-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: A Mercenary Lordship
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Lordship.
A mercenary corps.
No, he would create a mercenary lordship.
When Dion first declared this, Parsha felt two things.
First, that her young master was up to his bizarre antics again, and second, that it might not be such a bad idea after all.
After all, it was common for poorer nobles to be employed by higher-ranking ones.
There were even places like the War Cities, where mercenary corps were a noble's primary business.
Of course, most mercenary corps that weren't exceptionally competent ended up ruined after being dragged through battlefields...
But if they were skilled enough.
And managed properly.
And most importantly, if luck was on their side.
The mercenary business could provide a more stable income than crawling through labyrinths.
Besides, having secured a base in the form of a lordship gave them many advantages over ordinary mercenaries, so she decided to observe Dion's actions for the time being.
No, she had *tried* to observe.
But...
"Just to be clear, didn't you say you were going to recruit talent to serve as mercenaries?"
"I did."
"...In a place like this?"
"Yeah, it's perfect, isn't it?"
"..."
"Honestly, I didn't think I'd find a place this good. The Deformed City really is something else."
"Did your eyes go bad when you Awakened?"
As always, it was a mercilessly sharp remark for a maid, but for once, many would have agreed with Parsha's sentiment.
The place they had come to was that absurd.
"What part of this garbage dump could possibly be considered 'good'?"
"Garbage dump? It has a sign that says 'Slave Trader'."
"The very fact that a place selling slaves like these dares to hang a 'Slave Trader' sign makes it a garbage dump."
A worn and shabby exterior.
Cages strewn about the front.
Filthy figures bound in chains.
And a stench of all sorts of filth mixed together.
As Parsha frowned at the slave trader's shop, a complete mess from top to bottom.
A small shadow popped out in front of them.
"Kikiki. Welcome! Welcome to the kind and courteous Kettlick Slave Emporium... sirs?"
Short stature, green skin.
A back bent like a hunchback.
Gold rings and a gold necklace.
The slave trader was the very picture of a stereotypical goblin merchant in every way.
Kettlick blinked at the masked Dion.
"Aren't you the new lord of the Waryong Estate, by any chance?"
"You know who I am?"
"Kikiki, only a deaf man wouldn't know of you around the Deformed City, my lord."
"Hmm, I must be more famous than I thought."
"More than just famous, sir."
The cackling goblin merchant suddenly tilted his head.
"But what brings a person of your stature to a place like this?"
"Why else would a customer come to a slave trader?"
"My apologies, customer, but our emporium doesn't have many slaves worthy of someone so esteemed."
Noble or not.
If you're not a paying customer, I don't care.
Dion smiled faintly at Kettlick's attitude, which clearly revealed his inner thoughts.
"Then it's perfect. I was looking for a slave trader just like you."
"A slave trader like us, you say?"
"Yes. The kind that sells the cheapest, most useless, and most worthless slaves."
"...Dark Elf lady, does this young master happen to have a hobby of enjoying the sight of filth?"
"If that nasty hobby includes watching a goblin's head burst, then perhaps."
"Ahem! A joke, it was just a joke!"
As if to say, *I'm the only one who can insult my young master.*
For a moment, Kettlick broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of Parsha emanating a chilly killing intent.
Then, a look of realization dawned on Kettlick's face.
"Ah, could it be that you need some cheap slaves to work for a bit until your subjects arrive?"
"Something like that, for now."
"Kikiki, in that case, you've come to the right place!"
Perhaps because he now saw a paying customer.
The cackling Kettlick gladly led Dion and Parsha deeper into the shop.
A short while later.
Standing before countless cages hanging from the floor, walls, and even the ceiling, Kettlick spread his arms wide.
"Here we are. Feel free to look around."
"...Look around? At this trash?"
"Ahem, you shouldn't call our fine merchandise trash."
"Aren't you ashamed to sell slaves like these as merchandise?"
"But they're cheap to match, aren't they?"
"It's because they're so defective you can't sell them at a proper price."
"Well, what can you do? This is how it is with debt slaves and criminal slaves."
No matter where she looked, most were either sick and dying, disabled, or elderly.
