Capítulo 124: Tragedy at the Slave Market
Roxy announced that she has officially been hired to teach 'Magic Theory', 'Practical magic applications', and 'Advanced water magic' classes starting with the new schoolyear. For now she was staying at the dorms at the University. Obviously I wanted her to live here with me, but she comes over so often that she may as well be.
I've been spending most of my time each day working with Ghislaine's help to master battle aura. However, that doesn't mean that I don't have time for anything else. There's more to life than training after all.
The truth is, something even more important than mastering my battle aura is coming up. An event so monumental that it will surely only happen once a lifetime. Sylphiette's fifteenth birthday.
Sylphy will be turning fifteen in just two weeks. After all the trouble Sylphy went to making sure that my fifteenth birthday was special, I have to make sure to do the same for her.
The problem is, how do I do that?
I have plenty of money, so buying a gift shouldn't be a problem, but that kind of presents a problem of its own. If there's something material that Sylphy or I want, we just buy it for ourselves. Either that or we make it with magic. This makes buying thoughtful gifts something of a challenge.
I'm sure that Sylphy would be happy with any gift I gave her, but I want this to be something truly special. On that note, I was sitting in Zanoba's room asking him if he had any advice on the matter.
"Why not offer your hand in marriage?", Zanoba suggested.
"What!? I can't do that!"
"Why not? Didn't you say before that you had already planned to do so?"
"Well yeah, and I still do."
"Then what's the problem?"
"Well, offering marriage as a birthday gift... that feels... kinda wrong."
"Really? It happens all the time where I'm from. Noble families are more than happy to be offered marriage into the royal bloodline."
"Sylphy's not from a noble family. I doubt they would feel the same."
"You think so? I have a feeling that she would be ecstatic if you proposed to her."
"You're probably right. Still, doing so as a birthday gift... That sounds like I'm saying that she should feel honored that someone like me would be willing to marry her. Really it's the other way around."
"You always speak so humbly, Master. You are not only from a noble bloodline but you are also a magician of great renown. Granted, Silent Sylphiette is a renowned magician in her own right. I think the two of you would make an excellent pair."
"Well, thank you. Still, I want to get her something else for her birthday. Any ideas that don't involve a marriage proposal?"
"What about a doll?"
"I should have expected that."
"It may be biased coming from me, but I think Sylphiette is someone who would appreciate a custom made gift like a doll."
"I mean, you're not wrong. Unfortunately though, with my current predicament I'm unable to create one for her."
"What if you were to find someone else who could make one in your place?"
"Hmm..."
I put my finger to my chin and immediately a face came to mind.
'Julie! Now is about when I bought her from the slave markets last time around. Regardless of making the birthday gift I need to make sure to save her from there! With everything that's happened the last couple months, it slipped my mind. I just pray that she's alright!'
"Did you have someone in mind?", Zanoba questioned.
"I had an idea. You don't seem to have much talent for earth magic, correct?"
"Unfortunately not. The fact would cause me great despair if not for the research on the moving doll and magic armor occupying my time."
"Well the solution is simple. We just need to find someone who can make dolls for you. You can guide them with your cultured expertise when it comes to making them high quality dolls while I can teach them the magic required to do so."
"That's a wonderful idea!", Zanoba shouted excitedly. "Your brilliance never ceases to amaze me, Master!"
"Are you busy right now?", I questioned. "Why don't we find someone good with their hands at the slave market? We should get started on this right away so that they might have the time to make my gift before Sylphy's party."
"We shall leave right away", Zanoba agreed.
Zanoba and I made our way to a market consisting of three stone and mud buildings. Above the entranceway held a sign displaying: [Rium Group - Slave Market].
"There's lots of shops here", Zanoba commented. "Master, where should we look first?"
"I've got a place in mind."
There were eight different stores arranged around the indoor market. Each one had stages on which they displayed their most valuable slaves, lined up in the nude. Zanoba and I made our way to a store labeled as the [Domani Group]. A portly man with dark skin was talking to a couple potential customers.
"The price is twelve Asura Silver Coins", the merchant said. "I'm afraid I can't go any lower."
"That's out of my price range. Are you sure you can't take ten? For a first time buyer?"
"I'm afraid not. I would be selling at a loss in that case. Maybe I could interest you in another? We have a wide selection of slaves that you could buy for that price in the back."
"Excuse me", I cut in.
