Two months after Alier died, the inhabitants of Adenberd once again saw the familiar yet unfamiliar scene of the Young Master's carriage roaming around the city.
The scene was familiar and yet also unfamiliar because this time the carriage wasn't just being escorted by a few knights. It was a whole convoy that would strike fear in anyone seeing the battle-ready, armed, and intimidating knights surrounding the prestigious carriage.
One would expect mindless panic and uproars to ensue from such an exhibition but the inhabitants of the city knew that their Young master really had a strange personality. It was like he wouldn't be able to live if he didn't roam the city at least once a day. His hermit ways were well known to the populace but what no one expected was that Ethan would still continue his outings even after two deadly attempts on him.
The people admired his bravery greatly as even though he was being protected by so many knights, Ethan was still just a child who had lost his uncle just recently—at least that's how the people saw it.
Taking all this into consideration, the people did not panic seeing the mobilization of such an escort convoy. It only made sense that the heir was being protected with the utmost vigilance.
Of course, some thought it to be a bit too excessive but they were mostly in the minority thus the mood of the city did not change as the carriage only received inquisitive fleeing glances and nothing more while it traveled freely roaming around the city.
After making a round of the city, Ethan was satisfied. Although Albert did not allow him to step out and interact with the people, he still felt good taking in the fresh air and enjoying the bustling scenes of the city.
After the outing was almost finished, Ethan realized that it had been some time since he went to the slave market in search of some skilled and highly potential slaves.
Ethan's eyes shined as a crafty smile crept on his face involuntarily as he thought of what he had found in the grand library of the Temple of The Apostle.
'I only need people with even decent potential and skill and then… Hehe.' Ethan thought inwardly in excitement plotting the machinations in his head.
And so much to Albert's dismay, Ethan asked for the carriage to head to the slave market. Albert was starting to feel a huge headache now as Ethan had already bought dozens of slaves whenever he went to the slave market and he felt that it was a complete waste of the coins.
As Albert saw Ethan's stubborn expression that said he wouldn't accept a no for an answer, Albert couldn't help but feel complicated. Sighing and then nodding his head in approval, Albert thought to himself,
'Alas, even if the Young master is clever and composed he is still too soft-hearted. This is a dog-eat-dog world where if one is weak, one will end up in chains. Young master should understand that he cannot free every pitiful slave in the world.'
Sighing excessively, he ordered the coachman to drive toward the slave market.
***
The slave market was especially crowded these days as the winter was approaching and the wealthy folk needed laborers and servants to perform a variety of strenuous and bothersome tasks around their houses or workplace and a slave was one of the best options.
Once a slave was bought, the slave then completely became the property of the buyer and no one would inquire what the buyer was to do with the slave. Although the slaves were not cheap, it was a one-time investment as most owners did not pay their slaves at all, only providing shelter and food two times a day if the slave was lucky. Otherwise, most were only fortunate enough to have a meal once a day, not to mention that this so-called meal was the leftover food that was cold, dirty, and unappetizing.
However, not all owners were bad as some of them properly compensated the slaves for their services and did not act unjustly, abusing their authority. But this was rare as most of the slaves suffered terrible lives full of hardship. Depending on the owner, a slave could live out their days with some hardship or in misery until their last breath.
As unfortunate as it was, slave trading was one of the most profitable businesses in Akarxia and that's why it was hard to abolish the system completely.
As the carriage stopped in front of the market's entrance, it immediately drew a lot of attention.
At this point in time, the whole city knew that the odd young master of the white family had a heart as pure as jade, he would visit the slave market everyday and bring some slaves in his care. This surprised the entire city at first as instead of squandering money like the usual nobles' children, he was actually helping the unfortunate which made everyone look extremely favorably on Ethan.
Seeing that he was in the slave market once again despite suffering such grief just two months ago made everyone look at him with respect and admiration.
The happiest person in the whole market was of course the fat slave trader from whom Ethan usually bought the slaves.
Ignoring the gazes on him, Ethan clicked his tongue seeing the vile view of humans being put on an exhibition and sold like objects. As his gaze wandered around the vicinity, he soon spotted something interesting.
"Old man, isn't that one of Church's?" Ethan said while pointing at the carriage a few distances away.
Albert's expression did not change as he responded with a nod and said, "It seems so, we should move along. We are too conspicuous here."
Ethan nodded nonchalantly as his gaze lingered for a few moments on the carriage with the church's insignia while walking into the market.
Sir Wolfe and Albert along with a squad of knights followed him behind as Ethan began making his way to the furthest side of the market where the fatty's shop was. Ethan was in a bad mood and it was shown on his face clearly. Everyone thought that he was upset about the slave's conditions as usual but the real reason for his bad mood was completely different from what anyone thought.
Ethan had been to this God-forsaken place many times now and he had adapted well to the gut-wrenching view of the street on which tent shops were laid on both sides of the streets with human beings out on the show standing on a stone slab as the buyers flocked in a crowd scrutinizing the 'goods' while clamor of haggling over price and quality rang in the surroundings from all over.
Ethan had grown familiar with this scene long ago. The reason for his low spirits was that he was starting to lose hope of finding anyone useful in the slave market. There were other ways for Ethan to find loyal subordinates but they would be too lengthy and unreliable.
Ethan didn't just want loyal subordinates, he wanted people who would not even hesitate to die on his single word, people who would never betray him and disclose his secrets. Such people were better to cultivate rather than find.
"We're here!"
The sound suddenly rang in Ethan's ears making him wake up from his reverie. Unbeknownst to him, he had reached the shop while walking lost in thought.
Ethan and the others entered the shop. As soon as they stepped into the extravagant tent, the fatty who had noticed his 'regular' client enter, jumped forward like a kangaroo to welcome them with a beaming delighted expression on his face.
Ignoring the unsightly lump of meat jumping up and down in front of him, Ethan's gaze instinctively wandered around to observe his surroundings.
The shop was the same as always. Made with a high-end fabric the tent was quite large with separate divisions specified for different types of slaves. The tent could not be called as silent as occasionally the sound of coughing, whimpering or murmuring could be heard. The slaves who were packed together in their categorized compartments all had expressions of despair, hopelessness, anger, sadness, reluctance, or fierce disobedience as they consciously observed their surroundings in fear looking at the customers who had arrived.
Some hoped to get out of the wretched place they were in and behaved themselves, highlighting whatever qualities they had so that someone would buy them while some scrambled desperately to hide themselves as soon as possible, curling their bodies in trepidation and anxious uncertainty.
For some, it was better to keep living off their days in captivity of the slave trader as the uncertain future was more terrifying for them. Who knew what kind of monster they could be sold to? What if the person who bought them turned out to be a heinous demon in human skin?
Slaves of both gender, all ages, and of various origins and nationalities were enslaved by the collar on their necks in the tent. Although Ethan had seen this scene many times, he always felt disgusted inwardly. As his efforts weren't reaping any results, Ethan was prepared to use another method.
'I don't think I'm gonna find anyone today either. Let's just get this over with, perhaps for the last time.' Ethan thought as he cleared his mind.
As Ethan's eyes swept by the entire tent, he, Albert, and Commander Wolfe's gaze froze on one spot as they sighted someone unexpected.
A/N - hey guys, thanks for reading until now! I'm here to inform you that my exams are starting soon. I will still be uploading regularly but the release time might be messy, I might also miss out occasionally on a day or two so please understand. Thanks again for the support.
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