CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 111: HEMIROS PLAN

"No, I won’t live here with you! I have my wife—why would I stay with you?!" I shouted, my voice trembling with anger.

I started struggling, shaking my body in a desperate attempt to break free from her grip.

"Don’t move," she hissed, her voice calm but firm. "You’ll only hurt yourself."

As she leaned her head toward me again, I twisted my face away, refusing to let her touch me.

I could feel her breath brushing against my ear as she whispered,

"Forget about those girls—you’ll never see them again. They’re far away from this realm now."

Her words froze my blood. What... what does she mean? My eyes widened in shock as panic surged through me. I twisted my body in desperation—expecting her to resist—but to my surprise, she let go and stepped away on her own.

Standing up, I gave her one last look—then bolted toward the door.

As I flung it open, a strange chill ran down my spine.

Outside, the streets were bustling. People moved about, dressed in the plain, familiar clothes of commoners. Merchants were selling goods to stall owners, their voices loud and lively.

But something felt... off.

My eyes scanned the crowd—and that’s when I saw them.

Demi-humans.

Some wore collars, heavy and cruel, chained like pets. Others walked freely, even smiling, as if this was normal.

W-What...? My breath caught.

Wasn’t slavery banned in Elarion?

I stepped back, confusion flooding me. Is this even the same realm? It looks like my world...?

"It’s not your world," she said softly behind me. "I brought you somewhere similar to Elarion—because I know you’re used to that kind of realm. But this one’s different. Demi-humans here have only one empire of their kind."

I found myself nodding before I caught it—then quickly spun around.

Himeros was staring at me again, her face flushed red, her breath shallow and heavy.

What’s wrong with her...?

"Why do you always whisper in my ear?" I asked, frowning.

She blinked, caught off guard. Then her lips curled into a soft smile."That’s because... I love being near you."

My face heated instantly. I pointed a shaky finger at her, glaring."You—you’re shameless!"

She just laughed sweetly.

Snorting, I turned away and started marching toward the town.

I need air. Away from her. Lots of it.

Hearing her footsteps behind me, I quickened my pace.

Tch... I need to lose her. I have to find a way back—to my wives.

Up ahead, I spotted a narrow alley. Without hesitation, I slipped into it and ducked behind a row of stacked barrels. I squeezed myself into one of them, curling up inside.

As her footsteps faded, I finally exhaled, my tense body relaxing slightly.

Maybe I lost her...

Himeros POV:

A playful smirk curled on my lips as I watched her dive into a barrel like a startled kitten.

She’s so cute when she tries to escape... Hehe.

With a casual flick of my finger, my body shimmered and vanished—completely invisible, even my footsteps silenced by magic.

She wants to get away from me? Impossible.

I stood right beside the barrel, smiling softly.

You can hide all you want, my love. I’ll always be right beside you.

Zara POV:

I slowly raised my head from inside the barrel, scanning the alley.

No one in sight.

Letting out a relieved sigh, I jumped out and dusted myself off.

"Well, well... looks like we found a lost little lamb, boss."

My entire body tensed at the gruff voice behind me.

I turned sharply—and narrowed my eyes.

Two muscular men stood at the alley entrance, both grinning like wolves who’d just found their next meal.

Everything about them—their rugged clothes, the gleam in their eyes, the way they casually cracked their knuckles—screamed bandit.

Just like the ones who attacked my carriage before...

"What do you want?" I asked coldly, my body instinctively shifting into a guarded stance.

"Boss, this one’s got a good body," one of them said, rubbing his hands together with a disgusting grin. "She’ll sell for hundreds of gold, easy."

"Yeah, you’re right," the other replied, his tone cold and casual. "Tie her up. Take her to the carriage."

I froze, stomach twisting at their words.

One of them stepped toward me, a rope dangling in his hands.

Disgusting bastards...

I clenched my fists and quickly focused inward, trying to summon my mana—anything to defend myself.

But the moment I reached for it, my eyes shot open wide in horror.

Nothing.

I... I couldn’t feel my core.

