“Father, we are here.”
Imperia informed responsibly as she sat on top of her Father’s head, staring at the map Kael was holding.
Yes, they were finally in the Crimson Bazaar District, where Lavinia was kept inside the Gasta Slave Market. After they exited the forest, Kael’s speed slowed down since ten thousand ants followed him.
Something he didn’t mind one bit, he already knew how useful these little things were. Heck, even if they weren’t useful, he could see how much Imperia wanted to take them in. He couldn’t possibly say no to his adorable little thing.
So he allowed the Mother of All Ants to do as she pleased.
“So this is the Crimson Bazaar District.”
He muttered as he looked around with a curious look on his face.
The first thing he noticed was the noise. Loud voices filled the air—people shouting, laughing, bargaining. The scent of spices, roasted meat, burning incense, and something sweet like candied fruit hit his nose all at once. It was strange, intense… and somehow welcoming.
Kael blinked, somewhat overwhelmed.
The ground was paved with red stone, smooth and clean, yet old. Tall wooden buildings with curved roofs stood on both sides of the wide street, their banners and signs fluttering in the wind. The air shimmered with magic. Colored lanterns floated above, casting soft light even though the sun was still out.
He saw merchants in cloaks, their tables full of rare items—potions in glowing bottles, swords that hummed with energy, crystals pulsing with color.
“Only five gold! Blessings of Speed! Last one!”
One man standing behind a table filled with enchanted scrolls shouted.
Further down, a beast tamer displayed a small fire lizard trapped in a glass cage, its tail burning like a candle. A few kids stared at it, their eyes wide with awe.
Kael also noticed slaves.
Men and women standing inside small cages or on open platforms. Some looked tired, others angry, some simply numb. Most had collars around their necks with glowing runes.
“10 Gold Coins for one!”
One of the Slave Traders announced the price.
“Haah!? 10 Golds!? Have you lost your mind!?”
The customer who seemed interested shouted in disbelief.
“What slaves are this expensive!?”
“Mine are!”
The Slave Trader answered excitedly.
“These aren’t normal slaves you will find just anywhere. I am the only one who can sell these because they can only be created through my family’s secret technique.”
“Created…?”
The customer frowned.
“Indeed, they are no longer humans. They are what I like to call Golems.”
The Trader announced, then, he extended his arms dramatically and pointed at his Golems.
“Unlike other slaves, who will whimper and hesitate, my Golems have one and one goal alone, to serve their master. Love, pain, sadness, or fear, they do not feel anything.
Even if you tell them to jump to their deaths, they will follow without questions!”
“What…?”
The customer couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Heck, hearing the trader’s description, a few more customers had gathered.
Seeing that his products were attracting attention, the Trader smiled,
“Indeed, my Golems are trained since they were children. Using our family technique, we first make them absolutely obedient, then kill their emotions. We also train them with multiple weapons, so they are proficient in battles too.
Even their Bonds are quite submissive and will instantly submit to you the moment you buy them.”
“These slaves… come with Bonds…?”
“Of course! As I said, these are no ordinary slaves! They are my life’s work! They are my Golems!”
The trader shouted.
“I don’t buy it. How can one not feel fear?”
One of the customers questioned, to which the trader grinned and stared at one of his Golems and nodded. The Golem nodded back and took out a knife.
Without any hesitation, he started skinning his own finger with the knife, only stopping when the trader told him to.
Then, his grin even wider, the trader looked around and,
“10 Gold Coins is only an initial offer. Once my Golems start selling and their value is known, the price will increase to 50 Gold Coins. You people should consider yourself lucky!
This is a never-before-heard offer. Take it when you still have an opportunity, don’t let your future self curse you.”
“A-Alright, I will buy one then.”
One of the customers stepped forward. More and more customers surrounded the Trader and Kael…
He watched everything in silence.
“Calm down, Father.”
Imperia, sitting on his head, spoke with a calm look on her face.
