“Please take me to the slave market.” The slave market was near the very heart of the central district of Leodo, built along the southwest edge of the oasis. It was clear at a glance that several of the buildings had been constructed by skilled masons, with dedicated platforms for the slaves to stand on, so that those who visited the market could conveniently inspect the products. There were also tents scattered all around the plaza, and even some merchants who simply had the slaves lined up on a carpet laid on the ground. Perhaps because of a need for manual labor, there was a preponderance of male animal people with good physiques. As for women, it was mostly human women who were capable of producing children with basically every race. Amazons were the least common at a glance. The most beautiful specimens were displayed at the front to garner the most attention. Most of them were beautiful girls with exotic darker skin, wearing almost entirely transparent veils. Probably to make it obvious at a glance that they had not been damaged. To the right was a gorgeous oasis. And to the left was a garden filled with slaves whose resignation was pasted across their faces. Not a bad display, Freya thought unironically. If Hestia or Artemis or Astrea saw it, they would surely have pursed their lips in disgust. Well, Artemis would probably have pulled out her bow and arrow before going on a rampage to save all those who wanted to be saved. “Welcome, welcome, milady! Welcome to our slave market! My name is Rozzo, the manager of this establishment.” Having reached the trading company she was looking for, Freya was greeted by a human similar to Bofman. He was middle-aged, average height, and average build. His face was not too shabby, and he had a beard. His attire was top class, so much so that even if all the other merchants nearby pooled their resources, they still would not match him. Put bluntly, he was arguably a superior version of Bofman. “Hey, Rozzo, this is the Lady Freya, whose renown sends tremors through even the Labyrinth City. Carelessness won’t be forgiven,” Bofman said as he leaned forward to emphasize his point. “Come now, Bofman. Just because your trading company lost out to mine…You remind me of that Far East saying: ‘You’re a tanuki trading on a tiger’s reputation.’ Or was it a fox?” Rozzo snickered a bit at him. “And this coming from a small little company that can’t even afford to buy a building on the island. You might be a bit too green for this kind of conversation.” “Arghhhh! That’s rich coming from the weakest of the big four!” Bofman’s face turned red as he stomped the ground. They seemed to have some kind of history, but Freya really could not care less. And honestly, the scene of a full-grown adult’s flabby stomach jiggling in frustration was just hideous. “There was a child among the slaves who were brought here that caught my interest. Would it be possible to see them?” “But of course!—Hey, line ’em up!” Even without Bofman saying anything, Rozzo had already found out about Freya. He did not hesitate to do as she asked, ordering one of his underlings line up the slaves he had just gotten in. “…How revolting.” Freya looked around the surroundings again as the slaves were being readied. The only people who were lively were the merchants. The majority of the sea of slaves was hunched over, looking down at the ground like convicted criminals. It was not like anyone who became a slave did it because they wanted to. If you looked hard enough, maybe you could find one or two hoping to be bought by a kind master or perhaps dreaming of a livelihood that was better than whatever they had left behind. But at least as far as Freya’s eyes could see, everyone’s spirit was clouded over. Having lost their pride their dignity stripped from them, the despair stained not just their faces, but reached all the way to their souls. There was not even anyone begging for help. Nor was anyone praying to the gods. Freya coughed a little, as if the despair filling the air made it hard to breathe. It was almost a mournful sigh. The eagle-eyed Bofman was the only one who seemed to notice, though, as he kept glancing over at her nervously, perhaps concerned about the goddess’s mood. “Sorry to have kept you waiting. Here are the items you requested. As you know, we only just received these products, so they have not received any training at all. However…” Finally, the slaves were lined up in a single row under the brutal sun’s rays. They had surely been walking for quite a long distance. Every last one of them looked exhausted. The elderly and youngest children looked like they might collapse at any moment. Rozzo alone had a grin on his face. Freya started walking along the line. She completely ignored the pleading gazes and the eyes of those who had been charmed by her looks, simply confirming the faces of all the slaves in order. And then she found her. “…!” The girl from before. When the girl noticed the shadow had stopped in front of her, she looked up, and her breath caught. Freya put her finger under