Zik’s defeat quickly settled the situation.
The humans, who had boasted as the masters of the north, were defeated by a single woman. They gathered around Asies and knelt.
There were injured, but no one had died.
Just a little frostbite, and a few cuts.
Thanks to Asies diligently following Carami’s order to never kill.
‘What kind of a human is this?’
Meanwhile, Vipen, watching the situation from a corner, was unable to contain his shock.
Because in Vipen’s knowledge, there was no one as powerful as Zik. Yet Vipen was rendered powerless.
He had boasted of being the strongest.
He blamed himself for trusting the barbarian.
‘The business is ruined.’
He thought of quickly returning to settle his affairs and escape. Zik, who had been watching his back, was out of commission, and the scammed humans would be sharpening their swords to pursue him.
It’s quite regrettable that he couldn’t take revenge on Carami, but in the course of doing business, they would surely meet again.
“Prepare yourself. I won’t let you step foot in this field again.”
A flag of a loser that can be seen anywhere. Vipen, vowing revenge, subtly turned to leave.
Whack!
“Eek?!”
An arrow that flew from somewhere barely grazed the tip of Vipen’s nose and embedded itself in the wall. A sharp pain bloomed, and a bead of sweat gathered on his brow.
If the arrow had come just a little closer, or if Vipen had been a step faster, his cheek would have been pierced.
“Who is it? Who shot an arrow so dangerously?!”
Who on earth was such a lunatic to do this? Vipen checked the direction from which the arrow had come.
“It’s me, you scamming bastard.”
It was Linbar.
“What kind of reckless thing are you doing? Are you trying to kill me?”
“Yeah, you bastard. I came to collect the price for what you’ve cheated from our clan. I’m here to take your life.”
Linbar notched another arrow on his bowstring. Vipen felt a chill run down his spine. As a merchant, he was quick to pick up on danger. This was serious.
He couldn’t die from a barbarian’s arrow in this remote place.
“Wait! I will give you everything! Everything I’ve kept from you until now! And if you kill me here, you won’t be able to obtain the supplies you’ll need in the future?!”
“Oh, I took care of that.”
Behind Linbar.
Carami appeared, betraying the darkness.
Vipen’s half-squinted eyes widened in surprise.
“Slavery Death God?!”
“Ha ha, don’t be so surprised. Anyone would think a real Death God has appeared.”
Of course, Asies, the slave, would be accompanied by her master, Carami.
“You took care of it? What does that mean?”
“I have a wide network. I’ve already found someone to replace you. More importantly, I won’t have to stab my clients in the back like you.”
“You found someone? Already?”
It had only been a week since he parted ways with Carami. It was tight on time, as it was hard to find people, let alone transport goods.
It was unbelievable for Vipen.
“Hmmm, how will you handle this? You seem to have no value… should I use you as a sacrifice to appease the anger of the tribe members?”
“Eek?! I’ll do whatever you ask! Please just spare my life!”
Vipen performed a habitual dogeza.
There was no merchant pride that was more important than his life.
“Oh. So you will really do everything I ask?”
“Yes! Of course!”
Vipen answered without a hint of hesitation.
If he could somehow escape this situation.
He had capital; if he just survived, he could recover anytime.
“Good. I also prefer not to harm anyone.”
It was absurd to hear that a Death God didn’t enjoy harming people, but seeing an escape route opened up a glow of hope in Vipen’s face.
“You will need to hand over all your funds, business interests, and information about the merchant association. Then I will spare your life.”
“……What?”
Before such a condition came from Carami’s mouth.
“Wait! If you take everything, how will I survive?”
“Do I need to worry about that? If you were a competent merchant, you could surely rise again from the bottom. What? Are you not confident? I am.”
Carami squatted in front of the prostrated Vipen and smiled with an air of accomplishment.
“I recommend you don’t think about hiding anything. I only show mercy once.”
Vipen realized too late.
This Slavery Death God was a ruthless merchant who played with people’s lives.
Carami, having made a good deal with Vipen, left him in Linbar’s care.
Linbar might very well take out his personal feelings on Vipen, but that was not something Carami needed to worry about.
Carami returned to Asies.
Before her were the clan members bound with ice.
Zik glared fiercely at Carami.
“It’s you. The Slavery Death God! Hiding behind a woman and only giving orders. You’re certainly no man despite your grand title!”
“Hahaha, if I was going to fight myself, why would I be a merchant? I’d be a knight. Besides, am I more disgraceful than you, who lost to a woman?”
“You braggart!”
Just as Zik tried to get up, ice covered his body. It froze him from the neck down, leaving him unable to move.
“It would be wise to choose your words carefully. If I kick you, your body will shatter like the ice.”
“Grr…”
As Carami placed her foot on Zik’s chest, he could only seethe with rage and say nothing.
“Lami… cannot break.”
“Yes?”
Asies, who was by her side, interjected.
