A/N: Chapter 20 of Mystical Eye of a Savage Hound. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own OCs. Revenge of the Sword Clan's Hound belongs to the rightful owner.
Chapter 20: Illegal Auction House
Underground Dungeon...
From the chandeliers hanging from above to the many torches that line the entrances of each cell, the Baskerville Clan's underground dungeon was not a place anyone would want to stay in; murderers, criminals, sex offenders, Barbarians, and perhaps arrogant nobles have possibly lost their lives, executed by the main dogs of the house. There were even dried out blood stains still splattered along the walls, some going so high as the cell's ceiling and depending on the coloration one could tell if the killings were gruesome or swift. I stood before a cell with Office Manager Chihuahua beside me, my facial expression neutral while the man beside me couldn't help but make a facial expression of disgust and grimaced.
"You bitch. You think you can get away wid dis? I'm telling Fader." A slightly broken voice that couldn't pronounce some of the sounds cried out to me, one shaky fist wrapped around a bar covered in wounds. The blond-haired male who acted like a leader to the social club while his posse lay or sat wounded behind him. After I had beaten them thoroughly inside their clubhouse, I instructed the females to go home and forget what they've witnessed; they were very eager to scurry out of my sight, ditching the males and nervously exited the room with their heads lowered, any belongings held tightly in hand.
The employee who attempted to stop me earlier and as a result got a deformed arm quickly excused himself as well, stating that he was going to escort the group of females home. I snorted under my breath at his attempt to not be in my eyesight by spouting that weak excuse, I was sure that he'll go to the hospital and get his arm fixed. Seeing as my job at the clubhouse was done I proceeded to transport all seven children to the underground dungeon, out of the public eye to continue my punishment. I was sure that these seven, once I was done with them, will send a very clear message to those who live in Underdog City and beyond. They will be martyrs for the cause and they don't even know it.
"Jus wait undil I ged oud of here!" He rattled the cage, his one good eye glaring at me, the other one shut due to many punches. "I'm gonna kill you! I'll never forgibe you! Now led me go!"
"You didn't have to beat them that hard right, Vice-Consul?" Chihuahua asked with worry as he looked at the battered state of the seven boys all corralled inside one cell like they were nothing more than livestock animals. I summoned the Office Manager to witness what I was prepared to do and probably help me with the aftermath. "What were you thinking?"
"Do you think I went overboard?"
"Of course I do! What kind of question is that?" Chihuahua looked at me in astonishment, clearly disturbed by my lack of empathy for what I've done. "You should have toed the line better, as Vice-Consul at least try and practice some restraint. You literally almost turned them into meat pancakes."
"Don't worry, I haven't even started yet."
"...pardon?"
"The leaders of the municipality were meant to prevent corruption in rural areas and improve life in the region." I explained, approaching the cage door as I did so. "But those individuals have been tainted so much by their greediness and power that they're now aiming for the power held by the Baskerville Clan." I gestured with a thumb at the children, "Look at how combative they are, didn't even lower themselves before me, the Vice-Consul. It's proof that they haven't learned their lesson yet."
"S-So what do you plan on doing?"
"When the sun sets, I'll execute them all. And everyone connected to them who either had a hand in their schemes or not will be wiped too."
"Are you serious, ma'am?!" Chihuahua couldn't believe what he was hearing. Executing the seven children who were direct descendants of the indigenous families even if it was two or three generations down the line, along with any associates or accomplices could wipe any chances of furthering the family line in the future.
"Of course, Office Manager." I spoke without any hesitation, no hint of waver in my voice."The laws are very direct and shouldn't be taken lightly."
"I'm sowwy!"
"Pwease! Spare me!"
"No! Spare me!"
"I'll gib ewrything I hab! Pwease don't kill me!" All at once the seven children started pleading for their lives, extending their hands to me in hopes of mercy being shown. They were willing to throw away any once of pride and ego to have a chance to live, even if it meant going against their own clan will save their own skins.
"But will their clans just watch it happen? They're usually cowardly and sly, but they can also be bold...especially when it comes to one of their own." said Chihuahua with a concerned tone. "They will never support any business you plan to oversee, not to mention they'll take revenge one way or another."
