Dark Noble 140

Chapter 140 The Ship In The Darkness

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Edited by: Kanaa-senpai

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 I boarded a medium-sized ship from the pier.

 The atmosphere was completely different from the port I visited during the day, with a dirty and shady vibe. The smell of tobacco, alcohol, and a mix of people’s body odor.

 It was clear that many people were on board.

 ”You’re using a ship, huh. It’s no wonder the royal capital’s police can’t catch up with you.”

 ”It’s an honor, thank you. The royal capital’s police are elite, but they’re amateurs when it comes to the sea. After all, the royal capital is inland, and there aren’t any large lakes or rivers nearby.”

 Neevas spoke confidently.

 His point was absolutely right. The royal capital hasn’t moved from there for centuries. With the magic academy and noble academy being located there, many nobles are unaware of the sea.

 I mean, even I and Lana are here for a special training camp in Vitz to broaden our horizons. Nobles and high-ranking officials who interact with the sea daily are few.

 ”…But is that enough to stay hidden? If you don’t get the coastal police involved, it’s impossible to hide a ship of this scale.”

 ”Leave that to your imagination.”

 I followed Neevas and arrived at the ship’s hall. There, white lighting and soft music were flowing.

 Inside the hall, people with artistic pretensions were chatting while holding various items. Pottery, sculptures, jewels…

 Paintings were lined up on the walls, and art dealers were enthusiastically trying to sell them.

 It seemed like a secret art club, but that was not all.

 In the central back, there was a stage, and beautiful women with dark skin, who didn’t seem to be from this country, were bound with chains. They all had dark skin, like people from the southern regions.

 Apart from them, there were small Basilisks locked in cages, sleeping. And similarly, small Pipo Gryphs and Chimeras. They were child-sized Monsters.

 All of them required strict handling, being precious items.

 People and monsters. Golden Crab had them lined up on display.

 ”How about it, I’ve got top-notch beauties and rare creatures on display?”

 The beauties were clearly despairing, and sorrowful. It felt like a play, but if they were actors, they were top-class.

 As someone who’s seen various human performances, if they weren’t acting, it would be a serious crime to force them to serve here.

 In my establishment, I don’t allow such tricks.

 Even if we bind them with contracts and money, we don’t force them to work beyond that.

 Lana and Meer are exceptions, and most of the girls work like Sherry.

 And as for the monsters, it goes without saying. Displaying and selling them without permission is prohibited. It doesn’t feel like they’ve obtained permission, either.

 ”…Isn’t this illegal?”

 ”If it’s humans with proper citizenship or monsters born within the country, it might be illegal. But don’t worry, it’s legal. Completely legal.”

 Neevas hinted at the trick behind it. Our country’s treatment of nations without diplomatic relations is ambiguous and unclear. It’s still like the 19th century on Earth, so there’s nothing we can do about it.

 If one did something suspicious, they’d get arrested, but legally, it’s in a gray area. In other words, if they brought them in by ship from another country, the police wouldn’t be able to touch them. But this is a risky business that takes advantage of loopholes in the law.

 Neevas seemed to be reading my silence and leaned in.

 ”You don’t need to drink because Midnight Fangs runs a brōtḥel in the royal capital. How about taking a little break on the Crimson Club ship?”

 ”……”

 Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disgust.

 I don’t think of myself as a hero. However, I do try to be a better gray――at the very least, I follow the orders from the royal family and uphold the solid traditions, maintaining order in the dark.

 But these guys have no such sense of pride. All they have is corruption and exploitation. I now understand why my mother hated the Golden Crab and sank it into the sea. They wouldn’t hesitate to sell out to the police. They’re the kind of people who should be punished by the law.

 However, it’s pointless for me to get angry here. I need to investigate where this ship is based and how many of them there are. Until I do that, I can’t cut off the roots.

 I have no choice. It’s better to play along with their story and pretend to be on their side.

 ”I don’t mind playing along, but I won’t hold back. Even if you let me have fun, the other executives in the organization won’t forgive me.”

 ”That’s understandable. We just want you to enjoy the dedication of the Golden Crab. If you do that, you’ll understand the significance of reconciliation.”

 And so, Neevas led me to the inner room. Well…this is the first time I’ve had such an unpleasant feeling about a woman.

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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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