Herald of Steel

Chapter 1403 Revisiting The Eastern District (Part-5)

"Come! Come! Step forward, noble citizens of Zanzan! Behold this fine Tibian warrior—strong arms, perfect for your farm or workshop! Only 6,000 ropals. A bargain for a man of his strength! Only 6,000 ropals"

"Strong farm hand! Only five and a half thousand! Step right in masters! Just take one look at this black ne***, captured from the warring states. Built like a stone statue and as strong as a bull! You won't regret it!"

"Welcome esteemed customer! Do you need a strong man as a guard? Here is a towering barbarian from the north of Matrak! Fierce, loyal, and undefeated in battle. Killed five good men before finally being brought down! Only 20,000 ropals! You won't regret it!"

"What? 10,000? Good sir, just the funeral of the men he killed cost me more! Look at these thighs! Just look at those eyes! Look at these arms, they can tear even a bear to shreds naked! Imagine how well he can protect your house and caravans! You won't ever have to buy another guard again— only 20,000 ropals for such an undefeated legend... it's a bargain!"

"Heh, undefeated you say? More like defeated and beaten to a pulp! Don't think these eyes missed all the colored powder and oils you slathered on the back to hide those bruises! Esteemed patriarchs don't go to him, that disobedient slave will only wreck your home and run away. Come see this- a savage from the Island of Galiosos."

"Tall and fierce—ideal for both fighting and heavy labor! Built to endure! There is not a single one like him in the entire market! Only 22,000 ropals!"

"Ha! My slave is half a head taller than yours. He can twist that scrawny brat like a twig. Dear customer, it is true this dumbo is a bit thick. But that is the kind of brutish strength you need to defend yourself! I guarantee he can be tamed within a year. No, do not go sir! Okay, okay, for only you... it is 18,000.... 15,000 ropals! Come! Come! Take a look, sir."

"19,000! Patriarch, I offer you this trained and obedient savage for only 19,000 ropals! He can work the farms in the day and protect the house at night! There is no price in loyalty!"

Alxx watched the whole haggle from a distance, particularly because he recognized the buyer.

It was Eshmun, that foreign merchant who brought him the saffron.

He was dressed in very colorful, gaudy clothes, and although it might sound too good to be a coincidence, well there were only a few people in Zanzan rich enough to afford a 20,000 ropals slave.

So living in the same city, it was only natural for such rich people to rub shoulders with each other, even if only for a bit.

This spice merchant would ultimately buy both slaves after a bit of a haggle for a total of 32,000 ropals, much to the envy of the entire market.

The people were not only jealous of the large purchase, but they were also taken aback by how he paid for the two slavers in full on the spot.

Coming up with 32,000 ropals in cash at a moment's notice was not an easy thing to do.

Nor was it common to have so much money with oneself at any time.

Your adventure continues at empire

Usually with such large purchases, the merchants would have been given the address to the customer's house or shop and asked to go collect the coin later. There was that amount of basic trust between the people of this time to guarantee the transaction.

And if in the unlikeliest situation the buyer refused to pay, well, such a huge purchase would naturally draw the interest of curious men and surrounding merchants, all of whom would testify in court against the man.

However, Eshmun did not do that.

So he stepped aside and obediently played the role of a distant observer, then gave a second look at the two purchased slaves.

They were not bad quality- quite worth the high price.

It was just that their purchase was a bit... unorthodox.

Their large, bulky build and martial history clearly showed they were most suited to be used in security, but for obvious reasons, nobles and rich merchants far preferred to use freedmen or mercenaries for that role.

In Adhania, slaves were even forbidden to touch weapons without their master's permission.

But Alxx did not harp on that, and as Eshmun left, the market quickly defaulted to its original state, with the slavers feeling encouraged by such a sale beginning to hawk their wares with even greater gusto, while the men returned to peruse their wares, checking the arms, and teeth and some even the loins of their prospective products.

Yes, they even checked the lower half, as there was also not an insignificant number of men who were in the market looking for some good action.

So they were eager to confirm the goods these slaves were packing, as these indentured men were not only used for work, but many of them also had other 'night duties'.

So if any of the experienced slavers were able to detect that covetous gaze of the customer while making that check, well they would be heard chiming in hushed whispers into the ears,

"Hehe, master sure has good eyes. I tried the man out for myself just two days ago. He is good. A bit on the wild side... and thrashes around a bit... but that is also part of the fun!"

"The slave is very obedient. Master can take him anyway, anywhere, he will never object. And just look at that back! And those lips! Hehehe, so soft, so soft!"

"My lord, welcome back! Look at this slave! Bought him from the capital just for you. He used to belong to Lord Lagos and has been fully trained by him... so there is no question about his skills. Also look! He is hung like a horse. I remember master saying that the Lady liked these kinds of men. Hehehe, how about 30,000 ropals?"

It was quite obvious why these merchants only whispered these claims, rather than advertise them at the top of their voice.

It was considered socially very crude. And few would dare to approach them as no one wanted to confirm their immoral proclivities to the public.

So many of the tactful shopkeepers would turn the volume down or move the entire conversation elsewhere, like the back of the shops.

Let us say no to piracy! Don't take part in a crime! Don't patronize thieves!

Please come Here!

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