I have been wondering for half an hour . " Riva " is surely a beautiful city specially when all the people are out on the street . Hustling sounds makes it more lively . These buildings , no matter how many time i describe them it's fascinating , they are perfectly organised and colourfull . Roofs are well designed and moreover these artistic windows are simply amazing .
While I was watching here and there , I came across a certain building .
Sign board says " Slave Merchant " . It's the place where slaves are sold and bought .
It's a Four storeys building , It's quite larger .
I kept on exploring for hours and went back to the inn I'm staying in . I have memorised few locations that would be helpful .
I'm in my room sitting on a wooden chair with my head down on the table , I'm helplessly trying to rest my uneasiness . Looking at my card wich is on they table , I'm feeling excited but at the same time I'm nervous.
With my current strength and considering I'm fighting alone , I can barely survive fighting monsters and all . If anyone joins me and somehow if I gets into a group , I'm afraid if I will be helpful and maybe this time i won't be able to live another day . History repeats itself .... and I'm afraid of it .
I need some reliable companions . Someone who will get along with me . Atleast until I advance to a higher ranks so that I can take on quests alone , i need to get into a group till then .
Yes , I need others power . Unlike last time when I was in that group , I need to find some stronger companions . With my ability to use different equipments and weapons I can deal some heavy blows but that not the all .
*_____________*____________*
Next day , I went to the adventurers guild and looked for a group I can join in . The lady at the reception did introduced me to few party who were looking for members . Needless to say they all rejected me without any hesitation . They were quite high rankers so it's understandable that they would not let some newbies into their group .
I also saw my request posted on the notice board along other posts .
While leaving the hall , I heard quite a ruckus among the people passing by.
" Did you heard of a slave belonging to magical race . Incidentally she is a rare and I heard she is a beauty . "
" I want to see her . Only if i had money I would have bought her "
[ She will end up being sold to some noble . There aren't many who could buy such a rare.... ]
huh .... what are they talking about ? From what I heard , I guess it's a slave and a rare one . Magical race are those with high affinity for elemental magic . But.... there aren't many of them . They usually doesn't interact with outsiders , so how come one them could have become a slave .
Well .... it's quite rare to see them . Although I had read that most of magical race and those of beast races looks exactly like human and have similar to almost same body composition but they differ in slight aspects from human so usually , those of other races cannot give birth to a human child . In some cases they do give birth to human child but it's almost so rare that the child is considered as miracle . And the child born is said to have higher abilities .
With the dedicated to see a being of magical race , I went to the salve marchant building . As I had thought of , building was flooded with visitors and I could tell easily that none of them are customer. Probably they are here to see him .
I went in .
Reception hall was spacious with quite a few decorations . A stage was set at the end of room and a staircase was in the corner side that leads to the higher floor . There was few gates leading into the hall that probably connects with other rooms .
Man at the reception welcomes the customers , more precisely they are just curious to see him .
I was standing in the hall . Not knowing what to do , I just followed other people . After sometime , few mens from the shop came into hall and instructed to move forward to stage . Everyone was looking at the stage . A man probably in his thirties , comes on the stage and starts speaking . Everyone went silent to listen him .
" All mens gathered here , please maintain a decency and look forward to see a never seen beauty and a magical race . "
Everyone gets excited . The man continues .
" We are quite proud to introduce it . But before that let me tell you guys .... anyone who were to buy her would be lucky and fortunate .Since she is a rare her price is higher than other female and she is also good at fighting so she can easily be sold to a noble . "
After this he went to a room in sideways to stage . People started talking their thoughts .
What fascinated me was the strategy for selling . Since , the auctions for slave are banned throughout the continents and advertising is prohibited , it's not easy to attract rich customer . So thay usually target audience to spread words to nobles and rich people . Well I would have liked it more if there wasn't such a system of slavery . On another thought , it cannot be possible with current situation , it's good way for some to survive even though if they are treated as a product.
Those who cannot pay debts usually sell themselves or their family members as slaves . Those who cannot live on their own , they sell themselves in hope of survival .
