Chapter 180: Elize, the Slave Cosplayer
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 180: Elize, the Slave Cosplayer
Having parted ways with Azyeth on the best possible terms, I arrived in the city where the priest was waiting.
He was staying in a small church in the city.
He must have been waiting for me, because when I arrived, the church's priest greeted me like a savior.
High priests are a rare sight, even in the Holy Kingdom, typically found only in the grand cathedrals of major kingdoms. I imagine this is what it feels like for soldiers when a general pays a visit to their base.
He must have been completely drained from hosting the high priest; as I was leaving, I glanced back and saw him squatting on the floor.
After that smooth rendezvous, we boarded a carriage bound for Kassilon. It was decorated with white lilies and a sword emblem, the symbols of the Holy Kingdom.
Befitting a high priest from the Holy Kingdom, it was a magnificent carriage drawn by four white horses. The carriage itself was also pure white.
Even the interior was stark white, completely devoid of decoration. It seemed like the kind of place that could drive a man mad, but the priest, apparently accustomed to it, didn't seem to mind.
Or maybe he’s already insane.
Just as I was having that thought, my eyes met the priest’s.
I wondered for a second if he’d read my mind, but that didn’t seem to be the case. He simply gave me a benevolent smile and began to speak.
“I realize we are overdue for a proper introduction. I am Lucas, a high priest of the Order of Balance, in service to Ordo, the God of Order.”
“I am Karami.”
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Karami. If I recall correctly, you mentioned you were heading to Kassilon to find someone. But the lady who was with you is gone?”
“She is the princess of another kingdom. I've just escorted her back to where she belongs.”
Lucas’s eyes widened in surprise, and he let out a gasp of realization.
“No wonder… She had an extraordinary air about her, one not seen in common folk. And you were her companion. What is it that you do, Mr. Karami? Are you, perhaps, a nobleman?”
“Haha, I'm just an ordinary commoner.”
“Ordinary? Impossible. Meister Wolfram himself requested aid from the Holy Kingdom for your treatment, paying the price by crafting items we required.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And all for you, a human, not even one of his own kind.”
I hadn't known the full story.
Thorvar had simply told me to wait, so that's what I did.
It made sense. Even a Meister couldn't just summon a key figure from another nation at will. To think he’d gone to such lengths for me.
I had to admit, I was a little touched.
“You must be an incredible benefactor to the dwarves. For a man like you to claim to be ordinary is simply preposterous.”
So that explained Lucas's favorable attitude toward me.
Not that it would last if he found out I was a slave trader.
“Excuse me. There is a place I must visit. Would you mind if we made a brief stop?”
“A stop? Where might that be?”
“It's a city on our way to the Holy Kingdom. It won't take long. If that's a problem, I don't mind parting ways here.”
I was only sticking with him because a connection to a high priest could be useful, not because I had to.
But Lucas, his interest in me just recently piqued, seemed reluctant to part ways. After a moment's hesitation, he made his decision.
*
The city of Harlem.
It was an unremarkable, ordinary city. The only reason I'd come to a place like Harlem was that the last slave was here.
I made a beeline for the black market. As expected, Lucas reacted with distaste.
“I sense a disquieting aura here. Mr. Karami, what business could you possibly have in a black market?”
“I'm here to buy a slave.”
“You engage in human trafficking? I am deeply disappointed.”
“You only know the half of it.”
“Pardon me?”
Lucas frowned, clearly offended at being contradicted.
A high priest, and he couldn't even grasp my noble intentions. I suppose even a man of the cloth can't measure up to my benevolence.
“Lucas, what is a slave?”
“A slave is a slave. What other explanation is needed?”
Lucas was clearly displeased, but I remained unfazed and explained my intentions in a simple, clear manner.
“Who in this world wishes to be a slave? They all wanted to live normal, happy lives. They are pitiful souls.”
“Hmm?”
“And this slave market is the very place where we can save them. They could be sold to depraved individuals and suffer terrible fates. We must liberate them before that can happen.”
Finally grasping my meaning, Lucas’s eyes lit up.
I decided to add a little extra seasoning that I knew the people of the Order of Balance would appreciate.
