I Reincarnated as a Noble Bastard, So I'm Seducing All the Villainess
Chapter 30: Creating High Interest Debt

Chapter 30: Creating High Interest Debt

We walked side-by-side out the front door of the inn. The old receptionist from yesterday looked at me like I was some kind of living miracle. Whatever specific reason I gave that impression, it doesn’t matter anymore, I just want to get out of this hellhole and enjoy some real freedom.

Ravenna led the way towards the auction house, while I made sure to check if anyone was following us. Yep, they were.

They did a good job of hiding, but I’m used to people talking behind my back or even noticing someone staring directly at me.

Too bad for them they picked the most talked about guy in the Imperial City to follow, I was blessed with the ability to notice anyone staring at me from any direction. Anyway, for now, it’s good to know they’re keeping their distance.

"Oh, I was forgetting, but we need masks!" Ravenma said, stopping mid-stride. "I’ll conjure one with my patron’s spells. We can use them while we’re inside..."

"You won’t have trouble keeping those up for long?"

"If no one attacks us, I think it’ll be fine. Besides, you saw I can do some extra stuff with shadow materialization, so we’re safe."

Yeah, indeed, you did some pretty naughty things in bed using those magic tricks.

Before we got too close, Ravenna clapped her hands, and two masks materialized in her hands. I received one, but frankly, I think she made sure to give me the face that only a mother could love.

Ugh, she could at least have made something prettier.

We stopped near the entrance of the Auction House. The place was kind of beat up. The wooden door was tall enough for people of all species and races to enter.

Even the six-armed organ vendor we saw on our first day in the Scorn was here. How do I know? Because no one else outside was that tall and had six arms. It must be sad to be so identifiable from miles away.

I wouldn’t doubt that living underground surrounded by criminals is even better than on the surface where everyone judges demi-humans in human-dominated territories.

Ravenna took the lead and pushed the door open with such absurd naturalness that it almost made me forget we were about to enter an underground clandestine auction, surrounded by people who would sell their own mother for a few coins, or, depending on the mother’s condition, for a bowl of soup.

The wood creaked in a strange way, as if the very place used for highly unsanitary illegal activities wanted to swallow us whole.

What a familiar smell. It’s cheap incest mixed with rust, probably to disguise the stench of the merchandise or some cemetery right beneath our feet, but it unlocked some memories for me.

Once, in the brothels, I had an experience of waking up tied to a bed after being kidnapped by thugs... it wasn’t sensual at all, in fact, I almost lost my dick that day.

The main hall was spacious, with makeshift bleachers made of every possible recyclable material. Enchanted lanterns with purple light flickered to illuminate a clear path between the tables and chairs.

Of course, the luxury suites were hidden upstairs, where the VIP clients gathered to whisper about which sex slave they’d buy. There are many aristocrats with a huge fetish for this kind of thing, I wouldn’t doubt finding a disgusting one here now and then.

The most interesting thing, on the other hand, was a black stone walkway in the center. That’s where the miserable spectacle for many pockets would take place.

The crowd started to gather: pig-faced nobles, rich ladies with eyes too sunken, masked mages, monsters in tuxedos. One guy in the back had more teeth than facial expressions.

All of them, without exception, pretended they were here to observe "exotic goods," when we all knew most of the items on display would actually become living property to satisfy some maniac tonight.

"Avoid staring too much at anyone", Ravenna murmured beside me, wrapping her arm around mine and nudging my chest. "Depending on how you’re seen, you could become a slave."

"Great. So I’ll just keep my gaze fixed on nothing and hope no one puts me on a shelf."

She gave me a smile under her mask, the kind of smile that makes you think she’s killed more people with spells than with a knife.

We walked to one of the stone seats on the side of the arena, pretending to know exactly what were doing.

I tried to look discreet, but I’m Darius Moonlight: my existence screams scandal with a hint of inelegance, so walking around carelessly is the least of my problems.

Before coming out, Ravenna had briefly explained how Lord Karthak’s auction works: the first goods are from the demon owner himself, specially prepared for the day’s clients and meant to grab buyers’ attention.

After that, some affiliated products are shown, but there’s a short break with free food and all sorts of goodies before they restart. How people do this without any security, I have no idea, but apparently, people respect this capitalist demon so much that they don’t even enter the auction house unless they’re called or have cash to burn.

"A good evening, dear patrons!"

A man dressed in a fine coat and a radiant gold mask greeted the audience. I guess this must be the guy who’ll present each of the goods. Anyway, I didn’t pay much attention to it, in the end, I wasn’t even interested in buying anything, and it’s not like I had money to my name.

"To start the evening, we have a magnificent specimen from the War of Northern Independence, a young warrior who commanded and defeated numerous men in combat! A beast on the battlefield!"

Oh, interesting. The War of Northern Independence is one of the longest conflicts in this world and also in the novel, but of course, the protagonist Leonhardt resolves it after a few helpful words with their leader.

If I remember correctly, there’s a character who becomes his friend who participated in that war. What was his name again?

"Victorian!"

Yeah, that’s the name! Thanks, pompous butler... Wait, is that his name?

When I looked up and saw exactly who was stepping onto the stage, my stomach tightened. A man in chains with a burn mark on the palm of his hand walked up the stairs alone. He was super muscular and had such a ripped abdomen that the young ladies in the audience blushed just looking at him.

This... this guy was here?! Since when? Victorian is supposed to appear much later in the story as a temporary rival to Leonhardt, practically on the same level as that guy, but he’s right in front of me, chained up like any slave!

His appearance is also very similar to what’s shown in Sword of The Iron Maiden, but with a smaller stature due to malnutrition. This... there’s something wrong with this!

"Are you okay?"

Ravenna touches my trembling hand on the table, and only then I snap back to myself. What was that? Did my breathing get out of control and I didn’t notice?

"Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I just... I was impressed."

"Yes, he’s impressive for someone who’s been through so much mistreatment."

That’s not exactly what I meant, but it could be. Victorian kept his chin up, fixing his eyes on some point beyond the audience. He didn’t even seem to see the masked nobles, the wealthy fae, or the underworld demons whispering among bids.

"Starting bid, one hundred gold!" the auctioneer announced, opening his arms enthusiastically.

The crowd began to stir. Bids went up by twos, then by tens. Are there so many horny women here? Impossible.

"A thousand gold!" a young woman in a scarlet veil shouted from the VIP seats. I take back what I said.

A guy with gills on his neck and jewels on his fingers took offense at the audacity and rose from his seat, showing the offer immediately with a paddle.

"Twelve hundred gold!"

It was a war of ostentation, but this was still problematic from my point of view.

Think, think. If I let him be bought... the chance of not knowing what happens next and him becoming a villain or even dying in the process is extremely high!

Things might happen like in the story, but the plot has changed a lot just with my interference. Is there a possibility of him dying prematurely just because I’m at this auction?

Ravenna scratched my arm, drawing my attention again.

"Darius, do you know him?"

"More or less. I’m an... admirer of his deeds."

She raised an eyebrow. I wasn’t sure if she suspected I liked guys or if it was a matter of honor and war. Wait, why am I standing up? Adrenaline surged like warm wine in my blood as my hands tingled.

"Don’t you dare, it’s better to keep a low profile!"

"Two thousand!"

Silence fell harder than a rock on an unsuspecting head.

Ravenna looked at me with wide eyes from behind her mask. The presenter spun in the direction of my voice, surprised. Victorian blinked for the first time since stepping onto the stage, and seemed to focus on me.

Damn. I don’t have all that money, I’m broke! All I have is audacity! Why the hell I did that?!