Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Swordsman in a Count's Family
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Yuria and I pulled our cloaks over our heads and walked into the dimly lit underground space. The candles fixed to the walls flickered unsteadily.
This wasn't my territory of Tebra. It was Bailun, a city three days' ride away from Tebra.
Bailun was a small city near the border, not part of the Prukus territory. The lord ruling this place was Viscount Bailun, a man who was essentially a merchant willing to do any illegal deed for money.
'Viscount Bailun is a royal bastard. That's why he receives all sorts of conveniences and runs the city without interference.'
Of course, it was also thanks to Viscount Bailun's exceptional business acumen.
'I already bribed Viscount Bailun with money before coming here.'
I had secretly met with Viscount Bailun, given him money, and secured various privileges. As long as I stayed in Bailun city, I could act under the backing of Viscount Bailun's reputation.
Yuria approached my side. She whispered softly into my ear.
"Master. Three people are hiding and watching us. Shall I deal with them?"
I hadn't sensed a thing. They must be professionals.
"...No. Leave them be. No need to cause a scene here unless they attack. Our goal isn't to stir up trouble."
"Understood."
We ignored the hidden watchers and proceeded inside.
At the end was a thick, massive iron door. I grabbed it and knocked firmly.
With a clank, part of the iron door slid open, revealing a man's fierce face. He had tanned skin.
"New faces."
"I'm a customer. Watch your mouth."
As I scowled, the man shut his mouth. He stared intently at my face. I hadn't bothered hiding it. Even if they knew who I was, there was nothing they could do. Spread rumors that I'd come here? Their credibility would plummet, and they'd die by my hand.
"......You're the young master. What brings you here?"
"There's only one reason to come to a slave market. To buy slaves."
This was an illegal slave market located underground in Bailun city. As the name implied, it was a place to buy and sell slaves. It was illegal because most of the slaves sold here were illegally captured.
"You could get slaves anywhere else."
"I heard there's a very rare slave here."
"......"
The man stared at me.
I had two reasons for coming here. First, as I just said, to purchase a rare slave. I absolutely had to get that one. I'd brought 70% of my entire fortune for it.
The second reason was that the slaves sold here were superior in both quality and quantity. They were expensive, sure, but I had more than enough money—and I could earn more easily in the future.
"Password?"
I scowled. So it came to this. I didn't get why they bothered with it.
'Probably the original author trying to sound cool.'
This place appeared in the original story. In about half a year, Kyle would infiltrate and wreck the place.
'The password from the original isn't the current one anyway.'
And I didn't know it.
"Don't know it."
"......You kidding? You come here without the password?"
"What, can't come without it? Should I go to the information guild right now and pay to find out?"
This place was connected to the information guild. With enough money, I could buy the password from them.
"No password, no entry. Go back."
"Ha. Let's see if you can say that after seeing this."
I pulled out the document from Viscount Bailun.
Just one sheet. Extremely simple content.
『I hereby vouch for this person's identity as the master of Bailun.』
But the seal of Viscount Bailun stamped on it was no light matter.
"...Urgh. A distinguished guest, I see. Should've said so sooner; I'd have opened right away."
The man's attitude changed. His tone became polite, his voice cautious.
"Just open the door."
"Right away. Please enter."
Screeech. The iron door opened.
This was why I'd given Viscount Bailun over 200 million Ner in bribes.
With his voucher in hand, no one in this city could treat me lightly.
"Who are you looking for? Tell me, and I'll guide you."
"Old man Conparod."
"......Please follow me."
We followed the man.
The Bailun slave market was surprisingly clean and luxurious. The corridors were adorned with all sorts of luxuries, and the staff even carried a certain dignity.
'On the surface, it looks more like a noble mansion than a slave market.'
Glance.
As we walked, I checked the side.
There was a transparent glass wall with a slave inside.
"What's that?"
"A harpy. Interested?"
It was a monster with a human upper body and bird wings and legs. Its head looked like a human woman's.
The harpy sat weakly on the floor, chains binding its neck and legs. For reference, harpies were classified as C-rank monsters in reality.
'Pretty cute. If you only look at the face.'
She had flowing golden hair and a snow-white face. Her eyes were a pretty blue. Her breasts were quite large, nipples pink. But the brown wings and legs below the thighs were avian.
'Hmm.'
My gaze went to the harpy's crotch. Thick golden feathers hid the genitals.
I thought carefully and reached a conclusion.
