Deadmeat Saga

After walking for another minute, Gerhart and Billie reached the orphanage.

At this time of day, he didn't see any kids.

"Either they are studying, doing chores, praying... Or working." Gerhart thought.

"Hey, Gerhart... Can you please not tell the nuns?" Billie worriedly said.

Stealing was a bad thing, and children were not exempt from punishment. In addition to fines, cutting off a finger was a common punishment for repeat offenders, if not an outright beating.

Because of that, the nuns were naturally fearful for the kids, and a good spanking was likely.

"I won't this time, but promise me you will stop stealing." Gerhart sternly looked at Billie.

"Okay..." Billie resignedly said, looking away.

"Look at me and promise," Gerhart said.

"... I promise I won't steal..." Billie looked at Gerhart and reluctantly said. 

"Haa... I hope you keep your word. Let's go." Gerhart sighed and continued walking to the orphanage.

The front door was wide open, with the main hall of the orphanage having a nun, several pregnant women, and several children praying to the statue of Brigva, the Loving Mother.

It was proven that praying to a god raised one's favor with that god, and hence, their luck in related aspects would improve. In Brigva's case, she helped pregnant mothers have safer childbirth, improved the odds of children reaching adulthood, and the cohesiveness of a family.

Seeing them in prayer, Gerhart didn't want to disturb them, so he turned to Billie. "Okay, Bille. Can I trust you with placing the raisins in the kitchen?" He said in a quiet voice.

"Yes," Billie whispered back.

"Good boy. Take this and buy some snacks later. And leave some for the others." Gerhart said, taking two Copper Coins from his purse and handing them to Billie.

"!!! Thank you." Billie couldn't wipe the smile on his face, nodded, and quietly entered.

Gerhart smirked and walked away. He still had business to do.

The Youvamor Kingdom was a pro-slavery nation, and the slave trade was widespread. As such, there was a dedicated auction house in the city for slaves. Vlita was a city of about 10,000 people, so only three shops and an auction house were in place. However, the slaves were not sold in the market district but between it and the red-light district.

After walking for some time, Gerhart reached the area. It was named Slaver's Alley, with four prominent buildings in place. Except for the auction house that sold high-quality slaves, the three other shops usually allowed window shopping and purchasing on the spot.

"I have no point in joining those wretched auctions... I prefer buying." Gerhart thought and entered one of the shops at random.

At the reception desk, Gerhart saw a slim man counting coins. The man raised his head and looked toward Gerhart.

"Ah! Welcome, honored customer! I am the humble owner of this fine establishment. How may I assist you today?" The man asked with a flattering smile.

Secretly, the man eyed Gerhart before eyeing the sword. "His clothes are new but a tad big... But that sword sheath... He isn't some nobody."

"Hello. I wish to browse your available slaves." Gerhart said while looking around.

"And what is the distinguished guest looking for?" The merchant asked.

"I need a literate slave. He should be older than 18 but younger than 25. I care not for gender, race, slave training, or talent, but they must not be criminal slaves." Gerhart gave his conditions.

He needed a literate slave since he was illiterate and wanted someone young enough. And he also didn't want to accept a murderer or rapist as a slave of his.

"Hoh... You are in luck. There was a recent shipment of goods." The slaver nodded and called to the back. "Lexi! Watch the shop."

A female slave wearing linen clothes and a slave collar came from the back. "Yes, master."

"Please take a seat while I fetch the slaves." The merchant said and walked to a basement.

"Okay, I will wait." Gerhart nodded and sat on one of the seats.

Several minutes later, the merchant returned with five slaves in white linen tunics. The merchant then arranged them in a row in front of Gerhart.

The first one was a thin, average-looking man with a gloomy countenance.

The second was an average girl without remarkable features aside from having too many freckles and wearing glasses.

The third was an athletic dog-type beastkin, a man with dog features such as eyes, ears, tail, furry hands, and legs.

The fourth was a sickly-looking child with white mouse ears and a tail, her eyes pink, and her hands and legs furry up to the elbows and knees.

The fifth was a beautiful brown-skinned woman with floppy rabbit ears and bountiful assets barely contained in her tunic... Perhaps intentionally.

Gerhart glanced at the child but didn't comment. He would get an explanation soon.

"These are the slaves I have that match your demands." The merchant said and started introducing them.

"This man originated from this city and was originally a scribe, but has heavy debt due to gambling habits, eventually becoming a slave. He has yet to receive slave training, however, so he is cheaper. Aside from one of his molars falling out because of a cavity, he is otherwise fine but might be a tad depressed due to his recent enslavement. You might need to have him trained if you buy him, and we can provide such services for a fee."

