CHAPTER 111: DEGRADATION

Many people were astonished and taken aback by Leonard’s thunderous scolding.

He had been quiet throughout the banquet and rarely made much of an impact.

Yet as soon as they did, it was in such an unbelievable fashion!

Even Wesley was a bit bewildered that he was the culprit who caused another merchant’s injury.

’Interesting...’ A look of intrigue appeared on Wesley’s face. Based on the merchant’s appearance, whom Leonard had scolded, it was obvious what the former was doing while he was making a speech.

Many had stopped their sexualized act to pay attention to him, but this particular merchant still had the nerve to continue.

"Who is this person?" Wesley subtly glanced at Ethan and inquired.

"He’s Hines, a silver ranked merchant in the magic accessories business," Ethan reported calmly.

"Selling magic accessories, huh? Someone who can’t even control their desire momentarily shouldn’t be dabbling in such types of business anymore." Wesley said.

"Yes, Lord Wesley." Ethan readily obliged the hidden implication.

To summarize, Hines could retire early on as he would no longer be welcome in the Merchant Guild, much less do any business with others.

As for Leonard’s outburst and scolding, it was evident that Wesley didn’t plan on pursuing the matter.

After all, Wesley himself would have done something far worse if his sight was being blocked by an unsightly merchant, especially when trying to pay attention to someone of significance.

"Anyway, where was I?" Wesley lightly chuckled and lightened the atmosphere.

The remaining merchants all knew what was going to happen next, but made sure to play along with Wesley.

Hines, on the other hand, plopped to the ground, his pants still loosened. His face was ghastly pale as he realized his career might be over.

And all of that was caused by whom?

The despicable gold ranked merchant, but most importantly, the female dancer who couldn’t satisfy him!

When the female dancer sensed the unfriendly gazes from Hines, she panicked internally. Her body trembled visibly, and she panted heavily, clearly afraid of what he might attempt to do.

Thankfully, she no longer needed to worry when Mirelle restrained Hines with her mana bind and flung him straight to the wall, causing a loud crash.

Hines spurted out a mouthful of blood from the impact. Their ribs seemed to have shattered along the process as they plopped to the ground.

"V-Violence..." Hines tried his best to utter when he noticed the Merchant Guild’s guards approaching him. He thought he would be healed and get his justice. Unfortunately, that was his wishful thinking.

Instead of assisting him whatsoever, the guards ignored his pain and dragged him away from the banquet.

’H-how is this possible?’ Hines was filled with agony and unwillingness at the outcome. ’Why are you all targeting me instead?!!’

Not a single guard had approached Mirelle to demand an explanation for her sudden violence!

What Hines failed to understand during his heated moment was the fact that Leonard had already sealed his fate the moment he threw a cup at him.

As if Wesley would fall out with Leonard over an insignificant merchant!

This was especially so when the latter was still doing some debauchery while he was on the stage, talking.

It was a blatant smear on his authority and prestige!

What Leonard did was essentially protect his honor by stopping Hines from continuously humiliating him.

The commotion lasted very briefly, with no people showing any hints of sympathy for Hines’ fate as they kept their attention on Wesley.

"I thought you wouldn’t make a move." With the attention no longer on them, Mirelle glanced at Leonard with a surprised look.

"Why? Do you also think I’m some heartless individual?" Leonard questioned.

"The female dancers here were called dancers. Yet in reality, they were just playthings for the merchants here. But just because they are a plaything, doesn’t mean the merchants here were the boss either."

It sounded complicated at first glance. But the overall gist was that Leonard wanted the other merchants to know they weren’t all that powerful either.

Mirelle nodded her head in agreement. She very much despised them but knew she couldn’t do much to change the situation.

Although she had only been exposed to such degradation briefly. Based on Caroline’s reaction, she understood that this was the norm in Velastra.

Such a corrupted system had been deeply integrated into everyone’s mindset. Life and death were so fleeting here.

It was no wonder that the laws of the city were so blatantly ignored.

The so-called laws were merely a show—a facade used to deceive the unaware and the ignorant.

"I know this is a bit late, but I want you to know that your action was great." Mirelle finally said, subtly praising him for the throwing cup action.

To be fair, she was truly stunned on the spot at that particular instance. Such a flashy action could potentially ruin everything he had planned.

Yet it seemed like there was a tolerant limit to his patience.

While Mirelle praised Leonard’s action, Caroline shook her head in response.

"I reckoned the female dancer would no longer have a place in Velastra." She lightly commented.

"What do you mean by that?" Mirelle raised an eyebrow.

Caroline didn’t bother to respond and merely pointed at one of the dancers in the Rosalia Troupe.

Coincidentally, the person she pointed to was none other than Sophie. Her face fell because she was also very close to doing the same deed.

Seeing how Sophie was distracted, Caroline quickly pointed at another woman, Shirley.

"You, go ahead and explain to her." She coolly said.

Shirley didn’t reply right away.

Instead, her gaze shifted to Leonard, clearly seeking permission or approval to speak of a matter that clearly aimed at his action being futile.

"Do speak," Leonard permitted. He also wanted to know what Caroline meant by her words.

A few seconds later, Shirley took a deep breath.

"Female dancers like them, especially when not placed on the reserve list, are destined to use their bodies consistently to make a living." She paused for a moment.

Her lips were pursed as she continued, "But Sir’s action essentially made the female dancer untouchable, meaning she would soon be kicked out without a place to live. Nobody would patronize her anymore after they learn of this incident."