Rigel looked at me, apparently seeking my permission to speak. I nodded, and his ears twitched excitedly as he launched into his explanation.
“Here in Sarenza, where the law mandates that children inherit their parents’ debts, slaves are considered a valuable, self-replenishing asset. They bring their owners immense profit—particularly beastfolk slaves like my sister and me. However, the more slaves one owns, the harder they become to move, and transporting an entire trading house is naturally out of the question. If what you say about a great threat approaching the capital is true, Mister Rashid, then the city’s immovable assets will only continue to depreciate in value. In the worst-case scenario, they could even become worthless. That’s why their current owners elected to sell—it would be too risky not to. And if, as you claim, these trading houses are already on the market in large numbers, they must be competing to sell at a profit. In other words, we should expect them to be priced significantly below their normal market value.”
I was amazed. Despite his young age, Rigel had come out with all sorts of complicated terms, managing to lose me within just a couple of sentences. A quick glance at Mina beside me revealed the same blank expression I must have been wearing—though I could sense an undercurrent of pride for her younger brother.
“Oh, I like you,” Rashid said. “You remain calm and analytical, even as a slave yourself. So, why do you think we should buy up the trading houses?”
“Because this drop in price will only last so long. The owners are selling as a temporary asset transfer for risk aversion, assuming they can still turn a profit in the long run. As slave trading houses—and the income they’re known to generate—are usually so hard to obtain, ambitious low- to mid-tier merchants will take the risk and start snapping them up. While there’s no guarantee of them staying in the black, they can count on selling the assets back to the original owners at a higher price. So, it would be best to seize the initiative before the market backswings. Such an opportunity won’t come again.”
“I see. And why should we be the ones to buy them?”
“Based on what you said, I assume Mister Noor is the threat in question. If that’s true, then you have complete control over the situation.”
Rashid still wore an uncharacteristically serious expression, his hand on his chin as he listened to Rigel. I couldn’t blame him—the young beastfolk was impressive, to say the least. I usually lost focus within seconds of a conversation with Lynne or Rashid, but he was holding his own with ease.
“You have a sharp mind for your age,” Rashid said at last. “Rigel, was it?”
“Yes, sir.”
“All right, Rigel, one more question for you.” Rashid gave the boy a cheery smile. “It’s an ironclad rule of commerce to do to one’s enemies what one would least wish done to oneself. If we bought up every slave trading house on the market, what should we do when their former owners ask to buy them back?”
Rigel paused for a moment, as if weighing his words, before carefully speaking up. “Well, if you had the capital to enact such a plan in the first place, the most obvious response would be to refuse. There is, however, another option. As far as the former owners are concerned, their assets are what matter most. Nothing would pain them more than repurchasing their business, only to find it stripped clean.”
“I see... Not bad. So, what would need to be done to achieve such an outcome?”
“Huh? As in, to actually do it? Well, first, you’d need even more capital than was necessary to purchase the trading houses. Then, you’d need to solve an assortment of problems. Where would you move all the slaves, for example? You’d need countless personnel, suitable transport, and the discretion to keep such an operation hidden from the former owners. There’s also the issue of clothes, shelter, and provisions once the slaves are relocated, and that’s just the start. In those regards, maybe the plan can’t be done. Or, no... It can, but only with a great deal of preparation.”
As the boy sank deeper into thought, Rashid clapped his hands together and laughed. “I really like you! You were just a few points shy of a perfect answer. Maybe I should give you full marks anyway, since you didn’t even need a hint. You’re outstanding, little one.”
“Isn’t he just?!” Mina beamed and stuck her chest out even more. “He’s super smart! Enough for the both of us!”
The elder of the two siblings was impressive in her own right. Poised on the very tips of her toes, she arched her body so much she resembled a drawn bow—yet somehow, she remained perfectly balanced.
“Let’s return to the topic at hand,” Rashid said. “Noor? As Rigel just explained, now is the perfect time to purchase the slave trading houses across the city. We’ll need a convincing motive and special permission, but we’re in luck—Galen here can provide both. Isn’t that right, Galen?”