"You worry a lot, Chihuahua. Their clans can't complain because these slimy bastards are all connected to the criminal organizations in this city." I explained to him, slapping away a boy's hand when he reached closer to grab at my clothes. "Once they're gone, everything else will crumble away like dust. No one will ever be the wiser."
"Do we have any evidence to prove it?"
"I have my ways." I thought to myself that if I couldn't find any then I'll fabricate some because I don't care what happens afterwards. It'll soon be the Age of Calamity and I'll be deployed to the front lines. If I don't go down that route, then I'll be admitted to the Academy, leaving Underdog City in Office Manager Chihuahua's hands. Turning to look at the other man I said, "Office Manager, do pay attention to the rest of my words from henceforth and the events that happen after."
"Vice-Consul?" He watched as I directed my attention to the seven braying boys who shut their mouths when I glared at them. Good, now they'll be able to hear my words clearly.
"Let me tell you what you're being accused of." I started off in a low voice, leaving no room for arguments. "The crime of illegally kidnapping and trafficking women. Bribing, threatening, blackmailing, assaulting and even assassinating officials..."
"I neber did such dings! If dere is evidence, I'll accep da punishmen!" The blond-haired boy spoke up.
"Oh? You'll receive the punishment if there's evidence?" I grinned at him, eyes flashing with enlightenment. "Well well, you're speaking as if you're guilty of the crime but there's no evidence."
"Dat's...dat's..." He clammed up and stared at the floor, his fingers gripping the iron bars tightly. "You lie! I refubs tos talk, I won say anythin anymore!"
Hmmm he looks like he doesn't want to tarnish his clan's reputation, even if it means death. I thought as I observed him carefully, watched as he continued to try and glare at me with absolute hatred and contempt; deep down I'm honestly surprised, but in the end this little act of defiance will not save him or anyone else. At least he has some dignity...
"Vice-Consul!" Another voice spoke and I turned my head to see a lanky male dragging what appeared to be a heavy trash bag my way. He wasn't wearing a shirt, but his muscular physique was nothing to scoff at. He wore gloves on his arms that reached the middle of his forearms, and pants and boots for his bottom half. Chihuahua recognized him as one of the town's old executioners who ended up as a blacksmith to repair tools or make tools on the request of clients.
"You're here. And right on time." I spoke to him, folding my hands over my chest. "Good job."
"Thank you very much, I finished making the thing you commissioned, Ma'am." The man said with a somewhat sinister grin. From the bag we could see very sharp objects that even tore holes in the bag itself. I took the bag and carefully dumped whatever was in there onto a nearby table. They were all sorts of tools and instruments covered in blood. "Hehehe...I've been torturing for 30 years, yet there's a lot of new goodies I've never seen before. How did you come up with some chilling devices?"
"I can't take credit for things I didn't invent myself. These tools were common where I was." I said, picking up one of the tools and inspecting it with a critical eye. The craftsmanship was very impressive, no wonder a lot of people I had chatted to recommended him to me.
"Were you in Hell or something, Ma'am? That's the only place I know where these..heehee...diabolical toys would be made from."
"You can say something like that, I won't disprove it. Do you want me to teach you some new tricks?" I smiled while holding up a couple of the tools in one hand. "You're not too old to learn yourself."
"Unfortunately I must decline your offer. Even I might throw up whatever I got left if I watch those tools in use." He quickly waved a hand. I just nodded and looked at what was before me, plotting on what to do first. I was reminded of how I would personally use these torture devices to get demon prisoners to spill all their military secrets when they invaded, a period of time known as the Era of Ruination. Because dealing with demons got more and more common, torture techniques began to evolve as well till not even one demon was able to keep their mouths shut.
"Very well then. You'll be paid in full for your work by tomorrow." The man bowed, gave the seven boys in the cage a somewhat pitiful but also deranged expression, before shuffling out. Chihuahua also took that as his cue to leave the scene, running away but told me that he'd wait outside at the entrance till I was finished. I took off my coat and began to roll up my sleeves, what I was prepared to do will be messy, but I can at least do what I can to not get too dirty. "Now then..."
