The merchant's voice cut through the air, carrying a mixture of business acumen and a purported sense of benevolence. He announced to the gathered crowd, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!"
With these words, he established a connection, seeking the attention of everyone present. He acknowledged the nature of his trade, emphasizing the need to maximize profits. Yet, he cunningly wove in an altruistic thread, claiming kindness in his heart and a willingness to endure a financial setback for the sake of the girl's fate.
"But I am a kind person by nature and am willing to bear a loss if it means that this girl can be taken away by a kind person," he declared, revealing a conflict within himself. The audience, now hanging on to his every word, felt the tension between commerce and compassion in the merchant's proclamation.
