Chapter 35 - Foster The Merchant

The practice of slavery wasn't unique to Ollerin, and every country on Nithe practiced some form of it. In Ollerin, there were numerous types of slaves, and the laws regarding each type differed.

For instance, criminals could be enslaved for a period of time as punishment for their crimes, but they would be freed once their sentence was served. Of course, their treatment would often depend on the severity of their crimes, but at the end of the day, they were still treated as a commodity on Nithe.

There was also a type of contractual indentured servitude that usually came about due to unpaid debts. However, it wasn't only limited to falling into debt. Some people would willingly become indentured servants if they fell on hard times or were dealt a lousy hand in life.

Indentured servants weren't treated too poorly in most cases and would often be trained in a trade skill by those who purchased them. Those who weren't forced into it would also have the option of ending their servitude after an agreed-upon number of years had passed. So for them, it was a guaranteed roof over their heads and food in their bellies.

War slaves got the worst of it. Anyone captured during a campaign would remain a slave for the rest of their lives. However, Ollerin was unique in its laws that forbid the possibility of being born a slave. Any child born within Ollerin was considered free, even if the child's parents were slaves.

Of course, if the child was born into slavery outside of Ollerin, they could still be sold as a slave, and the Innihanan League exploited that fact to make a fortune. They would simply breed slaves within their own lands and sell the offspring as one did with livestock.

The Innihanan League was a neutral nation to the east of the Helrian tribes that developed into a trading powerhouse managed by a conglomerate of wealthy merchant families.

Due to their strict doctrine of neutrality, every nation on Nithe actively traded with them in some form or another allowing them to thrive. They were the reason why the Ollerin Empire always had a steady supply of "war" slaves, even in times of peace.

The carriage halted, and Arthur departed from it into a crowded square near Munn's docks. The ocean breeze that cooled the area would almost be refreshing if not for the smells that the wind brought along with it.

All along the square, various-sized cages created a sort of maze that patrons naturally flowed through. However, the cages weren't filled with people like Arthur had expected. Instead, all manner of exotic creatures roared and chirped from within, creating a clamorous atmosphere similar to a zoo.

Despite being referred to as a slave market, the wares sold included all forms of life found on Nithe. Arthur felt like he was walking through an overcrowded wet market as he cut through the rivers of people and entered a large building at the far end of the square.

Arthur entered first and was instantly greeted by a frowning olive-skinned man from behind the counter. "A bit young to be in this sorta place, ain't ya boy?"

Foster walked inside and clicked his tongue. "I know Innihanan's lack the capacity to think about anything other than coin, but when you're in Ollerin, take care to show proper respect. This is lord Arthur Revan, the first-born son of Marquis Edward Revan."

Arthur glanced back at Foster, who appeared genuinely annoyed at the Innihanan man but felt it wasn't entirely due to the man's words.

"Sorry, sorry." The Innihanan man sarcastically threw up his hands in defeat as a merchant's smile crept along his lips. "What can I do for the little lord? I got some pretty girls 'bout your age in the back. Boys, too, if that's your type."

Arthur had prepared himself for the sickening reality of slavery, yet the Innihanan man seemed to be trying his best to prove his preparations insufficient. Of course, Arthur wasn't a saint, and he knew he'd have to interact with the slave trade eventually, considering how ingrained it was on Nithe, but that didn't make it feel any less dirty.

He had initially come to find Senna some help since she was handling all of the chores alone despite Arthur wanting her to focus on herself more. He intended to be frugal and purchase an older woman so she could stay in the tent's servant's quarters with Senna, but now he wasn't so sure.

He felt sorry for the future those kids would face and debated whether he could even afford to have such humanitarian thoughts. In the pursuit of immortality, he'd need numerous live test subjects to experiment on, and those unwilling participants would suffer gruesome fates at Arthur's hands.

What right did he have to pretend to be some paragon of virtue? It felt hypocritical considering the path he chose to walk in this life.

