“As it stands, we face a fundamental issue: Our residential quarters lack the capacity to accept all the new arrivals. However, as you know, we’ve shut down the colosseum in accordance with the new proprietor’s wishes. Over half of the fighters have vacated their rooms, and the monster enclosures—previously for our patrons’ viewing pleasure—now stand empty. By my estimate, we can have all of these areas remodeled within the day, creating ample living space for our new arrivals’ needs. I’ve already informed all of our construction staff, so work can begin as soon as you approve the budget, ma’am.”
“Consider it approved. Give them the go-ahead to start.”
“Yes, ma’am. Moving on, our customer service division would like to know our policy regarding the food we’ll be supplying to our new arrivals.”
“Tell them to provide essentials similar to what our general staff receive, with a focus on consistency and long-term nutrition. Additionally, since we don’t have any reservations from senior-level patrons for the foreseeable future, inform the staff to prioritize the use of luxury ingredients. They tend not to last long, anyway.”
“Understood, ma’am. I’ll pass that along.”
“And get in touch with each division’s supervisor. If any anticipate a drop in their supplies, tell them to notify our wholesale purchasing agents to ensure they have everything they need.”
“Yes, ma’am. If that’s all, we’ll relay your instructions immediately. We’ll return with a progress report once things are underway.”
“Thank you, Zaza, Leah.”
On that note, the two women took their leave. A long-haired man with sharp eyes approached in their place and bowed.
“You called for me, ma’am?”
“Kron, I entrust you with guiding our new arrivals in their daily needs and affairs. Here is Noor’s policy regarding their treatment—follow it accordingly.”
“Of course, ma’am. Please leave it to me. No matter their number, I shall ensure that not a single one of them leads a slovenly lifestyle.”
The woman paused. “They are our proprietor’s charges, remember. Try not to be too rough with them.”
“But of course. I shall begin preparations right away.”
Kron accepted a note from the head manager and tucked it into his jacket pocket before striding away. Meanwhile, the others in black suits began ushering the slaves toward an entrance of sorts. Their demeanor was exceedingly polite, as if they were welcoming guests or paying customers.
“This way, everyone. Please follow us!”
The girl, standing slightly apart from the crowd, stared blankly at the scene. She still felt as if she were dreaming. Her reverie was broken only when Melissa approached her, having noticed that she wasn’t moving.
“You too, little one.” She crouched down to the girl’s eye level and gave a reassuring nod. “I know you must feel uneasy, having been thrust into the unknown, but please don’t worry. We’ll take good care of you.”
The head manager didn’t smile, but she placed a hand on the girl’s back and gently urged her forward. The gesture felt unexpectedly warm, rather than forceful.
“O-Okay...” the girl said, snapping back to her senses. “Th-Thank you...?”
The girl finally moved, merging with the main crowd. Black-suited staff members led her and the others down a wide corridor and into a large room, where they were directed toward two separate entrances.
“Women to this side, please! Men this way!”
Evidently, they were being steered into separate changing rooms.
Once she had undressed, the girl followed the staff members’ instructions to move along, her mind racing with thoughts of what might come next. The unease that had begun to bloom within her was quickly dispelled when a sweet, floral scent wafted in from the room ahead.
What...is this place?
Wearing the towels they’d been given, the girl and the other women stepped into a bathing area unlike any they had ever seen. A large, shallow pool filled most of the space, its water so clear they could see straight to the bottom. The floral scent that had caught the girl’s attention hung thick in the air; in fact, she noticed genuine petals drifting atop the water. It was a far cry from the cold, dark bathing areas she was accustomed to, where the water was so muddy it might as well have been dirt.
At the staff members’ insistence, the girl timidly dipped her toes into the water. It was perfectly warm, like touching her own skin. She sank further in, until her entire lower body was submerged, and relaxed.
A tall, beautiful woman—one of the female employees who had just moments ago been waiting in reserve—approached with a pleasant-smelling bar of soap. “Pardon me,” she said, then began gently scrubbing the girl’s hair, combing out the knots with her fingers. The experience was so pleasant that time seemed to slip away unnoticed. A polished pair of scissors carefully trimmed the excess from the girl’s tresses, and tender hands gave them one final wash.
What’s happening to me...?
Never before had the girl experienced anything so wonderful. She could only remain still, trying to make sense of it all, as the woman continued to massage her head and shoulders, working out the last of the kinks in her hair. It felt nice, she thought. Very nice.
Once everyone was clean, the black-suited women throughout the room dried the slaves—and their hair—with soft towels.
“This way, please.”
Next, the girl was led into another room, where a fresh change of clothes awaited her. The fabric was more comfortable than anything she had ever worn before, and even she could tell the quality of the cut. Bewildered, she changed and stepped into yet another room, where a huge mirror was set into the wall.
Is that...?
For a moment, the girl couldn’t recognize herself. She stopped in her tracks, staring into her own eyes. The signs were all there, but she couldn’t accept them. The person looking back at her had the glossiest, most beautiful hair and smooth, glowing skin. She was dressed like a wealthy merchant’s daughter, and if the girl had encountered her on the street, she would have bowed very low indeed.
As she looked around, the girl saw that the other women were reacting in much the same way. They alternated between gazing into the mirror and exchanging confused glances, tilting their heads in shared uncertainty.
Beyond the room with the mirror, they rejoined the men, who had undergone a similar transformation. Each and every one of them now resembled a high-society gentleman. The old man who’d spoken to the girl out of pity in that cramped, dark room was there as well, but neither of them recognized the other. Only when they heard each other’s voices did they goggle at one another, eyes wide.
“Next, we’ve prepared a meal for you all,” one of the staff members announced.