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Chapter 50: Banc the Slave Merchant
Today marked the final day of the Royal Capital Black Market before it entered a half-month preparation period starting tomorrow. As a result, the number of visitors was just as large as on opening day. Unsurprisingly, even more people than before had come to see the event's biggest attraction, the elf slave.
A full month had passed since the elf first arrived at the black market, yet not a single buyer had stepped forward.
Rumor had it that one of the royal capital's leading merchant companies had considered purchasing her. The price itself hadn't been the issue. They simply couldn't secure the required Red Potion. After that, many renowned merchants had tried their luck as well, but in the end, even on the final day, she remained unsold.
Unlike my previous visit, I had come to the black market alone. I wore a plain-colored cloak and kept the hood pulled low over my face to avoid being recognized.
To outsiders, I probably looked incredibly suspicious. But thanks to the festival-like atmosphere filling the market, nobody paid me much attention. Many people seemed to be there not just to shop but simply to enjoy the excitement.
W̌ е̂ bn о̇v̌е̇ l̊ Ѐ n ũ m a
"Looks like even an elf won't sell if the conditions are that strict."
"I heard the Vottz Trading Company managed to prepare several Grade-Two Purple Potions, but they were still turned down."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
"So a Red Potion really is non-negotiable, huh?"
Pushing through the crowd gathered in the central area of the bustling black market, I made my way toward the slave sales office.
Listening to snippets of conversation along the way, I eventually arrived at the large tent where purchases were being handled.
"Welcome. How may I help you today?"
Е́n̈ u̇ mӓ. і̌ d.
"I'd like to purchase the elf slave..."
Almost all the other slaves sold at the Royal Capital Black Market had been bought on the very first day, so the slave trading reception area was far quieter than I had expected.
Inside the sales office, enclosed by a wooden partition, a pleasant-looking young man sat waiting behind a desk. Stacks of special contract forms imbued with oath magic lay beside a pen on the long table, while sturdy guards stood watch nearby.
The receptionist frowned slightly when he first saw me, but by the time he blinked, his expression had transformed into a professional smile. That smile froze the moment he heard my request.
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"Just to confirm, have you read the purchase requirements for the elf?"
"I have."
Ẅ.е̄b̄ṅo v̌ е l Еn̆ ûma
There were multiple conditions attached to purchasing the elf. First and foremost, a Red Potion was mandatory. Beyond that, the price varied depending on the intended employment and contract duration.
The least expensive arrangement was to employ her as a household servant, while the most costly involved taking her as a concubine or mistress. The contract categories were intentionally described in vague terms, but it was clear that the latter option implied a far more restrictive and intimate form of ownership[1] than ordinary employment.
There was also an adventurer employment contract, which was the second-cheapest option after a household servant. The lowest-priced servant contract started at roughly 200,000 per month, with adjustments depending on working conditions. The details would be negotiated directly among the buyer, the slave trading company, and the elf herself.
Contract periods ranged from six months to a hundred years. Depending on the arrangement, one could even establish a lifelong partnership, which is something only possible because elves were known for their extraordinary longevity.
"...In that case, may I see your guild card?"
Though maintaining his smile, the receptionist clearly remained skeptical. The same went for the nearby guards. A few had even subtly rested their hands on the hilts of their swords.
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"!? Th-This is...!"
Without saying anything, I showed the special guild card Sakakibara had prepared for me. The deep reddish-purple card—the color of wine—was apparently known as a Krems-Rank Guild Card.
Krems was the name of a rare mineral found in Asphial.
While I myself had never heard of the rank before, the receptionist clearly had. The instant he saw the card, his entire body seemed to freeze.
The wine-red card's significance was recognized only by him. The surrounding guards merely looked confused.
"P-Please wait just a moment!!"
W̃ē b n о.vе̂l̀ Еnum̃ā
Leaping from his chair with such force that it nearly toppled over, the receptionist sprinted away. The guards could only stare after him in bewilderment.
"Thank you for your patience! I, Banc, will personally handle this matter!"
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Although only a few minutes had passed, the man the receptionist brought looked as though he had rushed over immediately, sweat dripping from his forehead. Behind him followed not only the receptionist but numerous others as well.
The sudden increase in people turned the reception tent crowded, and I was escorted deeper inside.
"Sir Hakuba Issei... Please forgive my insolence, but I am unfamiliar with your name. Since you hold a Krems-Rank merchant card, may I ask when you were promoted?"
"...One of my clients is royalty, so it's related to that. The promotion happened quite recently."
Е̇ n um ã.і d
"Ah, I see."
The area I was led to was still technically a temporary structure built for the black market, but it was on an entirely different level from the public areas.
The furnishings alone were luxurious enough that even a layperson could tell they were expensive. It was obvious this room existed for important transactions.
"I understand that you wish to purchase the elf. However, one of the mandatory requirements is providing a Red Potion. Do you have one with you at this moment?"
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"Of course."
With a thud, I placed the crystal-cut glass container holding the Red Potion onto the table.
Е ṅ um â .і̌ d
Although the liquid was slightly dark in tone, it was undeniably red. The vial held only a small amount, but the overwhelming magical aura radiating from it made Banc swallow audibly.
"So this is a Red-Grade Potion... I've spent decades in commerce, but this is the first time I've seen one in person."
After receiving my permission, he carefully picked up the vial. Under the glow of Shocklight Stone lamps, the transparent crystal container reflected the light brilliantly, creating a dazzling display.
"...Of course, the Red Potion itself is remarkable, but the craftsmanship of this container is equally extraordinary. Glasswork of this precision is astounding. Glassmaking isn't my specialty, but this may even surpass Hotsmas."
"Hotsmas?"
"Yes. My work takes me to many different lands. Far north of the Kingdom of Cainliese lies the Kingdom of Hotsmas. It is said to possess the finest processing and crafting techniques on the continent, particularly when it comes to gemstones."
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
On Earth, gemstones were prized for their beauty and rarity and were commonly used in jewelry such as rings and necklaces.
The same held true in Asphial. They circulated primarily among wealthy commoners, merchants, nobles, and royalty. However, gemstones held additional importance in this world. They were widely recognized as mediums for magical power and spellcasting. Besides decoration and art, they were often incorporated into equipment. It was said that elite magicians sometimes wore accessories and rings studded with gemstones from head to toe.
Because of this, gemstones were considerably more valuable here than gold in many cases. That said, unlike Earth, numerous varieties existed, so prices varied tremendously.
"The Kingdom of Hotsmas sounds like a place I'd like to visit someday."
"It's a wonderful country. Though being a northern nation, it's cold year-round, and that's the only drawback."
While preparations were made to appraise the Red Potion, Banc and I spent the time chatting and gradually becoming acquainted.
Еn̈ umа́..і̆d