Most of the time slave are employed as workers in the mansion and palace belonging to the high class of society and due to regulations and laws it enable the slave to live a fairly simple life but only in identical conditions. Womens are bought to work as a maid or those with beauty as a mistress . They gets to live a decent life if they work properly but mens are usually used labour and for fighting . Womens with good abilities and specially healing abilities are bought by rich adventurers to support their group . Needless to say there aren't many adventurers who can buy a slave .
Even nobles doesn't buy many slave since he will have to pay for all the living expenses for rest of life along with a high price to initially purchase one .
While I was lost in my thoughts the man came back and following him a lady dressed as a maid comes on the stage . Behind that lady someone was standing hiding besides her . I could not see clearly who that person is from middle of the crowd .
Man again begins to speak .
" Ladies and gentlemen . Here is she ... Now take a look at her "
Ladies and gentlemen.... i would say here more gentle man are present ... wait i don't think they are gentle .... huh .
The maid moves to the side and the girl comes into the sight of audience .
She is nervous or more precisely scared .
She is beautiful . Her hair is that of rose pink and eyes that have a sadness but still her bluish eyes are glittering with moist tears that may overflow . She is exactly like a human or she is a human . Whatever ... she is beautiful .
she is probably of same height as me or i think she a bit smaller than me. Beautiful face with a bright skin make her attractive with that complexion of her body .
Some mens are dazed by her beauty while some started talking rubbish.
" .... she is most beautiful .... "
" ... i have only seen elves that are this beautiful ..."
" look at her ... i like her breasts ...."
" she is totally my type ... "
They are completely lost in stupid things .
what's more interesting is she is a rare .
The man at the stage speaks .
" She is truly beautiful . Under some circumstances she recently became a slave . She is young and will grow more beautiful with age . If anyone wishes to buy her come to this shop . Spread the words to those who can buy her and the one to bring me a good customer will get a good commission . "
with this the man went back into the room following him the maid and the slave went in .
All those gather started to leave and sooner the noisy atmosphere was gone . All those mens that were watching other us and instructing went back in the other room .
I was silently leaping at at wall and after few moments i decided to leave . As a started to move towards the exit from where I entered then suddenly a voice called .
" hello there... young man "
It was the man who was at the stage .
For a second i thought he was calling someone else. But then he rushed towards me .
"....."
" I'm the owner of this shop Kelvin . "
" Hello ...I'm Lucian... I'm an adventurer . "
I replied with a hesitation .
" Why don't we talk for a moment .... Come with me young man . "
" um... Is there something wrong ? " I enquired
" There isn't . You are looking as quite a potential customers so why don't we talk for a bit . "
" but .... I haven't planned on purchasing a slave . "
I don't know why he wants to talk with me , but it's unavoidable as it's look he won't let me go until he is satisfied .
" Well it's okay . Talking won't harm . "
" okay ..."
The merchant guides me to a room in the side of the hall . It's a small room with a table in the centre . He sits and then asks me to take a place . I sat on the seat across the merchant .
He then glanced at me and starts to speak in a polite manner .
" Let me apologize for sudden request and let me ask you this ... are you interested in buying her ? "
Is he refering to her . I don't want to force someone to submit to me but I would like to have a talk with her . There is something that I want to know .
" As I said earlier I'm not here to buy any slave ... But why did you ask me ? "
" Reason is simple . Not many young man comes here with such an interest that could be seen in your eyes and from your clothing I can say you belong to a wealthy family . "
Was I looking at her with such interest that he was easily able to notice me in the middle of crowd . I may have been too irrational . My dress also seems to stand out but it cannot be helped I'm used to such clothing . It may look extravagant but i like then so I always carry many such sets .
" My family have nothing to do with me ...but . "
" ohh... so what did you say . "
" If you could let me ask her few things I may consider your offer "
I insist .
" Very well then but before that let me tell you that she has a very high value and she is ready to serve anyway you wishes . She has been thoroughly educated and she is obedient . "
" ohh... "
" Also as a matter of fact she is young and inexperienced in that regard . she has been properly educated by our female staff . "
" ... I'm not interested in those matters . "
I know what he's been trying to get on but I think it's still too early for me to indulge myself in such activities .
