Episode 87
Not long after, Aurelia officially became a knight of the Grave Guard.
Each member was an Aura Master, reaching the pinnacle of their abilities.
While the Duke’s knights included some Aura Masters, few were as shrouded in mystery as the Grave Guard of House Sachsen.
Among the Night Raven Knights, they were the silent protectors of House Sachsen, bound by an oath of silence. They wielded their swords in the shadows, adhering strictly to the “Sachsen way,” devoid of any noble ideals or virtues.
These knights were both elite warriors and assassins, wielding their blades without mercy to uphold the infamous reputation of House Sachsen.
Aurelia became one of these “Grave Keepers,” the first Grave Guard to be claimed by Dale.
Through a unique contract with Dale and his grimoire, Shub, she pledged her loyalty not to the Duke of Sachsen, but to Dale himself, becoming his shadowy protector.
Lady Shadow.
That was Aurelia’s new name.
No longer the saintly maiden burned at the stake as a witch in the frozen lands of Sachsen, reduced to ashes.
Dale’s training was progressing steadily.
Having reached the fourth circle of magic, he was learning nullification spells from Sepia, and receiving instruction from the continent’s greatest dark sorcerer, the Black Duke.
There is no end to learning. Thus, Dale’s training among the best teachers continued to yield impressive results.
Around that time, an unexpected visitor arrived at the Sachsen Ducal Castle.
A high-ranking envoy from Guild City.
Once the successor of the Seven City Republics in the southern continent, Guild City was a hub of advanced finance and commerce, controlling the continent’s gold.
“Greetings to the Duke of Sachsen and the ‘Black Prince’ of House Sachsen.”
The envoy from Guild City bowed to the Duke and his son, maintaining their characteristic business smile.
The fact that someone from Guild City had come all the way to the frozen lands of Sachsen could only mean one thing.
“I have come to House Sachsen for one reason…”
“—The Black Market is opening, isn’t it?”
“Hehe, as expected of Your Grace.”
This was no ordinary market. It was the continent’s largest black market, proudly hosted by Guild City.
The Black Market.
A place unknown to most, accessible only to a select few who received an “invitation” from Guild City.
“The City Master deeply regrets not being able to visit House Sachsen personally.”
“Enough with the formalities. State your business.”
The Duke of Sachsen added coldly, and the envoy smiled knowingly.
“It would be an unforgivable slight to exclude the illustrious House Sachsen from the Black Market.”
The man had come to invite House Sachsen to the Black Market.
‘Has it already come to that time…’
The Black Market’s schedule was irregular. The goods traded there were unimaginably expensive, even for the highest nobility, and only when enough valuable items were gathered could the market open.
A secret venue for the continent’s most powerful nobles and wealthy individuals.
And true to its name, the market dealt in all forms of goods, from rare treasures found in underground labyrinths by adventurers to unique items and treasures acquired through Guild City’s exclusive channels. Even noble heirs and heiresses sold into servitude, or rare creatures seldom seen.
“Additionally, this Black Market will feature…”
The envoy from Guild City continued in a meaningful tone.
“A very special item that even the Duke of Sachsen might covet.”
“An item I would covet, you say.”
The Black Duke on the throne asked heavily.
“Are you prepared to stand by your words?”
“Who would dare speak irresponsibly to the Duke of Sachsen?”
There was no need to elaborate on the Black Duke’s fearsome reputation. Even the “Black Prince” seemed like a mere child compared to the man known as the Black Duke.
“You won’t be disappointed.”
The envoy from Guild City produced a small jewel from his pocket. A golden skull ornament, imbued with Guild City’s special encryption magic.
An invitation to the Black Market.
“You are aware of the rules of the Black Market, I presume.”
The Duke of Sachsen did not respond, and the envoy bowed, as if expecting no answer.
“Then, we shall take our leave.”
The envoy bowed silently and crossed the grand hall of the Sachsen Ducal Castle.
Perhaps this was what they meant by a storm brewing on a calm plain. The winds and waves began to stir.
One of the most important rules of the Black Market is that the “invited party” cannot attend in person.
