Chapter 22 : So I turned the tables on A Slave Trader

- "You hate slave trading. But when a Norheim wants an audience with you, you are accepted and going there now. Something about you is scaring me. Please think before you do something, your majesty. Norheim has many connections with some powerful kings." 

- "He is the one who sold all those women to Corlious, right?"

- "Yes, your majesty."

- "But, Your Majesty..."

I enter the royal court. A middle-aged man who is sitting on a chair stands up. He comes to me and says, "Long Live King Agni." I smile and say, "I prefer Long Live Alnovir." So this is Norheim. Norheim smiles and says, "Your majesty seems to be very young and handsome. It's rare to see a young king like yourself, your majesty." 

- "Thank you, Mr. Norheim. What can I do for you?" 

- "You don't have to do anything, your majesty. I want to do something for you."

- "Which is?"

Norheim smiles creepily and whispers, "You are young. You need some entertainment in your life, right? And I have many types of entertainment for you. You know what I mean. You just name a race, and I can present a beautiful one from that race for you. No one ever complained at Norheim's products quality. So what is your fantasy, your majesty?" 

I close my eyes to calm myself. That obviously didn't work. I turn to Lukemir and say, "Give me a piece of cloth, Lukemir." Lukemir hesitantly says, "But your majesty..." "Give me a piece of cloth, Lukemir." Lukemir quickly gives me a piece of cloth. 

Norheim says, "What's that for, Your Majesty?" I smile and say, "You will see. No, you will feel." 

I quickly get behind him and press the cloth over his mouth. He struggles to break free but can't. I drag him to Vaelya's bedroom.

Vaelya and Emelin are talking to each other. They are shocked to see me and Norheim like this. I say, "Princess Vaelya, open the portal." Vaelya opens the portal gate without saying anything. I drag Norheim into the portal. Vaelya follows me.

After coming to the Demon Realm. I say, "Princess Vaelya, go and bring Your Highness here." Vaelya nods and leaves.

I let go of Norheim. Norheim breathes for a while. Then he shouts, "How dare you! Where did you bring me?" I smile and say, "You asked for my fantasy. So here is my answer. My fantasy is to return your doings to you." Norheim asks with confusion, "What?" I say, "You are a slave trader. That means you trade individuals as slaves with money. Right? So, I'll trade you as slaves with money?" Norheim shouts, "You will do what?" 

Varthion comes to me and says, "I heard everything. But I can't give much for a pig like this one. I can only give you 1 gold coin." I smile and say, "What can I say! It's my fault that I brought you such a bad product. I'll gladly accept the gold coin." Norheim is traumatized seeing Varthion's horn. I say to Varthion, "Torture him for two days and then ask him where he kept all the individuals and the names of persons to whom he sold individuals as slaves." Varthion smiles and says, "Sure, Hero Agni." I leave the Demon Realm with Vaelya. 

I enter the royal court, and Lukemir asks, "Where is Norheim, your majesty?" I sit on the chair in front of the throne and say with a smile, "He is in the right place. Now forget him and tell Elyar that I want to talk to him." Lukemir says, "As you wish, your majesty." Lukemir leaves. After a while, he returns with Elyar.

Elyar bows and says, "You want to speak with me, your majesty?" I say, "Yes. With both of you." Lukemir asks, "How can we be of your service, your majesty?" I say, "I received some help from the Elven King." They look at me with wide eyes. Lukemir says, "Pardon me, your majesty. Did you say that you received some help from the Elven King?" I reply, "Yes. You heard it right. I've met with him, and after hearing everything, he decided to help me." Elyar says, "But I heard that the Elven King doesn't meet with any humans except the Authority of the Sanctus Dominion." I say, "Well, he met me. And give me these." 

