Back at camp

(Darx POV)

We were already tired before Kiara left and were told it could take a long time for her to return. So, instead of waiting for her to come back, we decided it was best to get some rest. If she was away for too long, the royal guards would wake us up. When I eventually wake up, Kiara is already in my tent sleeping next to me. Well, I am happy that she has gotten back here safely. But has she also found what she was looking for?

I go outside and discover everyone else is already awake. Aside for the royal guard, who are getting their rest now. My friends seem to be pouring over a book and some letters. After a short discussion, I discover they are the evidence we need to bring Count Earl to justice.

I read the letter that was addressed to the count by some person who represented Duchess Empusa. That’s a weird name. I’ve never heard of it before.

“Does anybody know who Duchess Empusa is?” I ask.

“I do.” Livia says. “She is one of the leaders in the demon kingdom. The Duchess of Duat.”

I pull back in surprise. “Hang on. Count Earl has been selling humans as slaves to a demon Duchess?”

“Apparently.” Livia shrugs.

I look at the letter again, re-reading the part where it says the Duchess wants to buy a human woman of Asian ethnicity with pink hair. Then I look over at Shalia, who is seeking comfort in Ryul’s arms. So that’s what’s it’s been about. Count Earl has been trying to capture Shalia purely to sell her as a ****.

“It is worse than I thought.” Lilith says. “If the Count was merely selling humans as slaves, that would have been a crime, but only a crime. But selling our people as slaves to a foreign country? One that is also trying to start a war with us and invade us. That is full on treason.”

“I guess the Count is trying to make allies with the demon leaders before they conquer us?” Leona suggests. “He probably hopes the demons will allow him to stay in power if he switches sides and stands with them against us.”

“Then the Count is a fool.” Livia quickly replies. “Like I explain yesterday, demons respect power and Count Earl has no rank. He has no power. He will receive no respect. No matter how helpful he has been. Empusa will use him for as long as he is useful and when she’s done with him she will cast him aside. That is how my … how our Dukes act.”

I stand up and gets everyone’s attention to say, “At any rate, does this mean we can do something about the Count? Does he still enjoy immunity or can he be arrested now?”

Lilith nods and says, “Yeah, this works as grounds for arrest. But you should not expect the Count to come willingly. He will tell his guards to put up a fight.”

“Very well. Let’s discuss our strategy for arresting Count Earl.” I say.

We discussed our strategy long and hard. Eventually, we came to a conclusion that I didn’t like, but was still our best choice. We would capture Shalia and present her to the Count. Due to the amount of money he can sell her for, he should be overjoyed catching her. This will be our way in. While the Count is distracted, we will split up ins search for the dungeon and liberate Shalia’s parents. Meanwhile, Shalia herself will break out of the ropes we tie her up with and will arrest the Count.

“Are you sure we can’t have some of us follow the Count after Shalia has been handed to him?” Ryul asks as the end.

“Yeah, I am not comfortable with that too.” I agree with Ryul. “Like 2 people who stay close behind them?”

“No.” Merlara explains. “If we just arrest the Count, all his guards will turn on us right away. We need time to take out some of the guards. It is best to do that while they think of us as allies.”

“You needn’t worry about me, you two.” Shalia assures us. “As an A-rank, I have a lot of physical strength now. Also, I have magic spells that can use against him.

With Shalia’s assurance, Ryul and I both withdraw our complaints and wait for the royal guard and Kiara to wake up. We discuss everything with them and once everything is settled, the royal guard transport us close to Count Earl’s mansion. With Helena being a veteran of the Dark Dragons and a minor celebrity, we can’t afford taking her with us. Imagine somebody in the Count’s mansion recognizes her. But we also don’t want Helena to feel like she is being excluded, so we have her tie Shalia up. When she is done, we are treated to the sight of Shalia being bound in a sexually suggestive way. With rope going around her breasts and accentuating her cup size. On top of which, she had also gagged Shalia. We quickly release our poor friend and tie her up in a more appropriate way. Though the gag was a good idea. When we are ready to leave, we have Kiara place a [Glamor] on Livia, making her appear like a human, and our group marches towards Count Earl’s mansion.

Once we arrive at Count Earl’s mansion, we announce ourselves to the guards and let them know we captured a woman for him. It takes a while for them to inform the Count, but eventually they allow us in. After entering the mansion, we are greeted by the Count. A fat man, heavily adorned with golden jewelry. If I ever become wealthy, I hope I never become like him.

