Talent Scouting

The morning after the purge, the surviving prisoners knelt in the courtyard, facing King Henry, who stood behind the podium.

The rest of the innocent staff members watched from the side.

"With this treason committed against our kingdom, endangering the well-being of our citizens, I declare the execution of the criminals." King Henry declared loudly.

The knights standing behind the prisoners drew their daggers and slit the throats of those kneeling before them. Thus, all who survived the night were executed.

...

Butler Alfred Winifred went to invite Archie to his father's office. Upon his arrival, his father was sitting on the sofa, calmly reading a book.

When he noticed his son's arrival, he placed his book on the table and stood up to hug Archie.

"Haha, with your investigation, we have made our family much safer. Great job!" he exclaimed.

"Ah, I just did what I had to do to protect our family." Archie said as he sat down.

"This isn't just anything. With this, we have dealt a significant blow to our foreign enemies." Henry said.

He added, "Though you sometimes act and talk like an adult who has already lived his life."

Chills ran down Archie's spine, 'Did he figure it out?'

Henry continued, "With this achievement of yours, I will allow you more freedom and increase your allowance."

Overjoyed, Archie responded, "Thanks, Dad. I will use my allowance wisely."

With that, he left the room and went on to complete his daily workout routine before returning home to have dinner with his family, where his mom complimented him on his actions.

Currently, only Archie was present. His two sisters, Emily and Danae, were at the Imperial Academy, the largest academy combined with multiple empires and kingdoms, where nobles of various races sent their children to be educated at the age of 15. Archie would also attend the academy when he reached that age.

...

The morning after that day, Archie and Lilly left the royal palace with a group of guards, heading towards Avalonia.

As they entered the city gates, Archie marveled at the diverse crowd of people.

"I never get tired of this mix of different people. It reminds me that I'm in a different world," he said as he looked around the city.

"Archie, you mentioned wanting to go out and play outside. Do you have a specific place in mind?" Lilly asked.

"Let's head to the auction house, that's our objective today." Archie replied.

10 year old me, Archie Avalon.

'I have lived for 30 years on Earth, and now I've been reincarnated into this world, where I'm called a 'prodigy'.'

'Every day, I endure lessons and training in swordsmanship with Sir Roland Stormblade as if it were hell.'

Lilly Starfall once said, "Being able to master swordsmanship so cleverly, you will truly become a magnificent ruler."

'In politics, the weak fall prey to the strong. Money, status, honor, and power all belong to me, the heir.'

'But, while having a promising future, our territory is a highly sought-after resource. If not for my dad marrying mom, who was once a princess of the Edenian Empire, and forming an alliance with them, we would have already been eliminated, a common occurrence in aristocratic society.'

'In other words, regardless of whether I'm the heir or not, if I stand out, I will most likely be assassinated by foreign powers in their pursuit of resources.'

'At this rate, I won't be able to enjoy a peaceful life.'

'That's why I've decided to change from being a prodigy to someone ordinary, so I'll be underestimated until I have more power. I've decided to become a player on the world stage. Although I say so because, in my previous life, I always worked non-stop as an engineer, I don't know how to play in this world. But I will, with my effort alone, become worthy of my current position,' thought Archie.

'It is time to start recruiting people. With his appraisal skill, this should be an easy task.'

'Although the morals of my previous world are still ingrained in me, I have to adapt to this world, where the strong prey on the weak.'

'In this world, where slavery is legal, there are two types of slaves: those who committed a crime and those who fell into debt.'

'Those who were poor would sell off their children as a means of survival.'

As they made their way to the auction house, Lilly asked him, "Archie, are you sure about this?" She said it with concern.

Archie responded, "You don't have to worry. From their perspective, we are saving them."

'Though I'm also feeling unwell about buying another human being.' Thought Archie while he was looking down on the ground.

…

They entered the large auction house in a back alley, where they were provided with masks to wear.

Upon arrival, they were shown to a table and seated, awaiting the start of the auction.

