CHAPTER 44: UNDERWORLD

"Hanna," Han called.

"At your service," Hanna said, sitting at his side.

"Tell two maids to register my new company. On the outside, we’ll be ’Maid Restaurant,’ where everyone can feel like a Young Master. I want it popular with commoners, and we’ll use it to pick up the city’s gossip. Tell another two to find a good building for sale on the thoroughfare and drive a hard bargain."

"As you wish." Hanna climbed down from the driver’s seat and relayed the orders to the other maids.

Within a minute, four maids broke from the group and headed into the bustling thoroughfare. They had shed their robes, revealing their age and experience and their maid outfits, which gave them credibility.

Hanna returned to her Master’s side and reported, "All done. We’ll make sure you’re satisfied."

"Good job." Han smiled.

Denver flicked the reins and steered the horses toward the slums. As the carriages rolled on, Han looked around as the mood finally matched his expectations. Fewer people walked the streets. He saw fewer knights as well, a clear sign Denver was truly taking him to the Underworld.

"Looks like we can’t rely on the Order of Law anymore. What about the people in the slums?" Han asked, noticing a few suspicious figures trailing the carriages.

Denver didn’t show any concern. "Only one group comes to mind bold enough to attack us. Otherwise, we should be fine. People here recognize my carriages and know I’m under Nevolnik. But yes, there’s one group that competes with Nevolnik in the slave trade. They might try something before we head underground."

"Who?" Han asked.

"Aster’s Hand. It’s a small group, but their leader, Aster, is so strong that Nevolnik doesn’t bother with him. Fighting him would cost more than letting him operate. Competition is better for business anyway. It’s a win‑win for Nevolnik, but not for independent merchants like me," Denver explained.

"Yeah, fair," Han said with a nod.

Luck was on Han’s side. Aster’s Hand didn’t bother them. The carriages went down a steep slope into the underground. They entered a tunnel; black metal lanterns lined the way with steady flames.

This is more like it.

At the end, a sprawling underground metropolis opened. Wide stone‑paved roads glowed under the same black lanterns. Carriages rolled in and out. Buildings were carved from intricate black stone, and people wore carnival masks covering half their faces.

Seeing them, Han lowered his hood.

Denver noticed and said, "We’re safe here. This Underworld branch is dominated by Nevolnik, so the Underworld’s protection is in their hands. They’re called Hounds. You can spot them by their steel dog masks. They’re usually accompanied by dog monsters."

"Ah, I think I saw a pair," Han said.

Han’s carriage pulled up near a grand, theater‑like building. Its entrance was flanked by pillars and a broad staircase. He couldn’t see much, but the location made him think it belonged to Nevolnik.

"It’s the Auction House," Denver said.

"I see," Han replied. So unique slaves must be sold there at auction.

Han didn’t stop at the Auction House. This facility, along with others here, was part of the Nevolnik Slavery Market. Denver took Han to one of the buildings where he housed and sold his slaves. He pulled up behind it, climbed down, pulled off the blankets, and yelled for the slaves to move.

"Follow me straight to the house. Trip or lag behind, and I’ll make sure you find perfect owners!" Denver shouted.

The slaves weakly climbed down from the carriages and formed a line. They followed Denver through the back door into the facility. Han went with them. While Denver took the slaves to the basement, Han went to the first floor, where people were already buying slaves from one of Nevolnik’s affiliates.

Xena, Hanna, and Bellatrix stayed with him. The other maids handled service and protection.

A woman with a crying baby barged into the store. She ignored the line and went straight to the desk. "One thousand silver coins for this baby, okay?!"

The seller behind the desk smirked. "Another one? You sure you’re a human and not a rabbit Demi‑Human? Ha! Don’t worry. It’ll be five hundred silver coins, like usual. Don’t raise the price just to haggle."

"Fine! Just give me the money!" the woman screamed, setting the baby, wrapped in cloth, on the desk.

Snatching the money, she quickly left the store and disappeared into the street.

"Eh, these sluts. They don’t understand how much it costs to keep those babies alive before they can fend for themselves in our basements," the seller muttered, carrying the baby to the basement, where Denver was.

Bellatrix was shaken by the exchange. I can’t understand them... how can someone hand out their own children like that? What made them this way? I preach goodwill because it’s the right way to live... but lately I’ve been questioning myself, too.

Praying wouldn’t save Bellatrix’s conscience, and even a simple gesture of prayer would be enough to make her a target in this cruel world.

Han kept his voice low. "There are no better options for them. No one will help her or the baby. She has no one. See?"

No choices is still a choice someone forced on her.

It reminded him he’d had only one college where he could properly pursue his dreams. Other options would have impeded his career. He’d died, but the lesson stuck.

Bellatrix weakly nodded.

Han led her to the basement so all the slaves would be in their best condition.

For now, all Bellatrix could do was heal the slaves. She remembered the influence she’d had before losing to Tenaxis, and her conscience hit hard. She blamed herself for not trying harder to understand people.

I thought my mindset was right, but I was at fault, too.

Meanwhile, Han spoke with Denver about the slaves and how far he’d elevated them. Just hearing the list of bloodline effects sounded like money.

Denver’s eyes gleamed like gold coins.