7
Noah glared at me with eyes full of caution. Confusion flickered in his dark pupils.
Up close, I could see his skin torn and raw, festering from the wounds. Seeing that made me uneasy. If he let his guard down even for a moment, his expression might waver.
I slowly reviewed the events that were about to unfold.
Noah, shortly after, would be brought onto the stage as the highlight item of the friendly auction. He would attack the masked duke trying to buy him, striking a critical blow that would kill the opponent. Unfortunately, that opponent was only a proxy planted by the duke to test Noah.
Even without proper training, the duke would immediately purchase Noah, impressed by his precise attack, and that’s how his connection with Yuriel would begin.
Remembering that, I furrowed my brows and spoke.
“I’ll ask again. Do you truly think that’s enough for your revenge?”
At my words, Noah hid the sword deeper within his chest, watching me warily.
He rarely spoke, but a momentary confusion passed over his face, as if I had read his thoughts.
To provoke him further, I stepped closer to the cage, bending my knees to meet his gaze. Noah pressed his back to the edge of the bars, keeping his guard up.
I continued, as if it didn’t matter.
“Do you know what people outside here call you?”
“……”
I spoke with a cold expression.
“Barbarian.”
At my words, Noah’s brow twitched.
“You know what that means, don’t you?”
It was a term used by the Empire to belittle uncivilized outsiders, placing foreigners on the same level as the Empire’s lowest. Even I found it unpleasant, but for Noah—who had lost his family to slave traders of the Empire—it must have been unbearable.
As I predicted, anger flared uncontrollably in his eyes.
Though he was small and frail, his gaze was fierce enough to dismiss my momentary doubt: could this truly be the man who would be called the Shadow of Blood years later?
I swallowed dryly and spoke again.
“So you think you can be satisfied with swinging your sword now? The person you’ll kill isn’t just the one in front of you.”
Unaware of the trap, Noah was blinded by immediate revenge, ready to swing his sword in the auction hall. But in his current state, he couldn’t annihilate all the nobles. Especially with mages like Miller around.
At my words, his scattered focus returned, and his eyes grew calm.
In the future, he earned that fearsome title not only by handling the duke’s dirty work like a shadow but also because he was quick-witted and composed in judgment. That made him capable of acting like a lone assassin.
Even now, though untrained by the duke’s household, his expression showed that he had already organized his thoughts from just a few of my words.
Noah, who hadn’t spoken a word until now, finally did.
“Why.”
It was a small voice, low and firm, capturing the ear.
“Why are you telling me this?”
I waited for that question before speaking.
“I’ll tell you after I get you out of here first. For now, all you need to remember is that I’m going to save you.”
I emphasized “save” to engrain it in him—a blunt, childish, but effective way. There is nothing more powerful than the imprint a life-saver leaves.
He narrowed his brows, skeptical.
“You’re going to save me?”
“……”
That tone of defiance—the way a young boy casually spoke—irritated me, but I calmly took a deep breath.
His suspicion was somewhat reasonable. Those who knew I was an archmage bowed even at the sight of my red hair from afar. Those who didn’t know me would see nothing but a beautiful woman.
I locked eyes with Noah, speaking resolutely.
“I’m a mage.”
“……A mage?”
“It may be unfamiliar where you’re from, but in this Empire, I’m a mage of some authority. I came here alone to find you before the auction, didn’t I?”
Noah gave no reaction. His slow speech and poker face made his thoughts unreadable. I, too, was gambling with every word, palms sweaty despite my brave smile.
Finally, he seemed to make up his mind and lifted his gaze.
“Then show me.”
“What?”
He gestured to the special lock securing the cage between us.
“If you’re a mage, surely you can break this, right?”
“……This brat.”
This was exactly why Noah had been the most unsettling among all the troublesome male leads.
To Yuriel, he had seemed weak, fragile—but in reality, he calculated quickly and cut unnecessary people down without hesitation.
Even now, he was testing whether my words were true. If I tried to unlock the cage, he would strike with his dagger.
I stared silently, and he whispered:
“Why aren’t you answering? Is it a lie after all?”
From afar, he seemed a frail child, but his gaze was sharp and intimidating. Any wavering from me could lose this mental duel. I bit the inside of my cheek and continued.
“You’ll hold that sword close, waiting for the right moment to strike the one who comes to buy you in a single blow.”
“……”
I spoke as if reading his thoughts, outlining the future, and his eyes flickered. I struck at the heart of his resolve.
“Believing that is the start of your revenge, Noah.”
The moment I said his name, he burst out:
“How do you know my name…?”
“I told you. I’m a pretty skilled mage.”
I smiled faintly and spoke firmly.
“So trust me. This is probably the only way for you too.”
“……”
There was no time left.
“I won’t take your sword. When I give the signal, draw the blade so I can see it. That’s all you need to do.”
I stood up. Noah’s gaze wavered. He wasn’t entirely sure whether to trust me, but in the end, he would follow my instructions.
In dire situations, one seizes any lifeline to survive. That’s the proof of who Noah truly was.
I hastily pulled the hood back over my head and left the place.
The public auction ended as the sun set.
The hall emptied, and masked high-ranking nobles holding invitations appeared. It was time for the long-awaited friendly auction.
I positioned myself to the right of the stage, observing the masked figures behind the curtain.
The real auction was about to begin. Though masks hid ugly faces, the opulent robes displayed wealth and status, unwilling to miss any chance to flaunt them.
I felt disgust at their duality.
“…….”
Behind me, I heard the muted sobs of those awaiting the auction. Most had no strength left to resist. Endless despair had crushed them many times.
I couldn’t help but recall Noah’s monologues from the novel, often overlooked, after meeting him. Even in this hopelessness, he had never let go of the blade of revenge.
“……Then I must respond as well.”
I had pretended to claim I would save Noah, but in reality, I was orchestrating events to save myself.
It pricked my conscience, but the tighter I clenched my fists, the more I disciplined my emotions.
“The plan must succeed without failure.”
The friendly auction officially began. Items were swiftly sold, one after another.
Soon, only one remained… Noah.
As if anticipating this, Geoffrey’s voice rang out with energy:
“Today’s highlight item, awaited by everyone!”
The hall tensed. Geoffrey, seeming to relish the suspense, paused before pointing to the stage.
“The descendant of a sturdy-bodied Omber.”
I watched as Noah was brought onto the stage, chains binding his hands, treated almost like an animal as he was dragged forward.