Suddenly, a man wearing a tuxedo walked out onto the scene.

"And now, the Tiovolo Auction House is officially in session!" declared the MC, the master of ceremonies.

"Our first person up for bidding is this gentleman over here," the MC continued, as a burly man with scars covering his body emerged, bearing the appearance of a seasoned warrior.

"Let the bidding begin!"

"Starting at 1 silver coin!"

"2 silver coins!"

"5 silver coins!"

The auction unfolded, with people bidding based on their assessments of the man's worth. While this took place, Archie examined his aptitude window.

[Gaon Hillbringer]

[Cultivator: D, Magic: Fire, Swordsmanship: E, Archer: D, Tactician: C]

[Loyalty: F (likely to betray you at the first opportunity)]

"Sigh."

Archie shook his head in disappointment at the mention of the person's loyalty.

'To protect this land, I need manpower, but I need them to stay. Also, his aptitudes are subpar,' thought Archie.

"Sold for 9 silver coins!" announced the MC.

The auction proceeded to the next person, a woman known as "the beauty of the town."

[Herlina Gold]

[Cultivator: F, Magic: Water, Dancer: B, Music: B, Warrior: F, Tactician: F]

[Loyalty: D]

The auction continued, showcasing one individual after another. Some demonstrated their talents, while others flaunted their beauty for the noble spectators.

Then, a young boy appeared, clad in dirty rags, tears dripping from his eyes, with golden hair and crimson red eyes.

Despite his presence, the audience seemed to pay him no mind.

"Let's quickly conclude this one," said the MC.

But what set this individual apart was that Archie finally made a move, and for a good reason.

"Ain't no way." Archie murmured.

[Mars Dragonia]

[Cultivator: SSS, Magic: Golden Fire (Unique), Swordsmanship: SS, Fortitude: SS, Leadership: SS, Strategy: SS]

[Loyalty: SSS]

"This poor boy was found near a volcano by some peddling merchants, and his history is unknown," the MC explained.

"Now, let's begin the bidding, starting at 2 bronze coins."

'Why is someone like that here? Isn't he supposed to be the protagonist of another novel or something?' wondered Archie, baffled by his unexplainable luck.

Archie raised his hand, bidding on his first person. The attendees, recognizing his high status based on his attire, refrained from competing with him, not wanting to stir trouble with someone powerful.

"2 bronze coins, going once, twice, sold!"

With that, the auction proceeded. Finding no one else of interesting, Archie went to the warehouse to retrieve his new "comrade" (slave).

Once the processing was complete, Archie introduced himself.

"Hey, my name is Archie. You can call me Arch since we will be friends," he said with a smile.

"O-Okay, m-my name is Mars Dragonia. That's all I remember." Mars replied, trembling and scared about his uncertain future.

Sensing Mars's fear, Archie reassured him. "Don't worry, I won't be sending you off to do anything preposterous," he said, trying to calm him down.

Mars nodded slightly and followed them. Archie had noticed his ragged appearance and decided to buy some new clothes for him and take him to the bathhouse.

After some time, once Mars was cleaned up, he emerged in a pristine white cream suit with a red tie. His overall look exuded nobility, and his handsome appearance rivaled Archie's.

Archie side-eyed the author.

"Very well, now that you're ready, let's go to an inn nearby for a meal," Archie suggested.

Mars nodded, finally having the opportunity for a proper meal.

As their group headed to the inn, another scene unfolded elsewhere.

...

"Boss, we've received the green light for the assassination, and the target is currently outside the royal palace."

"Very well, let's proceed with the mission," said a man with a scar over his right eye.

"Have we heard from Gerhard yet? He should have sent a follow-up letter the day after," the one-eyed man asked.

"No, boss, we haven't received anything back yet. He might be occupied with affairs within the royal palace," the subordinate suggested.

"So be it," the one-eyed man grumbled.

"Let's complete this mission first, for the Serpent Realm Kingdom!" he declared.