Chapter 13
That statent implied that he was willing to let the dwarf follow in the footsteps of the Hamar clan, which had vanished beyond the massive mountain range that stretched across the southern part of the continent. To the dwarf, a half-elf who typically lived for 300 years, 20 years to gain freedom did not seem like a particularly long ti.
Humans are good at lying. Do you think I can trust those words?
However, the dwarfs distrust of humans was profound, and the look of resignation in his eyes did not waver. It was then that Logan gently pulled out a piece of paper shimring with bluish energy from within his clothes.
Do you know what this is?
The dwarfs eyes trembled upon verifying the item.
A magic contract?
It was a spare he had prepared when buying a magic contract to bind Philip, thinking of this very day.
Youre not going to use that for , are you?!
Well observed. If you really cannot trust , then I could draft a contract for you.
Lets write the contract! Absolutely! Ill make anything for you!
Logans lips curved into a faint smile at the radically changed attitude of Hamar. Without delay, he proceeded to draft the contract for the enthusiastic dwarf. To Logan, it was rely bait to ensure his eagerness.
However, upon seeing the light of the magic contract enveloping both him and Logan, Hamar, contrary to his usual stoic countenance, let tears roll down his cheeks.
I cant believe you would actually do that for . Thank you, human. No, thank you, Master!
It was a strange sight to see soone destined to 20 years of forced labor expressing gratitude and even using honorifics, difficult for a dwarf.
Logan couldnt help but chuckle at the odd disconnection.
If a single contract can inspire such motivation, then its a profitable deal.
The weapon he intended to create required only a slight edge over the skills of a human blacksmith, which was within reach even with a disillusioned dwarfs ability. However, Logans promise of freedom was influenced, perhaps, by mories from his past life.
A thousand years ago during The Great Migration, most dwarves also vanished beyond the southern mountain range. Consequently, master dwarves, who were rumored to be found only in the great cities of the dwarves, beca even rarer. And those master dwarves, once enslaved, could no longer display skills that matched their reputation.
But Logan had once witnessed, in his past life, the true capabilities of a master dwarf
in a piece crafted with the joy of liberation.
The craftsmanship of a master dwarf infused with genuine willpower. It truly was impressive.
Such skill was worth the investnt if he could draw it forth. For Logans plans, 20 years was more than enough ti.
Unless it all falls apart before then.
Shaking off those ominous thoughts, Logan turned his gaze from Hamar, who now looked elated, to Kai, whose expressionless face kept vigilance behind him.
Anyway, Ive achieved my purpose of coming to Harun.
A contented smirk appeared on Logans lips as he moved forward with a lighter heart, reassured by the smooth unfolding of the plan.
But the relief was fleeting. As they were leaving the slave market, Logan and his party encountered a raucous incident.
Seize him!
The slave has escaped!
Catch him! Catch them, you fools!
A middle-aged man with a hooked nose and blood streaming down his forearms pointed at a spot in the slave market and bellowed loudly. A blue-haired boy carrying a girl who resembled him was rushing through the crowded people, with five or six individuals who looked like rcenaries in pursuit.
The boy, with his surprisingly nimble movents unsuited for his emaciated fra, managed to escape the rcenaries grip ti after ti. However, the chase was not to last.
Thud! Thud!
You damn dog!
Thump.
You think you can bite ?!
Crud.
Angered beyond reason, the hooked-nose man rcilessly trampled the child. Even as he spat out his fury, it seed he wouldnt care if the child died from his violent kicks.
The blue-haired boys unyielding posture during the onslaught, if anything, only intensified the mans rage as ti went on.
His sister?
Biting his lip until it bled, the boy stubbornly resisted bending his outstretched arms and legs, a clear indication that he was protecting his sister from the kicks.
Oh, brother, Im okay.
Trembling, the girl whispered, clutching at the boys arms
a soft voice only Logan could hear if he concentrated, but it was unlikely the boy above had missed.
Dont worry about the slaves. Just move along.
Aye. I know, but just one mont
In the eyes of the world, slaves were not humans but property. How their owner treated them was not a matter for others to interfere with, even if that treatnt was as abhorrent as what they witnessed.
Moreover, the rcenaries who caught the boy were glancing around, poised and ready for any interference.
There was no reason to risk an altercation over soone elses property, yet Logan couldnt take his eyes off the beaten boy.
Why?
It wasnt just out of sympathy for the boy. The contrasting red and blue eyes beneath the blue hair
an odd-eye
were a rarity, perhaps even unique on the continent, and that teased a part of his mory.
Blue hair, red and blue odd-eye slave
He was sure it was important, but the clear answer eluded him, leaving him with a feeling of frustration. Then, as his gaze fleetingly t with the boys eyes, a long-forgotten mory flashed through Logans mind.
Ah! Viktor!
Yes?
No, nothing. Just wait a mont
The mories that surfaced brought a strange pleasure, but they also laid before Logan yet another concern.
To think Id encounter a noble slayer here.
Looking at the boy, now suspected of being Viktor, his eyes narrowed.
