Our turn comes quickly, and I present the brown papyrus paper with 'Big Auction Invitation' written in Brahim to the receptionist.
[Mina
Merchant Level 5]
"Yes, I have verified the invitation. The participation fee for the Big Auction is 1,000 Nars," she says with a polite smile.
I notice she hadn't smiled at the others ahead of us, must be because she sees me as a wealthy customer. My expensive clothes and the stunning presence of Anastasia in her elegant dress, even with a slave collar, probably sealed the deal. Or maybe I have just become that handsome?
Mina, the merchant girl, has a somewhat pretty face and notably large breasts. It is no wonder the Merchant Guild kept her at the entrance desk of the Auction. I smile back politely and hand her twenty silver coins, covering for both of us.
"You can redeem this amount if you place a bid during the auction," she explains. "If you win a bid, it will automatically be deducted from the final price."
No one ahead of me got that level of explanation, so I thank her with a smile. Just as I am about to ask her a question, a loud voice erupts from the waiting room.
"Hey, you lot, did you hear? A wizard slave is going up for auction today!"
I glance back to see a scruffy old man shouting. He stands out from the others, but not in a good way as he looks like an unkempt, camp boss from a worker's guild.
"Is that true?" murmurs ripple through the crowd behind me, and many people in the big line besides mine perk up at his words.
"I am getting them no matter what. Got purple coins? If not, go home and bring some!" the old man bellows again.
I recall something similar happening in the novel. It is an obvious ploy by the Merchant Guild to stir up hype and inflate the wizard's price.
Still, I can't deny that I am interested in acquiring a wizard for myself. Labyrinths are structured in such a way that having a wizard, especially for multi-attacks, becomes essential in later floors. While I am a wizard myself, having another one—preferably a cute girl—wouldn't hurt.
Ignoring the old man's theatrics, I ask Mina, "How much time is left before the auction begins?"
"It will be about two more hours. You still have plenty of time to look around, sir," she replies with a wry smile, likely annoyed by the old man's racket.
Seeing how even the staff members were allowing this to happen, was another clear indication that this had all been arranged by the Merchant Guild themselves. The old man was just an adventurer, according to my Appraisal, so he must have been paid for his involvement.
I thank Mina again, and Anastasia and I head inside.
"That broker Luke, and the stunt with the old man in the waiting room—the merchants in the Imperial Capital are just as shrewd as I remember," Anastasia sighs looking back at the commotion.
"Don't let it get to you. You have got me with you, remember?" I say, nudging her with a grin.
"Right. They are nothing compared to Master's skill," she replies, her posture changing to a confident one as she grins slyly.
Inside, I notice that the same rooms Luke had hosted me in during my first visit to the Merchant Guild, have now been turned into showrooms for slave merchants to exhibit their wares.
A crowd of people flows in and out of these rooms. With the doors open, anyone can glance inside and move on if they don't like what they see.
"Let's check out each room first," I suggest and Anastasia nods in agreement.
We enter the first room to find three men inside, which immediately dashes my enthusiasm.
"Welcome. My shop is exhibiting this man from the Dragonkin tribe," greets a Level 5 Slave Merchant with a smile.
The man he referred to was massive, standing as tall as an NBA basketball player, with a sturdy build and striking red hair. He towered over everyone else in the room. However, I almost laughed when I used Appraisal on him—he was just a Level 1 Dragon Knight.
The Dragon Knight was the racial job of the Dragonkin tribe, one of the best racial jobs described in the original novel, with impressive skills to match.
Although Dragonkin themselves don't look anything like a Dragon, in fact they hardly differ in appearance from normal humans, with them just being larger and bigger overall.
The Slave Merchant comes closer while rubbing his hands, "Dragonkin tribes excel in combat abilities. Their strength and prowess can easily make them the backbone of any party. They are, without a doubt, the best combat slaves available." He gestures to the large red haired slave, "This man, in particular, is the most exceptional among his kin. He has battled for days in a labyrinth and has already acquired the Dragon Knight job, meaning he can be put to use immediately," the merchant began pitching, addressing both me and the other man, an Explorer.
I just shake my head at his nonsense. Using Appraisal, I had already seen that this so-called 'exceptional' Dragonkin was merely a Level 1 Dragon Knight. Most likely, he had been rushed to level up just for the Big Auction.
As I turn to leave, the Slave Merchant calls loudly, "It is rare to find a slave from the Dragonkin tribe. You will certainly regret it if you don't bid!"
I walk out of the store without sparing him a glance. As there was absolutely no way I was even going to consider buying a guy. It just felt wrong—and a complete waste of money—I can't even imagine people spending so much money to just get a male slave in the end.
Anastasia, understanding my preferences, doesn't comment on our hasty retreat.
One immediate benefit of wearing high-quality clothes and having a stunning companion like Anastasia by my side was the respect it commanded. People instinctively gave us space as we entered the next room, parting like the sea before us.
The next room had more promise. A single girl stands inside, drawing the attention of two adventurers and an explorer.
"Welcome. My shop is exhibiting this Wolfkin girl," greets a Level 20 Slave Merchant.
My gaze immediately locks on the girl.
"Wolfkin?" I ask, noting how different she looks from the typical ones.
