Chapter 36: Buying Slaves Part 1
Based on the story Kael read about Edward, the latter started as an honest merchant before deciding to try selling his products in the black market out of curiosity and to also earn a bit more than his original income. Well, a lot of well-known merchants did have a history of selling on the black market. He wasn't an exception to that either.
During that time, Edward realized the bad practice of the black market and wanted to change it for the better. He was referring to the practice of scamming, dishonesty, and having no ounce of integrity just to make a bit more profit.
As someone with years of experience as a merchant, that kind of behavior was unacceptable to Edward.
Even if the people in the black market are mostly individuals who want to earn more profit than honest merchants, there should still be a rule that exists to properly govern the former. A clear distinction that would make customers still willingly respect the black market, while fearing it at the same time, and still allowing those part of it to earn more income than the honest merchants.
Naturally, the journey Edward took to achieve that goal wasn't easy, as he had to battle against the Noctharis Kingdom, the power that controls the black market, to prove his point and make the change happen.
Nevertheless, Kael doesn't know everything that happened in the process of Edward achieving that goal, including what is happening at this moment. Albeit he already knew the end, and that was the latter winning the fight and becoming a part of the Noctharis Kingdom to begin the change.
"No wonder! This is the black market, nobody has any integrity in this place!" Lawrence felt pity for Edward.
"That doesn't necessarily mean that should remain to be the case, right?" Kael shook his head.
"Yes!" Edward agreed with Kael before continuing his story. "At first, they simply warned me not to destroy the culture of the low-level black market. They told me that if I wanted to sell without compromising my principles, then maybe I shouldn't be a part of the black market and should just return to being an honest merchant instead."
Lawrence nods his head repeatedly to express his agreement with the black market merchants.
"If I could, then I would love to do exactly that," Edward turns to look at all the items he had purchased with his capital in helplessness. "But I've already spent almost all of my funds in hopes of establishing a foundation in the black market. So, I had no other choice but to stay."
"But you couldn't compromise your principles as well, so you wanted to change it so they would start accepting you, isn't it?" Kael could already guess what had happened.
"Exactly! So, I didn't change and continued with my practice. Because of that, I started attracting a lot of attention from every customer, including loyal customers from my competitors." Edward looks behind Kael's group and immediately notices the sharp look on those people's eyes staring daggers right at him. It was quite evident to him that they hated him, especially now that they realized they couldn't do anything to the customer who had come to him. He could still see one of this young man's group dealing with his competitors' men, quite easily in fact.
"You could have just hired a few more guards to protect your interests, right?" Lawrence interrupted. He understood Edward's reason, and he is now interested in the guy because of that. But he should be fixing his problem instead of his customers doing it for him.
"I've sent out countless fliers to recruit guards to protect my customers. And I used to have plenty of guards because of that. But in just a matter of a day, they all quit." Edward sighs in helplessness.
"Why?" Lawrence raised his eyebrows.
"Because my competitors would send their henchmen to their doorsteps to threaten them that if they don't quit, they'll be the ones to suffer my trouble."
"That's ridiculous!"
"This is the black market, what do you expect?"
"But you still have a few men with you," Lawrence was referring to the men stationed around his podium.
"They might not have a problem with a few men going to their door to threaten them, but their condition for staying was to protect my products, not my customers."
"You do need protection with your products as well," Lawrence nodded.
"Yes, because without those people, my competitors would have already trashed my place."
"Still, you need to find a solution for this problem yourself instead of letting your customers fix it for you!" Lawrence stood firm in his opinion. "It wouldn't be alright for you if you only have us as your customers, right?"
"I know, and I'm currently in the process of recruiting someone to fix that problem." Edward was aware of that. But he needs more time because that person is so difficult to persuade.
"Well then, how about you show us whether you're truly worth all that trouble or not?" Kael motioned his hand for Edward to show him his products.
"Sure thing, boss!" Edward hurriedly bolted to his podium.
Kael and Lawrence decided to follow as they sat on the chairs in front of the podium, built using a mix of stone and wood, to get a good view of the products that Edward had specially chosen.
Unlike the majority of black market merchants, Edward had specifically chosen the corner spot so that he could get more space, since most merchants would want to get a spot in the center or in the middle.
Moreover, because of the fact that he was being antagonized by a lot of his competitors, nobody dared to get close to him, fearing they would get implicated in his mess.
As a result, Edward owns one of the biggest spots in the entire Black Flower Alley out of technicality.
"I hope my product will be to your satisfaction." Edward started beckoning from the side as one of his men started pushing the first batch of slaves.
In the next moment, five well-able-bodied male beastmen, chained together with iron chains while dressed in ragged clothing, started walking on top of the podium.
Their faces were filled with horror and hopelessness as they avoided Edward's gaze and slowly approached him.
"Come, come, don't be scared," Edward motioned his hand to come closer, his face still wearing a calm look.
The leading beastman didn't have any choice but to follow, as he feared they would be punished for disobeying Edward, pulling others to Edward.
"Good boy," Edward put one of his arms around the neck of the beastman and pulled him closer as he looked at Kael.
Edward's face was now different. It was similar to the despicable look that the other merchants they've passed by were wearing, as if prepared and ready with multiple schemes to take advantage of their customers.
"That took an unexpected dark turn," Lawrence whispered to Kael in a remark. He originally thought that Edward was different from the rest of the black market merchants in this place. But it turns out he was no different based on how the slaves feared the latter so much.
"Don't ever be deceived by a merchant's bright side. There's no such thing as a good-hearted merchant," Kael kindly reminded Lawrence.
"What did I miss?" Jayem approached while wiping a few blood stains on his clothes.
"You okay?" Lawrence asked in concern.
"It took some time to return those men to their owners," Jayem briefly glanced back.
Lawrence's face still didn't change.
"Don't worry! I only knocked them out, nothing too irrational," Jayem assured. What he meant was he didn't kill them. But he did break a few ribs and limbs from those who were trying so desperately.
Before Lawrence could speak further, they were interrupted by Edward's voice.
"The first batch are, as you've obviously noticed, five beastmen. Their ages are between twenty to mid-twenties. They're all in good shape, well-fed, and can immediately work anytime! I call this batch, the handyman!" Edward started introducing his products.
"This one," Edward grabbed the leading beastman. "He is a member of the deer race. They're known to be agile on flat ground and good scavengers of the wild."
"The second is a member of the cow race. They're versatile in farming different crops and fruits, and possess a bit of power, but a lot of stamina."
"The third is a member of the goat race. They're a bit similar to the deer race, except they're good at climbing mountains and trees. Their hands are also strong enough that they could cut trees very easily, especially if paired with proper tools."
"The fourth is a member of the lizard race. They're a good swimmer, climbers, and have good eyesight that they could spot a tiny object from one hundred meters away."
"Last but certainly not the least, the fifth beastman is a member of the cat race. They're considered good hunters, possess an above-average agility, flexibility, and versatility in different aspects, from fighting to scouting."
"If you're not satisfied with the first batch or have picked some of them but want to see other slaves, just tell me, so that we can proceed to the next batch." Edward was very satisfied with himself and was now waiting for the response of his customers.