Chapter 60 : Black Market

"Kaizo! What a coincidence," Mithra exclaimed.

"You're here on a mission too?" Olivia asked.

"What are you guys doing here?" Kaizo asked back with an annoyed look.

Olivia showed him her tablet. "We heard someone is selling this rare salamander illegally down here. So we come to check."

"Endangered animals," Kaizo mumbled.

"Exactly! What about you?" said Olivia. She glanced behind Kaizo. "Ohh... isn't that...."

"It's Axion isn't it?" said Mithra.

They looked at Axion and Albi who stopped by a vendor.

"Isn't the man beside Axion is Captain Albi? I heard he's working as a gladiator at Circus Maxima," said Olivia.

"Yeah. We watched him fight a few times but we never spoke to him," Mithra adds.

"Don't they look good together?" said Olivia.

The question burns Kaizo's ear.

"Yeah. They looked compatible with each other," Mithra adds.

Kaizo slightly clenched his fist. He turns and walks away.

"Oh, Kaizo. Are you following them?" Olivia asked.

"I'm in the middle of a mission. Stay out of my way," said Kaizo menacingly.

He walks away, leaving Olivia and Mithra dumbfounded.

"According to the data I have, the shop that we're looking for should be just ahead," said Axion.

"I'm amazed that the Lady can attain such information," said Albi. "May I ask where the Lady gained this information?"

"Oh, here and there. We, women, like to indulge ourselves in passing stories," said Axion.

Soon, they arrived at a shop. The shop is decorated with oriental style windows. The entrance bell lightly rings, welcoming them into the shop. The shop is well lit with amber-colored lanterns.

Axion looked around the shop. Dusty antiques scattered in every corner. At the end of the shop, there's a table with stacks of paper and scroll surrounding it. And behind that table, an old man stands, the owner of the shop. Behind him, there's a decorated locker with an intricate carving.

"How may I help you?" asked the shopkeeper.

"I've heard that you sold an ancient parchment of Rubrum here," said Albi.

"Yes. But I'm afraid I no longer have it," said the shopkeeper. "The only Rubrum parchment that I had was already sold to Zaroro. Who knows that man got the gut to chase after some power ball."

"Where did you find that parchment in the first place?" Albi asked.

"Oh, here and there. I've been trading all my life. I could've got it from anywhere."

"Do you have anything similar? It doesn't have to be a parchment or originated from Rubrum," said Axion.

"Oh, I have plenty," said the shopkeeper.

"Bring out only the good ones," said Axion.

The shopkeeper turns to a shelf and takes out a box.

"These are the best I could offer to you," said the shopkeeper.

Outside, Kaizo is watching the shop from a distance. He listens carefully to the conversation through his communicator. Shortly later, Axion and Albi walk out of the shop.

"I never knew you're interested in history," said Albi.

"It's a hobby. The galaxy is vast and full of secrets," said Axion.

"Our planet, Rubrum has a long history as well. Perhaps, one day you can visit and explore Rubrum's secret that no one has ever known," said Albi.

"I'm happy for your invitation."

Axion suddenly stops.

"What's wrong?" Albi asked.

They looked at a big cage with people of varied races in it.

"That's..." Albi mumbled.

"Slave traders," said Axion.

They observe the people within the iron bars. They vary from children to adults. Their clothes are ragged. Most of their eyes are dark and hopeless. The mothers hold their children, trying to keep them calm.

"How terrible...." said Albi. "We need to do something."

"I'd rather not risk it," said Axion.

"Don't worry my Lady. You will always be my first priority," said Albi.

Axion looked at him with an unsure look. Noticing the strain on her face, Kaizo decides to approach them.

"Kaizo. What a coincidence," said Albi.

"Yeah. Fancy meeting you here," Kaizo replied indifferently. He glanced at Axion.

"Were you looking for something as well?" Albi asked.

"Sort of," said Kaizo.

"What are you looking for down here? Perhaps we can search it together."

"A team of Astraeus station that I know is searching for a rare salamander. The salamander is an endangered animal and one of our Admiral wants them to get it," said Kaizo.

"A rare salamander... interesting," said Albi.

"What about you?" Kaizo asks back.

"Ah. Lady Axion and I have just returned from the antique shop when we came across slave traders over there," said Albi.

"Captain Albi, I hope you're not going to do anything unnecessary," said Kaizo.

"I understand what you're trying to imply. However, as a knight, I cannot look away when there are people in need," said Albi.

"You can't just make a fuss down here as you please. This is not Rubrum or Gladiator's arena," said Kaizo.

"I know. But a knight must do what must be done."

Kaizo clenches his fists.

"What about a plan, then?" said Axion.

They both looked at Axion with wonder.