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Chapter: 290

After learning various things from Luke, Encia promised to help him talk to Tia when she awakens, and then parted ways with him.

To be precise, it was more about stepping aside for Luke, who wanted to spend time next to the statue.

Returning to her room, Encia organized the whirlwind of thoughts in her head.

The fact that the prosperity of the Romania Empire comes from a statue that resembles a human was not that important to her, so she pushed it aside.

While it might have been a tremendous revelation for others, it didn’t hold much significance for Encia.

Back in her room, Encia began to gather her thoughts about magical power.

Magic power. The knowledge about what she could do with it was all folded and shoved to the corner of her mind.

The facts that she had taken for granted until now, the ways to use magical power, all those preconceived notions were bundled up and sealed away.

The first thing that came to her mind was magical power. What could she do with it?

Generally, mages used magical power to transform elements into spells.

Elven Spirit Art strengthens the powers of spirits using magical energy as a driving force.

Dwarves create enchanted items using the magical energy from mana stones.

Lizardmen’s shamanism is similar to elven spirit arts as it’s also used through spirits, but let’s skip that.

Monsters create magical-like phenomena through the mana stones within their bodies.

In the end, although all of this stemmed from the same magical power, they used that power in various ways.

Considering this point, she concluded that magical power is… an unpredictable and ever-changing force.

A power that changes according to the user’s will. The ability to control clouds and change the weather. The power to scatter flames and lightning. Even the ability to substitute the vitality of living creatures.

Magical power was potential.

With such potential… what could possibly be impossible?

In an instant, she even thought that if she used magical power, she might be able to create new life. But even so, the idea of committing blasphemy against the Goddess of Life, who might be Tia, made Encia hesitant.

Anyway, magical power was a force with immense potential.

Using that potential, she might be able to solve the concerns she currently had.

Specifically… it might be possible to create the talent she was looking for.

With that thought, Encia moved toward a place in Sirius.

It was a spot where people were few and public safety wasn’t great, which was none other than a slave market.

She was there to look for what she wanted.

“By the way, this is quite a remote area.”

“Well, it can’t be helped. Not everyone welcomes the existence of slaves.”

In response to Encia’s mumbled words, a man standing near the entrance of the slave market replied with a sly smile.

“The priests of the Church of Life claim that every life has equal value, but that’s not the case in reality. Do you think the value of a small rabbit and a human is the same?

But since the Church is so powerful, people like us have no choice but to set up shop in such remote places.”

“Can’t be helped, I suppose. The Goddess of Life and the Church of Life, after all.”

She was the goddess who cherished all life equally. Slaves were no exception.

Therefore, it was only natural that the stronger the belief in the Goddess of Life, the more resentment there was toward slaves.

“So, what brings you, a presumed mage, to this corner of a slave market?”

“I need a slave.”

“Well, if you’re in the slave market, there’s nothing else to buy. I won’t ask what kind of slave you need. If you can just give me a rough idea, I’ll see what we have.”

Nodding at the man’s words, Encia figured it was easier to use a guide like him than to sift through every slave trader.

“First, I need a young girl slave, a child.”

“And how young are we talking?”

“Um… please, one that is under 10 years old.”

“Under 10? That’s quite a tall order you’re making. Anyway, I understand. Whether there is such a slave, I can’t say for sure.”

The man guarding the entrance of the slave market then went inside, and after a while, he returned.

“Fortunately, there appear to be several slaves that meet your criteria. If you want, we can bring one of them to you.”

“Is that truly necessary?”

“Well, among those who come needing slaves, some wouldn’t want to set even a toe in the market.”

With the man’s words, Encia nodded slightly. There are those who might feel that entering a place that buys and sells people would taint their own soul.

It’s hard to understand how one could need a slave while thinking like that.

“Seeing for yourself and choosing is probably the best idea, right?”

“That’s true. You have to see to assess the slave’s condition and health. We’ll try our best to select the best slave for you, but there’s a chance it might not be the one you desire.”

“Then I’ll see for myself. Just guide me.”

Saying that, Encia pulled out a silver coin from her pocket and tossed it to the man, who eagerly snatched it from the air with a happy grin.

“This tip for just guiding you is a bit too much. Since that’s the case, I’ll do my best to guide you.”

With a grin, the man led the way through the slave market, and Encia began to follow behind him.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The man seemed to know the slave market like the back of his hand, sharing a lot of information with Encia.

“This trader specializes in capturing people from beyond the northern snowfields, this other trader dreams of rare non-human slaves, but that’s a pipe dream, and it’s better to avoid that one over there; their stalls are filled with perverts, and thankfully, this trader operates with some integrity.”

Most of what he said was of little value and easy to ignore, but the information that the trader acted with some integrity was worth noting.

“Welcome! What kind of slave are you looking for?”

Upon entering the building, the trader looked Encia up and down before greeting her with a smile.

No one would think anything other than that she was a mage in luxurious robes.

No one would want to poke at those who can shoot fireballs just by slightly irking them.

“I’m looking for a young girl slave.”

“A young girl slave? That’s a unique request. Well, we do have some, just not many.”

The trader opened an inner door and said.

“Please, come this way.”

Beyond the door were several rooms, and behind the wooden bars of each room were slaves clad in raggedy rags.

“If we’re talking young girls, that one in the corner is all we’ve got. There aren’t many child slaves since demand is low, and even fewer for girls.”

Encia looked toward a girl curled up in the corner.

A girl with pitch-black hair wearing clothes that were nearly rags.

Perhaps she had not been fed properly, her bony hands and feet were motionless.

“Um… I’ll take that girl.”

“What? You’re deciding right away?”

“There aren’t any other options. A young girl will do just fine.”

“If that’s the case…”

And so Encia bought the young slave for the price of three silver coins.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

“Master, wake up.”

“Ugh… so annoying…”

“Master! I said wake up!!”

The girl with black hair yanked the blanket forcefully, causing the silver-haired woman, Encia, who was buried under it, to roll out of bed.

“Ow… that hurt.”

“Breakfast is ready, so wash your face quickly and come out. You need to eat!”

“So troublesome…”

“Your mother specifically asked me to make sure you eat breakfast!!”

At the black-haired girl’s words, the silver-haired woman, Encia, whined softly.

“That girl I brought home looking like a doll, how did she turn into this?”

“Well, it’s because you look untrustworthy. I’m grateful you took me in as a slave and even gave me a name, but I never thought your lifestyle would be this chaotic.”

“I didn’t mind it when I was alone!”

“Now that you’re not living alone, you need to take care of yourself. Your parents can’t keep coming to check on you forever.”

“Ugh… how did it turn out like this?”

Encia sighed as she looked at her diligent apprentice, Cecil, fussing about rearranging the blanket.

She clearly remembers bringing her in; all Cecil did was sit in the corner with dead eyes. So why has her personality changed so much?

Was it because she practiced converting magical power into vitality and helped heal Cecil’s wounds and fragile body?

Maybe it was because she had shown beautiful night skies with small light magic since Cecil had trouble sleeping with a gloomy face?

Perhaps it was because Encia often displayed untrustworthy behavior during their time together?

Or was it because, while taking her as an apprentice and teaching her various things, Encia said that she too could become a mage?

While she didn’t know which was the cause…

“Wash your face quickly! The soup will get cold!!”

Though it was annoying in various ways, it was true that her life had become easier.

Nodding slightly, Encia reluctantly accepted it and headed for the bathroom.

 

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