The ship flew over the "sea." There were two tall masts thrust into the air and large white sails opened wide to catch the westerly wind. The ship itself was a mix of wood and metal, large enough to easily carry more than fifty crew and passengers. This vessel cut a dauntless figure as it sailed, its prow slicing through the swells in its way.
However, the ship was not sailing across a blue ocean but atop a sea of sand.
"Crossing the desert on a ship seems more eccentric than groundbreaking," Freya commented as glaring sunlight beat down on her. Not even the hottest days Orario had ever seen were comparable.
She stood atop the deck of the ship, balancing herself against the railing and staring off into the vast expanse of the desert. To the average observer, there weren't many scenes odder than what looked like a proper seagoing vessel crossing the desert dunes instead.
"Still, it's certainly a part of this world that I didn't know about. Perhaps heading in this direction was the correct choice."
Freya smiled with her eyes as the bone-dry wind whipped past her. Her journey had started at Orario, once called the edge of the world for its location on the western fringes of the continent. After she departed from the city, she headed southeast in search of unknown lands she had never visited before. The first notable sight she encountered was an expanse of sand that reached past the horizon in every direction.
This was the Grand Sand Sea, which was as about as far removed from the deep blue as a place could be. It was also known as the Kaios Desert, an
arid region located to the southwest of the center of the continent, where so many countries were clustered.
"Ottar and the others have brought back all sorts of items from Sand Land and the like, but…it really is another thing altogether to experience it myself."
Towering dunes spanned a great distance, like a mountain chain that continued for as far as the eye could see. A never-ending carpet of sand and wisps of gritty clouds wafting into the blue sky. Was the hamada swaying at the distant edges of her vision a mirage or just a product of heat haze? When she managed to put the oppressive temperature and desiccating atmosphere out of her mind, the sights were stunning. Looking out at the majestic world of sand from the view atop a ship was what let her smile at it.
An attendant with a veil covering the lower part of her face approached the goddess and suggested she retire to a room inside the ship, but Freya refused with a raised hand.
Seeing that, a man approached her.
"Is the desert cruise to your liking, Lady Freya?"
He was a stoutly built human. The arrangements for the trip aboard this ship were thanks to him.
"It's quite stimulating. Never before had I imagined something like this was awaiting me outside of Orario," she responded frankly.
"Splendid! It is an honor that a no-name merchant such as I, Bofman Fazoul, can be of service to a goddess! Should you desire anything during your journey, don't hesitate to let me know!" The merchant finished with a slick salesman smile.
His name and body shape were reminiscent of the Guild chief, Royman, but Bofman was taller and broader. The black beard and tanned skin combined with the turban atop his head gave him the air of a true resident of the desert.
"Truly, it is a blessing from the heavens to even meet the Lady Freya, whose power and jewellike beauty is praised throughout the mortal realm. A chance to accompany you like this cannot be anything but a stroke of good fortune! Surely the patron god of merchants smiles upon me!"
Perhaps he intended it as flattery, but Freya was struggling not to laugh at Bofman's bombastic, colorful speech. After all, when it came to gods in Orario who were most often associated with merchants, the first one who
came to mind was Hermes with his shady grin. Moreover, Bofman called himself Freya's companion, but it was not like Freya had gone out of her way to employ him as a guide or anything. She had simply met him in a town right before crossing the Kaios Desert.
Upon entering a tavern, Bofman had noticed Freya's peerless beauty peeking out from beneath her hood and could barely contain his interest. Once she had revealed her identity, he leaped at the chance to volunteer himself as a guide for Freya's journey that had no specific location in mind, free of charge. Of all the merchants there who had offered their services, he had simply been the fastest.
