Chapter 62: 62 Slave House

Chapter 62: The Slave House

Actually, whether or not Ronin revealed any intention to purchase slaves, as long as he requested a tour of the Serpent Slave Exchange, Anthony would agree.

To a steward like him, anyone showing interest in the slave house was a potential client—let alone this gentleman before him.

So, regardless of whether this deal would materialize, Anthony performed his duties with unwavering diligence. From the moment they entered the exchange, he acted like a traveling manager, ceaselessly pitching his expertise and the superiority of his wares.

Through Anthony’s explanations, Ronin gained a deeper understanding of the slave house and its inhabitants.

First, the origins of the slaves: most were prisoners of war; a few had been stripped of status for breaking their lord’s laws, or lured and kidnapped—paths varied, intricate, and grim.

“This past May,” Anthony explained, “the Black Gold Brotherhood and the Polnt Bandits jointly seized several baronies southeast of the Wushan Domain. Count Viggins flew into a rage and issued a call to arms, crushing the enemy alliance and reclaiming the occupied lands.”

“In that battle, the noble alliance captured many prisoners. The lords didn’t wish to transport them back to their own domains, nor did they care to manage them—so they sold them to slave houses across the realm. After professional training here, these slaves are then distributed throughout the kingdom.”

Ronin knew of this battle. His predecessor’s father had led the charge. Though victorious, the Heid family’s eldest heir had died due to Viggins’ tactical blunder. That day, the Golden Lion Knights of Wushan Castle had used the tragedy as leverage to extract countless favors.

Ronin frowned slightly. “I’ve heard the Black Gold Brotherhood and the Polnt Bandits have existed for a long time. Why haven’t the nobles united to eradicate them?”

“And now that the alliance reclaimed those lands—why not press forward, eliminate the threat entirely?”

Anthony spread his hands. “My lord, I’m afraid I cannot answer that. But I recall—long ago, Wushan Castle did crush those damned vermin. Yet within a few years, they reemerged. They’re like rats in the castle walls—impossible to root out completely.”

Ronin nodded slowly. The southeastern edge of Wushan Domain bordered the Three Realms. To the east lay the Duchy of Vera; to the north, the Heid family’s earldom; only to the west was Wushan itself.

For years, that region had been held by the Brotherhood. Every faction likely had spies there—complex, tangled, treacherous.

Unless Wushan Castle could utterly destroy their stronghold, station heavy troops there, and develop the area for decades, true control would remain impossible.

Anyone who believed a single battle could resolve matters there was deluding themselves.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the largest building at the front.

Dark and damp, the structure housed tiny cells, each crammed with naked slaves.

Their spirits were broken. Eyes vacant, dull, devoid even of despair or helplessness—they moved like walking corpses.

“This is the sales zone,” Anthony said. He tapped a wooden pillar beside a cell. “Hey! You in there—stand up. Turn around. Quick!”

At the sound, the man inside stirred. A flicker of awareness crossed his face.

He rose mechanically, indifferent to his nudity, arms outstretched, slowly circling within the cage—exposing every inch of his body to the buyers.

“Look here, my lord—this one’s well-muscled. Give him two meals, and he’ll work like a beast.”

Anthony poked the man’s abdomen with a small stick, describing the merchandise as if it were a tool, not a human being. His tone, his expression—utterly detached.

“My lord, I have several of this quality. If you take them all, I’ll give you a steep discount—two gold and five silver per head.”

Ronin had braced himself—but seeing a man stripped bare before him, his muscles poked and prodded while the steward grinned and quoted a price—his soul recoiled.

This scene shattered his visual and moral boundaries.

And this was merely the sales zone. What horrors lay within the training quarters of this slave exchange?

Indeed, that damned sense of justice within him surged again.

Ronin took a deep breath, steadying himself, then offered Anthony a polite, composed smile. “The slaves are fine—but your price doesn’t move me.”

With that, he turned and walked away.

