NOVEL NEXT Chapter 122: Blood Mark
Shortly after Caroline left with the two others from Rosalia Troupe, Leonard's attention returned to the Slave Coop.
With extra space to maneuver around in the dispelling of the foul stench, Shirley was about to proceed forward.
"Up ahead is the Slave Coop's entrance," she calmly said, completely devoid of any emotions. Thanks to Leonard's permission, she had managed to vent enough and release her year-long anger.
Being granted such a chance was already more than enough for her heart and mind to settle. She no longer intended to live in the past trauma.
However, the moment she took a step forward, Leonard suddenly halted her.
"Wait a moment, Shirley," Leonard said and shifted his sight to the silent Claudia.
"You, lead the way in advance. Shirley will guide you, and you'll just need to listen."
Claudia's eyes turned cold when she received such a command. It was crystal clear that Leonard wanted her to be the vanguard.
In case there were any ambushes or dangers up ahead, she alone would have to bear the brunt first.
"She doesn't have any magic circles now. Let me be the vanguard instead." Mirelle chimed in and offered herself. "I'm a sixth circle mage and am capable of defending while being at the forefront."
She purposely emphasized her circle and capability to multitask.
"I do not like to repeat myself." Leonard coolly said. Out of everyone here in this group, only Claudia was disposable and the least significant to him.
After all, he hadn't forgotten about her sly action in trying to sabotage him despite being magic circleless.
One must never forget that she was an assassin who had taken the lives of many innocent crewmates at Astral Gale!
Those who forgot or got blinded by her beauty were destined to be backstabbed when faced with a similar situation as Leonard.
Their conversation was overheard by Shirley, who quickly realized there was quite a backstory between them. Nevertheless, she paid no heed to it and maintained her duty.
She only needed to listen to her Master's words. There was no need to question or even voice another opinion.
'If the Master wanted the slave to lead ahead, then this slave can't be simple.' Shirley had long noticed Claudia's presence. Despite her silence, she could sense her demeanor was a far cry from the typical slave, pleasure slave to be exact.
A pleasure slave, whether willingly or unwillingly, wouldn't dare to openly express such constant hostility toward their owner.
The slave collar itself would be a constant torture device toward them, essentially crippling them from even thinking of harming the owner.
Yet this particular slave continuously tried to oppose Leonard openly and even endured the tightening of the slave collar just to express her hostility.
It was as if the slave was afraid that others didn't know she despised Leonard to the maximum.
"Hurry up and walk forward already!" Leonard urged, his tone authoritative.
Claudia grunted and could only take the lead when she failed to endure the pain any longer.
'Such endurance…' Shirley was inwardly astonished. It even got to the point that she failed to realize her reaction was taken notice of by Leonard.
"This slave is an assassin, so beware of her and don't try to get too close to her." Leonard softly warned her.
Alarmed, Shirley's face turned slightly pale. "A-An assassin?"
"Don't pry for more information. You just need to know that she's not a victim like the rest of you."
"Yes, Master."
Shirley bowed her head and understood the implication. To summarize, he was treating Claudia harshly for a different reason, and she shouldn't need to worry about receiving similar treatment later on.
While Shirley was enlightened, Claudia was filled with resentment.
'This Crown Prince is just too irritating.' She gnashed her teeth and stared at the Slave Coop's front gate.
The front gate was the entry point to the Slave Coop. The gates were rusted iron with chains, and two guard posts were stationed at left and right.
Unfortunately, the posts were abandoned now.
"To prevent any of the slaves from escaping, this is the only entry and exit point of the Slave Coop." Shirley took the time to explain.
"Prevent escaping?" Mirelle suddenly knitted her brows and asked, "Why would there be a need for it when there are slave collars?"
Shirley glanced at Mirelle with a silent expression.
'You've got to be kidding with me, right?' She nearly lashed out and called her foolish or ignorant.
Slave collars indeed existed, but does she know the cost of such collars was immensely high?
Take the collar on her Master's slave. It was of medium quality and cost a whopping 20 gold coins to be purchased at market price.
Slave collars ranged from lowest, low, medium, high, highest, and extreme quality. Even the lowest collar would cost a minimum of 2 gold coins.
The intricate runes and material used to construct a slave collar were by no means easy.
"Most slaves wouldn't be given the slave collar. Instead, to save cost, most of the slaves were only branded with a blood mark. A blood mark is a simple and efficient process of using the owner's blood to mark and establish a connection with the slave." Shirley explained.
"Then why do some people use slave collars?" Mirelle pressed on, oblivious to how sensitive her question was. Though she didn't mean any harm. She merely wished to understand more about the system. Only by understanding the system could one possibly make any changes to it.
Otherwise, trying to change a system that you have no idea about was merely a foolish action.
"A blood mark could be wiped out, essentially costing the owner to lose their slave." Before anyone could respond, Leonard intervened and gave his input.
"Master is right." Shirley quickly responded and bowed her head in respect. It was a stark contrast to her attitude toward Mirelle.
What Mirelle asked was very offensive, nearly causing her already soured mood to deepen further.
'A blood mark could be erased, huh.' Mirelle was enlightened.
She wanted to ask further when Leonard promptly raised his hand to stop her.
"Enough with the delay." He coldly said, effectively putting an end to Shirley's discomfort and displeasure toward the insensitive Mirelle.