The surveying was done and the data was recorded a rough map was created. It was supposed to be sent to the Capital but due to the barrier the process would fail.
STEP 4 : Acclimate.
Jay visited Fay who was treated well (as to speak). Jay wondered why she was given the role of slave. But the answer was clear Misogyny. The Count was a true mysogynist and if she came as someone normal they would obviously notice. And before even being accepted in the island there are rigorous background checks. Especially ones to determine the faction.
Jay heard a news that this time the shipment of slaves was the most excellent it has ever been. Slaves from foreign kingdoms losing everything due to the abyss beasts and being caught by slave traders. Product quality has never been through the roofs. And more and more royalty are now visiting
Jay visited the markets where it was filled with cages and slaves. And the market was filed with men in the streets selling slaves like vegetables. The cheap slaves were getting sold for around 100 coins of copper.
Jay asked the ai glasses about how much population might be present on the island.
And the glasses replied " This 25k should be present taking account of slaves and traders.
And they most likely are in the ratio 1:278 this is the ratio of
Slave Trader to Slaves. So for Jay as one person there are a selection of 278 slaves for him to select.
Jay roamed the markets and saw the slaves either they had lost the spark in their eyes or their cries were heard but Jay couldn't do anything yet.
Unless and until he finds proof of God's involvement the Foundation is simply helpless. In most stories there is a spy who helps the Hero to settle in enemy territory peacefully.
But there was no one waiting for Jay. Only he and he was there.
Jay would be given quality food as he had money to afford it and even if didn't he would simply create some. But only after the removal of the mana binding band.
STEP 5 : Hypothesis
Jay had an inkling that the main palace would be the perfect place to start the investigation. Since it was the only place on the entire island that was standing out. Beneath the island there was still a thriving underground black market.
But it was just a market nothing else was new about it. So the only place was the palace.
And Jay tried to enter the palace but he was stopped by the guards at gunpoint. Refusing entry even when he proved he was an envoy of the Count. They simply refused him entry.
Then the second best place one can go is where the royals lie. Maybe there he can find some information.
But the Royals there are only convinced by one thing Lineage. Lineage matters to them more than monetary value. So that will be a problem. So Jay would have to step it down and go where the rich people are. For them the only important thing is money money and money. And how would he attract their attention. Of course the answer is money. Right now Jay is a walking coin bank. Which can dispense incredible amount of money so that's why he was bounded.
But they made a mistake they made the binding of Iron.
Before he breaks the binding. He decided firstly to spend all the money he was given. In expensive gifts that he would give away to the wealthy merchants to make his name.
But he would need to attract their attention. And to do that there is only one thing he can do spend money on things.
What things :
Things that only a crazy person would buy, very expensive things that would get their own purses tightened up.
And things that otherd covet.
So what is now Jay buying. Firstly Jay decided to buy land. But all the land is controlled by the deity.
Tried to bribe the authorities but was held at gunpoint.
We all knew where this was heading didn't we.
Slave trading. Due to Jay's wealth and his expensive clothes he was easily granted entry in the auction.
In the auction there were various merchants that had arrived all of them were wearing masks to hide their identity and each of them used a fake name in order to disguise themselves.
Jay chose the name : Ash Flower.
And saw the auction. His aim to buy the most distinguished product. And grab every one's attention. Jay hated the feeling as the auctioneer acxouned the products one by one he was feeling shame too. Shameful actions. Maybe he could have done something else.
But pulling such stunts can result in someone's death. Jay can easily kill most of the people on the island. But it doesn't mean that others are like that. One stab from a sword and most would die.
One very strong stab from a sword and then Jay would bleed. Until he breaks the sword and throws the shard out he bleeds and once it it out he still bleeds until the wound recovers.
Jay that's why keeps his pain sensation off. He doesn't want to feel the pain.
Finally around the end of the auction the auctioneer introduced its finest produce. A slave like none other.
She was the princess of a fallen kingdom caught by bandits and sold here.
Her starting price started at 200 gold. One by one the merchants who were stunned by her besuty started bidding in her. The bid increased by 200 each time one raised thekr bid.
The bidding system was the same in order to conceal identity the audience was kept in the dark. But they had been given a bio luminescent coated paint which was easily spottable by the auctioneer and then he would raise the bid.
After everyone was done bidding and it seemed like it was the last price of 3000 gold. Jay raised his banner and the bidding continued. Until he won and had to pay 4536 gold coins.
But Jay had only bought 2000 with him so how would he pay it. The answer was simple. The money making machine.
And paid the entire money upfront. And Jay took her to Fay.
Fay :
Who is this?
Jay :
Some random princess I picked up in the auction. Keep her with you at all times and gather whatever you can from her.
Fay :
You bet on her?
Jay :
Unfortunately my brain could think of such a scheme. But it did get me some connections. And I have been invited to their circle program as a fresher.
Fay :
You are becoming the one thing you wanted to destroy.
Jay :
Sorry I'm yet to become a bandit.
Jay :
And you're right. I should have thought of something better.
So what should we do with her.
Jay looked at the princess her eyes were blank and her head so empty it couldn't even hold thoughts. A broken vessel.
Jay :
Don't worry princess I'm not going to hurt you. We are here to send you home.
Princess looked at vain towards Jay.
Princess :
Home?
When she heard the word she started crying as tears started to fall from her eyes. And emotions started to flow from her beautiful face. Fay who felt emotional tried to calm her down as she hugged her while the princess cried. As her blank mind started to remember all the memories that she had locked away to protect her sanity.
Jay stood there awkwardly unsure of what to do. He waited for her to stop crying but she wouldn't stop crying. So Jay got to work and asked Ai to draw some plans.
Ai glasses did give some suggestions but they either required expert personnel or overwhelming luck to make it work.
Jay walked out of the questers for servants that's when while walking his shoulder crossed with a merchant who identified him at first glance.
Merchant :
I know you from somewhere. Ash Flower !
You're Ash Flower. After tailing you all this time you finally removed your mask.
Jay was shocked as he didn't know someone was tailing him.
Jay :
What do you want from me.
Merchant :
I'm sure as a merchant such as myself you're going to sell her again for bigger profit. If you're willing I would be willing to take her off your hands.
I can't give you my real name but you can call me Sly Fox.
Jay :
So what are you offering.?
Merchant :
I would have bid on her but I was running a bit late due to my affairs. But I heard the selling price was 5000 gold so I want to purchase her for 5500 gold. And also a chance to join the merchant union.
Jay :
Interesting. So what is this slave union
Merchant :
Ah an excellent decision. This merchant union is Infact a union of merchant where we make valuable connections with each other.
You'll be able to make reliable connections and secure good deals if you join the union.
Jay :
So if I join your union can I meet the King of this place.
When the merchant heard this he hurriedly shushed him.
Fox:
Shush!! Are you trying to get us killed. Only royalty are allowed to address the gods. Merchant like us can't go anywhere near the palace. It's just a dream.
Jay :
Then do you have any connections to royalty.
Fox :
Only those with lineage can have connections with royalty even if you have a good connection
Fox :
Just forget about the princess you keep for yourself. I don't want her anymore. Just give me 150 gold as my service fee.
Jay :
So you're an info broker too.
Fox :
The best you can find. Just pay the bill. But not here I will send you the invite. For what you want it can't be here.
There is a bar called Revolver come visit there.
And don't speak a word to others.
The Sly Fox quickly fled from the scene. Fay came to find Jay.
Fay :
Umm Jay... She umm wants to talk