Chapter 3:- Slave Market

After approximately ten minutes, the carriage ventured into a distinct district, catching William's attention. This part of the city bore stark differences from what they had previously witnessed. The roads appeared neglected, with numerous slaves scattered about. The streets were untidy, and beggars could be seen lying at various spots.

A sense of entering a slum overwhelmed William. The houses seemed much older, and the buildings were crowded close together. Dark alleys snaked through the area, devoid of the diligent street cleaners he had encountered before.

"So, Grandpa, can you enlighten me about this particular section of the city?" William inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"This is the slum area of the Capital. It is where the poor, peasants, and those from lower-class backgrounds reside. Years ago, even my own family called this place home. Living conditions here are truly dire. There is a shortage of water, with drinking water often scarce. Crimes and illegal activities are unfortunately common occurrences," the old man explained with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

"This is the only part of the Capital where beggars are found. Frankly speaking, this area is a testament to the struggles of the poor. Their everyday lives are marred by hardship," he added, evoking a sense of sympathy from William. His heart went out to those who had to endure such circumstances.

"To maintain the city's picturesque image, the slave market was relocated to this district. I happen to have an old friend who runs a slave trading company. Rest assured, he will offer reasonable prices and discounts," the old man assured William.

"Alright," William agreed, placing his trust in the old man. Having a keen sense of judging character, he felt confident that this elderly gentleman possessed a genuinely kind heart.

After approximately five minutes, the wooden carriage came to a halt in front of an aged two-story building bearing the name "Black Diamond Slave Trading House." William instructed his daughter to enter while he waited for the carriage to be parked.

As he opened the door, a melodious chime filled the air, and William found himself face to face with a portly, grinning old man named Sebastian. The bald, short man was adorned in opulent attire, a luxury reserved for nobles, the wealthy, and the royals of this world.

"Welcome, dear customer. My name is Sebastian," he greeted William and his daughter, his grin unsettling Aimee, who nestled her face against her father's shoulder, avoiding eye contact.

"Please have a seat, dear customer," Sebastian invited, gesturing to a plush red couch. William obliged and settled onto the comfortable seating, while Sebastian took his place across from him.

"What type of slave are you seeking to purchase? I assure you of a fair price," Sebastian inquired, his direct and upfront manner appealing to William. However, the constant presence of his creepy grin made for an uncomfortable encounter.

"I am in search of a slave capable of cooking, cleaning, and caring for my daughter. It would be ideal if she possesses some combat skills to protect my daughter in case of emergencies," William expressed his requirements, emphasizing the importance of his daughter's well-being.

"Very well. Would you mind accompanying me? I will show you some female slaves who might meet your criteria," Sebastian proposed. William nodded in agreement.

"Excellent." Just as they were about to rise from their seats, the entrance swung open, revealing the familiar face of the carriage driver, Joseph.

"Sebastian, my friend, how are you doing?" Joseph greeted, surprising Sebastian. William learned that the carriage driver's name was Joseph and that the two men had a long-standing friendship.

"Joseph, I didn't expect to see you here," Sebastian remarked, his surprise evident. The camaraderie between them indicated a deep bond forged over time.

"My customers wished to purchase a slave, so I brought them here. You better give them a discount as a favor to me," Joseph jested. It was Sebastian who had supported Joseph's career, providing the funds necessary for him to acquire a carriage and a magical horse. If not for Sebastian's assistance, Joseph and his family would likely still be living in the slums.

"Of course. Now, come along, dear customer," Sebastian replied, beckoning William to follow.

Turning his attention to Joseph, William asked, "Would you like to come along?"

Seated on the couch, Joseph lowered his straw hat, revealing his closely cropped hair. "Nah, I'm good. I'll wait for you guys here," he declined, settling into his spot with an air of contentment.

Guided by Sebastian, William descended to the lower level of the building, discovering a dimly lit underground floor. The space was occupied by numerous cages, each containing a variety of slaves. Some slaves pleaded with William, desperate to be freed, while others stared at him with hostility and a clear intent to harm.

Regret began to creep into William's mind regarding his decision to bring his young daughter along. Perhaps he should have left Aimee in Joseph's care. After all, she was too young to witness such a distressing scene. However, if he had done so, Aimee would undoubtedly have burst into tears—a sound he wished to spare her from. Whenever separated from William, Aimee always broke into inconsolable sobs.

The underground hall revealed itself to be much more expansive than William had anticipated, stretching out like a football stadium. A diverse array of slaves from countless races populated the space.

"In your search for a female slave, would you prefer her to be a virgin? Are you specifically seeking an attractive appearance?" Sebastian inquired, seeking to understand William's preferences.

"I don't particularly mind if she's a virgin or not, but I do hope she has an appealing appearance," William replied. While he grasped the intention behind Sebastian's initial question, he had no intention of purchasing a slave solely for sexual purposes. Regardless of the allure, he would not compromise his moral principles.

Sebastian seemed to comprehend William's stance and refrained from further questioning. "We have a wide variety of female slaves here, but please keep in mind that they are still somewhat untamed since they were recently acquired. We possess slaves from all races. Feel free to explore, and if none capture your interest, I can take you to another location where you can meet around a thousand more slaves," Sebastian offered, accompanying his words with a nod.

