When I transitioned to my room, Shelly and her friends were frozen in front of the monitor.
As soon as they realized I was back, they turned and jumped at me.
"Welcome back. I'm glad you're okay. The place was amazing.
'It was really an awesome place . It's big, it's crowded, there's a lot of dangerous stuff, and I don't know how you can crush it: ......
That's harder than destroying one city: .......
'That's a lot of work: ....... I'll see what I can do to solve that problem.
Thank you. How's that working out for you?
Really, what do you think we should do: .......
'Master Leo, let's call it a day and rest for now. I can't think of anything better to do when I'm so tired.
Belle said that to me while I was thinking about it.
Sure, I think I'll take the day off.
Yeah, I think I will.
Then I took a long, leisurely soak in the bath to relax.
The next day.
As I said yesterday, the invitation arrived.
It was sent by a clerk.
"Is this the invitation from the slave-trading executive: ......
Yeah. Well, he's the president of the local merchants' association, and he wants to say hello.
It's a commercial town, and you'd have to go to the president of the commercial association to say hello: .......
I can't turn it down .
'Well, if that's the case, I'll have to go. So, does Leo buy slaves?
I'm not buying it. I don't think I need it now, and you can't buy an illegal slave.
Besides, I wouldn't dare to buy a slave that I was told was so dangerous.
I know. But if I refuse to go to the black market, won't you try to kill him, Leo? And now you've got the information.
Well, yeah. Then you'll have to use that as an excuse to fight the black market.
Maybe I can't think of anything else, and a direct confrontation might be the easiest.
'Master Leo, the minute you feel that you're in danger, you run.
Belle overheard our conversation and sounded concerned.
"I know, I know. If anything goes wrong, I'll take the transference and run.
Nothing is better than nothing. But they'll never leave me alone if I say no.
Well, that's good to know: ......
Well, don't worry about it. This time, I'm sure they'll think I'm just a kid over there and let their guard down, too, so I don't think they're that well-equipped to fight.
Maybe he can get away with it.
You can't let your guard down, Master Leo.
Belle nails me for being a little carefree.
"I know, I know. All right, I'll take off. Just talk to me if you need anything.
Yes. Okay.
Bye!
I tried to transfer.
"Wait a minute, Leo. What about the guards? As it is, even if Leo is so strong and okay, you can't go to greet him without an escort.
Oh, sure, since I'm going as a lord, I need to be stronger than that .
''Well then, I'll leave two golems as my guards.
That red armor is going to be terribly intimidating, so maybe they'll give up on harming me .
'Then you'll be okay with that: ....... I'm good to go, okay?
No, you're going to stay here and guard Shelly and the others. I don't know what's going to happen next, okay? Maybe he'll try to take Sherry and the others hostage if I say no.
That's the last thing I need is for you to do that.
Oh, yeah? ......
So I asked my brother and Mr. Eunice to get Sherry and the others.
I will.
Yeah, I'll keep him safe no matter what.
They responded emphatically to my words.
'Yes, please . The golem guarding this castle is going to listen to the orders of your brothers, so use it if you need it.
Yeah, okay.
Oh, and I'm gonna leave a wardrobe for you. It'll keep you safe, right?
Then he handed Shelly the warding ball.
This will keep Sherry and the others safe, even with Allen.
"Okay. I'll put up a perimeter. So you don't have to worry about us, okay?
It's a bit of a relief, but it's impossible not to worry about it.
Yeah, all right. Okay, I'll be off then. If you have any problems, you talk to me immediately.
So I reminded him it's important.
Okay. Have a good day.
Yeah. I'll try my best.
And with that, I left the room.
Then I got in the carriage and went with the golem to the slaver, Clark's.
The carriage stopped in front of the slaver, and when I got out of the carriage a man came out of the ...... store.
"How do you do. My name is Clarke. I'm the owner of this store and the president of the merchants' association here in town. Thank you for coming the same day I sent you the invitation.
Yeah, that's the guy I was talking to yesterday.
'It was nice to meet you, too, because I was interested in learning more about the commerce of this city.
Of course I don't think that's a little bit true.
Really. Okay, follow me.
When I entered the shop, I was shown to a place that looked like a reception room.
Then let me introduce myself again. My name is Clark. I'm a slaver, and I deal in high-grade slaves for the nobility. And I've been president of the city's trade association for almost ten years.
Really. By the way, what does a high-grade slave look like?
I tried to give the impression that you were a little bit interested in slaves.
Oh, do you mind?
Clark was quick to bite.
'It's just that . We didn't have any slaves at my parents' house, so I was a little curious.
Oh, really? So when you're done talking to me, I'll let you see the slaves in this shop and I'll tell you about them.
And then you're thinking about selling me that slave you're talking about.
Oh, that's very helpful. So let's get to it.
Yes. Would it be okay for me to talk about the city in the way I do?
Yes, please.
All right. Then let me tell you. This city is called the center of the world by the merchants. That's because you have to pass through this city whenever you go to any capital city. Not to mention the Vector Empire from the Kingdom of Alvar to the Vector Empire from the Kingdom of Alvar and the Garum Kingdom to the Vector Empire. If you go from the Kingdom of Alvar to the Galum Kingdom, you have to pass through this city.
