Chapter 297: The Black Market and Etoile

The Black Market?(Touya)

Whats with those overly threatening words? I can imagine what kind of place that is, but is it really alright for us to go to a place like that?

Its a sacred place for backroom deals, not limited to various stolen and unknown goods, but also prohibited items. Anyone can acquire almost anything there, not just the golems(Nia)

That place is dangerous, so it must have connections to some kind of nasty organization... right?(Touya)

Youre right. The one controlling the Black Market is an organization called the Black b.u.t.terfly. Unlike us, those guys will do anything for profits. I intend to smash them one day but... thats right! I can crush them if I have Touya with me(Nia)

Nia starts muttering precarious words as if theyre nothing.

Wait-wait!. Youre a little weird in here. Dont drag a good-natured citizen into one your ploys(Touya)

Would a good-natured citizen jump into a room where a woman is changing clothes?(Nia)

Uugh! I dont think that event is related to this one...

Well, lets leave that aside. If you want to get your hands a Legacy golem, the Black Market is the quickest way to access them because you cant be sure that youll be able to find one if you search a ruin(Nia)

Exploring the ruins IS an option, provided I have some time to spare... But it looks like I have no choice other than to give up this time, huh?

Moreover, the place were going to is more or less called a black market. I may be able to obtain something unusual there.

Normally, the market isnt dangerous to the buyer. Just remember the dont inquire into the origins of the goods rule. As long as you can just follow that, youll be just fine(Yuri)

Yuri adds to the explanation as well. Oh right, there are stolen goods in there too. I suppose everyone would be suspicious if someone starts probing for information on their wares. At worst, the person in question might be marked by this Black b.u.t.terfly group.

Got it. Take me to this place. Ill just say this in advance, but I dont have any intention of crus.h.i.+ng that organization. Do you understand?(Touya)

d.a.m.n. Oh well. I guess thats fine. I want to inspect the enemys movement a little all the same. Once Rogue comes back... oh, its here(Nia)

Nia turns her eyes toward the fort. Then I notice a small object walking here from the other side.

It has a deep crimson-colored body which looks like a burning flame. It could be seen as a knight in full-body armor, but it has a size belonging to a child. And yet the thing which its carrying on its shoulder is a large wild boar about the same size of an automobile.

Unlike its appearance, it must be considerably powerful. This small golem drops the wild boar with a thud.

Welcome back. Hey. How far have you gone to?(Nia)

North, to the depths of the forest. Ive met an unexpected trouble(Rouge)

Did it just talk...?(Touya)

Though the voice sounded mechanical, Im pretty sure this red golem just talked. That wolf-type golem that I encountered before... Was it called Fenrir? It talked just as fluently as the Babylon sisters of our household.

Rouge, this is Touya. Hes the one who gave us the items necessary for your repairs. Touya, this is my partner, Rogue. His full name is Blood Rogue, but I call it just Rogue since his name is too long

I heard the story. I thank you(Rouge)

Aah, no... Dont mention it...(Touya)

The red golem slightly bowed. Somehow, its tone and appearance dont suit each other. This golem looks strangely human. The vice leader Ests golem... Was it called Akagane? It had more of a robot-like feeling to it.

If I remember correctly, wasnt this guy from a special series called Crown or something?

A Legacy with an exceptionally unique ability is said to be one of the most outstanding golems in this world... I dont see them like that at all though.

Rouge, well be going to the Black Market after this. Come with us(Nia)

Understood, Master(Rouge)

Rogue makes a small nod in response to Nias words. Somehow those two look like an elder sister ordering her younger brother. Though in reality, the younger brother is much older.

So, where is this place?(Touya)

Operating my smartphone, I then project the map of this world.

Heres the fort were in. The black market is located in the city of Goldes south from here. Goldes is a town being called the Casino city...(Nia)

Now wait just a minute. Is that the city thats s.h.i.+ning in all dazzling myriad of colors?(Touya)

So you know about this city?(Nia)

That city? I stopped by this casino city one time before right after parting with Nia and the rest of their group and before returning to my world. So that citys called Goldes, huh?

