Purchasing A Slave

Vim was led by Galvin to the room at the very back.

He sensed that the atmosphere in this room was slightly different from the ones before. It wasn’t exactly unhygienic, but it certainly wasn’t as pristine as the previous areas. The slave girls here also looked somewhat frail, as if they lacked physical strength.

“The individuals here arrived at our establishment already suffering from incurable injuries, illnesses, or curses. We treat them the same as our other slaves, but to be honest, keeping them is more of a charitable act than a business one.”

Galvin explained that slave merchants operating with state permits accept such slaves without refusal when they are sent their way. In a sense, this made such merchants all the more worthy of trust.

“Let me take a look,” Vim said.

He began scanning the slave girls in the room.

“This girl…”

One girl among them caught Vim’s interest. She was directing a fierce hostility toward him, but he didn’t mind that sort of spirit. Of course, Vim’s judgment was often unconventional; a person with ordinary common sense likely wouldn’t have made the same choice.

“She is infested with poison. At this rate, she likely won’t last much longer.”

Indeed, parts of her skin were darkening. This was proof of a very high-level toxin. Throughout the wide world, the number of people capable of neutralizing such a poison would be limited to those capable of high-tier magic—people like Vim.

“I’ve decided. I’ll take her.”

“Pardon?” Galvin’s face was a mask of shock.

“I’ll take this girl. Did you not hear me?”

“Um, as I just explained, she is poisoned and doesn’t have much time left…”

“If she’s poisoned, I’ll just detoxify her. It’s as simple as that.”

“Wha—!?” Galvin’s expression shifted to even greater astonishment. “What did you just say?”

“I said I’ll detoxify her.”

“Can… can you actually do that?” Galvin asked, sounding terrified.

“I don’t consider myself the type of irresponsible man who claims he can do something he can’t.”

“U-understood. I will take her to a private room.”

Galvin gave instructions to his staff.

“Master Vim, please follow me.”

Guided by Galvin, Vim was shown into a room resembling a parlor. He sat down on a sofa near the center of the room.

“These are the documents for the slave contract. Please read them over and sign here.”

Vim took the documents, scanned them, and signed his name with a pen.

“Is this sufficient?”

“Perfectly. We will keep this copy and provide you with a duplicate, Master Vim.”

Having confirmed the signature, Galvin took the documents back.

“Once she arrives, we shall proceed with the contract ritual. By the way, would you prefer a Slave Crest or a Slave Collar?”

“Is there a difference between the two?”

Vim didn’t really understand the distinction. After all, this was his first time buying a slave.

“The fundamental effects are the same. However, a Slave Collar makes it immediately obvious to onlookers that she is a slave.”

“In that case, I’ll go with the Slave Crest.”

Vim had no interest in flaunting a slave, and a collar might only get in the way during combat.

“Understood. We shall proceed accordingly.”

Just as Galvin finished explaining, the girl from before entered the room with the staff. Her hostility remained as naked as ever.

“First, may I detoxify her?” Vim decided that they wouldn’t get anywhere if she remained in this state.

“I don’t mind, but… can you truly do it?”

“I believe I told you I don’t say things I can’t do.”

Vim had absolute confidence in his ability to neutralize the poison.

“Well then, let’s begin.”

Vim began preparing his magic to cleanse her of the toxin.