And seven days in the city of Jejimon have passed. On a beautiful afternoon with no other public executions, I (Fermos) would be really happy if the square where we are gathering didn't become the site of a large-scale slave trade fair.
"According to my guess, almost half of the trade products are slaves, not any other goods!" Veritas says, his eyes directed towards the bustling center of the fair where the slave trade is happening amidst a crowd of albus blondes (white skin, blue eyes, hooked noses, and blonde hair) wearing tunics, soft pants, and cloaks with primary colors around browns, greys, silvers, often supplemented with belts and boots. There are even albus arabics (people of Arabic descent with olive skin, dark hair, often thick and wavy, and eyes ranging from brown to green) wearing long robes (thawb or qamis), headscarves (turban or keffiyeh), and cloaks (abaya or bisht), usually supplemented with belts and sandals.
"There's no official statistics on this, but it's highly likely that the most common commodity is humans, specifically slaves who are homo externus—people from Earth like us, and their fellow species," Aldo responds.
"I thought it would be other races? Like how European colonists enslaved black and yellow-skinned peoples in Earth's past!" Veritas raises an eyebrow, asking.
"No, not as the media propagates, slavery is something that stronger communities impose on weaker ones, this is related to differences in strength, level, technology, and power, not so much or primarily related to race. This observation holds true for both Earth and Terre. If you look closely, the people being traded over there are albus and flavus—homo veritas as they proudly call themselves to distinguish from us," Aldo answers.
"What about Elves and Beastmen, those who resemble humans but have some physical traits and habits of animals, plants, or insects? According to documents on slavery studies, because of their submissive nature and near-perfect beauty, Elves are often enslaved, while Beastmen are enslaved for sexual desires and heavy labor!" I continue to ask.
"Beastmen slaves are only common in the southwestern part of the empire, near the Duchy of Ragon of the Beastmen belonging to the Great Serpentine Kingdom, and Elf slaves are only common in the west due to proximity to the Elf kingdom. This situation arises because the transport industry is not developed, as the slave class is not prioritized," Aldo replies.
After that, we don't say anything more. The sounds of crying, screaming, whips cracking, cursing, the friction of hooves and wheels on stone,… all create a noisy, chaotic, and desperate scene. As for me, Auburn, Fermos, and Helzard, we sit silently on two benches, watching Aldo talk with the mayor from 20 minutes ago. Veritas just quietly watches the seconds pass on his pocket watch, creating continuous ticking sounds.
Right after that, the horses (which we bought) armored in leather and iron, shoed and groomed, with added saddles, are brought over by the mayor's subordinates along with two long steel swords with long, straight, double-edged blades with shiny silver surfaces and a fuller in the middle, a crossguard and a hilt wrapped in black leather, with the guard and round pommel decorated with silver and gold accents; a spear with a long wooden shaft and a sharp metal tip, with a crossguard for additional functionality and protection, featuring a brown shaft and silver tip for a classic and practical look; a pair of kris swords with wavy double-edged blades with silver blades and brown hilts with silver guards and pommels; a steel bow and a quiver containing over 20 wooden arrows with steel tips.
I receive the bow and quiver, Auburn receives the pair of kris swords, Helzard receives the spear, Veritas receives the two long swords, and Aldo…well, (he doesn't want or need them anyway).
While we are preparing our luggage, the mayor suddenly approaches me, Auburn, and Aldo with a girl with long but messy black hair, with blue eyes like the bright blue of the ocean on a clear afternoon, shackled at the hands and feet, wearing just enough fabric to cover sensitive parts and wearing leather sandals, about 1.56 meters tall, and I guess around 11-14 years old, looking quite shabby.
"Mayor, what are your intentions?" Aldo slightly furrows his brow, his voice full of suspicion, asking.
"Oh, nothing, sir, it's just a little gift for you personally for helping us a lot in pointing out the construction of the defense barriers. Would you like to accept it?" the man asks cheerfully.
"I refuse," Aldo straightforwardly replies, his eyes inadvertently meeting the girl's eyes, who seems scared and looks away.