When Gerhart looked at the man, he saw a man down on his luck, without hope. "Nope... Not this one." Gerhart thought.

"This woman is sold from a nearby village and was an aid to the local apothecary. Unfortunately, she was sold to cover her parent's debts. As you might expect, she is literate and is 19. She has no deformities or dental cavities, but she isn't a virgin. Although she didn't receive training, she has a meek personality, so it would be simple to train her."

When Gerhart looked at her, she turned away in shame and fear.

"Hm... Too shy. Unsuitable." Gerhart immediately screened the girl.

"This dog-type beastkin was born into slavery and is 24 this year. As you would expect, he is very obedient and follows orders to a T. He was an accountant for a baron but said baron went bankrupt and had to sell him. He is educated and can lift heavy objects if necessary. He has no physical abnormalities."

The dog-type beastkin looked at Gerhart and respectfully bowed.

"Good attitude... His body is also fit enough." Gerhart approvingly nodded back.

"This mouse-type beastkin, although she looks like a 10-year-old, is 18. She was born with H-grade Strength and Endurance, and her Vitality is G, making her weak, diminutive, and sickly. However, she makes up for it with her immense intelligence, reaching an astonishing A-grade. She is the daughter of a thriving sea merchant in the Osora Kingdom, but two weeks ago, her father died of a sudden illness, leaving the company to her half-brother, who sold her as soon as he could. She is multi-lingual, knows calculus, has extensive business and geographic knowledge, and is good at art and playing music. She is also a virgin... But I would advise against that, given her fragile body and pregnancy would likely kill her. However, she lacks training, has an attitude, and is stubborn, which is a big minus and hard to train. Also, she would likely not live for more than ten years, drastically lowering her worth."

The diminutive, sickly girl boldly looked at Gerhart and then at his sword as if appraising him.

"She has the gall to appraise me in this situation and with that sick body? Quite the attitude... I like it." Gerhart secretly approved.

"And, last but not least, is this 18-year-old rabbit-type beastkin, born into slavery and raised in a brothel. Being in a high-class brothel all her life, she received extensive training in the art of pleasuring men but was never allowed to have vaginal intercourse with one, keeping her a virgin. She can also use magic and cast several first-circle spells, including Clean, Petite Fire, Create Water, and Contraception. Naturally, she knows how to read and write and has experience in bookkeeping. She has no flaws, and despite being a slave, she is a good conversationalist, knows how to sing and dance, and has an assertive and proactive attitude while being loyal and willing to do anything to please her master. She was bred and raised to serve and can be an excellent concubine."

Gerhart looked at the voluptuous lady, who confidently smiled and winked back, making Gerhart look away in embarrassment.

"Damn... She is a good one... But she is probably the best non-combat slave in the shop and costs a premium." Gerhart thought.

And, as expected, Gerhart soon heard the prices.

"The first slave has a buyout price of 210 Silver Coins. The second slave has a buyout price of 370. The third slave has a buyout price of 800 Silver Coins. The fourth slave has a buyout price of 1,000 Silver Coins. And the fifth slave has a buyout price of 7,500 Silver Coins." The merchant said, rubbing his hands. "If unsold, they would be auctioned during market day."

"As I thought..." Gerhart immediately gave up on buying the last slave. He was wealthy, but not that wealthy.

"I have no interest in the first and second slaves... and although I am very pleased with the fifth slave, I am not so rich to buy her now," Gerhart said.

"I understand." The merchant turned around and spoke to his female slave. "Lexi, bring them back to their cells."

"Yes, Master." The slave bowed and brought back the three rejected slaves. While the two humans were depressed, the voluptuous rabbit kept a calm look and even waved goodbye.

"Damn... That is high-quality..." Gerhart thought.

He was tempted to buy her but knew it was pointless.

Looking at the two remaining slaves, he looked at the diminutive Mousekin and asked, "Why is she priced at 1,000? Didn't you say she has, at most, ten years? And she is very uncooperative? With those flaws, she might as well be worth 100."

Being evaluated like work animals, unless they had great beauty or martial prowess, what determined their price was skills, physical condition, and age. Her skills were excellent, and her age was young, but her physical condition was awful, and she lacked slave training and discipline.

"Sir, you are mistaken. This is not a negotiation but her final price. While her body is failing her and she lacks discipline, her skills are the real deal. Even if only for a few years and she needs constant medical attention and high maintenance, she is worth it, and she knows it. If it wasn't for her failing body, do you think I would sell her for only 1,000? She would be sold for at least 10,000!" The merchant confidently said. "If unsatisfied with the price, you don't have to buy her. Someone else will."

