Chapter 499: Slavery Guild (1/2)
Breakfast was simple and basic as Aldina had to leave early for her newspaper sales. Gary apologised for the lack of variety on the menu but promised that they would be compensated at dinner when Aldina returned.
As for the talks, Gary decided to close the inn for a while to visit Mitchnew and also offer an apology to the almighty dragon for his impudence the day before. Zero laughed it off and told him that Bob wasn't a petty person but Gary still insisted on doing so. They didn't stop him but Zero told the old general that Bob enjoyed good roasted meat if he intended to get on Bob's good side before they left to walk around the other districts of the city.
”Where to?” Truen asked and Zero smiled. He already had an idea of what he wanted to see when he spoke to Gary last night.
”The northern and eastern districts. Let's check on the situation with slavery. It has been a few months since negotiation started, I hope there is a positive effect.”
Little did they know, things didn't go according to their expectations. With Desert Lily too far from Smargdas, Mitchnew busy with her information network and Green Hawks completely in charge of implementing the new certification standards, Truen and Zero could only stare dumbly at the outrageous system when they reached the northern district.
The building they stood outside of looked like a high-class auction hall and it really wasn't very different from other auction halls if the sign didn't read ”Slavery Guild”.
”Greetings!” the guild staff smiled and walked up to them when they stood outside the slavery guild for a little too long looking like ignorant buyers.
Zero was lost and Truen felt no better although he hid it better. ”What is this place? I've never seen it the last time I was here.”
The staff didn't look surprised. Instead, he was more enthusiastic about explaining the new system.
”You must have been gone for a few months then! This slavery guild is something new in Smargdas. Word has it that the nobles implemented it for the benefit of all slave owners to screen through the savages from the premium breeds. Naturally, slave laws are now very strictly exercised in Smargdas because of it but I assure you that every slave registered with the new law will be worth their prices. May I know what kind of slaves are you looking for?”
Acting neutral, Truen asked what kind of slaves there were for auction and Zero tried to keep his expression neutral even if he felt sick in his stomach hearing it.
”There are primarily three kinds of slaves classed under combat slaves, servant slaves and bedroom slaves. The most popular kind of slave is the bedroom slave for nobles to show off at the parties. Those volunteering to become slaves most now sign a contract to undergo a compulsory slave training program in Smargdas and be graded according to their performance at the institute. Naturally, health checks and proper living conditions will be arranged for volunteers undergoing the training as provided by the guild. Successful graduates will attend the auction where they would be sold to the highest bidder who would be registered with the guild upon purchase. The slavery deed will be transferred to the owner and the slave will become the owner's property until the owner changes hands, dies or the slave buys their contract back from the guild.”
While everything sounded good on the surface, Zero couldn't help but feel anxious about the slaves who didn't register with the guild.
”What about those who aren't registered with the guild or have already been slaves before the new law started? I hear that illegal slave trafficking in the south is still going on in the city. Does the guild not do anything about it?”
The staff looked slightly uncomfortable about that. ”Is there a slave you would like to enquire about in particular?”