Knightshade itself isn't that much to see, once you get accustomed to the white color. There are merchant district, residential, noble, church, harbor, and no slums, at least inside the city. As the weird guy said, the church can teach me healing magic, so I decided to go in and try learning some of it. Though the result wasn't that good as I wanted it to be. First of all, I was supposed to become a frigging monk. Well, first of all, it was a question of whether I can use healing magic in the first place, and of course, I can. But becoming a monk isn't something I'd do. Well, I could probably agree to it get the info and then ditch them after destroying the city, but meh, I'm not spending a day as a monk, had enough of the clergy for a few lifetimes.

So, instead, I opted to hunt down a few high standing priests after I leave the town, with a caravan this time, as I will place a teleportation beacon here, and start working on the magic circle again. I already sent my four elementals of the apocalypse to do the job, and judging from the size of the city, I take it will be about few weeks, maybe month, before it is complete. So the first order of business, is to get myself a pass to the mountains, preferably some of the mountain cities. Stupid midgets, found where to build their cities.

As I enter the trader guild, which was politely shown to me by the guard here, I notice that it is not as ripe with activity as I would've expected. Soon enough one of the receptionists came over.

“Welcome sir, to what we owe the pleasure?” he probably noticed my silver badge on the neck.

“I want a pass to the mountain city with dwarfs.”

“Certainly sir, but why won't you apply through the Hunter guild?”

“Don't want to guard, so I want to pay.”

“Oh, yes, that is possible. That would be two big silver coins for you.” I sigh.

“How much for a personal carriage with the horseman, or whoever drives that thing.”

“It'll be five big gold coins, but why would you-” I take five big gold coins and show them to the guy.”

“Sir, I apologize, but why would you want a carriage for yourself?”

“I don't like people bothering me. Also, I heard you guys could provide slaves.”

“That's right, but-”

“I want one that has healing magic.”

“Sir, that is possible, however-” he looks at me, then at my outfit, then at the dagger on my belt. “I apologize sir for delaying my answer. Of course we can provide you with any slaves you want. And we came into possession of quite a few slaves that might be of interest to-”

“I want healer, good healer. And that it could talk.”

“Certainly sir, certainly. May I inquire as to what race-”

“Doesn't matter.” I imagine the guy in front of me acting as a sleazy merchant.

“Follow me sir, we have a wide selection of goods. Would your guard accompany us?”

“That won't be necessary.” I get a small gold coin and flick it to guard. “Thanks for guiding me here.”

“Of course sir, that was my pleasure, sir!” he salutes me and leaves.

“While it's not my concern, but why would you give him gold coin for guiding you here?”

“He showed me the place and walked me wherever I wanted to go, so I recon this gold coin is good enough.”

“Certainly sir.” I shrug, and follow the receptionist, or merchant. “We have a wide variety of slaves in this city, I would even dare to say that we have even as much as the capital of our glorious nation.”

“Yes, sure, don't care. What I care is quality, quantity would only be necessary if I were looking for an army.”

“Of course sir, but what about menial chores?”

“I can cook, and my armor can be burned to get rid of the grime.”

“Is it enchantment?”

“No, engraving.”

“But how about a nice bath performed by exotic beauty?”

“Why? Is she tasty?”

“Erm... you were to ask if she's tasty?”

“Yes, because I see no reason to be washed by someone if I can do that myself.”

“Sorry, but I thought... excuse me sir.”

“Whatever. I want a slave that can heal. The only other skill that would be good, is combat skill.”

“Oh, we have a wide variety of-”

“Don't care, unless it's something akin to amazon.”

“Apologies sir, but what is amazon?”

“Human, or human-like female warrior that is extremely powerful in melee combat. I... nevermind.” he nods. Hm... weird, when did we-

“It's here sir.” the guy mentiones to the standalone building. “Let me show you around.”

“Slaves.”

“Yes, of course.”

“It feels like you try to either hide something, or to get me to buy some useless stuff.”

“Apologies, sir, I indeed wanted you to browse some other... stocks.”

“You'll show them to me after I buy healer.”

I ended up buying two slaves. One healer and one... I'd guess it's a ranger/knight combo, or something? It was not an accident, considering that they share the same race, and the ranger seemed to be important to healer, or the other way around? Ended up spending two royal coins on both of them, with healer costing almost four times as much as the knight, and considering that I had a carriage already rented, along with the driver, there shouldn't be a hassle over buying space for slaves. Might get bigger carriage though, they are rather big, and by the looks of it, heavy.

