The next day, at noon, I secretly made my way over to the slave trader’s. While I couldn’t afford a slave with the money I had on hand, I’d thought maybe they’d let me put down a deposit to hold one. I’d made four large silvers in one day, after all—only two more days and I could pay the full amount!
In cases like this, the early bird got the worm. There was no use crying over spilled milk. It was better to act and repent than not to act and regret. Idioms aside, I didn’t know how much I’d need for a deposit, so to be safe, I’d withdrawn all four large silvers from the guild. (They’d be more secure in my space of holding anyway.)
Huh? Why’d I sleep in until noon, you ask? Well, all that fantasizing about cohabiting with a cute slave girl got me a little excited, and I kinda ended up researching my own body...a lot...in various ways...and I was so exhausted afterward that I didn’t wake up until noon. Man, women’s bodies are seriously amazing. That said, I did hold myself back a little—it was highly likely the Goddess was watching, after all. I just touched a few things here and there, that’s all. I mean, I earned my pay for the day, so what was wrong with just taking it easy for the night? That’s what a life of leisure is all about!
By the way, some trivia about slave traders, courtesy of the Tome of General Knowledge: they’re basically the last safety net a criminal has in this world. Because these vendors sheltered those who would otherwise have nowhere else to go and have nothing to eat, it was more preferable for them than being out on the streets, so they generally didn’t object and went obediently. This also contributed to the overall safety of the town. Apparently these traders had strong ties with the authorities.
I see, so slave traders are basically government workers in this world? Well, there’ll always be criminals, so I guess they don’t have to worry about job security, at least.
The slave trader’s facility was a large building surrounded by tall fences on all sides. I walked up to a shifty-looking man standing at the entrance. “Excuse me. This is where you can buy slaves, correct?”
He took a quick glance at me. “Hm? A girl? You don’t seem like you’re hurtin’ for money. You a customer?”
Well, I was a pretty girl, after all, so no wonder he thought I was well-off. I’d probably have looked a lot more destitute if I was less pretty, though.
“Yes. Well, actually, I’m just here to browse today. I can’t pay the full amount just yet.”
“I see. I’ll let master know. Come this way.”
“Master?” Did he work here as an employee, or was he a slave himself? At any rate, I followed him into what looked like a negotiation room, with a long couch and low table presumably for filling out documents. There was a home shrine inside, as well as pots with pretty pink flowers. Nice decoration sense.
Upon taking a seat on the hard couch, the facility’s master showed up—a red-bearded, neatly dressed, middle-aged man. He certainly looked like he had money. What’s with that garish, ridiculously expensive-looking ring on his finger? Is he going to a party after this or something?
“Oh, now you’re a fine specimen, aren’t you?” he said.
Hey, now, I’m supposed to be a customer. Is that any way to treat your patrons right off the bat?
“Anyway, you came to buy a slave, right? I trust you have the coin for it?”
“Ah— No, I’m just window-shopping today. But I plan to come back once I have the money, so if I find one I want, I’d like to know your price.”
“Huh? You pullin’ my leg, girl?”
Hey, what’s with the glare? Is it because I said I was only here to window-shop?
“Well, whatever. And?” The slave trader sat in the chair opposite me and jerked his chin as though urging me to continue.
“That’s all. Like I said, I’m only here to look—”
“And I’m asking you what kind of slave you’re looking for! Honestly, this is why doing business with women is such a pain!”
First time I’ve heard that. And your attitude’s terrible, dude.
“A girl of age, not too expensive,” I answered. “Problematic. Oh, and preferably one with pretty legs and feet.”
“A girl of age, huh? I see one right in front of me, actually.” He gave me a boorish grin. Whoa now, I told you I was a customer! What’s with this guy? Does he want to buy me? Then try it—if you can afford me, that is.
“Do you have any slaves like that or not? I thought my conditions were already pretty lenient, but if you don’t—”
“Oh. Well, it’s not like I don’t, but...” He put his pinky finger in his ear, dug out a ball of wax, and blew it away into the air. You do know you’re dealing with a customer right now, right? And if you have what I want, show me the goods already. Aggressive selling’s normally frowned upon in business, but I’d prefer even that over whatever this is.
“Come on. Follow me.” He stood up and walked toward the exit. Honestly, I didn’t even really feel like buying from him anymore, but I figured I might as well check his inventory just in case. I half-heartedly followed behind.
He led me into a room that looked like a prison. The cells had iron bars over the doors, and a few male slaves in ragged clothing could be seen inside here and there as we passed into a stairwell that led underground.
“You said you wanted a problematic slave, right? I have one down here.”
In the small cell, through the iron bars, I saw a slave girl collapsed on the ground.
Both her arms were missing at the shoulders, and her face was covered in filthy bandages. Some of these had come loose, revealing gruesome burn scars underneath. The rags she was wearing were so tattered they barely resembled clothing at all—only her important bits were concealed. But the exposed parts of her body were covered in bruises, wounds, and what looked like tattoos.