{"ops":[{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"IÔÇÖm dead, IÔÇÖm dead, IÔÇÖm dead!"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Pem hasnÔÇÖt said anything yet, but sheÔÇÖs going to reveal everything any moment now."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£What about him, master?ÔÇØ Pem asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"What? What the hell is going on?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£HeÔÇÖs suspicious. Even now, heÔÇÖs the one with the most fear in this entire plaza,ÔÇØ Bazaleon says. ÔÇ£The same one from yesterday.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Ehehe! Yeah, heÔÇÖs a scared little Human, isnÔÇÖt he?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Examine him. If thereÔÇÖs anyone who can untangle the scents from the sweater, itÔÇÖs you.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Okay, IÔÇÖll try.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I have no idea what to make of this situation. Is this the same Pem that I met yesterday? That idiot? Even Bazaleon mentioned the sweater that Pem shouldÔÇÖve retrieved. She should know everything. Including the fact that IÔÇÖm the one Bazaleon is looking for, but sheÔÇÖs not saying anything. Did she forget it all happened? SheÔÇÖs the one who said she wouldnÔÇÖt forget me."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£DonÔÇÖt move, brat,ÔÇØ Bazaleon says as Pem approaches me."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"She has my scent memorized, so this is pointless. WhatÔÇÖs her game? ItÔÇÖs clear that sheÔÇÖs covering for me, but why? I canÔÇÖt even begin to imagine her motives. To start with, she exaggerated what happened between us. She told Bazaleon a man forced her to strip. ItÔÇÖs like sheÔÇÖs purposely incurring his anger."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Pem remains silent while sniffing me for several seconds, and then backs off. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm sorry, master. I canÔÇÖt pick up anything.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Bazaleon answers, ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs fine. WeÔÇÖll know soon enough if heÔÇÖs the one.ÔÇØ "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"How can she spew all these lies, but Bazaleon doesnÔÇÖt know a thing? Maybe sheÔÇÖs more formidable than what I initially gave her credit for. SheÔÇÖs not the empty-headed rat girl that she led me to believe. Or it means that the Xog canÔÇÖt detect lies from each other somehow. I find it hard to believe that someone as na├»ve as Pem is capable of deceiving anybody else, let alone Bazaleon, while totally composed."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Sir Bazaleon,ÔÇØ Captain Albius says as he walks toward us. He drags a man by the arm with him.┬áÔÇ£IÔÇÖve found the one youÔÇÖre lookinÔÇÖ for.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Captain Albius shoves the man forward. His chest is bare with the diagonal scar across it."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£"},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"Ah!"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇØ Pem interjects and points at the man. ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs him! ThatÔÇÖs the man who wanted to copulate with me and forced me to strip!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£"},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"What?!"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇØ Bazaleon exclaims and then grabs the man by the shoulder. His huge paw-like hand effortlessly covers the entire girth of the manÔÇÖs arm. He lifts him up into the air. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The man shrieks as his bones crackle. He struggles to break free of BazaleonÔÇÖs grasp, but itÔÇÖs futile. I gulp. That couldÔÇÖve been me if Pem told the truth."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Some "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"trash "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"like "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"you"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":" had the nerve to "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"violate "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"my pupil?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£No, that wasnÔÇÖt me! "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"Ahhh!"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Calling my pupil a liar?!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£No! "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"Argh!"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":" I didnÔÇÖt say that!ÔÇØ the man exclaims and continues to scream."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Master, you canÔÇÖt kill him yet,ÔÇØ Pem says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Bazaleon drops the man and says, ÔÇ£True. He canÔÇÖt be let off that easily for the two grave sins heÔÇÖs committed against us. HeÔÇÖll receive a punishment twice as harsh.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Are you satisfied, Sir Bazaleon?ÔÇØ Captain Albius asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yes. Many thanks for cooperating.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£No problem, Sir Bazaleon. What about the inspection?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£ThereÔÇÖs no need to continue since it turns out the two men weÔÇÖre looking for is one man. The soldiers here are witness to Pem testifying that this man violated her. Inform your leader that IÔÇÖll hold up my end of the deal,ÔÇØ Bazaleon says. ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖll be back before the agreed meeting time.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Very well,ÔÇØ Captain Albius answers."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Bazaleon picks up the man and rests him across his shoulders. He walks away and says, ÔÇ£LetÔÇÖs go, Pem.