Chapter 39.2

“what to do…?”

at that moment, i could see that rian’s insinuation gauge was nearly done.

‘if rian comes back to his senses, he might be able to save the slaves…’

since he was the crown prince of the empire, wouldn’t there be a way to do something even if they were slaves from another country? i shuddered as a bad feeling crept inside me, i thought of looking at it first, so i took rian and got up from my seat.

slaves were widespread throughout this kingdom, so even if i decided to help, it wouldn’t be easy to search for him.

‘it’s his bad luck if i can’t find him.’

then, i can sleep without feeling guilty.

when i left the inn with a conscience as tiny as a pea, my face immediately distorted.

“wow…” i gushed in disbelief.

i found it right away.

* * *

the slave shop where the pickpocket slave was caught was in front of the inn i was staying.

puck! puck! puck!

the pickpocket was being beaten harshly at the entrance of the huge slave shop, which was more than a row bigger than the other stores. perhaps the slave trader’s intention was to scare the other slaves, and he even held a club with jagged screws.

“are you still not talking?!”

puck! puck! puck!

blood splattered everywhere when the club hit the back of a sprawled pickpocket on the floor. i was speechless at the sight of no one stopping the slave trader turning the streets red.

“where did the other slaves go?!”

the slave trader seemed to be questioning about the other slaves who fled with the pickpocket, but his expression was bad. his face and mood were steadily deteriorating.

“damn it. i’d rather sell this bastard and buy another slave.”

the slave trader held the head of the pickpocket, who endured all the beating without a single groan. blood trickled down as he was swung up. he was wearing a hood like before, but i could tell without even looking at his face.

“your physical strength is amazing, so if you catch another obedient slave, i’ll let you go.”

caught by the slave trader’s words, the pickpocket’s eyes glowed coldly.

sigh…

i hid adrian behind me, startled by his bright yellow eyes.

‘rian, rian is in danger!’

“what the heck, you punk! what are you looking at!”

but just like before, he only talked to me and adrian, and he never opened his mouth at the slave trader’s continued threats.

“what brings you here, miss?”

a clerk jumped out of the shop and asked me in a friendly tone, as if he thought i was just too embarrassed and couldn’t step into the shop.

“we have a wide range of slaves in our shop. would you like to come in and take a look?”

i stammered, trying not to frown at the word ‘slave’, which didn’t blend well with his polite way of speaking.

“ah, may i know the price?”

“oh, here’s the pricelist.”

the clerk smiled at my words, handing me a pricelist that was on the side. unlike at the imperial capital, the pricelist of the shop was neatly organized by age, race, physique, and period, as a kingdom where slavery was prevalent.

as i was tongue-tied with the array of choices like a wine list, i pointed my finger at the one-week pass.

‘even if i use all the money i have, i can only borrow it for a week.’

what if adrian’s insinuation wasn’t lifted in time? anxiety overcame me, but i opened my mouth, shutting my eyes tightly at the sound of the slave trader beating the pickpocket again like a dog.

“i’ll borrow it for a week.”

“yes, sir! follow me. i’ll show you the goods.”

“no. i want to borrow that slave.”

i shook my head at the clerk’s words and pointed to the ragged pickpocket.

“that child must be very difficult to deal with. there’s a high probability of escaping.”

“nevertheless, i’ll borrow it as a slave.”

“then the responsibility for the loss is all yours. would that be okay?”

i hurriedly nodded at the clerk’s doubtful expression.

“yes, it’s all right.”

the pickpocket was knocked unconscious by the slave trader’s beating. adrian and i walked out of the slave shop carrying him, who was completely worn out and not in the best conditions.

ring!

at that moment, the system displayed a message with a familiar notification sound.