Elisa's emerald-green eyes scanned her surroundings. She could see quite clearly at night, unlike most humans or beastkins who became blind in the dark.
This was the so-called night blindness, a condition affecting ninety percent of people in this era, one of the reasons why few ventured out or traveled at night.
Elisa had no such concerns—nor did any of the elven race. They were darlings of the night, able to navigate dark alleys without fear of stumbling. This was one of the elves' innate survival gifts.
Most elves sought food at night; daytime was far too dangerous. Even so, the elven race struggled—captured, sold, and traded.
"…" Elisa moved stealthily through the darkness, her steps silent. She soon reached the courtyard of two gray-robed men, crouching by the corner of a wall, listening intently to the conversation inside.
"Has the report been sent? That girl from the pizza shop—she's stunning. Definitely top-tier merchandise."
"It's sent, but it'll take at least a month to reach the boss."
"Heh… just a month. We can wait. As long as she fetches a good price at auction, we're set."
"Shame, though. She's gorgeous but not an elf or beastkin. If she were, her price would've gone up another ten percent."
"True, but as a human woman, her life might be easier. At least if some noble buys her, she could end up as a concubine."
"Heh… then she ought to thank us for giving her a better life."
"Exactly… haha… win-win for everyone."
"…"
The shameless conversation inside made Elisa clench her teeth, her slender fingers pulling three long arrows from her quiver. Before confronting them, she'd make them suffer.
More importantly, she realized she was being targeted, and the word was already spreading. Was she running out of places to hide?
"…" Elisa paused, then moved to the courtyard gate, hiding in the shadows. She raised her hand and knocked rhythmically on the door three times—a friendly, disarming pattern.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
After knocking, Elisa stepped back three paces, crouching low, an arrow nocked and aimed at the door's seam.
"Who's there?"
The two gray-robed men inside tensed immediately. They knew the kind of dirty work they were involved in. Especially in Sedona City, they'd seen how formidable the patrols could be.
"Open the door and check. Don't open it too wide," One of the gray-robed men instructed.
"Got it." The other man gripped a short knife behind his back, slowly opening the door just a crack, his eyes scanning outside…
Whoosh!
At that moment, Elisa released her arrow. It shot through the air, piercing straight into the gray-robed man's throat.
"Urk…" The man's eyes widened, staring into the darkness as his body slumped backward, the door swinging wide open.
Whoosh!
Another arrow flew, streaking through the air and embedding itself in the thigh of the second gray-robed man inside, crippling his mobility.
Swish! Elisa darted into the room with graceful agility, closing the door behind her. One hand held an arrow pressed against the second man's throat, while her foot kicked away his short knife.
"Scream, and I'll kill you," Elisa said coldly, the arrow's tip piercing his skin, drawing a trickle of red blood.
"Urk… urk…" The gray-robed man choked on his words, swallowing them back. His body trembled, especially as he glanced at his motionless companion, fear overwhelming him.
"I ask questions and you answer them, understand?" Elisa said, giving the gray-robed man no time to think, her voice cold and unyielding. "How many elves are in Moth City?"
"Huh?" The gray-robed man froze, his eyes darting instinctively as he considered his response or conjured a lie.
Thud!
Elisa's wrist flicked, and an arrow instantly pierced his other thigh. Her longbow swung up, smashing into his chin, silencing the scream he was about to let out.
"Urgh…" His eyes widened, veins bulging on his neck, but he didn't dare make a sound.
"Don't even think about lying," Elisa said, nocking another arrow and aiming it at his eye. "You've got one chance left."
"I don't know! I haven't been to Moth City in half a month," The gray-robed man croaked, his pupils shrinking as he stared at the arrowhead. "Sedona City was my last stop."
"Half a month ago, how many elves were in Moth City?" Elisa frowned. As she suspected, this man's group had been spreading rumors across nearby cities.
"One," The gray-robed man answered immediately.
"Male or female? What did you do to her?" Elisa asked coldly.
"Female. We didn't do anything to her!" The gray-robed man shouted in panic. "The Black Iris Organization treats elves well. We don't hurt them, don't touch them, don't take advantage…"
He rambled on, clearly realizing Elisa's identity as an elf. The Black Iris Organization, it turned out, never molested the elves or high-quality female captives they trafficked. Some clients had severe obsessive cleanliness when it came to women, refusing to accept any who had been touched by other men.
As the largest beauty trafficking organization, Black Iris prioritized client satisfaction. They employed female overseers to guard their captives. After all, some enslaved women who climbed into the beds of nobles gained influence, and Black Iris didn't dare overstep. Who knew if the next enslaved beauty might end up in a prince's bed? Their primary goal was profit.
"Black Iris Organization!" A glint of icy rage flashed in Elisa's emerald eyes. This group again. More than half of the bounty hunters chasing her were from Black Iris.
Now, they had set a trap in Moth City half a month ago. She didn't know how many of her kin had fallen for it.
"How many of you are in Moth City?" Elisa asked coldly, her final question.
"Over a hundred," The gray-robed man replied instantly.
Thud!
As soon as the words left his mouth, Elisa flicked her wrist, and an arrow pierced through his mouth. She turned and walked out, already planning. She'd prepare tonight and head to Moth City at dawn.
Even if it was a trap, she had to go. She had to find a chance to save her people.
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