I pretty much lost all of my money there and became penniless...

Is that city controlled by the Black b.u.t.terfly?(Touya)

No, the black market changes its location every month. Its in Goldes this time, but it doesnt particularly mean that the Black b.u.t.terfly controls Goldes. Naturally, they must have someone cooperating with them from within the city though(Nia)

Them changing the venue each month is probably to mislead the eyes of the country, isnt it? However, Nia sure knows much about it.

It takes a thief to catch another thief. There are ways for us to acquire this kind of information too ~right(Yuri)

Yuri puts a finger on her lips while saying so. Although the Red Cats is a group of chivalrous thieves, they dont shy away from obscure practices. Such information later becomes a trump card.

As such, I feel like saying dont leak sensitive information like this to outsiders such as myself. Well, I wont be doing anything even after I hear it though.

Oh well. Its possible to go to this Goldes city at once because Ive been there before, but... Is it really alright for Nia and the rest to come along?(Touya)

Im saying this just for the record, but shes the leader of a group of thieves. Seeing that Im hesitant if bringing her to places which attract public attention is alright or not, Nia waves her hand with a masculine-like laughing.

There arent many people that know that I am the leader of the Red Cats. Besides, I have Rouge with me, he will protect me from almost any danger(Nia)

Does it mean that the number of people who know the face of the Red Cats leader is limited even if the group itself is famous? Oh well. I plan on hiding our true ident.i.ties with Mirage if push comes to shove, but it doesnt look like I will need to worry about that.

For the time being, we tell the members in the fort where were going and leave them with a mouse that Ive summoned.

In case they want to contact us for anything, they should be able to reach me through this mouse.

Witnessing the summoning magic, Nia presses me to teach her this magic as well, but she drops her shoulder disheartened when I tell her that I couldnt teach her this magic since she doesnt have the apt.i.tude for the darkness attribute.

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The outer district of a casino in the capital Goldes. Even this gorgeous capital has a dark side. The place called the slums. Its here where people with broken dreams end up and the last stop for those who are lost.

Having opened Gate in the back alley of such place, we then transfer to Goldes. Immediately coming out to the main street and walking for a while, we arrive at the street facing the central district.

The neon lights of this city arent s.h.i.+ning because its daytime, but the city looks flashy as usual even under the sun.

We travel up a hill towards the central district and pay the toll to the gatekeeper before the flashy s.h.i.+ning gate.

I had thought about this when I came before, but this somehow feels as if paying the admission fee before entering an amus.e.m.e.nt park.

So, where at the central district are we supposed to go?(Touya)

Inside the central district, there are several casino domes, each one having a different owner, I hear. Surely, the money-mongers here are having a fierce compet.i.tion night after night.

There are also buildings with somewhat a pretty large amount of land that can be seen here and there. Though the casinos arent opened during the daytime, I wonder at what place and time would the black market open?

The place where going to is the casino Goldman. To be precise, its a place where the casino was located(Nia)

Was?(Touya)

Several months ago, the owner of that place was arrested for illegal gambling and all kinds of other stuff. I heard they made slaves fight the golems, making them kill each other. We had intended to deliver the divine retribution upon them ourselves, but I guess we were beaten to the punch(Nia)

Nia looks the other way with a sullen face. Just when Im thinking that her att.i.tude is strange, Yuri says something from the side.

The one who had driven that owner to ruin was a person in possession of a black Crown, similar to the one Chief has. Shes sulking because her rival seized all of the spoils(Yuri)

Dont say anything unnecessary!(Nia)

Bis.h.i.+! Nia flicks Yuris forehead. It hur-r-r-rts, says Yuri as she squats down while touching her forehead. It was an excellent sound.

A red crown and a black crown. Does this mean that the crown series have colors attached to them as names?

At any rate, the new owner, who purchased the casino dome, is cooperating with the Black b.u.t.terfly(Nia)

I see. I open my map app and look at the map of this city. Itll troublesome if the name of the casino has already been changed, but it looks like it still retained the name Goldman.