the girl’s chin and made sure their eyes met. “You, what is your name?” “……Ali.” As if unable to defy the goddess’s divine will, she whispered that and nothing more. Her voice was like a singing lyre that could be heard across the sands of the desert night. Her eyes narrowing, Freya released the girl and looked around again. Everyone was watching her, as if entranced by the goddess’s each and every move. “Hey, I’ve decided what I’m going to buy,” Freya said. “Ooooh! Really?!” Rozzo looked ecstatic at the goddess’s words. “Very well then, which of them did you—” Before the slave trader could finish his sentence, he was interrupted by the goddess’s next words. “All of them.” Time stood still. “………Huh?” Underneath that intense merciless sun, for just a second, the entire slave market fell silent. Everyone had the same reaction. The girl who called herself Ali, Bofman, and all the slaves nearby—none of them could move, not believing their ears. Rozzo, who was looking at the goddess, was the only one who managed to utter a sound. “I said all of them. Every item you have in your inventory…and anything else for sale in this market. I’ll take all of them.” She thrust her demand at the frozen slave merchant. As time stood still in the market, Freya smiled. It was the smile of an empress confident in her ability to do whatever tyrannical, irrational, or absurd thing she desired. “This dull scenery is unpleasant, and this is a small town, so it is particularly eye-catching. Seeing slaves is unpleasant,” Freya began speaking freely, without any inhibition. “After I’m gone, you may continue trading flesh to your hearts’ content. However, while I am in this town, I insist you not show me anything that will ruin my mood.” And for that reason alone, she bought all the slaves. Not out of charity or compassion. Just because she wanted to change the scenery of the town for the few days she would be staying there. “…M-milady! I’m honored, but if I may…our products all come at a price befitting their quality…T-to buy every…every one of the slaves in this market would be…!” Managing to break free from his stasis, Rozzo’s face started to twitch as he tried to point out as politely as he could what he was thinking: There’s no way you could possibly do that. But Freya would not brook any back talk. Her smile widened as she asked the slave merchant before her a question. “Who am I?” “…Milady, you are the Goddess Freya.” “And what is my familia?” “…Freya Familia, milady.” “And what is my familia’s known for?” “…For being the most beautiful and most powerful! They are the followers of the goddess who has amassed more fame and wealth than any in the world!” The slave trader broke into a cold sweat. And finally, Freya had one last question. “I can have all of them, right?” “—Yes, Goddess!” Rozzo bowed, unable to do anything other than obey. At the sight of that, all the other slave traders turned pale and followed suit. The entire slave market was bowed before a single deity. The next moment— “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” —a staggering roar shattered the silence. Bofman and his attendants covered their ears to dampen the clamor. Men and women, young and old, people of every race. It was like the desert itself cheered. The cascade of voices sounded like a chorus of thundering waterfalls. There were those who cheered in joy. There were those who choked back tears. And there were those who dropped to their knees, clasped their hands together, and offered up a prayer of thanks to the goddess. The explosive swell of emotion coming from the slaves shook the entire market—no, the entire town. The girl who was the goddess’s true target stood there in shock as Freya turned away from her and calmly started walking away. “Bofman, undo those children’s bonds. My children do not need such accessories.” “R-right away, milady!” Bofman’s shoulders jolted as he called out to his trainees. Snatching the keys away from the merchants, they undid the restraints on the slaves one after the other. There was no way the number of employees he had there would be enough, so one was sent running to the Fazoul Trading Company’s headquarters to gather every last person working there to help release all the slaves. The slave market, filled with an unending stream of cheers, was about to become even busier. And, indifferent to everything going on around her, Freya walked briskly forward as Bofman desperately tried to keep up. “L-Lady Freya! If I may, the money to pay the merchants…?” “Just give me an advance on it. I’ll give you a contract with the familia later to cover the costs.” Leaving Bofman aside as he went bug-eyed at the incendiary situation she was handing off to him, Freya added another item to her order. “Also, ready something to transport those children.” “Those children” were, of course, the slaves she had just bought. She had paid for hundreds of them. Bofman was already in a cold sweat as he desperately tried to get his mouth to work. “L-Lady Freya! Pardon me, but transport them where? My deepest apologies, but with the buildings my trading company has, housing all these slaves would be…!” In response to Bofman’s misgivings, Freya needed just a single finger to answer. The oasis in the middle of their field of view. She was pointing at the largest building in the town that looked almost like a castle with a dome, built in the middle of the island at the heart of the oasis. “I’ll buy that mansion as well.” This time, Bofman’s jaw dropped as if it had come loose. 