chapter 17

After enjoying a hearty lunch, Alex, Sam, and Roy decided to explore the various locations recommended by the inn worker earlier in the day. By the time they set out, it was already 4 PM, and their destination was the slave market—a place of considerable intrigue and activity in the town.

As they approached, they entered the largest building in the vicinity, immediately struck by its grandeur and the bustling atmosphere inside. The hall was vast, filled with numerous people, some adorned with slave collars while others wore uniforms that resembled a sort of standard attire. Many individuals were seen following slaves in uniforms, hinting at organized groups or perhaps specific roles these slaves played.

In the center of the grand hall, they noticed a large wheel being spun, attracting the attention of many visitors. The wheel was divided into thousands of sections, each marked with different colors.

Approaching a slave in uniform, Roy initiated a conversation, curious about the spectacle before them. "Hello, how can I help you, sir?" the male slave asked politely.

"What are those people doing in front of that wheel?" Roy inquired, gesturing towards the spinning wheel.

"Sir, that's a lottery wheel. Anyone can spin it for 100 copper coins, but the chances of winning are quite low. Out of thousands of slots, only a hundred carry prizes," the slave explained.

Excited by the prospect, Roy turned to his companions. "Why don't we all give it a try?" he suggested enthusiastically.

"But how will you spin it if you don't have enough coins?" Sam questioned practically.

"You can lend me 100 coins now, and I'll return it after we're done," Roy proposed, hoping to garner support from his brothers.

"I only have 300 coins," Sam replied skeptically, hesitant to part with too much.

"How about this then? You both lend me 50 coins each, and I promise to return them after we finish. Come on, brother, it'll be fun! And if we get lucky, we could win some prizes," Roy pleaded with a mischievous glint in his eye.

After some deliberation, both Alex and Sam relented. "Okay, fine. But you better return it within a month," Sam stipulated firmly.

Roy beamed with gratitude as he collected the coins, and the trio made their way towards the lottery wheel. They joined the queue and patiently waited for their turn, which came after half an hour of anticipation. Sam decided to go first, while Roy, with an air of superstition, opted to wait until later.

The slave overseeing the wheel collected Sam's coins and signaled to a muscular slave standing nearby. The strong slave spun the wheel, which whirled for a few moments before coming to a stop on a blank green section.

"Sir, would you like to continue?" the slave asked Sam, who remained silent, choosing instead to walk away from the wheel. It was then Alex's turn.

"Is there a rule that only that particular slave can spin the wheel?" Alex queried, curious about the process.

"No, sir, but it's required that the wheel spins at least twice for the result to be valid. You can also choose when to stop the spinning by paying an additional 50 coins," the slave informed him.

Deciding against spending more coins on starting and stopping mechanisms, Alex opted to proceed. "Alright then, spin the wheel," Alex instructed, handing over 100 copper coins to the slave. The process began anew, the anticipation building as the wheel spun and eventually halted.

As the wheel settled, Alex felt a mix of excitement and nerves. The result appeared on a red section, clearly marked with "4F." The slave managing the wheel smiled, announcing, "Congratulations, sir! You've won a lottery prize. You can receive a 100% discount, up to 4 silver coins, on female slaves. They're available for selection in the reward section on the third floor," he explained, pointing to a wall where the layout of the building and its various sections were displayed.

"Excuse me, can I get the silver coins instead?" Alex inquired, hoping for an alternative.

"Sorry, sir, we only offer the slave as a reward. If you're not interested in slaves, you can receive 25% of the amount in coin," the slave responded politely.

Disappointed with the low return rate, Alex sighed, "ok Thank you for the information." With that settled, he walked over to where Sam was waiting outside.

After a brief five-minute wait, the three brothers proceeded to the third floor, where the reward section awaited. Roy, visibly dejected by his lack of luck compared to Alex's win, walked along silently, his disappointment evident