Once we walk up to the front of the casino dome, two gatekeeper golems, about three meters tall and made of blue steel, blocks our way. Huge~. They arent as tall as frame gears though. Apart from being short, stout and looking old-fas.h.i.+oned, those golems seem to be very strong.

Several thug-looking men that look like ruined adventurers are standing before them.

A customer?(Evil-looking Man)

Seeing us, the evilest looking one among them glares at us. If this place was a proper first-cla.s.s casino, his behavior wouldnt be acceptable.

If you came here to buy, its one gold per person. If you came here to sell, show us your products(Evil-looking Man)

...We came to buy. Its three gold coins, right?(Touya)

As I inquire about it, the man nods silently. Pay the fee if you want to enter, is what he probably meant.

The admission fee is about 100,000 yen per person, huh? Apparently, golems arent counted for the admission fee here, but we had to pay Rouges share as well when we entered the central district.

I take out three gold coins and hand them over to the man. Upon receiving the fee, the man only moves his jaw, urging us to move.

We pa.s.s through a big door and come out to a barren hall. Looks like every decoration inside this casino dome was cleared away. Even though I had entered a different casino before, the hall from that time looked more gorgeous.

But in here, there are no tables to play roulette or poker and bar counters. Theres no big chandelier in here as well. Only a large number of a.s.sorted stores are lined up throughout the s.p.a.cious dome.

There are small tent-like stores even on flea markets, but both the shopkeepers and the customers here look way too suspicious. A chaotic world is spreading before our eyes here.

It feels like a flea market or an antique market...(Touya)

A lot of things are being sold namely: some sort of parts in which I dont have any idea about, various types of jewelry, expensive-looking vases, even animals that Ive never seen before. Everything around appears, so I end looking restlessly around without thinking.

Oops! I mustnt forget what I really came to do here.

However, I couldnt find anything resembling a golem even after looking around. Whats the meaning of this?

In black markets such as this one, expensive goods like golems are placed in a different location, you see. Yuri has already gone to inquire about it, so just wait for a bit(Nia)

Yuri returns a short time later. Apparently, transactions that deal with high priced items such as golems are being conducted in the bas.e.m.e.nt.

In front of a thick, black leather-covered door, thug-looking bodyguards are standing watch again. And theyre demanding money again. Oi!...

Although Im already quite irritated to this att.i.tude, its no use opposing this treatment. Ive once again paid three peoples worth of fees and set foot in the slope leading towards the bas.e.m.e.nt.

After descending a gentle curve, we are greeted by a bowl-shaped venue with various golems put on display. They come in all shapes human and animal and sizes big and small with some even having figures that I dont recognize.

The view is spectacular when theyre lined up like this. Its like we are in an exhibition of sorts.

Lets go(Nia)

A-aah(Touya)

Being pressed by Nias group, we go down to the bowl-shaped venue. Weaving our way through various golems and customers, we walk around while checking what catches our attention one by one.

I dont know which one is a Legacy and which one is a Factory at all though......(Touya)

Once you get used to them, youll be to differentiate the two just by looking at their design or the parts they use. For now, you can just look at the price. Legacy golems are substantially far more expensive than their counterparts. Well, it happens from time to time, but some super-high-quality Custom-made frames do appear occasionally(Nia)

An ancient frame which has been excavated from ruins A Legacy golem

A Factory ma.s.s produced unit A Ready-Made golem.

According to a golem engineer, a one-of-the-kind unit is called Custom-Made.

Rogue is a Legacy golem, and the crab bus that Sancho-san has is probably a Ready Made golem.

Looking at the prices, there are definitely a few golems whose prices have one more digit in them. However, nearly all of them have the tag No ability written under the price.

As expected. Units with an ability, which could be called Golem Skill, arent that easy to obtain.

Oh(Touya)

Among them, theres one golem without the No Ability tag underneath the price.

The green golem in question is approximately 2 meters tall, with long and big arms, and shaped like a gorilla. Its carrying some kind of tank on its back.