3 To the residents of the town, it was called the oasis mansion, and true to its name, it was built in the middle of the island at the heart of the oasis, its majestic dome bringing to mind a palace. It was constructed of a white stone that reflected the sun, inlaid with golden decorations to create a dazzling image. Surrounded by date trees, it was the largest building in all of Leodo. It could house hundreds of itinerant entertainers and play host to a days-long feast. It was the most fabulous of villas that only the wealthiest of people—more specifically, the town’s wealthiest merchant—could afford to live in. However, at present, that luxurious estate had been claimed by a certain goddess as her own. “What are you doing? Food and drinks all around, please.” In the great hall of the villa. An extravagant fountain—a sculpture of a water elemental pouring water—inside the manor was trickling away in the background as Freya’s sweet soprano voice rang out. She was sitting atop a sofa set several steps above the ground, looking down as well over a hundred former slaves hungrily devoured the dishes being brought out one after the other. Both because of having been forced into slavery due to the impact of the war as well as due to the careless management of the slavers, they had not had a filling meal in a long time. They downed glass after glass of water and wine while grabbing meat and fruits with their bare hands and stuffing their faces. However, it was not an unsightly scene of people abandoning all manners and reason but a scene of exultation at being alive. They were no longer bound by chains or manacles. Freed from their shackles by a goddess’s whims, they were in high spirits, tears flowing as their withered spirits were reinvigorated. “Mr. Bofman! We don’t have enough people!” “I know! Reach out to people from the other trading companies! Tell them we’ll pay for it if we have to—just get them over here!!!” Meanwhile, the merchant Bofman and his trainees were caught up in a chaotic furor. They had brought the slaves to the estate, bought up all the food they could find at the bazaar, and were preparing countless courses for everyone as if it were a banquet. But the employees of the estate—whom Freya had also inherited from the previous owner of the estate—were extremely understaffed. Anyone could tell by the way they were running dishes around the estate, and employees of the Fazoul Trading Company were being forced to pitch in as well. “Was it some mortal philosopher who said that wealth is not for feeding your own ego but feeding the hungry? Hmm, if Loki heard me saying that, she’d probably laugh herself to death.” The first thing she had done after acquiring the oasis mansion was to provide a bit of charity to all the slaves she had freed. Not so much out of a philanthropic impulse, but as the bare minimum of resolution to follow through on what she had done. If she had bought up all the slaves and wrecked the market because it was an eyesore only to come out the next day and say, “All right, you may do as you please,” then her grace would have been called into question. To her, beauty was not simply a lovely appearance. It was fundamentally based in a character that was befitting a sovereign. And most importantly of all, they were now all her property. So given that, she would accept them all with a smile and have them attend to her as she saw fit. “Lady Freya, please have some!” “Oh, thank you.” One of the slaves who Freya had saved was holding out a tray with a colorful assortment of fruits. The brown-skinned beauty paled in comparison to a goddess, of course, but she was nonetheless blessed with looks that would charm many a man. However, it was clear from her eyes that she was enraptured by the goddess. And not just her. All of the beautiful men and women who were set to be sold as the playthings of the wealthy were attending Freya. Not because she had demanded it but of their own volition. Some poured wine, and others fanned her with giant leaves. They were obviously entranced by her, vying for the chance to wait on her hand and foot. At any moment, someone might have led an elephant in to perform for her. But Freya had by no means truly enthralled them. They were merely filled with a deep sense of loyalty and respect for the alluring goddess who had saved them. It was a scene that occurred purely due to the queenly presence, the absolute charisma that Freya wielded. An observer could almost hear Freya saying “A harem? A reverse harem? As if either could possibly satisfy me.” The lurid fantasy of having dozens of beautiful men and women