“I already informed you about the Slave Traders.”
The Whisperveil Ants had already spread all over the district. The Hive Mind-link was filled with information regarding it. Imperia had already told Kael everything he needed to know about the place, even the Slave Traders, just that…
“Hearing and seeing it with my own eyes is different.”
Kael spoke in a low tone.
In the end, he was still just a 21-year-old student. Seeing slaves being traded out in the open was somewhat overwhelming, especially considering that he was one of these slaves in one of his visions.
‘Calm down, Father.’
Igni spoke.
‘Father, if you want, I can make it so that man never sells slaves again.’
Vitaria spoke confidently. Her mind had already concocted a plan, just that,
“No, we are not here for that.”
He shook his head.
He decided to ignore all this and continued walking.
Just as Imperia told him, the Bazaar was huge, stretching further than he could see. Magic beasts pulled carts loaded with goods, their hooves silent on the red stone. Tamers, mages, warriors, and nobles all walked through the crowd. Some were dressed in silks, others in armor, and many were followed by bodyguards.
‘I really am in a different world, huh…’
Kael realized. The scene looked like it was pulled out of a fantasy book. He himself was wearing a long black cloak that hid his appearance. At first, he thought it would attract a lot of attention, but as Imperia said, more than half of the people here wore cloaks and hid their identities.
He had easily blended in.
“Father, there is an inn called Sparia a few hundred meters away. It is known for its silence. It will not ask unnecessary questions and will give you all the services you need as long as you pay.
You can get a room there.”
Imperia informed in a low voice.
It was still early afternoon, the sun was right above his head and it was as bright as it could get. Kael couldn’t possibly do anything right now.
So the solution was simple, he would stay inside the inn while Imperia’s spread would spread all over the district and gather more and more information. By the time night falls, Kael would have access to every major secret in the district.
It was a good plan and Kael agreed. He entered the inn and booked a room. Just as Imperia said, the man at the reception just gave him the keys the moment he paid the coins and didn’t say anything.
There was no registration, no informal greetings, nothing. Heck, the man didn’t even react when Kael said his name was ‘Bob, the Builder,’ and simply wrote down the name in his register.
Kael walked into his room on the second floor. It was nowhere close to the room he had back in the Royal Palace. It was a small but clean room. The floor was made of smooth wooden planks, warm to the touch. A soft bed stood in one corner, covered with thick brown blankets and white pillows. A single window let in sunlight, its curtains tied back with a simple rope.
There was a wooden table beside the bed, holding a jug of water and a glass. A small shelf held a few old books. The walls were made of stone. Fire burned gently in a small hearth, keeping the room warm. It was a simple, small room, something that Kael found much more comfortable.
Also, his room never mattered in the first place. He was not here to rest. He just needed to pass time.
And the best way to pass time?
‘Heh.’
Without thinking, he opened a portal, walked in, and was instantly surrounded by his children.
He trained with them for a while. He also spent some time training Sword Aura and learned the spells Elira had given him.
Time passed very quickly. Once Kael was out, the sun was already out, it was night and,
“They found her.”
Imperia spoke as she stared at her father.
“You did?”
“Mhm, they found her a long time ago. I told them to keep an eye on the guards, track their habits, learn about the patrol duties, and find a way to free her without causing much of a commotion.”
“So? Did they find a way?”
Kael questioned, a little curious.
“Well…”
Imperia momentarily turned silent, not knowing whether she should say it or not, but in the end, she decided to trust her sister,
“I need Vita’s help.”
She spoke and the instant she heard those words,
“I am ready~
How many are they? How many do you want me to deal with?
I can also make them burn the entire place down if you want me to.”
The little Fox mentioned all the options and the moment she opened her mouth, Imperia began doubting her decision.
Kael, however, shook his head and as he glanced at Imperia, and with a serious look on his face,
“What’s your plan?”
He questioned.