Currently disguised as a frail and pitiable little elf, she had been placed among the common slaves on the ground floor.

Shia glanced around, feeling a bit at a loss.

The slaves here included humans, but there were far more from other races. Even narrowing it down to elves, there were still numerous elf-like slaves.

In the game, NPCs were mere background props, but here, they were living, breathing individuals without task markers to identify them.

It was impossible to find her just like this.

After wandering around the first floor, Shia came up with a plan.

If he couldn’t find her, then he’d make her come to him.

If the mountain won’t come to me, I’ll go to the mountain!

“This one, this one, and this one—I want them all!”

Shia’s voice carried an arrogant and superior tone as he waved his hand, pointing out one elf after another.

Knowing the plot well, Shia was fully aware of the Elven Princess’s personality.

Righteous to a fault, she loved to masquerade as the weak and toy with her prey, possessing an intense sense of justice.

So Shia’s strategy was to paint himself as a target to draw her attention.

Whether or not the Elven Princess noticed Shia wasn’t immediately clear, but his lavish display certainly caught the attention of the slave traders.

They eagerly approached him with ingratiating smiles, offering to introduce the slaves.

But Shia showed single-minded interest, focusing only on elves.

He purchased every elf slave available, clearing out the entire floor.

The slave traders were grinning from ear to ear.

Shia, too, was pleased.

This place would soon face judgment, making this a perfect opportunity for a free ride.

Any money spent now was just an empty promise.

It was all about projecting wealth and extravagance.

And Shia’s antics successfully drew the attention of his intended target.

The silver-haired little elf curled up in her cage, her timid eyes scanning the passing buyers, assessing who might become her prey.

But soon, her gaze locked onto the extravagant, black-haired young man making such a bold spectacle of himself.

Quietly observing him, it was clear she had already placed Shia at the top of her hit list.

“Those who covet elves must die!”

“And those who harm the Elven race so blatantly deserve even worse.”

She silently resolved that once the moment was right, he’d be her first target.

The slave traders, ever accommodating to a big spender, ensured Shia received the best treatment.

Even before payment was completed, they provided transportation and carefully loaded all the elves he purchased onto a vehicle.

Then they calculated the costs.

Meanwhile, the Elven Princess bided her time.

What she didn’t expect was that after arranging the elves on the transport, Shia began freeing them one by one.

Shia placed a finger to his lips, signaling them to stay quiet.

“The area is crawling with their people right now. Don’t make a sound. Soon, I’ll take you out of here and send you back to the Elven kingdom.”

Shia’s good looks, gentle voice, and soft, deliberate movements left the freed elves momentarily stunned. They stared at him in astonishment, gratitude, and disbelief.

Some even harbored doubts.

Among them, the Elven Princess also froze.

Watching Shia’s actions, she felt deeply conflicted.

She had assumed Shia to be a heinous villain, yet here he was, seemingly a savior descending from the heavens.

The elves held by these traders were mostly poached and kidnapped, sold to individuals with twisted interests for profit.

Thus, everyone here—whether seller or buyer—was a villain in her eyes.

But among the crowd of presumed scoundrels, someone had bought them just to set them free?

Did I misjudge him?

The Elven Princess hesitated, her confusion evident.

But her hesitation was fleeting. Her gaze at Shia remained filled with suspicion and hatred.

How could a human be so kind-hearted?

All humans are wicked and deserve to burn in hell!

There had to be some ulterior motive behind his actions!

Her natural distrust and hostility toward humans resurfaced.

A crazed, vengeful spirit—that was her true nature.

Killing intent began to grow.

Inside the truck, besides the gradually freed elves, Shia was the only human present.

If she acted now, it would undoubtedly be the perfect moment!

Shia, still focused on unlocking the shackles of the other elves, seemed completely unaware of the looming danger.

Or was he?

The Elven Princess had been observing Shia, but Shia had also been paying close attention to her.

He might not have recognized her disguise, but the overwhelming hostility she radiated in contrast to the other confused and grateful elves made her stand out like a sore thumb.

Exactly as he’d hoped!

Such intense animosity among a group gradually moving from fear to gratitude was impossible to miss.

She had practically outed herself.

Shia casually unlocked another elf’s restraints before turning around to face a silver-haired girl.

Her tattered clothing barely concealed her delicate frame. Despite her frail and pale appearance, there was an undeniable allure to her youthful curves.

Though she seemed unremarkable among the many beautiful elves, Shia now had his target.

The question was, how to approach her?

For someone as hostile and righteous as the Elven Princess, sincerity was the best weapon.

Shia crouched before her, his voice soft and soothing.

“You don’t look well. Are you feeling sick? Hold on a little longer, and once we’re out of here, I’ll get you a doctor.”

As he spoke, Shia’s hands gently worked on the chains binding her.

The restraints bore anti-magic seals, the ideal means of imprisonment.

Without hesitation, Shia’s deft hands undid the chains with ease.

Then, reaching out, he tenderly wiped away the dirt smudging her cheek.

His clear, bright eyes carried no trace of malice.

It was as if he didn’t care about the risks of freeing her or the potential danger he might face.

Pure kindness and trust radiated from him.

Even faced with her dirty, unkempt state, he didn’t show a hint of disdain.

His fingers brushed against her soft skin, the warmth of his touch leaving a tingling sensation behind.

The silver-haired elf’s ears flushed a deep red.

Her heart raced wildly, and her gaze fixated on Shia, unable to muster any reaction.

Could he really be a good person?

He doesn’t mind that I’m dirty. He’s not afraid I’ll run. He even worries about whether I’m unwell.

Could there really be good humans in the world?

Shia gently cleaned the dirt from her face, then placed one hand on her forehead and the other on his own to check her temperature.

“Not bad, no fever,” he said, flashing a bright, sunny smile.

The Elven Princess stared at Shia, her initial hatred wavering.

Her gaze softened as she etched his visage into her heart, branding him as a glimmer of pure light amid the darkness.

Meanwhile, a truck quietly arrived at the villa’s back entrance.

A group of students clad in Seven Shields Academy uniforms began disembarking one by one.

Handsome men and beautiful women, each more striking than the last.

Among them, a blonde girl in a red dress and black stockings stood out the most.

Under the sparkling lights, Lilith was about to take center stage.

The reckoning was about to begin!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com