“This… my magic. Lami can never break….”
Asies knew how weak Carami was. She couldn’t control magical power. Ordinary ice, not magical ice, could never be broken.
Silence fell.
Carami picked up a weapon lying on the floor.
“Haha, if you don’t answer obediently, I’ll use this weapon on you….”
“That’s also impossible….”
“……”
Carami flung the weapon away.
“Hahaha! If you show any signs of rebellion, my slave will rip you to shreds. It would be best to comply.”
Karami did her best to ignore the glares directed at her.
“What do you want?”
“First, I intend to free the people you kidnapped here. So, right now, bring them. First come, first served, two people.”
Only a few knew what first come, first served meant. The two who usually schemed rushed out.
“You traitors!”
Those who realized it too late spat curses, but it was meaningless. They were nothing but a ragtag bunch looking to fill their own pockets. There was no sense of loyalty among them.
Soon, the two who had disappeared brought back people. Almost all of them were women. None had a whole and perfect physique, and it seemed they had gone through quite a rough ordeal.
The women were surprised to see the kneeling clan members, but they looked at Carami, who had brought them to their knees, with fear.
“Hello, everyone. I know you must have suffered a lot during this time, but you can rest easy now.”
“…Who are you?”
“A slave merchant.”
“Ah….”
After misfortune follows misfortune. The dark future was making the women dizzy, causing them to stumble.
“Oh, sister!”
“Oh my, I didn’t expect you to be so weak. But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you all become very healthy.”
“Ah….”
The women began to faint one by one.
How much suffering had they endured that the victims seemed to faint from anemia every time they spoke with me?
These barbaric bastards without an ounce of blood or tears.
How could they let people reach this state?
I gathered clothes and handed them to the women, loading them onto the carriage I had prepared in advance, sending them off to the city.
The remaining care would be handled just fine by them.
The subdued clan members were taken over by the Burund’s knights. They must have been sharpening their swords, as they thanked me repeatedly with bright faces while escorting me away.
A perfect cleanup.
‘I got the necessary items too~’
The jeweled ring in my hand. It was the item Zik had worn. If I hand it over to Darika, she will share a new story.
Frost Hollow, now empty after everyone left. In the center stood Asies, staring blankly around.
“What are you doing?”
“Just….”
She seemed to be engraving new impressions into her mind.
“Asies, how did you feel when fighting with people?”
“Uh…?”
“Their expressions, their voices, didn’t you feel anything?”
Asies recalled the recent battle and soon provided an answer.
“They looked… scary.”
“Anything else?”
“They seemed angry…?”
Uncertain, Asies replied in a less confident voice.
It was a strange emotion for Asies. Having only seen positive things in Lake Fortress, it must be awkward for her.
“How did it feel to swing your sword, Asies? Was it fun?”
Asies shook her head.
“It wasn’t… fun. I don’t want to do it…”
Her characteristic slow speech.
However, there was a will in her words that I had not seen before.
A smile spread across my face.
I had worried what she would say if it was fun, but thankfully, she did not.
“Hmmm, I see. Since you don’t like it, I won’t make you do such things anymore.”
“You won’t?”
“Of course. It’s the duty of a master not to make a slave do things they dislike.”
Asies tilted her head.
She had a face that said she didn’t quite understand, but she didn’t think too deeply about it. It seemed enough for her to simply understand that she wouldn’t be made to do things she disliked.
Asies, whose feelings were locked away, needed to experience as many different emotions as possible. Not just the good ones, but also the bad ones.
Generally, emotions come before reason. Even those who don’t think deeply can feel them naturally as they live.
The new emotions experienced today would accumulate within Asies and stimulate her frozen sensibilities.
That would surely work positively on Asies.
“Now, let’s hurry and leave this dreary place. Let’s return to town. The people must be eagerly waiting for you, Asies.”
“Okay….”
I stepped outside.
But Asies remained still, not following.
“Why are you standing there?”
“Umm. I’m not….”
What is it?
Having lived, I’ve come to notice when she stutters.
Her gaze was slightly downward….
Could it be?
“Did you just check out my butt?”
“No….”
“Ah, so they say children learn the bad things first. Who would have thought Asies would have an interest in a man’s butt?”
“Not that….”
Seeing her unable to speak clearly, it seems she really might be.
Shocking.
“No matter what, a slave shouldn’t be looking at her master with lewd eyes. Hoo… This won’t do. Asies, you go ahead. I’ll follow behind.”
“…….”
Unless looked at closely, Asies slightly pouted her lips.
It seemed she was unhappy with me.
“Oh? Rebelling against your heavenly master?”
Asies, who was narrowing her eyes at me, turned and began to walk away without looking back. Who knew Asies would look at me with such eyes?
‘Is she going through puberty too?’
What you sow, you reap. But why are all the slaves I raise like this?
If only they took after their excellent master half as much, I’d have no regrets.