“Y-Yes, of course!” the portly man exclaimed. “G-Gladly!”
“There you have it, Noor. Every company on that list is yours for the taking. So, how shall we proceed?”
“If there are more places like this in the capital, I want to buy as many as I can,” I said. “Can you do that for me?”
“But of course. It won’t be any trouble at all. While your fortune isn’t quite large enough to take over the entire capital, it’s more than sufficient to monopolize a single industry. Since making individual purchases would drive up the market price, I’d advise buying in bulk.”
“Right. Let’s do that, then.”
“As you wish. May I borrow that young fellow for a time, to act as my assistant?”
“Rigel, you mean?”
“An extra pair of hands will do wonders to speed up the process. Don’t worry—I’ll return him as soon as I’m done.”
“If he doesn’t mind, then neither do I.”
“I don’t mind at all, Mister Noor,” Rigel said. “If anything, I should plead to be so lucky. Getting to learn the business of trade from none other than the Divine Merchant himself will be a priceless experience—and one that I can leverage to be of greater use to you in the future.”
For a brief moment, Rashid conveyed an emotion he hadn’t let show before. “Oh? You’re well-versed in old tales for someone so young—and a slave, at that.”
“Knowledge was my sole means of survival,” Rigel explained, his face blank and tone detached. “I memorized every rumor and scrap of gossip that circulated the capital—or at least as much as I could from the confines of a slave trading house. Your younger years are the stuff of legend here, Mister Rashid. They must be common knowledge among the merchants.”
Rashid chuckled. “You truly are exceptional. I had high expectations for your intellect, and the depth of your knowledge is just as impressive. You’ve made an excellent purchase, Noor. Your return on Rigel will far exceed what you paid for him.”
Beaming from ear to ear, our host-turned-companion scribbled noisily on a sheet of paper, which he then thrust into my hands.
“Here. You should take this.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Another list—this one of the slave trading houses for sale in the city. I’ve noted their names and addresses and advise that you visit them all. Just do your thing—I’ll take care of any business negotiations in the meantime.”
“Thanks. And sorry for the trouble.”
“Now, as for the price of my labor...”
I was startled; I hadn’t expected Rashid to bring up payment after the fact.
“May I use a small portion of your funds to conduct some other business?” he asked, still smiling. “It’ll be to your benefit, of course. You’ll reap the rewards, and if any losses occur as a result of my actions, I shall cover them in full.”
“I don’t mind, but why?”
“There are quite a few attractive prospects—well, prey—on that list. Since this city’s my old playground, I thought I might shake off the rust and have some fun in the process. Not that I won’t take this commercial venture seriously. If someone’s entrusted me with their coin, I could never gamble it away for my own amusement.”
“Right. It’s okay if you don’t make a profit, though.”
“Oh, don’t worry. As a principle, I don’t believe in absolutes—but given the current state of the market, I can say with absolute confidence that I won’t cause you a loss. How much are you willing to entrust me with? Choose any amount you please; I’ll manage just fine, no matter what you give me.”
“I don’t see much point in setting a limit. You might as well take it all.”
“I-Instructor?!” Lynne exclaimed.
“Oh?” Rashid eyed me carefully. “Since my patron has seen fit to grant me so much of his trust, I suppose I must live up to his lofty expectations.”
“No, really—there’s no pressure to turn a profit,” I repeated.
“Whatever the case, simply leave it to me. Upon your return, you will find that I’ve amassed a mountain of wealth, prodigious enough to surprise even you.”
I really wasn’t interested in making more money—I already had more than I knew what to do with. But no matter how many times I tried to make that clear, Rashid, who wore an eerie smile I was beginning to suspect was his true one, refused to listen.
“My, my...” he said. “No matter how old I get, the thought of a huge shopping trip never fails to excite me. I wonder how much I’ll be able to make today.”
“I’ll...leave you to it, then.”
I entrusted Rigel to Rashid, whose smile grew more sinister by the moment, and hurried down the dark corridor with Lynne at my side.