Views on Slaves

The items on this new list were considerably more extensive than those Ciel had previously seen, naturally encompassing the phone and the natural potion Ren Daozhen intended to purchase.

“Oh?!”

Scrolling further down the list, Ren Daozhen’s eyes landed on an unexpectedly familiar item label: “Slaves!”

“Ohohoho, here it comes.”

In countless anime and novels, this was an indispensable trope: purchasing a beautiful s*ave girl at an auction to add to one’s harem.

Ren Daozhen subconsciously cast a glance at Ciel. Since she had refused to serve him personally, surely there would be no issue with acquiring a s*ave?

“Head Maid, what are your thoughts on slaves?”

“Thoughts? What thoughts could one possibly have?” the Head Maid replied. “They are stripped of their human rights, reduced to private property, no different from common livestock. Their very lives hang by the master’s whim.

Unlike normal maids, who share an employer-employee relationship and possess the right to object to unreasonable demands or even terminate their service, slaves possess no right to protest whatsoever.”

“Then… are you against the buying and selling of slaves?”

“No, I am not opposed,” the Head Maid stated. “Are you considering purchasing slaves for your personal service? Coincidentally, I, too, intend to acquire a few to train as maids, who could then assist at the coffee shop.

If you are amenable, I can assist you in disciplining these slaves, ensuring they transform into elegant, sensible, and attentive maids within three months.”

“Ohohoho…”

Seeing Ciel’s lack of opposition—indeed, her outright support—Ren Daozhen was secretly overjoyed. His mind immediately began to race, contemplating the types of slaves he might acquire: half-beasts, vampires… the mere thought filled him with eager anticipation.

“However…”

Ciel observed Ren Daozhen, whose thoughts had clearly drifted far beyond their current surroundings, and seemed to recall something important. She was just about to offer a reminder.

“Clang—!”

At that very moment, a resounding bell chime reverberated throughout the auction hall. The previously boisterous venue gradually settled into a hush, as countless eyes fixated on the center, eagerly awaiting the official commencement of the auction.

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the auction hosted by the Pine Resin Rat Merchant Guild.”

A dazzling elven maiden, resplendent in a formal gown, gracefully stepped into the absolute center of the hall. Her beauty far surpassed that of the previous half-elf attendant, and her extraordinary temperament was undeniable.

“I trust you are all brimming with impatience, so this humble maiden shall dispense with any superfluous pleasantries. Let us begin now.

Our very first item up for bid is [Futaqa’s Lament], a music box said to house two potent specters. Should one successfully forge a contract with it, these two spirits can be commanded and utilized, possessing a danger level equivalent to an Undead Knight!”

Indeed, the auction’s inaugural item was a formidable artifact. Displayed prominently on the massive crystal platform was a music box that appeared unremarkable, even somewhat damaged. Yet, not a single soul in attendance dared to question the merchant guild’s authenticity.

“The starting bid is one thousand Star Coins, with each subsequent bid no less than one hundred.”

“Only a thousand? That’s quite cheap!”

Ren Daozhen marveled, considering it an excellent bargain to acquire a high-tier combat asset, comparable to an Undead Knight, for merely a thousand Star Coins.

“It’s not quite so simple,” Ciel interjected. “Forging a contract with the undead always demands a steep price. To command such spirits, one typically must offer a sacrifice, the most common of which is one’s very soul.

From what I understand, this particular music box has already consumed the souls of at least five previous masters.”

“You mean, I not only have to pay to buy this music box, but also make a separate soul transaction with the ghosts in it? Isn’t that just the middleman making a profit?”

“Otherwise, why do you imagine it’s so inexpensive?” Ciel countered. “Such cursed artifacts are typically sought by those who are truly desperate, individuals consumed by a desire for revenge yet utterly powerless to achieve it, leaving them no choice but to gamble everything.

They are more than willing to offer their own souls to summon these death-bringing specters.”

“Ugh—! So it’s something that harms eight hundred of the enemy but damages a thousand of oneself. Never mind then, I don’t need it.”

Ren Daozhen shook his head, his interest in the music box completely extinguished.

Down in the hall, the auction continued its fervent pace. Despite the inherent dangers of the item, a considerable number of bidders still vied for its acquisition.

Ultimately, the music box was secured for five thousand Star Coins by a gaunt, middle-aged man with sunken eyes and darkened brows. Immediately after his successful bid, he departed his seat, presumably to claim his purchase, clearly impatient to embark on his quest for vengeance.

Naturally, this was a matter beyond Ren Daozhen’s concern.

Subsequently, the auction stage showcased a dazzling array of treasures and collectibles. The offerings ranged from essential equipment like weapons and armor to arcane spellbooks and potent alchemical potions.

Ren Daozhen, in turn, successfully acquired a bottle of natural potion for a staggering one and a half million. Possessing this elixir would grant him the innate aptitude to become a magician.

While the price certainly stung, he conceded it was ultimately a worthwhile investment.

Gazing at the vibrant emerald potion held within the bottle, Ren Daozhen wistfully rubbed it against his cheek, his mind already conjuring fantasies of awakening various magical elements.

“Esteemed guests, the next item we shall present for auction is a mysterious ancient relic.”

As a sleek black tablet materialized on the crystal platform, Ren Daozhen’s spirits instantly lifted. At last, his phone had arrived.

‘Damn capitalists, auctioning off my phone and making me pay to buy it back! They’re nothing but bandits and robbers, just like those European warlords!’

Ren Daozhen had already cursed the merchant guild a thousand times over in his mind, before taking a furious gulp of the red wine from the table.

“Our merchant guild’s experts have thoroughly examined this ancient artifact,” the host declared, “and have determined it to be an exceptionally precise instrument, bearing a striking resemblance to the technological marvels of the Northern Frost Realm.

It appears to be a specialized information storage device, albeit one protected by a password, requiring a specific code for access. As of now, our guild has not yet managed to decrypt it.

Should one of you successfully acquire this item, you might just unlock the profound secrets contained within—perhaps even a world-shattering spell or an astonishing ancient mystery could be recorded there.”

The host exerted every effort to emphasize the item’s enigmatic nature, deliberately fanning the flames of curiosity among the attendees. Talk of world-destroying curses and astonishing secrets was merely grand embellishment; after all, he only claimed it was ‘possible,’ not ‘certain.’

This blatant exaggeration made Ren Daozhen, seated nearby, seethe with irritation. Did they truly believe he didn’t know what was stored inside? It contained nothing but photos of his family and himself, along with his old study materials.

“Having spoken at length, let us now commence the bidding. The starting price is one hundred thousand Star Coins, with each increment no less than one thousand. Let the auction begin.”

The host lightly tapped his gavel. His earlier provocative words had indeed proved effective, as someone immediately called out a hefty bid of two hundred thousand Star Coins.

Subsequently, bids began to pour in, and with each upward tick of the price, Ren Daozhen, seated nearby, couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

‘If only I had a cheat that let me bring goods from Earth to this world and resell them. I never knew these ordinary phones could fetch such astronomical sums.’