{8th February 2023}
On the Japanese mainland, Streia live in secrecy. Those who are under 18 cannot live on the mainland if they are a Streia. Not alone, at least.
Just because Streia live in secrecy does not mean that they cannot hold events. Events such as an annual slave auction.
The Rientfell Slave Auction—a slave auction that happens only once a year. The location of the auction changes each year, making it almost impossible for SSB officials to find it.
"Tickets please."
Moreover, the auction keeps attendees' identities secret. Everyone goes under an alias.
"I see. Seats 204 to 207 are reserved. May I have names?"
Two women and two men.
A woman with black hair and a black butterfly mask. The other had light pink hair and wore a white mask. The two men wore similar masks but different colours. One man had black hair and the other had white hair.
"Kuro, Momo, uh..."
The black-haired woman looked at the men. They had not picked names for themselves yet.
"I'm... uh..."
"I'm White."
The white-haired man said with a confident smile. The other man was still thinking.
"Hm... I need a cool name... Dexter? No. What name would be...?"
"Ugly."
The pink-haired girl answered, sneering.
Tired of waiting, the masked man wrote down the names on his list.
"Kuro, Momo, Ugly and White. Please come in."
"No, you! Why did you make my name Ugly?!"
"Hah? Maybe because you are?"
Momo calmly replied.
The four entered the auction building and walked into the auction hall. It was a large stage with a multitude of seats in front of it. Almost like a play.
"Ah, Ugly, don't go that way, we're upstairs."
"Not you too, team leader!"
White slapped Ugly on the head before putting him in a headlock.
"Shut your mouth, you idiot! No one can know that we're on a mission!"
White whispered loudly.
He smacked Ugly on the head. Momo could not help but break into laughter. Kuro stayed silent as they took their seats on the balcony.
"So, are we here to arrest Rientfell?"
Momo whispered into Kuro's ear.
They were not the only ones in the balcony area. Talking about it loudly would simply give away the identities that they were doing their best to hide. Even a monkey knows that. Of course, that would mean Ugly was dumber than a monkey.
"Rientfell never comes."
"Really?"
Arresting the creator of this event was not Kuro's goal. She had another goal in mind.
[Alright, ladies and gentlemen!]
An announcer came out onto the stage. He had a mask of a joker on.
[Welcome to the 15th annual slave auction held by Master Rientfell! I am your announcer, Joker and, up in the balcony is...]
Joker pointed to the balconies. One balcony over from Kuro and her group was the one who held the event annually.
[Rucia Rientfell herself!]
(That's strange. Rientfell is never supposed to come.)
Everyone gave her a round of applause as the stage lift illuminated her presence. She was a woman of young age despite the years that the event was being held
Rucia had golden hair and hazel eyes. Her golden hair was wavy, extending to the nape of her neck. Due to her flaxen hair, her silver hoops stood out. She barely wore anything on top. She had a black bandeau on. She wore white shorts. Her legs were clad in armour. She donned black armour on her right arm.
Rucia certainly did not look like a businesswoman. She appeared to be more like a warrior.
[Miss Rientfell wanted to see the faces of her customers this year. Anyway, without further ado, the first slave!]
Joker stuck his hand out and from behind the red curtains, a man came out. He was tall and had a sturdy build. It was like he was a mini giant.
[Gosef Giorg! He's aged 38 and is of a rare giant bloodline. He can lift heavy things and is sturdy, meaning that he's not easy to torture or punish!]
Many were satisfied by Joker's explanation.
[Starting bid at ¥100,000!]
"110!"
"130!"
"135!"
"Leader, are we going to intervene?"
"..."
Kuro stayed silent when White asked his question. She had not ultimately decided.
[Sold for ¥230,000! Take him away!]
Two masked women came on stage to take Gosef away. He looked as though he had suffered his entire life.
"Leader..."
·———·
[The final slave is a special one! I assure you that all of you will like it!]
Joker smiled insidiously.
The two masked women brought a girl out.
"Get your hands off of me!"
The girl was defiant. She snatched her arms back from the women. She was cuffed.
The audience gasped in excitement
[A beautiful girl! She's a wonderful specimen! She hasn't told us her name but... she's a cute girl and has a voluptuous figure!]
"Shut the fuck up."
The girl said in English.
"How did I get myself in this situation?"
She muttered in Japanese.
The girl spoke fluent Japanese despite her foreign appearance. She had long, wavy, blonde hair and emerald eyes. Despite the bruises on her face, her suit was in pristine condition.
[We'll start at ¥1,000,000!]
"I've had enough."
Kuro stood up from her seat.
"Leader?"
"I've seen enough. He's not here."
She disappeared from her seat and reappeared in front of the Joker and the girl. The audience turned heads and began whispering, wondering what was going on.
Rucia Rientfell narrowed her eyes from her balcony space.
[Uhm, excuse me, I don't know who you are but you're not welcome on sta—]
Kuro stole Joker's microphone and spoke into it.
[Everyone here is under arrest.]
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Who are you?"
"This isn't some sort of joke?!"
[I'm afraid, it is not.]
Strange dark energy washed over the audience; all of the doors in the auction hall shut tight and locked themselves.
Kuro threw her mask away and removed her black clothing. Underneath, she wore a white cloak which only belonged to those in the SSB. In other words, Magi.
She grew cat ears from the top of her head and a tail sprouted from the base of her back.
Everyone noticed her ruby-red eyes.
"A woman with red eyes and ears like a cat with an aura that sends chills down one's spine... It's her! The ace of the SSB!"
"Who?"
The blonde girl asked.
"You mean, you haven't heard?"
Joker widened his eyes.
"Well, no..."
"She joined the SSB on recommendation a year ago and she's already an important Magi. Every single mission she's been on, she has completed. She arrests wrongdoers with ease. She's cold-hearted and indifferent. Her name is Kuroha Kuroika but because if you meet her, your fate is sealed, people call her the Grim Reaper..."
"That somewhat seems like a stretch."
The cuffed girl commented.
Rucia Rientfell jumped from her balcony and landed in front of Kuroha.
"The Grim Reaper. I've always wanted to meet you and it seems like my wish is granted."
"Rucia Rientfell. I shall put you under arrest for illegal human trafficking and violation of human rights."
Kuroha coldly said.
Rucia grinned.
"I'm not going to get arrested without resisting."
"I certainly wouldn't have it any other way."