Excuse me. Is this golem an Ability Holder?(Touya)

Indeed. The range is limited, but its capable of transforming the terrain(Shopkeeper)

Hee. Looks like it may be useful in civil engineering. Though I couldnt believe the 500 million price tag. Wouldnt this golem be stolen if left in a place like this? No, since its in the black market, it mightve already be stolen though.

The Black b.u.t.terfly group is managing the security of this place properly, but I really wonder about that.

I could confidently say that I could steal everything in here, but I wont.

Hey, Touya. How about that one?(Nia)

Eh? Which one?(Touya)

The machine Nia points to looks more like a power-up suit rather than a golem. It looks like its supposed to be worn on someones limbs and back. I wonder, does this machine belong to another cla.s.s of golems?

This one is an equipment type golem. Even though it may look like this, it still has its uses. It moves according to the thoughts of its wearer and a.s.sists that person by doing so(Nia)

It certainly looks interesting, but what I want is the autonomous type.

Touya-san, how about this one?(Yuri)

Yuri leads me to the front of a store with a large number of firm-looking cases lined-up. Amongst them, a certain golem is being silently displayed.

It has small stature like a kid, about the same as Rouge. The frame has white as its base color and made with a vague form of a girl. There are three of them in total, each having a certain fluorescent color red, blue, and green incorporated all over their bodies. They even have fluorescent hair-like parts on their heads. Someone surely has mastered their craft.

A humanoid type, huh? How rare(Nia)

Nia mutters while comparing the three Legacy golems with her eyes. Certainly, when compared to an armor-wearing unit like Rogue or the exoskeleton-type gorilla from a little while ago, these golems seem to be made to imitate a human being.

However, Im not that surprised by that fact since our household has robo-girls which are almost indistinguishable from humans. Those humanoid golems still give off the feeling of being dolls though.

Are they Ability Holders as well?(Touya)

They are. I can guarantee that. However, I dont know what abilities they have since they cant be activated(Shopkeeper)

Apparently, golems have a device usually installed in the chest area thats being used to register someone as the owner of said golem, but that device doesnt seem to be working. The shopkeeper, whom we asked about the details, says that he had shown the golems to the engineers specializing in them but gave up on fixing the golems in question. As such, the shopkeeper has decided to sell them in their current state.

Therefore, Im selling them for cheap, and I want the customer to buy them(Shopkeeper)

The fat storekeeper calls out to me while rubbing his hands together. Ummm. Even if you say that youre selling them for cheap, each of them costs 70 royal gold coins. Its 700 million yen, you know? The amount does seem a bit strange.

The gorilla-type from before costs 500 million, and its an Ability Holder. Are you saying that its less expensive than these golems? Despite that fact that the gorilla seemed stronger and st.u.r.dier.

Cant be helped, I suppose. Hey, look here(Shopkeeper)

The storekeeper points at the chest of the cased golem. A small mark, some kind of characters and a number, is carved in that area.

A star emblem... Does this golem belong to the Etoile series? That would explain things(Nia)

I see(Yuri)

Seeing those symbols, Nia and Yuri nod in consent. According to Yuri, who explained to the uncomprehending me, golems that are marked with a star-shaped symbol belong to the Etoile series, which are considered as one of the best series of golems even amongst other Legacy golems.

I suppose the mark itself is probably something like a proprietary logo of the manufacturer.

Though I find out about it later, it seems that theres a crown mark engraved into the neck Rogue, hidden behind its armor. Apparently, its the brand mark of the Crown series.

Is that real?(Touya)

Theres no one wholl display a fake in the black market. He would be prohibited from entering, or he might even be erased, at worst(Nia)

I see. That probably means that even without knowing the ability of those golems, they are worth this much simply because they belong to the Etoile series.

So, what will the customer do? Will you buy it? Will you not? Normally, an Etoile golem doesnt go for cheap, you know?(Shopkeeper)

Hmmm......(Touya)

Honestly speaking, Im looking for a tougher golem that could be worth calling a gatekeeper. Based on how these golems look, I believe they are more suited to be caretakers.

Our in-house professor will probably be able to a.n.a.lyze them and activate them eventually. Even if she fails, shell think of another way. In that case... this is possible as well, I guess?

