The slave market in the capital of the Lycas Empire.

Throughout the vast continent of Hilar, the purchase of slaves was extremely popular among nobles. Slaves were not only used as servants and lovers, but also had talented slaves who could be bought by nobles and trained into assassins. Even down-on-their-luck mages and warriors could be sold at will.

Therefore, the slave market was extremely prosperous on the continent of Hilar.

The slave market in the capital of the Lycas Empire was bustling with people, but as the clatter of hooves sounded, a magnificent carriage appeared at the market's entrance. The white steed reared up high, accompanied by a long, drawn-out neigh—

It attracted countless passersby in the slave market.

There were nobles of different ranks and commoners of all kinds. Some were weeping and some were overjoyed, but no matter who they were, they all quietly made way when they saw the family crest on the carriage.

It was a scepter and a longsword crossed together, and at the center of the intersection was a bewitching rose entwined with thorns.

With an air of unparalleled arrogance and supreme nobility.

—This is the coat of arms of the Lancaster family.

In the Lycas Empire, and even throughout the entire continent of Hilar, the Lancaster family is a force to be reckoned with and a renowned name.

The once bustling slave market had fallen silent. In the center of the slave market stood a magnificent, jewel-encrusted building, its style resembling a giant cage made of gold, though its maker was not as extravagant as the Lancaster family, using only gilding.

Even so, the fact that they could occupy such a large area in the heart of the slave market is enough to demonstrate how successful their slave business was.

But when the carriage stopped at the door, a fat man rushed out.

"We are so sorry for not welcoming you properly, such a great honor!"

"Whoa—"

The white horse raised its hooves and landed heavily in front of the fat man. The tall horse was even taller than the fat man, and when the horse lowered its head, its breath directly hit the fat man's face.

The fat man staggered back several steps, exclaiming in surprise, "It's actually an Ice Frost Warhorse! This is a top-tier magical creature worth hundreds of thousands of gold pieces... this..."

Such high-end goods, used to pull horse-drawn carriages?!

Just then, a round of applause rang out, accompanied by a light laugh: "As expected of the biggest slave owner in the slave market, you do have some discerning eyes."

After the servants who came down one after another lifted the beaded curtain of the carriage, someone brought out a crystal-clear gemstone staircase. It was clearly an extravagant act of using gemstones to build the staircase. However, when the beaded curtain was lifted, a corner of the skirt was exposed, and fair skin was vaguely revealed.

Even through the beaded curtain, it seemed as if one could see those haughty eyes.

Suddenly, even this extreme extravagance and debauchery seemed insignificant.

After the jeweled steps were set up, the first person to come down was a tall man. Aldridge's features were as sharp as a marble sculpture, and his eyebrows and eyes were even more handsome. When he wasn't acting foolishly, he was handsome and dashing.

As Aldrich descended the steps, he bowed slightly, raised his hand towards the carriage, and said softly, "Master, please—"

"Ha, he learns from Lucas very quickly."

A soft laugh drifted over, the sound so sweet it could melt your bones. The next moment, a hand emerged from the beaded curtain, a jeweled bracelet adorning her fair wrist, making her even more beautiful.

Ruan Qing'an stepped down from the carriage and looked down at the fat man.

The fat man immediately realized what was happening and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Miss Lancaster. I am Kevin, the slave owner here."

“I know, I saw him yesterday.”

"It is my honor to be remembered by Miss."

Seeing Kevin's fawning manner, Ruan Qing'an scoffed, glancing at Aldrich, who had been silent and stiff ever since alighting from the carriage. Aldrich kept his head down, making his expression impossible to discern, but—

Ruan Qing'an vaguely sensed that his hatred was spreading silently.

At this moment, Kevin asked, "Miss, have you come here with any instructions, or is it that this slave is disobeying you?"

As he spoke, Kevin looked coldly at Aldridge.

Occasionally, there are also cases where sold slaves become disobedient, and the buyers come knocking on their door. Slave owners who specialize in selling slaves each have their own methods for controlling slaves and making them obedient.

Ruan Qingan laughed instead: "Come find you, Kevin."

“I really like my little slave, and he’s fairly well-behaved, so—I’d be happy to use a human life to make him happy.”

"Miss, this..."

Upon hearing this, Kevin felt a sense of unease.

But just as he gave an awkward laugh, Ruan Qing'an clapped her hands, and soon a servant came out from behind her with a large stack of wax-sealed letters: "Miss, these are your orders."

If someone wants to cause trouble, they should prepare in advance.

Last night, Ruan Qingan instructed people to prepare information about Kevin, and it was delivered early this morning.

"read."

"Yes, Miss."

As he spoke, the servant stepped forward and said to Kevin, "In the 58th year of Leica, the Wellman family was found guilty of having an affair with a necromancer. As a result, the family fell into ruin, and both men and women became slaves. Kevin took them in and sold them. Later, there were rumors that Kevin had reported and framed them."

"The investigation confirms this."

"In the year 62 of Lyca, Sherlock, a wealthy man in the Lyca Empire, was beheaded and his head displayed after being suspected of privately selling dark magic items, which led to numerous atrocities committed by dark magicians throughout the empire. All the magicians and warriors that Sherlock had raised were taken away by Kevin and sold."

"An investigation has revealed that Kevin was involved in this incident."

Not only that, the servant was holding a whole stack of papers, which he couldn't finish reading in a short time, and Kevin's face also looked grim. In the center of the slave market, a lot of people had gathered to watch.

However, they were mostly nobles, while commoners generally did not want to get involved in trouble.

Kevin gave an awkward smile, his round body trotting forward as he approached: "Miss Lancaster, you know how things are with the slave trade, there are always some things that are hard to say openly. If you need..."

"I will personally deliver this to your residence later."

Kevin made a gesture and lowered his voice obsequiously, "Miss, this line of work is very lucrative. If you want to get involved, just send someone over. You won't lose a single penny. Why ruin my small business?"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an raised an eyebrow slightly, pointed a finger in mid-air, and the leaping fire element directly repelled Kevin who had come closer.

She then said, "I have no interest in your business."

"In the year 65 of Lyca, your cargo ship transporting slaves sailed from the Xisha Empire to the Lyca Empire, and upon arriving at the port, you discovered two people who had smuggled themselves onto the ship. Finally, in the year 69 of Lyca, you tricked a female slave and ultimately tormented her to death—is that right or wrong?"

Upon hearing this, Kevin's face turned pale.

He finally understood that everything before was just a prelude, and only this last thing was the real reason they came to his door today!