The main event within the illusory ship named Kerudan began as the refined wooden brown platform, where the cursed artifact was conspicuously positioned, opened its blood-like curtains to the crowd numbering less than a thousand but more than five hundred, each from a noble family, accompanied by their escorts, belonging to the selected races among the seven.
As the auctioneer meandered with purpose through the sturdy, somewhat shiny wooden platform, Olivia couldn't help but ask her Young Master, whose mind at this moment wandered through the unknown, "Young Master, the cursed artifact says that only those with qualifications can enter this ship. But what makes us qualified then?"
"It's the sole awareness that Ship Kerudan exists." Zero briefly and casually answered. Then, the man in crew attire like a butler from earlier arrived, holding three plates and three drinks suited for the dawn's spectacle.
After the man left, Zero addressed the two, "Do you think you'll be able to even start eating that delicacy?"
In the round table, in front of Azel, Olivia, and Zero, there laid a set of noble delicacies, more than enough to fulfill their palates. But recalling what was written within the "Tonight's List" available in this auction, Olivia and Azel ignored the delectables without an ounce of hesitation.
At that moment, the voice of the auctioneer, who was standing on the intricate podium, reverberated within the entire grand hall, which was the Ship Kerudan's wide, spacious upper deck.
"Everyone, everyone! Tonight's event will now begin!"
Clap—!
Claps of entertainment echoed as two auction assistants and a chained man emerged from the back of the platform. With this, the cruelty of one's nature had just begun its manifestation.
***
"Everyone, everyone! This man's name is Giringos! A 38-year-old man who has been arrested because of murdering his two colleagues in the Henesha Port just a week ago! Luckily for us, we have found him and tonight he shall pay the price for his sins!
"Sacrifice No. 1 — Bidding to get the right to punish this man begins!"
At that moment, the entire venue of the auction erupted with biddings; a disgusting sight for the two maids, realizing that such atrocity existed hidden in the shadows. For the two of them, it would only be right to punish the man named Giringos, only... if only everyone that would become sacrifices were truly guilty of their crimes.
"I know what the two of you are thinking, but let them be. There's a high possibility that some sacrifices are slaves of the nobles attending this auction, whose minds only known profit."
The moment they had decided to follow their Young Master, Olivia and Azel knew that they were on a ride for extraordinary circumstances. But even then, the two would need some time for their mental toughness to develop to bear witness to such a sight.
"We have nine thousand Labyrin Coins from Baron Egeran from the Eastern Endaira!
"Eleven thousand! Hoho! Let's go, let's go!
"There you go, fifteen thousand from the Anasin Family from the Sylvaraen Queendom!
"No one's going higher? Hoho! This is it!"
When the small wooden gavel hit the sounding block, the first bidding sacrifice marked its end.
What followed was the auctioneer's voice of exhilaration as everyone's attention was focused on the pale-skinned elven beauty.
"Miss Anasin, please put on a show for us! I am sure tonight's catalog has been quite exciting, don't you all think so?"
"Yes—!"
Clap—!"
Hearing this, Zero and the two maids seemed to instinctively reread some parts of the "Tonight's List." After all, after the first phase called "Bidding for Rights to Punish", the next phase would be the "Instruments of Punishment."
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[Instruments of Punishment]
[1] Remove the pair of eyes of the 'Sacrifice' – 50 Labyrin Coins.
[2] Remove the ten fingers and ten toes of the 'Sacrifice' – 200 Labyrin Coins.
[3] Remove every tooth of the 'Sacrifice' – 500 Labyrin Coins.
[4] Stabs or slashes the 'Sacrifice' until its death – 100 Labyrin Coin per strike.
[5] Drowns the 'Sacrifice' until its death (allows two usages of Vitality Potions of any grade) – 1,000 Labyrin Coins.
[6] Skins the upper body of the 'Sacrifice' before pouring it with sea salt – 1,500 Labyrin Coins.
[7] Sucks the blood of the 'Sacrifice' until its death – 2,500 Labyrin Coins.
[8] Make the 'Sacrifice' undergo the process of "Treantification" – 2,500 Labyrin Coins.
[9] Crush the 'Sacrifice' to its exploding demise – 5,000 Labyrin Coins.
[10] Feed the 'Sacrifice' to... – 10,000 Labyrin Coins.
— Next Page —
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Such a list went on. It offered a variety of options; neutral and those that would fit one's race such as the blood-sucking for the Vampire nobles in this place.
"N–no! I–I am innocent! It was self-defense! I swear in the Name of the Seven Deities! S–spare me!" The man Giringos pleaded as he helplessly and slowly pulled his body away, his voice sent Zero and the two maids' attention back to the platform, where the elven lady meandered on.
"P–please! H–have m–mercy...
"I–I have a family!"
At that moment, the elf muttered something in Elvish, causing the ground to produce roots and envelop the helpless chained man. His veins exploded and were replaced by branches; his crying eyes flipped, enveloped by brownish branches that penetrated his eye sockets, and his feet, hands, and entire body turned into a tree body. But this resulted in shrinkage of the man's size as it turned into a miniature treant devoid of life.
It danced on the elven lady's hand; her gaze swept past the audience as she addressed someone watching her, "M–mother! Did I do well?!"
"Yes, baby! You did well! Come in here. You now have your seventh treant dolls!"
"Oho! Let's clap for Miss Anasin's practice of Treantification!"
Clap—!
Witnessing everything that had transpired, Azel and Olivia's blood boiled in silence. However, Zero was reminded of when he was in his early years with "Her" in that forgotten plane.
— "You have now reached the right age, human. Your questions about the life of nobility; all of that I can answer. But polish your mind to face the truth of one's nature as it is always teetering either in the light, in the dark, or in the grey borders of morality."
