They entered what looked like ancient ruins, an old temple to Chrunus. Old bronze statues long crumbled and changed colors.
Abandoned eons ago.
Its magnificent stone masonry weathered and cracked under the tooth of time.
However Vanj and his servant weren't interested in the old building, but in what lay beneath its bowels.
Moving through the winding catacombs of the ancient temple they followed the lit path, clearly showing the right way.
They made their way towards an old temple training grounds.
A massive underground terrace stretched before them, repurposed and boarded to serve the use of Blackwater Cartel and their customers.
It looked more like a theater hall than any of its original purpose.
An elevated wooden catwalk led to a draped exit, covered by crimson curtains, likely backstage.
Around the path seating composed of elaborate benches took most of the available area area.
Some guests already arrived, and all were wearing exquisite masks.
Most hid their identity as they entered illegal auctions, and yet some bravely or better said foolishly flaunted their identity and status.
Lana was led backstage, two rooms were constructed.
A holding cell for the merchandise and a kitchen serving to create refreshments for noble customers.
The sobbing and crying of captured girls echoed mixed with the cracking of whips from the dark room but it did not matter as Lana and Vanj entered the kitchen, servants were making food and drink at immense speeds.
Various treats and food were already ready to be served, hot and delicious.
From finest steaks to even drake wings.
"This won't do! Our guests demand the perfection!" A green-skinned orc shouted, his face stuck in an eternal frown, two tusks looking under his bottom lips.
Smack~
The chef hit one of the servants, knocking her to the floor.
She was a young Orc woman, her green skin had blue patches easily recognized as bruises.
"Aghh... Sorry sir... I am not good at cooking..." The woman spoke with fear.
"Shut up... get up and do it again. Drake meat is more expensive than you are."
The woman nodded as she rose to her feet.
"I will try my best."
The chef scoffed before turning to Vanj and Lana.
"Ahhh Vanj, long time no see. I assume that girl is your new servant?" The chef greeted him.
"Indeed she is, one of the best I ever had."`Vanj spoke with pride.
Lana bowed deeply before speaking with a slight smile. "Honor to meet you, sir, I am Lana. Master's loyal servant."
"Well behaved too. You will have to tell me where you found such a high-quality girl."
"I would let her try her hand at cooking, however, there is no time to train anyone. I got my hands full and these slaves can't cook up to standard. I wonder why Cartel even bothered with getting them."
"She will be acting as a server." Vanj bluntly stated.
"Hmm... She definitely looks cute. I wish you luck, girl. Our guests demand perfection and nothing less." The orc chef nodded before turning his back towards Vanj and Lana.
His shouting startled Vanj.
"Do not be scared of him, he looks scary but damn he is the best chef Blackwater Cartel could hire. Unlike other assistants who are enslaved, he is actually paid for his work." Vanj smiled as he placed his hand on Lana's back and pushed her forward.
"You will be serving the grand dukes and higher nobility customers as you are most well-behaved." Vanj praised her.
"Mhm, I got it, master!" Lana answered with a chipper tone.
A music to Ariel's ears. Demons were practically giving her access to high-ranking nobles on a silver platter.
She almost felt bad about what would happen to Vanj after his service.
Almost.
'Dad has generously granted me [Dimensional Anchor], I must not fail now.' She smiled in her mind, Dad had trusted her more than even her own siblings.
Was it because he liked her and saw her as a daughter or just because she was dominion?
It did not matter, his trust filled her with immense joy.
A joy that she would protect at all cost.
'I would rather fall like these fallen angels than disappoint Dad!' She reassured herself.
She had access to high-ranking nobles, she just needed to see who they were and whisper into their ears.
A sweet seed of betrayal.
A well-placed [Command] would implant a thought of rebellion.
'Most may leave...'
She would allow high-ranking nobles to leave, after all, they had a part to play. Everyone else would meet their end soon.
More and more guests started filling the seating. The crackling of whips quieted down as the auction was about to start.
"Let us go and visit the merchandise, they should be quiet while being sold," Vanj said while pushing Lana outside the kitchen.
Lana nodded while wryly smiling.
As they made their way towards the holding area Vanj looked with slight sadness on his face.
He had lost the opportunity for immense profit.
The room contained 3 large cells, where the slaves were kept.
Harpies had their wings bound, their hands shackled, instead of leather collars like Lana they wore heavy iron collars which restricted their head movements.
All of the slaves were gagged and branded with Cartel's branding iron.
The burn wound was still fresh on their skin, some were branded on their thighs while some were branded on their stomach and back.
Their clothing was removed to give an unobscured view to the customers of what they were buying.
Lana almost couldn't recognize the girl she first led into a trap, she looked broken and hopeless her friends had a spark of defiance despite looking equally broken. Their jewelry was taken away and they had wounds of whips over their backs.
The first girl raised her head towards Lana, her gaze still full of pity despite her situation.
'You should have never trusted me, Fallen.' Ariel thought coldly.
Despite her indifference she did pity the girl.
She was likely an Angel like herself before falling from grace.
But it did not matter now, she had abandoned Father and God and so Ariel's pity had been extinguished.
2 unimaginably heavy sins, making her worthy of the worst that hell could offer.
The sounds of inpatient guests and coordinators reached Ariel's ears.
"Lana, the Auction is starting. Our esteemed guests are the ones sitting in the front. Get ready." Vanj ordered.
"Understood master ~" With a slight rush she disappeared into the kitchen, ready to fulfill the next part.