" Even if you say so .... there are many who would happily buy her as a mistress . It won't take long before she is out of your reach . "
He is right and there are many who would like to take her as a mistress .
He continues .
" That's all for now so make your decision wisely . I'm pretty sure you would like to take her . since , you are an adventurer you can also take her with you on quests and if situation comes to worse you can sacrifice her . "
Ohh....There are also those who sacrifice their slave to protect themselves but i would not be pleased with such actions.
" I will think . "
" You want an audience with her ....umm... Then wait till i brings her here . "
" Thank you .."
Kelvin then leaves the room and I'm left alone . While after a moment he left a man with quite good physique comes into the room and simple stand in the corner near the door while keeping an eye on me . Probably he is a security personnel of this shop .
After waiting for few minutes , Kelvin returns in and following him a girl enters into the room .
" here is she ... " Kelvin says while he opposite to me . The girl stand slightly adjacent to him and bows to me .
Kelvin them says in a relaxed manner .
" you may ask her whatever you want . Her name is Miria "
Felling kind of hesitant , I begins to speak facing her .
" Hello there ... I'm Lucian . "
She looks at me with slight delayed response . I then continue .
" Could you tell me from where you have come . "
" ... My house was in eastern region of " Veti " surrounded by mountain regions ... but ... few months back I was sold to a slave merchant and I was brought here Tomorrow . "
She replies in low and distorted voice .
" It takes time to educate a slave and those with proper etiquette are sold at high price . we were lucky to get hold of her due to our connections . Most slave are brought here in large cities from rural regions . "
The slave merchant says so .
" You are from a magical race so due you know of living celestial weapons . "
Hearing this she shows a bit of interest and replies -
" um ... true ignition weapon. I have heard that exists in legends . It's said that our ancestors had most of them .... but I don't know if it exists . "
well it does exists since I know a location of one of them .
" Did you know how to open the gates of celestial chamber . "
" From what I know a person choose as welder of celestial weapons can only enter . It is believed that magical race were the one to build them but even I'm not sure of it . "
Well if she could dispel it that would be great .
" What type of magic can you use and can you fight . "
" They are trained from very young age to become warriors . in magical race it's common for both girls and boys to become warriors . Since they live in far region from main cities they depends on their own skill to fight moster . "
Answers Kelvin .
" yes ... it's true .... but I'm not much good at magic and I can hardly use Ice elements .... It's not that useful . "
She can use elemental magic and she says it isn't useful . She doesn't know she is talking to someone who can't even use any of spells .
" oh .. elemental magic . Why do you think it's useless . "
" Most of the people of magical race uses fire , wind and earth and some rare are electric and water . in my village there isn't anyone who can use Ice so Im always regarded lower to other also No one know much about ice spells . "
" So it's like that ....okay . How about it ... would you like to be an adventurer . "
Ice is a rare elemental magic but there aren't many who can use them but I can certainly see it's potential . And with what she said it's clear that magical race have high aptitude for elemental magic .
Human can use skills , elf can use large scale magic , beast race uses strengthening and offensive magic , magical race uses elemental magic .
There are many exception to this . Since magic is omnipotent but it's potential depends on user .
Taking a pause she replies -
" If you master wishes to then I will certainly do so . "
With that i don't have anything to ask .
Kelvin then noticing my silence speaks to me -
" so is that all you wanted to ask ... then what do you think about it . "
I'm not sure but It will be certainly good to add her to my team . With that I will be able to go on quests .
" Ah... Is it okay for me to buy a slave . "
I ask him .
" There isn't any rule that you cannot buy one ."
" What about age . "
" Anyone more age than 17 years can keep a slave . She is 17 years old and since you are an adventurer you must be older than that . "
Here in this empire seventeen years old is considered to be adult .
" What about regulations .."
I know every law of this empire but i must confirm it once .
