IJRM 10

Chapter: 10

Slave (2)

Rohan pulled out the merchant guild badge that had been in my possession. The investment had been huge, and since it was derived from the marquis family anyway, the guild badge sparkled brightly—as if to show that money could do anything.

Seeing that, the man’s eyes lit up sharply.

“Hmph. Th-This is real. The guild badge… I see.”

In the end, the gatekeeper hesitated but stepped aside. A natural reaction.

The merchant guild and the slave merchants had a silent understanding. They looked out for each other. Perhaps he thought that revealing his own guild name wouldn’t harm them, so he was fairly cordial.

“If you’re here to buy slaves, just walk straight ahead.”

‘Damn it.’

Just for having a merchant guild badge, they let me pass so easily. That meant they had done some shady dealings behind the scenes. My instinct was to overturn everything in anger.

But now was not the time. I couldn’t repeat past mistakes. I couldn’t let them slip by right in front of me. Anyway, these slave merchants would still be doing the same thing in this place years from now.

‘I’m no apostle of justice.’

Still, there had to be a reason I came back to this time, and I felt this was part of that reason.

The biggest factor in my return to this time had been the family curse, and learning about that curse had been thanks to this slave market.

“Aren’t you going?”

“Of course. Thank you.”

With that, the three of us walked down a long corridor. A very long corridor with countless rooms. But wherever there should have been doors, there were only bars. Behind them were people trapped.

Everyone was imprisoned, weak and helpless. There were very young children, and elderly people who could barely move.

A heavy weight settled in Cessenia’s heart. She had only ever seen this place from afar. Even when managing the marquis family or as the empress, she could not easily move about. She had only heard rumors of such a place. She had only been here once.

It was there that she had met ‘that person’ and learned about the curse on the marquis family. And she had promised that person she would destroy this place. Even if she couldn’t save everyone, she would make sure that no one had to go through this again.

Having only ever given orders from a desk, Cessenia couldn’t easily adjust to the reality of this situation. Seeing humans treated as less than human, she bit her lips.

‘Endure it. Endure. There’s nothing to gain from pitying these people.’

Seeing them only reminded her of how insignificant she herself was.

At that moment, a man from inside hurried toward her.

“It’s surprising to see someone so young here. What brings you?”

Walking through this place, Cessenia hadn’t been able to maintain her expression, but she nodded belatedly, as if she felt nothing.

“A boy to play with. Preferably around my age.”

“Boys your age are rare here…”

“Is there really none?”

“There is… but he has a slight defect. I’m not sure if it would be acceptable to offer him to you.”

The slave merchant, who had approached, glanced at Cessenia nervously. He seemed to be of higher status than the gatekeeper. Likely the owner of this place.

His eyes scanned her up and down with a clear intent. He seemed to be assessing how much money she had, whether she could purchase what he was offering. Fortunately, it seemed she passed the test, as the merchant twitched his eyebrows.

“Defect?”

“Yes. He doesn’t obey instructions very well. I’ve equipped him with a magical restraint… but it’s not a serious problem.”

“Bring him.”

“Yes, yes.”

At that moment, Cessenia’s face broke into a wide smile.

There was only one young man her age in this slave market—the one she was looking for.

Young men rarely appeared in slave markets. Even when desired as labor, it was cheaper to use lower-class people, and young men were harder to manage and more prone to acting wildly, which slave merchants disliked.

That was why she had specified her age. Sure enough, her prediction was correct.

The “defective” boy was imprisoned deep within the market.

“Miss… going this deep seems suspicious!”

Lizbeth, trembling the entire way, gripped Cessenia’s arm tightly.

“It’s fine. Rohan is here.”

“…That unreliable older brother of yours?”

“Yes. But at least his swordsmanship is excellent. Let’s trust him.”

“…That older brother will probably save only you if anything happens…”

“If anything happens, I’ll save you, Lizbeth. Don’t worry.”

Cessenia patted her hand and followed the merchant closely. Finally, we stopped before a young man with black hair and golden eyes.

‘Black hair…’

The man she had been expecting should have had golden hair. But his hair was as black as hers.

‘Is he someone else?’

Yet the golden eyes that shone even in the darkness confirmed that he was the one she sought. A man who looked completely out of place in this setting. Even covered in ashes, his nobility could not be hidden.

No matter how many scratches covered his body, he was the one she was looking for. Hair could be changed. She didn’t know who had altered his hair, but she was certain at this moment.

Cessenia smiled faintly as she recalled seeing him in the past.