Viktor, the Noble Slayer, a powerful aura user who gained trendous fa in the kingdom in Logans previous life. His notoriety was particularly due to his origins.
Born not from nobility or even commoners, Viktor was a slave
and a runaway slave who killed his master at that. This uneducated combatant laid waste to his pursuers and eventually beca a fugitive, guilty of slaughtering nurous soldiers, knights, and nobles before vanishing.
Nearly a decade later, around the ti the imperial war began, Viktor resurfaced, slaughtering the entire family of his previous owners with the use of aura, a sign of a superhuman.
Thereafter, he beca infamous as the Noble Slayer among aura users, indiscriminately murdering nobles throughout the Grandia Kingdom.
That slave escape incident happened about a year after I beca a rcenary.
Logan rembered the approximate ti because it was right after the end of the MacLaine fiefdoms siege. He could not recall specifics like which familys slave Viktor was, but he found him by chance now.
And if Logan were to save this boy now?
A future aura user would be on my side.
It would undeniably be beneficial. However, there was one problem
Argh!
Amidst his thoughts, Viktor or the boy presud to be him, bit fiercely into the leg of his oppressor, drawing blood. The rcenaries rushed to beat and pry him off, but the boy held on determinedly.
The ferocity in the boys eyes evoked mories of ominous rumors from a past life.
An unstoppable maniac killer.
Logan needed reliable soldiers, not weapons that might turn on their own.
If its a weapon, just isolate it. So it cant chip away at the kingdoms power.
The conclusion ca embarrassingly quickly after a brief period of thought.
With that resolve, Logan made his move.
This mutt
Thunk.
Huh?
Hooked-nose, still intent on kicking the boy who had already fainted, was startled by the sudden obstruction of a sheathed sword at his feet.
What kind of
Red hair approached him, but not a single one of his guards noticed in ti.
By the ti the bodyguards were alerted and began to draw their swords, it was too late.
Moreover, the person following the red-haired individual appeared to be Kai, a renowned rcenary of Harun.
At last, seeing the fla emblem engraved on the armor of the red-haired individual, hooked-nose instinctively bowed deeply.
I did not recognize soone of your stature. Did I sohow offend you?
Just passing by, but I beca interested in the rchandise you were a bit too rough with.
After so hesitation and an awkward chuckle, hooked-nose responded.
Oh, you were a custor? What an embarrassing tiaha!
Thats enough. Is this how you usually treat your slaves?
No, no, not at all. These ones are just particularly stubborn Haha, I showed an unsightly side of . So, youre interested in these siblings?
While continuing to bleed from both his forearm and shin, he managed to laugh awkwardly and rub his hands together. Logan paid more attention to his words than his hideous deanor.
Custor, and rchandiseare you a slave trader? Excellent. Can we proceed with the transaction now?
Showing eagerness would typically be a disadvantage in trade negotiations, but the situation was different now. Everyones attention was on them, and Logan had indirectly demonstrated a position of power over the rchandise, putting him in a psychological advantage.
Despite this, the slave traders market experience kept him from capitulating too easily.
these children have the rare red and blue odd eyes, and both siblings share this trait. They are a precious commodity, so their price is quite high will that be alright?
That doesnt matter. How much?
Well, at least ten thousand each
Logans brow twitched at that remark. A healthy young slaves price was usually around 300 gold.
The slave trader was asking for a price tens of tis higher for the frail children, solely for their odd eyes. Although Viktors true worth could be easily tenfold that amount, Logan had no intention of paying such a price for the siblings who were currently valuable only for their unusual eyes.
More than anything, I dont want to enrich this scum.
The mont he locked gazes with the girls eyes, which brimd with tears as she fretted over her unconscious brother, they beca more than just soone elses slaves he had encountered only five minutes ago. Consequently, his tone grew colder.
The price for frail children nearing death is thirty tis that of a robust slave, and one looks about to perish, doesnt it?
Ah, brother
At his words, the girl cried out in alarm, tears cascading down her face. However, the target of his remarks, the slave trader, laughed unabashedly.
Ahaha. You have quite the sense of humor. Even in this state, he is tough and will bounce back quickly.
Hmm, but the treatnt would be expensive. And who knows how much it would cost to feed and train them for a while.
Well, you see, as you can see in this slave market, they are a unique item
Five hundred gold each. Any more than that for a healthy slave is excessive.
Oh, my custor, that would barely cover the cost of sale.
Hmph. Do you think Im ignorant of the cost of slaves?
Still, considering it is such a difficult item to find
Youre too greedy. One thousand. Be satisfied with that.
The slave trader started to retort but silenced himself as Logan gripped the hilt of his sword. It was essentially a threat. Swiftly calculating, the slave trader made his decision.
That Viktor has always been trouble. Hell likely continue to be.
His gaze swept over his bleeding limbs as he thought.
A unique appearance may have value as a decorative piece, but if that decoration attempts to stab its owner, the significance is lost.
After a mont of hesitation, the slave trader nodded.
Thank you for your business, custor.
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