Lancer swore that he would definitely take off his 'Great Mage (Reserve)' hat today!
There was no doubt that Lancer was acting a bit differently than usual because he was a bit excited, which made the people with him couldn't help but sigh: even a man who doesn't talk much on a daily basis is still a man at heart~
However, the route they took was a bit strange, as they didn't go toward the 'Pleasure District' that Lancer knew about.
As for why Lancer knew the route of the so-called 'Pleasure District'? Ahem~ that's a small matter. In short, Lancer felt that the route was wrong.
"Where are we going? Aren't we going to..."
Although Lancer words were incomplete, the meaning was very obvious, but the colleague who was treating him shook his head with a strange smile.
"Lancer, you've just arrived in the Imperial Capital, so you might not know, but while the 'Pleasure District' has the most foot traffic in the Imperial Capital, in reality... tsk tsk~ the people who go there are either the rich nobles or merchants, or ordinary people with no money. And while the places where the rich people go are in the Pleasure District, in reality, ordinary people don't even have the right to enter those places. As for the ordinary places, I don't need to explain, do I?"
"Then what about people like you... us?"
"Hehe~ That's naturally the place I'm going to take you to. Although it doesn't have a business license, it's a 'semi-public' place..."
After saying that, the other party stopped talking and quickened his pace. Lancer also stopped asking and followed the other party's footsteps. Then, the group arrived in front of a 'complex of buildings'.
"Where is this...?"
Lancer had guessed that they would either go to a place full of pink lights and an ambiguous atmosphere, or a very secret area, but he didn't expect to come to a place that looked like a 'villa area'.
"This place? The home of a slave merchant who just came to the Imperial Capital from the east to do business. Alright, let's not waste time, let's go."
After saying that, the other party took the lead and walked toward the main gate. After saying a few words to the person at the gate, the gate was opened, and the group walked in.
"Mr. Lieutenant~ Welcome~"
A middle-aged man with a mustache had already come out to greet them before the group even reached the building. It had to be said that the other party, both in appearance and in the way he spoke, didn't really look like a 'slave merchant'. Instead, he gave off the impression of a 'gentleman'.
"What's wrong?"
"No... it's just a slave merchant..."
"Is a slave merchant strange? Have you not seen one, Lancer?"
The other person's matter-of-fact expression made Lancer not know what to say for a moment. There was no doubt that even in modern times, this kind of profession wouldn't completely disappear, because there would always be darkness growing in places that people couldn't see. But there was no doubt that even if it existed, it was rejected by ordinary people. But at this moment, the other person's matter-of-fact expression made Lancer feel for the first time that he was out of place in this 'world'.
But the other party seemed to have no idea that Lancer would think so much. He just patted Lancer shoulder, signaling him not to be nervous.
"In the Empire, 'slave merchants' are completely legal. As long as you can apply for a 'business license' for a slave merchant, there's no problem. Every year, the empire spends a huge amount of money to defend against the invasion of foreign races and the friction with smaller countries. Of course, the salaries of us ordinary soldiers also cost a lot. Those people from foreign races who are captured are uniformly sold to slave merchants at the border, and then they sell them to various places across the country..."
Listening to the other person's explanation, Lancer even felt that the other person was not talking about living people but 'items'. This absurd feeling swelled to an undeniable level after entering the building and seeing countless people in tattered clothes with chains locked around their necks.
"You're not sympathizing with these guys, are you?"
"..."
Although Lancer didn't say anything, his silence could be said to be an answer to some extent.
"Lieutenant Lancer, it seems you still don't really understand the current situation of the 'Empire'. These dregs from foreign races are not worth your sympathy. Do you know what they do after they break through our villages? Do you know what happens to our people after they are captured? You..."
But just as he was speaking, the person who had been talking to the slave merchant earlier had already returned. He grabbed the middle-aged man's hand and stopped him from continuing to speak.
"Brother Quesser, what you're saying is a bit harsh. Lieutenant Lancer has just joined the army, after all. And Brother Lancer, don't be angry with Brother Quesser. He was transferred from the eastern army. At the border, he participated in several battles with foreign races, including carrying out missions deep in their territory. He has seen many things that we haven't... Never mind, let's not talk about this. After all, we're here to have fun tonight~"
While saying this, he pulled Lancer to a row of 'iron cages'.
"Boss, you don't need to accompany us. We'll pick them ourselves, but this is my friend's first time here. Can you introduce them to him?"
After saying that, he walked to the side, and the others did the same, leaving only Lancer and the slave merchant standing together.
"Sir, my apologies, I didn't introduce myself until now. I am the owner of this slave merchant guild—Neubr. Please allow me to introduce my 'merchandise' to you."
The other party's incredibly calm and even slightly proud tone made Lancer not know what to say for a moment. The other party's demeanor was like that of a pet store owner introducing pets to him.
"I heard from Mr. Lieutenant that this must be your first time in a place like ours, sir?"
"That's right..."
Because of his complex emotions, Lancer voice was a bit dry at this time, but the other party didn't seem to notice and continued to talk to him politely but respectfully.
"I have met guests like you before, sir. What do you guess I usually say to persuade them?"
"...I don't know."
"Although it may not be good for me to say this, for these slaves, being bought may actually be a good outcome. The largest supply we have here are usually strong men and beautiful women. If they can be bought by a caring owner, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for them."
The other party didn't explain the situation of the 'slaves' to him, and he didn't even argue about his own actions. The other party was just simply stating a fact, and it was this 'cruel reality' that made it impossible to refute.