"Really? Too bad, then I'll have to…" the mayor sighs, pretending, pulling the four chains as if urging the girl to go somewhere.
Aldo immediately grabs the mayor's hand holding the four chains, furrowing his brow even more, "Wait, I've changed my mind, I'll accept…this girl," he says.
"That's the spirit!" The mayor laughs heartily, turning to look at Aldo and replying, "You know the fate of the girl if you refuse…" with a sly tone, then walks away.
"What does he mean?" I wonder.
"Slaves who aren't sold will be executed at the end of the day…" Aldo replies, holding a chisel and carefully breaking the four chains, four clicks resounding, even checking if the girl is injured during the process.
After that, we climb onto the horses, feeling the comfort of the saddle, then quickly ride out of the city. The townspeople and the mayor stand outside cheerfully waving goodbye to us, and Helzard and I also cheerfully wave back.
The girl sits behind Aldo, and there is also a group of seven other horses with ten other men following. They are Veritas's staff (which sounds more like slaves since Veritas does not treat them badly). After traveling for a while, Veritas suddenly speaks.
"Hey, I have 300 silver coins after seven days. How much have you guys earned?" Veritas asks.
"30 silver coins," Helzard replies.
"50 silver coins," Auburn replies.
"120 silver coins," I reply, although I don't understand the purpose of Veritas's question because he usually has a goal that requires group consensus, and this question seems a bit… random.
"500 silver coins," Aldo replies.
"How do you earn so much? You spend most of the last few days in the library?" Veritas asks in surprise.
"Money from consulting on the defensive barrier. The workers were very skeptical, and the design had to be checked nine times before implementation. Basically, there are two canals: one deep canal around the town and one independent canal running through the town. Both lead to an artificial reservoir, with an additional layer of local herbs and bamboo palisades for protection," Aldo replies.
"Have the costs, ecology, and flood risks been considered?" I ask.
"Well, the design was checked nine times, passing through many different agencies," Aldo sighs.
"It turns out our total money reaches one gold coin," Helzard says.
"It will be almost entirely gone soon," Aldo coldly replies.
"What do you mean?" Helzard asks, looking puzzled.
"Right here," Aldo replies.
After a while, we encounter a squad of guards on the road after passing through vast, sparsely populated lands with only carrot and radish fields and a few farmers working there. This time, they are Albus men, wearing body and leg armor and half helmets. Their chest armor has a leather overlay with a white background and a dark orange lion with black outlines. They hold iron spears with a silver color, likely the standard armor of Samel's guards.
"Dismount! Present your papers! By the count's order: For those without a merchant certificate, assets over one gold coin are taxed at 95%, assets over 300 silver coins at 90%, assets over 100 silver coins at 85%, and assets under 100 silver coins at 80%. If you have a certificate, the tax is halved. If you have a high-level merchant certificate, you are tax-exempt," a guard demands.
"Is this the problem?" Helzard asks, wide-eyed with surprise.
"Exactly," Aldo replies.
"Can we forge a merchant certificate now?" Helzard suggests with a mischievous intention.
"Unfortunately, no," I say and move forward first, dismounting and paying the required tax of 85%. I give the guard 119 silver coins, keeping only 21 silver coins, and step through. "Hurry up, everyone, we don't have time to hesitate!" I urge.
"Well, let's go," Auburn follows me, paying the tax and keeping only 10 silver coins.
"But every time we pass another territory, we lose almost everything… never mind," Helzard bites his lip, suppressing his anger, and steps through, paying the tax and keeping only 6 silver coins.
"We should go too. The people behind me and my friend's girl are slaves, not considered citizens, so they have no assets and are tax-exempt!" Veritas tells the guard, who nods slightly. Then Aldo and Veritas also dismount, pay the tax, and step through, keeping 50 and 30 silver coins, respectively.
Veritas's 10 staff members pass through, and we continue on our journey.