Anthony, thinking the customer was leaving, hurried after him. “My lord, don’t rush off! We can still negotiate the price—”

But Ronin had no intention of leaving. He simply couldn’t endure the sight.

Outside, he exhaled as if freed from drowning. The stifling air within had choked him.

He turned to Anthony. “Cut to the chase, Mr. Anthony. Tell me—what are your slaves worth?”

“It depends on what type you need, my lord.”

Anthony sensed the deal wasn’t dead. He continued eagerly: “My lord, I have men, women, children, elders—even a few low-rank knights.”

“Knights too?” Ronin raised an eyebrow.

“Naturally!” Anthony insisted. “Don’t underestimate the Serpent Slave Exchange. With enough coin, we can capture and train mages for you. Heh—heavy price, though.”

He beamed with obsequious enthusiasm. “Low-rank knights run about a hundred gold. Mages? Five to six hundred.”

Ronin arched a brow. “That’s ‘a bit’ expensive?”

Still—he supposed training a supernatural being must cost dearly. The price had its logic.

“I don’t need those. I need laborers, craftsmen, and women capable of bearing children.”

The population of Mountain Grove had been recorded. Wilson had even compiled a gender-age comparison per Ronin’s request.

The ratio was relatively balanced—but yes, men still outnumbered women.

He needed to purchase fertile female slaves to resolve the bachelor problem among his people.

Sometimes he wondered: was he truly such a good lord? Even worrying over his subjects’ loneliness?

Next, Anthony detailed approximate prices for every category.

In short: among common folk, artisans commanded the highest prices—carpenters, masons, shipwrights—all starting at several gold pieces. The better the skill, the higher the price.

Next came strong young male laborers—the stronger and more robust, the more expensive—typically a few gold each.

Then women—slightly cheaper than young men, priced according to health, but rarely exceeding two gold.

Finally, the elderly and children. To most lords, they were burdens. They couldn’t work, consumed resources, and children—how much would it cost to feed them until they grew strong?

Thus, their prices were low—rarely over one gold.

The lowest tier: the disabled. Worth mere dozens of copper coins. Sometimes even given away free with bulk purchases.

Of course, exceptions existed. Some noblewomen, especially young and beautiful ones, never ransomed—commanded prices higher than even the finest artisans.

Considering the rumors about Ronin, Anthony had considered pulling out a few such women to pitch.

But Ronin cut him off with a firm refusal. What did he need these women for? For bedding?

If he were truly that starved, he’d rather sleep with his maid, Bella—at least he wouldn’t catch some plague.

“I need fifty strong young male laborers and fifty young women. If you have craftsmen, I require masons and carpenters.”

Ronin stated his needs. “I’ll give you one hundred fifty gold. Get them for me.”

Roughly, this entire group would cost over two hundred gold. But Ronin always opened with the highest bid.

Anthony’s face lit up at the request—then twisted into agony at the offer, as if constipated.

“My lord… one hundred fifty gold? That’s far too little. This deal can’t be done!”

He slowly extended six fingers. “Add fifty more. That’s the fair price!”

“Anthony—think long-term! A client like me? Once gone, you’ll never find another.”

Ronin glanced at him coolly. “You know who I am.”

Instantly, Anthony bowed deeply. “If I may presume, you are none other than the noble blood of Wushan—Lord Ronin, Baron of Mountain Grove.”

Ronin’s lips curled slightly. Of course—he’d known all along.

Since you know my identity, you must also trust the reputation of Wushan Fortress. If this deal goes through, come early next year, I will continue to purchase over a thousand slaves from you. And I can assure you, our business can endure indefinitely.”

“No one has ever doubted the reputation of Wushan Fortress—your word is no exception.”

Antoni spoke humbly, yet his face remained twisted in anguish. “But my lord, you’ve driven the price too low—I too must make a profit to feed myself.”

He retracted one hand and one finger. “How about… how about you add forty?”

Ronin seemed to have lost patience, casting a sidelong glance at him. “Think carefully. If you’re willing, come find me outside.” Ridal, let’s go!”

(End of Chapter)