The Abused is The Abuser in Another World

Chapter 13: The Price of Slavery

Noir had confirmed that the Duke was behind the sinister dealings, and he knew he couldn't face this challenge alone. He needed allies. After a few hours of careful thought, he made his way back to Elderglen.

As he moved swiftly through the forest, the shadows seemed to cloak his presence, thanks to his skill, Veil of Shadows. His mind was racing with plans. He knew that the elves might hold the key to his success.

Arriving at Elderglen, the guards eyed him warily, but Noir pushed past them without hesitation. He made his way directly to Elion's hut. Inside, the elder sat in quiet contemplation, but his expression quickly shifted to concern when he saw Noir's tense demeanor.

"You return sooner than I expected," Elion said, his voice calm but tinged with curiosity. His silver-white hair flowed elegantly behind him, his pale blue eyes sharp and focused.

Noir wasted no time. "The Duke of Valewood is behind the capture and enslavement of your people," he began bluntly. "I saw it with my own eyes. Martin, the Duke's steward, is leading slavers, and they're branding your people as slaves."

Elion's face tightened, but his tone remained measured. "Noir, I believe you may have misunderstood the situation. Martin was here to offer jobs to the elves in the town. This is not an abduction; it is an opportunity for them to integrate and earn a living among the humans."

Noir's expression darkened, his crimson eyes narrowing. "Opportunity?" he snapped. "I saw them being stripped, branded with hot irons, and treated like property. Do you really believe that is an 'opportunity'?"

Elion's brow furrowed, his mind turning over the new information, but his voice remained steady. "Martin and the Duke have always shown kindness to us. They offered work, not harm. Are you sure you did not misinterpret what you saw?"

Noir felt a surge of anger. "Do you think I would make this up?" His voice was low, controlled, but intense. "If you don't believe me, I'll show you where it happened."

Without waiting for a response, Noir grabbed a quill and a map from the table, marking the location where he had witnessed the horrific scene. "Send your scouts to this place," he urged. "If you trust Martin and the Duke so much, see for yourself what they are doing to your people."

Elion hesitated, his face troubled, but his inner sense of fairness compelled him to act. "Very well," he said slowly. "I will send a group to investigate, but if this is a misunderstanding, it could damage our relationship with the humans. Are you certain of what you saw?"

"I'm certain," Noir replied, his voice unwavering. "You'll find proof there, and then you'll understand the truth."

Elion nodded reluctantly and turned to the male elves gathered nearby. "Take a group of our best scouts," he instructed, his voice steady but with a note of urgency. "Go to the location Noir has marked and search for any signs of what he described. Report back immediately."

The male elves moved quickly, arming themselves with bows and knives before heading out into the forest. Noir watched them go, a mixture of anger and determination in his eyes. He knew what he had seen, and he knew that the elder needed to see it too.

While they waited, Elion remained deep in thought, his fingers tracing the intricate symbols on his wooden staff. His pale blue eyes, usually calm, were clouded with doubt. He had trusted Martin and the Duke for years, but now... now the weight of Noir's words was impossible to ignore.