All of that just so he could have the honor of assisting Freya on her travels, probably in the hope that he could earn a favor from Freya Familia while also making sure that the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, remembered his name. To a merchant, such an achievement was no different from earning an immense profit. Connections with a powerful familia were profitable in all sorts of situations, ranging from the obvious—like selling supplies, equipment, weapons, and the like—to being able to call upon them to deal with dangerous or difficult jobs. "Better to join hands with a powerful familia than weak royalty or nobles any day of the week" was a well-known saying among merchants. And when the familia in question happened to be arguably the most powerful faction in the city hailed as the center of the world, then the return from that connection might well be considered immeasurable.
The costs of an aimless journey were a cheap price to pay if it meant building a relationship with Freya. It was a sign of how far Freya's reputation had spread to the rest of the world when even a lowly merchant like Bofman flew into a frenzy at the sight of her.
"Bofman, I came here to escape boredom, and I chose you because of your talents. Since you've accepted the job, I expect you to provide an experience that can satisfy a goddess's ego."
"But of course, Lady Freya! Leave it to the great merchant Bofman, who has crossed this desert countless times!"
"First of all, I'd like to go someplace where the children gather." "Leave it to me! Hee-ho-ho!"
Setting aside his penchant for boasts, Freya recognized that Bofman was actually a skilled merchant. That said, the way he spoke and laughed annoyed her from time to time.
But in any case, Freya allowed herself a bit of anticipation for what was to come. A smile unlike that of the queen of Orario crept across her face as she enjoyed the scenery of the desert without pretense. The goddess of beauty's smile, tinged with a hint of childlike innocence, left Bofman and the attendant beside Freya stunned, entrancing them both.
"That reminds me…Was this ship made in Altena?" Freya suddenly asked.
"Huh? Ah, yes, yes it was!" Bofman's voice was a whole pitch higher than normal as he snapped back to his senses. "It is called a desert ship! Altena recently started selling them here in the Kaios Desert!" He made the declaration proudly as the speeding ship raised sand clouds in its wake.
Alongside Orario, the magic country of Altena was considered another major global power and this ship was effectively a giant magic item that had been manufactured within its borders. Produced from the dedicated work of dozens of mages, it was the world's first desert-sailing ship.
"What powers the ship? With how many dunes there are, it can't possibly be driven by wind alone, yes?" Freya asked as the ship crested over another dune.
Unlike a normal ship that was propelled by wind and currents, this vessel had to operate on different principles. Bofman pointed down below the deck.
"It uses magic. Over thirty slaves are held at the bottom of the ship. The ship is able to sail thanks to the power they provide. Controlling a ship with magic is rather fitting for Altena, wouldn't you say?"
According to further explanation, there were apparently several crystal orbs positioned on the bottom of the ship that were designed to absorb magical energy when hands were placed on the orb. A magianaus—a magic ship rather than a military trireme powered by oars.
I see. That is rather like Altena, Freya thought.
Altena was a country with a fundamental belief in the supremacy of magic. They had an elitist bent toward mages and the like and the citizens of Altena could readily be seen saying "Magic is everything" with straight faces.
Between the thousands of people making a living thanks to magic, it was plausible a significant proportion of residents were elves—that was why they were hostile toward Orario and its powerful mages…
Those without magic are not qualified to control this ship. The voice of
Altena's magic supremacy could almost be heard emanating from the ship. "It seems we should be wary of Altena…"
Recently, the magic-stone-based items that were the pride of Orario's economy were being exported to the rest of the mortal realm. It was common knowledge that they were the most used tools due to their utility, but this desert ship was an amazing development as well. Because it could not operate without magic power, it was not a product that could be used by the masses, but at the very least it had the potential to power a new method of commerce in the desert regions. Altena and the other countries and cities around the continent were serious about not letting the Labyrinth City have a monopoly on all the good ideas.
However, for the slaves used to run it, life was just as harsh as ever. Even if a revolutionary new magic item was developed, even if they did not have to row the oars, they were still exploited and drained of magic in order to power the vessel.
"Does your firm also handle slaves?" Freya asked. She was a goddess, but she had no intention of declaring it inhumane.
