NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Buying Agricultural Slaves
Chapter 17: Buying Agricultural Slaves
On the right side of the municipal center, there was a slightly smaller building that, in comparison to the opulence of the municipal center, was undoubtedly much more modest. However, the foot traffic here was much higher. A large number of knights, many bearing noble crests, filled the area. Even someone like Thor from the Dreyssrosa family didn't stand out much here.
Of course, that didn't mean he wasn't being noticed.
As soon as Thor and his companions stepped inside, a servant quickly approached to greet them.
“Welcome, esteemed knight. How may I assist you today?”
The servant spoke with respectful tones, showing no sign of laxity.
“I heard you have various slaves available for purchase. I need to buy a batch of agricultural slaves.”
Thor spoke in a calm manner, not immediately inquiring about the half-elf girl but instead addressing another matter: purchasing agricultural slaves.
Development of a domain required more than just knights.
Knights ensured safety and provided the necessary combat strength for pioneering. However, a large number of agricultural slaves were also needed for development.
Construction and development naturally required labor, and without agricultural slaves, this was impossible.
“Certainly!”
“Our market is the largest slave market in the northern province. We have the strongest agricultural slaves, surely able to meet your needs.”
“Please follow me.”
The servant smiled and led Thor forward.
Thor nodded and followed with Ryan and Steve.
Soon, under the servant’s guidance, the three arrived at the basement.
Magical crystals illuminated the space, revealing a series of iron cages containing figures bound by ropes.
The slaves inside were small and emaciated, their faces pale and their eyes lifeless. Each face was filled with a numb expression, clearly not matching the servant’s description of strong.
However, Thor wasn’t too concerned.
The claims of slave traders were often exaggerated.
Given the state of Loren City's freemen, the slaves were unlikely to be in much better condition.
As long as they were somewhat acceptable, that was enough.
“Respected sir, our agricultural slaves are priced at ten silver coins each for those over here, and one silver coin each for these. How many would you need?”
The servant, showing no sign of embarrassment, continued respectfully, indicating the different groups of slaves.
Thor sighed as he heard the prices.
Even though he had anticipated high prices, he was still taken aback.
In Frostmoon Province, an agricultural slave cost around one silver coin. Here, the price was ten times that amount.
Though there were also slaves priced the same as in Frostmoon Province, when Thor saw the one silver coin slaves, he couldn’t help but twitch his mouth.
The slaves in the lower-priced section were in even worse condition—emaciated and some even missing limbs.
Thor shook his head.
“I’ll take these.”
“I need five hundred.”
After a brief contemplation, Thor specified his desired number.
With over four hundred knights at his command, he could theoretically manage thousands of agricultural slaves.
However, considering his available funds and the undeveloped state of his domain, he had to be cautious.
Funds were not unlimited.
Although his father had supported him financially and he had accumulated some wealth on the journey, he only had a bit over ten thousand gold coins. While this was a considerable amount, it was not sufficient for extensive domain development. He needed to reserve funds for future developments and could not afford to spend excessively on agricultural slaves.
As for the domain’s condition, it was still untamed wilderness. Large numbers of people would face survival issues.
All these factors had to be considered.
Nevertheless, such a large transaction excited the servant immediately.
“Respected sir, I will process this for you right away!”
“Five hundred agricultural slaves, totaling five thousand silver coins, which is fifty gold coins!”
The servant’s demeanor became even more respectful.
Fifty gold coins was indeed a significant transaction, and it might even promote him in his position, making him understandably thrilled.
“By the way, aside from these agricultural slaves, do you have any other slaves available?”
Thor asked casually, as if suddenly recalling something.
“Other slaves?”
The servant looked puzzled but quickly his eyes brightened, realizing what was being asked.
“Of course, we have a new batch of high-quality female slaves arriving today. Would you like to see them?”
The servant responded with a smile.
“Female slaves?”
“Let’s take a look.”
Thor pretended to ponder and then nodded in agreement.
“Please wait a moment!”
The servant hurriedly responded and left quickly.
Thor waited with anticipation.
After a short while, the servant returned.
This time, he brought in a new batch of slaves.
Compared to the previous batch, these slaves were indeed more presentable.
They were “tattered” but still managed to look somewhat appealing.
“Gulp!”
Ryan behind Thor couldn’t help but swallow.
Thor glanced over but didn’t pay much attention. He had seen much more in his previous life.
These female slaves were nothing special.
Moreover, his goal wasn’t these slaves.
“Let’s see another batch.”
Thor spoke calmly.
“Of course!”
The servant quickly nodded and signaled for the change.
Soon, a new batch was brought in.
“Respected sir, this batch is top quality, with many selected from within the kingdom, and the prices are very reasonable!”
The servant spoke respectfully.
“Next batch!”
Thor briefly scanned the new batch, shook his head, and requested more.
The servant had no choice but to call for another change.
After waiting a while, a new batch arrived.
This batch was smaller, only about twenty or so, compared to the previous batches.
Thor’s gaze swept over them and soon fixed on the third girl from the right.
She was a girl in a gray cloth dress, her complexion quite ordinary, not standing out much among the group.
As Thor’s gaze fell on her, the girl, like the others, instinctively lowered her head.
“Respected sir, this is the final batch. If you are still not satisfied, a batch of orc female slaves will arrive in seven days.”
The servant spoke in a low voice, showing nervousness.
Female slaves were indeed priced higher than male slaves, and with two consecutive batches not meeting Thor’s expectations, he wasn’t hopeful.
“I’ll take this one.”
“And this one!”
“And the first row, fifth and seventh from the right of the first batch, and the third and first from the second row of the first batch, and the third, sixth, and twelfth from the left of the first row of the second batch!”
“How much in total?”
Amidst his anxiety, Thor suddenly spoke.
(The currency system: ten iron coins equal one copper coin, one hundred copper coins equal one silver coin, one hundred silver coins equal one gold coin.)