Chapter 19

After wandering around, I finally arrived in front of the slave house.

(Ah, as expected, I'm nervous.

My heart is pounding and it hurts terribly.)

I took deep breaths several times to calm myself down on the way here.

Then, after a brief consultation, I entered through the gate.

Perhaps to prevent slaves from escaping, the shop is a bit larger than others, and there is a fence between the gate and the house.

In this world, all slaves are enchanted with magic to prevent them from escaping. If they do escape, they won't die, but a curse mark will appear on their body, making it obvious to everyone. As a result, they can no longer enter towns or villages by normal means and can only survive through underground activities.

To remove the enchantment, they must rely on their master, which, needless to say, is hopeless.

(Still, some will try to escape, I guess.)

Indeed, despite the high prices, there are fewer people here compared to weapon shops.

There are people, but they are all well-dressed. Even those who look like adventurers are dressed differently from the common mob you see around town.

Others are likely nobles or wealthy people, discussing with the staff and probably evaluating slaves to meet their demands.

As I looked around, a well-dressed person came from the back and said,

"Welcome, noble guests. Please, have a seat on the sofa."

I was carried and placed on a maid's lap.

The slave trader glanced at me and assessed me. He was probably trying to figure out my rank, given that I am a noble. He would soon realize I am from a duke's family. It's impossible for a young boy from another territory to come to a shop in a duke's domain.

"Hem, hem. So, what kind of slave are you looking for today?"

He asked, looking at the maid.

The knight is waiting outside as he would be in the way.

"Yes. Today, I am here to buy a slave for Lady Rain. I am considering getting her a personal maid-in-training."

"Is that so?"

It's not an impossible request, though it's rare. In fact, our castle has a few slaves.

The issue is,

"May I ask a question?"

"Yes."

"From your appearance, you seem to be of considerable rank. Wouldn't it be more appropriate to receive a third daughter from another baron or similar noble family to serve as a maid-in-training?"

A valid question, of course. We had discussed this beforehand.

"Yes. Actually, I am of common birth, and my lord believes that a maid-in-training of higher rank would not be able to have proper discussions or provide adequate education. However, I cannot trust just any commoner, so I thought it would be better to get a slave."

"I see... However, I must apologize, but we don't have slaves of the caliber to serve a noble like you..."

He hesitated, not wanting to push unsuitable slaves and risk a bad reputation.

"Don't worry about that. I will educate them. However, if possible, I would prefer someone slightly older than Lady Rain. Could you bring all the children between the ages of five and eight, regardless of race?"

"Yes! Regardless of race! Understood! Please wait a moment."

He disappeared through the door, and I took a sip of tea. I hadn't said anything, but my throat was dry. This kind of situation naturally creates a tense atmosphere, especially when it involves buying and selling people.

After a while, the slave trader and about ten children lined up in front of me.

"Thank you for waiting. Here are the slaves that match your requirements."

He showed me the status of each child one by one.

Two had magical talents: one with fire and one with earth. Three had skills: appraisal, low HP growth rate, and medium STR growth rate. Their levels ranged from 3 to 8.

"Which children have skills and magical talents?"

I asked, and as expected, he gave the same explanation I had seen with my divine eye.

(He won't be able to fool me with this appearance.

If a noble is deceived, it will be troublesome later.)

"Are there any with dual or multiple talents?"

"No, I'm very sorry, but according to the rules, dual or multiple-talented slaves are first introduced to the local nobles. Unfortunately, there are none in this slave house at the moment."

The maid explained.

(That's to be expected.)

I hadn't seen any with my divine eye either.

Dual or multiple talents are valuable potential assets, so in most cities, they are first presented to the local lord. Breaking this rule incurs a fine, so it is strictly followed.

"I see. Understood.

Then, may I ask the price of the children with magical talents?"

"Yes! The girl with fire magic has been here for a short time and hasn't received much education, so she is ten gold coins. The boy with earth magic has a good temperament and is at level 3 in magic, so he is forty gold coins."

In that case, the fire mage is the only option.

I don't have that much money.

"May I ask the prices of the other slaves?"

The slave trader nodded and listed the prices in order.

Boys without skills: 8 to 12 silver coins

Girls without skills: 9 silver coins to 1 gold coin and 8 silver coins

Child with low HP growth rate: 12 gold coins

Child with medium STR growth rate: 25 gold coins

Child with appraisal: 50 gold coins

"Why is the appraisal skill so expensive?"

"It sells at a high price because it can detect poisons and status effects, so there is always demand, hence the price."

He answered questions I hadn't planned to ask, understanding that I want to avoid unnecessary expenses.

(Hmm, I don't need it, though.)

I have a divine eye.

"Right..."

He looked at me, knowing I had already mentioned that I prefer magical talents. I nodded.

"Um, Lady Rain, how much money do you have today?"

He asked me. I silently turned my small purse upside down, revealing five gold coins.

"Five gold coins.

Can we manage with this for the fire mage?"

"Five gold coins... Yes, let me think..."

(He's not rejecting it immediately, as expected.)

Silence fell. A two-year-old baby buying a slave is unusual. This will be a long-term relationship. His appearance is clearly that of a noble, and the maid behind him is clearly not just a maid. I had confirmed that he brought four elite knights, which is a clear sign of high status.

He was deciding in his head whether lending five gold coins to this baby would be profitable or not.

Then,

"Understood!

This time, as a special favor, I will let you have her for five gold coins!"

"Thank you."

And so, I acquired a slave with magical talent.