"I'm sorry but I'm in the middle of a sale. If you need help, head to the information center", the portly man answered.
He pointed to a small booth with a macho looking man sitting behind it. He had a bald head and a mustache.
"Or feel free to browse our selection and I'll help you once I've finished here", the portly merchant continued.
"I'm afraid we're in a bit of a hurry. I'll make it worth your time."
I tossed the man an Asura Gold coin, worth the same amount that the client was trying to haggle for.
"My mistake", the merchant said as he pocketed the coin. "I apologize. I didn't realize I had VIP clients coming in today. My name is Febrito, it's nice to meet you."
"Rudeus Greyrat", I answered impatiently.
"Zanoba Shirone", Zanoba responded in kind.
The other customers seemed annoyed at my interruption but I didn't really care.
"What are you looking for? Do you perhaps already have a slave picked out?"
"I'm looking for a young dwarven girl. She should be about six years old."
"That's rather specific", he said, a bit surprised. "But we do happen to have one matching your request. I can't say I recommend her though. She's not in the best of health."
"No matter. Take us to her."
The man brought us in the back of the store where they kept all the slaves not on display. The moment we walked back there we were struck with a pungent smell reminiscent of the slums. The slaves here were kept in tiny cages no bigger than a tatami mat and they were filthy and wore nothing but shoddy rags if anything at all. As I looked around I saw weeping children in the cages and others who glared at us with murderous intent. The sight disgusted me, but Zanoba acted as though this were a standard practice. I managed to hide my disgust as Febrito guided us towards the back of storage. I'm not a fan of slavery, but at the same time, it's not my job to declare war on the culture of this world.
"Hey, is that one dwarf kid still alive", Febrito called out to a nearby worker.
"Uh, hold on. Let me check", the man answered.
"Ah, sorry boss. It looks like she's died", he answered nonchalantly.
A combination of intense rage and guilt overtook me at the thought of a friend like Julie dying in a place like this. I pushed Febrito out of the way and ran towards where the worker had called out to us.
"Hey!", a guard yelled out as he drew his sword and ran towards me.
Zanoba, who was following after me, batted the guard away like a fly.
I stopped just outside the cage to see Julie lying motionless on the cage floor. She was nothing but skin and bones. Her skeletal face made even Randolph's complexion look like the picture of health by comparison.
"Zanoba, get her out of this cage!", I yelled.
"Right away Master!"
Zanoba reached between the bars of the iron cage and stretched them apart as though they were made of straw. I stepped through the bars and knelt down to put my finger to her neck. It was very weak, but I felt a light pulse.
"She's still alive!", I called out.
I turned around to find Febrito and several armed guards had arrived just outside the cage. They looked at what Zanoba had done in terror.
"Bring her some water! Now!", I yelled out at them.
"D-do it!", Febrito commanded.
"Right away!", one of them yelled out as he ran off.
The cage floor was cold to the touch and the air here was chilly. The heaters didn't seem to reach all the way back here. I gently picked Julie up and held her to try and provide some warmth. When I cradled her off the ground I felt horrified. She was so light it made me feel nauseous. She didn't feel like a person when I picked her up.
The guard made his way back here and cautiously gave me a flask of water. I opened her cracked lips and slowly poured some water into her mouth. She didn't respond, but I could feel a slight breath leaving her mouth. At least she was breathing.
"How could you let her deteriorate like this!", I scolded Febrito.
"I'm so sorry, Sir Rudeus", he answered in a slight panic. "I had no way of knowing that she was so valuable."
I glared daggers at his response.
I stood up with Julie in my arms and handed Febrito a handful of coins.
"This should cover the price. I'm taking her right away. She needs to eat."
"Y-yes sir! Thank you very much sir!"
Febrito bowed in thanks and shock after counting the money I handed him. I'm not sure how much it was, but it was certainly more than he had intended to sell her for.
I draped my robe around Julie as we made our way out of the market. I carried her to the nearest indoor restaurant and ordered a ready-made meal. Zanoba and I sat at a table. I began to hand feed Julie her food while sitting her on my lap.
"Who is this girl, Master?", Zanoba finally asked. He must have been confused by what just happened. I appreciated that he understood the urgency and waited until now to ask me that.
"She's your apprentice", I told him. "You will teach her the intricacies of doll making. She surely has the talent to become a master artisan."
"How can you be so certain?"
"I just know."
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