Chapter 500: Slavery Situation (1/2)
As the staff explained earlier, there were three general classes of slaves in the new system. Duke Connie went into details of the slave classes and Truen had to cast a spell to cover Zero's ears when he talked about the duties of bedroom slaves. Zero was slightly confused when he heard nothing coming out of the duke's mouth until Truen explained that it was too vulgar for Zero to listen on.
”That said, I believe that we should be able to register and clean up the slavery situation in Smargdas within the next two years. Sure, some southern district residents think that they can still skirt around the new laws about slavery but it should be sorted out soon enough after I implement the purge stage.”
”Purge stage?” Truen didn't like the sound of it and cancelled the sound isolating spell that he used on Zero.
Duke Connie had an unpleasant smile on his face. ”But of course. Rubbish has to be taken out in order to clean the filth. Any unregistered slaves by the end of the year will be executed on the spot and the slave owners will be heavily fined. Slave traders will all be required to register with the slavery guild to be given permits based on the requirements matching the institute. Living standards will be raised according to the slave classes while in the trader's possession until they find an owner.”
Zero felt his qi turn cold when he heard that. Unregistered slaves would be executed and the owners or traders will only be fined? That was like a slap on the wrist! What wrong did the slaves do if they weren't registered?! This was as good as a massacre, he couldn't allow it!
Without needing Zero to contact him using the party call function, Truen already understood what his doctor friend might be feeling.
”Unacceptable,” he told the duke. ”What a waste of perfect resources! Slaves that are unregistered should be given a chance to find new owners if their undeserving owners couldn't be bothered to register them. You should fine the irresponsible owners and traders but the guild should take responsibility for those slaves.”
Unfazed by Truen's demands and objection, Duke Connie laughed and in an amiable tone like teaching a misbehaving child patiently, he shook his head. ”I'm afraid you misunderstood. The guild is taking responsibility by executing them on the spot. It's not a waste of resources at all. IN fact, we would be spending more resources by confiscating unregistered slaves and taking them into the institute. Most of these unregistered slaves are usually unwanted for various reasons. They're either too old, too dumb, too ugly or just already on the verge of death. It's not a good investment for anyone.”
Zero who had been holding back this hold time felt the anger boil in the pit of his stomach and his fingers curled into a ball beneath his lab coat's long sleeve that hid it. Truen noticed the subtle gesture and quickly told Zero to control himself for a little longer with the party call function.
”Is that so?” he raised a brow and kept his voice level. If he failed to find a solution and save those slaves, Zero would probably kill this man and absorb him into the void. ”I don't think you know how to do business well, Duke Connie. A man like yourself rumoured to be one of the best businessmen within Green Hawks is only so-so in reality. I guess I've overestimated you. Sorry for taking up your time, it looks like we have nothing further to discuss if you are only concerned about chasing minor profits. Half Moon Village will look for a better sponsor.”
Truen stood up and Zero followed his lead to walk out when the Duke let his mask fall.
”Wait! Please stay for a little longer. I apologise for being hasty earlier. It was my mistake for failing to look at the bigger picture. Indeed, if Half Moon Village is willing to partner with us, we could find a different method or even make some adjustments to the law.”
At this, Truen pretended to be sceptical and Zero wondered if he should still walk out.
”You? Adjust the law? A mere duke?”