"Here it is, dear customer."


    Ett immediately looked away; it''s just…it feels like she shouldn''t peek more than she should in this humble abode.


    Finally, the old lady brought a vial; she carefully wrapped it with a cloth and its designated box before giving it to Ett.


    "It took me long before I found all the ingredients for this one, so if  your lady would order another bottle or two, it might take a long time for me to finish it."


    Ett nodded understandingly.


    "Did something occur for the reserves of this empire to be that difficult?"


    The old lady nodded.


    "Previously, the chore was hard, but now it has become even more arduous. Especially these kinds of herbs. When the Emperor opened the door for the banquet, many nobles had gone to a different extent to buy gifts for His Majesty the Emperor. It''s hard to do it discreetly."


    "Where do you find most of these vial''s in ingredients?"


    "Some of the outskirts of the Empire are from the traveling merchants. I''ve heard they doubled their price."


    "I see."


    Despite that, this enclosed Empire looked like they were still enjoying themselves.


    "Oh my, forgive me for speaking so seriously. Your manner reminds me of an adult. I can''t help but express my upsetting behavior."


    "It''s not upsetting."


    It''s informative. Sometimes, Ett needs information other than those living in the palace to better know the situation. After all, the nobility''s perspective differs from that of ordinary people.


    There was a long silence before the old lady spoke again, "My child."


    "Yes?"


    "It may be ambitious and presumptuous of me to say this, but can I beseech your lady to protect my son secretly?"


    Oh, that beautiful guy.


    A mother''s concern for a child. How did the original Ett do it? Tsk.


    What a beguiling lady, so that''s her deal. Sipping her milk, Ett paused.


    Now, this is some delicious milk.


    Slurp.


    "I''m sure my master would agree. Yet is it something so dire that you would rather trust her ladyship, who you''ve only known as your customer?"


    The old lady smiled with creased lines in her eyes, looking at her with vissitudeness.


    "I feel your lady isn''t someone who would do no harm for no reason."


    Well, the real Ett, she would actually do that. She isn''t called a villainess for no reason. A nefarious existence that pulls strings from behind.


    Besides, why should you ask a favor from someone who''s only a stranger? Ett would have understood if they were close, but no. Perhaps she''s being a jackass here. However, Ett always wonders about this every time she reads novels with this scene, and the person who would accept the favor will do it for that stranger or not-so-close person. Really…just why when most can''t even save themselves, just...


    Kindness? Empathy?


    Sigh.


    "My son often tells me he works as a butler in Count Shubert''s estate, but it''s been 2 years since he last visited, except for the inconsistent letters that come by now and then. I cannot ascertain the truth of his letters, and it troubles me deeply."


    The old lady presented a portrait. It was recently made; his son doesn''t look like a commoner.


    Indeed, he was a refined, soft, beautiful, yet handsome gentleman with a charming aura around him. Ett was sure this man could surpass most of the noblemen in terms of aesthetics, not even women and men. He has long hair as well. Just her taste. Nah, too young in her old self.


    Who said only nobles could be beautiful? Hm. Ett carefully looked at the old lady with crow''s feet in her eyes. Unless they were once from a noble household.


    People have secrets, but she won''t delve deeper into them.


    "His name is Ares McLurrey."


    Oh? Even the name sounds like something written in a Nordic romance novel.


    "Alright. I''ll report this to My Lady."


    "Knowing my child is being protected is worthier than millions of gold."


    Ett can understand the sentimentality, but she would never feel how much depth such a feeling could take.


    "Then I should take my leave, many thanks."


    "Yes, until we meet again."


    As Ett left the area, she paused and turned on a roundabout tour, looking at the old woman''s house in the distance. It really looks like a simple house. The person living there prefers payment by protecting her son rather than possession and wealth.


    "Protecting a human is harder than offering money."


    One hundred thousand to million of gold is manageable for Ett, minding that it is illegally distributed, the labor force and supply when making the vial. Besides, the old woman is someone worth noting.


    Safeguarding is far more expensive and can''t be reduplicated if death comes knocking on a person''s door.


    "I forgot to ask her name."


    Following the main road, Ett arrived at the familiar street where she had seen those stacked-up people. "Yo, there are more of them now."


    There must be something interes…ting?


    Huh? Ett''s jaw dropped.


    Stolen story; please report.


    She rubbed her eyes, looking at the signs above her.


    Dance of what now?


    "Dance of Kissing, this person will be your slave! Want to have him as your practicing partner? Or accompany you with your lover? New adventures? Starts at 100 silvers!"


    A slave auction in broad daylight in Adiand? Guren, what''s this?


    They couldn''t be even more blatant about a threesome. Is this Empire so liberated? She thought they were conservative! What''s this twist? Nobody informed her about it.


    In front of her, atop the stage, there was the host and a young girl tied with both hands and feet, looking at the crowds with tear-stained eyes. A desperate attempt to voice out help as she struggles to get out.


