E - Rank Hero In Another World
Chapter 42 - Preparation
"Uugghs!!!" Selene shouted as one of the servants in the slave market placed a hot iron on her left shoulder. Giving a slave emblem for him.
Although it was legal, but every slave had to be marked on his body for everyone to know their status when found somewhere.
The emblem itself has a fairly simple shape. These are 4 chains that form rhombus, which lock each other. With the middle of the four chains it has the shape of a small rhombus.
Based on the words of one of the merchants who was questioned by Leo, the symbol means a soul restrained by chains.
"It's done. You can take him." Said the big man.
"Thank you." Reply to Leo briefly while standing up immediately from his seat.
Selene, still in her tattered clothes, was seen holding onto her left shoulder. The pain of being exposed to hot iron to form that emblem on his body would be long enough.
Leo knows because he himself has experienced it. Hence....
"Come with me." Leo said to Selene.
Without answering, Selene simply nodded her head and followed Leo's footsteps.
He noticed the figure of the brownish-haired man well. His clothes that looked quite good made him think that it could be that the man before him was a noble.
When Selene was still thinking about her future fate....
"So, what's your name?" Ask Leo. Of course he has known his name thanks to his Clairvoyance skill. But knowing a person's name without even asking him, moreover to a stranger, it would make him an overly suspicious figure.
In a soft voice, Selene answered.
"Selene Vai'le Caste"
That answer certainly made Leo feel surprised. How not, there's another name behind it that Clairvoyance didn't show. To find out the truth, Leo immediately asked.
"Vai'le Caste? Whatisit? Sort of clan?" Ask Leo.
Selene nodded her head slowly before replying.
"That's the surname of my mother."
Leo did not expect that this light conversation revealed new truths about his skill. After all, how could the skill know a person's name?
What else, what is a name? Is it something that was given from birth? Or something more than that?
Without Leo realizing it, the two of them had walked out of the slave market. Right beside the entrance of the market, the figure of Artemis eating the roasted meat sausage could be seen.
"Yes, Artemis. Can I ask you a little help?" Ask Leo briefly.
"Hmm? Sure oes. And.... Who's that?" Artemis asked as she looked at the white-haired woman in the tattered clothes.
"Selene Vai'le Caste. The boy I just bought. Please take care of him, give him food and buy him something to wear. I'm going back inside to find another slave." Obviously Leo as he immediately turned his body facing Selene.
"Selene, she's Artemis. My travel partner. Be nice to him." Said Leo while patting Selene's shoulder.
Meanwhile, Selene feels a little relieved because she will meet another woman who looks pretty good. Although, Selene herself still felt a lack of trust. Anyways....
"Here, try! Very good, you know?!" Said Artemis while giving one of her skewers to Selene.
"W-did you mean it?" Selene asked with a doubtful face.
Saliva began to flow on Selene's pale lips after she saw and smelled the smell of the meat sausage. A food that he had not tasted for a very long time since he was confined there.
"of course! Now, let's find you something to wear!"
......***......
A few moments have passed. Artemis quickly brought Selene into a clothing store near the market.
Even so, both of his hands continued to move to choose clothes that were suitable for him.
"It! Try this one! I'm sure you'll look really pretty!" Artemis said as she gave a pile of clothes and pushed Selene towards the dressing room.
Artemis went inside to help Selene wear it. But far different from what was in her shadow, Selene seemed able to wear it easily.
A beautiful red dress with gold patterns and patterns that are so elegant. After everything was done, Artemis could only be stunned by Selene's beauty.
"Yahoooo!!! You knew?! You look so pretty! Goddamnit! If only it were that big!" Shouted Artemis while looking at Selene's figure from various sides.
"really so? Thanks...." Reply Selene with a smile.
A smile that at that moment also immediately broke the doubt he felt to the girl named Artemis.
There was no way that this girl was such a bad person. At least that's what's on his mind. But to be sure, Selene asked him directly.
"A-artemics.... Can I ask you something?"
"of course! From now on we are friends!" Reply Artemis who had absolutely nothing to do with Selene's words. He immediately jumped up and hugged the Half Elf figure.
"Why did you buy slaves?"
The question had been in his heart all this time. If Artemis was a good girl, she shouldn't need slaves and hire enough people from the Guild. Then why?
But the answer he got....
"Leo wants to expand its trading efforts. And for that, he needs additional energy for various things. Whereas according to him, including myself, buying slaves was the cheapest thing to achieve that.
As you can see, we are traders. But that doesn't mean we have unlimited money. Ah, but just calm down. Leo said he'd still think of you all like an employee who gets paid weekly." Clearly Artemis remained with her smile.
Hearing that, Selene felt very relieved and calm. He felt that all the words of the girl in front of him were completely trustworthy. There is no lie behind it.
"So so...."
"Alright, I think it's time to go back. Leo may have been waiting. Auntie! How much is this for clothes?!"
......***......
Artemis and Selene finally returned to the entrance of the market. Meet Leo who has been waiting there.
Next to Leo is a figure of 10 people who are none other than slaves. They seem to be eating bread.
8 Of them are men who appear to be around the age of 20 - 30 years. While 2 more are women who are in their early 20s.
Everything looks fine and there's no problem. But nevertheless....
"Artemist. Can I ask you one thing?" Asked Leo who now crossed his arms in front of his chest. His gaze even looked quite intimidating. Where Artemis had currently been exposed to the effects of Leo's gaze.
"W-is there something wrong?" Artemis asked with sweat beginning to flow down her face.
"What did you give him? You know I need him to be one of the guards, right? Why are you dressing her up like a princess? How do I fight later?!"
And with that....
Artemis received a mild rebuke from Leo. Making their own entertainment for Selene and the other slaves before they all had lunch together at a nearby restaurant.
Slowly....
The trust of the slaves, including Selene to Leo, began to increase.