serve them was one that every mortal had surely dreamed of at least once, and each and every one of the people around Freya was entranced by the silver-haired goddess just as deeply as the members of the familia that had sworn loyalty to her. It was the pinnacle of luxury. “Lady Freya, thank you for saving us!” And there, a young boy and girl approached the goddess. There was no one who would scold them as rude for speaking out of turn. Their pure, earnest thanks were what everyone felt. “What are your names?” Freya asked. “M-my name is Y-Yona!” the nervous boy responded. “I’m Haara!” the younger girl answered cheerfully. “I see. Those are nice names. But Yona, Haara, you don’t need to thank me, because I only freed you all for my own sake.” That was the unvarnished truth. She had not had any kind of merciful or charitable intentions in granting them their freedom. It had all been self-centered, just the whim of a fickle goddess. Yona and Haara tilted their heads, not really comprehending what she said, but they quickly adjusted themselves. “Ummm, Lady Freya…there was something I wanted to ask!” “Hee-hee, go ahead. What would you like to ask?” “Can we join your familia?” The boy and girl responded with an admirable question. They probably wanted to repay the goddess who had rescued them in their time of need. Faced with those adorable children, Freya responded with a pure smile and no ulterior motives. “No, not yet. First, you should help out at Bofman’s company.” Freya admonished the children with a smile. “Wah?!” Bofman, who was rushing around, stopped in his tracks at suddenly being called out. She fully intended to leave all the slaves she had bought with the Fazoul Trading Company when she returned to Orario. “Your souls are still just seeds. They’re not even developed enough to be called immature. I love beautiful flowers and adore sparkling jewels. So first, you must gain some experience in this desert land.” The qualifications to join Freya Familia were entirely based on the goddess’s mood. Freya looked not just at ability but at the sparkle of a person’s soul and chose only those capable of becoming Einherjar. That was why they were the pinnacle. That was why they were the strongest. Freya Familia was a place where those who only had talent and nothing more would quickly become stepping-stones for their peers in the intense internal struggle that unfolded every day. If immature, undeveloped children were thrown into that, they would undoubtedly be struck down and meet a tragic end. Because of that, Freya was strict in her choices, allowing only those beings capable of becoming suitable followers of hers to join. At the same time, she made the choices she did because she appreciated the children, because she loved them, and most importantly, because she had hopes they might show her something new and unknown. “And once you’ve grown more, when your souls begin to bloom, if you catch my eye…when that time comes, I’ll gladly welcome you into my familia,” Freya added as she reached out a hand and stroked the little girl’s cheek. “Y-yes, ma’am!” Haara responded, her voice brimming with joy and determination. Judging from the brilliance of those children’s souls currently, if they were to bloom, it would only be after around ten years. However, perhaps with the potential inherent in mortals, they might betray her expectations and reach their prime in just five years or maybe even sooner. If that came to pass, Freya would gladly welcome them in, whatever their age. She always kept her word. That was the kind of goddess Freya was. “Lady Freya, if it pleases you, I’d like that, too!” “Please allow your humble servant to sit at the lowest seat of the table of your followers!” The children’s requests opened the floodgates, and even the adults began approaching with their supplications. Freya maintained the same stance as she had with the children, while promising to welcome those who were capable and caught her attention as noncombatant members—those who would not receive her ichor and not gain a status. In short, they would be believers who would support Freya and her familia. She had not particularly been expecting this development, but it ultimately meant she was able to increase her network of supporters outside the city. Despite the fact that a clear line was being drawn between them and the goddess, the former slaves’ devotion to Freya did not waver in the slightest. Every one of them approached the goddess who had saved them and thanked her with an unpracticed formality generally reserved for addressing royalty. At some point, the feast turned into an audience of people lined up before her. “Bofman, hire any of these children who wish to work for you. If their loyalty to me is true, then they should rise in stature and become great successes. After I return to Orario, I’ll leave this estate to you, so do as you please……Bofman, are you listening?” “Y-yes, of course, Lady Freya…” Having finally finished everything, Bofman shakily returned to Freya, exhausted. It was finally sinking in just