As William scanned the surroundings, nothing immediately captured his attention. Although he encountered several slaves who possessed exceptional beauty, he chose not to select them due to their aggressive demeanor or dark personalities, deeming them unsuitable for his daughter's well-being.

Unobtrusively, Sebastian shadowed William's movements, carefully observing his reactions with each slave encountered. Sebastian was a shrewd businessman, unbothered by his customer's preferences. His aim was to satisfy the customer to the best of his ability, upholding his reputation in the process.

Amidst William's exploration, his attention was drawn to two guards forcibly dragging an injured-looking woman toward her cell. The commotion reached his ears before his eyes registered the presence of the guards, who were barking orders at the hapless female slave.

The guards, concealed by their black full-body armor and helmets, brandished whips in their hands. Whenever the female slave faltered or ceased walking, the guards mercilessly lashed her with their whips.

Crack!

"Slut, why did you stop? Keep moving!" One of the guards barked, striking the female slave. In response, the injured woman turned around, her eyes ablaze with anger, fixing a furious gaze upon the guard.

Witnessing the scene, William and Aimee also focused their attention on the guards and the tormented slave. William quickly deduced that this particular slave had a fiery temperament. Had it not been for the chains restraining her limbs, she would have undoubtedly pounced on the guards and engaged them in a fierce struggle.

'She is certainly not a viable option,' William concluded, swiftly dismissing the notion of purchasing her.

Meanwhile, the female slave continued to glare at the guards, her gaze burning with resentment. She regarded the guards as her mortal enemies, her intense fury palpable.

Sebastian stood by, merely observing. Detecting a hint of interest in his customer's gaze, Sebastian entertained the thought that perhaps this slave would find a buyer in William. 'I would gladly rid myself of this troublesome slave as soon as possible,' Sebastian thought, regretting his decision to acquire her.

Despite possessing an alluring figure and captivating beauty, the slave's volatile temper and troublesome nature had made it nearly impossible for Sebastian to find a suitable buyer. In fact, since her arrival, she had incited chaos, frequently instigating fights with her fellow slaves whenever they shared a cell.

Prior to William's arrival, Sebastian had contemplated selling her to another slave trader, eager to rid himself of the burden of owning such a rebellious slave.

If William were to purchase her, Sebastian was prepared to offer an additional discount. It exemplified the extent of Sebastian's desperation to sell her.

"What are you staring at, bitch?" one of the guards snapped. Ordinarily, the guards refrained from abusing the slaves, but this particular slave was an exception. Since her arrival, she had persistently caused trouble, leaving the guards with no choice but to resort to violence for control.

"I...will...kill...you...humans," the female slave seethed, her voice icy and laced with unbridled hatred and anger. Her animosity extended beyond the guards; it encompassed the entire human race.

The guard's anger reached its boiling point upon hearing her words. Fed up with her defiance, he lashed out with his whip.

Crack!

The whip struck her right shoulder, tearing through her clothes and leaving a prominent mark. Blood immediately began to trickle from the wound, yet the woman stood stoically, displaying no hint of pain. Instead, William noticed that the frigidity in her eyes seemed to intensify.

"Nooooooooooo!!!!!!"

As Aimee's cries reverberated through the air, the unexpected sound caught everyone off guard. Confusion swept over William, Sebastian, the guards, and all onlookers. Just as William moved to console his daughter, assuming she was frightened by the bloodshed and violence, Aimee unexpectedly pushed him away and stumbled, landing on the ground with her tiny feet.

Simultaneously, the female slave's gaze finally shifted towards Aimee. In that moment, the frigidity that once consumed her eyes dissipated, replaced by a profound sense of surprise and shock.

'Who is she?' the female slave pondered, her gaze fixated on Aimee.

Before William could catch up to his daughter, Aimee took off, sprinting toward the female slave. Gasps and astonished stares accompanied Aimee's daring act as she closed the distance between herself and the slave, ultimately embracing the slave's legs.

"Mommy...!"

At this very moment, the most stunned person in the room was William. He stood motionless, his entire being engulfed in shock. His mind seemed to shut down, rendering him incapable of coherent thought. It was as though he had been dealt the most profound shock of his entire existence.

There were numerous reasons for William's overwhelming astonishment. Aimee, his daughter, had lost the ability to speak after a tragic incident, and he had resigned himself to the belief that she would remain mute for the remainder of her life. Yet, not only had she regained her voice, but she had also referred to a complete stranger—a female slave—as her mother.

Since Aimee's mother's passing, no one had been able to establish a connection with her. She had withdrawn from the world, refusing to eat or engage with others. Only William could approach her and attend to her needs. Even the maids and caretakers he had employed had failed to establish any meaningful bond with Aimee. She remained closed off from everyone, responding to their presence with inconsolable bouts of tears whenever William left her in their care.

However, in this astonishing moment, Aimee had embraced a slave—a stranger to both her and William—and referred to her as her mother. This extraordinary turn of events overwhelmed William, pushing him to the limits of what he could comprehend.

"Mom!"

"Mom!"

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