"......Impossible."
"Pardon?"
"Nothing. Not interested. Keep going. But do people actually buy harpies?"
"Surprisingly popular. As sex slaves, of course. I hear their grip is tighter than humans'."
"Plenty of crazies in this world. ......That one?"
I scowled involuntarily at another glass wall. Hard to believe such a thing existed.
"A chimera."
A stunning beauty with brown hair. Perfect face, perfect figure—nothing lacking. Except for the massive male organ at her clitoris.
"Even so, it's just a woman's body with a man's cock attached."
"Does that sell well?"
"Better than harpies. Dress it up, and you can't tell."
"......Impossible."
I shook my head and quickened my pace.
Deeper in, another glass wall. This one was relatively normal. If not for the pretty boys inside.
'Ugh.'
I turned away immediately. Didn't want to know what naked boys were doing together.
'Train or circle jerk, who cares.'
My mood soured fast. I reached out and groped Yuria's breast as she walked beside me. Kneading the soft, large mound restored my spirits.
"Not into men, I see."
"Wanna die?"
"Sorry. Boys are trending lately—surprised me."
"......Men are trending?"
"Yes. Especially soldiers and knights seek young boys. Women buy sex slaves too nowadays. And boys grow into laborers."
"Don't care. When do I meet Conparod?"
"We're here. That's Mr. Conparod's office."
He pointed to a flashy door adorned with jewels and gold. Not surprising. Conparod was essentially the owner of this slave market.
"Good work."
I dismissed the guide casually and opened the ornate door with Yuria.
"...Well, this is unexpected."
Conparod was sipping tea in his office. Three muscular men in light clothing stood around him, chains on their necks marking them as slaves.
"Do you know who I am?"
Conparod was an old man with a mustache. His appearance evoked a proper British gentleman—neat and refined.
"I do, but I won't say the name."
"I figured you were wise."
"Flattery. What brings you?"
Instead of answering, I sat on the sofa opposite him. Yuria stood by me, scanning the room.
I placed Viscount Bailun's voucher on the desk.
"Reason I'm here. What else but slaves?"
"Fair. I meant which slaves. We boast variety, but not everything."
"The elf slave that arrived recently."
"......"
Conparod stared warily. The original described him as exceptionally skilled at reading people.
I met his eyes without flinching.
"......That elf's only been here two weeks. Only some staff know... How did you find out?"
"Doesn't matter. I want that elf."
That was why I'd come today.
"Not for sale yet. Rare item after ages. Planning to shop it around carefully. Might auction to interested buyers—takes time."
"60 billion Ner."
For reference, the elf's value in the original was about 90 billion Ner.
"......No. I can get more from others."
"See the Viscount's voucher?"
"That's why I'm entertaining you."
"Then 70 billion Ner."
"Can't sell."
Our eyes clashed in the air. Neither backing down.
'Even with my wealth, 90 billion is too much. 20 billion isn't pocket change. That buys other top slaves.'
Worst case, I was ready to wreck the place. Might even be better. Kyle got credit in the original for dismantling this market.
"......Ugh."
Conparod suddenly groaned. His eyes shook, sweat pouring. In under three minutes, his clothes were soaked.
Not just him—the three slave men behind staggered too.
Conparod's terrified eyes turned to Yuria.
'Ah, Yuria's doing.'
Whatever it was—killing intent, probably. She'd reached high Aura Expert recently; it wouldn't be a joke.
'With shadow magic too, she could wipe this place alone.'
She was my ace.
"Conparod. I like this place. Will be a regular. New customer now, loyal next time. You know who I am, so you know my wealth. Think it over."
Conparod bit his lip. Blood dripped from his wrinkled chin to the floor.
"...70 billion. Sold."
His voice trembled in fear.
"Smart choice. Want to see the elf now."
I stood abruptly.
"Huuuuh."
With Conparod's deep sigh, the three male slaves collapsed.
"No ordinary person."
Conparod addressed Yuria, not me, wiping sweat with a handkerchief.
I grinned at him.
"Conparod. Need other slaves too."
"Yes. Name them."
"Talk to her. Assign me a guide."
"Pardon?"
"She'll pick the others."
"......"
Conparod's face hardened.
I started following the guide—one of the slave men behind Conparod.
I'd given Yuria a communicator before coming. She'd contact me if things went south.
'Actually, I'm the one who needs to be careful, not her.'
I entered the dank underground prison with the guide.