Trying My Luck with the Slave Trader

Chapter 17: Trying My Luck with Slave Traders (Please Read On)

"I'm sorry, our guild doesn't have this herb in stock right now. Lord Alphonse, you'll need to buy it from a pharmacy. If you need a large quantity, I can have a caravan purchase a batch for you."

"I want as much as you can!" Alphonse wouldn't let go of collecting the Divine Refining Incense, as it was beneficial for cultivating internal energy; the more the better.

"Okay, I'll give the order. Please wait here for a moment." Chloe walked briskly out the door.

The price of Higram grass was low, and helping to purchase it was just a convenient thing to do. She didn't intend to make money off Alphonse. The most important thing was that the cream recipe deal was finalized, which was the hope for the resurgence of the Falkrods Merchant Guild.

As soon as Chloe left, Mia's expression changed immediately. She glared at her and demanded, "Didn't you say you learned the cream recipe from that magical bard?"

Alphonse was just making up an excuse at the time, never expecting that the magic contract would expose his true colors.

A thought flashed through his mind, and he simply shrugged, "Would you believe me if I said the cream was accidentally spilled?"

Mia was speechless with anger at Alphonse's nonchalant attitude, but she couldn't find the words to refute him. Given Alphonse's previous actions, he was indeed not trustworthy.

"So, you made up that bard too?"

"No, that's not it. How could I possibly come up with martial arts techniques? That amazing bard really taught me a lot," Alphonse replied with a grin.

"What's his name?" Mia asked again.

Alphonse quickly retrieved a Western name from his past memories: "Ederson".

In my mind, I silently said, "Dr. Chen, I'm sorry, but I'm borrowing your English name."

Mia was fuming, but she couldn't bring herself to say anything to accuse her.

Alphonse ignored her and picked up his teacup, taking small sips.

This foreign-worldly black tea is really not good; it tastes strange and even has a hint of sweetness.

After a while, Chloe returned, this time with a servant carrying a flat little wooden box.

Chloe instructed the servants to place the wooden box on the coffee table and opened the lid.

The box was filled with gold coins.

"One thousand gold coins, please check them, sir."

Alphonse, of course, wouldn't do it himself. He waved to Mia, signaling her to take stock.

Mia gritted her teeth, but her eyes lit up when she saw the gleaming gold coins, and she stepped forward.

After waiting for a while, Mia finally finished checking and confirmed that everything was correct.

Compared to the treatment he received at the Sanders Chamber of Commerce, Chloe was much easier to talk to and more generous with her money. Alphonse felt more favorably toward her and thought that if they came up with anything in the future, they might be able to strengthen their cooperation.

After leaving the Falklow Chamber of Commerce, Mia carried the money box and scanned her surroundings warily.

It was the first time she had ever held so many gold coins in her hands, and she felt that everyone she met had ill intentions.

Alphonse didn't care. In his previous life, when he was the leader of the Ten Directions Holy Sect, he could mobilize hundreds of thousands or millions of funds at will, so he wouldn't care about such a small amount of money.

After a trip to the pharmacy, I gathered a large bag of Higram grass. Mr. Hogg, the pharmacist in the territory, still sold it cheaply. This herb costs 8 silver coins per pound, but the four stalks he gave me were at least two ounces, and he only charged me 80 copper coins.

But compared to the price that was worth a fortune in my previous life, this is really too cheap!

As for herbs that can temper the body, they do exist. One such herb was discovered: Dragon Blood Grass, which is named St. John's Grass in this world.

But the price was so high that Alphonse felt like he was being ripped off!

Dragon blood grass, which was easy to obtain in my previous life, costs 240 gold coins per pound in this other world, simply because it promotes the growth of battle qi.

Alphonse didn't buy it; it was just one ingredient, not the main one. He hadn't gathered all the necessary medicines, so even if he bought it, he couldn't use it yet. There was no need to waste money on it for the time being.

There are other ways to improve physical fitness, but they are slower.

Other potions that can quickly heal injuries are even more expensive, and simply unaffordable.

Night had fallen, and the city gates of Ryan were closed. Commoners were no longer allowed to enter or leave the city.

Because of his noble status, he could go out, but the horses were carrying large bags of herbs, making it inconvenient to travel. He couldn't hire a carriage to go back either, as the carriage companies didn't accept nighttime business at all.

Nighttime is when bandits and monsters roam, and the coachmen of the carriage company don't want to take the risk.

Alphonse and Mia had no choice but to find a high-end hotel to stay in.

This time, Mia didn't haggle over every single needle. Although it would cost more money, the safety factor was higher.

She felt uneasy carrying the money box.

There's a reason it's expensive; for dinner, Alphonse enjoyed a delicious stewed beef.

The hotel chef's skills were far superior to those of the family's cook.

After dinner, Alphonse pondered for a moment, then went to call Mia to go out.

"Where do you want to go?" Mia asked fiercely. In her opinion, she didn't want to go anywhere and just stay in the hotel for one night.

"I just asked the innkeeper and I'm planning to go to the slave traders in Ryan City. The money is in your hands, so of course you have to come along. You don't want anything to happen to me, do you?" Alphonse replied casually.

"You want to buy slaves?" Mia's anger flared instantly. "You should know that the financial situation of Coldwind Territory cannot afford your extravagant spending!"

In her mind, she was already convinced that Alphonse was after the beautiful female slave.

"It's my money, so it's okay for me to spend some, right?" Alphonse retorted directly.

Mia choked up. Indeed, Alphonse was the one who came up with the cream recipe, and he was the one who made the money.

Komiya just couldn't stand Alphonse spending money recklessly.

Buying that big bag of Higram grass is one thing, it might come in handy, but buying female slaves is absolutely unacceptable!

There are maids in the castle, they're just a little older.

Alphonse understood the principle of giving a slap on the wrist and then offering a sweet treat, and he didn't intend to argue with Mia. "Don't worry, I just want to see if there are any suitable craftsmen."

In Western fantasy novels, it's common to see protagonists making unexpected gains from slave traders, such as future sword saints, future knight kings, future magic gods, and all sorts of other talents, all at extremely low prices.

Alphonse figured he wasn't destined to be a protagonist, but it couldn't hurt to see what happened; maybe he'd stumble upon one.

Besides, slave craftsmen are definitely cheaper than hiring them directly.

Hearing Alphonse say that, Mia's expression softened a bit. She reluctantly clutched her money box and followed Alphonse out of the hotel.

Thanks to his noble status, Alphonse received a warm welcome from the slave trader Valen Froda.

In the city of Ryan, he was the one who made his living by trading slaves.

It's obvious he's made a lot of dirty money; he's so fat he's practically a ball, with a huge belly, wrinkles all over his chin, and his neck is almost invisible.

Thank you to reader [Liu Wanqiu] for the 500 Qidian Coins reward!

(End of this chapter)