Slave Trading Market

After bidding Chiard farewell, Roland immediately left the Apothecary Guild.

When Roland came out, he discovered that Jonathan, the property broker from before, had somehow appeared beside Old Nob and was eagerly chatting with him.

When he saw Roland, his eyes immediately lit up. Especially after noticing the Magic Materials in Roland's hands, he hurriedly removed his hat and bowed respectfully.

As a native of Highland City, Jonathan understood very well what a mage represented. But he understood even more clearly the status of an apothecary. A profession tied to gold coins could drive countless people mad.

As for Roland, he clearly did not yet understand what being an apothecary truly meant.

"Honorable Sir Roland, I never expected you to be such a distinguished apothecary. It is the greatest honor of my life to serve you."

Roland showed no reaction to Jonathan's flattery and merely waited quietly for him to state his purpose.

Seeing that Roland did not respond, Jonathan showed no embarrassment and continued, "Honorable Sir Roland, although I do not know what potions you can brew, I can find you a very sincere buyer. I guarantee his offer will be higher than the kingdom's purchase price."

"Thank you, but I do not need that for now." Roland instinctively felt a trace of caution toward such a transaction delivered right to his doorstep, so he refused directly.

Roland's answer clearly made Jonathan anxious. He knew perfectly well that compared with the commission from a potion deal, a property transaction was not worth mentioning.

Furthermore, if he could introduce a newly arrived apothecary to the influential person behind him, he would certainly gain even greater benefits.

Thus, he immediately pulled a certificate from his clothes and presented it to Roland with both hands.

The familiar sight left Roland somewhat dumbfounded.

Wasn't that a property broker's certificate? What was he taking it out for?

However, just as Roland was about to refuse, he vaguely noticed that the certificate Jonathan was holding out read: Potion Broker.

"..."

The moment he saw those words, a black line appeared across Roland's forehead. He felt as though he had been scammed.

Roland could accept that property brokers were officially certified, but what the hell was a potion broker?

The kingdom would love to collect more potions. Even if this was Oroko Family territory, there was no way they would issue a certificate to a middleman.

If the house he had rented had not genuinely been problem-free, he would definitely have shown Jonathan the majesty of a Mage Lord.

Seeing Roland's expression grow darker and darker, Jonathan was stunned. He seemed to realize that his panicked action had been too rash and had displeased Roland.

"Jonathan, what other certificates do you have? Show them all to me." Roland said darkly.

"Honorable Sir Roland, there are no more..."

"Hmm?" Roland's face hardened as Mana spread around him, and an imposing aura slowly rose.

"Now that I think about it, a friend left a few with me temporarily." Jonathan was horrified. Cold sweat instantly streamed down his face as he hurriedly pulled out several more certificates.

Equipment Broker

Ore Broker

Slave Broker

Magic Plant Broker

Sea Vessel Broker

Roland stared at the handful of certificates and was left speechless.

To borrow a saying from a famous person from his previous life, "You're really a damn talent."

The strange expression on Roland's face made Jonathan somewhat embarrassed, but what truly left him disheartened was that, now that Roland had seen through him, he seemingly had no chance of building a relationship with an apothecary.

However, Roland's next words immediately filled him with delight.

Roland casually picked up the Slave Broker certificate and asked, "Do you know anything about the slave trade?"

"I do, I do." Jonathan nodded repeatedly.

"Don't tell me that one came from some formal training too?"

Jonathan became even more embarrassed, but he hurriedly explained, "No, no, Honorable Sir Roland. I grew up in Highland City and know a little about every trade in the city."

"Although I may not be able to help you obtain any confidential information, I am very familiar with the basic circumstances."

Roland nodded slightly upon hearing that, then asked again, "Can you take me to see where slaves are traded in Highland City?"

"However, I may not necessarily buy any slaves, so you might not earn a commission from this."

"Yes, yes. Being able to serve you is the honor of my life, even without any reward." Jonathan replied happily, without the slightest reluctance.

Being able to get acquainted with an apothecary was itself an enormous fortune.

"Lead the way."

"At once. Please follow me."

Under Jonathan's guidance, the three of them first arrived at a carriage shop at the end of Farul Street.

Since they had to travel from the west side of the city to the east side, the distance was considerable, so they needed to use a carriage.

In truth, Roland's current itinerary was entirely outside Chip's usual schedule.

However, Nuwa had no intention of stopping him, because she also knew that whether he brewed potions or strengthened himself, it was all for developing his territory three months later.

Slaves were likewise an indispensable part of developing a territory.

Therefore, in Nuwa's calculations, any action that would assist with developing the territory three months later was not something she would obstruct.

Bell Street, south of Highland City's harbor, was an extremely famous Slave Trading Market in the Terra Kingdom. Its scale was immense, with dark awnings stretching across the area like a gloomy castle.

The street was packed with people, and the clamor never ceased. Merchants from all over the kingdom moved through the crowd, their faces flushed as they bargained fiercely with slave dealers.