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Pem glances at me and smiles before following Bazaleon."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"She has one hell of a master. IÔÇÖm surprised someone as ferocious as Bazaleon would take someone like Pem for a pupil. ItÔÇÖs counterintuitive with their lion and rat relationship. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"And I canÔÇÖt believe Bazaleon would accept the first suspect he discovers with the crucial feature across the chest. Certainly, with this many people around, there could be multiple people that fit the requirement. This is what Captain Albius meant by luck. That he would accept the first one found as the culprit."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"What about the two Feloidians I met? He definitely has contact with them; otherwise, thereÔÇÖd be no way that they know about me in the first place. Those two should remember my scent, but he didnÔÇÖt bring them to the inspection."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Bazaleon had Pem examine me during the inspection. He didnÔÇÖt do it himself because PemÔÇÖs sense of smell is better. ItÔÇÖs not that he has "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"bad "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"smelling abilities either. The ability to smell fear is already shocking. Then whatÔÇÖs the next level up from that unique to Pem?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Either way, I have to hope that the two Felodians have at best BazaleonÔÇÖs sense of smell. HeÔÇÖs obviously going to be bringing that man to them in the Xog district as one final check he has the right person."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Everyone, stand by,ÔÇØ Captain Albius says as he walks across our line. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm goinÔÇÖ to report to General Nero.ÔÇØ "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I sigh. ThereÔÇÖs no inspection, but we canÔÇÖt leave yet. I suppose it would be a bit chaotic if everyone were to move at once. We still need to escort the ministers to the Grand Hall. ItÔÇÖs so close, yet so far. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"With the other kingdoms here too, it canÔÇÖt be that they were here for the inspection. It was going to immediately transition into the event, so we probably will move forward ahead of time. That would be nice because it would push our plans ahead too and arrive earlier."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Jetia snickers. HeÔÇÖs never going to let me live it down. Everyone mustÔÇÖve heard Bazaleon and PemÔÇÖs remarks against me. Better humiliation than death. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"HowÔÇÖs AishaÔÇÖs team holding up? Hopefully, their batch of ministers isnÔÇÖt making a big deal of her absence. If their leader is missing, the higher-ups should be sniffing around if they found out. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ThatÔÇÖs the last thing that needs to happen because then they would probably be on lockdown to find out where Aisha went. The only way they could avoid that is by throwing Aisha under the bus, which may be the sole option available. I donÔÇÖt care how they do it as long as it doesnÔÇÖt affect our plans."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"With so many people here, itÔÇÖs hard to tell whoÔÇÖs who. We donÔÇÖt so much as know if the Neomeris government were able to find any snake earring bandits disguising themselves as Drosera soldiers in the past few weeks. At this point, they couldÔÇÖve camouflaged themselves as another kingdom. They could be here this very moment, and we wouldnÔÇÖt know."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The whole Floyd experience taught me that I canÔÇÖt trust anyone. Not because the snake earring group could be anyone, but people with motives outside of my best interests. Who knows what theyÔÇÖre really planning. I wonÔÇÖt be fooled again. ThatÔÇÖs why I have to be careful with Pem. It could be all part of a ploy or part of some plan to gain my trust for something bigger."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Eventually, the line in front starts to move. Captain Albius comes back and informs us that we will be bringing the ministers to the entrance of the Grand Hall in an orderly fashion. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"We are to be ready to escort them back two hours before dusk. A few of us should be stationed outside at all times for safety measures. IÔÇÖll leave that to the ones not participating in our plans. Jetia will accept that with no issues."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"After escorting the ministers to the building, we regroup at the Icy Tavern. Irwin and Deniz take a little longer because they have to get the pass again."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"We go on ahead to the entrance of the underground city. There must be a lot of people attending the auction because we arenÔÇÖt the only ones going down the hatch. A person is ahead of us, so we keep our distance. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"IÔÇÖd expect more people pouring in here since the auction should be starting soon. There must be a more popular entrance we donÔÇÖt know about but still hidden."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The big door to the underground city remains open at the bottom with a surplus of stationed guards. We show them our passes as we move along. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Our first stop is the Casino because Ada and her team want to check if Aisha is back. We arrive, but the place is locked, and no one is answering. We arenÔÇÖt getting any answers."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I wouldnÔÇÖt expect Floyd to be here after his apparent interest in the auction starting soon. We might run into him there, and then ask him whatÔÇÖs up with Aisha."