Like I give a shit about their happiness. Oh wait. That is the Slave Driver in me talking since I should at least pretend to give a shit about their happiness and wellbeing, as they are my employee (slave), and a happy employee is a productive employee.
Or as the saying goes. Not always true from my experience, however.
"Merchant, you fucker –!? You're… who are you?" one of the men questions after examining me more closely. The other men also do the same, and they unanimously agreed that I am not Merchant.
Bunch of idiots.
They really need to understand that appearance can be deceiving, especially with everything that they have been through. They also need more discipline, for shit like this will happen again.
Honestly, I prefer to employ actual slaves, as they know their places and work hard for their freedom, but unfortunately, my prestige is not high enough to access the Black Market. As such, I must do with what I can get.
I actually want to get Alex involve with this, but on a second thought, I do not want a voice of reasons right now.
"I am Merchant, for I am many," I response and place my unconscious mother over my shoulder. "Grab one and try not to fall behind. The rest keep an eye out for any monster. Do not engage them – fucking shut up and listen – Do not engage them unless they engage you first because they and I have a truce for now."
The men glare at me, and I glare at them back before heading off. "These women were hostages, and if you leave them there, you are condemning them to horrifying death. Can you live with that?"
No need to look back, as I know the men will do the right thing, as the Major would. I wonder how the Major is doing. She has not bit the bullet yet as her Blood Essence is still useable, and I doubt she will get killed anytime soon.
Since I need the men to follow me, I restrain myself, running just fast enough for them to follow me. I stop once I have travelled quite a distance and wait for the men to catch up.
"Merchant… what the… what the fuck…?"
I eye the exhausted men with a heavy sigh. "You lack training. Actual training, not the shit that you do as part of your daily routine in the military. You are part of my army now, and I expect each of you to be able to do this much."
As a demonstration, I punch the air in the direction of a building, and the resulting shockwave shatter every window within that building. Even the walls are cracked.
The feat drops everyone's jaw. Not literally, of course, as what they have witnessed is impossible from a logical standpoint. But logic no longer has a place within a world of Magic and Spirit and more.
"Now, we should get moving," I state and activate one of the abilities of my class. An ability that was unlocked at level 4.
And the moment that I did, a caravan manifests out of thin air. Just one caravan as I have not trained the ability to summon more. There is no need since Convoy is more useful ability than Caravan.