‘I found him correctly.’

They had briefly met once, when she was empress. She had spoken to him then. It was nothing significant, but it was him. Though he looked inhuman now, and his hair color was different, he was the same person.

Then the slave merchant, as if on cue, spoke.

“This is him.”

“I like him.”

Cessenia grinned upon seeing the man. There was no hesitation.

“How much?”

“Uh? Ah. Yes. The price of the restraint is quite high…”

“Discuss the price with Rohan. Rohan, you know what to do?”

“Yes, Miss.”

Rohan straightened his shoulders and stepped back with the merchant. Meanwhile, Cessenia looked at the man behind the bars.

The man didn’t even glance at her. Cessenia tapped the bars with her hand as if calling a dog.

“You.”

“You won’t be able to tame me.”

As if proving why he was called “disobedient,” the slave glared at her. Cessenia didn’t flinch and nodded at him.

“I like your rebellious attitude.”

“…”

“Can you do laundry well?”

“…Laundry?”

Her arrogant tone had vanished instantly.

“I want you to handle some laundry.”

The man looked at her, dumbfounded.

“Well, even if you can’t, I’ll still take you.”

“…You mean as a human?”

“No. To fluff some cotton.”

“Is his name Som? No, Som?”

The man’s nature was kind, so he alternated between casual and polite speech. Instinctively polite, then pretending to relax his tone—it was almost cute. Cessenia chuckled but then grew serious.

Like the 20-year-old Cessenia, she spoke brightly, but memories of her experiences kept surfacing.

Her expressions couldn’t always be controlled. Her voice and tone mimicked a young noblewoman, naive and inexperienced, but it was all an act.

Noticing this, the man’s expression darkened. Like a beast instinctively discerning friend from foe. Knowing who to submit to and who to defy.

Or perhaps he noticed something else instinctively… he changed.

“No. Som.”

Cessenia meant it sincerely.

To beat the cotton.

The Som she had purchased—the Hefria cotton—needed to be fluffed periodically. Only then could air fill it, allowing it to expand and increase its value. Left in an unheated place, it would mold easily. In the empire, Hefria cotton was worthless. Difficult to manage and little demand.

Hence, she intended to take him along, though the man still tilted his head in confusion.

‘He would have a valid reason not to trust me, but he won’t.’

Yet she couldn’t reveal his identity immediately. He had to realize it himself. So she planned to employ him at the Iar Trading Company.

He might not obey well, but he was the only prince untainted by Elzer’s grasp.

‘The lost prince unknown even to the current emperor. My mother cursed him so severely… the prince hidden because my mother hated the emperor’s seed.’

Cessenia stared at the man and smiled.

‘And you wanted to overthrow all those damned royals.’

Memories returned faintly. When she was empress, she had sought this man under the emperor’s orders. Her own affairs were already overwhelming, but she was sincere with him.

‘If you have a wish, I’ll grant it. But leave the royal family. It will be better for you.’

A puppet trapped like her in the royal court, she hoped he would avoid that fate. But he refused without hesitation.

Having been instructed by someone or knowing the truth of his upbringing, he had decided he must become emperor. A dream since he realized his existence.

‘Eventually, you wanted to be emperor, and I’ll make that hatred in your eyes real.’

By then, Rohan had finished negotiating the price and approached Cessenia and Lizbeth with a victorious expression.

“It’s done. I stopped them from overcharging and bought him at a fair price.”

“About what we expected?”

“No. I halved the price. He seemed to have many problems. The magical restraint indicates risk, he’s malnourished, and with all his scars… he probably isn’t mentally sound.”

Rohan kept a wary eye on the man in the cage. It didn’t feel like ordinary caution… there was another meaning.

“Hmm? He has scars too.”

Cessenia hadn’t noticed until Rohan mentioned it. His body was covered in scars, some old, but still clear.

“Yes.”

“Rohan did well. Good job.”

At that moment, the merchant, who seemed extremely displeased with the deal, hurried to Cessenia, complaining.

“Ah, this is truly a losing business.”

“Huh?”

“Just keeping this slave cost so much…!”

Thinking Rohan wouldn’t understand, he turned to Cessenia, grumbling. She played along.

“Oh? It cost a lot? Why?”

“Because he’s an adult, he eats a lot. The longer he stayed here, the more expenses piled up… and no one bought him. So, miss, if you could pay a bit more…”

‘I thought he’d complain about the price of the magical restraint, but he didn’t. So it probably didn’t cost much, or the restraint is faulty and feeding him cost more.’