"Wait. In Samel's territory, nine-tenths is swamp. Remember to buy boats for traveling. Have a safe journey!" the guard calls out to us clearly.
"Thank you!" I cheerfully respond.
"He is quite nice compared to many other guards," Auburn comments.
I nod.
"Well, out of 100 guards, maybe one is like him," Helzard praises with a tone that sounds like criticism.
After that, we buy eight identical wooden boats when encountering the swamp. Veritas's 10 staff members split among five boats, Aldo sits with the girl, Auburn and Helzard share a boat, and I share a boat with Veritas. According to the boat seller, we will soon enter a vast swamp with little solid ground, so the population is sparse despite the larger area compared to Heilop's territory.
"What about the horses?" I ask worriedly.
"Should we rent additional boats for the horses?" Veritas shares the same concern.
"Just sell them," Helzard suggests, a mischievous smile forming on his lips.
"Selling them and buying new horses in the new territory is more economical than dragging them through the swamp, protecting, and feeding them," Auburn adds.
Like rebellious teenagers, we argue while Aldo, the girl, and the 10 staff members just watch.
Suddenly, the girl approaches Helzard and pulls his sleeve with two fingers.
"What!?" Helzard snaps, scaring the girl.
"Please… don't argue anymore," the girl softly says, her face looking cute.
"Ah, sorry, we won't argue anymore~" Helzard is mesmerized by her cuteness, his mouth forming an "o," eyes wide open, and he quickly makes peace with me and the others, who are also captivated by her cuteness.
Aldo silently watches the girl, lost in thought.
With that cuteness, the girl persuades us to sell the five armored horses and seven unarmored horses for 35 silver coins. We divide the money equally.
Then we row the boats through the swamp. A long and tedious journey.
The trees are like true giants of the swamp, towering above everything else and forming a dense canopy that defines this ecosystem. Their thick, twisted trunks are often covered in moss, lichens, and vines. Many of these trees are hundreds of years old, standing like wise old men, silently observing everything around them. Their roots spread wide and deep, anchoring them into the soft, moist soil, like pillars bearing the weight of the super swamp. The diversity is immense, from the massive trunks of kapok trees to the slender, swaying palms. The trees support an incredible variety of life, providing homes for birds, insects, and parasitic plants growing on their branches.
The air in the forest is thick and quiet, a complete silence, unlike the bustling cities we've been to. The tranquility brings a heavy feeling with the humidity and organic scents. Only the gentle rustling of leaves, moving rhythmically like dancers, breaks the silence. Moving through this air feels almost like pushing through layers of soft, invisible barriers. Though the air seems quiet, it is alive with the subtle movements of countless tiny wings and rustling leaves. The air feels warmer near the ground, where it is trapped by the dense vegetation, while higher up, it can be cooler and more temperate, each with its distinct feel and characteristics.
The predominant smell is that of damp earth and decaying leaves, a rich aroma that speaks of the continuous cycle of life and death in the forest. The primal scent of nature wafts through, cool and simply alluring. Interspersed with this are sweet and floral notes from tiny flowers and other tropical blooms, adding a lightness to the air. Occasionally, there's a whiff of the rotting fruit and the musky scent of animals marking their presence, creating a complex and vivid olfactory feast, as rich and lively as the scents of childhood.
The air is thick with humidity, a moisture felt immediately on the skin of me and my companions. This heavy, wet environment creates a warm but stifling atmosphere, where each breath feels laden with water vapor. The dense forest vegetation constantly transpires, releasing moisture into the air, contributing to the surrounding dampness. This persistent humidity nurtures the lush greenery but also makes the air thick and almost tangible, like a soft, translucent silk layer, adding to the forest's distinctive and irresistible allure.
The light in this super swamp is a subtle and artistic interplay of shadows and beams, filtering through the dense canopy above, reaching the lower regions, and touching our hair, foreheads, and faces warmly, like a mother's warmth. Sunlight penetrates the leafy roof, creating thin golden rays that illuminate patches of the forest floor. The dense canopy allows only a fraction of sunlight to reach the ground, casting everything in a fairytale-like, dim light. As the sun progresses on its journey throughout the day, these rays dance and flicker, highlighting the vibrant greens and browns of the vegetation, and creating delicate patterns on the water's surface.
