The Talent Market!
They wanted to keep a low profile, but little did they know, they had already turned Nomad Port into their own business Imperium!
After listening to the receptionist's introduction, Alvin felt even more wary of the Fernando Family; this place was practically a small Imperium!
It seems the Grand Sage Carroll was right; so many years have passed, and Fernando is no longer the same person he once was.
They obediently submitted to Valshius's little family.
"If you are not satisfied with my service, or for any other reason, you can choose another staff member to accompany you." The receptionist was very polite, with a smile always on her face.
It must be said that the Fernando Family really understood the little tricks of the Imperium nobles.
The receptionist was excellent in almost every aspect, from her figure and appearance to her character, speech, and temperament; even Alvin found it difficult to find fault with her.
"No need, you'll do." Alvin was too lazy to change anyone else, so he specified that she should be the one to receive them.
"Yes, Mr. Charles." The receptionist wore a formulaic smile, her eyes crinkling like crescent moons, and said softly, "I am receptionist number 0875. You can call me 'Selene.' During your stay, I will be in charge of your transportation. Please feel free to tell me if you need anything."
"Selene, a nice name, just like you are beautiful," Alvin casually remarked.
He then asked, "By the way, you mentioned earlier that entering the auction requires Level 3 Pass. How do you get that?"
"That's right, Mr. Charles. Every VIP who visits the Nomad Port for the first time will be issued a pass. The level of the pass can only be upgraded based on your spending and investment here," Selene said truthfully.
Charles was an identity he deliberately fabricated: a noble scion from the Imperium Sanctus who came with Rogue Trader.
Can consumption and investment upgrade your pass level?
Alvin raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this just screening "clients"?
Unexpectedly, the Fernando Family has quite a few tricks up their sleeve. By seizing this important port for entering and leaving the Black Zone, as well as the Rogue Trader, and nobles coming and going, the wealth they have accumulated over the years is unimaginable!
There are ways to reach the requirements of Level 3 Pass in a short period of time, but Alvin really doesn't want to be taken advantage of.
"What if I have something to sell?" Alvin changed his way of thinking. Since he didn't want to be the big shot, he might as well be the seller!
"Of course, Mr. Charles," Selene said with a smile. "The Fernando Family's auction house accepts consignments from all over the world every year. If the appraisal results show that the item you need to consign is of a very high level, we will also grant you Level 3 Pass from the Fernando Family."
"Okay, it's settled then."
Alvin snapped his fingers and said, "I have something to auction off. Take me to the auction house."
"No problem, Mr. Charles, please come with me, there's a car here." Selene said, and was about to leave when she was stopped.
"I'm new to Nomad Port. I've heard from my family that you can buy anything here. Why don't you take me around first?" Alvin made up a reason on the spot.
It wasn't that he was genuinely interested in Nomad Port, but since he was "traveling incognito," he wanted to see for himself what it was like there.
Selene wasn't surprised by this request; after all, Nomad Port handled countless customers every day, and what strange requests hadn't they seen?
"Okay, please follow me." Selene was wearing a bodycon dress, and her two long, fair legs were quite alluring.
For example, Tucker next to him looked like he had his eyes glued to Alvin's legs, leaving Alvin speechless.
Can't you be a little more mindful of your appearance?
"I'm a guard, what do I care about my image?" Tucker avoided Selene and muttered under his breath, "Besides, you don't want to watch, do you? You're clearly afraid of being scolded by Winnie when you get back, that's why you're afraid to watch."
Alvin's lips twitched.
It's worth mentioning that the last time he met Winnie was after the Pertita Campaign. Winnie had stayed on the ship ever since, and would occasionally call him to the training room for a day of practice under the pretext of swordsmanship training!
"You're talking nonsense! You think I'd be afraid of her?!" Alvin was instantly enraged, lowering his voice and shouting, his face red and his neck bulging, "I clearly just couldn't bring myself to do it!"
"Tch, what's there to be reluctant about?" Tucker chuckled, directly exposing him. "You obviously can't beat them."
Every time I come out, I'm bruised and battered.
"... If you're so good, you do it yourself!"
Alvin said fiercely, "When we get back, I'll have Winnie give you a good beating. You've been asking for it these past few days!"
Upon hearing this, Tucker dared not provoke him any longer and immediately begged for mercy, "No, no, no, I was just joking. He's a Living Saint, how could I possibly be qualified?"
To challenge Living Saint to a duel is something only a madman could do!
