SWNOVELXO Chapter 43
The purple potion we sold at the Royal Capital Black Market today was usually valuable enough to be considered a highlight of the day.
Priced at 5 million per bottle, with prices sometimes doubling depending on the timing, this incredibly expensive potion sold out within less than an hour of the market’s opening. Many people who had been eyeing it were disappointed they couldn’t purchase it, and some even mentioned they had planned to buy it later if it hadn’t sold out by then.
“That elf rumor is really something, huh?”
“Of course! It’s not every day you see an elf slave on the market.”
The Royal Capital Black Market is loosely divided into different sections based on the types of goods being sold. The area where Aina and I had been was more of a flea market, a place where various goods were sold without much regard for categorization.
The biggest draw today, though, was the slave auction area in the center of the market. The very term “slave auction” sounds harsh, but looking around, the atmosphere wasn’t oppressive—there was a lively buzz rather than a dark or sinister air.
“There sure are a lot of conditions for slaves here, huh?”
“Well, most of these people didn’t fall into slavery because of debt or crimes.”
In the noticeably wider paths of the slave auction area, people holding placards were spaced out at regular intervals, standing by as the crowd passed.
“5 million a month, 50 million a year… Isn’t that kind of cheap?”
“If it’s a slave without any particular skills, yeah, that’s about right. And it says they’re live-in, so the master has to provide food, clothing, and shelter.”
Based on what I remembered from my previous life’s skewed knowledge, I used to imagine slaves as having no rights and being completely subjugated to their masters. But in this world of Asphial, slaves actually seemed to have some level of rights.
It was more like hiring a bound servant. You couldn’t make them work around the clock without rest. While typical slaves weren’t forced into black labor, like working endlessly without breaks, they often ended up doing tough jobs, like dismantling monsters or working in sewage systems.
Moreover, the master could impose job-related restrictions, such as confidentiality agreements or behavioral constraints, through magical contracts.
The ability to apply such contracts seemed to be the biggest advantage for buyers. These contracts ensured slaves wouldn’t betray their masters or leak information to others. Using these contract spells on regular citizens, however, was considered a serious crime.
“30 million a month for this one, huh? That’s pricey.”
“They were probably an apprentice at a merchant guild. They might be able to handle simple calculations, so there are probably buyers willing to pay more.”
Even for simple math skills, 30 million a month seemed steep. However, considering I might one day open my own shop, a slave employee who excelled in confidentiality might not be a bad idea. But slaves with technical skills were apparently much more expensive.
“How about an elf slave, then? What would they cost?”
“Who knows? I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s over 10 million a month.”
The fact that an elf would end up as a slave in this country—especially one who sold themselves voluntarily—was intriguing. I couldn’t help but wonder about their reasons.
—
In the heart of the bustling central area, where the crowds were at their thickest, the elf in question stood, drawing an even larger gathering.
Unlike the other slaves, who held placards and actively tried to engage with potential buyers, the elf sat in a chair, calmly reading a book.
Her long, beautiful light-green hair allowed glimpses of her sharp, pointed ears—classic features of the elven race. Her face, too, lived up to the rumors, and those who saw her for the first time couldn’t help but gasp in awe.
A simple barrier had been set up around her to prevent anyone from approaching too closely. Several sturdy guards stood watch nearby, indicating the black market’s organizers were taking special precautions.
“This is like looking at a panda in Ueno Zoo!”
“What are you talking about?!”
The crowd surged forward, pressing up against the barrier to get a better look at the elf. The scene reminded me of old footage of the panda’s first arrival at Ueno Zoo.
“Don’t push!!”
The whistle of a guard rang out, followed by loud warnings, but by that point, the throng of people was beyond control. I twisted my body to stay close to Aina as we were jostled by the crowd, and somehow, I ended up right at the front row.
“Wow…”
The elf sat on what looked like a stage made just for her, reading a small book—about the size of a paperback—completely ignoring the overwhelming sea of people before her. Her stunning emerald-green eyes, as radiant as gemstones, were entirely focused on the book in her hands.
At the foot of the stage, there was a white sign in a brown frame. I leaned in to read it.
“As expected, an elf has a lot of conditions.”
The sign was written in elegant calligraphy, outlining the conditions required to purchase her. There were multiple stipulations, as with the other slaves, but one in particular caught my eye.
“Must provide at least one red-grade, third-class or higher potion.”
As soon as I read that condition, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of destiny linking me to her.