Chapter 16: I Am the True Villain

“What a terrifying gaze!”

Sensing the scorching, nauseating stare, Anliya instinctively stepped back.

But Mills continued to fix his blazing eyes on her—not because he had fallen in love at first sight, but because he believed he had found a mountain of gold.

Golden hair + blue eyes + delicate features + snow-white skin = ?

Such a girl, beautiful as if blessed by the gods, if properly adorned and taken to the Slave Capital, could fetch at least one—no, three gold Sol!

If you fabricated a noble lineage for her and added a touch of luck, you might even sell her for ten gold Sol at once!

Thinking of this, Mills felt his blood boiling.

He had a hunch: if this deal made him rich, his professional rank might rise again.

Even as a lowly merchant, once he reached the third-rank Morning Star tier, those haughty nobles who looked down on him would have to maintain a facade of harmony and treat him as an honored guest.

“Knight Lord, the coins I lost I offer as tribute to the great Lord Hughes. In the name of Lord Hughes’ mercy, may I take one person from this village that robbed me as my slave?”

Mills declared firmly.

At this, Solin, who had been about to leave, paused, a flicker of surprise in his eyes as he seriously weighed the pros and cons.

If he refused, he couldn’t guarantee the merchant wouldn’t spread rumors after leaving the domain, damaging his lord’s reputation.

If he agreed, there was no real loss—peasants who couldn’t pay taxes were meant to be sold into slavery anyway; losing one more wouldn’t affect next year’s harvest yield.

Who cared what these peasants thought?

As a noble knight, Solin felt he had already shown these peasants more than enough mercy.

“Fine, Clayman. Do as you say. But if you dare speak ill after leaving the domain, beware my sword.”

Solin patted the hilt of his waist sword, agreeing to Mills’ request while issuing a warning.

“Good, good, good! By the gods, Lord Hughes is surely as kind and generous as the legends say—otherwise how could his knight be so noble?”

Hearing this, Mills was overjoyed, repeating “good” three times in quick succession.

“I want her as my slave!”

Mills swiftly extended his finger, precisely pointing at Anliya, the petite girl in the crowd.

The girl’s face turned as white as paper.

For a girl of barely fifteen, nothing was more terrifying than being sold into the Slave Capital.

In bards’ tales, it had become a hell for female slaves—reports of sexual violence, horrific torture, and unspeakable atrocities never ceased coming from there.

Instinctively, terrified Anliya turned toward a direction in the crowd—where her true master, to whom she had pledged loyalty and would likely one day give her body and soul, stood.

Seeing the frightened, pleading look in his eyes, like a wounded beast, Xia Mingyu gave a slight nod and returned a reassuring gaze.

At this, Anliya’s color slowly returned; she stood still, her heart now free of fear.

She had someone to rely on—and that someone was formidable.

“What a beautiful girl.”

Solin gazed at Anliya, calm amid the crowd, his eyes flickering with admiration.

He hadn’t expected such a lovely girl to exist in this poor little village.

Thinking of it, Solin felt a pang of regret—he shouldn’t have agreed so quickly.

Not because he desired her, but because everything valuable on his lord’s land belonged to his lord—and this girl was no exception.

But if he truly presented her to his lord, his life would become unbearable—after all, the lord’s lady was a woman of considerable cunning.

With this thought, Solin made his decision. He still had to collect taxes from the next village.

“Clayman, consider yourself lucky. Take this beautiful girl and leave quickly. Remember what you just said.” Solin waved his hand.

“May the gods bless you, generous Knight Lord!”

Hearing this, Mills was ecstatic. He immediately dashed toward Anliya.

This sight sent every villager’s and Luo Bote’s hearts racing to their throats.

If they allowed the village’s most beautiful blossom to be dragged away by this vile Clayman trader, they would never forgive themselves for the rest of their lives.

“Come with me, sweet girl. I’ll find you a noble master worthy of your beauty. You’ll live a far happier life than this!”

As Mills reached out to grab Anliya’s arm, he coaxed her with words.

Though he knew full well what kind of monsters the nobles and wealthy merchants of the Slave Capital were, he still needed to paint a false picture to prevent her from resisting or killing herself.

“Stop! Anliya-sister already has a master—a noble and exalted personage!”

At that moment, Boge Chu burst from the crowd, stepping in front of Mills and shouting.

He would not tolerate this disgusting Clayman trader touching his sister—it was an insult to her, and to His Highness.

Seeing this, Mills did not retreat; instead, his expression brightened further.

He had recognized the boy—the one wearing the Hunter tag—was one of the two bandits who had robbed him days ago!

Though far less valuable than the girl, selling him to the Slave Capital should still fetch two or three silver Sol.

“Knight Lord, he’s the bandit who robbed me! Please arrest him!” Mills called out loudly.

Solin frowned slightly. Though he had no desire to meddle in Mills’ affairs, as a knight, he had a duty to punish bandits within his domain.

After all, if they dared rob a trader today, who knew when they’d target the lord himself?

Solin leapt off his horse and drew his longsword.

Swish!

The next instant, his body blurred into a shadow, lunging at Boge Chu like a wolf pouncing on prey.

Boge hastily pulled out the small knife hidden in the inner seam of his right pant leg to defend himself—but the knight’s blade was too fast!

Clang!

A flash of cold light—and Boge’s knife was instantly knocked from his hand.

“Stop. I was the one who robbed the Clay merchant.”

As the situation spiraled out of control, Xia Mingyu stepped forward from the crowd and spoke quickly.

Today was New Year’s, I was dragged to visit relatives, got back in the afternoon, and only finished writing now (*^▽^*) It’s the end of the month—don’t let your monthly votes go to waste, folks, drop some!





(End of Chapter)