The next morning-
Gerhart opened his eyes and found his face pressed between two soft peaks, his body wrapped in a warm embrace.
"Good morning, master." Qold sweetly said, back in her tanned beauty form.
"Good morning, Qold," Gerhart replied, feeling lazy after last night.
"We should get up soon. The others must be waiting." Qold softly said.
"Right..." Gerhart muttered as he subconsciously checked Qold's status.
Na: Qold Moonhowl
Race: Succubus(Dream Tribe, Antler Goblin Variant)/ High Succubus(Dream Tribe)
Age: 1
Sex: Female
Level: 44(Incomplete)
Skills:
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Magic: 5th-circle demon summoning, 5th-circle lust magic, 5th-circle mind magic, 4th-circle fire magic, 4th-circle darkness magic.
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Base Stats:
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Strength: A
Vitality: A
Endurance: A
Agility: A
Dexterity: A
Perception: A
Instincts: A
Intelligence: S
Aura: A
Magic: S
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Secondary Stats: ( )
Talents:
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Unique Talents: Elite Warlock(Evolvable), Serene Mind(Evolvable), Favored by Demons(Succubi)(Evolvable), Demon Leader(Lust Demons), High Succubus(Dream Tribe) Bloodline(0.5%), Energy Drain(Succubus Variant), Sexualized Body, Transformation(Partial), srizing Eyes(Charm, Lust), Aphrodisiac Body, Supernatural Charm, -
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Aside from Gerhart, Qold also gained considerable benefits from absorbing the Hegemons. Additionally, her bloodline started evolving toward a High Succubus, an A-rank demon. Although slower by almost ten tis, the fact her bloodline was improving at such speed from absorbing Gerhart's essence proved how nutritious he was.
"Well, I will gradually feed her from now on. No need to rush." Gerhart thought.
Gerhart let go of Qold's soft body and slowly got up. While getting dressed, Qold spoke, "By the way, master. Mistress Xenova contacted in my dreams and gave so valuable information."
"Is it urgent?" Gerhart asked back while putting on his pants.
"No. We can talk about it later." Qold replied.
"Then we will talk about it when we have ti," Gerhart replied.
Several minutes later, they sat at a table together with everyone else.
Gerhart received several weird looks from the patrons, including Abraham, the owner.
"Young man, it is good to be young, but do it in moderation." Abraham seriously advised.
"Hahaha... Yes. Sorry." Gerhart apologetically replied.
After that awkward mont, the group ate a quick breakfast and headed to the rchant's Guild.
As Auchendale was a border town and trading hub, the most influential guild was the rchant's Guild, a large building ant for long-distance wholesale dealings, local retail, and storing rchandise. They also employed guides for those seeking to travel to and from kingdoms.
Arriving at the front desk, Gerhart saw a tanned middle-aged clerk with a feathered hat and curly mustache writing docunts.
"Haajid!" Lars said while approaching.
"Hm? Oh! Lars! Good to see you in good health, my friend!" Haajid raised his head and smiled at Lars, speaking in a weird accent.
"Good to see you too, Haajid. Is that a new hat?" Lars chatted.
"Yes! My wife bought it for two weeks ago. So, what can I help you with?" Haajid asked with a calm smile.
"I need two things. First, I wish to sell so goods. We recently subjugated a Goblin ga Tribe and want to sell tal weapons. You know the quality of Hobgoblin craftsmanship. We also looted furs, claws, horns, bones, and ivory from monsters the goblins hoarded." Lars said.
"OH! A ga Tribe? Is everyone alright?" Haajid worriedly asked.
"It is fine. We lost a few, but we will manage." Lars replied.
"I see. Well, the guild can certainly buy those off your hands. Anything else?" Haajid asked while looking at Gerhart and his group.
"They want a guide to the Nehan Kingdom's capital, Tabarga. Old Abraham recomnded a Miss nad Monica." Lars said.
"Tabarga? Most wagon rchants barely travel to the next town or city, let alone a distant city like Tabarga. However, Monica can certainly lead you to the next town." Haajid said.
"Damn... Is there no long-term guide?" Lars pursed his lips.
