Tesoro and Stella

"An agreement? I don't recall any pre-order service here."

Ross asked calmly. Slaves had no right to choose for themselves.

Either this woman was truly reserved by some important figure, or she was simply too naive—naive enough to believe a slave shop would sell her off so easily.

Anything displayed in the window was basically a non-sale item for the slave shop. The price tag was just for show.

"Tesoro said three years ago that he would buy me. He should have enough money saved up in a few days."

After speaking, the woman let out a relieved sigh.

"Tesoro..."

A flicker of understanding passed through Ross's eyes. He knew who this woman was.

Gild Tesoro, the future owner of the Gold-Gold Fruit, the future Golden Emperor, the richest man outside the World Government.

This man's rise was quite dramatic. Originally a thug who stole money to gamble, he met Moonlight at a human trafficking market and was reformed by her, working hard to earn money just to set her free.

Unfortunately, just as he was about to save enough to buy Moonlight, a Celestial Dragon appeared and casually bought her away.

From then on, Tesoro turned dark, believing money could buy everything. He even stole the Gold-Gold Fruit from Doflamingo, eventually becoming the future Golden Emperor step by step.

The tragedy was that even after becoming the Golden Emperor, one of the richest men in the world, he still couldn't buy his revenge against the Celestial Dragons.

If nothing unexpected happened, the golden-haired beauty before him was Tesoro's Moonlight from the story—Stella.

"Indeed, quite beautiful."

Worthy of being fought over by both a future powerhouse and a Celestial Dragon, Stella had her own unique charm.

Aside from her outrageously generous assets, her smooth golden hair, snow-white skin, and the fragile aura she exuded all stirred a desire to claim her.

No wonder a woman like this could be the star attraction of this slave shop, standing on display for three years just to draw in customers.

"Sir, what did you say?"

Stella hadn't quite caught Ross's words, but his attire, demeanor, and the attendants beside him all signaled that he was a guest deserving of respect.

"Nothing much. Just wanted to make a bet with you."

"Sir, what kind of bet would you like to make?"

Meeting Ross's faintly amused gaze, a chill crept into Stella's heart.

But he was an honored guest, so Stella had to keep a smile on her face and serve him.

"Let's bet on whether that Tesoro can actually buy you. How about it?" Ross said with a smile.

"Sir, please don't make things hard for him. I'm willing to go with you!"

Stella's expression shifted drastically. Without a second thought, she misinterpreted Ross's meaning.

To her ears, his words sounded like he was threatening Tesoro's life to force her to go with him.

"No, no, no. Whether he's involved or not, you're coming with me today. But before that, I want you to watch a little show.

"If this Tesoro you mentioned can successfully buy you with money, and the slave shop doesn't interfere, then I'll snatch you from his hands and teach him an unforgettable lesson.

"If Tesoro has the money but still can't buy you, then you'll leave with me right in front of him, giving him a memory he'll never forget. How about it?"

Hearing these words, Stella fell silent.

She ignored the part about being forcibly taken away—she'd heard that too many times before.

And precisely because she'd heard it so often, she seemed to have overlooked many details until now.

Three years. She had been in this slave shop for three whole years.

In those three years, countless people had been drawn to her beauty and charm, including powerful pirates and wealthy merchants.

Yet not a single one had managed to take her away.

Was it because they lacked money? Or strength?

Since neither was the case, the problem had to lie with her.

Perhaps the slave shop had never intended to sell her at all.

"Why..."

If you can't find it by searching the book title, try searching the author—maybe it just changed names!

As the realization dawned on her, Stella's face twisted in pain.

Why? She had already been captured and torn from her homeland as a slave.

Why, behind the so-called hope, was there nothing but bottomless despair?

Who... would set her free...

At that moment, even though Tesoro hadn't arrived with the money yet, she already knew the answer.

It would be exactly as Ross had said—even if Tesoro saved up enough, he couldn't take her away.

From the very beginning, she was never just an ordinary piece of merchandise.

Right then, Stella almost hated her own appearance. If she didn't have this face, maybe she would never have caught the slavers' eyes in the first place.

"Yo, Saint Ross?"

At that moment, a lazy voice came from beside them.

Ross? Was that his name? Stella's heart stirred slightly.

But why did it have the word 'Saint' attached?

Before Stella could think it through, she looked up and saw a sight that left her stunned.

The once-bustling street had fallen completely silent. A Celestial Dragon in a protective suit walked down the road, with people kneeling all around him.

In the entire scene, aside from that noble Celestial Dragon, only she, Ross, and Ross's attendants remained standing.

And that voice had just come from that Celestial Dragon.

"Saint..."

Stella seemed to realize something, her breathing quickening as she stared at Ross with growing terror.

The guest who had just been chatting with her was a Celestial Dragon!

Thinking of the reputation of Celestial Dragons and Ross's earlier tone that brooked no argument, Stella's mind was in complete chaos.

"Saint Filimon."

Facing the newcomer, Ross merely nodded slightly, acknowledging the greeting.

Topman Filimon was the type of Celestial Dragon stuck between coasting through life and being elite—neither high nor low. If not for his grandfather being one of the Five Elders, Saint Topman Warcury, he wouldn't be much different from Saint Rosward.

In the past, Ross had been on the same level as him.

Saint Topman Filimon

Comprehensive Rating: A

"I just heard Saint Rosward mention you. I'll be off now. Come back to the Holy Land and we'll fight slaves together. Hope you pick some good ones this time."

Filimon laughed heartily, glanced at Stella, then looked away and continued deeper into the Slave Market.

Though Stella's appearance and temperament stirred his interest, he was a noble Celestial Dragon, and a descendant of the Five Elders at that. How could he openly squabble with another Celestial Dragon over a female slave?

Just a female slave—not worth his effort.

After Filimon walked off, the entire street remained utterly silent.

One Celestial Dragon had left, but another was still here.

"So I'm not the blond one after all."

Ross withdrew his gaze with some disappointment. He'd thought he was the blond Celestial Dragon from Tesoro's story, but it turned out to be someone else.

Then again, if Ross hadn't awakened his memories, he wouldn't have come to Sabaody Archipelago recently at all.

"Your noble grace..."

Stella looked at Ross cautiously. Facing a Celestial Dragon, she didn't even dare breathe loudly, let alone act as naturally as before.

"Keep the same attitude as before. Otherwise, I'll kill you, you know."

Ross snapped back to attention, raised an eyebrow slightly, and gave Stella a meaningful look.

"Ah... yes, guest!"

Stella immediately sat up straight, kneeling on the display platform with her body tense. Even as she tried to relax, it was impossible to be as natural as she had been at the start.