“Order can only find its true meaning amidst chaos.”
“Ahh…! Such profound wisdom!”
At this belated realization, Lucas and his escort of Holy Knights gasped in admiration.
“My perspective was too narrow; I saw only the surface. I never imagined the subtle principles of Order were hidden within such an act…! You are truly the Meisters' benefactor. I apologize for doubting you, Mr. Karami.”
“Haha, it's quite all right.”
With that settled, we each took a seat.
The auction began, and various slaves and items were brought out. The auctioneer would describe them, and people would bid.
A sturdy-looking male slave had just been sold.
“Mr. Karami? Aren't we supposed to be saving the slaves?”
“We are.”
“Then shouldn't you have joined the bidding for that man?”
“I should have.”
“Then why did you stand by and let him be sold to someone else?”
Lucas looked at me, full of questions, eagerly anticipating another piece of profound wisdom like the last one.
“While it is true that slaves are pitiful beings, there is a flaw in that logic. It is the difficulty of distinguishing those who are truly innocent.”
“Pardon?”
“Are there not those who became slaves as punishment for their crimes? To liberate such individuals would be to disrupt order, not uphold it.”
“Ah…!”
What a load of bullshit.
You want me to spend my own money to buy a man?
To clothe, house, and feed another man?
Are you insane?
Men aren't on my liberation list, you amateur. If you don't like it, chop off your dick and get reborn as a pretty girl.
Gender-bending, though...
I'll pass for now.
So if you want him, use your own money to buy him. I won't stop you.
Next, an old woman was brought out as a slave.
“That woman must surely be an innocent victim!”
I shook my head.
“There is a reason for everything. Common sense dictates that as one ages, their value as a slave diminishes. Wouldn't they normally be set free by now?”
“You mean…?”
“She must have committed a crime so heinous that she cannot be granted freedom, even at her advanced age.”
Sorry, nameless grandma.
But even for a woman, a grandma is a bit much.
'You're the priest, so you save her,' I almost said.
More slaves were brought out, and each time I came up with a new excuse to pass. In the end, I hadn't bought a single one by the time the final item was announced.
Wow, what a cheap bastard.
He keeps shooting me looks, silently asking why I’m not buying anyone, yet he wouldn’t spend a single coin himself. Maybe he’s even more calculating than I gave him credit for.
But even he wouldn't be able to ignore the next one.
Just as a main course is served after the appetizers, the final slave was brought to the stage once the auction house's atmosphere was at its peak.
“Wait, is that—?!”
Lucas shot up from his seat in shock.
On the stage stood a young woman. She wore a nun’s habit, torn in places to reveal tantalizing glimpses of skin. She was bound with ropes in a way that accentuated her figure.
Her slightly sullied silver hair and deathly pale skin only added a tragic beauty to her lovely features.
Anyone could tell she was the main event of the night.
“Alright, folks, this is our final item for today! As you can see, she's a nun! And still pure, I might add. I trust there isn't a single fool in this room who would pass up the chance to defile this chaste sister as he pleases!”
The auctioneer’s provocation was met with a roar of cheers.
The auction house was already in the grip of madness and desire.
“Buying and selling a nun! This is unacceptable! We must—!”
“Hold on.”
I stopped Lucas just as he was about to order the Holy Knights to intervene with force.
“Why are you stopping me? Don't tell me you're going to claim that woman also committed some great sin? If that's what you're about to say—!”
“Of course not. I'm merely suggesting we follow proper procedure.”
“They've enslaved a helpless nun, and you want to talk about procedure?”
“Just because they have violated order, does that mean you intend to do the same?”
Lucas fell silent.
“This is my area of expertise. Please, leave this to me.”
“…Very well. I will trust you, Mr. Karami.”
Lucas composed himself and sat back down.
I could understand his reaction.
In the world of Tale of Slaves, the Order of Balance was the one and only religion.
In other words, that nun was a member of the same Order of Balance as Lucas. It would be strange if he wasn't angry to see one of his own captured and sold as a slave.
But she wasn't captured. She walked right into slavery herself.
Or rather, she's pretending to be one.
Vampire Elise.
[Vampire Elize ver.■■■■■■]
The final slave.