When Sian and Illianna arrived at the slave merchant, they found that the establishment was temporarily closed.
"How can someone call themselves a merchant and refuse to serve customers?" Sian complained to the butler who received them.
The establishment they were in was high class, so the merchant didn't even bother to go meet them in person. Perhaps just because he wanted to show off or simply because he was a slave merchant, the butler's master made his slave mark visible. It was a small purple colored ball right in the middle of his forehead.
"Sir, I hope you understand that for security reasons, my master will not be opening today," The butler said. "There are many rebels running around the city."
"I think we really picked a bad day to come," Illianna lamented.
"Bullshit," Sian said. "I'll handle this."
As the butler maintained a dead fish look, having no idea what Sian was about to do, Illianna intervened.
"No, let me take care of it."
Placing her hand under her cloak, Illianna pulled out a small bag of embroidered white cloth.
"Show this to your master," she handed the bag to the butler. "Tell him we want to talk business."
Opening the bag slightly, the butler found that there was a considerable amount of gold coins.
"Please follow me to the waiting room."
The butler respectfully made way for the two as he courteously bowed.
After accommodating Sian and Illianna in a rather exquisitely decorated room, the butler left, stating that he would inform his master of the two's presence.
"Aren't you afraid of them stealing you?" Sian asked.
"If he has the intelligence to be a successful merchant, of course he's not going to openly rob us like that. Even if he does, you can just go in there and take it back, right?"
At that moment, a young maid entered bringing tea and snacks. Alongside the snacks, the bag that Illianna had handed to the butler also returned intact.
Like the butler, the maid had a dead fish look and the slave mark was also visible on her forehead. In addition, she had a bruise on her cheek. From the swelling and the redness, it looked like she had been beaten recently.
"My master will come in a moment," leaving those words behind, she bowed and left the room.
While Sian just ignored her and started tasting the snacks, Illianna had a look of pity on her face.
A few minutes later, an old man with white hair and a bulging belly appeared with a broad smile on his face. Even with no introduction, he is obviously the one who runs this place.
With a brief introduction, they discovered that the merchant's name was Roger.
"What can I be of service to distinguished guests like yourselves?" Roger asked.
"I hear you've acquired some interesting goods recently, is that true?" Illianna said.
"Oh, so that's what this is all about. In fact, my entire quality batch sold out a few days ago."
"That fast? Being one of the biggest, if not the biggest merchant in this city, I thought you had many. What happened?"
Clearly pleased with Illianna's praise, he said, "Despite being the biggest merchant here, nobles who become slaves are like freshly baked bread."
"Indeed, for their haughtiness and arrogance, nobles make many enmities," Illianna said. "If I could buy off those with whom I have enmity, I would not spare a single coin."
Although the hood was covering Illianna's face, Sian could feel her gaze, but he just ignored it and continued devouring the treats on the coffee table.
With a big laugh, the merchant seemed in high spirits as he leaned back in his armchair.
"It seems we have some things in common. My current butler was an earl who used to give me a hard time. But look at it now, he and his entire family are my slaves. Before, I couldn't even look directly into their eyes, but now, even if I beat them, all they can do is groan in pain. It's an immensely satisfying feeling."
"Indeed, but alas, I shall have no such pleasure. The one I have enmity with is a rather troublesome duke." Shaking her head in lamentation, Illianna continued, "As for the slaves, I do not need them to be noble, it is enough that they are of quality."
"I fear that for a while, you will not find quality slaves available here in the federation."
"Why?" Illianna asked, "What happened?"
"Since two days ago, the merchants' summit started buying many slaves and they also demand the right to buy. So in case we catch something good, we have to sell it to them."
"To demand exclusivity like that, it seems they're not much different from the nobles."
"Maybe," Roger didn't deny it. "But unlike the old nobles, they pay a reasonable price, so this ends up not being as bad as it could be."
"It's a shame there's nothing good left," Illianna sighed deeply and lowered her hood, "After all I've been through to get here, it seems I'm on a bad streak."