"Pwease..." The blond-haired boy whispered as he and his friends watched with horror, his body shivering and trembling with terror. Tears flowed down all their faces because they only had a few minutes left before the unthinkable happens. "Spare us..."
"Now that's not good, you swore never to talk. And yet words came out of your mouth." I spoke, opening the door to put myself in, and shutting it behind me. Now their only chance and hopes were dashed, they did not receive any mercy and watched as I only tightened my gloves with a tug. "Please don't say a thing while I proceed to take my time reliving nostalgic memories."
The next morning...
Rumors spread quickly about the 'Seven trash that lived in luxury and crime were arrested together'. It was the only thing that groups of Underdog citizens could talk about, the air abuzz with talks about the incident. Some of the talks were whispered between two or three huddled together, others were a bit more loud when a large group were involved; from merchant stores to inside taverns, talks about the rumors were everywhere. The consensus were aligned most of the time, the citizens of Underdog didn't really like the seven children in general.
"Weren't they the guys that treated peasants like bugs?"
"I don't think they'll be easily released judging by the personality of the new Vice-Consul." Inside a tavern there were several men sitting at the counter, having drinks and lightly conversing with each other.
"They were children of the indigenous clans. I'm sure they'll be let go after some humiliation."
"But looking solely at the law, the punishment for their crimes should be execution."
"There's no way she'd actually execute those seven children." One of the men near the far end said, swirling his drink absentmindedly. "Not if she wants to incur the wrath of the indigenous clans."
"You idiot. Don't you know what kind of woman the new Vice-Consul is?" The man next to him said. "She spent ten billion on a single post! We all saw it!"
"Even so, the blow back for killing them would be massive." The first male argued with slight worry."I'm sure it won't go as far as execution."
If there's one thing all the citizens were in agreement of it was that this was a game of power between the new politician and the indigenous clans, one that'd end quickly if the latter just bowed their heads down to her. As predicted by the people, the seven clans: Mont Blanc, Pierre, Louisby, Channel, Ferragamo, Hermes, and Prada delivered a small token of apology to the new Vice-Consul: a suitcase filled to the brim with gold bars. The local powerhouses decided to give in to the new politician in the end.
Citizens who managed to witness wagons representing each family carrying splendid offerings and going to City Hall under the cover of night, watched as the local dignitaries bowed before entering, clicked their tongues at the display of embarrassment. The locked up trashes would be released scot-free and they'd receive scolding from their fathers, the clan heads. The citizens would also feel moderately relieved, angry, and perhaps forget about the obvious result...or at least that was what they thought would happen.
Seven severed heads were displayed in the center of the city square, lined up in a row in no particular order and covered with cloths that covered the face. A long banner that listed in full detail all the crimes that were committed flying in the wind, a very ominous parchment that dealt the sentences; in fact, if one looked closer there were additional punishments added onto the perpetrators before death. The heads had been fermented in salt and each adorned different twisted expressions with flies buzzing around them, as though they were in terrible pain up until Death was the only sweet release.
The citizen could only look at the display in silence and discomfort, knowing that the Vice-Consul indeed kept her word about administering appropriate punishment when the crime was committed. Of course the law itself already existed in the first place, there is no need to think that it is excessive or strict. However, the problem was that the prisoners to whom the law was applied to were not the usual prisoners. It's not just a power game, it was a declaration of war until one side disappears for good, and I already had a feeling that the clan heads of the indigenous clans began their scheming.
"Underdog City is about to experience a bloodbath, the wind brings about the stench of iron." I spoke as I looked out the window with only Chihuahua standing behind. I turned to him and said, with a grin on my face. "Brace yourself, Office Manager, for you'll participate in this next operation."
"Y-Yes?" He said hesitantly, feeling a knot of uneasiness form in the pit of his stomach.
"Don't worry, you'll be safe with me." I assured him, patting him on the shoulder with a hand. "Besides, if all goes well this event will be one for the history books. Now let's prepare, we got a long night ahead of us."
Somewhere in the outskirts...