Every year, an astonishing number of slaves were traded here, while countless more poured in like an endless tide. The enormous profits generated were so great that even the Oroko Family, a hereditary count's family, could not monopolize them.

But none of that had anything to do with Roland. Under Jonathan's guidance, when he stepped into the Slave Trading Market, despite having mentally prepared himself, a trace of shock still appeared on his face.

Compared with Farul Street, Bell Street was undoubtedly much wider. It stretched beyond sight, with countless sheds and fenced enclosures dividing it into separate sections.

Here, one could not only see large numbers of human slaves being sold as commodities, but also burly Orcs of various shapes, still carrying the untamed aura of the wild.

Not only that, but more than a dozen other races, including dwarves, centaurs, Gnomes, and goblins, were openly displayed along both sides of the street for people to choose from.

Rumor had it that Highland City's Slave Trading Market even possessed slaves from powerful races, such as elves, sea demons, and behemoths.

Looking at the primitive, sinful, filthy scene around him, Roland could not help sighing at this world's twisted development of civilization.

It was not merely cold-blooded toward other races; even among humans, it was the same.

War and slaughter had been taken to the extreme.

Yet Roland rather liked a world where hierarchy was taken to such an extreme.

Because he could possess things he could never have possessed in his previous life.

For example, several graceful young maids with blonde hair and blue eyes...

Roland secretly wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and looked toward the slaves in the enclosures on both sides, his eyes growing even hotter.

However, to Roland's disappointment, there were no young female slaves in the enclosures or sheds on either side. There were pitifully few female slaves at all.

Pah, is this all there is? Roland mocked inwardly.

Soon afterward, under Jonathan's guidance, Roland arrived before a tall, spacious building with the words Shadow Merchant Guild hanging above its entrance.

This place was clearly different from the noisy, chaotic street outside. Even the surrounding walls were carved with exquisite patterns, their golden lines gleaming brilliantly beneath the sunlight.

A small squad of sinister-looking warriors, their faces full of viciousness and brutality, guarded the entrance closely, their eyes sweeping brazenly over passing pedestrians.

However, they were not completely lacking in judgment. The moment they noticed Roland behind Jonathan, their eyes lit up. One middle-aged man, clearly stronger than the rest, immediately forced a ferocious smile onto his face.

"Honorable mage, how may I serve you?"

Roland did not answer. Instead, he looked toward Jonathan.

Jonathan straightened his chest and hurried forward. "We are here to see Steward Jon."

The fierce-looking middle-aged man's smile vanished when he heard that, and his expression turned cold again. Though he seemed to have missed out on a customer, he still did not dare bar Roland and the others from entering.

He stepped aside from the doorway and said casually, "Steward Jon is inside. Go find him yourselves."

"Alright." Faced with the middle-aged man's suddenly cold attitude, Jonathan showed no displeasure and hurried forward to push open the heavy doors for Roland.

Roland remained calm, clasped his hands behind his back, and strode inside.

The interior of the Shadow Merchant Guild was larger and more spacious than Roland had imagined. The floor was nearly spotless and covered in luxurious carpets, soft and comfortable beneath every step.

The slaves inside were stronger and healthier than those on the street. Although unwillingness still showed in their eyes, none dared resist. Roland also spotted several blonde, blue-eyed girls with excellent looks and figures, sitting pitifully in cages as they awaited buyers.

Roland could not help sneaking a few glances, but in order to maintain his image—or perhaps the thickness of his wallet—he suppressed his restless heart.

At that moment, Jonathan suddenly moved close to Roland and introduced, "Honorable Sir Roland, although the Shadow Merchant Guild is not particularly famous, it mainly deals in human slaves. Their slaves are not only of better quality, but their numbers are also extremely plentiful."

"How did you know I needed human slaves?" Roland asked curiously.

"You wear the badge of a Pioneer Knight. I boldly guessed that you entered the Slave Trading Market because you plan to develop territory in the future," Jonathan replied cautiously.

"Hmm, you're fairly sharp." Roland answered casually, not particularly concerned that Jonathan had seen through his identity.

As the two spoke, a man who appeared to be in his fifties walked briskly toward Roland.

The man wore a simple black robe. His dark brown hair was streaked with gray, and he was thin in build. A pair of shrewd eyes showed from within his deeply sunken eye sockets.

"Little Jonathan, I heard you brought an honored guest. Would that be this distinguished mage?" the graying man asked first with a smile.

Although he was speaking to Jonathan, his gaze remained fixed on Roland, assessing him.

"Yes, Uncle Jon. This is Mage Roland. He is not only a mage, but also a distinguished apothecary. Please be sure to offer him a favorable price," Jonathan immediately replied.

Jonathan's answer made Jon's eyes light up. When he looked at Roland again, his gaze became much more eager.

"Of course. It is my honor to serve such a distinguished apothecary." After speaking, Jon extended a hand toward Roland. "Sir Roland, how about I show you around first?"

"That works," Roland replied.