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Ada doesnÔÇÖt make too much of a fuss, and HinaÔÇÖs team lead us to the mask shop."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Surprisingly, it isnÔÇÖt too crowded. There is an assortment of masks with over a hundred different designs. Most of them have a white base. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Yesterday during the game against Floyd, he made it seem like he was one of the masked men because he knew that the masks were white; nevertheless, it was just a guess. Hina was right. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Darling, what do you think about this one?ÔÇØ Hina asks. SheÔÇÖs wearing a rat mask. The entirety of it is the face of a rodent. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"SheÔÇÖs never going to stop making references. I sigh before answering, ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs perfect for you.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£No way!ÔÇØ Ada suddenly exclaims."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"What happened? SheÔÇÖs pointing at something."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I drop my jaws. ItÔÇÖs a white mask with a black snake on it. The tail is next to the mouth, curls around the cheek, and the head is situated on the bottom of the forehead with the tongue sticking out. ThereÔÇÖs no doubt about it. This is what the masked men wore."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£WhaÔÇÖ be wrong, dear customers?ÔÇØ a Dwarf asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Nothing,ÔÇØ I respond, not wanting to cause a scene. Having found the masks here, it makes me inclined to believe that the masked men "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"are "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"here. We donÔÇÖt want any attention drawn to us because of our interest in this mask."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Ada takes one of the snake masks and then holds it in front of the Dwarf. ÔÇ£Have you seen anyone with this?!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Ay couÔÇÖ have seen a few people, yeah.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Where?! Where are they now? How long ago was this?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Calm yer tits. Hoo be Ay supposed ter knoo de answer ter all deez questions? Ye be interested in purchasinÔÇÖ dis mask er nae?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"This girl doesnÔÇÖt have any discretion. Without Aisha around to keep her restrained, she is a liability. Someone needs to make sure she doesnÔÇÖt screw us over. Clearly, Aisha was the one holding this team together."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Sir,ÔÇØ I say, stepping in front of Ada before she has a chance to reply. ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre interested in buying other masks, but we were just wondering... Do you remember selling this mask to any Humans recently?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Ay dun knoo. Maybe. Maybe nae.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I take out my pouch of coins, shaking the contents in front of him. Money never fails to be a persuasive incentive. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£HmmÔǪ OiÔÇÖm startinÔÇÖ ter remember somedin. Dare been a strange lad who bought a bulk oÔÇÖ deez masks a year ago. NodinÔÇÖ sinÔÇÖ den.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Were they wearing snake earrings?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Ay dun dink so. OiÔÇÖm guin ter need ya ter buy somedinÔÇÖ nigh.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Okay, ummmÔǪÔÇØ I interject and look around. We should all buy the same disguise, so itÔÇÖll be easier to identify each other. And definitely not the same one that "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"they "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"use. Hina already has a mask picked out, so itÔÇÖll be easier to use that one, much to my dismay. At least we wonÔÇÖt confuse one of us for a stranger. No one else would be willing to put those over their faces. Reluctantly, I take it from her and continue, ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖll take twelve of these.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Dat will be one gold anÔÇÖ sixty silver.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£One gold and sixty silver?!ÔÇØ I exclaim. ThatÔÇÖs a total scam I canÔÇÖt afford."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Dat guin ter be a problem? Ten silver each fer de masks anÔÇÖ forty fer yer question.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ItÔÇÖs either pay him, or we canÔÇÖt go into the auction. I doubt thereÔÇÖs going to be another place to buy these masks, and if there were, it wouldnÔÇÖt be any cheaper. All these merchants are taking advantage of the Inteiru Expota."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I hand him my pouch and respond, ÔÇ£This is one gold and fifteen silver.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£HereÔÇÖs a gold coin,ÔÇØ Hina says and hands him the coin."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Ay will be back wiff yer change,ÔÇØ he says and walks away."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£You shouldÔÇÖve pushed for more information,ÔÇØ Ada says, glaring. ÔÇ£Forty silver coins for nothing.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Hey, if I didnÔÇÖt interrupt you, you wouldÔÇÖve gotten us all kicked out. Anyone couldÔÇÖve seen his patience was running thin,ÔÇØ I reply quietly."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£To top it all off, you couldnÔÇÖt keep your rat fetish in check.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£It doesnÔÇÖt matter what mask we go with. As long as we have the same one,ÔÇØ Hina says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Says the one who picked out the mask. Kai shouldÔÇÖve picked "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"this "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"instead to blend in with them,ÔÇØ Ada says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£That wouldÔÇÖve been a terrible idea,ÔÇØ I say."