'Really? Didn't the Kingdom of Alvar and the Garmic States were neighbors?
Why do I have to come all the way through here?
Yes, it is. But there's a big forest in between.
Oh, by the way,
I was looking at a map in a book, and there's a big forest.
It would be very difficult to get through that forest with a wagon and other things. Then I'll go the long way and take the safe route.
Sure, that's true.
'I see. ....... Go on.
Yes. Such is the nature of this city, where merchants from all over the world gather to buy the world's specialties and curiosities. And it's here that the world's rich and famous flock to find their wares.
I knew it, but it just reminded me how great this city is.
Well, Gots could have embezzled all that money.
Yeah. And if you can get this city to drop a lot of money on you: ......
Yes. That's already a lot of money for the nobility to spend.
That's good to hear. Oh, and is there anything else you'd like to see improved in this town? I'm trying to figure out what to do, right?
Well, I'm not going to do what Clark said, because it's going to benefit the wrong people, but .
'No, not really . Personally, I like the city as it is.
Okay. I'll take a look at it.
It means the bad guys are going to get the benefit of the doubt, so we've got to change that for sure.
"Yes, sir. Thank you. So, without further ado, why don't we take a look at the slaves in the shop?
You're moving too fast. Well, we don't have to waste time talking about meaningless things all the time here, so .
All right. Do me a favor.
All right. Then let me show you around. This is a store that specializes in high-grade slaves. We cater to the nobility and the wealthy.
Clark began to explain the shop as he led me around.
Oh, really? How do you get your slaves?
'We have been allowed to sell here what we have bought from noblemen on the verge of downfall, and what we have sold at slave auctions held in various places.
Yeah. It all sounds expensive.
No. Mr. Leons, it's a very reasonable price.
Really?
Well, I guess so: .......
With that in mind, I responded appropriately .
''Yes . Now, let me introduce you to the slaves in this shop and tell you how much it costs.
Yes, please.
Let's start with the lowest-grade slave. This is your room, sir.
After saying that, the room I was led to had a prison cell with about twenty slaves inside .
''These slaves are all from the common people and their cultivation is not that great, so their prices are slightly more affordable, about five to ten gold coins.''
'Here, it's the lowest grade: ....... It's just that we specialize in high-grade slaves.
It's amazing that someone like Elsie's price is the lowest.
They're all pretty, so it makes sense for the price.
Thank you, ma'am. That's our specialty, the quality of our slaves. Now, let's move on to the next room, next grade.
The next room also had a prison, but this time it was private.
The slaves looked more mature than the slaves in the previous room.
This room is for the slaves who have the best looks and skills in the shop. They are priced from one to five platinum coins.
That's expensive: ....... But it might be reasonable, depending on the technology you have.
I'm not sure I want to buy it.
Really. You're right, it's a lot nicer than this room. So is this neighborhood a popular one after all?
Yes, sir. . since this grade is about the middle of the price range in our shop.
So that's what's up there. Can I take a look at it?
I wanted to finish this slave introduction as soon as possible, so I'm going to let you move on.
You're not going to buy it anyway.
Okay. It's right this way.
The next room we were shown was ...... not a prison like the previous rooms, but a large room with three collared women in one large room.
All three were certainly not like the slaves we had just met.
"Hey, you three, say hello to our guest.
Clark said, and the three of them rushed over to me.
"My name's Claire. I'm 16 years old. I'm good with strings.
The first person who introduced herself was a very beautiful woman.
Her greeting was so polished that it was like being greeted by a noblewoman.
"This person is originally from a noble family and is well educated, so I recommend him for your secretary.
I knew she was a noblewoman.
It must be hard to go from a life of aristocracy to a life of slavery.
My name is Irma. I'm good at ...... and I'm good with the bow.
The next person to introduce himself was an elf slave .
She has a different kind of beauty from humans, which explains her high price.
This is an elf slave I got at last week's slave auction. Elf slaves sell quickly, so please let me know as soon as you like them.
Sure it is.
This is Leah. She's 14 years old and she's a runner.
He ended up a slave to the beastmen.
This one's right up my alley. You're a fox girl.
I'd love to fluff her bushy tail: .......
(Master Leo? (Why are you looking at that woman's tail so much?)
(S-Sorry!
As I was delirious, a horrible voice echoed in my head and I apologized on conditional reflex .
I think it was Belle's voice: .......
''This is also a slave I got at last week's slave auction . Just like elven slaves, beast slaves sell quickly, so if you like it, please tell me right away.
I like it, but I'm not going to buy ...... because it would be horrible if I did .
''All the girls are great. As expected, you're the highest(ish) grade(ish) slave in this store.
No, no, they're not the finest yet. I have prepared a more unusual slave for Master Leons this time.
Oh, I knew you'd come.
Yeah?
That's a bullshit play.
"Yes, sir. I'll have one of my men bring you back to the parlor.
Yeah, okay.
Now it's time to get to work.
I'm very anxious to see what kind of slaves are coming ......