Chapter 103 - Buying A Slave

Ellena sighed after receiving a receipt from the shop. As the carriage that Ellena bought has quite a price, it was considered as a transaction to be recorded. 

Also, this shop only has carriages and horses. They sell transport equipment and vehicles only, so it's reasonable that they don't have drivers since it is expected for the buyer to produce their own.

We left the carriage at the shop for the meantime and walked straight to the slave market. Though we have a dark memory of slave markets, I think it's time to move on as it doesn't bother us anymore.

The slave market is located inside the merchant district. 

After figuring out the location, I noticed Ellena's hesitant behavior. 

"Ellena, are you okay? If you're not, we can just walk or hire some temporary at the adventurers' guild." I said. 

Even though the guild doesn't have many talents other than fighting, it is also an option to hire some. However, the only problem is loyalty. Slaves are more loyal as they are bound by the pact.

Ellena shook her head. "I'm okay. I need to move on. Slaving isn't bad. There are also criminals who become slaves to pay for their crimes. I can understand small parts of it." 

I see... So was that the reason why she opened her mind on that matter? I don't see it as bad, but will she be okay with this?

If we go inside of the slave market, will she be able to handle the sensitivity?

"If that's what you want, I can't persuade you anymore. I'm just here to support you, and if you need some advice, I can help you."

'I know. Sorry for bothering you with my thoughts,' she said through her mind as we were getting near the slave market.

"Don't mind it," I replied as we got into the slave market.

"Welcome, esteemed customer," greeted a middle-aged lady. She has a slim body and light blonde hair. However, wrinkles are appearing on her face.

She doesn't look dangerous. She just seems to be a normal shopkeeper.

Ellena nodded and continued with her business. 

"Do you have here a slave who knows how to drive a carriage?" 

"Yes, we have. May I ask your preference?" The shopkeeper asked.

Ellena's eyebrows raised. "Preference? What do you mean?"

"Well, there are different slaves. There are Labor, Sex, Fighting, and others."

"What's important with it? I just want someone who can drive a carriage." Ellena said with slight irritation.

"We offer slaves who have skills, despite the fact that they are labor or sex slaves. Also, we have a different range of quality."

Wow... This will take a lot of courage for Ellena. The shopkeeper talks like humans are just objects to them. Well, they are slaves, so their rights are removed from society.

I can't imagine Ellena's fury right this time. 

However, Ellena is composing herself. I can see it as she was just clenching her first.

Ellena breathed out. "It doesn't matter. Just give me fighting one that knows how to drive." Ellena said. The shopkeeper nodded and prepared for the potential slaves that Ellena could choose.

Though, after the shopkeeper left, I asked her. "Why do you want a fighting slave?"

'It's for convenience. If ever there's a time I want to free that slave, he or she can survive in this cruel world,' she said.

That was thoughtful of her. If someone heard it, they would cry themselves into tears.

Ellena sat on a couch near the reception desk. There, I continue to inspect the whole area.

It was as if this place wasn't a slave market. Instead, it looked like a hotel waiting area.

The lights are well illuminating, as the walls are light colors with great compliments. The walls are painted with almond brown and ash blonde shades.

A few moments later, the shopkeeper came back with six slaves.

4 of them are males while the rest are females.

"Please inspect them," the shopkeeper remarked and stepped back a little.

Ellena nodded and stood up, approaching the slaves.

There are disparities in their ages. And as for expression, they looked burned out, or more precisely, tired of life.

It's relatable. Ellena became a slave for a year, and she knew how slaves felt.

Ellena inspected more, circling the six. After a few minutes, she came to a halt in front of a young female child.

"You. Why are you a slave?" Ellena asked, dumbfounding the shopkeeper.

The slave looked at Ellena with uninterested eyes and inspected her from bottom to top.

"I... I am a slave because I killed my parents," the slave said in a tired tone.

"Killed them? What do you mean?" Ellena ponders. 

However, the young slave didn't respond; instead, the shopkeeper did.

"She's an ex-noble and also was a child of a viscount, and after massacring her family, she was punished and became a slave," the shopkeeper said in a monotonous tone.

Ellena just glanced back at the young slave. Feeling pity, she touched the hair of the slave and looked at her eyes.

"Why did you kill your parents?" Ellena asked with anticipation hinting on her face.

"You want to know?"

"Yes." Ellena briefly answered with a nod.

"Then buy me," the young slave casually said.

This kid is bold. I couldn't help but chuckle a bit as I saw her eyes full of determination despite being uninterested in things. Her eyes are deep.

Though to others it's just disrespectful, a slave demanding to a noble or even a commoner is another crime.

I can't pity her. However, the eyes of other slaves started gawking at her after witnessing her boldness.

"YOU!" The shopkeeper almost attacked the slave, but Ellena interfered.

"Don't hurt her. I'll buy her."

"A-Are you sure?" The shopkeeper was speechless for a second before asking her.

"Yes, I am."

Even I was surprised. Ellena... what's in her mind? Is she trying to... sympathize with her?

"Okay, if you say so, esteemed customer. She is 30 gold coins," the shopkeeper said.

Thus, this still resulted in Ellena buying a slave for the carriage.... and her servant.