exactly what it meant to be subjected to the whims of a goddess—just how heavy a load it was to serve as Freya’s companion. Absurd and unreasonable requests were the norm. With naught but a single command, he would find himself carrying out tasks that by any measure of common sense should have been impossible. The various costs incurred would be paid back later from Freya Familia’s deep pockets, but even still, he was being forced to bear a significant burden and pushing his limits. He had gained an emaciated look that was a common affliction among the people who tried to curry favor with deities in a calculated fashion. “L-Lady Freya…my trading company, of course, but I personally have spared nothing in my dedication…so if you might find it in your heart to grant me a reward at such time as your desire has been fulfilled, I would be eternally grateful…gweh…hee-ho-ho…!” And because of all that, it was inevitable he would continue to hope for some extra return. His eyes were glued to the goddess’s bare legs that he could practically smell as he laughed with a creepy, raspy voice. Freya turned around, feeling almost a sense of wonder as four shadows silently appeared. “What do you think you’re doing, swine?” “Did you wish to be castrated, swine?” “I’ll carve out those eyes of yours, pig.” “Filthy pig.” “Gweeeeh?! W-wait! Wh-what are you…?! Stop! My arm! It doesn’t bend that waaaaa—gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” The loud, satisfying sound of a kick landing rang out, followed by a dull thump as Bofman’s swollen body was slammed headfirst into the ground. Immediately, he was placed in a submission hold that threatened to create some new places where his limbs could bend as his whole body creaked. Four prums were pushing him down to the ground in a pose exactly like that of a pig splayed on all fours. “Oh, you were here?” Freya asked. “We combed through the entire residence to be sure no assassins or suspicious elements were here,” Alfrik, the eldest of the Gulliver brothers, responded. From the moment their patron goddess had bought the oasis mansion, they joined Ottar and the others in investigating the grounds from top to bottom, and upon discovering a fool so rude as to look the wrong way at the goddess, they brought down the heavens’ wrath upon him. Leaving the restraint and torture of Bofman to his brothers, Alfrik removed his sand-colored helmet, revealing his clear blue eyes. And then he looked down at the man below him as if he had caught a glimpse of the vilest sewage imaginable. “Filthy swine with ulterior motives are not fit to be at Lady Freya’s side. May we have a little time to punish him?” “As long as he’s still useful. Don’t finish him off. He is necessary as my eyes and legs here in the desert.” “Understood, milady.” Alfrik saluted and then he and his brothers forcibly carried Bofman away. “Lady Freya?! Please save meeeeeeeeeeee!” Bofman called out a strangled cry for help as he was hauled off. The former slaves were startled by the sudden appearance of the Gulliver brothers and started sweating bullets in terror even after they left. It was not hard to imagine the fate that would befall the foolish merchant dragged outside. Their decision, which was the wise response, was to forget what they had just seen and continue to pay their respects to Freya. “—Oh, so you came.” And then, she appeared right as the line was starting to peter out. Brown skin and disheveled black hair. The girl with such pretty purple eyes. Ali, the slave girl Freya had fallen for at first sight—the person who had the potential to be the goal of this journey, her Odr. “…Thank you very much for saving me earlier.” There was a nervous tension to Ali’s expression as she said her thanks by mimicking the form that the others had used. Freya’s eyes narrowed as, for just a second, the girl seemed about to put her hand to her chest before stopping herself and bowing inoffensively instead. “Ali, how is your body doing?” “Thanks to you, I’m doing much better…” She had been freed from bondage and brought along to the estate as a result of that, but her face looked much healthier, probably because of getting enough water and food. But something about the way she spoke was awkward. It almost seemed like she was uneasy or on edge about something. Nonetheless, though, Freya’s smile widened, as if even that awkwardness was amusing. “Then tonight, come to my room,” she said, putting a finger beneath the girl’s jaw and pulling her in. “!” Their faces were so close that the slightest shift might have had their lips touching. The goddess’s silver eyes reinforced the command. Ali’s body quivered as the alluring goddess looked into her eyes from so close—but again, she rejected Freya’s gaze. Biting her lips, her cheeks flushing, Ali forced herself to look away, fleeing the goddess’s charms. A simple girl who had not even been granted a deity’s blessing, let alone leveled up. There was no more holding back Freya’s curiosity—or her sadism. “My shopping was a bit extravagant today, but—you were my heart’s