Are Kam and Kum alright? What about the others?

Egru raised his hand to wipe his warm nose bridge. He had meant to lift just one hand, but the other followed, bound by handcuffs. Soon both hands fell limply.

A feeling of helplessness beyond anything he’d felt before enveloped his entire body. He couldn’t believe his situation—about to be sold like mere merchandise. He tried calling up the status window just in case, but still no response.

Am I… am I really becoming a slave? If so, who will buy me?

At least in the past, he’d had choices. Waking up at dawn and working hard every day had all been for a better tomorrow. Though his life hadn’t improved dramatically, he could feel small satisfactions.

But now…

He had no idea what work he would do as a slave. Farm labor? Errands? Cleaning?

No, no. It will be fine.

Egru shook his head in the darkness where he couldn’t see an inch ahead. Right, he had been destined to be sold for unpaid debts under the system anyway. Even escaping that fate hadn’t been through his own power, but Levian’s whims.

I… I wanted a new beginning…

There was no rule saying this situation couldn’t be a new opportunity. The only difference between then and now was the change in master who would take him.

Anyone… anyone should be fine.

If he served diligently and repaid his purchase price, he might become free again.

If I really do become free…

Egru naturally thought of his brother. When he’d first emerged from the Well of Beginnings, he’d thought only of finding D’Élysée without hesitation.

But now, a hint of hesitation arose.

“I hope never to see you again. Unless you want to overwork someone who’s finally found their own life…”

Kevin’s words kept coming back to him. As he’d said, wouldn’t Egru just disrupt his brother’s good life with his selfishness?

Perhaps this was for the best.

D’Élysée was at an age to start his own family now. He’d be better off without a demon-blooded brother.

He didn’t want to hold his brother back, even if he couldn’t help him anymore.

But still…

He couldn’t help remembering the scenes of his brother dying repeatedly in his dreams. In truth, many questions remained unanswered.

What were those incredibly realistic visions?

Right, right, I’ll do this…

He was still worried about his brother’s well-being. So he’d just check from afar that he was healthy and doing well.

And then, and then…

This time he’d truly let go. Let him soar into the light without being shadowed by his unworthy brother.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t afraid of his current situation. But if he’d learned one thing in life, it was that everything depended on how you faced it.

Egru was confident he could work until his body broke, wherever he ended up. For a moment, he imagined himself cleaning chimneys at a modest mansion.

I wonder if Kam and Kum could come with me?

He suddenly thought of the twins. He worried about the children who still needed care.

“The person we’re meeting now is a wealthy noble from the Kemmel Kingdom. Our regular customer.”

“…”

Egru tried his best not to react to the slave trader’s explanation. He didn’t want to exchange words with someone who used violence against children. Regardless, the slave traders were busy trying to persuade Egru.

“Show some charm. This person might become your master.”

“The slaves he’s bought before haven’t been treated badly. He’s known for treating them well if he takes a liking to them. Let’s do well, okay?”

The slave traders led Egru to a building slightly separated from the main market. Except for the underground slave auction hall, every floor was used as reception rooms.

The furniture inside, from small candlesticks to chandeliers, all exuded expense, though they strangely seemed to clash rather than harmonize. Like a nouveau riche who admired high society had collected expensive items indiscriminately.

Entering the main hall, the slave traders boarded a manual elevator with practiced ease, leading their blindfolded premium merchandise.

Ding. The elevator’s arrival chime soon echoed in the narrow space.

“Marquis, Your Excellency! It’s been so long! Your complexion has improved greatly!”

As the slave trader began his flattery, the stifling blindfold was removed.

Only then did Egru slowly open his eyes and raise his head.

***

At the same time.

A small dispute was occurring at the slave market entrance.

“There aren’t any. Really none. These are the last ones, I’m telling you!”

The novice slave trader waved his hands, pushing away the Allied Nations soldiers.

“Only fourteen? The numbers keep dropping unbelievably.”

“Guess demon captures have decreased lately. Thanks to us. Isn’t that good for you?”

“If the slave syndicate isn’t deceiving our Allied Nations.”

The orc soldier from the Allied Nations maintained a cold tone as he distanced himself from the slave trader.

“In exchange for receiving demons flowing into the slave market, we’re paying morally appropriate prices. According to the Transfer Treaty signed by Queen Röwugor, when demons are commercially traded…”

“Ugh!”

The slave trader grimaced as if sick of the orc soldier’s words.

