The Two Empresses
Nero the Tamer

"So the decision, we're going to teleport? Are you sure you still have where to use?" ask Phillip. Saciel nodded, his palm giving off a white light and looking at Phillip with a sinister and arrogant look.

"Don't forget my family is the strongest magician in the Respher Continent," Saciel showed off while teleporting. Their feet are now resting in the forest. The forest was very different from an ordinary forest, almost like the world in painting. There were several balls of light with small wings on the left and right side floating as if illuminating the forest.

"What's that?" ask Max.

"Soul Lamp. One of.er, a plant typical of this region," said Phillip. "We're in the elves' territory."

"In the meantime, what? Elf territory you said? Don't tell me that the illegal auction is overrun by elves," Max said withholding emotion. Phillip turned his eyes and nodded. Max quickly pulls Phillip's collar and forces him to look at him.

"Suck!"

"Nii, relax!" kezia said as he held Max back from lashing out at the frightened young lord Arlestine.

"Oh yeah, elves are the most hated creatures right?" chirps Saciel.

"They're cunning creatures, shameless and worst of all," Max coldly replies. I'm sure the witches don't like them either."

"Well, not all. They are able to provide everything we need in an unusual way" Phillip said.

"Oh? Are you one of their customers?" max asked cynically but deeply.

"Nii, stop. Phillip Nii is helping" Kezia said. Max throws Philip and gently strokes Kezia's head. "Nii is the best."

"I've dealt with them, but that doesn't mean I'm their customer. Saciel, I think we should be prepared to spend a lot of money to get er...Nero's?"

"No problem. But how do we get into the auction?" ask Saciel. Phillip issued a black card with a silver accent in the shape of the letter R. "Huh, shit. You have any?"

"You think I don't? I'm not as good as you think I am, Saciel. Let's go, the auction will start in 1 hour. Ah, and you two, wear something wide to cover your ears and tail."

"Yes yes, cih. Regret me leaving with you," grumbled Max while wearing a large robe, followed by Kezia.

"And you naughty girl, use something to cover your face. Don't forget, you're an international fugitive and a dangerous one, too" Phillip said, giving him a veil covering his entire head.

"Damn it, not you?" tanyanya while wearing a veil. Phillip merely gave a mysterious smile and started walking.

"He's not crazy, is he?" chirps Max.

"Nii, don't do it" said Kezia. "I think Phillip nii has a trick."

"I think it could be like that. Kezia, are you strong?"

"Yes nee, don't worry" Kezia replied as she gave a sweet smile.

"Please promise to be calm and kind, okay?"

"Neither, don't worry," said Kezia calmingly. They followed Phillip until they reached a square with a large tent covering the place.

"Well, it's so big!" kezia girang said.

"We're not here to travel, okay? So don't let your guard down" Max said as he glanced around. Elves, humans, witches and other races gathered together, covering their faces with masks that were plain but gave off a terrifying aura. Saciel was unable to cover up his fear.

"I hate that mask" he said softly.

"Same. We better get our business done and get out of here" Max replied.

"Hey,ayo's in. Faster is better, right?" call Phillip. They immediately went inside the tent and sat down in the middle. Some people gave suspicious and curious gazes to the group.

"Can I kill them?" ask Max lirih.

"Don't, we can fail if you act rashly" Phillip said. A man with a black mask appeared in the middle of the stage with a grinning smile.

"Welcome, Ladies and gentlemen! Today we bring some very interesting collections. Let's start the auction!"

"Presenting, lowly, immoral," Saciel wrote. One by one collections began to be issued, people began to go crazy, throwing away their money for the sake of satisfying lust.

"Don't" Phillip said carefully. The familiar figure was full of wounds, but unable to cover his handsome face. Black hair with a red accent is almost similar to a sparkling fire overwritten by a floodlight. His eyes looked blank with neither emotion nor the zeal to endure. A pair of wolf ears and tail is proof that this one collection is the most expensive and difficult to get.

"Mr and Madam, this is the last collection of stars today! A human demi from the Ceshier Continent isolated from the Respher continent! Not only that, our demi-humans are among the most pro tamers!"

As if getting an order, the demi-human raised his head and stared fixedly at the dragon in front of him. The dragon attacked and clawed at his chest, but it did not bother him. He held back the dragon's head and whispered very quietly, not even a single person heard it.

"What's he doing?" whispered someone.

"Surprising."

"Snack."

"He was talking to the dragon" whispered Kezia. As if answering all the doubts of the people, the dragon slowly bowed down and saluted the demi-humans. Everyone started to be interested and prepared to bid.

"Look how the demi-humans tamed the dragon! Let's start with 100 million Furst!" kobar the MC.

"300 million!"

"400 million!"

"They're crazy" Saciel said as she giggled. "Wasting money to get for the sake of human beings. Fascinating."

"450 million!" sahut Phillip's.

"450 million! Still anyone dares to bid higher?" ask MC.

"600 million," said someone. Saciel glanced at him and found Lao's signature sneaky smile.

"Heh, asshole. Turns out he's following us" Saciel said coldly.

"You how? His offer was high, I didn't bring much" Phillip asked.

"600 million! Anyone else want to bid again?"

"What can be done," he said resignedly. He raised his hand and put on a smile behind his veil. "1 billion Furst."

One room became silent, no one was able to speak. The MC was silent for a moment, but soon came to his senses and raised his hand.

"Sell 1 billion for veiled misses there!" saith. The man merely gave a smile, accepting defeat calmly. But the look in his cold eyes was able to make Saciel slightly shudder. "After the event is over, please come backstage to complete the payment."

"You bought him with 1 billion Furst? That's...."

"Just relax Phillip, that kind of money is worth nothing compared to his life" Saciel said. He rushed to the backstage and found the MC handcuffing Nero carefully.

"Welcome, Miss. I have prepared this demi-human to be taken immediately. Did you prepare the money?" ask the MC, greed he can't cover. Saciel sighed and pulled out a check with the agreed nominal. The MC was surprised and checked the check after it was within his grasp.

"Miss, you're an international fugitive. You're not afraid if I report to the authorities?"

"And what are you gonna do? Means your money and illegal auction will be wiped out, you know what I mean, right?" asked Saciel calmly. The MC nodded and took off the handcuffs that tied Nero's hands. "Thank you."

"It's nice to do business with you, Miss Arakawa. I hope you're not thrown in jail anytime soon."

"Sweet as you say. Let's go," said Saciel coldly. His quick steps led him out of the auction, followed by Nero who lowered his head during the trip. "Can't you raise your head to be a little honorable?"

"My honor was destroyed when I became an auction item," said Nero. Saciel turned around and raised his face for him to look into his eyes.

"I bought you not to make you a slave, but your family is looking for you" he said firmly. Before Nero could speak, Kezia ran over and hugged Nero tightly.

"Nero!"

"Ah? Kezia?" call lirih. Carefully groomed the girl and enjoyed her soothing scent. His eyes caught the sturdy figure of Max standing not far from him with a relieved smile.

"Let's get out of here" Phillip asked. As he turned around, someone stood before him with a sullen smile. "Ah, shit."