The World Is Mine For The Taking

Chapter 959 - 147 - Battle On The Slave Market (1)

We didn’t hesitate for a second—we moved in and executed those bastards on the spot.

The moment our blades sliced through the air, some of them finally noticed us. But by the time they did, it was already too late. They were too drunk on lust and pleasure to even think straight, much less reach for their weapons. Their reflexes were dulled, their bodies sluggish. In the blink of an eye, we were already on them—steel flashing under the dim light, blood spraying across the walls like crimson rain.

We cut one down, then another. Screams filled the room, mixing with the frantic sounds of chains rattling and flesh being torn apart. Still, we weren’t fast enough to kill them all before a few scattered back, panic setting in on their filthy faces.

The slaves—terrified and shaking—stumbled away from the chaos. Their eyes were wide, reflecting fear and disbelief. For a brief moment, they froze, unsure whether we were enemies or saviors. Thankfully, someone from our side rushed over to them, her voice calm but firm, telling them to stay low, to stay safe, and that we would handle everything from here.

As expected, the elves didn’t even need to break a sweat. These men were trash—untrained, arrogant, and drunk on their own cruelty. Cutting them down felt almost too easy, like slicing through paper. Our swords and arrows sang through the air, a deadly rhythm of vengeance and precision. When the last of them dropped to the ground, we realized the battle had already ended before it even began.

I looked around at the women. Some were sobbing uncontrollably, some covering their faces, too broken to even move. Artemis was already with them, kneeling down and gathering them close, her hands gently pulling their trembling feet together. She whispered softly, rubbing their backs, her tone soothing and full of warmth—telling them that it was over now, that it was okay, that they were finally free.

Even then, I could see doubt in their eyes. After everything they’d been through, who could blame them? Trust didn’t come easy when you’d lived in chains. But still, they wanted to believe. They clung to that faint glimmer of hope, as fragile as it was. Anything was better than going back to the hell they came from.

"It seems that if we’d been even a little later, those women would’ve ended up as the eternal playthings of some noble scum," Han muttered, his voice low and disgusted. "Some might’ve even been sold to brothels. Honestly, human greed still amazes me. But then again... humans are greedy by nature. I guess I can’t be too surprised."

"We’ve opened every cage on this level, Lord Leon," Asuza reported, her tone serious. "Levels two and one have been freed as well."

So far, things were still in our favor. As long as we kept moving, we could finish this without too much resistance.

"Now then..." I exhaled deeply, tightening my grip on my sword. "Next is the fourth level. Ready yourselves, everyone."

The air grew heavier. The guards below probably hadn’t been alerted yet, but that wouldn’t last. I wondered just how strong they were compared to the ones we’d already faced. From what I remembered, they weren’t ordinary warriors—they knew how to fight. Maybe not on my level, but still... enough to make things interesting.

I peered toward the entrance. The flickering torches barely illuminated the space beyond, but I could make out the outlines of cages—rows upon rows of them. People sat inside, some staring blankly at the floor, others clinging to what little hope they had left. Some still had light in their eyes, while others had long given up. It was a pit of despair... and we were about to tear it apart.

Then, just as I was about to move—

"Huh? What the fuck happened here?"

A voice came from the shadows, rough and confused. Then another. And another. About twenty of them stepped into the light, their faces twisting in realization.

"Fuck! Intruders! We’ve got intruders here!"

The shout echoed through the entire level, bouncing off the stone walls. That must’ve alerted everyone above. So this was it—the real battle was about to begin.

"Shit... and we haven’t even gotten the chained ones out yet!" Asuza cursed, her teeth clenched in frustration.

Time was running out. The prisoners were still bound, unable to move—helpless in the middle of a battlefield. It made them a liability. The elves were skilled, no doubt, but fighting while trying to protect them was going to make things a lot harder.

I reached out and summoned Ayuru. With just a pulse of mana, her form materialized, the hilt solidifying in my grasp. She was cold to the touch, humming faintly with a cursed energy that only I could feel.

Ayuru wasn’t just any sword—she was a Cursed Blade. Normally, these weapons drain the life and mana of their wielders, feeding until their host collapses into nothing. But I was different. I had more mana than she could ever consume, so instead of devouring me, she accepted me. She drank freely, and in return, she obeyed. She chose me as her master.

Killing these bastards would be child’s play.

I blinked.

And in that instant, it was over.

When I opened my eyes again, the twenty men who’d been shouting moments ago were nothing but corpses, their bodies collapsing in silence. Blood pooled beneath them, soaking into the cracks of the floor. The only sound left was the faint drip of it echoing through the chamber.

Everyone around me froze. Their eyes widened in disbelief. I could almost hear their hearts pounding. It was probably the first time they’d seen what I could really do.

Then I heard a soft thud behind me. Frey had dropped to her knees, her expression dazed, her lips slightly parted.

"I-In just one blink... he killed them all..." she whispered, trembling. "A-As expected... L-Lord Leon is... amazing..."

Her voice trembled, and I noticed the heat in her face, the way her breathing quickened. Wait... was she seriously getting turned on by that? I couldn’t believe this woman.

"Don’t waste any more time," I said sharply, trying to refocus everyone. "Get the people out of their chains. Lead them to Lord Cross’s manor and help them escape this country using the teleportation circle."

"As you command, Lord Leon," Hilda said immediately, bowing her head with newfound respect. "As expected of the man chosen by Her Majesty Solaris to save our race... you’re truly powerful. Now... I want a child with you."

"H-Hey, Hilda! I’m first!" Frey snapped, still red-faced.

"N-No, it’s me!" Asuza shouted back.

"I-It’s us!" the others joined in.

Artemis just sighed, smiling sweetly—but there was a sharpness in her gaze that made them all flinch. "What are you all even arguing about?" she said softly. "It’s obviously me." Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, but it was enough to make everyone shut up. "Now stop wasting time and do as Leon says."

"Y-Yes, Princess!" they all said at once before rushing to follow orders.

It seemed Artemis had earned both their admiration and their fear. To them, she wasn’t just a leader anymore—she was becoming something greater, like Solaris herself. A queen in the making. She really had changed a lot.