A cold wave of dread washed over me as reality slammed in.

I still can’t use my powers.

Himeros POV:

Seeing those filthy men walking toward her, I clenched my fist and took a step forward.

"We’ll sell her at the auction," one of them muttered.

I paused.

A grin slowly crept across my lips as I rested a finger against my chin, amusement curling in my chest.

An auction, huh?

That means they won’t harm her... not if they plan to profit from her.

Perfect.

They’ll guard her. Feed her. Keep her unharmed—like a treasure waiting to be claimed.

And me?

I have more of those worthless golden coins than they could dream of.

Hehe... go ahead. Take her to your little auction. I’ll be there—front row. And I’ll make sure the only bidder who walks away with her... is me.

Zara POV:

I clenched my fists and threw a punch straight at him.

I can’t use mana, but I still have physical strength—that’s enough!

As my fist neared his face, something sharp struck my neck.

Darkness spread through my vision, and pain flared.

"W-What... how..."

Everything faded.

Third Person POV:

"Boss, she’s tied up. Let’s go," the man said, tossing her over his shoulder like a sack of grain.

He carried her to the carriage parked at the alley’s edge and opened the door. A grin spread across his face as he spotted an unconscious elf already tied up inside.

"Nice. An elf too," he chuckled, tossing Zara beside her.

He then climbed onto the front seat, grabbed the reins of the horses, and looked back at his companion.

"Boss, today’s a damn lucky day. We’ll make good profit."

"Yeah," the boss replied, smirking. "That elf alone will fetch ninety coins."

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Click.

The sound of metal made my eyes snap open. My neck still throbbed from earlier.

As I looked around, I found myself in a dark room surrounded by iron bars.

Huh...? Was I kidnapped?

I quickly sat up and checked my hands.

How did those bandits knock me out?And worse—why can’t I even use my body’s strength?

"Woooaahhh!"

Loud cheers echoed from somewhere nearby.

"This slave is sold to the gentleman in the back!"

My mind went completely blank.

No... am I at an auction?Did I really get kidnapped and sold as a slave?!

Panic surged through me.

I have to run!

I rushed toward the cage door—but a sudden tug yanked me back.

I looked down.

A thick iron chain was clamped tightly around my ankle.

Click.

The heavy door creaked open, and a flood of light spilled into the dark room. I squinted, raising a hand to shield my eyes.

Two men entered, their footsteps echoing as they walked straight toward my cage.

I swallowed hard, my heart racing.

Third Person POV:

In a grand stone hall, a circular stage stood at the center. Around it, elegantly dressed men and women sat in tiered rows, each one wearing a mask.

"Next up, a young woman with silver hair and striking blue eyes. Due to financial difficulties, her parents have sold her to us. Bidding will begin at seventy gold coins."

The announcer, a man dressed in a black vintage suit, spoke smoothly into a strange, glowing device that amplified his voice.

A wave of murmurs rippled through the masked audience. Many shook their heads with practiced pity.

"Oh dear, poor girl. We must help her by taking her in," one man said, folding his hands dramatically.

"Yes, such a tragic story... I’ll consider buying her if she meets my standards," another chimed in with a smirk.

In the front row, a woman wearing a pristine white fox mask crossed her legs. Her long pink hair shimmered under the overhead lights, fluttering slightly as if charged with power.

"Tch. Do they really think they can buy her?" she muttered coldly, her voice dripping with contempt. "If any of them even tries... I’ll destroy their entire bloodline."

"You bastards, take your hands off me!" A voice screamed from backstage, struggling as the two men dragged her forward.

The entire hall fell silent. The audience turned their attention to the stage, eyes narrowing with curiosity and amusement.

Two men emerged, dragging a silver-haired girl onto the stone platform. Her wrists were bound, ankles chained, and defiance burned in her blue eyes.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"She’s beautiful..."

"Look at her eyes—those aren’t commoner eyes."

"I must have her."

As the murmurs grew louder, the announcer raised his gloved hand and slammed it onto the wooden podium.

BANG!

"Let the auction begin!" he declared with a grin.