Published at 14th of January 2026 8:30 am

Chapter 1414: City of Slaves

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Quinn Estate.

Tostig Quinn, Duke of Ignisra, sat in his private study, a room sealed against scrying magic. Shelves lined the walls, containing arcane books, ledgers, and carefully catalogued information pertaining to the city.

Before him stood two of his most trusted men, who had been ordered by him to secretly tail and observe the wandering Magus Nilrem.

It had already been ten days since he had ordered them to do so. And today, they had finally come to deliver their findings.

Duke Quinn scanned his men’s faces and murmured in a low voice, "This better be good news. I’m already quite fed up with constantly having to search for spies in the city."

The two Mana Liquefaction Magi, Seaward and Cliffton, exchanged awkward glances and respectfully nodded. "Yes, my lord."

"Go ahead." Quinn rested his elbows on the table, fingers interlocked.

"Yes, sir," Seaward began. "Nilrem starts his mornings by visiting a tavern. A different one each day, I might add. He drinks heavily, without any concern for appearances."

Cliffton continued. "After that, he visits the city’s major landmarks. Public squares, old towers, guild halls, etc. He sketches them all in the journals he carries."

"He talks to everyone, my lord." Seaward chimed in. "Beggars, merchants, nobles, common folk, and Magi. There’s no distinction. He talks to everyone in the same tone, same manner."

"At noon..." Cliffton awkwardly cleared his throat. "He gets drunk again."

Duke Quinn’s lips twitched. "What kind of Magus gets drunk so often? Is he a fool, thinking no one will attack him within the city? Or is he just that confident in his abilities?"

"Uh, we’re not sure, my lord." Cliffton scratched the back of his head. "He’s just a drunkard."

There was a brief pause before Seaward continued, "He then visits several of the wealthier merchant houses, and..."

"And what?" Quinn pressed, a light frown forming on his face.

Seaward gulped. "We’ve never caught him in the act, but without exception, after he leaves, the owners are in a panic. They’re repeatedly counting coins, accusing their staff, and sealing their vaults."

Duke Quinn was dumbfounded. "Are you implying he is looting these merchant houses?!"

"Uhm, I mean..." Seward tried to think of the right words. "We don’t have proof, but he likely is."

Tostig Quinn’s eyes went wide as saucers. He couldn’t help but think to himself:

What kind of Magus, that too at the Mana Vortex Rank, steals money? Given how lavishly he dresses, I never would have taken him to be a marauder!

Just who the hell is this man?

"There’s one more thing, my lord," Cliffton spoke up.

Quinn snapped out of his daze and nodded. "Speak."

"These merchant houses that Nilrem allegedly loots... well, all of them have quite a bad reputation in the market. And some of them even deal in slave trading," Cliffton concluded.

Seaward immediately chimed in. "On the first night of his arrival, Nilrem visited the black market, and it seemed that he was not particularly pleased with the slave trade."

"What makes you say that?" Quinn’s eyes narrowed.

The slave trade had always been prevalent not only in the Ignisra Kingdom, but across most parts of Europa. In fact, Amberfall itself had been built by slaves. They were its first inhabitants, long before merchants and nobles claimed the city as their own.

That history was not forgotten. It was simply ignored, buried beneath layers of wealth, trade, and convenience. Even now, the foundations of the city rested on labor that had never been free.

This was the truth most chose not to dwell on as long as commerce continued to flourish.

There had been slave revolts in the past. They were brief, violent uprisings born of desperation. However, each had been swiftly and decisively crushed in the name of order and greater prosperity.

Stability and trade always took precedence, and the kingdom endured because of it.

This was a city of merchants.

But this was also a city of slaves.

Seaward continued in a solemn tone:

"A merchant approached him to sell him slaves, but Nilrem cast a subtle but devious magic on him. It was only later that we found out that the merchant was put under an illusion.

"He was deeply disturbed by it and refused to talk about it with anyone. After that incident, he simply abandoned his slave business. He now spends the rest of his days confined to his manor."

"Abandoned his business?" Duke Quinn was startled. He suddenly thought of something, and his expression immediately darkened. "Have there been other such instances?"

"No, my lord." Cliffton shook his head. "Rest assured, that was the only one."

Tostig Quinn thought for a moment before nodding. "Continue."

"In the evenings," Seaward said, "he goes to the harbor. He speaks with sailors from every region. Listens more than he talks. Oh, and he also gets drunk with them. We overheard him say that sailors were the best drinking buddies."

"And at night," Cliffton continued. "He returns to the taverns. Drinks until late. Tells stories of his travels and draws a large crowd wherever he goes."

"Goodness arcana!" Quinn exclaimed. "Just how much does this old man drink?!"

Seaward’s lips twitched. "According to our observation... at least a barrel a day."

"A barrel a day?!" Once again, Duke Quinn was dumbfounded.

While the Duke was in a state of shock, Seaward continued, "He also frequents the markets from time to time and buys small trinkets that were locally produced. Nothing of note."

"Is that all?" Quinn snapped out of surprise and asked.

Seaward and Cliffton simultaneously nodded. "Yes, my lord."

Silence followed as the reports ended.

After a long time, Duke Quinn asked in a solemn voice. "Does he know he was being followed?"

"I doubt that, my lord." Seaward shook his head, a hint of confidence in his voice. "He was far too drunk to notice us. Anyone who can down a barrel of wine a day must be intoxicated most of the time, if not constantly."

"And yet, he was able to steal money from the merchant houses in that state of intoxication?" Duke Quinn scoffed.

Seaward and Cliffton exchanged glances, but did not answer. They knew that the point raised by the Duke was valid, and this was also something they had taken into consideration.

"What do you think?" Quinn asked. "Is he really who he claims to be? Or..."

He paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing.

"Is he an agent of the Empire?"

The two Mana Liquefaction Magi paused for a moment, then simultaneously said:

"My Lord, we believe he’s..."

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