"Very well," I sighed. "I'll take her."
"You will?!" Figuro seemed startled for a second.
"Yeah? Why are you startled? You're the one who offered her to me!"
"True… but, I'm sorry to say, I can't lend her now with the promise of money later. Even if you put yourself and all four of your slaves… well… actually, that might about do it…" Figuro looked at the girls behind me while scratching his cheek thoughtfully.
"Hold your horses! I have the money," I let out a sigh.
"2000 gold? Seriously?"
"Wait, if you didn't believe I had the money, why wave her in front of me?" I demanded.
Figuro laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "She has been for sale for months now, and even the richest nobles in the Capital won't take her. Most nobles feel threatened by her. They don't like having someone more skilled than them. We were going to have to end up sending her north to the Imperial Cloud Meadow. I really didn't want this to happen, as they are notoriously bigoted. If you think Aberis is bad, the Imperial Cloud Meadow is strictly human. All non humans are slaves, period. She would assuredly be abused and her skill underutilized in an environment like that. As for you, I was hoping to encourage you to make a miracle, as you did with Lydia…"
"So, you thought to dangle something in front of my eyes and hoped I went to great lengths to pursue it?" I let out a noise of disapproval. "Just what kind of guy do you think I am?"
He bowed. "I apologize, that was completely inappropriate of me. However, if you have the capacity to afford her and are willing to pay, I am overjoyed. I will get the paperwork immediately. Perhaps, you should speak to her first. Ah… her name if Faenya, by the way."
He turned and left the hallway, and I was left staring at my new purchase. She'd be the first slave I officially bought in this world.
"Hello, my name is Deek." I bowed. "I know you likely expected better, but I hope you can serve me well."
The girl put on a simple smile and curtsied in response. "I am Faenya. If you have the capacity to afford me, you likely are already an amazing man. Furthermore, Figuro speaks highly of you, and if you have his approval, then it is likely that you have earned it. How may I serve my new Master?"
"Ah… well, my operation is a little bit upstart. There is a small city that is technically outside of Aberis. Well, in a few days, we should be officially recognized. The city is made up of mostly freed slaves. I'd like to maintain that tradition. I need your help to clean out the Capital of anyone who is worth their weight. I want craftsmen and those with useful jobs. If they have the capacity to teach those jobs to others, even better. Ideally, I'd like those that are likely to stay. It'd be nice to free them all eventually. If you can purchase relatives, children, and family, please do so. The elderly as well."
"New slaves come into the Capital every day. I could indefinitely stay and purchase slaves." Faenya responded helplessly. "Do you have a particular goal in mind?"
"I'm thinking of 1000 right now. It'd be nice to get a protective force to guard Chalm. At least 200 fighting men or women."
"Based on what I've seen since I've gotten here, you're looking at around 8000 gold to purchase everyone."
"Seriously?" Although I planned to sell some of the stuff for money, it looked like I was nowhere close.