"Ah, sir, you are observant! She is not an ordinary Wolfkin. She is from the rare Icewolf tribe," the merchant replies with a grin.
Ignoring him for now, I focus on the girl. She was shorter than Roxanne, almost the same size as Anastasia. Her bluish hair framed her face, and her straight, lupine ears confirmed she was a wolfkin. Parts of her forearms were covered in soft-looking fur, and behind her was a large, fluffy tail, also tinted with bluish-white.
All in all, she looked quite different from Roxanne. But that wasn't what shocked me the most—it was her name.
[Setsuna
Villager Level 4]
"What's your name?" I ask the girl directly, who stands there with a neutral expression.
"Hehe, customer, her name is Setsuna. The girl is a bit shy around strangers, but do not worry—I can recommend her with full confidence. Especially in labyrinths, as the members of the Icewolf tribe are said to be fierce warriors," the Slave Merchant says with enthusiasm.
I glance at him, then back at the girl—small in stature, unspirited, and with a level of only Villager Level 4. This doesn't exactly scream 'fierce warrior' to me.
"Also, she is a virgin and has not only agreed to be a combat slave but also a sex slave. And you know, the best part is that she is a wolfkin, so she won't get pregnant," the man says with a sleazy smile. "This rare Icewolf tribe almost never appears at the Auctions, so don't miss the chance, customer!"
The girl is undoubtedly beautiful, and her willingness to enter the labyrinth while also being a sex slave is likely why the adventurers and explorers are so interested in her. Normally, I might also be intrigued by just those reasons, but her name is Setsuna, and she is an Icewolf... Isn't she from that revenge anime, the hentai version of The Shield Hero? What was its name again... yes, Redo of Healer.
'Anastasia, have you ever heard of a Jioral Kingdom?' I ask abruptly through the mind link.
'Umm, sorry, Master. I don't even know if there are kingdoms outside the Empire,' Anastasia replies apologetically.
Even Sherry didn't know if anything existed beyond the Empire so it makes sense of her not knowing about it too. Still, this feels far too coincidental, especially since I know this is an AU. Maybe the Jioral Kingdom from that Redo of Healer anime exists somewhere out there.
If it does, I will need to start preparing for it. But she is not the only girl I have found who resembles someone else, so I shouldn't jump to conclusions without more concrete proof.
I study Setsuna more closely now. Unlike the other slaves, she doesn't seem particularly enthusiastic about being here. "Are you sure she is just shy?" I ask the Slave Merchant, narrowing my eyes.
"Yes, yes, customer. She can definitely speak if that is what you are worried about. It is just that she has only recently come of age—the ripe age of 15—and hasn't seen the world beyond her village. She is just a bit overwhelmed," he replies, nodding repeatedly.
Something about this feels off. I haven't seen someone this stone-faced before as a slave. Most of them are either spirited or just disinterested, but she looks like she has given up. She must have a story to tell. I just hope her backstory isn't as horrifying as it was in that anime.
Now that I am thinking about that anime, I can't help but picture her naked form clearly. I shake my head to clear those thoughts, as this isn't the time for that.
As she doesn't respond, I turn to walk out, but just then, my Opportunity Sense stirs within me. I glance back and meet her blue eyes, which seem to hold a flicker of life.
'I will help you,' I mouth silently in Burner tongue, making her eyes widen, but the expression quickly fades back to neutral.
"Customer, don't forget to bid!" the Slave Merchant says with a wide grin, focusing back on the other buyers in the room.
As I ponder why I just said that, Anastasia speaks up beside me. "Are you planning to bid for her, Master?" she asks curiously.
"I am planning to win her," I reply with a grin.
"But she doesn't seem… right. She didn't look that spirited when the Slave Merchant was talking about Labyrinths. Most combat slaves like her aren't great at following orders," Anastasia says thoughtfully. Then, as if catching herself, she quickly adds, "But I am sure Master has his own considerations."
"I just felt she was pitiful, and she needed a good Master to save and help her," I reply cryptically, repeating the thought that had flashed through my mind moments ago. Most likely, it was my Opportunity Sense skill at work.
Still, I can't overlook her—not just because of that feeling, but also because she resembles a girl from another fictional media, much like Anastasia, who is walking beside me.
I could ask Roxanne right now, through the mind link, if she knows anything about the Icewolf tribe. But it is unnecessary—I don't want to disturb her day off. Besides, I have seen plenty of wolfkin with upright ears in this world already, unlike Roxanne's drooping ones. It is probably just like dogs and their different breeds—or humans and their varied hair colours here.
There is no need to rush. Every mystery will unravel after I win her at the auction later.
"Roxanne-san will be happy to have another wolfkin in the family," Anastasia says, smiling with apparent satisfaction.
Was that a straightforward comment, or was there a hint of something deeper? Could she mean Roxanne might get displeased? No, how could my Roxanne be upset with me! She would surely be happy to welcome another girl from her tribe into the family.
As I ponder this unexpected dilemma, I step into the next room—and my thoughts are immediately interrupted by the sight of some very big melons.
My gaze instinctively moves upwards, and I grin.
"I am so glad I found you here… Vesta!"
***
[Gorama27 has used his points to add waifu, Setsuna to this story!]
Thank you for your support!
***
Gorama27 has used his points to claim an extra chapter!
I sincerely thank you for your support!