    With a swift movement, the guard restrained her and exposed her to the crowd by pulling up her hair.


    "Ah, please be gentle!"


    Wretched.


    "200 silvers!"


    "250 silvers!"


    "300 silvers!"


    "400 silvers!"


    "1000 silvers!"


    "Oh, oh! 1000 silvers! Is there anybody else? Going once, going twice, going thrice! Alright, handsome gentleman, this girl is yours!"


    Ett looked at the people in front of her. The fat frog-looking man with a flat face full of a perverted vibe. The ''handsome gentleman'' grabbed the girl, licking his lips.


    “…”


    Ett looks at the people beside her, pulling the hem of the man''s sleeve who was frowning and shaking his head. "Mister, what is the Dance of Kissing?"


    The man looked down, seeing a little girl with enormous hazel eyes. He looked around to see it was only her looking at him.


    "Is this your first time coming here?"


    "Yes."


    "A child shouldn''t know it for now."


    "Mister, I''m already here. It''s better to know early about the world."


    The man, speechless, could only silently stare at her before coughing.


    "That''s deep coming from a young child like you."


    "My older brother said that."


    "Then does your older brother know you''re here?"


    "Mister, what is it?"


    This guy is too chatty.


    "Pfft, don''t be annoyed. Well, Dance of Kissing is…"


    Should he tell this to a child?


    "I know kissing. I know you make babies with your lower body. That."


    Ett shamelessly pointed in between his loin.


    "!!!"


    "M-My m-my oh dear d-did your brother tell you that too? Goodness! How much are you enlightened at? Oh no, forget it."


    "Yes, he said it''s better to be aware of while young than ignorant."


    Ett proudly uttered.


    "Then did you try ''it''?"


    "Not all could be practiced." When you can learn from others'' perspectives. There''s no memorandum.


    "Y-Your b-brother unexpectedly cares so much about you."


    Hm? Why does this man say it with concern, pity, and anger? Wait, did he think about his brother, incest!


    "We are siblings; nothing happened between us."


    "You poor child… want me to help you?"


    This guy…


    "That was his last words before he died."


    Ett deadpanned.


    In truth, no one told her that. She was an only child through and through. A certified only child before and after being isekai''d till now.


    "You''re avoiding my question, mister."


    "And you''re persistent with your curiosity."


    Come on, man, we''ve wasted a lot of words on this chapter already. It''s not cliché anymore. There''s no tension. Let me degrade that; there was never tension.


    The man cleared his throat, "Well, just know that it''s something that nobilities considered as a plaything, and if the day ends, the contract will be done."


    "So there are limited days? How long are they?"


    "A week just before the festival ends."


    "What if the buyer wants to extend the contract?"


    "Hm, well, it happens. But it depends on whether the two are in agreement. If one only agrees, it would be null."


    "But can the buyer kill the slave during that week or after that week? The thousand silver that could be labored in six months would be a waste if that happens. Unless there is a recipient."


    Ett took out her satchel and drank a mouthful of water. Man, her throat just went dry.


    "In accordance with the festivity, if someone was killed in the week off, then they would be imprisoned for one year or till the end of their life. That''s just how important the festivity is."


    Then why was this not mentioned in the novel? It was used to decorate the ML and FL because of its dark theme.


    "And regarding after the one week, the day the festivity ends, if one of them does not agree, well, it''s quite known what will happen."


    "And still, some people would be forced to come while others do it voluntarily."


    Like the first girl, she looked desperate, as if regretting his decision, followed by the next slaves.


    For the following slaves, everyone did not struggle, yet their eyes were already accepting their faith, and some were hoping for something while the bid would rise higher. Such a twisted festivity, so blatant. No wonder the Adiand empire was destroyed and reconstructed.


    "The contract seems favorable between the slave and the buyer. No wonder it can be shown like this in public."


    Even in this novel, slavery exists. Talk about worldwide.


    "Of course, and it goes even before the old days. The imperial family can''t be blamed for this if it''s within the contract. Besides, they also receive a part of the payment as tax. Wait, no, stop. Why am I saying too much? Goodness, I''m really not talking to a child. You even catch up with these kinds of things calmly!"


    "You''re also very detailed in explaining, sir, as if you''ve tried it."


    Ett retorted.


    The man became stiff before smiling his tense state away.


    "I''ve heard it from someone who has tried it and knows a lot. It''s not me."


    "Oh. Then thank you for telling me."


    "Hey child, by any chance, are you planning to--"


    My guy catches up quick, ah.


    "None of your business."


    "Hey, that''s rude. After helping you…"


    "Wait."


    Ett suddenly narrowed her eyes.


    Her gaze nailed on the person being brought up to the stage. There were scars and signs of defending himself, and even now, he tries to struggle subtly. But that''s not it. Definitely not.


    The beauty of this child flashed a description in her mind, "Who would have thought you have this setting? Heh."