"Now then! Following the five fallen Marines—entry number 14! A human maid!"
The auctioneer raised his voice dramatically as a girl in a tattered dress was led onto the stage, hands bound, head bowed.
"Once a lady of a fallen noble family, this poor soul was sold to pay off her debts! Skilled in every game from chess to cards — a perfect companion to chase away your boredom, my esteemed guests!"
A fallen noblewoman...
Not a pirate. Not a criminal.
Someone who had simply fallen victim to circumstance.
To Rengoku, that meant one thing: she was someone he had to save.
He turned toward the Celestial Dragon seated beside him.
"Lord Rosward."
Rosward Saint stroked his beard, grinning slyly.
"Ohhh~ does our dear Rengoku Vice Admiral fancy that kind of woman, hmm~?"
"I only require a maid," Rengoku replied evenly.
"Hohoho! Whatever the reason, it matters not! I'll pay whatever it takes—just bid as you please, my boy!"
Rengoku nodded silently.
If the Celestial Dragon was offering to foot the bill, then he could buy her freedom without suspicion.
"Now then, starting price—six hundred thousand Berries!"
"Six million."
A murmur swept across the auction house.
"Six... six million Berries! A bid of six million from the VIP section! That's ten times the starting price—ten times! From the VIP section!"
The Human Shop erupted with noise.
Everyone knew what that meant.
If a bid came from the VIP box, it meant only one thing— a Celestial Dragon was involved.
And when a Celestial Dragon bid, the auction was already over.
No one in their right mind would dare raise a paddle after that.
The auctioneer's voice echoed like a bell:
"Six million Berries! Going once, going twice—SOLD! Sold for six million Berries from the VIP section!"
He gestured grandly toward the Celestial Dragon's balcony, his tone almost reverent.
The nobles below whispered among themselves, their envy swallowed by fear.
Rengoku exhaled quietly.
At least she's safe now.
But the show wasn't over.
The auctioneer raised another card.
"Next, entry number 15! The twenty-year-old dancer — Pashia! A dazzling beauty and the second of tonight's special items! Once a court maiden in her home kingdom, her dances are said to make even the heavens weep with joy! Starting at eight hundred thousand Berries!"
A hush fell.
Rengoku's eyes narrowed.
That outfit. That style. He recognized it immediately.
The royal attire of Alabasta.
So she wasn't just any dancer—she was one of Vivi's court attendants.
There was no hesitation.
This girl had to be brought home.
Once more, Rengoku turned to Rosward Saint.
"Lord Rosward."
The Celestial Dragon chuckled, amused.
"Oho~ I see how it is! A true man of passion, hmm? Two human beauties the moment you arrive, eh? Worry not, my gallant hero—your generous patron Rosward Saint will handle everything! Hohohoho~!"
Rengoku gave a faint smile and lowered his gaze, masking his thoughts.
If paying their price means saving them… then so be it.
For the Celestial Dragons, six million Berries was nothing — pocket change, equivalent to a single Berry for a commoner.
"Eight million," Rengoku declared calmly, raising his paddle.
"Eight million Berries!! A bid of eight million from the VIP section!!! My, my! What a generous evening this has become!" the auctioneer roared with delight.
"Two consecutive bids — both ten times the starting price! Truly, the grace of the heavens shines upon us tonight! Eight million Berries! Any other offers? Eight million from the VIP section!"
The crowd buzzed with astonishment.
"That's Vice Admiral Rengoku, isn't it?"
"What's a man like him doing in a Human Shop, buying two slaves?"
"Well, he's with a Celestial Dragon. He probably has no choice."
"I heard rumors that he frees the ones he buys. Still, eight million? That's over the top…"
But no one dared to raise the bid further.
Two back-to-back purchases at ten times the original price — from the VIP section, no less — meant only one thing: a Celestial Dragon had made their claim.
And if Rengoku later released them, no one would object.
"Eight million Berries—SOLD! The beautiful shrine maiden, Pashia, goes to our distinguished VIP guest for eight million Berries!"
Applause and whispers filled the room.
The auctioneer wiped the sweat from his brow and raised the next card dramatically.
"Now, let us continue! Entry number sixteen—a pirate captain!"
A new group of men was dragged onto the stage.
Rengoku's focus shifted elsewhere. He had no interest in buying pirates.
"Lord Rosward," he said quietly. "I'll go confirm my purchases."
"Mm, yes yes~ go ahead!" the Celestial Dragon chuckled, absently waving his hand. His attention was fixed on the stage — he was already daydreaming about adding another pirate to his grotesque "collection."
Only Shalria glanced suspiciously at Rengoku and, without a word, decided to follow him.
In the Human Shop, VIP customers were allowed to claim their "merchandise" immediately after purchase.
"Vice Admiral Rengoku, you purchased these under the Celestial Dragons' authority? Of course! I'll guide you at once!" the trembling attendant said, bowing repeatedly.
They led Rengoku to a dim holding area behind the stage, where the two women he'd purchased waited in silence — bound and collared.
"You there! Numbers 14 and 15! Step forward!" barked the staffer harshly.
Rengoku's voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Watch your tone. Their ownership now belongs to me."
The man froze, the color draining from his face.
"I–I–I'm terribly sorry, sir!" he stammered, collapsing into a dogeza and trembling.
Rengoku took the keys from him.
"The keys to their collars."
"H-here they are, but… are you sure, sir? They might try to escape…"
"That will be my concern," Rengoku replied coldly.
"Yes, of course! My deepest apologies!"
The man nearly fell over himself bowing again as Rengoku unlocked the explosive collars from the women's necks. The heavy metal clattered to the floor.
"What is your name?" he asked the first girl gently.
"M-my name is Shino…" she said timidly.
A fallen noblewoman, sold into servitude to pay her family's debts — now trembling like a fragile bird.
"And you," he turned to the second. "Pashia. From the Kingdom of Alabasta, correct?"
Her eyes widened.
"H-how did you—?"
Rengoku smiled faintly.
"I know people in Alabasta. I'm sorry you had to endure this humiliation, being treated as merchandise… but for now, your ownership lies with me. When this is all over, I'll see you safely returned home. Until then, stay close to me."
Pashia's lips trembled, and she bowed deeply.
"T-thank you…"
Rengoku's expression hardened.
There were still a dozen more people in chains — terrified, hopeless faces looking to him as if begging for salvation.
He wanted to save them all.
But not yet.
He could feel it — a presence approaching from ahead.
A foul, arrogant aura that promised trouble.
Something… or someone… troublesome was waiting.
------------------
Want to read 20 advance chapters ahead?
Go to my patreon: patreon.com/Kinglass