The two entered the building. Ivar looked at the surprisingly clean first floor. The first floor had a woman sitting in a counter. But the woman wasn't the most eye-catching thing about the first floor. It was the pictures!
Ivar looked at the pictures of beautiful and handsome slaves hanging all over the walls. The pictures had a price at the very bottom of this. This was just like a menu at an inn!
"The slaves are in the basement, right? Linda" Johan asked the woman at the counter.
"Yes sir. We have managed the branch according to your instructions."
"Excellent! Also, Ivar here is my friend's son. He will be learning from me from now on. Be sure to introduce each other." Johan patted Ivar's back.
"Hello miss. My name is Ivar. It's a pleasure to meet you." Ivar extended his hand for a handshake.
The woman—Linda— shook hands with Ivar and replied, "Hi Ivar. My name is Linda. A pleasure to meet you too."
Ivar nodded.
"Now then! Why don't we meet with the manager? Let's go Ivar, follow me!" Johan said excitedly.
"Okay."
On the second floor, Johan knocked on the door.
"Hello, Aiden. It's me, Johan!"
"Ohh! Sir Johan, Please come in!" A voice from inside called out.
Johan opened the door to see a balding middle-aged man with a pen in his hand and stacks of paper on the table in front of him.
Johan introduced Ivar to Aiden and started talking about business with Aiden. Ivar on the other hand kept carefully listening to the conversation, Scared that he would miss a word.
Only after about an hour did Ivar relax as the conversation slowed down, but just then Johan exclaimed.
"Slave Auction huh? I think we should stay here for two months then. After the auction, I and Ivar will go to the capital and manage the business there. Of course that might change, depending on the circumstances."
"Also Aiden have you heard the news about the southern kingdoms? The influx of slaves from that region will increase. We need to get them before our competitors. Make arrangements for that."
"Okay, sir Johan." Aiden nodded.
"Good. As for you Ivar, I think while I manage things outside, you should stay here and learn with Aiden and Linda."
"Okay."
After that day, the two slept in two separate rooms on the second floor of the building. Johan mostly went outside finding slaves from the slave trade. Ivar on the other hand started learning from Aiden for about a month. After he felt like he learned enough, he started to talk with Linda about her job.
Linda was supposed to show customers the product!
***
"So as I was saying, Miss Linda. I think I can help you to show the customers."
"Sure Ivar. Manager Aiden said that you learn fast. So as long as you keep a calm hea-"
Linda suddenly stopped talking and looked out of the window. A guy wearing luxurious clothing and surrounded by two guards was walking to the front of the store.
"That guy is a rich noble be sure to be polite with him and greet him properly. He comes rarely but every time he does come he only buys the best!" Linda hurriedly walked towards the entrance.
"Okay." Ivar followed Linda.
"Welcome, Young master of the Gray family." Linda bowed politely.
Ivar similarly bowed lightly.
The young master didn't even bat an eye toward Ivar, he kept staring at Linda!
"Hmm. Show me your best product, Linda!"
"With pleasure. Please follow me."
Linda and Ivar walked forward as the group of three followed.
Suddenly, One of the guards whispered in Ivar's ear, "Hey kid, if you don't want your legs broken, walk behind the young master. This is your first and only warning."
Ivar was petrified for a second but he quickly understood the meaning of those words and started walking with the guards, just a step behind the young master.
Linda led the group to the basement. The basement was surprisingly clean for slave storage. Although it was dark due to the lack of light, that problem was solved by a dimly lit lantern.
"This place truly is the best! You sure do know how to treat us, unlike those disgusting and dirty traders. Have you seen how dirty the cages are of the other traders? It makes me never want to buy slaves but then I remember these pitiful slaves waiting to be liberated by me!" The young master went on a rant about the other slave traders.
Linda giggled a little and replied, "With the young master here, it's only natural to keep these places clean. Those people truly don't understand young master's grace!"
Linda finally reached a cage with a dimly lit lantern on the side. The metal cage was covered by a huge cloth. Linda called Ivar, "Ivar help me take the cloth off."
"Alright, Miss Linda." Ivar walked towards the side of the cage and started slowly pulling the cloth from the side.
"Young master. Let me present you, a slave from the southern kingdoms! She used to be the daughter of the head of a noble family but alas she had to escape after her kingdom and home were destroyed by the fire demon."
As Linda finished, the cloth was lifted off, revealing a simple but beautiful girl. She had black hair and black eyes, and her pale skin seemed as delicate as porcelain. Overall, she looked beautiful!
"Wonderful! As expected of you! Although my friend over in Alverton already has 15 slaves from southern kingdoms, none of them can match the beauty of this one. What's the price?"
The girl inside the cage appeared hollow, like a lifeless doll. She kept her gaze fixed on the ground, her dark, abyss-like eyes empty. She glanced briefly at her soon-to-be master and then at her current 'master.'.
"She will cost 800 gold ora. It should be 1000, but a special discount for a special customer." Linda smiled lightly. The young master blushed for a second.
The girl's sense of pride was further chipped off as she heard her price.
"Good! 800 ora it is! Send me her measurements too."
"Of course! Also, young master, As you are our frequent customer, we have created a branding logo for you. Would you like to use it?" Linda asked curiously.
The young master licked his lips and nodded.
After a while, the slave girl, now chained by her hands and neck, walked out of the building, led by the young master. There were two faint tear lines below both of her eyes. Her clothes had been changed to expose her stomach, where a round, logo-like pattern read, 'Private property of Thaddeus Gray'.