As Parsha's eyes narrowed at the few who looked healthy but were either listless or rebellious.
Kettlick spoke confidently.
High-class slaves who were Awakened Ones.
Contract slaves with specific duties.
Criminal slaves serving a sentence.
Debt slaves with massive liabilities.
Even among slaves, the types and contracts varied.
While high-class slaves received better treatment than most employees, criminal and debt slaves were usually treated worse than livestock.
Whether due to a lack of motivation.
Or a lack of ability.
They were all the more useless.
The very fact they were being sold for such a pittance was proof of their incompetence.
They were cheap slaves whose prices had plummeted because no one would buy them, to the point where even the cost of their food was a waste.
"However, our merchandise does have one outstanding advantage."
"You mean that they're so cheap you wouldn't mind losing them as arrow fodder?"
"Kikiki, that's one advantage, but the biggest is that sometimes, there's an Awakened One among this trash."
"Do you really think that makes sense?"
"There are cases where an Awakened One doesn't even realize their own talent, you know."
"What utter nonsense."
Of course, there were cases like a culinary genius who had never set foot in a kitchen, or a literary prodigy who had never learned to read.
It was possible for some to be unaware of their Awakened talents simply due to a lack of opportunity.
And with a bit of bad luck, they could end up as slaves.
The problem was one thing.
"Even if such a slave exists, how are you supposed to identify their hidden talent?"
"Well, you could just use a Goddess's Sanctuary, couldn't you?"
"You're shamelessly suggesting a solution that would cost a fortune."
Parsha scoffed.
Using a Goddess's Sanctuary to check one's Class and Traits consumed an enormous amount of mana stones.
For that reason, poor commoners found it difficult to use one even once in their lifetime.
Even nobles typically only used a Goddess's Sanctuary during their Awakening Ceremony to avoid unnecessary waste.
Above all...
"If they haven't even realized their own talent, they can't be more than 1-Star at best. You wouldn't even break even."
2-Star Awakened Ones and above were fundamentally capable of wielding special abilities.
In other words, since they usually recognized their talents immediately upon Awakening, failing to do so was proof in itself that they were merely 1-Star.
Using a Goddess's Sanctuary to acquire such an Awakened One was, by any standard, a complete waste of money.
Especially since these slaves were nothing more than freeloaders who would only increase the food bill.
That was why.
Both of them were puzzled by the words Dion casually tossed out.
"Well, I wonder about that."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"I can pick any slave here, right?"
"Of course, you can."
"Alright, that's all I need."
"...?"
Ignoring the strange looks from Parsha and Kettlick, Dion strode forward.
He headed toward the very back of the numerous cages holding the slaves.
He smiled faintly upon seeing a slave huddled in the shadows, untouched by the light of the mana stone lamps.
"Hello."
"..."
"I'm talking to you. How would you like me to buy you?"
A torn ear.
A dirty, matted tail.
An exceptionally small body and wretched appearance.
And above all, dull, dead eyes.
The young beastkin slave, who looked useless from every angle, did not react to Dion's words.
She simply remained motionless, like a corpse.
"Hmm..."
But Dion wasn't particularly angry or flustered.
He just narrowed his eyes in thought before rummaging through his coat and pulling out a piece of dried jerky.
And the moment Dion slid the jerky into the cage.
*Snap!*
—A beast snatched the jerky with lightning speed.
As if she had never been limp.
The beast who snatched the jerky from his hand and was now gnawing on it with sharp fangs.
No, watching the beastkin who was no different from a wild animal, Dion smiled faintly.
"So you were hungry after all."
"..."
"How about it? I'll make sure you never go hungry again. Want to be my slave?"
...*Nod.*
"Good girl."
Was it the power of the jerky?
Watching the young slave nod without a hint of hesitation, Dion's smile deepened.
Name: Orr Kai
Race: Hunter Tribe
Title:
Class:
[Assimilationist]☆☆☆ Lv1
[Slave]☆ Lv3
Trait: [Empathic Resonance (SR)]
[Status Window]
1. Can identify Classes and Traits.
2. Can appraise items.
3. (Release Condition Unknown)
4. (Release Condition Unknown)
—He who knows all is he who can do all. Omniscience is the key to omnipotence.