"We do, though it would perhaps be most accurate to say that all of the Kaios Desert region does. Unlike Orario, where you've established your castle, this land is barren, a harsh world of sand where the institution of slavery is accepted," Bofman responded carefully, explaining the system of slavery they had developed, which was not present in Orario.
There were several areas in the mortal realm where slavery existed, even outside the Kaios Desert. In fact Orario, which was hailed as the capital of adventurers, was considered the exception for its complete lack of a slave market. While it was true that the Guild maintaining the familia system imposed more structure and regulations on its residents than other countries and cities did, the biggest reason for the lack of slavery surely lay in the intent of Ouranos and the other deities who worked with him. They were trying to build a promised land where a hero would be born, so they rejected what they considered to be a heretical system.
"I didn't really ask before, but your company is mostly a trading company, isn't it?"
"As expected, Lady Freya! I underestimated your all-seeing eyes! You are correct. We immediately purchased a desert ship when it became available and handle a portion of the trade routes that cross the desert!"
She had just asked on a whim, but that was all the encouragement Bofman needed to start a heated explanation.
"Even as large as the Kaios Desert is, the number of firms with a desert ship can be counted on one hand! The Fazoul Trading Company is truly the most suited for ensuring you the perfect journey!"
Freya could easily tell that Bofman was boasting as he rubbed his hands together enough to wear away his fingerprints, but she could also tell that it was not a lie, either. Even looking out into the distance, there was not another desert ship to be seen anywhere in the sand, which reached all the way to the horizon. A traveling merchant train on camels fading into a dot in the distance was all there was. Those who owned a desert ship like the one she was riding were surely rare. And when it came to trade, while a ship sailing the sand certainly evoked a certain sense of oddity, it was entirely reasonable when imagining the desert as a sea. Considering how valuable sea routes were for trade, and considering the fact that cargo ships able to carry large amounts of goods were often the most favored, it was reasonable that someone who owned a ship that could sail the sands would be successful. History told the tale of how important ships were to commerce, so a desert ship to cross the Great Sand Sea was certainly well suited for that task.
On that point, Bofman could certainly be called an influential merchant. "And I must say, the clothes I prepared for your journey suit you quite
well."
However, he talked too much, and his constant patronizing tone was also quite off-putting. Slightly fed up with him, Freya looked down at herself. She was wearing a short white dress, a red hood to avoid the sun, and a matching red waistcloth paired with a sheer black skirt that enticingly veiled her legs. All the pieces were decorated and held in place by various rings.
The outfit was sort of understandable for both dealing with the brutal sun beating down on them while staying cool, but she could just wear a cloak for that. And as an eternal, unchanging deity, getting sunburned was of no concern.
The new clothes she had acquired for the long journey had also been provided by Bofman. From the outset, members of the crew were constantly mesmerized by the alluring figure of the goddess atop the deck. That was to be expected to some extent, since it was the goddess Freya standing there after all, but she was still a little bit concerned that it might be impacting the
ship's navigation. "Gee-hee-hee…"
The other concern was Bofman, who could not restrain his lustful gaze. The merchant certainly appeared extremely rational and composed, but his sticky gaze crawled over every inch of Freya's body.
"Hee-hee! Lady Freya, considering how I'm contributing to this by bearing not insignificant expenses, in the event you are able to achieve your goal with this journey, I'd quite like to ask a favor, if it pleases you…"
"…"
The merchant was leering at the luscious, otherworldly legs peeking out from Freya's skirt. Perhaps because he was true to his desires, he was filled with motivation in anticipation of getting a little something for himself. Besides the commercial benefit of pleasing a deity, being invited to share a bed with a beautiful goddess was both the greatest privilege as well as the greatest pleasure possible in the world.
Even if it cost him everything, he wanted to experience that one night's dream. There was a never-ending supply of people with that same thought, though. To the goddesses of beauty, shallow people like that were the most boring of all, and they largely just ignored them. However…
Avaricious in addition to being lecherous. He has the worst sort of character, but there is no question he is extremely shrewd…In a way, he's the quintessential merchant.
