Money.
That’s right…take that little girl who was taken last night, for example.
The reason she suddenly went from a village girl to a slave…
was because the border lord sold her—or rather, a portion of the surplus population—to slave traders, exchanging them for the scarce resources or funds the territory desperately needed.
This is also a method to maintain the operation of a domain, albeit a cruel one.
But the nobles themselves are high-ranking figures built on cruelty; there’s no need to dwell on that.
So it’s not surprising they can do such things.
As expected…in this world, human rights simply don’t exist~
The kingdom’s laws are far from perfect…the lord’s subjects are essentially private property, bought and sold at will.
However, changing the laws or the status quo is extremely difficult~
It would involve challenging the vested interests of these deeply rooted great nobles.
Uprooting them completely would be like digging up the kingdom’s very roots.
Otherwise, changing these circumstances is definitely not a small task…or rather, it’s simply impossible.
“Oh? There are even lords short on money to the point of selling their own subjects? What a foolish act…”
Ileya said casually, while the Fat Captain smiled helplessly beside her.
In truth, most lords buy and sell their subjects; surplus populations aren’t always a good thing.
After all, not every territory is like East County, where a few shovelfuls easily uncover a mineral vein…
Without dwelling on this sensitive topic, the Fat Captain led the group into a finely arranged, clean tent.
“Miss, look at this. This is a Serpentfolk we caught on the edge of the Abyssal Lands. With these special shackles, you can keep her in a fish tank or a pond and she’ll survive~”
“This one is a Grey Werewolf we caught in an abandoned town at the kingdom’s border. We lost several men capturing it…but Miss, no need to worry, it’s completely tamed now!”
“Oh! You have great taste! This one is an Outlander captured in the forest beyond the kingdom’s borders. These brown-skinned humans may not look good, but rarity is priceless, isn’t it…”
He continued introducing the best “goods” they had to Ileya.
This visit indeed gave Ileya, the noble who lorded over the Crystal Capital all day long, some new insights.
She saw many living demi-humans and strange races.
And heard many stories from beyond the kingdom’s borders…
However…compared to the fascinated Ileya, Reliel’s frown deepened the more she listened.
It was clear she disliked the Fat Captain’s tone—his attitude that he was superior to other beings, utterly ignoring the intelligence and thoughts of these creatures.
No matter how flattering or attentive he acted, deep down, he was a cruel and selfish man.
But…though Reliel disliked it, she couldn’t say anything…
Because these rare slaves each sold for prices that could match nearly a year’s worth of rewards for the entire Hunter Blade Mercenary Group.
Even if she pitied these people, she didn’t have the power to free them.
Then there were the human slaves…some of whom clearly had happy families, yet were sold as merchandise by a lord’s single word.
It was absurd beyond belief…
Though Reliel never met her biological parents and was raised by the Hunter Blade Mercenary Group’s captain…
Though the mercenary life was harsh and dangerous…
Her “father” had never wronged her, and even his biological daughter—
Bena—treated Reliel like a real sister.
Reliel could feel their love.
Losing a child or a parent…
Only beasts would do such things.
Lost in thought, the girl’s usually calm eyes flickered with sparks of fire.
She subconsciously touched her not-so-bulging coin pouch.
This small gesture was naturally caught by Ileya, who had been watching her closely.
Ileya glanced sideways at the silent girl and saw in her pure eyes something she couldn’t hide…
Sigh~ It seems my second sister isn’t quite the same kind of person as me~
Probably…a girl who’s spent too long in the mercenary group, isolated from society, suddenly seeing the kingdom’s dark side and bursting with compassion?
Well.
I see now~
The cold but warm-hearted girl, when stripped of her cold facade and seen through to her tender soul…is indeed even more endearing~
Ileya curled her lips mischievously, then withdrew her gaze and waved to the Fat Captain.
“Stop, stop~ I realize I’m more interested in humans after all. Take me to see some ordinary human girls~”
The Fat Captain was briefly taken aback but quickly nodded and led the group into another tent.
This tent indeed held mostly humans, with hundreds of cages stacked up and down—quite a bizarre sight…
Though these people weren’t gaunt and emaciated, they all looked malnourished.
And about eighty percent were young girls.
After all, human girls and strong adult men were the easiest to sell.
Coming to a big city like the Crystal Capital meant they had to stock up well.
“Um…Most of these girls were bought from various lords~ Absolutely legal transactions! Miss, just pick whoever you like, and I’ll have someone bring her out for you!”
Clatter, clatter…
The slaves in the cages suddenly saw the group enter, and the one called Miss Ileya was fawned over like a goddess.
“Please…Miss! Buy me! I can do anything!”
“Please have mercy…”
“Look at me! I’ll give you everything I have. Please buy me…”
In an instant, the slaves in the cages began clamoring to beg Ileya…
These people didn’t know the notorious name of the “Bloodblossom Demon,” but going with this noble Miss was certainly better than being bought by some rich merchant or lord to be used as playthings…
At least as servants, they could retain some dignity as humans.
But in response to their pleas, Ileya gave no sign of pity.
Instead, she smiled cruelly and turned her head toward her cheap second sister.
“See that? This is the difference between the strong and the weak…”
“We stand here, and they are commodities…even being bought, they have to beg me with quiet voices.”
“And I…”
“I will refuse them.”
Her voice was thick with pride and malice, making Reliel deeply uncomfortable.
That’s…not true!
Though these people have little combat ability, they shouldn’t be called weak…
They were just unlucky, born into poor circumstances.
That’s why they were caught or sold by their lords…
Given a chance, they could become anything.
Maybe painters, doctors, mercenaries, or even transcendent beings…
If only…they had a chance…
“Hey…”
Ileya seemed not to notice Reliel’s discomfort.
She leaned close to the girl’s ear and whispered.
“Don’t you want to become…a strong person like me?”
Whoosh! Reliel took half a step back and firmly shook her head.
She did not want to be like Ileya…and would never become such a person!
Before, she was curious about Ileya, but now Reliel was sure…
She didn’t like this Miss Ileya!
Not at all!!
Hehe…
Such a nice, cute reaction~
I’m liking this one more and more~
Watching the flustered Reliel, Ileya licked her lips, her heart stirring faintly…
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