No, even if someone were crazy, they wouldn't want to fight a "Living Saint" one-on-one. Let alone the jungle strongmen of Catachan, even if another team came, they wouldn't be a match for him!
The two exchanged a few quiet jokes. Selene, who was walking ahead, stopped and turned around, saying, "Mr. Charles, that's the largest 'talent exchange' market in Nomad Port. Would you like to take a look?"
What the heck?!
Alvin thought he'd misheard. Had he traveled back in time to the talent exchange market?
Seeing his bewildered expression, Selene covered her mouth and chuckled, explaining, "It's like this, Mr. Charles, if you need to purchase bodyguards or personnel with special abilities, you can take a look at the market ahead."
Hearing this, Alvin finally realized what was going on. "Isn't this the slave trade?"
"It's a 'talent exchange market,' Mr. Charles. Fernando never breaks Imperium laws; all transactions here are legal," Selene corrected him with a smile.
Good heavens, to talk about the slave trade so openly and honestly shows just how terrifying the Fernando Family's power is in Nomad Port!
Although the slave trade was viewed ambiguously in the Imperium's official laws and existed to varying degrees in many regions, it wasn't considered a major issue. Even if the Vought were to intervene, it wouldn't be able to use this matter against Xu Fernando.
Setting up a stall openly and telling people this is a slave market—isn't that a bit too arrogant?!
While inwardly marveling at the Fernando Family, Alvin remained outwardly composed. "Alright, let's go take a look. We happen to be short a few 'talents'!"
He emphasized this word with particular force.
"Please follow me, Mr. Charles," Selene said, leading the way.
Alvin quickly realized that he had been too naive; the talent market was far more complex than he had imagined!
The job market was filled with malnourished people wearing locks, shawls, and rags.
Huddled in an iron cage housing dozens of people, their eyes vacant and blank as they stared out.
Here, many very young children, some as young as seven or eight, are also locked in cages.
"These are all low-level personnel." Selene's gaze swept over them without the slightest ripple, and she continued walking forward, introducing, "We also have specially trained female personnel here who can meet your various needs."
"Are they all criminals or heretics?" Alvin asked expressionlessly, staring at the "slaves" in the cages.
"Of course."
Selene smiled and said, "Fernando strictly abides by Imperium laws. All the low-ranking talents here are either lawbreakers or have parents who are heretics."
Ha, heresy?
Looking at those children who were only a few years old, Alvin sneered inwardly. Whether they were heretics or criminals, it was probably up to Fernando to decide.
But even if this matter goes to the Vought, it won't bring down the Fernando Family; nobody will care.
The life and death of several ordinary people.
"If this is all the stuff we have, I don't think we need to waste any more time," Alvin said dismissively. "What I want are truly useful and valuable collectibles, not this kind of junk."
Selene's eyes flickered, as if she was hesitating.
As a receptionist, the most important thing is to read people's expressions and demeanor. Although the time spent with him was short, she could sense that Alvin had an unusual aura about him, and he was definitely a nobleman!
If she can secure a deal with a VIP like this, she can earn a substantial bonus!
"Mr. Charles, if you really want to purchase some special items, you'll need to prove your assets first." Finally, Selene couldn't resist the temptation and tentatively inquired.
She also took a huge risk; such a special transaction requires a Level 2 pass.
He's taken the bait— Alvin remained calm, feigning anger. "Damn it, you lowly wretch, are you questioning my abilities? Do you even know who you're talking to!"
That's it, with that temperament, he's definitely a high-ranking nobleman!
Selene, who had been insulted, was not angry at all. Instead, she felt that Alvin was more in line with her stereotype of the great nobles of the Imperium Sanctus.
"Open your dog eyes and look carefully! This thing is enough to buy an entire Hive City!" Alvin drew his noble Duelist Sword from his waist with a whoosh, his face full of pride. "This is the sword of a legendary hero! You dare to question me?!"
This sword is forged from Adamantium and adorned with precious gems and other expensive ornaments. Its craftsmanship is absolutely superb, and even if it were displayed outside, it would definitely attract a large group of Rogue Trader to fight over it.
Such items were almost everywhere in the Valshius Family's treasury.
Sure enough, upon seeing the magnificent Duelist Sword, Selene immediately beamed, even her eyes becoming more alluring. "It's my fault, Mr. Charles. Please come with me, I'll show you the real talent exchange market in Nomad Port."