Chapter Thirteen

A few days later, it was time for the weekly work in the slave market as per the contract.

"I see that your shop has been faring well"

Jackie said, exhausted after having to squeezed his way through the crowd that formed after many high quality but cheap products were introduced.

"Here's some iced tea to cool you down"

"Thank you"

In one shot, Jackie finished his drink.

"Seriously though, the sun has yet to fully rise and yet there's so many people waiting in line already. They were even about to attack me when they thought I was cutting in line" Jackie exclaimed.

"This is the power of cosmetics. Many want glossy hair or beautiful skin. The products they have been using has decent effects but are either painful or smell bad"

"Beauty is pain. Not all can be lucky to have such flawless skin like Sir Robin"

"....."

The two clicked their tongue almost simultaneously out of jealousy after remembering how smooth and vibrant Robin's skin was for his age.

"Speaking of which, Lucifer, are you not worried that some people might even break in here"

"You mean the other physicians and merchants?"

"Yea. Since they will be losing their business, they might resort to drastic measures like stealing your recipe, kidnapping your employees, or just straight up burn this house"

Lucifer bursted out laughing.

"HAHAHAHAHA!!!"

He held his stomach with both hands as he gasped for air.

"Such cliché things, seriously... I have already taken care of them since day one. I asked for madam Hellen to give me some dirt I can use against them in exchange for doing my work today for free.

And in the event that they do try to force their way in, I already have safety measures waiting for them"

"If you say so, then it must be true" Jackie said, as he felt relieved.

After receiving the products that were to be delivered to Robin, Jackie left through the back door in order to save himself the trouble of getting mauled by the crowd in front.

"Baal, Paimon, I will be leaving again. If someone do something, make sure to shoot them with the thing I gave you"

"Understood, master"

As Paimon opened the door, signaling the opening of the store, the crowd became excited and formed a neat one line to take their turn while Paimon guards the entrance to ensure no one will cut in line.

...

In the slave market, the ground floor was where promising goods were displayed for buyers to see.

Slaves of average value were grouped together and chained to a single pole while precious slaves, either because of their physical appearance of their capabilities, were caged individually; showing that they are valuable.

The second floor is where the parlor rooms were, a place where valued customers can leisurely look through and inspect the 'goods' they will be buying.

While on the third floor is where all administration and information is processed regarding the slaves they bought from prison as well as other legal documents that requires several procedures for their customers.

"Good morning, Sir Lucifer. I will be taking you downstairs for the treatment"

A man with a warden's badge on his left chest and a fairly high quality dark blue vest greeted Lucifer with a bow.

"Downstairs?"

"Yes. Most slaves are in the underground dungeon where they are disciplined and inspected"

"I understand"

The warden led Lucifer to the underground dungeon.

Just like what he thought upon hearing the words 'underground dungeon' Lucifer let out a sigh of exhaustion, knowing that his work was much harder than he initially thought.

"Everyone, this is Sir Lucifer who was employed by madame Hellen to inspect the slaves' health. Be sure to attend to his needs and be mindful of your behavior"

The warden yelled, loud and clear for everyone to hear.

"Yes, Sir!"

The prison guards answered with vigor as they saluted, their right hand on their left chest.

The warden's words were not only directed to the prison guards but also a declaration to the slaves not to mess with this person.

"I will be taking my leave now. If you have any question or anything you need, just ask anyone here, Sir"

"Thank you for the explanation"

The warden left and went back upstairs.

"Hmmm~"

With one look, even someone like Lucifer who does not specialize in the field of medicine could tell the situation of every slave he see.

"You. What is your name?"

"I-I am Kean, Sir!"

The prison guard replied anxiously.

"Can you write down the food these slaves would normally eat"

Lucifer gave him a piece of paper and a pencil from his suitcase.

"Yes Sir!"

Kean then went upstairs to inquire from the chefs of the cafeteria.

"This place is worse than I thought"

A damp and humid dungeon.

The air was heavy and hard to breathe in, which showed that there was poor ventilation.

The slaves in the cells were trembling from the pain and and shivered from the cold.

With one glance, anyone from the modern age with basic education could tell that they are suffering malnutrition, dehydration, and trauma.

What is worse is that their hygiene or the state of the dungeon itself was questionable. Worn out and used shirts and pants that you cannot even call rags anymore was what they were wearing.

With nothing but skin and bones, it is obvious how painful it must be for them to sleep on the cold and hard ground.

Lucifer found it unbelievable that the prison guards could stay here in the underground dungeon with a simple cloth covering their mouth and nose.

".....!"

Simply walking around made the slaves anticipate with fear as the clean and noble like man who was looking at them with such indifferent eyes made it impossible for them to know what sort of things he will do to them.

Shortly after, Kean came back with the information regarding the slave's diet.

"Here is the information you needed, Sir"

Burnt bread. Leftovers of the guards and workers in the slave market. Fruits that are about to go bad.

Unlike Baal and Paimon who was treated well due to their knowledge in the field of medicine, these slaves are experiencing what actual slaves are going through.

"I am finished here. I will be going to the manager and talk some sense into her now" Lucifer said as he facepalmed.

As Lucifer left without even closely examining the slaves, the prison guards wondered if he was actually someone who knew what he was doing.

...

"Fucking stairs! Why do they have to make the stairs a spiral one?!"

While he had the stamina to go up and down the stairs, the spiral stairs that is connected to the upper floors that was located at the center of the slave market, shot his head with dizzyness.

Perhaps it looked classy and noble like that they decided to use a spiral staircase but I doubt that workers here had a good time at their first few days working here.

He then eventually arrived at the office of the manager at the third floor.

Lucifer knocked at the overly detailed oak door, full of symbols of a tyrant lashing out at slaves, coated with powdered gemstones.

Knock, knock.

"Come on in, Sir Lucifer" Hellen said nonchalantly, sure that it was lucifer knocking on her door.

Lucifer opened the door and quickly sat down on the scarlet sofa in front of Hellen's desk and proceeded to lay down his suitcase on top of the coffee table.

"There are slaves here with medical knowledge. Simply letting them work instead of hiring me would have been better for you"

"True. But I wanted to know your opinion on this matter" Hellen replied without looking at Lucifer.

Lucifer scratched his head in annoyance and begun writing down everything he thought of while he was in the underground dungeon.

"Surely you are not thinking of using limping and skeleton like slaves as meat shields for war, are you"

Hellen stopped reading her documents and placed down her quill.

"Hahaha~ As expected from a Reosra. Most nobles or merchants would first say how disgusting that shit hole is" Hellen said with a smile.

"So you do admit that place is not suitable for living in"

"Of course. But they are slaves, unlike you whose bias was formed to be accepting to all due to Reosra's beliefs, I and the others here believe that slaves should be treated as such"

Hellen was partially wrong.

"Bias is normal for everyone. To believe what was taught upon you since birth and the instinct to reject anything else that does not make sense from your point of view is a natural reaction.

For my age, however, I am not short sighted to not understand your words or where you are coming from"

It was not because of Reosra's teachings that Lucifer said such things but because of his past life's memories.

"Still, you should at least make their cells more livable. How are they going to last long until Caxia arrive if they are going to die from sickness first"

"Oh~"

Hellen's eyes shimmered with curiosity.

"I only gave you small bits of information regarding the flow of slaves from Haldren. It makes me curious to know just how much more you found out"

Lucifer felt disgusted as he felt an encroaching feeling coming from Hellen's eyes, similar to Robin's when he found out about the balm oil.