When she saw right through Bofman with her divine sight, Freya felt the same sort of disinterest as every other goddess. Because she recognized the appeal of her own body, she did not feel overly unpleasant to be subjected to such lust-filled gazes. She observed it with detachment, merely thinking, It's a good thing Ottar and the others aren't around.
If the crusaders who worshipped at the altar of the Goddess Freya— namely her followers—had been present to see someone acting so impudently, they would have immediately crushed, pulverized, and blasted any who dared to gaze at their goddess with such impure thoughts. Truly, Bofman was lucky.
It was unknown how many times those who had been impolite to Freya had been discovered having suffered tragic accidents, and it would be safe to say that there were none left in Orario who would behave so insolently.
As a beautiful goddess, annoyance and discomfort were always with her.
And also, other goddesses' jealousy, other goddesses' jealousy, and other goddesses' jealousy.
Because of that, Freya was well schooled in not letting minor irritations get to her and revealed no visible signs that she was dissatisfied with Bofman. She just naturally brushed her hair behind her ear, and then—
"I can hear something." "Huh?"
"It's not a very pleasant sound, though," Freya said as she closed her eyes. As Bofman stared at her in confusion, the strange noise that only the goddess could initially hear gradually approached. The roar of the surf and the cries of seabirds could not be heard on an ocean of sand. And there was no such thing as rough seas or whirling maelstroms. There was not even a sandstorm happening, so if there was a noise shattering the lonely calm of the
desert, then it could only be—
"—GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
—caused by monsters.
Right in front of the ship, a massive plume of sand blasted into the air like explosives going off. A giant worm burst out aboveground. Its skin was a sandy color, and its long body undulated in a way that evoked a visceral disgust. It did not have anything that could really be called a face, just a giant round mouth around where its head would be that was filled with hideous fangs. Raising its upper body off the ground, it was tall enough to match the desert ship.
"That's a…a sand worm?! And it's a big one!" Bofman exclaimed as he lost his composure and grabbed onto the side of the boat.
In the ancient times when monsters spread all across the surface world from the giant hole, their territory encompassed the land, sea, sky, and everywhere else in the mortal realm. The Kaios Desert was no exception.
Sand worms moved underground, and when they detected the presence of prey, they burst out from their hiding places. The abnormal sound that Freya had heard had been caused by the monster burrowing its hole.
"T-turn the ship arouuuuuuuund! On the double!" Bofman shouted, spittle flying from his mouth.
The merchant train riding camels in the distance panicked and was already fleeing. The human guard on lookout on the deck turned pale and seemed to be getting ready to use the cannon the ship was equipped with, or perhaps
some kind of magic, but it was already too late. In response to Bofman's command, the slaves poured in more magic in order to speed the ship up, but they wouldn't be in time, either.
It was a perfect surprise attack. Their guard had not been diligent enough. The monster was too close. The worm's giant mouth was about to tear into the ship's mast and smash against the side of the ship.
And while all this was going on—
"That's not necessary," the goddess announced matter-of-factly. "What?!"
"Unfortunately…"
Freya's tone was not one of surrender. Instead, as if finishing her thought for her, the sand worm's head was blown backward.
"Gueeeee?!"
The cries it raised in the throes of death were drowned out by the sound of a large amount of blood spurting out. A sharp flash of silver reflected the sun's light. By the time that flash was visible, it was already over.
"… Huh?"
Time froze for Bofman and the rest of the crew. The monster slowly collapsed in a fountain of gore. Billions of grains of sand shuddered, unable to bear the load of the giant worm, and began billowing up into the air, causing a sandstorm as a thud echoed across the desert.
As Bofman and the others stood in shock, Freya finished her sentence with a smile.
"…it seems like they've already caught up to me."
Inside the swirl of sand, eight different figures were visible: four small prums, two elves, a warrior with a giant sword on his shoulder, and the catman who had sent the monster's head flying back with such blinding speed.