Alright. Ill buy them. However, please look at this before doing a transaction(Touya)

I take out an adamant.i.te ingot from Storage and show it the storekeeper whos looking doubtful. The storekeeper then looks at it for a while before opening his eyes widely and turning his face to me.

I-is t-this adamant.i.te!? Where in the world...!?(Shopkeeper)

Isnt it against the rules to ask about the origins of a product here? I want you to sell those three golems to me for 130 royal gold coins and this ingot(Touya)

All three of them!? Nu...u...(Shopkeeper)

The storekeeper is pondering in front of the adamant.i.te. Actually, my 150 royal gold coins were decreased due to the admission fees and other stuff. Ill be glad if the transaction goes through with the current amount I brought out. Although I could simply pay the full price using adamant.i.te only, I would look suspicious if Ive done so.

Golems from the Etoile series that couldnt be activated or a very precious and rare material. The scales inside that mans head are probably trembling.

Eventually, the storekeeper shows a complacent smile and says something.

Got it. Ill accept this adamant.i.te and 130 royal gold coins. Ill sell everything(Shopkeeper)

Its a deal(Touya)

I hand over the money to the storekeeper and purchase the three golems. The reason for buying all three of them is to have a spare in case something happens. One could also say that separating those three away from each other bothers me, seeing as how they look like sisters when theyre lined up like that.

When I stored the three of them along with their cases inside Storage, the storekeeper stiffens at the sight but decides not to mind it.

No matter of much of an Etoile they are, are you really sure about having the three of them?(Nia)

Mmm. I dont know, but I think there are no other golems better than them. In the first place, I dont know when Ill be able to obtain one again(Touya)

I vaguely answer Nias remark. In any case, Ive achieved one of my objectives. All thats left is to find a place where I could set up the dimensional gate, huh? Should I go as far as reclaiming a small uninhabited island somewhere?

As Im having those thoughts, I hear a faint scream coming from somewhere.

...Whats that?(Touya)

Huh? Whats wrong?(Nia)

Nia calls to me when I suddenly stopped.

Again. A scream is mixed within the noises of the hustle and bustle, but I could still hear it from the distance. And its not just one. Im hearing a lot of screaming.

When I suddenly look to the side, I see that Rogue has also stopped in the same way, staring up at the ceiling. Is the source coming from above?!

Somethings happening on the upper floors.

...... ......

What? Just when I think that the screams have stopped after a short while, I hear a happy singing voice this time.

In the next instant, the thick leather-covered door leading upstairs is cut in right in half, falling heavily onto the floor.

As the door falls, I manage to hear the song coming from the darkness of the pa.s.sage more clearly than from a while ago.

......from the hanging standThat pleasant laugh Brandis.h.i.+ng the knifeThe doll is scooping out cats eyes

T...that voice!(Nia)

Nia becomes vigilant and glares beyond the torn door.

One girl shows herself, stepping over the wreckage of the door.

Shes wearing gothic-styled clothes with purple frills and a very short skirt while holding a small purple umbrella. Shes also wearing slim gla.s.ses, but her purple eyes dont look like theres life in them.

With her long, amethyst-like hair, she looks just like a cla.s.sic j.a.panese doll. Although she may look cute at a glance, her whole body is bathed with spurts of blood.

Though what bothers me the most is the small purple golem thats holding a long sickle like a death G.o.d standing next to the girl. That aura and features, they closely resemble the red golem, which is standing beside me.

Hey! No way that...

This golem is the purple Crown, Fanatic Viola. And she is...!

Luna Trieste....... The Lady of Madness

Madness......? While Im doubting their description of her, the girl starts twirling herself around in front of the entrance while rotating her umbrella.

G~ive it to me. G~ive it to me. Please give me your eyeb.a.l.l.s Feel at ease instead, I will gift you an eternal sleep(Luna)

While shes humming that song and being smeared with blood, the girl just keeps on spinning around and around. Once she realizes our presence, she starts to sing with a wider smile than before.

Your heart, please give it to me(Luna)