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Well, I donÔÇÖt think so. We shouldÔÇÖve voted on it,ÔÇØ Ada says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Deniz puts a hand on her shoulder and says, ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs done. LetÔÇÖs move on.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Fine.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The Dwarf comes back and gives me what he owes me. Each of us takes a duplicate of the rat mask."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Our next stop is the marketplace. Before that, we have a much-needed team meeting to review our next step. We talked through a few scenarios last night but only about the general actions we would take. I need to make sure Ada and everyone else has their emotions and priorities in check."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Since we didnÔÇÖt find Aisha at the Casino, she might be somewhere in the bazaar or the auction. We donÔÇÖt know, but if we do see her, we canÔÇÖt make a scene about it. The auction is the worst place to cause trouble, and it could endanger all of our lives. I make Ada promise she wonÔÇÖt do anything rash no matter what happens."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Floyd is a sketchy character, but from what he said, Aisha would return alive. I believe that, though, I donÔÇÖt need a vivid imagination to know what she would be going through. Everyone is aware of this, and we canÔÇÖt help her with any of it. SheÔÇÖs in this situation because we donÔÇÖt have enough money to pay off her debts."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"So, despite that she is openly humiliated, we wonÔÇÖt do a thing. Finding leads on the masked men and snake earring group is our main priority. ThatÔÇÖs what Aisha would want too."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"After a short discussion, we put on our masks and head into the marketplace in pairs. Covers more ground during the limited time we have. We will meet back at the entrance after exploring a bit."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Nearly everyone here has their masks on. From what I can tell, most of these people are probably Humans based on their height. It would be easy to know if someone was an Elf or Xog because masks canÔÇÖt hide their unique features."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I wish I had more money. Some of these items look interesting. Things that must be rare because IÔÇÖve never seen before. Though there are some everyday things that I could buy anywhere too. Your usual stock of Mana Crystals, Affinity Crystals, and low tiered weapons and armor."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Oh. And then there are girls with their tits hanging out. TheyÔÇÖre cute, but the thing on their necks is more interesting. I know IÔÇÖve seen that before. If IÔÇÖm not wrong, thatÔÇÖs the same metal collar I saw "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"that "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"day when sheÔǪ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Hina pulls my ear and says, ÔÇ£DonÔÇÖt get distracted.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I turn toward her and answer, ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm focused. ItÔÇÖs justÔÇöÔÇ£"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Someone suddenly pulls me the other way. I interject, ÔÇ£WhatÔÇöÔÇ£"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I cut myself short as the bare back of a purple-haired girl comes into view. Aisha?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"She drags me into a large tent. As the flaps of the entrance glide over my mask, she turns around, confirming that itÔÇÖs her. She has quite a rack. Way bigger than HinaÔÇÖs and MarinÔÇÖs for sure."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Hina enters the tent, not long after me. ÔÇ£Aisha?ÔÇ£"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yeah. Sorry to drag you in so suddenly,ÔÇØ Aisha says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£HowÔÇÖd you know it was us?ÔÇØ Hina asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Hard to confuse the blue pigtails and red waist cape with anyone else.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Fair,ÔÇØ Hina answers."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£What do the others know?ÔÇØ Aisha asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Floyd took another interest in you and was offerinÔÇÖ a new deal to settle the twenty gold coin debt. You didnÔÇÖt hesitate to agree before he changed his mind.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£I seeÔǪÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Hina squeezes my hand and asks, ÔÇ£How long are you goinÔÇÖ to stare, Darling?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£I wasnÔÇÖtÔÇöwhere else am I supposed to look?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£"},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"TheyÔÇÖre "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"here,ÔÇØ Aisha says suddenly."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£What?ÔÇØ both Hina and I interject simultaneously."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Which one?ÔÇØ I ask."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£The snake earring group.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Where?ÔÇØ I ask. I have so many questions."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£"},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"Here. "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"They told me to stay here five minutes ago. I donÔÇÖt know when theyÔÇÖre returning.