They were like the classic image of knights arriving to save a goddess from monsters, a fairy tale come to life.
"…!"
Bofman's face tensed up as he glanced over at Freya, who was calmly watching it all without any concern. The lust abruptly drained from his gaze as he started to tremble in trepidation. He apparently finally realized exactly who the deity before him was and just what kind of familia that Vanadis, the Goddess of Love and War, could call upon.
He broke into an intense, uneasy sweat, fearful of being condemned for the disrespect that he had perpetrated earlier. However, Freya simply said, "Shall we go?" to the many trembling gazes accompanying Bofman's.
She nudged the journey back into motion with a light tone. And as the sailors finally came back to their senses, their shoulders heaved while they quickly hurried to demonstrate their obedience to the goddess's divine will.
The ship left the monster's corpse in its wake and continued to sail the sea of sand.
"We finally caught up, huh?"
Allen's silver spear whistled through the air as he swung it down to remove the monster's sticky blood. He was wearing a hooded robe over his standard equipment. Audible annoyance at the free-spirited master who was always causing him trouble rose into the air, carried by the desiccated breeze.
"Let's go," Ottar said.
The Gulliver brothers, Hegni and Hedin, and Allen had already started running on their own, not waiting for his instructions. They moved so silently and so quickly they seemed to have been erased from the scene, leaving only footprints and the slightest trace of unsettled dust in their wake while the members of the merchant train that had just been starting to flee wondered whether they were seeing a mirage.
The goddess's followers chased the ship disappearing into the distance, determined not to let her escape again.
Freya and the desert ship arrived at the town of Leodo. A town built around an oasis praised for its clean, refreshing water, it felt almost like a small island situated in the middle of an endless sea.
A port specially designed for desert ships had been constructed in the south part of town. By following the three-meder-high wall surrounding the town that kept out monsters, they arrived at the port. Because it was a sea of sand, there was no lowering of anchors. The ship was instead fixed to a docking pillar with chains.
Down on the wharf, a scene similar to that of a seaport unfolded at the
large desert port built of stone. Cargo was unloaded from the surrounding ships and carried away. Because desert ships were so expensive and rare, there were not many of them, but the mass of people moving around them did not seem particularly any less busy than what would be seen in an average port city. Most of the activity was done by well-built men, though there were many children who appeared to be pages rushing around, too. In terms of races, dwarves, who were well suited to heavy manual labor, were unsurprisingly well represented.
The main difference between this desert mooring and a normal seaport
was the lack of a salt smell and the fact that most people were not showing much skin in order to avoid the intense sun. Nearly everyone was wearing clothes that were designed to be breathable and comfortable.
"It's a bit late to be commenting on how dry it is," Freya said as she climbed down the gangway lowered from the ship and set foot in the port.
Despite the fact that she was wearing a robe with a hood, there were still those who caught a glimpse of her and stopped moving, their attention stolen away by her beauty. Young and old, men and women alike. Accustomed to such occurrences, Freya easily led Bofman and his protégés, cutting through the center of the port.
"I'm sure Ottar and the rest have already slipped into the town…" Freya said to herself, the murmur drowned out by the bustling docks.
"Hmm? I'm sorry, did you say something, Lady Freya?" Bofman asked. "It's nothing," Freya said, brushing it off.
Her followers had not shown themselves, but it was entirely impossible that they would have failed to track the ship, so logic dictated that they were somewhere nearby, hiding, positioned so they could immediately react if anything should happen to Freya. Since she had already gotten this far, and because they did not want to ruin their beloved mistress's mood, that was their sign to her that she should do as she pleases.
She could just imagine Ottar's brusque face silently nodding and Hedin closing his eyes and sighing. And Allen would be getting progressively more annoyed even as he made sure to stay closer to her than anyone else. Smiling to herself, Freya decided to not hold back anymore and just follow her whims.
"Bofman, tell me more about this town," Freya said.