Despite that, it was difficult to shed nearly three decades of innate morals from Earth, no matter how hard he tried. He was just a regular guy on Earth, and to achieve his goals on Nithe, he'd need to leave such thoughts behind and create his own code to live by.

"How much do they cost?" Arthur innocently asked.

"Depends." The Innihanan man's smile grew. "I'll go fetch 'em so you can choose the ones ya like."

Arthur rushed to stop him. "No! It's fine! I just wanted to know the price range."

He was in the process of steeling his resolve, and if he was forced to actually see them, he felt like his new resolve would weaken if not crumble altogether.

"Hard to say." The Innihanan man looked up and pretended to think for a moment before scanning Arthur with a greedy look in his eyes. "Cheapest one's twenty-eight hundred Riis, and the prettiest is sixty-three hundred. The little lord's in luck, though. They could easily go for a thousand Riis more at auction."

Arthur couldn't hide his shock. He figured they would be expensive, but the prices still managed to exceed his expectations. Even if he felt particularly benevolent at that moment, he couldn't afford such a cost.

"He's overcharging you, young master. Even the prettiest girls won't sell above fifty-five hundred Riis. Never forget that Innihanan's are greedy beyond measure." Foster discreetly whispered to Arthur behind his hand.

Arthur nodded and feigned ignorance toward the Innihanan man. "Wow! She must be really pretty to cost that much! I'm only looking for an aunty to help with chores, though. Do you have anyone like that?"

The Innihanan man's smile sank a few degrees but still remained friendly. "I got a few, cheapest one'll come out to twelve-hundred Riis. She's in her forties and was captured in Mutumn during the Theocracy's last crusade. Wanna take a look at her?"

Foster scoffed, seemingly unable to hold his tongue any further. "Twelve-hundred Riis? Are you mad or brave trying to take advantage of the lord's son in his own territory?"

Arthur didn't try to stop him. Foster was born to a family of successful merchants, so he knew better than Arthur regarding such matters.

"The creation of the Holy State of Wacury caused quite the stir for us traders. Many folks who were displaced turned to piracy. It ain't as safe as it once was 'round those parts. A thousand's the lowest I can go, and I can only do so since it's for the little lord."

"The Innihanan's have one of the best fleets in the world. Some simple farmers in a rowboat aren't hurting your bottom line. Six hundred not a coin more." Foster declared without remorse.

"Have a heart! Would you see my children starve? Nine hundred is just profit enough to feed them. It's the best I can do. I can't go any lower."

Foster ignored him and opened the door to leave. "Young master, this man's a thief. We can get a better deal at another shop."

Arthur nodded and began to walk toward the doorway when the Innihanan man shouted. "E-eight hundred Riis!"

Foster turned back around. "Seven hundred or we go to the Hussan's shop across the square. I'm sure they'd love to get one over on the Marak family while gaining a profitable client in the process."

The Innihanan man's eyes went wide. "Seven hundred!? You've already starved my children, and now you want to see me starve?!"

Foster turned to leave but barely moved his body when the Innihanan man's resolve finally broke.

"Fine seven hundred... I'll go get her now, don't go anywhere." The Innihanan man's theatrics vanished as he grumbled and walked through a door behind the counter.

"What was all that Hussan and Marak talk about?" Arthur asked once they were alone.

"There are five major families at the top of the Innihanan League, young master. They're all out for their own profits, but the Hussan and Marak families are weaker than the other three, so they often fight each other for scraps.

You might not have noticed it, but there's a tattoo on his right hand that displays his family crest and status within the family. From that tattoo, I can tell he's just a low-ranking servant adopted into the family.

If the Marak family head learned he had soured relations with Marquis Revan's son while pushing him into the arms of the Hussan family, then he'd likely be severely punished if not worse."

"As expected of a Welt." Jeren said with a touch of respect.

Arthur stared at Foster with suspicious eyes. "Why are you a guard again? Aren't you pretty good at this merchant stuff?"

"Young master, please don't tease me. I like being a guard." Foster whined.

Arthur rolled his eyes and left it at that while making a mental note to bring Foster along whenever he needed to buy something.

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