ÔÇØ "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£WaitÔǪthey told "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"you "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"to stay put?ÔÇØ I ask. That would mean that she had direct contact with them as a client. Here. Right on top of that dirty mattress?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£They appeared a few hours after you left yesterday. I donÔÇÖt know if it was lucky or unluckyÔǪbut I caught their interest.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£They bought you? Hina asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yes. Two days for seventy gold coins.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ThatÔÇÖs a lot of gold. Exactly enough to pay off her debt with Floyd, but who would be willing to pay that price for one girl? I donÔÇÖt know the usual price for this sort of thing, but thatÔÇÖs outrageous. Floyd said to be careful. It makes me uneasy if this is related to that."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm sorry, Aisha... ThatÔÇÖsÔǪ After they come back, theyÔÇÖll be resuminÔÇÖ their activities with you. I wish we could help,ÔÇØ Hina says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Oh, no. They havenÔÇÖt done anything to me yet.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Why?ÔÇØ I ask. ÔÇ£WhatÔÇÖs the point if theyÔÇÿre not getting the best bang for their buck?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Aisha doesnÔÇÖt answer. What I said mightÔÇÖve been insensitive. I continue, ÔÇ£I mean. ItÔÇÖs good that they havenÔÇÖt, but seventy gold coins is a lot.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£TheyÔÇÖre going to bring me to a different location first,ÔÇØ Aisha says."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I widen my eyes. ÔÇ£You meanÔǪlike their hideout?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yes, I think so,ÔÇØ Aisha says, shivering. ÔÇ£They said they were going to have a "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"marathon "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"with me.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£We wonÔÇÖt let that happen. WeÔÇÖll save you before they do anythinÔÇÖ.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£I was hoping you would say that, but I canÔÇÖt come with you now. They didnÔÇÖt put restraints on me because they know that I canÔÇÖt run. Not until the deal with Floyd is fulfilled. Otherwise, theyÔÇÖll go after my family.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£So, we follow them back to their base and then save you,ÔÇØ I say. ÔÇ£They canÔÇÖt complain if theyÔÇÖre dead. FloydÔÇÖs already received his payment.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yes, but I donÔÇÖt expect you to barge in at that moment. ItÔÇÖs too dangerous.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£What do you expect us to do then? Go back for reinforcements?ÔÇØ Hina asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£That would be safest.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£By that time, youÔÇÖll beÔǪÔÇØ Hina mutters."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£IÔÇÖll live.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I say, ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs not gonna work. The snake earring group isnÔÇÖt important enough to be on anyoneÔÇÖs radar during the Inteiru Expota. They wouldnÔÇÖt be willing to sacrifice defenses at Syrina for the raid. WeÔÇÖll be under General NeroÔÇÖs scrutiny too because heÔÇÖll find out that we disobeyed orders. So, even if we got reinforcements, the only way it would be worthwhile is if we found evidence linking this bandit group to the masked men. If we wanted to avoid danger, we wouldnÔÇÖt be here, now would we?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£DarlingÔÇÖs right. We signed up for this knowinÔÇÖ the dangers, so we wonÔÇÖt leave you in there.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Thank you.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£DonÔÇÖt thank us yet. We still need to figure out how to tail them without getting caught.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£IÔÇÖll trust the specifics to you. You live up to your reputation.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£What? No, IÔÇÖm not trying to make a move on you.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Your "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"Academy "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"reputation.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£OhÔǪÔÇØ I interject. ThatÔÇÖs a little awkward. Considering my current reputation and the coupleÔÇÖs fight Aisha witnessed yesterday. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"A short silence follows before Hina says, ÔÇ£Well, we should gather the others.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Good call. One of us should stay here to keep watch,ÔÇØ I say."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs more appropriate if I take that role,ÔÇØ Hina says. ÔÇ£You get the others.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm not sure thatÔÇÖs a good idea. What if the snake earring guys come back while youÔÇÖre still here? You have no good excuse for being in a tent with Aisha.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£And you do?ÔÇØ Hina asks, but then curls her lips inward and shakes her head, apparently answering her own question. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖll watch from a distance.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yeah. YouÔÇÖll only be the only girl with flashy blue pigtails wearing a laughable rat mask conspicuously standing there in a fast-moving market.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Darling, if you really want to be the one to stay, you can. I know the real reason why youÔÇÖre insistinÔÇÖ on stayinÔÇÖ.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Oh, noÔǪ Nothing good ever follows this. SheÔÇÖs got that look in her eyes."