One of the three traits he had gained at the start of his third life.
If [Bloodlust Star] was overpowered.
And [Class Changer] was essential.
Then this was a power that was even more absolute in every respect.
Using [Status Window] to check the young beastkin's Class and Traits, Dion smiled faintly.
'I wasn't even expecting a 2-Star... This is why it's so satisfying to find a pearl in the mud.'
* * *
"Uh... You're saying you want to buy *these* slaves?"
"Yes."
"..."
'How did he find all the Awakened slaves I mixed in?'
Kettlick broke out in a cold sweat.
Starting with the beastkin slave, then an old kobold, a succubus girl with clear burn scars, and so on.
Until Dion started picking out all sorts of useless slaves, Kettlick had been gleefully thinking he'd found a huge sucker.
But the reason he was panicking now was simple.
Dion had picked out every single Awakened slave he had hidden away as lottery prizes.
'Could he be a high-ranking information-type Awakened? No, even so, picking out the Awakened so perfectly doesn't make sense.'
He already knew the boy had an extraordinary side to him, having passed the notoriously difficult Groom Contest.
But to distinguish Awakened Ones without a Goddess's Sanctuary...
Seeing Kettlick shaken by something he had never even heard of in rumors, Dion tilted his head.
"Why? Is there a problem?"
"A-A problem? Of course not! I was just admiring your keen eye, Young Master!"
Snapping back to his senses, Kettlick bowed and scraped with a servile smile.
He couldn't just kick out a customer now because the deal wasn't profitable.
Besides, there were plenty of ways to make up for this loss.
'Kikiki, just you wait. You'll soon be crying and asking for a refund on these slaves.'
"Ahem, so, what about the slave seals? We offer a discount if you have it done at our shop."
"That won't be necessary."
"Do you have your own enchanter, sir?"
"No, I'm saying I really don't need it."
"Eh?"
How did he plan to control slaves without a seal?
The boy casually asked the bewildered Kettlick.
"You said they're all criminal or debt slaves, right?"
"That's right."
"So they're slaves who have forfeited all their rights?"
"Of course. You can make them do anything. Use them as meat shields, play with them at night, whatever you please."
"Good. That's what I wanted to hear."
"...?"
Leaving Kettlick with an even more confused expression, Dion gestured to Parsha.
A short while later.
After giving Kettlick a pouch of money and receiving the slave deeds, Dion nodded in satisfaction.
Then, he stood tall before the slaves he had bought.
*Clap.*
"Alright, everyone, listen up."
"..."
"From now on, I'm your master. Anyone have a problem with that?"
Even looking at Dion, their new master, almost all the slaves reacted the same way.
No reaction.
As if their miserable fate wouldn't change no matter what kind of master they got.
Their dull eyes, born of habitual resignation, made zombies seem lively by comparison.
"And what if we do have a problem?"
That was why the large man who retorted from the crowd couldn't help but stand out.
Besides, the man wasn't the only unusual slave.
"What, you gonna set us free or something?"
"We'd love that."
"What's so good about it? If we leave empty-handed now, how are we supposed to live? If you're gonna free us, at least give us enough to eat so we don't starve."
"Klkklkl, is meal money enough? We should get lodging fees too, so we don't end up in a ditch sleeping on the street."
"Right, right."
From a scarred lizardman to a one-eyed orc and a hunchbacked witch.
As Parsha, with a cold expression, was about to step forward at the sight of the few menacing Awakened slaves.
Dion stopped her with a raised hand and readily nodded.
"Giving you lodging fees would be difficult, but setting you free isn't."
"...?!"
"What?"
"Really?"
"Yes. It's a pain to coax and coddle discontented slaves."
While not only the jeering slaves but also Kettlick, who had been smirking triumphantly, couldn't believe their ears.
Dion grinned and asked again.
"So, these are all the ones with complaints?"
"..."
"Hmm, fewer than I thought."
As if telling any other slaves who wanted freedom to step forward.
The boy glanced around.
Hearing this, even some of the slaves with dead eyes showed a faint reaction.
But they were only a few.
In the end, most of the slaves remained unresponsive, as if they had no interest in freedom.