"Vice-Consul, is this really the plan...? You didn't think that anything could go wrong...?" Chihuahua whispered low as he followed a small crowed of affluent individuals, their faces covered up in some masks to hide their identities; it was as I thought, they were a bunch of aristocrats. The Office Manager himself dressed up well in a purple dress suit and donned a simple masquerade mask as well. We left City Hall with two more employees who also dressed the part and found what we were looking for, high-end wagons gathered in groups in an empty lot that no one usually comes. In the distance a large black ominous circus tent covered the clearing, eagerly accepting its many many guests.
Today is the day of a massive slave auction, one that has not been officially reported to the Baskervilles and thus is very illegal; I wouldn't have caught wind of it if it weren't for a pair of very drunk nobles stumbling out of a bar, loudly speaking about it as though they were the only two individuals in the world. Because of that, the slaves that will be exhibited here are undeclared products, and originally many people could not be traded as such. For example, a savage who lost his home, a nobleman from a distant province, or a commoner who was suddenly kidnapped. All products, declared or not, were required to be chained up and trained with either rods or heavy drugs until their will to run away disappeared before being brought to an auction for a chance to be sold to the highest bidder.
"Don't you have any trust me, Chihuahua?" I laughed at his immediate response denying such a thing. I sat in the middle of our makeshift cage, dressed in tattered rags around the chest and lower half, leaving my midriff bare and exposed. I also borrowed a wig to covering the true length of my hair, this wig going down to the middle of my back. Two sets of chains could be seen around both my wrists and ankles. My eyes began to gleam in the dark, giving off a very deadly aura. "Just relax and play your part. You can leave everything else to me."
I hope you know what you're doing...selling yourself as a slave for this event. Chihuahua thought to himself as he continued to move along the line, the other two putting their backs into pushing my cage. When we got closer to the front we were greeted by the sight of a purple-haired male dressed as a ringmaster, his boisterous voice shouting his welcomes to those who entered. He had a top hat on top of his head and a mask with only the nose piece painted red, two dark stripes ending as triangle points further indicated a clown's tears and nose.
"Welcome! Welcome! I truly welcome each and every one of you for coming to the 'Circus'." He smiled with enthusiasm, clapping his hands excitedly. He truly took his job as a clown very seriously, even if he had to act like a fool. "I assure you all you wouldn't want to miss what we have in store. The show is only about to start and the night is still young!"
That's quite on the nose for these transactions, showing off individuals kidnapped off the streets and dehumanized to be sold as animals. I thought to myself when I heard the name. This illegal slave auction could be thought of as the trading of freaks, a circus so to say.
"Oh? You're here from the Mont Blanc family?" The ringmaster spoke when we reached the front, handing out his hand when Chihuahua handed him a small piece of paper. His eyes roamed quickly over the words before he said, "This beautiful signature and handwriting is only patented to the Mont Blanc, no other clan will do. From reaching your certificate, it seems your purpose of visit is to sell?"
"Th-That's right. We're here to sell." Chihuahua confirmed with a small smile. The rest of us kept quiet and let the Office Manager play his role.
"Hmm...since the Mont Blancs are outstanding customers who have bought many slaves from us, I'm only asking just in case." The ringmaster said as he looked Chihuahua right in the eyes. "Were you perhaps dissatisfied with the ones you purchased last time?"
"Not at all, not at all. We're always satisfied with the slaves we buy here." assured Chihuahua. "It's just this time we are strictly here for selling."
"Black hair and red eyes! I've never seen such a beauty before." The ringmaster exclaimed as he finally looked inside my cage, staring at me while wringing his hands together with glee. I swore I could smell the money reeking off this individual and made me quite ill. "What a rare specimen you've brought!"
"I assure you this one was quite a hassle to catch." Chihuahua told the ringmaster as he continued to look at me from every angle.
"I give you my word that I will sell it for a good price! I mean look at this one, a lot of noble aristocrats will lose their minds trying to bargain."
"I-I'll leave it to you then." Chihuahua carefully wiped his brow, watching as there were last minute checks on the merchandise before it was given the all clear.
"Please enjoy your time at the 'Circus', Mr. Chihuahua Mont Blanc." The ringmaster tipped his hat before whistling for his muscle folks to carry my cage to where the rest of the products were being kept before the auction. Chihuahua watched me disappear around the corner before gesturing for the other two to follow him and all three disappeared to be in attendance.