"I am afraid not. And even worse, the odds of finding a multi-linguistic guide will only get lower as you go deeper into the Nehan Kingdom. But luckily, there is a half-solution I can suggest." Haajid smiled.
"What?" Lars raised an eyebrow.
"Buy a slave! Auchendale is a trading hub for slaves from the Nehan Kingdom, so there are bound to be so educated slaves among them. If luck would have it, they would have all the skills you need. If not, they can at least act as translators. If you have soone decent with a map and are not afraid of monsters, you can travel along the main road. We have so maps on sale indicating all the main routes, landmarks, and danger zones. There are also inns along the road, so it isn't all that bad." Haajid said.
"Thank you. I will discuss it with the others." Lars said and went back to the others.
After explaining the situation, Gerhart and the others looked at each other and spoke.
"I can read maps," Hope said.
" too," Calvin added.
"I can also read a map." Gerhart nodded.
Although having a guide was optimal, they didn't need one per se. Hope was a rchant's daughter, and although she specialized in sea trading, she knew about land trading too. And as a noble's son, Calvin learned geography and how to read a map. He wasn't an expert, but at least he wouldn't get lost. As for Gerhart, he had so experience as Deadat.
That only left the language barrier, which made things much smoother.
"Then buying a slave is a feasible idea. Lars, you focus on selling the equipnt first. We will go select a slave." Hope said.
"Understood." Lars nodded.
With that, the group left the rchant's guild and went to the town's slave market.
Unlike Vlita's slave market, the one in this town was several tis bigger, housing hundreds of slaves. There was even an auction going on outside, attracting other slave rchants.
"Wow, those are a lot of slaves," Ray comnted.
"This is nothing. The amount trafficked here is dozens of tis more a year." Calvin shook his head.
"Perhaps there are so hidden gems among them," Hope said.
"Perhaps, but appraising them all would take a while." Gerhart frowned.
"It will, but it would be worth it. In the anti, how about blessing with Appraise Status, and I will go around town to scout for hidden talents?" Hope suggested.
"Hm... Good idea." Gerhart nodded and turned to Calvin and Ray. "The both of you will accompany her."
"Yes, my liege." Calvin nodded.
Finding a secluded location, Gerhart blessed Hope with Appraise Status before going to the slave market with Havre and Qold. Finding a shop, Gerhart confidently entered.
"Greetings! How can I help you?" A portly rchant stood up and rubbed his hands behind a counter while evaluating his new custors.
"Their clothes are relatively poor, but they are not weak. The man is tall and robust, aning he ate well his entire life, and those two beautiful won act like retainers or guards. And that unmistakable air of confidence- He is a wealthy scion. Is he pretending to be poor? I heard so nobles and royalty have this hobby. I shouldn't underestimate him." The rchant deduced.
"Hello, good rchant. I am interested in your slaves." Gerhart said.
"Thank you for choosing my humble shop, sir! What type of slave are you interested in? A servant? A combat slave? Or perhaps..." The rchant was about to say sothing when he looked at the two won beside Gerhart and swallowed back his words. "Nah... Unlikely."
"Everyone," Gerhart stated.
"... I beg your pardon?" The rchant widened his eyes, stunned.
"Did I stutter?" Gerhart asked back.
"Are- Are you sure, dear custor? There are dozens of slaves, and many of them are still untrained. The place is also unpleasant and unbefitting..." The rchant hesitantly said.
"I care not. Show ." Gerhart replied.
"Very well... Follow ." The rchant nodded and ordered one of his servants to watch over the shop while leading Gerhart, Havre, and Qold to the back of the shop, where dozens of slaves were locked in cells, their eyes downcast and tired.
So were children or elderly, but most were in their teens, twenties, and thirties. There were signs of malnutrition in so of them, and others seen with bruises or scars. However, they were otherwise clean, showing the rchant showed so care for them.
"These are the regular slaves, sir. Please inspect them, but please stay away from the bars." The rchant said.
"I know." Gerhart nodded and started analyzing the slaves one by one.
"Grade F. Talent, Initial Blacksmithing."
"Grade G. Talent, Initial Cooking."
"Grade E. Talent, Beginner Swordsmanship, Pack Mule."
.
.
.
"Nothing. These guys are rubbish." Gerhart thought, not too disappointed since he didn't expect much.