"It could best be described as a merchant town. It is located in the country
of Israfan. Israfan is a country that has grown quite prosperous from its trade, and Leodo is a town centered around an oasis close to the country's border," Bofman—who was carefully following two steps back and one to the side of the goddess—explained as they cut through a section of the warehouses that the Fazoul Trading Company owned.
The Kaios Desert was split into east and west by the giant Nire River running through it. And Israfan, the country of merchants, was located on the western side. In telling the history of the Kaios Desert, the closer to the great Nire River a country was, the more likely it was to flourish, and the farther it was, the smaller it was likely to be. Israfan was one of the latter countries. It was surrounded on all sides by several different countries in the middle of the western desert. And the town of Leodo was located near its northern border.
"The town itself is not particularly large, but thanks to the oasis, it is a place that is easy for people to gather. And on top of that, it is almost at the exact center of the western Kaios Desert, so it would not be hyperbole to say it is a crucial location for trade."
"So that's why its port is so well furbished, too?"
"That's it exactly. Both in terms of the logistics of moving goods around the surrounding countries and being able to observe the trends in nearby countries, this town is a crucial base for merchants, a place that is easy to live in without the risk of losing touch with the market trends."
Apparently there were several other towns like this one, but Leodo was the most convenient of the lot. It was safe and orderly and had limited exposure to monster attacks. In other words, it was a town that was blessed by geography and had become rich because of it.
Freya herself could tell that the town was thriving just by the fact that it had built a desert ship port. That they had recognized the utility of the Altena- made magic item that had not yet become the norm for the desert world and invested a significant sum in it made it clear that the town was an important hub for merchants, just like Bofman had said.
"And from here, we can easily reach any country in the western desert, so we should be able to find whatever you are looking for, Lady Freya—or at least, that was what one such as I was thinking!" Bofman finished decisively, still intent on earning her favor.
Incidentally, she had not told him anything about what she was searching for: her fated companion.
While Bofman was acting proud for no particularly obvious reason, Freya splendidly ignored him, moving forward like the unfettered breeze. As they emerged from the warehouse district adjacent to the port, the field of view dramatically opened up.
"Ooooh…a merchant town really is a fitting way to describe it."
What greeted Freya was the bazaar. It was probably the main street, since the wide avenue was filled to the brim with stalls. There were humans and demi-humans wearing the same kind of turban as Bofman, street merchants accepting valis coins and exchanging them for various products. Luxury goods like carpets and vases, clothes for crossing the desert, swords and guns and other weapons and gear, as well as oil and gunpowder. Any- and everything was being sold in a decidedly organic and unorganized fashion.
In terms of food, there were a variety of freshly made breads and dried beans as well as all sorts of dried meats. There were several different kinds of preserved fruits and dates shining like jewels. Burlap sacks and jars filled to the brim with spices imported from places outside the desert realm by merchants like Bofman were flying off the shelves.
There was a veiled elf taking orders, mixing the spices like a magic powder into a soup filled with dried meat; a prum trying to entice customers by raising a full ladle from a cooled water pitcher and sipping at it as if it were the most refreshing thing in the world; and a teenage beastman barbecuing a fresh fish. Most likely that was something bred in the giant oasis. As befitting a place called a merchant town, seemingly no expense had been spared in developing the local industries.
The ground was a copper color, hardened by the countless people constantly moving around over it. An Amazon on a camel pushed her way through the bustling crowd. The buildings on either side of the street made of sun-dried bricks likely belonged to this or that trading company. There were also many taverns. One of the round tables shoved out into the street a bit was surrounded by red-faced dwarves enjoying a hearty lunchtime drink. The busy street never seemed to rest.
Just like with the sun overhead, there was a different sort of energy in the air compared with Orario. It was more chaotic, more intense, and had a wilder, freer feeling to it. At least that was how it felt to Freya. As she walked along the street, she elegantly looked around, basking in the unique atmosphere of the desert country.
"The oasis is quite grand as well," she commented.