desire.” “Gh…?!” “Which is why you won’t be getting away,” Freya whispered in Ali’s ear as she let the girl go. Ali staggered back, but her face was badly twisted. There had never before been a mortal who looked like that while being allowed to bask in Freya’s presence, which only served to increase the goddess’s anticipation. As the former slaves’ shocked gazes focused on the girl, Freya stood up from her seat. “Clean yourself up for tonight. And when you come to my chamber, wear something to show off your lovely figure.” Freya instructed Bofman’s trainee girls to take Ali to the bathing area. Ali was stunned, and for just a moment before the attendants reached her, she quickly scanned the surroundings. Seeing that, Freya let an “Ahh” slip out as if she had just remembered something and gave the girl a warning. “I said you wouldn’t be getting away before, but to be clear, that was not a threat, just a simple fact. My followers are even now watching over this estate. So don’t bother trying anything silly…” Freya said as she left the room, seeming to be enjoying herself. Her words and smile left the girl utterly astounded. Outside the residence, the sun started to set. The night was only just beginning. Desert nights are chillingly cold. It was common knowledge in the sandy regions of the world that the intense heat of the noonday sun vanished dramatically come nightfall. However, that was not the case for Leodo. It was all thanks to the oasis. The water took more energy to heat up than the earth, and once it was warm, it took longer to release all its heat and cool down. The water absorbed the light of the noon sun and released the heat at night, so at any place with an abundance of water, the difference between day and night lessened. On top of that, the palms and other foliage around the town also had the effect of trapping some of the heat radiating from the ground as the air cooled down, moderating the evening chill. Because of that, the night in Leodo was easier to endure than most anywhere else in the western Kaios. That was why Freya could comfortably wear a thin negligee in her room as she waited for the girl to arrive. “Should be any moment now.” Enjoying herself as she sipped the expensive wine that the Fazoul Trading Company had procured, the goddess checked the time. The location was her bedroom, which had been cleared of people. The chamber on the highest floor of the oasis mansion was dimly lit by magic-stone lamps. The orange light blended with the night air, creating a dreamlike mood. Lounging in a luxurious chair, the goddess recrossed her seductive legs as she suddenly turned to the person beside her. “Bofman, are you okay?” “Y-yes, Lady Freya…I’m okay…This filthy swine would never do anything rude in milady’s presence…” The only other person in the room was Bofman. When Alfrik and the brothers released him, he was badly worn down. At a glance, he seemed quite haggard, almost like he was on death’s door. He had surely endured a harsh punishment imposed by the brothers. As evidence of that, he was being quite careful not to look directly at Freya’s chest, despite the fact that her night gown was quite boldly cut around her bosom. If it were the earlier him, he would have been gulping audibly, but for now his fear was winning out. …Well, it was not that he was scared of her body so much as her followers’ excruciating punishment, but it left her with mixed feelings to see him trembling like a scared piglet around her like that. Before long, the door opened. “…Pardon me.” Ali was brought in by the attendants. Her figure had changed dramatically from that of the pitiful slave earlier. Her disheveled hair had been brushed out nicely, and she was wearing a neat regional dress. Every nook and cranny of her body had been cleaned, and a hearty amount of perfumed oils had been applied. The faint scent of jasmine wafted through the room. Her flawless brown skin was more than a match for the finest silk. Even Bofman, who was scarcely glancing at Freya, was taken aback by her beauty. It would’ve been difficult to find many slaves as beautiful as she. “Welcome, Ali. You’ve become quite lovely. I hardly recognized you,” Freya commented. “Thank you…” “Or was it that you intentionally dirtied yourself up in order not to stand out?” “…” “Hee-hee, don’t look like that. It was just the thought that came to mind, is all.” While the attendants bowed and left the room, Ali approached Freya’s chair, unable to hide her stiff expression. It was clear she had her guard up against the goddess of beauty, who had grown attached to her. Freya observed the girl closely as she set her wineglass down on a small side table. “…What did you want of me?” the girl asked, wringing the words out carefully. However, her attempt to cut to the chase was denied when Freya moved on to something else altogether. “Ali, do you deplore the current political situation? Or do you perhaps resent what is happening currently?” “…?” “The war between Shalzad and Warsa that caused you to be enslaved…what do you think of it?”
Chapter 14
27 min read