“Ahhh, my lovely Shalia. Finally, you have been returned to me.” The Count says as he walks up to her. “It is such a delight to see you once again.”

As the Count walks up to Shalia, I notice her looking uncomfortable. She knows that in order to liberate her parents, she needs to play along. But even so, it can’t be easy.

“Just look at that wonderful pink hair.” He then grabs Shalia by the chin and forces her to look at him. “And those clear blue eyes. Such a rarity. You are going to make for a wonderful partner.”

The count then walks a circle around Shalia and checks out her body like she is nothing more than a piece of meat to him. Staring at her ass and her breasts. I reason that if Amelia had been in Shalia’s position, I would have a hard time keeping my calm. I quickly check Ryul, to see if he is doing alright. He has decided to look at the floor. At least then he doesn’t have to see his girlfriend being objectified.

“Sir Count.” I say, hoping to take the Count’s attention away from Shalia. “Is she to your liking?”

“Very much so.” The Count answers and he walks closer to me. “You have no idea how long I have been yearning for her.” He stares at Shalia again and says, “To make her my beloved wife.” With an emphasis on the last two words, making them sound perverted.

“We are happy we could return her to you.” I tell him. “But as you understand, people like us work for a price.”

“Indeed, indeed.” The Count answers. “I have 100 golden coins for you and your group.”

Hearing him say how much he is willing to pay for Shalia makes me almost lose composure. 100 gold for a single woman is a lot. No wonder there is an illegal **** market, with prices like these.

“Actually, I was thinking of a somewhat different payment than usual.” I explain to the Count. “As you can see, my friend and I are traveling around with so many ladies, and quite frankly, these girls have quite an appetite. So I was wondering if maybe you perchance have a male dark elf for sale?”

The Count smiles heartily. “Indeed. I understand what you mean, young man. And lucky for you, I just so happen to have a dark elf for sale. Not a very valuable one though, he is only worth 40 gold.”

I ponder for a few seconds, then reply, “Alright, a dark elf **** plus 60 gold. That sounds like a good deal to me. But I would of course have to see what condition he is in first.”

“Not a problem.” The Count replies. “I shall have one of my servants guide you to the dungeon.”

The count addresses one of his guards and tells him to bring Vanessa here. While we are waiting for Vanessa, Merlara engages the next part of our plan by asking the Count if it is possible for some of us to get a meal. He instructs another two of his guards to show here where the dining room is and Merlara follows them, together with Leona, Kiara, Livia, Sophie and Ari. Amelia, Ryul and Lilith stay with me, as agreed.

Shortly after, the guard sent to collect Vanessa returns, together with a woman. She has brown hair and is wearing a weird outfit that could be considered lingerie. Like, she only has 3 thin strips of cloth on her. One over her breasts, a second over her crotch and a third covering her behind. But the thing about her that stands out the most is a huge black mark over her right eye. Like someone has hit her quite forcefully.

“Vanessa, take these guests to the dungeon, please.” Count Earl commands her. “They can have the dark elf **** in cell 7.” He then turns to me and says, “I will personally pay you the remaining 60 gold myself …” His eyes turn sideways towards Shalia and continues. “After I have tested the goods, of course.”

Before I can say anything, Count Earl gets his hands on Shalia and pulls her with him towards the stairs. They are followed by 4 guards and as they walk, I can see the Count getting an arm around Shalia’s waist and caressing her hips. We are going to have to save her from him quickly, but we also need to find her parents and save them first. So the four of us ignore the Count and Shalia and follow Vanessa towards the dungeon.

As Vanessa walks with us towards the dungeon, I try my best to remember the way we walk. Once we’ve liberated Shalia’s parents, we are going to have to find our way back as quickly as possible. Eventually, we are led down a staircase and down below are is the dungeon. We walk past several cells, many of which contain several girls. Each of these women have been stripped nude. None of them have even a single shred of cloth. I guess this is part of Count Earl’s method of training his slaves. Making them experience so much time being nude that it becomes normalized. He truly is a despicable man.

“Vanessa, I have a question.” I ask.

“Yes, sir.” Vanessa asks submissively. “How may I help?”

“Does the Count perchance have any Asian ladies here? Maybe a woman of a mature age. I might be in the interest of buying one of those as well.” I explain.

“Of course sir.” Vanessa answers. “Please, follow me.”