The Crown Prince and the Boy

Ken slowly walked into the basement.

The gambling just now had made his emotions surge violently, and even when recalling that reckless gamble, his body still trembled slightly…

He could say that he had chosen the fastest and most direct method, staking everything on a single throw.

There was no doubt that it was utterly insane.

Fifty holy gold coins.

It looked like only a few dozen coins, but in reality, it represented a small noble’s annual salary.

Although he won, he had no idea why he won so inexplicably.

He had not even considered what would happen if he lost.

If that had happened, a direct conflict between the Wind Country and the Snow Country might have broken out, which seemed inevitable.

Perhaps it was simply because his luck was too good, and the goddess stood on Ken’s side.

Ken hurriedly straightened his clothes, put on his hat, and pressed down the brim.

Avoiding the scattered “entrants” holding wine glasses in the underground hall, he walked alone toward a dark corner.

He sat down on a chair and scanned the entire hall from the shadows.

It was extremely, overwhelmingly large.

It felt as if the entire underground had been hollowed out, with only a few massive stone pillars serving as supports.

Clearly, there were many entrances and exits here.

It was impossible for so many people to pour in at once through the casino’s secret door.

The air felt exceptionally fresh, likely due to some kind of magic device powered by magic crystals.

According to the intelligence Ross provided, the auction would begin shortly…

“It’s just for a few hundred credit points… is it really worth risking so much…?”

Ken complained silently in his heart…

As the best academy on the continent, Gryffindor naturally enjoyed an outstanding reputation.

From here emerged saints, heroes, politicians, and military strategists one after another.

In terms of academics, it was no weaker than any royal academy of a vassal state.

This gave the academy an illustrious name across the continent.

What was noteworthy was that the academy used a credit-based system.

After one year of studying basic combat techniques and magic, students were allowed in their second year to accept bounty missions.

Different tasks were assigned according to grade level.

From something as simple as finding a missing cat to slaying a dragon, as long as you were willing, you could take on these missions.

After completing a task, the academy’s credit department would have specialized instructors evaluate the credit points earned.

These points played a crucial role in advancement, so students had no choice but to accept missions.

This time, Ken and Ross’s mission was simple.

They only needed to investigate why girls in the Imperial Capital were mysteriously disappearing to complete the bounty.

However, a mere investigation mission would not earn high points.

That was why Ross took the risk to investigate this underground auction…

In the Austan Empire, all underground human trafficking is strictly forbidden.

This underground auction was clearly violating the law.

There had to be dark elements involved.

Robbery and abduction were certainly connected to this human auction house.

Ken pinched the magic device Ross had given him in his pocket.

It resembled a diamond-shaped gemstone, like a piece of art.

From time to time, it emitted a faint glow.

Sometimes the flashes were long, sometimes short.

Intermittent and hard to decipher.

“Dark—cage—stinks—three—guards.”

Ken stared at the magic device in his hand and slowly pieced together the words.

This was Ross tapping the device, describing his current environment.

After this sequence, it flashed again in the same way.

Ross feared Ken might not notice the message, so he kept tapping tirelessly.

It seemed Ross was being held in a dark place.

In a cage.

And there were three guards watching over it…

Ken silently inferred what Ross was trying to convey…

I should go and meet him immediately…

Ken glanced around, surveying the surroundings.

He was currently seated at the far lower-right corner of the hall, a place few people paid attention to.

There were two corridors on the left and right.

On the second-floor corridor above, after careful observation, he could faintly make out the words written clearly—“Backstage.”

That must be the place…

“Hello, sir. Do you mind if I sit beside you?”

Ken’s thoughts were interrupted by a voice filled with confidence.

From the tone, the speaker sounded somewhat arrogant and vaguely familiar.

He seemed slightly excited upon seeing Ken.

Ken raised his head and nervously examined the proud-looking youth.

Flaming red hair…

Huh?!

Ken’s eyes widened in disbelief.

This person was none other than the Crown Prince of the Austan Empire—Richard.

“Your… Highness, why are you in a place like this?!”

Ken asked nervously.

He and Richard could be considered half-friends.

Because of his friendship with Ross, he was also acquainted with Richard.

The son of a duke associating with the future king was a common form of noble social interaction.

“Same as you~”

Richard maintained a polite smile and sat down unceremoniously on the seat beside Ken.

“You know… recently, there have been carriages transporting unknown goods from various places.”

“For special reasons, the city guards have no authority to inspect those goods…”

Richard put away his courteous smile and spoke seriously.

“Slaves and laborers gathered from everywhere, right?”

“I noticed it too… it’s connected to the recent disappearances.”

Ken interrupted him.

“Correct.”

Richard tilted his head slightly and adjusted the hood of his cloak.

Then he continued.

“According to the law, all human labor trade is prohibited in the Austan Empire.”

“You know that.”

Ken nodded, indicating his understanding.

“But the law is rigid.”

“I need evidence.”

“To be honest, I have a unit of my personal guards outside.”

“As long as I obtain evidence, under my command, they can storm in and wipe this place out completely…”

Richard shifted his body slightly, signaling Ken to move closer as well.

Then Richard and Ken lowered their heads.

Because they were in the last row, the people in front perfectly blocked the view of the two lowering their heads.

“They seem to have obtained some special authorization.”

“Without higher authority, soldiers are not allowed to enter.”

“And there are many sentries here.”

“Once they get wind of it, it would take only minutes to disguise this place as an underground concert hall.”

Richard paused and glanced around at the neatly dressed people scattered nearby.

“So I hope you can help me photograph the evidence.”

“I’ll directly lead the troops in by force.”

Richard secretly pulled a scroll from within his cloak.

“This is an imaging scroll.”

“You know how to use it, right, Ken?”

Ken gently took the scroll and quickly hid it in his pocket.

“Our objectives are the same now…”

“I’m willing to help you.”

“I’m going out now.”

“In a while, I’ll find a way to get the soldiers inside…”

“These cunning foxes have made fools of us several times before…”

“Because we lacked evidence…”

“Please excuse me, ‘Arian,’ little brother.”

Richard stood up and spoke to Ken.

He then walked straight toward an entrance alone…

“It’s about time to act…”

Ken muttered to himself.

He stood up and walked toward the restroom nearby.

The auction hall was lavishly decorated.

To be honest, it really felt like a concert hall.

The surrounding walls were ornate, adorned with uneven reliefs and statues.

The hall was at least ten meters high and divided into three levels.

The first-floor corridor housed restrooms and instrument rooms.

The second floor was the target—backstage.

The third floor consisted of special private boxes for nobles.

The staircases to the second and third floors were guarded by soldiers in leather armor.

Forcing a breakthrough was clearly not a wise choice.

Careful observation revealed that there were no guards patrolling the second-floor corridor itself.

Only two leather-armored swordsmen stood guard at each staircase.

This made things much easier for Ken…

After assessing the situation, Ken moved to the restroom, a blind spot out of sight from both guards and guests.

Arian focused his fighting spirit into his limbs…

Deep breath…

One last check of the guests’ lines of sight…

No problem…

“Tap, tap…”

At an unbelievable speed, the boy stepped on reliefs and statues, climbing lightly to the second floor like a thief…

Because of the noisy auction…

Yes, no one heard Ken’s heavy footsteps…

Ken was neither a thief nor an assassin.

He couldn’t silence his footsteps like they could.

This was what worried him the most earlier.

But clearly, no one noticed his movements…

He pressed down the brim of his hat and walked straight toward the backstage door…

No one noticed a figure silently heading backstage…