Looking straight ahead, the big oasis was visible up ahead at the center of the city. Beyond the bazaar, what looked like an emerald-blue lake was visible. On top of that, there was a great deal of greenery as trees that could usually only be found in the southern countries were growing around the oasis. And on the island at the center of the oasis that was connected by a bridge to the rest of the town, dozens of luxurious buildings lined the streets. Even the pavement of the roads was different.
And among all that splendor, the most eye-catching thing of all was surely the giant mansion featuring a majestic dome. It almost looked like a castle. Its magnificence easily blew any mid-tier familia's home out of the water. It was well within the realm of upper-tier familias' homes.
"The flow of people and goods is certainly lively. Always something fresh and interesting to see."
"Yes indeed, yes indeed!"
Bofman had settled comfortably into his role as guide, rubbing his hands, beside himself with excitement.
Upon further observation, there were many vendors dealing with magic- stone goods. The designs were a bit different, but there were stalls lined with dozens of lanterns with designs befitting the desert. Orario's magic-stone goods were leaving their mark even in the desert world.
The Guild must be proud, Freya thought without any particular emotion.
And then her eyes suddenly narrowed.
But the atmosphere here stings.
The bazaar itself was booming, but something in the air was on edge. Freya, with the all-seeing eyes of a goddess, had astutely noticed the mood of the town.
"As you can see, this is a town where many people and things are gathered," Bofman said as he held out his hand, gesturing to the surroundings, entirely unaware of Freya's observation. "Goods from other countries, of course. And slaves as well."
As if timed with his words, a different sort of stir spread through the bazaar.
"Ah, speak of the devil," Bofman said.
As the two of them turned around, a group emerged onto the main road from one of the side streets. Males and females of various races were paraded
out, all wearing the same rags that could hardly be called clothes. Every face looked exhausted. Some were tinged with despair, others with disappointment. There were many with wounds covered by clotted black blood. They had iron manacles on both wrists to keep them from fighting back and collars around their necks connecting them to one another with rusted chains. Slaves.
"…Bofman, what are they doing with those slaves?"
"I imagine that's a fresh batch one the slave traders brought in, since this town has a slave market as well."
"That seemed like quite a few slaves. Do they go hunting for people like that often?"
Freya did not feel particularly shaken or disgusted, but she did feel a bit suspicious. That was too many slaves. Even at a glance, she could count more than a hundred of them, which was absurd. Just simple kidnapping or people selling themselves to pay off debts would not reach that sort of a number. That line looked more like someone had raided several villages and then sold everyone they captured into slavery.
"No, of course not! They would not under any circumstances disrupt the order in the countryside here! However…"
Freya could generally guess the answer Bofman had for her. The tense mood of the town and the large number of slaves. Those two taken together would mean—
"In the western half of Kaios, there is currently a war going on…" That.
"A war, huh?"
"Yes. The country directly north of Israfan, a kingdom known as Shalzad, is being invaded by Warsa, which lies to the east."
Freya did not know much about the current state of affairs in the desert, but she did have a basic understanding of region. Every country established in the Kaios Desert was a kingdom. There were not any country-style familias influenced by a deity's divine will, and the majority of familias in the desert were generally managed as the military arms of kingdoms. It was common to see low-intensity conflicts, but full-scale wars for supremacy were rare—or at least they were supposed to be.
"There have been rumors in recent years that Warsa has been paying a powerful mercenary familia to support their military, and then they
unilaterally declared war on their neighboring country, Shalzad…" "And Shalzad was immediately defeated?"
"Yes. They were apparently incapable of resisting Warsa's military might.
Their capital fell and the interior of their country is being overrun…" "Hmmm…meaning their country has fallen into chaos, creating a
convenient environment for hunting slaves." "Indeed."
Soldiers drunk on blood and violence could easily become beasts. In the process of invading Shalzad, Warsa forces had surely attacked every settlement they encountered along the way. Innocent villagers and townspeople were brutalized, and those who just barely managed to escape would have been easy pickings for slave traders.
