After Roy left, Alaric turned his head to Fredrinn.
“My name is Alaric. What’s your name?”
Fredrinn’s eyes seemed like they could spurt fire from how he was staring at him, but Alaric remained unperturbed.
Realizing that he had no intention to respond, Alaric added. “I know what you are worried about. That pregnant woman is your wife, right?”
Hearing this, Fredrinn finally reacted. “If you touch her, I’ll kill you.” He muttered while breathing heavily.
Alaric smiled and shook his head. “I didn’t speak with you to provoke you. I want to help you.”
Fredrinn narrowed his eyes. “What do you want?”
“The merchant told me that I could take two additional slaves with me. Do you know what that means?” Alaric felt a bit guilty for using this man’s feelings, but Fredrinn was someone that he truly needed to complete his plan.
If he could get this man to serve him, he would have a future Transcendent Knight! An expert at that level would be a huge help to his plan to stop the Civil War from happening.
Fredrinn hesitated. He understood the implications of his words.
He looked at his pregnant wife whose limbs were bound by chains. She had small wounds on her skin. Her clothes were tattered and full of dirt. Seeing her like this made him feel like he was being torn apart.
“I will follow you if you set my wife free.” Fredrinn stared deeply at the young Knight.
Alaric was taken aback. “Don’t you want to be with her?”
“I want to be with her and it hurts me to even think about being separated from her, but what hurts me more is seeing her live under such terrible conditions.” Fredrinn lowered his head.
Sigh. What a loving husband.
“Why don’t you just live with your wife? I don’t plan to take you back as slaves.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Fredrinn couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“You’re an Elite Knight. You can work as a warrior for our household instead. As for your wife, she can work as a cook or a gardener. If you don’t like that, I’ll let you choose where your wife can work.” Alaric’s words made him dumbfounded.
“You… Are you telling the truth?” Fredrinn was agitated. This could be the opportunity that he was praying for, but it was too good to be true.
Alaric smiled and nodded his head. “Of course. I’m a follower of Aru. You can trust me.”
He took out a sun necklace that symbolized the benevolent god.
“If my words are untrue, then may my soul turn into an evil spirit and wander hell for all eternity.”
Fredrinn was stunned by his oath. Even the most faithful believers of Aru would never dare to utter such words.
“Since you are willing to say those words, I’ll trust you.”
Fredrinn took a deep breath and muttered.
“My name is Fredrinn Steelheart. I’m yours to command, sir.”
“Good. Just wait for a bit.” Alaric tapped the man’s shoulder.
“Yes, sir.”
After talking with Fredrinn, Alaric approached the fat merchant and gave him the beast soul crystal. “I have decided which slaves to take with me.”
“Great! Just tell which of them you are taking and I give them to you.” Roy couldn’t conceal the excitement on his face when he took the crystal.
“I want that woman.” Alaric pointed at Fredrinn’s wife.
This made Roy feel a bit troubled, but he still accepted his choice.
The Elite Knight must have spoken with him about it. Tsk! Too bad. That pregnant lady could have fetched me a decent price.
“And the last one I’m taking is that man over there.” Alaric pointed at the man who was introduced by Roy as one of the best hunters in his village.
“Good choices, sir! Just give me a second. I’ll get them for you.” Roy sent a signal to his servants.
A moment later, Fredrinn and the two additional slaves he had chosen were separated from the rest of the slaves.
“Sir, here are your goods.” Roy laughed as he presented the three ‘goods’ to Alaric.
“I enjoyed doing business with you, sir!” The merchant extended his hand while beaming at him.
Alaric didn’t want to shake his hand, but he still did it for the sake of finalizing the deal. “Likewise.” He responded flatly.
“If you want to do business with me again, you can find me in Hairo. Just look for Roy’s Merchant Group. I have some fame in the city so the residents will give you the right directions.”
Roy didn’t want to cut off this connection here since he felt that the young warrior was no ordinary person. After all, not just anyone could employ the service of a beast soul warrior.
“Alright. I will remember it.” Alaric nodded.
“By the way, where are you headed to, sir? If we are heading in the same direction, we can just go together. It will be safer for us to move in a larger group.” Roy suggested.
“It’s alright. We can take care of ourselves, but thank you for the offer.” Alaric politely declined.
“I see. What a pity.”
Roy tried to prolong their conversation, but Alaric didn’t seem to be keen on chatting with him.
The merchant sensed his disinterest so he didn’t insist on keeping the young warrior for long.
After exchanging goodbyes, Roy and the merchant group finally left.
Alaric watched them leave with a calm look on his face. Only when they disappeared from his line of sight did he lower his guard.
“They’re finally gone,” Arthur muttered.
Henry who was hiding behind a nearby tree also revealed himself.
“The guy wearing a fur coat detected my presence. We should leave soon, my lord. He won’t be an easy opponent.” The old man spoke in a serious tone.
Alaric waved his hand. “There’s nothing to worry. If they attack us, they will be the ones in trouble.” He chuckled.
Hm?
Henry stared at him with a perplexed look.
“Follow me. I’ll introduce you guys to someone.” Alaric smiled as he tapped the old man’s shoulder.