"Are you really going to let us go?"
"Yes, I'll set you free."
"Oh...!"
"How merciful!"
"Klkklkl. Well now, I won't forget this kindness."
In contrast, the slaves who had been giving Dion insolent looks just moments before instantly changed their tune.
They were Awakened Ones, after all.
They had only been bound by unfair contracts because they'd Awakened after becoming slaves. Once freed, they could live comfortably wherever they went.
Unlike the other slaves who had no future, it was only natural for them to welcome this sudden stroke of luck.
Just as they were celebrating and Kettlick was making a face like he'd bitten into something bitter.
*SQUELCH!*
"...?"
—A red rain fell.
Before they could even realize what the warm rain suddenly splattering their cheeks was.
The boy who had naturally drawn his sword and sent the man's head flying was already moving.
"Wha—?"
*Slice.*
"W-Wai—gurk?!"
*Stab.*
"Khik?!"
*Splat!*
It all happened in the blink of an eye.
The time it took for the gleeful group to become corpses with their heads severed or hearts pierced.
From the goblin merchant with his eyes bulging to the corpse-like slaves and those who were now actual corpses.
Amidst the frozen crowd, only two moved.
The boy, who grinned as he flicked the blood from his sword, and the dark elf maid, who took out a handkerchief as if she had expected this all along.
Kettlick, coming to his senses a long moment later, let out a scream.
"Wh-wh-wh-what are you doing?!"
"They asked to be set free, so I set them free."
"That's not the kind of freedom they meant!"
"What does it matter?"
"...What did you say?"
"They're my slaves, aren't they? So it's up to me whether I free them into this world or the next."
"..."
Kettlick froze.
He had never thought of slaves as anything more than a means to make money.
But the boy, tilting his head as if to ask, *What's the problem? I broke my own property,* sent a chill down even Kettlick's spine.
He realized it instinctively.
From cannibals to murderous fiends.
This boy was more 'abnormal' than all the madmen he had ever seen or experienced combined.
It was probably because they felt the same thing.
While even the previously unresponsive slaves trembled in fear.
Their new master, disappointed there was no more 'experience' to be had, turned to Kettlick.
"By the way, did you know?"
"K-Know what, sir?"
"That some slave traders conspire with their own slaves to run scams."
"...!"
"Like selling a seemingly fine slave, then having them deliberately slack off so the buyer sells them back for a pittance."
"...!!!"
"If you know any slave traders like that, tell me. I'll give them a special 'release'."
"Th-th-th-thank you, thank you for the th-thought..."
"Ah, but I'll have to charge a fee for my troubles."
Dion cut off Kettlick's trembling words.
And with a smile so bright it was visible even through his mask, he asked.
"Instead of a fee, you can just do a few small favors for me, right, Mr. Scammer?"
...And that was the moment Dion's lordship acquired an exclusive slave trader who would supply subjects at 50% of the cost.
『Achievement: Slave Execution.』
『Achievement: One-Sided Massacre.』
『Special effect of [Bloodlust Star] activated.』
『1-Star Class [Herbalist] has been plundered.』
『1-Star Class [Grave Robber] has been plundered.』
『Unique Trait [Great Strength (N)] has been plundered.』
『[Murderer]☆☆ Lv4』
『[Thug]☆☆ Lv3』
『[Hunter]☆ Lv9→ LV10』
『[Merchant]☆ Lv9→ LV10』
『[Liar]☆ Lv8→ LV10』
『Upon reaching Lv10 in [Hunter], [Merchant], and [Liar], the traces of the Classes are engraved upon your soul.』
—A Trait that has surpassed its limits fuses with another, blossoming into a new possibility.
[Great Strength (N)]+[Mighty Strength (N)]→[Monstrous Strength (Un)]
...
...
...
—Fusion and advancement of certain Classes has become possible.
—Through the effect of [Class Changer], you may select Classes to fuse.
1. [Hunter]☆+[Merchant]☆
→[Barbarian]☆☆
2. [Hunter]☆+[Liar]☆
→[Beast Tamer]☆☆
3. [Merchant]☆+[Liar]☆
→[Charlatan]☆☆