Looking at Illianna's bored expression, Roger had his eyes locked on her, analyzing every part of her face.
Knowing Illianna, Sian was sure that this was her intentional action.
Snapping out of his daze, Roger stammered, "From your voice, I imagined you to be a fine-looking lady. But I didn't think you were so charming. I daresay you are the most beautiful miss I have ever seen."
"I thank you for the compliment." Pretending to regain her spirits, Illianna smiled before continuing, "Though I have a good-looking face, my features do not match the beauty of elves."
Illianna's words were probably just false modesty. Truth be told, although Lin is a beauty, when the two of them stand side by side, Illianna definitely stands out more. Not to mention that while Lin is almost a flat board, Illianna has more curves on her body.
Without taking his eyes off Illianna, Roger complimented her further, "I believe your beauty is second to none."
"You really are a good with words," Illianna laughed elegantly. "Going back to the subject of before, I'm sure someone important and capable like you must have some information of where we can get something good."
"You overestimate me," Roger chuckled lightly.
"I have good eyes for people," Illianna said. "Since you are a good merchant, I know you must also have some information to sell."
Raising her hand gracefully, Illianna made the small bag of coins fly to the merchant.
She was obviously not just doing this to give him the coins, but also to show her power, after all, not just anyone can use magic without chanting. That way, it would also make Roger want to gain her favor.
"There's no need for that." Shaking his head, Roger refused the offered gold. "Although I don't know much, I still know a few things. Take this a courtesy for today's pleasant visit."
With some more small talk, Illianna acquired quite a bit of information. The slaves with good physiques were outside the city claiming new land or constructing buildings. The more intellectual ones, on the other hand, were being used in positions befitting their abilities. After conquering the kingdom, they were reforming the economy, policies and laws.
The only slaves left in the city who were not being used for work were currently imprisoned in the castle. These were the remaining members of the royal family.
Whether near or far from the royal lineage, all were trapped in the castle dungeon. Every day, one of these people is killed and they head is nailed to the main gate.
This was something done by the merchants' summit. It was not as if they were afraid that the royal family would get back on its feet. After arresting everyone who was blood related to the king and being on the trail of the fugitive princes, they were no longer worried that a reversal would happen.
They were killing one each day just to set an example for those who still dared to go against them. The one in charge of this was one of the leaders of the summit and being greedy, like all merchants, he had his price. If offered a good amount, Sian and Illianna might be able to buy some from him.
***
After they said goodbye to the merchant, Sian and Illianna returned to the streets and the sun was already fading.
"Polite conversations really sucks," Sian complained. "If you had let me handle it, after two slaps in the face he would have told me everything he knows. Anyway, let's finish this before dinner."
"I think we'd better go back," Illianna said. "I believe if we go there, we won't get anything at a reasonable price, and knowing you, there's going to be an uproar."
"I don't intend to return empty-handed," Sian said. "I have already located those slaves. There are nearly a hundred of them in a hall in the castle dungeon."
"Why do I feel that you have no intention of negotiating?"
"Because I don't want to negotiate," Sian shrugged. "We've done it your way so far, now let's do it mine."
"I don't think breaking into the castle is a good idea."
"Nonsense. Do you have any idea how many castles and fortresses I've raided without being noticed?"
"From his conduct, I'm sure there were many."
"Yeah, it seems like you really know me well." Grabbing Illianna's arm, he said, "Now let's go."
"Why do you look strangely happy?"
"We're going to rob a castle, why wouldn't I be?" Sian asked as if it was something natural.
"I don't seem to know you that well." With a look of disapproval on her face, she said, "It seems Ayzeret has twisted you more than expected."
"Nah, it's just that you don't know the thrill of breaking into an unknown castle," Sian said excitedly. "It's like a surprise box. You don't know what treasures await you until you break in."
Ignoring Illianna's dumbfounded expression, Sian began the invasion.