A slave-trading business.

This kinda has a bad connotation for me.

Mostly because of the whole Lunar Goddess telling me to be one.

[Why would I want a slave? Seriously?]

"Oh, we have all kinds of slaves we even have an illustrated catalogue, here!"

[That actually sounds really professional and….]

As I look at it, I can see some stuff that is definitely borderline H stuff.

I seem to recognize the art style.

Probably that guy I met at the duel.

How awesome is that guy at selling his artwork?!

Very apparently.

[How about you summarize it for me?]

"Of course! We have battle slaves, profession slaves, sex slaves, and more. Do you wish to have an extended explanation?"

[Why not, how are these slaves even controlled? Where are they from?]

"All over the continent! We are very well connected! This is not our main branch either. Just a side one. As for how to control them...how about a demonstration?"

[Sure I guess.]

We head into a room where there is a cell.

In it is a muscular man wearing a collar.

He also has a big tattoo on his back.

Red and glowing slightly.

"You see we use a double restraint method to ensure there is never an issue."

[I mean, nothing is completely failsafe, no?]

"Indeed, but the few times it does fail it is set up in a way to kill the slave instantly."

[So harming the masters is impossible?]

"Exactly! Now let's start this. Come here you piece of trash!"

Yep, can't really relate to these guys.

Isn't it more fun to have subordinates rather than slaves?

There is a sense of satisfaction to successfully trick someone into joining.

Especially when your faction is pretty much nonsense.

Talking from experience.

"Kneel and pay respect."

The guy inside promptly does.

While looking defiant.

[So you are his master?]

"Haha, no. We use temporary bindings on the slaves for sale. Any staff can order them. Of course, such a binding won't leave any problem either."

[How does that even work for all the staff at once?]

"We rely on an artifact. One that manages that for us. It is very costly and advanced."

[Similar to the city defense system?]

"Yes, but also very different. The purpose is different after all."

[So why exactly do they need to obey?]

"Well, they will start feeling intense pain otherwise. One that is unimaginably horrible."

[So how does one end up as a slave?]

"Mostly from losing to an opponent. Instead of claiming their life they sell them. Sometimes it's people that are simply too poor selling their own."

[God this sounds atrocious.]

"Well, the world can be dark at times. That is why one must always remain on top and work hard."

That sounds good in theory, but in fact it's just the powerful staying on top.

Let's face it there are two easy ways to gain power.

One to be born into it a powerful family.

Two to be extremely lucky and talented.

I do believe lots of effort will always give results too.

Given the individual is given enough time to grow.

Ending up as a slave would screw it up.

[Isn't there any initiative to free them? From the righteous factions I mean?]

"No, they don't care. The righteous factions are more about not being seen committing evil."

[Isn't that kind of thinking...crazy?]

"No, it's rather normal."

I guess.

These people are all mental.

Well most of them anyway.

I guess this is why I like the old man and Nomzilla.

They don't care about that bullshit.

[I see.]

"By the way, why do you have a wolf following you? Does that mean you are a beast tamer?"

[Not really. She's my companion.]

"Right, I think I heard about a pet gem being in our warehouse. Would you be interested in that?"

[What's that?]

"The gems that allows one to store monsters in an alternate space."

[Ah, no need I just have Wolfie following me and it's better if she can see the world too.]

"I see that makes sense. Right, how about warrior or mage items?"

[What's with you? Are you sure you guys sell slaves?]

"Well here is the thing. Management told me to try and get on friendly terms with you yet didn't tell me anything about you."

[No seriously you have no reason to.]

"Tell that to my boss. If I don't have anything to show for it, he'll kill me for sure!"

[I mean it's not really my problem either…at this point you should just quit. Your boss sounds insane.]

"*Sigh* Perhaps I should. Right, can you tell me anything about that guy you wanted to fight? This should suffice."

I feel like that was his goal all along.

This whole charade to get more information on a key target.

I mean he could have directly asked.

We are enemies after all.

I don't mind revealing all I know about him.

[Ah, champion of the Moon Keep. A dick. Some flying sword cultivator. Practices both martial and magical techniques. Should have some attainments in it by now.]

Yeah, I don't actually know that much about him.

"Wow! You were about to fight someone so impressive! I respect you brother!"

[Haha, well I'm not that strong. I just thought he was coming for me so I decided I may as well just fight already.]

"How brave! Most people would just hide upon encountering such a situation!"

This is kinda what I did too at the beginning.

Just hid in the bakery.

Good thing he doesn't know haha.

"Follow me! To thank you for the information. To reward you I'll give you a free slave!"

[I just want a door, plus I barely said anything relevant.]

"Don't worry about it. This is just a greeting gift. We may not look like it, but we are very rich."

No, they definitely look the part.

Still, there is something weird about all this.

This guy is way too friendly.

Actually, I think I know exactly what is happening.

They probably saw me with Nomzilla and are trying to forge a good relationship through me.

Whatever I'll bite.

How did a quest for a door turn into this?

Who knows...

The real question is...will they have catgirls?