Somehow I woke up sore, even more so than the day before. The bed somehow felt more comfortable, less dirty? I guess being used to well, whenever you moved during your sleep, or as you woke up. That every move would add more dirt to you, everything being loose. Those little fragments would get into every pore of your body. It was the worst if you somehow managed to stick your nose into the dirt while you were sleeping. God, it took half a day to just clear your nose of dirt.

But this was different. It was clean? Somewhat more comfortable? Somehow I just wanted to continue sleeping. But the current situation wouldn't allow it.

The booming voice shook me awake, even though I struggled to stay asleep. It was much weaker than that one [Soldier]. It still shook me to my core. It was only the second time that I felt something like this.

"Wake up, slaves. Forget everything that you knew, your life shall change. No longer shall you be known as beggars. You will be [Slaves], well-fed. As long as you don't resist, you shall live like [Kings]."

It was a scary voice, scary to wake up to. Even scarier if it announced the good news. Who would use that tone to deliver good news? It shocked me. I sat up, as quickly as I could manage. Looking around, I noticed that I was too close to other [Slaves], and my corner was nowhere to be found. Looking around, trying to find where the voice was coming from and failing. The voice continued.

"You may be confused, to why you are currently in cages. But that is nothing to worry about. You all shall experience haven. As soon as we get to our location."

Even though his voice was back to normal, somehow that didn't make me feel better? Finally locating the person speaking. I was somewhat disappointed.

He was a short man, with neatly trimmed hair and beard. He wore expensive-looking clothes, more expensive than the 'nobles' in our village. It showed off his standing well, at least that he had money. But not the thing that he specialized in. So I couldn't estimate the reason, beneath the announcement. Live like [Kings]? While being behind bars? It was a total scam! I believed none of it! I scanned the surroundings, to see if anyone else had the same thought as I, seeing no traces of doubt, only hope. Well, I wasn't surprised.

Somehow he remained me of those [Merchants] that passed our village a few days ago? Was it related to the war going on? Have they grow desperate enough to kidnap children? I doubted it.

Once I gathered my wits and actually looked around. Not focusing on the person speaking. I saw what he meant by cages. There were three carts, that were fitted with metal bars, and a wooden roof above. It kind of looked like homes on wheels? Except for the exit missing.

I had a bad feeling about them. Why would anyone, for free nonetheless give us a home? Well, he didn't actually say home, but I assumed that it comes with the life that [Kings] would lead. And if this cage is that promised life, I don't see it getting better. It was a tight space. With every cart having five or more of us.

I was lucky to be laying in a corner. Instead of being on other beggars. Or beneath them, I would have died in that case. So I guessed that somehow they managed to get us all into these carts, without us noticing or waking up. And even set us in order so that we wouldn't die, or well be harmed.

With three carts, each being pulled by two horses. Even more extravagant than the horses that the [Soldiers] passing by were riding. And six people that I could see, either riding a horse. Or somehow keeping pace with these horses that well, were going by a speed that I couldn't catch up to, even if I ran for it at my full speed.

It made them seem like powerful Awakened. And I doubt they were anything less than that. As I was still looking over the change of surroundings. The nicely dressed man spoke again.

"Now, all of you should be awake. If you are not well if you don't hear what I am going to say next. Who cares? You all are the property of Snot. The largest Slaver guild operating at the Kingdom Of Eyorith. And well you all shall be under my care until we find an interested buyer that would want to take you off my hands."

With that sentence, I felt overwhelmed. A buyer? Were we bread to them? Remembering that [Soldier] beheading the beggar, I no longer felt so surprised. I guess I have finally got what I have asked for. But the conditions were much less than ideal. Are we something like merchandise to the self-proclaimed [Slaver]? Or did we hold more or less value? Did it depend... based on the person? I guess I would find out.

"We shall take care, train, and well, teach you. Until you Awaken. Don't look at that as an assurance. Because, if you can't or refuse to follow orders? You would wish that you were left in that small village of yours!"

With that, his speech was over, and he looked happy? Well, he just had a good harvest I guessed.

I paid some attention to the nearby conversation, to me they all sounded the same. And the [Slaver] was too far away for me to hear him now.

So with nothing to do, being unable to change my current situation I had only one option left for me.

The floor was much more comfortable than the dirt, and I was sore, my muscles still hurt from yesterday's walk. So could you blame me? Even with the cart hitting bumps here and there, I slept well.

_______

"We have a good catch on our hand’s boys, I thought with the village being so far away. And with nobody wanting to go, I thought we would be screwed! But look at this!" Ron pointed backward. "Three full carts, all non Awakened kids, some even close to the Awakening! I might even get promoted with this."

"Yes boss, you were right to bring three carts. Even though they're all skin and bones, nothing some food can't fix. And with your methods, we shall have no issues getting them to get the needed Classes."

Looking that the low-level [Thug], Ron felt good so he deigned to answer.

"That is obvious, Snot's reputation isn't just for show. So stop slacking here if something goes wrong, I wouldn't mind seeing if I could turn a [Thug] into a [Slave]."