In the end, what he had questioned in regard to his or his mother's perceived sin for existing was found on the undesirable side of the noble world. Zero had learned everything there was in the bright side and dark side of this cycle of fulfilling yet haunting society.
***
As Ship Keduran traversed the still waters of its determined route until its merging with the 'lively ship', Ship Dregan, the brutality of the auction that aimed to fulfill the one hundred 'Sacrifices' for the cursed artifact continued under the maniacal applause and malice of the audiences.
Most of the attendees were lower-ranked nobles; some were Elves; some were Vampires; some were Beastkins; some were Dragonbloods, and most were Humans.
Every 'Instrument of Punishment' seemed to have been fulfilled, streaking the wide platform of theatrical tortures with a sea of crimson blood. There were even limbs on the ground, which was the result of getting cut from the latest sacrifice. Also, some 'Sacrifices' were deathly pale due to blood loss as their blood was drained to its extreme, which served as nourishment for several Vampire attendees.
It was carnage.
Witnessing everything that had transpired, Azel and Olivia couldn't help but occasionally spend most of their time in a bathroom. Nonetheless, they were glad that their stomachs were barely filled with anything upon coming into this ship of abomination.
Now, at this moment, after an unknown amount of time had passed, it was for the 96th 'Sacrifice' turn. But this time, a 'gimmick' was added as the voice of the auctioneer echoed:
"Everyone, everyone! Last five 'Sacrifices' remain as we are nearing the Whirlpool Point, which is said to be the Ship Kerudan's place of final struggle before it sank!
"It is said that the mythical Princess of Atlas and her husband jumped into the whirlpool after the storm crushed their boat. As the two lovers were bleeding upon feeding their limbs to their poor children, and since there was no reason to survive anymore when their children drowned during the storm, both of them decided to attempt jumping into the unknown to try to rescue and give their children a final hug.
"But in the end, they were swallowed by the massive whirlpool into oblivion. After that, the pursuers suffered the same fate. Fortunately, the heavens granted Captain Kerudan's wishes! So, here we are!"
Clap—!
As the round of applause reverberated, the auctioneer continued as the auction assistant appeared with a small box in his hand. Putting his hand into the gap of the box, the auctioneer drew a paper as he said:
"For our 96th 'Sacrifice' of the night, here goes the Guest Number 900!"
At that moment, puzzlement formed in Azel and Olivia's countenance, their gazes focused on the Guest Number that Zero was holding — Guest Number 900.
"W–what?! Y–young Master!" Olivia's echoing voice caused the audience to quickly pinpoint the location of Guest Number 900 — a young man with brown eyes and short black hair; donning a black tailored jacket, dark blue pants, and obsidian-like shoes.
"Hoho, a young man? Throughout the years I've been working here, it's my first time seeing you. It seems you don't know the custom that at least twenty bidders with the lowest spent Labyrin Coins will be put in the options of being a 'Sacrifice' starting from 96th to 100th."
As the others saw him, several young ladies from the noble families muttered to their mother or father, seemingly wanting to take the right to claim the young man's life. Some ladies in their thirties even emanated a seemingly tangible and palpable sexual desire.
Even if they could own slaves, it was a totally different kind of ecstasy of being able to lay a hand on a noble without bearing the consequences.
"Sorry, young man. I will take care of your maids." It was the man from earlier, who served them the delectables and drinks.
Zero extended his hands as the restraint encircled his wrists, blocking his Mana — it was the Chain Nullifier, a labyrinthian miscellaneous object that nullified the Explorer's Mana and abilities.
Azel and Olivia gulped. It was not because of the thought of their Young Master being tortured to death, but due to the fact that Zero's brown eyes sank into the abyss. It was subtle for the other audiences, but for the maids who went under his guidance within just a week, this display of indifference painted on his eyes was otherworldly.
After what felt like an eternity, Zero was escorted and now standing on the crimson platform, followed by the auctioneer's voice, "What is this gentleman? It seems he still doesn't know his circumstances. Poor young man, just with whom did you learn about this ship?"
"Receptionist Liana of the Mercenary Guild." Everyone did not expect that he would casually answer.
As those words left his mouth, he turned his back to the audience and faced the dark blue flag — the source of this madness.
He muttered in an unknown language:
"Captain Kerudan, you have failed to save the grandchildren of your King.
"Not only that, you have failed to chase Princess Acana to the lower ends of the earth.
"In the end, you have blamed yourself for being incompetent. Alas, your curse has brought disaster in this era of ignorance.
"Have you acknowledged your failure, Captain Kerudan of the lost kingdom of Atlas?"
During this less than thirty seconds of spectacle, the audiences and the auctioneer laughed. They believed that the young man was just initially brave as he walked wearing restraints on the stage without showing reactions. But now, seeing this, they thought that he had just gone insane as he mumbled something incomprehensible.
However, Azel and Olivia thought otherwise. Because, for some reason, as their connection with Zero deepened, the two seemed to subtly understand the words spoken in an unknown language. It was a strange feeling — to be cognizant and ignorant of something at the same time.
The mumbling continued:
"In your King's name, I will fulfill your mission and bring an end to the abominable Princess of the Kingdom of Atlas!
"I need your plea, O, faithful yet failure one."
At that moment, in the midst of reverberating laughter, murmurs of mockery, and any form of derision, the entire ship trembled. Almost at the same time, the dark blue flag emanated a dark blue mist, shaping itself into an enormous door from the abyss.
A second or two later, a giant hand appeared. Then, to everyone within the confines of the ship, the Labyrinth System echoed:
[Hidden Objective: Cleansing of Kerudan's Flag of Failure has been triggered!]