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"She holds a hand to her chest. ÔÇ£I know IÔÇÖm lackinÔÇÖ in this department, and it makes me insecure because weÔÇÖre not doinÔÇÖ so good. As long as you donÔÇÖt break up with me, okay? Do whatever you want.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"She turns around and leaves the tent without another word, leaving me in this awkward position. Damn you, Hina. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Aisha doesnÔÇÖt cover herself in any way despite what she witnessed. She asks, ÔÇ£How much money do you have?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Fifty-five silver coins.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Good. So, you "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"will "},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"have that excuse. ThatÔÇÖs around the price for the working girls around here,ÔÇØ Aisha says and then looks straight at me. ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm tired of not having any choice in these matters, so IÔÇÖm going to make one of my own before itÔÇÖs too late. I wonÔÇÖt tell anyone if you play along.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I scream inside my head. I donÔÇÖt know how to respond. Why would Aisha ask me to do that after everything thatÔÇÖs happened? Obviously, a quick refusal would be my preferred answer, but it wouldnÔÇÖt look good considering recent events. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"For all Aisha knows, IÔÇÖm a scumbag who only lusts after HinaÔÇÖs body. If IÔÇÖm suddenly out of character, sheÔÇÖll be suspicious of what happened yesterday. And one realization might lead to another, which could reveal that the whole thing is a sham."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I canÔÇÖt believe I would ever think this, but I hope those snake earring guys interrupt us. These are dangerous waters. Stalling for time is my only option now."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Luckily IÔÇÖm wearing a mask because I canÔÇÖt keep a straight face. ÔÇ£I do, butÔǪthereÔÇÖs not enough time to do much. If Ada catches us duringÔǪwellÔǪour activities. ItÔÇÖs not gonna be good. Not to mention, it would be awkward if those snake earring guys come back too.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Hina wonÔÇÖt be coming back for a while. I can tell you that much. ItÔÇÖll take a while to gather everyone. If the snake earring men come back, itÔÇÖll be stranger if you werenÔÇÖt doing anything to me. ThatÔÇÖs why youÔÇÖre here, and HinaÔÇÖs out there, right?ÔÇØ she asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Right,ÔÇØ I answer promptly."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"She lies flat on the mattress, putting her hands above her head."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I would be lying to myself if I said it doesnÔÇÖt excite me. Any guy would be right now."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Aisha quirks an eyebrow as I climb on top of her. She asks, ÔÇ£Do you usually do this with all your equipment on?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£No, but IÔÇÖm usually not forced to keep a mask on. IÔÇÖll take it off once IÔÇÖm ready,ÔÇØ I say. I slowly reach for her breast, still ambivalent about everything."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I gulp. This will be my first experience with large breasts. Something IÔÇÖve been curious about, although never having the opportunity. I never thought it would be like this."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Her face flinches a little as I give it a squeeze. The softness is incredible. ItÔÇÖs like a sponge. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"But, an uneasiness lurks within me. Like IÔÇÖve felt this sensation before, but thatÔÇÖs impossible. Yet, IÔÇÖm trying to understand why IÔÇÖm feeling this way."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Is something wrong?ÔÇØ Aisha asks."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"IÔÇÖm still holding onto her boob. ÔÇ£No, itÔÇÖs just umÔǪHinaÔÇÖs a lot smaller, and I never felt one this big, you know? IÔÇÖm still processing it.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I grasp her breasts in different ways while still trying to figure out this puzzle."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Footsteps approach, and someone exclaims, ÔÇ£Hey!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Two men with smiley face masks appear in the tent. TheyÔÇÖve got armor and weapons. Most importantly, one of them has a green thing around his left ear. ItÔÇÖs hard to see if itÔÇÖs a snake earring, but itÔÇÖs probably them."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Whatcha think youÔÇÖre doing?ÔÇØ one of them asks menacingly."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£I have money. WhatÔÇÖs the problem?ÔÇØ I ask while standing up and taking out my pouch of coins."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"One of them snatches it from me and then takes a peek inside. ÔÇ£Less than a gold coin in here. ItÔÇÖs not enough for her.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Fine. IÔÇÖll leave,ÔÇØ I say and reach for my coins, but he doesnÔÇÖt let me take it."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Still gotta pay for your time.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Come on. I barely did anything,ÔÇØ I say, wishing that I could have my money back. This mission is killing my wallet."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Piss off.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I donÔÇÖt push the matter anymore and leave the tent, though I stick around to eavesdrop. I still have a trick up my sleeve if they catch me snooping."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Bitch, you that impatient to get some action? I oughta shag you right now. See if youÔÇÖre really worth the price tag.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£BossÔÇÖs gonna be pissed if you touch her now.