First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System-Chapter 65: Intelligence Birth Cruelty

He continued looking around while shaking his head. "Most likely not. I don’t think she is the one I’m looking for."

"Are you sure she is in the Capital, Young Master?" Lucan curiously asked.

Orion nodded his head. "Yes, I’m sure she is in the Capital."

Edgar and Lucan looked at each other before heaving a sigh and continued moving forward.

As time passed, Orion observed countless individuals—powerful warriors, superb healers, cunning strategists—all reduced to mere commodities in the slave market. The market revealed the grim reality beneath the kingdom’s glamorous exterior.

They eventually reached a quieter area of the market. Edgar leaned closer, speaking softly, "Young Master, this area holds higher-quality slaves, many captured from noble families or awakened experts from defeated armies."

Orion nodded silently. However, he didn’t feel much, since both commoners and nobles were not much different to him.

Cages here were spacious and better maintained, holding slaves of notable appearance and demeanor. Vendors spoke softly while transactions happened discreetly, preserving buyers’ anonymity.

At one stall, a vendor carefully presented a young male elf, proudly declaring him a former noble of high wood affinity potential. Orion felt a pang of sympathy seeing the noble elf’s dignified yet sorrowful eyes.

Another cage held a majestic centaur warrior, muscles rippling beneath his restraints. His proud eyes defiantly challenged every observer, ready to fight to the death—his will unbroken by his harsh reality.

"Why would nobles buy slaves from other noble families?" Orion questioned Edgar softly, having an idea but wanting a clear picture.

Edgar’s voice lowered to a whisper. "Influence, revenge, or strategic advantage. Owning an enemy’s family member grants political leverage or psychological dominance. Nobility can be ruthless in maintaining power."

Orion absorbed Edgar’s explanation, understanding now that the world of nobles was far more ruthless than he had expected. ’I thought they buy slaves to take ransom from enemy clans, but I underestimated their ruthlessness.’

They continued searching as they saw one slave after another with noble bearing all over the place.

However, even after looking here for a good few hours, they didn’t find the elf.

"Haaa... Uncle Lucan, is there any place that we have missed? Maybe one held only for select few people, or where there’s an entry fee?" he tiredly asked after their long, fruitless search.

Lucan looked around here and there before softly whispering, "There is indeed a place like that, Young Master. Should we head there?"

"The fuck were you waiting for? Why didn’t you tell me about it sooner?" Orion nearly slapped the shit out of Lucan.

"Cough, it’s not that simple. That place is under Prince Rufus. So we need to be more careful there." He hurriedly explained.

"Alright then, let’s go. We’re only going there to buy slaves, not to cause trouble." Orion shook his head and gestured for him to lead the way.

Edgar nodded in agreement with Orion. "Just lead the way. Even if something does happen, I don’t believe Prince Rufus won’t give Master some face."

Lucan nodded cautiously, leading Orion and Edgar deeper into the hidden pathways of the underground world.

The tunnel twisted and turned, growing darker and more secluded until finally, they emerged into a grand open area illuminated by floating mana lamps that glowed softly.

Ahead lay a magnificent building in all its glory. Its exterior was crafted from polished white marble and obsidian, adorned with intricate gold and silver runes that shimmered softly under the mana lamps.

At the entrance, guards clad in powerful hidden armor stood attentively, their mere presence deterring anyone from even entertaining the thought of causing trouble.

"This is the place," Lucan whispered, eyes darting carefully around. "Prince Rufus controls this establishment. It’s a high-end market and auction house. The left wing is where slaves, treasures, and rare goods are sold directly, while the right side holds private auctions."

Orion carefully observed his surroundings, noting the heavy atmosphere and the tension permeating the air.

Nobles and merchants entered and exited quietly, their faces obscured behind elegantly designed masks, their identities protected yet their status clearly indicated by the richness of their attire.

Lucan handed them two new masks, intricately designed to conceal their identities, ensuring anonymity in this high-risk environment. "Wear these. These are higher quality masks," he said softly.

Orion and Edgar nodded and took their masks, quickly changing into them.

"Alright, best of luck now. Hope you can find the one you’re looking for." Lucan said, joining both hands as if praying for Orion’s success.

"Don’t fucking tell me you’re not even gonna go with us?" Orion’s lips twitched as he asked.

"Cough, I only have two of such masks. And I’m really useless in such places. Sir Edgar would be much more useful." He quickly ran away after saying that.

Orion shook his head while Edgar chuckled. Afterwards, the duo entered the building.

The grand hall inside was vast and luxurious, displaying wealth and sophistication. To the left, Orion saw neatly arranged sections with various items: beautifully displayed treasures, shimmering gems, rare artifacts, and intricately crafted weapons.

Beyond these were rows of elegantly maintained cages, each containing slaves clearly marked with detailed descriptions of their skills, origins, and affinities.

Orion’s eyes calmly scanned through the entire place. Even now, a faint disturbance rippled in his heart as he looked at the slaves.

’Truly, intelligence births cruelty.’ He lightly shook his head.

[(｡•́︿•̀｡)]

[You aren’t cruel, Master! Not everyone who becomes intelligent becomes cruel.]

Orion inwardly smiled at Lumi’s innocence, but his gaze remained calm. ’You need to be cruel to survive in this world.’

His thoughts slowly grew colder, more resolute. ’Remember: mercy to your enemy is betrayal to your allies.’

’The line between good and evil... it’s so blurred, it hardly matters anymore. As long as you carry empathy inside you—you can still walk your own path without losing yourself.’

[...]

Lumi silently repeated his words a few times inside her mind.

[Master, are you adapting more of your Dragon Inheritance? That’s a line passed down among the generations of Dragons.]

Orion raised an eyebrow. ’No, I haven’t done anything special yet. I would need to be able to transform into a True Dragon to even utilize it.’

[So that line wasn’t from your inheritance... Looks like you are learning more and more things in this world.]

He heaved a sigh and shook his head. ’I would rather not learn such things and live my life peacefully journeying the world with a few beauties.’

[Hehe, maybe it will be possible in the future.]

He chuckled and turned to Edgar. "Let’s start by examining the slaves."

Edgar nodded silently, walking beside Orion as they moved deeper into the rows. The slaves here appeared to be meticulously chosen, beautifully maintained and presented—yet the despair in their eyes was unmistakable.

Orion’s heart felt heavy, but he maintained his composure, carefully scanning each cage. He noticed rare species and powerful individuals, from proud Beastkin warriors to ethereal Elven mages.

Yet, despite their evident strength or elegance, none triggered a response from him or his system.

"These slaves are indeed a cut above the rest," Edgar murmured softly. "From the looks of it, Prince Rufus clearly knows his customers well."