"... I see. May I question them for a bit?" Gerhart asked.

"Yes." The merchant nodded.

Gerhart then looked at the two slaves and said. "I am an adventurer and would likely face many dangers when traveling. I am not expecting you to fight, but do you have the courage to face possible death?" Gerhart asked.

"My apologies, but I am no warrior. I prefer a stable and long life." The dog-type beastkin shook his head.

"I am willing." Surprisingly, the diminutive, sickly girl readily agreed.

"With your body? You will likely die from a Horned Rabbit." Gerhart said.

"I care not. I do not have long in this world, and I am always sick or in pain. Death would be a release." The girl resolutely replied.

"... I want to have a private chat with her. Do you have a room?" Gerhart asked.

"Yes. There is a private room over there." The merchant pointed to the back. "Girl, follow him." The merchant instructed.

"Okay." The Mousekin nodded and followed Gerhart.

They soon entered a closed room with two chairs that Gerhart guessed was an inspection chamber rather than a negotiation room.

"Please sit. It is better than standing." Gerhart said, not treating her as a slave.

"Thank you." She curtly nodded and sat on a chair.

After Gerhart sat on the other chair, he asked, "Let us cut to the chase... What is your greatest wish?" Gerhart asked.

"To have a healthy body." The girl answered without hesitation.

"Reasonable... And if you have such a body, what would be your next wish?" Gerhart asked.

"To become strong." She answered.

"And why do you need to become strong?" Gerhart continued asking.

"To kill my half-brother and stepmother, who murdered my father and mother and sold me into slavery." She unhesitantly replied, her pink eyes flashing fury.

"Well... This keeps getting more and more interesting... And troublesome." Gerhart thought.

"And do you think I can help you with any of these ridiculous wishes?" Gerhart gave her a ridiculing look.

"Yes." She said without hesitating.

Gerhart's expression froze. "I think I heard something wrong here..."

"Erm... You meant to say no, right?" Gerhart squinted his eyes.

"I am serious. I believe you can help me." The Mousekin said, her pink eyes staring intently at him.

"... Why do you think I can do all that?" Gerhart asked, puzzled. "You realize what I said was impossible, right?"

"Because my intuition is telling me." She said without hesitation.

"Intuition?" Gerhart was taken aback.

"Yes. My talent is intuition. I also held back a piece of information from everyone. My Instincts are SS-grade. If they knew this, my price would be approximately 100,000." She said.

"... Did she just say SS?! Not just S, but SS?!" Gerhart was shocked.

No matter what stat, having an SS grade was an insane feat. To note, adult Dragons were considered S-rank monsters.

"Are you bluffing so I will buy you?" Gerhart skeptically asked.

"I am not, Sir. I am very serious." She said without a change in expression.

"So you believe I can give you a healthy body, make you stronger, and help you get revenge... Because of intuition?" Gerhart asked again.

"Yes. It may be hard to believe, but yes. My intuition told me my brother and stepmother would kill my father. I warned him, but he refused to believe me and died. I never dared reveal my talent my entire life, opting to hide it because my intuition told me that revealing it would get me killed." She said.

"... Okay, now I am curious. What can I get out of this?" Gerhart asked. "Surely you don't expect me to do this for free? I will be owning you if I buy you."

"Everything." The girl unflinchingly said. "I will give you my everything. You may buy my body and freedom, but my heart, mind, and soul will be yours if you give me what I wish... And I can promise you a trading company worth over 10,000,000 Silver Coins. Help me kill them and take over the company, and I will give you everything."

"NOW I am interested." Gerhart thought.

"And what does your intuition say about me? Don't you know I would benefit greatly from merely letting you die?" Gerhart asked back, dangerously narrowing his eyes. "It would save me all the hassle..."

If she died, he could absorb her and her ridiculously high talent without getting involved in all that revenge crap.

"You won't do that." She said with complete certainty.

"And what makes you say that?" Gerhart asked back, intrigued.

"Because you are a kind person." She gave a small, childlike smile.

"..."

"Did she see through me? Or is it her intuition?" Gerhart wondered.

Indeed, Gerhart didn't have the heart to kill her. If he did that, he would be scum, and it would make such behavior easier in the future. He didn't want to become evil.

"Hah... Fine, you win. What is your name?" Gerhart sighed in defeat and asked.

The girl got off her chair, grabbed the sides of her tunic, and made a courteous lady bow, her pink mouse tail wrapping around her waist.

"My name is Hope Farrington. A pleasure to be working with you... My Master." She said with a happy smile on her sickly face.