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Yeah, but shit. Why drop seventy gold coins on a whore?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Questioning the boss? Come on. WeÔÇÖre already late because you forgot to buy masks. Whole crewÔÇÖs waiting.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Tch. Bitch, get up.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I walk away before they see me. These two members donÔÇÖt know why Aisha was bought for that absurd amount either. At least I know where theyÔÇÖre headed next."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I go back to the entrance, where HinaÔÇÖs still waiting for the others to loop around. I tell her what developed after leaving me in there with that exit speech. She gloats at me as usual."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Later, everyone comes back. Unsurprisingly, no one else discovers much. I twist my story a little bit to avoid some trouble, and we go to the auction together."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I recognize one of the Dwarves standing guard by the entrance as a member of the Vanguards. These masks wonÔÇÖt conceal from their eyes if even Aisha could identify us. He looks toward us and snickers but says nothing."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"We wait in line. All the rules of the auction are written on signs posted on the wall. Nothing we didnÔÇÖt already know except for no drawing of weapons. Eventually, we reach the receptionist. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Hoo big be yer party?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Twelve,ÔÇØ I answer."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Hoo much gold dae ye have?ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£A few,ÔÇØ I respond, though IÔÇÖm only estimating what the other two teams have."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£A few?! Ye be flat broke! Ye canna buy anydinÔÇÖ wiff dat. Go straight ahead wiff de rest oÔÇÖ de observers,ÔÇØ he says and points to the passage behind him."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Stairs are leading up to the left and right of the door. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Ahead, we arrive in a spacious room with a crowd of people in front of the stage. Dwarven guards are standing all over the edges of the room. More members of the Vanguards too. The security of this place is no joke."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"On all sides except the front of the room are platforms extending from the wall on five different levels. Over half of them are occupied with at least one person on each one. This place is built to accommodate a lot of people. The snake earring group could be anywhere."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"We find an empty place to stand on the left side of the room. None of us see Aisha, so IÔÇÖm not sure how weÔÇÖre supposed to follow her after this. The best we can do is find one of their members. A large group of them should be here."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Some time passes, and a Dwarf walks onto the stage. He holds something next to his mouth. I suspect itÔÇÖs the sound-amplifying magic item I saw before. ÔÇ£Welcome ter de first day oÔÇÖ de auction! Our featured item oÔÇÖ de hour be a Miffril great sword forged by Vozek, one oÔÇÖ de finest Dwarven blacksmiths exported roight from Khuldan! Dis be de first oÔÇÖ many Miffril products ter be sold outside oÔÇÖ Dwarven territory.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Another Dwarf walks onto the stage, holding a large blade of deep blue color. I know thatÔÇÖs Mithril now. IÔÇÖve always wondered about the weapons we found under the Academy. Instructor Fulharm took it off us, but we never bothered to find anything more about it. How much is it worth? Why isnÔÇÖt it sold anywhere? I guess now I know that it was only sold in the Dwarven kingdoms, but then why was it in those ruins?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£De bid will start at twenty-five gold coins!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I gape. What the?! Twenty-five gold coins? ThatÔÇÖs insane! And I thought Titanium was expensive. Something of that size would be around five gold coins."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Twenty-five gold!ÔÇØ someone exclaims above me in one of the platforms."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Thirty gold!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Thirty-one gold!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Thirty-three!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Chaos erupts from the entire room. The price continues to rise. If people are paying this much for a Mithril weapon, does that mean we missed our chance of getting rich? Back when we discovered those weapons under the Academy?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I canÔÇÖt help but feel bitter. Did Instructor Fulharm know the value of the weapons and scammed us? It doesnÔÇÖt matter now that heÔÇÖs dead. But the weapons we didnÔÇÖt take should still be down there. A part of me wants to go back down there to take more of the Mithril weapons, despite the presence of those ominous blue slimes."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The bid for the sword ends at seventy-two gold coins. ThatÔÇÖs over nine times my current yearly salary. Imagine how much money I could make just by collecting those weapons down there. How different would things have turned out if we didnÔÇÖt tell the teachers anything about what happened? We couldÔÇÖve been practically swimming in silver coins."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The atmosphere suddenly changes as a man with a smiley mask walks past us. He has the snake earring, and brown slicked back hair. It matches one of the descriptions of one of those referees that could be linked to the snake earring group. Is it him?