"That explains the heavy mood over the town."
It also explained all the weapons and gunpowder and the like in the bazaar. The merchants had caught the scent of war and were stocking up on items that would be crucial if more conflict broke out. Meanwhile, the residents of the town were feeling nervous at the signs of war.
"D-don't worry! The capital of Shalzad did fall, but the Shalzad army still has their prince, who managed to escape, and there is still a resistance movement rising up in every corner of the country! Warsa surely has their hands full with dealing with that, so there won't be any sparks flying in our direction!"
Meaning the invasion was an ongoing process. Even if the capital was taken, as long as the country's officials and soldiers continued to resist, the war would drag on, and they would not dare bring a third country into the mix. Bofman tried to assure Freya of the town's safety while carefully watching her face.
"A-anyway, the rumors say that Warsa's soldiers are even now rampaging through the towns and villages of Shalzad. The fleeing refugees are falling into slavery, but…that's not an uncommon sight in this desert realm."
"…"
It was a long procession of young and old, men and women, being forced to walk through the center of the bazaar. The crowds split to the sides to avoid them, whispering to one another as the people passed. Whether their whispers were filled with scorn or pity did not particularly interest Freya. However, with her ability to see the radiance of children's souls, as far as she
was concerned, it was a boring spectacle. The souls of those who had been enslaved were all a dull, ashen gray. For Freya, who prized brilliant, gleaming souls, it was a spectacle that bordered on viscerally distasteful. Not many people would be pleased to see a mountain of sludge and waste. Even though it was another country's problem, the flames of war burning brightly would cause the scene before her eyes to occur again—the number of slaves would continue to grow. If that happened, she would not be able to search for her Odr in peace.
"L-Lady Freya, your clothes…!"
As even Freya looked on at the procession in discontent, the wind blew. Bofman became flustered because it had blown her hood down. He was concerned about the bazaar grinding to a halt if the people noticed the goddess of beauty's dazzling figure. After all, he himself had been captivated by her profile. Just as it seemed like the surroundings had been hit by a wave of murmurs, it quickly died back down.
Those who had noticed Freya stopped moving, their faces blank as if they were in a dream. The same was true for the slaves as well. They stopped walking, their eyes widened, and their mouths dropped open. Even in the midst of the despair that had caused them to close off their hearts, they just had encountered something entirely not of this world. No matter how much the slave traders pulled at the chains and cracked the whip, they could not break hold of the goddess's beauty.
The procession of slaves ground to a halt. "—!!"
Something new had appeared. Freya's silver eyes noticed a glimmer. Hidden in the middle of the chaotic line, there was a girl who seemed to be hiding behind the others—as if concealed by the shadow of the countless stagnant souls. She had brown skin and disheveled black hair. Her eyes were a light purple. Her face was a bit dirty but exceedingly well proportioned. Her figure, hovering on the edge between young girl and adult, evoked the image of a not-quite-ripe fruit in Freya's eyes. She was probably fifteen or sixteen, wearing the same sort of rags as everyone else, while looking down at the ground as if trying to hide herself as much as possible.
"…!"
Seemingly noticing the goddess's eyes, she met Freya's gaze, and just like the other slaves, her eyes opened wide—and then she immediately looked
away.
That was a shock to Freya. The girl had by her own will resisted the figure of a goddess alluring enough to entrance any mortal.
The girl was again pointedly looking at the ground, her face twisted by her predicament and yet still dignified. Her grim, sharp gaze had not faded yet. Like that of a tiger biding its time, waiting for the moment to strike. At least that was how it appeared to Freya.
As the slave merchants finally regained their senses and cracked their whips to get the procession moving again, the girl disappeared from Freya's sight in the press of slaves.
"Bofman, we're going."
"Yes, Lady Freya…? Wh-where did you want to go?"
Fixing her hood, Freya started walking like the wind as Bofman desperately tried to keep up with her. The goddess's lips curled into a crescent smile.