The poor guy looked shell-shocked, he didn't even manage to say a word as he scrambled off. What good was power, if you couldn't use it. And his expression? Priceless, made it worth paying them.

But his fun was short-lived, with the actual [Assassin] looking at him. Ron had no idea what his level was. He didn't even know his class before this. But it made sense, the guild wouldn't let him do as he pleased. And now with their catch, stakes were high. With the war going on against... those damn lizards why couldn't they just let them be?

Ron didn’t have anything against the war, war was good for his business. Nobles going out to level, bringing their retainers, the polite name they called their [Slaves]. Well some of them weren't but that was a minority. And those [Slaves] are trained to protect. So them dying, was nothing new.

But what would happen if they lost? From the information that was shared our [King] declared war on the Kingdom Of Brodia, the reason it self somewhat unclear.

Ron had his doubts if the Kingdom Of Brodia was serious they stood no chance. Well, they couldn't kill major guilds. With how strong people at the top were. But it would definitely be a huge setback. And Ron wasn't there yet, at that level of power. So he would end up being executed. Or tortured for information, inner workings of the guild which he wasn't aware of. For who knows how long, until they decide to end it. Ron was getting chills, from even thinking about that.

Now that he thought about it if he didn't have this Class. Ron too would probably leave this Kingdom behind. And move to the neighboring Kingdom Of Brodia.

Having other races walking around, and being in majority. Especially those lizards... agh, but he would make himself get used to it.

It was a much bigger, and better developed Kingdom. With a much better economy and trade, It was located a few thousand kilometers north of the Kingdom Of Eyorith. But its base of power was different, from what Ron knew their [King] was much more respected. Compared to... theirs.

King Of Eyorith was a maniac, not being happy with his dad’s rule. He found a way to kill him. He was even young, maybe even the youngest [King] that didn't get his class by inheriting it. He was twenty-six. Being able to kill an [King] even though the previous one wasn't exceptional, except having the class. He wasn't young. And with age usually, you get to a higher level. So it was a big feat.

Some nobles tried to oppose him, to slander his name. Calling him Hankin The Father Killer, but as soon as those rumors started, they instantly died down. Some noble families changed their family heads that year. At least he wasn't stupid to slaughter his own foundation, more like the Kingdom’s foundation.

There were some pictures of him going around, and from the way that he was painted. Nothing in the picture painted him as a ruthless [King] who would kill his father, and immediately start a war with a neighboring kingdom, that we even had somewhat good relations with. And trade was overall good... except for [Slaves].

Ron thought that he somewhat understand why the [King] picked The Kingdom Of Brodia, even though it wasn't the closest kingdom to his, its geographical location, and well, the fact that the road was pretty good. There being no mountains, or rivers separating them. Made it pretty simple getting his army there. But why would he antagonize a stronger kingdom on his own whim? And why would they even tolerate him, when they can just run the Kingdom of Eyorith over?

But who cares of those big-shots, Ron hasn’t even met a high-ranking noble. He couldn't imagine how looking at the [King] would feel, or being in his presence. Especially this one, as they called him now, Hankin The Ruthless. Could he kill him by just releasing his aura? Ron wouldn't like to try, and the way that army [Generals] all surrendered to his reign? It told volumes of their opinion.

Having a few more days on the road left, having increased load slowed them down somewhat, and if the [Slaves] asked for bathroom breaks, Ron was tempted to just throw a barrel in, and let that [Thug] empty it once a day. He would probably end up doing just that, after the first few accidents. Ron didn't want to end up paying people to wash the carts as well.

_______

Looking at the young [Slaver], with his shining eyes, Shadow could imagine what he was thinking of. But after others... learned of his successful harvest, Shadow doubt they would let him go. The competition was high, and Shadow doubted that anyone would send an [Shadow Assassin] to do protection work.

Whenever the class name crossed his mind, he got somewhat annoyed. Having a codename Shadow, that went with that class... damn it, couldn't they pick a better codename. But remembering others, that bared the same nickname as him... he shivered.

And what was with that speech, about [Kings], and better life? No imagination whatsoever. At least their journey will be silent, once they stop chatting about how lucky they've got.

With the army that passed by, most of the beasts and bandits ran away. So hopefully it will end soon. Being in the sun, acting like a [Guard], it all was a thankless task for an [Assassin]. If it was someone else making connections wouldn't be bad. But with Rons personality, and Shadow being already loyal to the Guild Master, He really didn't want to step on that man’s toes. Getting to his position, and staying with no competition in same for twenty-something years, or so Shadow heard. His roots, connections must run deep. Shadow didn’t doubt that he too has some kind of deals arranged with neighboring kingdoms. Even with those that don't approve of our dealings.

And that made him extremely dangerous. Shadow still had no clue why he was picked. Even though he had the lowest rank in the team of personal [Assassins] that the Guild Master possessed, it brought a lot of benefits to him.

So Shadow would just stick with the plan, this time.

Glancing one more time over the caravan. He was surprised to actually see someone sleeping… while the rest of the [Slaves] chatted. Seeing how small the kid was. He just ignored it.