The water bodies in this swamp are calm and mirror-like, reflecting the verdant foliage above. Streams and rivers flow lazily and slowly, their surfaces only occasionally disturbed by fish or falling leaves. The water here is clear but often darkened by tannins leached from decaying leaves, giving it a tea-like color. Small ponds and large lakes are bordered by reeds and aquatic plants, their tranquility only broken by the movement of animals like frogs, alligators, and fish. The constant murmur of flowing water adds to the natural symphony of the forest, creating a sense of peace and timelessness. The water in the swamp ranges from clear to a deep amber, depending on the location and surrounding vegetation. In streams and rivers, the water is usually transparent, allowing glimpses of the pebbly bottom or passing fish. In the still lakes and ponds, the water is darker, almost tea-colored, from the decaying plant matter settled there, evoking the vibrant life thriving just beneath the surface.
These swamps are teeming with life, though much of it remains hidden from casual view. The songs of white-backed and gray-brown marsh birds, sparrows, red-shouldered hawks, green parrots, and many other marsh birds create a continuous soundtrack, while the rustling leaves hint at the presence of larger animals. Monkeys swing from branch to branch, their calls echoing through the treetops. Jaguars and other predators move stealthily through the underbrush, their presence only hinted at by the snap of a twig. Smaller animals like agoutis and coatis scurry about, foraging. The forest is a complex web of life, with each creature playing a role in this intricate ecosystem.
Insects are ubiquitous, filling every nook and cranny. Numerous species of colorful butterflies and bees flit from flower to flower, pollinating the plants. Ants march in endless lines, transporting leaves and other materials back to their nests. Mosquitoes are ever-present, their high-pitched whine a constant reminder of their relentless quest for blood, while Aldo, dressed in his black robe with red trim, gloves, and boots, wearing a black mask with a more refined symbol of the hye wo nhye in red, hands out mint, basil, and lavender to everyone and uses their essential oils to repel the mosquitoes. Beetles, spiders, and other arthropods crawl and scurry over every surface, while the air is filled with the hum and buzz of countless wings.
Indeed, one of the most striking aspects of this swamp is the complete absence of humans. There are no roads, no litter, and no sounds of vehicles or human voices. The swamp remains in its pristine state, untouched and truly wild. The absence of human activity has allowed the ecosystem to flourish, free from deforestation, pollution, or habitat destruction. The quiet brought by the lack of human presence allows the natural sounds of the forest to dominate, creating a timeless and isolated feeling often found in medieval worlds. This pristine state offers a glimpse of what the world might have looked like before human interference and sins, a reminder of the raw beauty and complexity of nature.
Nature is so beautiful, but looking at the way Aldo burns nearly 10 kilograms of herbs to repel mosquitoes, and without needing to see the expression on his face hidden by the mask, I know how much he is annoyed by the mosquitoes. Auburn tries to fend off aggressive birds with two short kris swords, his face reflecting his current emotions. Helzard uses a spear to face a crocodile swarm on the boat. Somehow, Auburn and Helzard are together on a boat, dealing with crocodiles and birds. Veritas and I just shake our heads, sighing at the scene we witness, with Veritas stifling a laugh. The little girl with Aldo always clings to him.
If only the taxes weren't so exorbitant and we were better prepared, this situation wouldn't have occurred.
By evening of the same day, we reached a village with houses similar to European medieval rural architecture but with additional wooden planks and floats or a foundation below made of boats or supported by wooden poles or stakes to keep them afloat on the water.
"Finally, we're free. Thank goodness!" Helzard cheered joyfully.
The faces of everyone in the group brightened, smiling with eagerness in their eyes.
But, unfortunately, this was an abandoned village full of zombies.
"What's so lucky about this? You call this lucky?" Auburn exclaimed in frustration.