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"He steps onto the stage and hands the Dwarf a bag of coins. After counting the money, the other Dwarf gives the masked man the Mithril great sword."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The masked man takes the same path off the stage. He stops in front of us for some reason and snickers. The amount of killing intent he directs toward me puts me on edge. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I instinctively grab onto my weapons, but I canÔÇÖt cause a scene and get into trouble with the Vanguards."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£RatsÔǪ If yer not careful, youÔÇÖll be swallowed whole,ÔÇØ he says before continuing his way past us."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"WhyÔÇÖd he say that to us? Snakes prey on rodents. I donÔÇÖt know if heÔÇÖs just playing around because we happen to be wearing rat masks or if that was some sort of warning that he knows weÔÇÖre digging into them. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I bite my lip. We shouldnÔÇÖt have been grouped together. Those two mustÔÇÖve found me suspicious despite my excuse with Aisha. Now theyÔÇÖve made an association and found all of us shady. They could take precautions now."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Hina stops me from following him, and no one else takes interest despite that we spent so long investigating them. EveryoneÔÇÖs focus is on Aisha. I get it, though. If someone I cared about was in her position, IÔÇÖd prioritize her too. We already have a way to get into their hideout through Aisha, so letting this opportunity go is fine. It might be glaring to tail him in this environment anyway. Only those with money are located on the platforms. The rest of his party should be there."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Next, we have our most anticipated seller oÔÇÖ de day. De mysterious group wiff de new generation of Aerkins!ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Someone with the smiley mask walks onto the stage. The snake earring group are the ones with the new batch of Aerkins? With FloydÔÇÖs interest in the circuit, this could be the reason why he knows about the group."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£IÔÇÖm sure many of you are lookinÔÇÖ forward to obtaininÔÇÖ one of Aerkins we tamed usinÔÇÖ a new method, though we wonÔÇÖt sell any today. I know there are still skeptics that doubt the validity of our claim. WeÔÇÖll set that straight with a demonstration and the technology that makes this possible,ÔÇØ the man says while holding a sound amplifier to his mouth."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I raise my eyebrows as another smiley masked man steps onto the stage, holding onto that metal collar above him."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£You mightÔÇÖve seen this before as weÔÇÖve already had many clients take an interest. This is a Slave Collar. WeÔÇÖve brought a batch of ÔÇÿem fitted for Humans, Elves, and Dwarves. Put this around their necks, and theyÔÇÖll be under your control, regardless of fightinÔÇÖ expertise. Even the toughest badass will be subjected to your mercy. How? The Slave Collar prevents the user from usinÔÇÖ magic. The method is a trade secret.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"I gasp. Stop someone from using magic? How can that be possible?"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£The fun doesnÔÇÖt stop there. Each collar is paired with a unique Slave Remote that helps you bend their will to do your biddinÔÇÖ with a little negative reinforcement. The remote can make ÔÇÿem squirm in pain. It has other fun features too.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Another smiley masked man drags two naked women into view from the backstage area. They have Slave Collars. Most importantly, they have pointy ears; theyÔÇÖre Elves. The man shoves them to the floor. "},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"Shit. I look around. These are Elven slaves, no matter how I see it. A war almost broke out because they were discovered in Syrina eight months ago. Viessa suspected that it was the snake earring group that planted them in a nobleÔÇÖs home, but that might not be entirely true. The crowd murmurs."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£Are you tired of beatinÔÇÖ your slaves into submission, accidentally killinÔÇÖ ÔÇÿem in the process? How about the trouble of keepinÔÇÖ ÔÇÿem on suicide watch? RunninÔÇÖ away? Retaliation? All of your problems are solved with the Slave Collar. TheyÔÇÖre sealed with a unique key, and theyÔÇÖre made of the highest quality ingredients. As youÔÇÖve noticed, itÔÇÖs made out of Titanium, so itÔÇÖs quite sturdy."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"ÔÇ£These two Elven beauties have already been subdued into submission through the pain inflicted through the Slave Remote. YouÔÇÖll never have to worry about excessiveness either. They submit because the pain will never be enough to kill ÔÇÿem. Even the most "},{"attributes":{"color":"black","italic":true},"insert":"prideful"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":" Elves crumble,ÔÇØ the man says and picks up one of the Elves by her hair. She doesnÔÇÖt struggle at all."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"He tosses her aside and then says, ÔÇ£Go play with your friend over there.ÔÇØ"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The Elf crawls over to the other one, and then they kiss. Deep kisses. Audible enough to her all their slobber. They both get into it and touch each other intimately."},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"┬á"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"color":"black"},"insert":"The man laughs. ÔÇ£See? Once theyÔÇÖve been trained, youÔÇÖll rarely need to reinforce ÔÇÿem usinÔÇÖ the Slave Remote. You know the best thing about Elven babes other than their tight pussy? TheyÔÇÖre low maintenance. Tie ÔÇÿem to a tree and give ÔÇÿem water. Use