“I know! I know! But I’m telling the truth! I’m just a rookie—what would I gain from lying to you mongrel do—I mean, to you!”

“…”

“These are all the demons that came in this time! So take them quickly!”

“That’s not true.”

Just then, one of the demon children who had been quiet spoke up. It was a girl with gray hair.

“There’s one more.”

When the boy who appeared to be her twin added his voice, the slave trader’s face turned ghostly white.

“W-what are you saying! Young ones who lie get slapped!”

The twins looked up at the orc soldier with innocent eyes.

“But it’s not a lie?”

“A man.”

“An elf. They said he was an elf.”

“His hair is like sweet chocolate.”

“And his eyes are like savory egg yolk.”

The girl Kam and boy Kum traded information back and forth.

“Where are these brats dreaming this up! Won’t you be quiet?”

The moment the slave trader raised his hand, the orc soldier blocked him instantly. The flustered slave trader tried to smooth over the situation with a forced laugh.

“These kids must have seen wrong! You know how children often lie!”

“…”

“Search the whole place! Look for yourself! I’m telling you there’s nothing! Besides, where would you find elves these days? They rarely leave their own territory! Elves aren’t even Allied members to begin with…!”

“But they are members of the demon races.”

The orc soldier spoke firmly.

“Children speak exactly what they see.”

“I-I’m telling you that’s not true…!”

“Guide us there immediately.”

The orc soldier’s voice dropped low.

“If not, next time you’ll face not just a single soldier, but the Allied army.”

***

Egru unknowingly stiffened.

In the candlelit room, an old man was staring intently at him.

“You’re truly fortunate, Your Excellency! Finally, the elf you’ve been waiting for has arrived!”

The slave traders led Egru before the old man while laughing heartily. The merchants’ eyes gleamed with the scent of money.

“My, how did you know to come first? We were too late. We were planning to contact you first before notifying other regulars…”

“Let’s proceed quickly. It’s not like this is my first time seeing an elf.”

“Of course, Your Excellency!”

At the Marquis’s urging, the product introduction began immediately.

Egru was startled. His clothes had been stripped off in an instant.

The Marquis, thin and hollow-eyed, began openly examining Egru’s entire body. Egru drew his knees together in embarrassment. With even this small movement, the pearl powder coating his body sparkled like sand.

“May I touch?”

The Marquis asked. Not to Egru himself, but to the slave trader.

“Yes, he’s docile. Unlike typical elves, he’s naturally submissive and not demanding.”

As if demonstrating, the slave trader thoroughly stroked Egru’s dark brown hair.

“See how gentle his temperament is. He’s this obedient even without common shackles. While elves often scream themselves to death within a week of becoming slaves, this one’s different.”

Though the praise transparently revealed their desire to sell, the aged Marquis seemed somewhat unimpressed.

“The appeal of elves is their feistiness.”

“Ah, but still! Do you see this neat, pointed ear shape? He’s a pure-blooded elf without a drop of inferior blood. A pure-blooded elf this well-behaved is especially remarkable. First, look at our blood test results. And…”

The slave trader whispered emphatically.

“He’s an omega.”

“…A recessive trait.”

The old Marquis skimmed through the documents dismissively. Whether he liked it or not was completely unclear. Anxious, the slave trader moistened his lips and continued.

“But isn’t being an omega significant in itself? The ability to bear children is important, after all. Indeed.”

“…”

“You know even half-elves fetch quite a price? He’d make a good future investment. Also, being docile, he’s not just for display—he can be used directly.”

“Hmm.”

“An elf you can bring to bed while sober—isn’t that exceptional? Look here. Do you see these pure, untainted eyes? He’s premium grade without a single blemish on his skin.”

The slave trader lowered his voice as he approached the old Marquis.

“He’ll gladly accept Your Excellency’s bedroom training. Savoring that process is a special pleasure.”

The Marquis remained silent. A sign to continue speaking.

“Truth is, we could fetch double the price if we sold him after he ripened a bit more. But we’re honest merchants, unlike other slave traders. You know? That’s why so many regulars visit our establishment. Not to rush you, but the sooner you decide the better. We have other appointments, so we can’t guarantee how long we can keep him…”

Egru flinched. The old Marquis had lightly touched his private parts with his cane.

“Ah…”

Egru lowered his head. As a blush unconsciously rose to his face from shame, the old Marquis’s eyes sparkled.

“Very well, I’ll take this one this time.”