" You will be responsible to provide food , clothes and a suitable living conditions along with health care . If you fails to provide her minimum requirements or you abuses your authority as a owner , she has the right to complain to official authority and you could loose your ownership and may be sentenced to prison .That's all "
He making it look easy . Surely he is proficient in his field .
" Okay ... Then how much she is worth "
Now comes the main thing but I'm not sure if i should have a slave or not .
I may have been tempted by devils whisper . On the second thought I will have a companion who could use elemental magic and she may be able to help me attain that weapon .
" Keeping in mind that she is a women and she is well educated and have a good health ... she is worth 700,000 Ori . "
He says calmly analysing ...
" It's too much ...huh. "
Well I have more than ten times that but it's still too much . It will take years to earn this much .
" Certainly it is but it's cannot be helped . She is a special so this much is to be expected . There will be many nobles who would gladly pay more than that for her . .... " Kelvin replies .
I'm sure he have guessed that I could pay that much and he probably raised the value after finding I'm interested.
" Then how about 670,000 ... This is the least I could do since you are so interested . "
He lowers the price a bit but it isn't much and
isn't he is the one who grabbed me here .
And know he says I'm interested ... Ah . It cannot be helped now that I have come this far It may prove fortunate.
" It's a deal then . So what should I do . "
Well I don't know the procedure and all for purchasing .
" I need to varify your details and i will prepare a ownership document shortly after you pay the amount . "
I then brings out my ID proof and pouch from my dimensional pocket . I pays him 6 platinum and 7 gold coin placing them on the table .
He then takes the document, takes a look at it and grabs the money and leaves the room . Following him the girl leaves .
I was again left alone with a man stiil standing there .
A women in maid dress comes into the room .
she has brought some cookies and tea . She pours the tea and serves to me them she leaves the room .
They are officially treating me as a customer now since I had paid the money.
While waiting i was looking outside through window and it's still mid day . It's good i had the meal in the morning .
After waiting for almost an hour , Kelvin come in to the room with my documents along with him . He sits and placed the document in front of me then speaks -
" I hav varified your document and here this document is for your ownership of her and this one is her ID proof . In case if need you can show this details to any official. "
The I'd proof contains a photo and details with signature and stamp .
I used my guild certificate as my I'd while her was a comment ID proof .
" okay . So is that all . .."
" With this you are legally her owner but in case if you loose this proof you can ask us and we will provide you with a new document but it will cost you . "
I wish I would not do so .
" okay "
I replied with an vague expression .
" Now all left is enslavement ritual . For that come with me . "
I have never seen that but it's important since it prevents slaves from harming owner . If not , slave may kill their owner and run away .
I placed the document in my dimensional pocket and leaves the room .
Kelvin leds me through hallway to a room at the end . Some magic circle were drawn at the centre of the floor and pillar was placed at the middle of it .
She was there waiting standing in the middle accompanied by maid lady who was standing in the side of room .
" Here ... both of you place your arm on the pillar . "
I did so and she followed after me . Kelvin then begins to chant some enchantation. As he did so , pillar started to glow and a faint light surrounded us and magic circle .
He the looks at the girl and says -
" Miria , Do you accept Lucian Clive as you master . "
He asks .
" Yes.. I do .. "
As she replied then instantly a collor materialised around her neck . It was small and a beautiful design was imprinted on it .
Then after a moment the coller vanished and a small mark appeared on her chest . Its hard to notice it from distance .
" It's all done . If she tries to harm you then coller will appear that will bind her to death ."
It's look like everything is done and with this I have got a company. Now I just need to register her as a adventurer into my group .
Well she will have to pass the test first .
She looks at me .
" Master , ....I will be in your care ."
she says .
Master , it's been a long time someone called me this. In my old house it was common for me .
" Yes I will and please do take care me . "
I assured her and with that the merchant leads us to the reception hall .
" It was pleasure doing business with you . Come again , I will do my best to help you in any way possible . "
I don't want to come again here . This much of experience is good enough for me with this kind of business . I hope i would never have to come here .
" Thank you . "
With this I left the place as fast as I could . Marie was quietly following me .