I show them the Whispermoon and some Whisperleaves. Lukemir says, "These sure look like Elven magical items." Elyar says, "Yes. Your majesty, what are those for?" I explain to them the uses of Whispermoon and Whisperleaves. Then I say, "All spies will be divided as teams. Each team will contain only their spies. Every team will search for slaves and tortured individuals. Every team will carry one Whisperleaf with them. Once they locate a slave or tortured individual, they will let us know the location and the details of that suffering soul through the Whisperleaf. They won't engage. Their duty is to inform me as detailed as they can through Whisperleaf. And after giving the information, they will continue searching elsewhere." Elyar says, "Understood, your majesty." Lukemir says, "What will you do with the information, your majesty?" I say, "I'll rescue them." Lukemir asks, "How are you, your majesty? If you want to rescue all of them, travelling from one location to another and returning them to their family will take a lot of time. How can you manage all that?" I reply, "There is a way. But I can't tell you now. Let the spies do their part first. And I want loyal spies. Betrayal can be fatal." Elyar says, "Of course, your majesty. Don't worry, your majesty. They are loyal." Lukemir says, "Shall we gather every spy in the hall room? Your majesty should be present there, as we give them instructions." I say, "Sure. Let me know when you gather them all." Lukemir says, "Yes, your majesty." Lukemir and Elyar leave.

After a while, Lukemir returns and says, "They are waiting for you, your majesty." I go to the hall room with Lukemir. 

Elyar and more than 200 men are standing in the hall room. When we enter, everyone bows to me. I stand before them. Elyar says, "Total 218 men, your majesty." I say, "That means 72 teams. The other two spies will remain here if I need them to do something for me." Elyar says, "As you wish, your majesty." I say, "Now explain to them their duties. If anyone doesn't want to participate in this job, let him leave." Elyar says, "As you wish, your majesty."

Elyar explain them clearly about the mission. Then they create teams by themselves. After that, each team is given one Whisperleaf. Lukemir tells them how to use these Whisperleaves. 

I say, "Everyone, There are many people like us who are suffering as we speak. Their only fault is they are weak. Some monsters wearing human skins torture them for their own profit or desire. I, as a child of God, have a duty to help those who are helpless. But I can't do it alone. I need all of your help in this. Please search for those suffering souls regardless of their race and gender. With your information, I'll surely save every one of them. Now, good deeds never go unrewarded. You will be paid handsomely. And as long as you are on this search mission, your family will be free of taxes." Everyone shouts with enthusiasm, "YES!" 

I smile and say, "This mission will be called 'Lights in Darkness'. Let's save everyone." 

72 teams left on the journey. Let's wait for their information.

I go to my room and lie on the bed. Ferminaka says, "Are you alright, your majesty?" I say, "Yes. I just need some time alone." Ferminaka says, "As you wish, your majesty." Then she leaves. 

The search mission just started. God knows how long it will take to find out one location. People are suffering, and I can't do anything yet. I close my eyes. 

- "Hero Agni! Hero Agni!!"

Someone is calling me? 

I open my eyes. Vaelya says, "Why are you sleeping now?" I reply with a smile, "Just... Anyway, what happened?" Vaelya says, "Norheim told us everything about his business, where he kept all his slaves, and all his clients names with their addresses." I say, "That was fast. I thought it would at least take three days." Vaelya smiles and says, "Well, our 1st day of hospitality was too much for him." I laugh and say, "He deserves the best quality, you know." Vaelya laughs and says, "And he is getting that."

I get down from the bed and say, "Where is he hiding those people?" Vaelya says, "Even if I tell you, how can you rescue all slaves? You don't have any particular power which can let you go into their store house unnoticed. This type of places have very tight security, you know." I say, "I know that much. And Demon Realm teleportation can't get me inside an unknown house. So I have to infiltrate into that house on my own. So, yes. I know. But I can't sit here and wait. I'll think of a plan when I get there." 

"And get yourself killed?" Vaelya says. I say, "I have no other choice. But don't worry, Princess Vaelya. I will be fine." Vaelya says, "I will be going with you to make sure that you remain fine." I say, "But it can be dangerous!" Vaelya says, "I am the general of demons. Who is dangerous than me, Hero Agni?" I smile and say, "No one, Princess Vaelya. I am sorry for saying that." Vaelya chuckles and says, "You should be!" 

I say with a smile, "I appreciate your help, Princess Vaelya." Vaelya says, "I am glad to be helpful, Hero Agni." Vaelya smiles beautifully.

I say, "Now tell me about the location." Vaelya says, "This one is going to be difficult. So listen very carefully." I say, "Sure, Princess Vaelya."