Two slaves had upgradable talents for tailoring and pickpocketing, but that was it. They were not even evolvable.
"Well, sir? Did you find anyone to your liking?" The rchant asked.
"No. Are there any other rchandise?" Gerhart asked.
"Certainly, sir. Right this way." The rchant said and led Gerhart to another room.
This room was better, and the slaves received better food and treatnt. They were the high-quality slaves of the rchant.
Among them were six individuals, three won and three n. Two won were beastkin, one catkin and the other a dogkin, while the final woman was a human. All three were beauties, not inferior to Hope in appearance.
As for the n, two were beastkin strongn, clearly combatants, while the last was a middle-aged scholar who was busy writing on a desk like a scribe.
"All of you, stand up! Greet the young master!" The rchant yelled, making the slaves stand up at attention next to the cells while looking at Gerhart curiously.
"These are the finest goods in the shop. Please, check them." The rchant smiled, gesturing at the six slaves.
Gerhart didn't reply and looked at the six slaves. Wherever his eyes landed, the slaves would jolt, straightening their backs as if to raise their worth.
"E Grade. Good as a bed warr and breeding slave, but nothing else."
"D Grade. A decent concubine or maid."
"E Grade... Another bedwarr without potential. Next."
"D-Grade rounded warrior, next."
"C-Grade agile warrior, no hidden talent or future developnt. Next."
"An F grade with C-grade intelligence but lacking body. Good as a scribe, but nothing else."
"Well, sir? What do you think? Would you like to introduce them?" The rchant asked.
"No need. Although fine, I have other requirents. Are there any other slaves?" Gerhart asked.
"Erm... Well- There are so. But they are dregs, leftover slaves with severe flaws." The rchant hesitantly said.
"Severe flaws?" Gerhart asked.
"Well... disabilities and undesirable traits. Honestly? They likely cost more than they are worth. Are you sure you want those?" The rchant asked.
"I will be the judge of that. Show them." Gerhart requested.
"As you wish..." The rchant mumbled and led Gerhart and his two companions, who remained quiet by his side.
Soon, they reached a poorly lit room filled with the stench of sweat and human waste, clearly poorly maintained compared to the other rooms.
Sitting in the cells inside were the flawed goods, eyes bleak and lacking the will to live. So were scarred or unredeemably ugly, and others had missing or irregular bodies. Although not emaciated, they also clearly lacked nutrition and were dirty. There were even children among them.
"Poor bastards." Gerhart thought.
These were the true dregs. No one wanted to keep them since they were burdens or eyesores. There was no welfare to treat these people, destined for diocrity and an ignoble death. Even compared to orphans, they rolled the lowest dice.
However, although he felt sorry for them, he couldn't help them yet. Instead, he analyzed their status one by one without prejudice and soon scanned them all.
So of them were not that bad, so reaching C-grade talent, but as disabled, no one wanted to buy them. Most had combat skills, so Gerhart deduced they were ex-soldiers, rcenaries, or adventurers who got crippled and fell into debt. Or perhaps bandits captured them and illegally sold them across the border.
"Hm... I don't need them, but they might be worth buying if they are cheap enough." Gerhart thought.
Elkington Village lost several dozen villagers, so they did need so replacents. Even if they didn't have talent, it was okay since they could gain talent via blessings.
"Excuse , how much would these slaves cost?" Gerhart asked.
The rchant imdiately perked up. These unsold dregs gave him a headache for months, and he planned on disposing of so of them anyway, so Gerhart's words were a godsend. Of course, he wouldn't say it outright.
"Which slaves are you interested in, Sir?" The rchant asked.
"All of them," Gerhart casually replied.
"All of them?!" The rchant widened his eyes.
"Yes, all of them." Gerhart nodded.
The slaves, who lacked light in their eyes, couldn't help but look at Gerhart in astonishnt.
"Why does he want to buy us? We are cripples!"
"Is he planning so evil ceremony and needs cheap human sacrifices?"
"Does he have strange hobbies?"
The rchant quickly recovered from his shock before brilliantly smiling. It was even better than buying his best slaves since these dregs had no demand but a high supply!