Gathering such powerful nobles in one place poses significant risks. Therefore, the invited noble appoints a “representative” to attend the market on their behalf.
The challenge lies in the fact that the items available at the market are unknown beforehand… The representative must carefully consider what their lord needs and what to purchase, even among items that would require significant expenditure from the empire’s greatest nobles.
In a sense, this is the true allure of the Black Market.
Thus, the person who best understands their lord usually takes on the role of representative, and in the case of House Sachsen, the one who best understands the Black Duke’s intentions was none other than…
“Please allow me to go to Guild City.”
Dale, the son of the Black Duke, Sachsen’s Dale.
”…I expected as much.”
In the Duke’s study.
The Black Duke responded to Dale’s request without surprise. His son’s audacity and ambition were nothing new.
“How much do you know about the Black Market?”
“It’s a place where ‘high-value items’ that can’t be traded publicly are exchanged.”
And Dale, now a fourth-circle mage, was not yet a high mage, but considering the significance of his fourth circle, he was more than capable of protecting himself against anyone but the empire’s strongest.
“Guild City is an extremely dangerous place.”
“I am well aware of that.”
Guild City. Once the Seven City Republics, now under the empire’s rule, it was a city-state alliance governed by seven major guilds, with numerous smaller guilds under their control, operating as an oligarchic republic.
The “City Master” was the representative elected by the seven major guilds.
During the unification wars, the empire’s various unsavory dealings could not have occurred without Guild City’s cooperation, and thus, Dale, in his past, had become a hound to uncover Guild City’s secrets.
Including the “Shadow Court,” which even the City Master and major guilds dared not cross.
“A lawless land where gold and violence justify all actions.”
Indeed. In the golden empire, even taking a life could be settled with a few coins. To survive, one must either amass wealth greater than their enemies or possess strength surpassing them.
“Gold is Power.”
As the guild masters often said. Thus, Guild City’s importance could not be overstated, especially during the Black Market.
“Guild City possesses everything our House Sachsen lacks.”
This was an opportunity not to be missed.
“As the center of finance and commerce that even the empire cannot easily control.”
From advanced finance to the textile industry that forms the backbone of sustenance.
“In other words, it’s like the lungs sustaining the entire continent.”
House Sachsen had power, wealth, the Black Tower, and an army of the undead. But it also faced barren lands and countless threats. It was not wrong to call them a military aristocracy.
Thus, the power of Guild City was needed.
A financial network and commerce spanning the entire continent. A card that could strangle an opponent more effectively than moving soldiers. Sometimes, gold and textiles were more threatening than weapons.
“It seems you have more in mind than just the Black Market.”
The Black Duke, understanding Dale’s intentions, spoke.
“Do you have another plan?”
“I am always thinking of our House Sachsen.”
Dale replied, and the Black Duke smiled quietly. It was a typical conversation between father and son.
The second ironclad rule of the Black Market: the representative attending the market cannot reveal their identity. Fortunately, twelve-year-old Dale was mature beyond his years in many ways.
By disguising the artifact “Shadow Cloak” as a black robe and pulling the hood low, he could easily pass as an ordinary traveler.
Disguised as a traveler in a black robe, the journey to Guild City began.
Without the escort of the Saxon family’s knights, including Sepia. It wasn’t as if he was entirely without a safety net, though. Considering the activities planned in the Guild City, cumbersome companions were unnecessary this time.
As a mage who had reached the extraordinary level of the fourth circle.
“I can finally use dispel magic effectively in real situations.”
Free at last from the guardians’ oversight, he could now truly work towards his own goals.
Officially, the Guild City is governed by seven major guilds. However, alongside these guilds that oversee legislation and administration, there exists another force that effectively controls the city.
The enforcers of Guild City’s justice.
The “Shadow Court.”
And before that, the Black Market that would soon open in the Guild City.
What kind of goods could possibly tempt the Black Sphere? It would be a journey of considerable length, but one well worth the effort. Dale lifted his head and tugged on the reins.
Sunlight poured down, yet the shadow cast beneath his black robe was exceptionally dark.