"Yes, mother."
I conceded. It took a lot to hide my smile and act crestfallen. Thinking about it, getting a slave might not be a bad thing. They will solely belong to me, obey me and I can do whatever I want to them.
This might just be the perfect arrangement. Maybe I'll be able to teach them alchemy.
They can help me with the experiments, buy ingredients, take care of the aftermath, which I detest, while also serving me as a normal maid.
I was now looking forward to acquiring a slave. They thought they had managed to stop but all they did was increase my motivation.
I remained downcast and hid the smile that was trying to curve on my face.
If they wanted me to spend money on something else then I would follow their wishes perfectly. I will get the perfect slave.
Sister looked at me strangely as if sensing my change in mood.
Two days later.
With mother's command we headed for the Blood Ridge slave market. A hot spot for passing slave traders and normal traders. It wasn't large, but it was managed with one mother's assistance. We didn't shy away from any trade as long as it could keep the accumulation of our wealth.
The smell was rancid. Decaying bodies, feces, dead bodies, and deplorable body odor. I wonder if the slaves were even bathed at all.
"What kind of slave are you looking for? Young master."
The guard mother had assigned to me asked.
If I remember correctly he was a commoner and had been employed by chance. I didn't know him well enough but knowing the basics was enough for communication. When we go back home he will be forgotten and go back to being a normal knight.
He was looking at the slaves his eyes filled with sorrow. It was understandable since the state the slaves were in left much to be desired about their care. He was a commoner almost at the same level as the very slaves he was looking at the price tag.
"I want someone useful...I require someone who would be helpful for my study and experiments. They will also be a sort of an assistant in my experiments."
I stated my requirements despite his sorrow. There were too many slaves for me to choose from. His help would be needed since he has lived among peasants, and he may be able to help me pick the one I want.
"You do not want anyone pretty, strong, or a certain age?"
He asked bewildered. This was something most Nobels did when they came to the slave market, pick the prettiest or strongest one in the bunch.
"No, that would be expensive...I want someone around my age or younger."
He nodded. I didn't have enough money to care about the state of the slave, any will do as long as it does its work well.
"I'll take you to the main trader, the duchess said you'll find the best slaves there."
I didn't care where we bought, as long as it wasn't out of my budget range. I would rather pick up some child on the road and erase their memory than use the money I had set aside for my research.
Immortality was too important a cause for me to stop for a mere helper.
We walked through the cages filled with slaves. Most of them were malnourished, and the worst ones looked as though they were ready to die.
Slaves will never access any medicine in the market or even at their owners' homes. Why would one waste money on healing potions or getting healers from the church of light if you can just dispose of the body and get another one?
They were expandable.
The guard led me to a cleaner tent; there were no slaves in sight, but a table and two chairs on opposite sides. I knew immediately this was the main slave trader's tent.
A fat man came out from behind the curtains, his body jingling with every move. It was disgusting. His body, even with all the potions I make, will not be able to recover. He was going to die soon.
I wondered why anyone would let their body fall into this kind of state. It will always remain a mystery to me.
"Welcome young master Lucian," he paused to breathe," I heard you were looking for a slave."
I shook his expended bloated sweaty arm and secretly wiped his sweat off my gloves with the handkerchief I had gotten used to carrying.
"Yes."
I replied curtly. The slave trader nodded and opened the curtains behind and gestured for us to follow him.
The moment I stepped behind the curtains I regretted it. The smell was horrendous. Just how can a person survive here? The slave traders and my guard seemed unbothered by the smell.
The inside was just as terrible, huge cages stacked on top of each other with slaves looking down at us eagerly. I could feel their disgusting gazes on me, but I was used to those gazes; it didn't faze me.
There were collars around their necks that were made to keep them docile. The collars contained obedience spells; if they went against their masters, they were as good as dead.
The dealer led me to the furthest corner of the room and stood in front of a cage that didn't have other cages on top of it.
"Young master, this is my finest product. Caught in the Elfen forest, she would be a good slave for you."
The trader tried to pitch his product. I looked down at the elf. She was beautiful, with golden hair flowing down to the ground, pointy ears, full lips, and a body that would make a man salivate.
She looked to be in her early twenties, but with how long elves lived, she might even be three hundred years old. She was sitting on the floor and I could see the fear in her eyes as the trader pitched her to me.
Our eyes met. I smiled at her but she cowered deeper into the cage, her shaking and small whimpers that occasionally escaped made her the ultimate beauty. The slave traders seem to have been taking care of her well.
Poor girl.
"No, I want someone younger. Can you show me your cheapest slave?"
I turned away from the elf. The slave trader's eyes widened. He had probably expected me to buy her since Bloodmoor was also known for its wealth.
"But..but Young master this is...."
"Enough."
I interjected. He was getting irritating. The slave traders stopped after my reprimand and led us deeper into the tent. If the first half had been bad then the back was worse.
Huge flies circled around the cages. These cages were much smaller, with two to three slaves crammed together. From their looks, they were either sick or too fatigued. Most of their skins were a shade of yellow. The smell of urine was overpowering. There was urine dripping from the cages, and into the muddy floors,, I didn't want to imagine what I was stepping in.
"Here, she is our cheapest one."
The slave trader's enthusiasm had dropped, but he still retained the respectful tone. Inside the cage was a girl. From her size, she looked to be between five and eight. The malnutrition had destroyed any meat and fat on her body.
I could only identify her from the dress she was wearing. Her face was barely visible under the multitude of bruises on her body. I could already see that most of her bones were broken.
A broken doll, something that needs to be fixed.
Despite the three of us looking down at her, she didn't flinch, not as she could. She lay there on the cage floor, her dead eyes looking at us. There was no light inside them at all.
Just blank.
"I'll take her..... She's perfect."
I said in fascination breaking the silence. Both the guard and the slave traders looked at me as if I was kidding. She looked as if she could die at any minute.
"Young master, she was scheduled for disposal. Please look for another; she's on the verge of death, and it will be a waste of money."
The slave trader tried to convince me. His hands were visibly shaking through it.He knew the consequences of selling defective products to the nobles especially the Bloodmoor. His whole lineage would be killed or taken to the human farms. Blood tasted better when the victim was afraid.
"Yes, young master, this slave is too weak, she might just lose her life before he gets back to the estate."
My dear guard tried to also dissuade me but his eyes were filled with pity for the girl.
" I've made my choice, prepare the slave for me. I'll be buying her."
I shut down their nonsensical chattering.
"That will be one silver, young master."
The slave traders said begrudgingly. My guard took out the money pouch I had handed to him and paid the money. I had budgeted a whole gold coin but it seems luck was on my side.
I looked at my first doll, I hope she comes out perfect.