Get straight to the point.”

The Duke of Saxony intervened with severity, provoking a complicit smile from the envoy.

“It would be an unforgivable lack of respect to leave the prestigious House of Sachsen out of the Black Market’s activities.”

The envoy had appeared with the sole purpose of inviting the members of House Sachsen to the Black Market.

“Has that period arrived once again…?”

The inauguration dates of the Black Market did not follow a fixed pattern. The pieces exhibited there had astronomical costs, prohibitive even for the highest aristocracy, and the fair only opened its doors when enough objects of incalculable value had accumulated. A clandestine enclave reserved for the most influential nobles and magnates in the territory. And, honoring its reputation, any kind of goods were traded in that space: from unique relics rescued from underground crypts by explorers, to unrepeatable pieces obtained by the contacts of the Guild City. Even descendants of noble families who had fallen into disgrace were auctioned off to serve as slaves, or strange specimens that were extremely difficult to behold.

“Furthermore, in this edition of the black market, there will be presented…”

The commissioner of the Guild City continued his speech in a tone charged with mystery.

“A highly peculiar piece that could awaken the interest even of the Duke of Saxony himself.”

“An object capable of capturing my attention, according to you,” the Black Duke inquired with a deep voice from his seat of honor. “Are you in a position to stand by your words?”

“Who would have the audacity to lie to the Duke of Saxony?”

It went without saying the terrifying fame that preceded the Black Duke. Even the “Black Prince” looked like a defenseless infant next to the individual feared as the Black Duke.

“I assure you that you will not be disappointed.”

The envoy of the Guild City extracted a tiny piece of jewelry from his garments. It consisted of a decorative gold piece with the appearance of a skull, which carried a secret protection spell peculiar to the Guild City. An access credential for the Black Market.

“I assume you are aware of the regulations that govern the Black Market.”

The Duke of Saxony opted for silence, to which the commissioner bowed, demonstrating that he did not require any confirmation.

“With your permission, we shall withdraw.”

The messenger performed a silent bow and left the imposing main hall of the ducal palace of Saxony. That seemed like the prelude to a storm in the middle of the calm. The air currents and the swell were beginning to stir with force.

One of the fundamental guidelines of the black market stipulates that the “invited faction” cannot appear directly at the event. Concentrating so many high-caliber aristocrats in a single venue implied an excessive danger. For this reason, the noble who receives the credential designates a “representative” to attend the fair in their place.

The complication lies in the fact that the list of available goods is not disclosed beforehand… The envoy must evaluate with extreme lucidity the requirements of their ruler to decide what to acquire, even when it comes to transactions that would compromise the resources of the wealthiest lineages of the kingdom. To a large extent, this aspect represents the true charm of the Black Market.

Possessing this logic, the individual who possesses the greatest understanding of their lord’s desires usually assumes the role of representative, and when it came to House Sachsen, the person who perfectly interpreted the purposes of the Black Duke was none other than…

“I request that you grant me authorization to travel to the Guild City.”

Dale, the descendant of the Black Duke, Dale of Sachsen.

“… It was something I foresaw.”

In the ruler’s private office, the Black Duke reacted to Dale’s request without a trace of astonishment. The intrepidity and the goals of his son were nothing new to him.

“How much do you know about the black market?”

“It is a space where ‘goods of incalculable value’ move that are impossible to trade openly.”

And Dale, now consolidated as a fourth-circle sorcerer, although he had not yet reached the category of a great mage, possessed the backing of his magic level to protect himself effectively against any opponent, except for the most formidable warriors of the kingdom.

“The Guild City is a highly hostile environment.”

“I have total clarity regarding that matter.”

The Guild City, which formerly went by the name of the Seven Republics and which was now under the rule of the empire, formed a federation of commercial cities governed by seven main groups, which controlled numerous smaller sectors, operating under a system of oligarchic republic. The “City Leader” was the spokesperson appointed by these seven major groups.

During the territorial consolidation conflicts, the various covert operations of the empire would have failed without the backing of the Guild City, which is why Dale, in his previous stage, served as a tracker tasked with unraveling the mysteries of the Guild City. This included the “Court of Shadows,” a clandestine tribunal that not even the City Leader himself nor the most influential corporations dared to confront.

“A territory devoid of laws where money and coercion legitimize any movement.”

That was indeed the case. In the domains of the empire of gold, even taking a human life could be rectified through the delivery of a few coins. To remain safe, it was required to amass a fortune superior to that of one’s rivals or to possess a destructive power that would intimidate them.

“Gold represents absolute power,” just as the directors of the corporations used to state. Therefore, the relevance of the Guild City was unquestionable, especially on the eve of the Black Market. “The Guild City has all the resources that our House Sachsen lacks.”

It meant an ideal conjuncture that they could not let pass.

“By consolidating itself as the commercial and financial hub that not even the empire itself manages to subjugate with ease.”

Covering everything from the most sophisticated economic systems to the production of fabrics, which represents the pillar of daily commerce.

“Viewed another way, it functions as the respiratory system that keeps the entire continent alive.”

House Sachsen had military strength, fortunes, the Black Tower, and an army composed of undead entities. Nevertheless, they also dealt with desert environments and constant dangers. It was not far-fetched to classify them as a caste of military nobles. For that reason, they needed the influence of the Guild City. A financial and commercial structure spread throughout the continent. A strategic resource capable of suffocating the opponent with greater force than the deployment of battalions. On certain occasions, wealth and textile control were more lethal than the edge of swords.

“I deduce that you are pursuing an end that goes beyond the transactions of the black market,” the Black Duke, deciphering Dale’s true intentions, took the floor. “Are you hiding another strategy?”

“My thoughts are oriented perpetually toward the well-being of our House of Saxony,” Dale replied, provoking an approving and silent gesticulation in the Black Duke. It was a habitual interaction between father and son.

The second unalterable guideline of the black market dictated that the envoy who attended the auction was strictly prohibited from revealing their true origin. Fortunately, Dale, at barely twelve years of age, exhibited an exceptional level of maturity for his years in multiple aspects. By employing the magic object known as the “Shadow Cloak” in the form of dark clothing and covering his face with the hood, it was extremely simple for him to pass as just any wanderer.

With this traveler’s attire covered by the dark tunic, he began his journey toward the Guild City. He did not have the protection of the knight order of the Saxon lineage, also dispensing with Sepia. However, this did not mean that he marched devoid of protection. Evaluating the maneuvers he intended to execute in the Guild City, on this occasion, he did not require companions who could hinder his march. As a sorcerer who had obtained the extraordinary status of the fourth circle, he felt secure.

“At last, the opportunity presents itself to use the spell Dispel Magic in a practical way in the real world.”

Freed at last from the surveillance of his protectors, he had the necessary autonomy to advance toward his individual goals. Officially, the Guild City is managed by the seven main corporations. However, in parallel to these committees that manage the regulations and management, another entity coexists that retains the authentic command of the city. Those in charge of executing the real order in the Guild City. The “Court of Shadows.”

And before dealing with them, there was the Black Market that would soon begin its activities in the Guild City. What kind of merchandise would possess the value sufficient to attract the attention of the Black Sphere? It would be a journey of great length, but the results would fully justify the trip. Dale raised his gaze and pulled firmly on the reins of his mount. The solar rays were falling with force everywhere, nevertheless, the dark silhouette that formed under his black garment was becoming exceptionally dense.

Chapter 87