Naturally, the Abyss Auction was illegal. The empire had long since abolished slavery, yet the buying and selling of people persisted in the shadows.1

I kept citing the South as an example. Officially, we were called mercenaries. In reality, our employers held absolute control over our lives, with no limit on the term of service. How was that any different from slavery?0

Like most illegal practices, it was a matter of semantics, nearly impossible to prosecute—especially when the perpetrators wielded immense power.0

A sigh escaped me.0

"You seem to have something to say," the Iron-Blooded Lord observed. His intuition was uncanny.1

With the Blessing of Truth upon me, lying would be futile, so I just expressed my honest feelings. "I'm surprised, that's all."0

"By what?"0

"I thought I bore no resentment toward the Badniker family, but that doesn't seem entirely true," I replied.0

Maxim and his two disciples fell silent, sensing the tension. The Iron-Blooded Lord appeared to consider my words carefully.0

I pressed on, "Family head, is your blade aimed solely at the church? Are you aware of and condone other crimes?"1

If that were the case, I would be disappointed in both the Iron-Blooded Lord and the Badnikers. The...0