“Alright, now, healer. How to actually heal?” she looks down. “Come on, just say it.”

“I apologise, but... you need... to have-”

“You need to have affinity for healing magic.” the other slave I bought answered.

“Have one, next?”

“Um... you try to start healing your body-”

“Out of question.” I cut off my finger, and it starts regrowing back. “My regeneration is extremely fast. Other ideas?”

“You.. can practice on others?”

“Sis, you can just let him observe how you heal, and not-”

“Sis?” I look at the two... what are they again? These snake people, not the nagas... “What is your race again?”

“Lamia.” healer nods. “Why are you asking?”

“Hm... how do you reproduce? Is it by eggs or-” both healer and the ranger lit up red. “What? I'm curious. I mean, you are snake people, so-”

“We're not!”

“Well, technically, you should be? Snake bottom half and human top half? So, snake people?”

“Nagas are snake people.”

“Whatever. Still gonna need big carriage if I'm traveling with you.” I look at the healer, then at the ranger. “Hm... Need to order bigger carriage through guild.”

“You just want to have your way with us?!”

“Yes. I need a healer, but not so much as you. Well, I must say having a ranger would be nice, and way better than having a warrior, but you can be warrior if you like, though it will be the task of a healer to stitch you up after every encounter.”

“That's why he wanted...”

“Well, if you're good at your role, you won't be needing much healing, so get good.”

“I'm not servicing you!”

“Servicing? Why would I need a maid?”

“Sis... I think... he means battles.”

“You only want to fight?”

“No, not only. I want to learn healing magic, enchantment, engraving, all sorts of magic related stuff, and cooking. Maybe refine my alchemy skills a bit.” I caress my chin. Damn, I need to grow a beard. “Well, if it's about test subjects for healing, there will be tons of animals and bandits on the way.” I shrug, and they sigh. “What? I'm not going to torture you for nothing, if you were worried about that. Damaging your own property is dumb.”

“My name is Mia.”

“Pft...” lamia with the name of Mia.

“S... Sophie.”

“Boring name.” I sigh. “Well, nice to meet you then. From now on Sophie is the healer of our group. Mia, choose your role.”

“Role?”

“Yeah, like backline, frontline, assault or support.”

“Sister... is good at... archery?” I nod.

“Can you track animals then? Or anyone for that matter?”

“Yes, I can, but why?”

“Good, archery and tracking, you are ranger then, or backline. Stay with the support and keep her safe, when we get in the fight.” I smile and motion them to follow me. “My name is...” what name did I use when I came here? I don't remember... “My name is Jack” Going to use the name system assigned to me. Or did I assign it myself? “Or call me Raven, because of my family name, but never by my family name.”

“You forgot your name or something?” ok, Mia is a sarcastic ass.

“This question is insulting, snake.” I shake my head. “So insulting I'm thinking of turning you into a stuffed snake.” I look at her as she gets ready to either fight or escape. “I'm joking you moron.”

“Was that really necessary?!”

“Yes.” I start laughing and she hits me on the head. “Ouch.” and Soph uses healing magic on me immediately. “It was unnecessary, Soph.” and she trembles.

“Sorry!”

“Mia, is your sister a scaredy cat or something?” they fell silent. “Great, just what I needed. A healer that is too afraid to say anything. Just what is wrong with you?” she drops to the ground and starts shivering. Just what I fucking needed. “Soph, look into my eyes.” she is a bit too afraid to do that, so I grab her head, only to be smacked on the wrist by Mia.

“Don't touch her!” while Soph is shivering even more.

“I see. You aren't broken, while she is. That's fucking great. Plan B then.” I move on. “You coming or not?”

“Why did you do that?!”

“You coming?” I ask them again, and Soph starts slowly slithering to me. “Mia?” she groans, but also starts moving in my direction.

“Just to make it clear, I will not stand you bullying Sophie. If you dare to lay your hands on her-” I make a sinister smile using dark magic.

“Don't worry, my libido is nonexistent, unlike my hatred.” I withdraw my magic and move on. “Keep up, we're getting the necessities for the journey. And then we'll talk. More.” I let some darkness mana escape my breath, for a more sinister effect.