"I don't know what he wants to do with them, and I don't care. Let him have them!" The rchant thought as his lips moved, "As you wish, sir! I will sell them all for 100 per head." He said, selling them wholesale like cattle.
"No. 20 per person. And this is because I am nice. You already planned on disposing of them." Gerhart retorted.
He knew very well that these slaves were nothing but economic burdens. Sooner rather than later, this rchant would even spend money to throw them in the wild! He had already seen such things happen in his previous life.
"I..." The rchant struggled, wanting to squeeze out more of this deal. He would feel pained if he didn't!
At this mont, Qold suddenly grabbed Gerhart's arm and telepathically whispered. "Master, there is no need to haggle with this wretch. Allow to handle this."
"Hm? Okay." Gerhart nodded.
Qold seductively smiled and then looked at the fat rchant, her eyes glowing purple as her voice echoed indescribable temptation and charm. "Little rchant~ Look into my eyes~. Aren't they pretty?"
"Eh... Ah? Yes. Pretty." The rchant's eyes suddenly went vacant, a silly smile on his lips.
"Don't you want to submit to ?" Qold coquettishly asked.
"Yes..." The rchant said with a hypnotized look.
"Call mistress," Qold said.
"Yes, mistress." The rchant swayed, wearing the sa silly smile.
"Submit. Grovel. Show respect to your masters, little slave." Qold narrowed her eyes at the man with contempt.
"Yes. Please accept this insignificant slave." The rchant obeyed, going on all four.
At this point, the slaves were now astonished at this scene.
"What... What is going on?"
"Why is that bastard on all four?"
"Who are those people?"
"I hope they will make him lick the shit-stained floor."
There were various thoughts, but they didn't voice them, looking with rapt attention at the scene.
"Good little slave~. Accept your reward~." Qold said and glanced at Gerhart.
"Well, how the tables turn," Gerhart muttered, extending his hand. "Submit."
"Yes..." The rchant, who lost his ability to resist, willingly let Gerhart grab him and convert him.
After confirming the man converted, Gerhart let go, and Qold released her control.
"My lord." The rchant, who regained the light in his eyes, respectfully bowed to Gerhart while giving a Qold a fearful glance.
He knew very well that he got controlled as if it was nothing! And he also sensed she was an Envoy, aning she outranked him by far!
"Hanno, right?" Gerhart asked, although he already knew the na.
"Yes, my lord." The rchant, Hanno, lowered his head.
"Will you incur any loss if you lose these slaves?" Gerhart asked, gesturing at the slaves.
"A minor one, my lord. As you have said, I planned to dispose of them since they are only a burden now." Hanno replied.
"Then I will take them off your hands," Gerhart said without a change in expression.
"With pleasure, my lord." Hanno smiled. He didn't lose out on this deal, even gaining free disposal service! What a great deal.
Nodding, Gerhart looked at the dregs and smiled, "I am your new master now, and I can give you a second chance in life, including healing your wounds and even letting you live normally as free n. Who wants freedom? For those who do, I only ask one thing- Submit."
.
.
.
Thirty minutes later, Gerhart exited the shop with Qold and Havre, feeling he got a great deal. The dregs were converted and healed and would be brought out of town by the slave rchant, where Lars, Thomas, and Hannes would bring them back to the village. No one would pay attention to so dirty slaves.
"I can also convert the other slavers," Gerhart muttered, looking at the other slave shops.
And so, Gerhart went slave shopping.
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.
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anwhile-
Hope, Calvin, and Ray walked around town, gathering information from gossip and minstrels while searching for soone talented. Who knows? Maybe they would find a hidden gem in the mud sowhere.
However, after walking through half the town, Hope didn't have high expectations. Unlike Elkington Village, the people here were regular people, not descended from mighty warriors through generations. Most of them never had soone above D-rank in the last ten generations!
"Seems like there isn't anyone worthy of attention..." Hope muttered.
"Most of those with talent get recruited when young, and this town isn't too big, so it is certainly hard to find anyone with potential." Calvin agreed.
"If humans are not good, why not check animals? There is an exotic animal market over there." Ray suggested.
Just like slaves, there were exotic animals traded in this town, so perhaps there were so hidden gems.
"Ray, that's... A pretty good idea!" Hope's eyes lit up.
The trio derailed and went to the animal market.
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