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Led by Loser (Bizef), I reached the slave market. It’s crowded with wealthy-looking merchants and powerful adventurers with deep pockets. The brothel street was something else, but this place is just as sweltering with activity.

They must be here to scavenge for slaves, every single one of them. Their eyes are glistening and bloodshot.

So… so this is the slave market…

I’m on tenterhooks just at the thought that Timu could be here somewhere.

“Mister Bizef, where do we go?”
“This way.”

Loser (Bizef) pointed to one of the buildings, and it was the most conspicuous and extravagant building among the lined-up stores.

“Timu is in there?”
“Yeah, though we don’t know if it’s Timu or not, it seems like the pretty girl from the rumor is in this store.”

I gulped. The slave house I familiarized myself with from manga and novels is right in front of me. I’m sure there are some battered, bruised slaves being chained inside, and a big, ogre-like man torturing them with a whip. Normally, I would have hesitated to step inside. But, Timu might be in there. I made up my mind and passed through the gate.

With anxiety and tension dragging my feet, I look around.

But, my imagination was betrayed. The room inside is spacious, gorgeous, and sparkling clean. It’s like the lobby of some luxury hotel.

Wait, this is a slave house, right? So, where are the slaves?

While I was confused, a plump old man wearing luxurious clothes appeared. Beside him is a brawny young slave armed with a large sword.

“Ooh, if it isn’t Sir Bizef. Long time no see. I see you have returned to the royal capital.”
“Yeah, I missed you too, Sleg. Was it ten years ago when we last met, when I was your guard?”
“Yes. I can’t thank you enough for saving my life at the time.”
“No need to thank me. It was my job.”
“No, no. Those cowards I paid money for fled like rabbits the moment they saw a Fenrir, but you alone, Sir Bizef, fought tooth and nail to save me.”

It seems like Loser (Bizef) and this slave merchant know each other. They sure talk a lot. Loser (Bizef), remember, now’s no time to chat. Timu’s safety is at stake. Start talking!

“U-, umm, Mister Bizef, we need to—”
“Ooh, what beauty!”

The moment I interrupt their conversation, this slave merchant called Sleg creeps over to lick me from head to toe with his gaze.

Ugh, talk about gross. Yes, I know, I am super cute and build like hourglasses. Of course, I would catch the eyes of slave merchants but show some restraint.

“Aah, she is—”
“Are you perhaps here to sell her, Sir Bizef? If it’s you, I will put a high—”
“Enough. Tilea is not like that. Insult someone precious to me again and you will pay!”
“M-, my deepest apologies. Is she perhaps your madam, then?”
“W-, well, s-, something like that.”

Loser (Bizef) then grins. Oy, I am going to go along with that charade since it’s an emergency right now, and correcting it would be bothersome, but if you get carried away, I’ll shove that grin with an iron fist. Capisce?

After that, I asked Loser (Bizef) about Sleg’s background. Sleg is one of the men in charge of the slave trade in Royal Capital. According to Loser (Bizef), he’s a trustworthy character in his line of business. He’s a bit on the expensive side, but he offers high-quality products and is highly trusted by his customers. He also possesses several brothels in addition to this one, and is amongst the most well-known characters in the Eville district.

How can he be a trustworthy guy if he’s selling slaves of all things? Well, I guess what Loser (Bizef) is trying to say is that he’s basically a major company, so he won’t cheat, rob, or do anything that can undermine the trust of his customers.

“So, Mister Sleg, we’re here to see the slaves…”
“Aah, is that so. It is not uncommon for married couples to look for slaves. Come.”

Saying so, Sleg leads the way deeper into the building. There, we see girls, chained and huddled together, fear dominating them.

God damn it…

They can’t be any more different than those ladies beckoning us on the street. They’re still little children, and they’re absolutely frightened by their situation. Are these people sexualizing children no older than Timu?

This isn’t funny. This can’t be any more unpleasant. S̲h̲i̲t̲, I want to make a mincemeat out of Sleg, and he’s just right beside me too, but I need to save Timu. I can’t act rashly. Hold it out.

Despite my anger, Sleg begins his sales talk.

“Now, let me begin, Mr. and Mrs. Bizef. We have male and female slaves, which one would you like? Please also tell us how you want to use them, if you don’t mind.”
“Can you show us a female slave? A beautiful one at that. More specifically speaking, the beautiful girl who has been the talk of the town.”
“Oh, dear me… Ahem. How about this girl, then?”

The girl he brings out looks terrified. She has well-defined facial features, and she has elegance as well.

“She is the daughter of a fallen noble house from the Gaia region. Her parents sold her a month ago in need of money. As a former noblewoman, she is outstanding in both looks and education. How about three million gold?”
“I asked for the rumored girl, Mister Sleg. This girl has brown hair, it can’t be her. Show us the girl with silver hair.”
“I say. …this girl is quite the catch herself, you know? I understand, how about two and a half million?”
“Sleg, just show us your latest purchase. We came all the way here for the girl in question.”
“Oh dear, you put me at a loss.”

Sleg wipes the sweat from his troubled face with a handkerchief.

“Sleg, please. If you really think you owe me one, show us.”
“Very well, you left me no choice. I will tell you because it is you who asked, Sir Bizef. Indeed, the rumored girl is here with us. She is a beautiful girl with white hair and a face like it was sculpted. One of my good customers also approached me for her, but I declined. After all, she is the main item for the auction.”
“Wh-, what, what auction? Also, is her hair not silver?”
“I am afraid you are mistaken, madam. Our main item is a beautiful, white-haired girl.”

If he’s not lying, then it’s not Timu. But, it’s also possible that he’s lying to get rid of us.

“Are you sure the hair is white?”
“Sir Bizef, if you doubt it, then do come with me. The auction is undergoing right now, so you and your madam can check on the girl yourselves. Normally, you must be a member to enter the auction hall, but I will make this time an exception.”

We entered a hall as Sleg led us, and I found a person who looked like an emcee on the stage explaining the items. They’re showing off some expensive-looking vases, some paintings, and sometimes a slave.

We watched on for a while.

“Our next item is a survivor of the Gulda tribe. Indeed, she is the beautiful girl who has been rumored to show up in the Eville District. She is excellent both in appearance and magical prowess, she makes a good escort. Use her as a guard, share a bed with her, or break her if you want. Destroy her if you get bored, all is fine. She is your ideal item!”

The emcee speaks vile words and the gallery cheers.

Gulda tribe? What’s that? Is it really not Timu?

The emcee then beckoned, and the beautiful girl from the rumors appeared in the middle of the stage.

Timu, Timu, Timu…

Heartrending grief overpowered me as I looked at the stage.

And then, there she was…

Huu, my heart jumped out of my chest for a moment. I thought I caught a glimpse of silver hair, but what appeared was a beautiful girl with white hair.

Th-, thank goodness. It’s not Timu.

A beautiful white-haired girl…

Yeah, appearance-wise, she is gorgeous. Her white hair is flowing, almost giving a silver shine in the sunlight. I mean, I almost mistook it as silver myself. I see why the rumors say she is a silver-haired girl and a white-haired girl both.