Chapter 15 — Potions, gold and two smoking slaves
"Good morning, my lord." — Freia greeted her master smilingly and repeated his action by touching his cheek. She liked how the morning started. She liked the bed and the man lying before her. The sorceress slept soundly, and Keyaruga’s night was at least not so terrible. The duo felt refreshed. After all, the healer could avert fatigue but was never able to restore mental vivacity. So yes, the secure room in the inn proved to be worth every bit of gold. "So, what great deeds do you wish to carry out?" —asked the magician mischievously.
"How about something nice?" Keyaruga stood on his knees, with Freia doing the same. After that, he kissed her. It was a wild, passionate act of greed and lust. Their tongues intertwined, and saliva would drip on the sheets. It lasted more than a minute, with both stopping only to get a brief breath.
"Heh, you liked it?" The smug man felt power, and that feeling was pretty addictive.
"Hah… Hah… Yes, but… Ah!" Freia never managed to vocalize her words as the hero quickly pushed her onto her back. "What are you?.. Aah!" The lad stuck out his tongue. First it was cleavage between massive breasts, then the navel, then the belly. But before reaching the bottom, Keyaruga never missed his chance to lick the rough and sticky hairsprings.
"Don’t shave them." It was more of an order than a request.
"Y-yes!.. Ah…" Although pleased, Keyaruga never stopped his onslaught. The man gently caressed her vaginal lips, right before going wild inside. "Aah!.. No!.. AAH!!!" The caster moaned and gasped, but that never stopped Keyaruga from further licking. He knew them all. Flare’s body revealed to him all of her sweet spots. And the more Freia trembled, the louder her voice got, and with that, the healer became more pleased as well. After all, this act of love wasn’t followed by a dose of drugs, but something more. "A-A-A-A-AH!" In the end, the charming magician came. So much so that Keyaruga’s face was dripping wet now. Wet and displeased.
"Now that was rude."
"I’m so sorry, I just coul!.. Aah!" Once again, Freia failed to finish her line. The healer threw his toy on the belly and dove in. She didn’t even moan, she screamed with joy, as her man rammed her cervix time after time. Not every woman liked it this way, but this one was just thrilled. She kept bumping her butt against the lad, her lower legs clinging to his. The pleasure was so intense that Keyaruga came in no time.
"My prince… More!.." Obviously, it wasn’t enough for the ex-princess. Barely had the healer’s rod grown soft, he groped it with his magic touch. With his penis being locked and loaded, the lad just grabbed Freia’s leg and put her on the side, gazing at her double charms. "Harder, my prince!" Oh yes, this story… Either way, the man was more than happy with the outcome. After all, now he felt big and meaningful. And Freia was just perfect. Yes, she had some extra fat, and her pubic hair had just started to grow back, but in the end, she had her allure.
Keyaruga never slowed down. If anything, he only got rougher. Previously, Freia could speak at least something; now she just groaned. The Hero of Healing had but one orgasm, but the sorceress drowned in them. Although, every peak just drove him closer as well. In the end, the lad just put her feet on his shoulders, while holding her back. This way, the magician did feel like a living sex toy. Her mind was empty, the tongue swayed to the side, and cheerful blue eyes had nothing but void in them. Only the vagina reacted, spurring fluids and clenching the phallus.
"For the love of gods, Freia, you’re so ruined!" — Exclaimed Keyaruga cheerfully. And then, his own orgasm would follow. Much less intense, though. As if… "Ha-a-ah… Strange, I thought I restored it." Keyaruga was puzzled. Earlier, he would just hold on till the first ejaculation. But now it just feels somewhat troubling. "Seems like I can’t restore sperm with magic. Damn, that’s too bad. Hey, Freia, do you hear me?" There was no answer. And no choice but to leave an unconscious body on the bed. "Did I overdo it, or you’re just too weak for me?" That reminded him of their "first" night, when Flare lost consciousness just like that.
"Now, we’ll need a slave. Hm, I’d like someone pretty. Not that I couldn’t change her looks myself, but I just want something natural." With nobody to listen to, Keyaruga started talking to himself, simultaneously wiping his sweaty body with a towel. "Then, I’ll need to conquer her loyalty. Not with that true name thing, but knowing it would still come in handy. And… Damn, I need a bath…"
…
"M-m? Lord Keyaruga?" When the girl woke up, her master was the first thing she saw. Again. But this time, he sat behind the desk, tinkering with his... cape? "What are you doing, my lord?"
"Enchanting. Get in the tub, wash your body, eat, and let’s go. We have a lot to do." And so Freia would do. But before that, she recognized her man carving the runes of protection and control. Why would someone need control over their cape?
After some oatmeal and mulled wine for breakfast, the duo was ready to go. Where? Well, the lower city, obviously. Keyaruga needed money to buy a new toy; real, genuine money. And so, he needed all of his potions. He even bought a couple of little charming boxes for them. At first, the healer thought about making all kinds of medicine out of all the herbs he had gathered, but the idea was discarded. After all, the demand for a panacea for a plague was much greater. The very same thing the heroine carried in her backpack.
"Say, lord Keyaruga. Why are we heading here, and not just selling your drugs somewhere... not so stinky?" — Freia got curious while looking sideways. Ruins and wretchedness made her nervous. And man-made amnesia made her loyal, not obedient. After all, the man loved his toy genuinely, and not as some mindless doll.
"Where you only see stench and paupers, I see opportunities, a black market. You may not believe it, but the money here is just as big as in the higher city."
"That makes sense, I suppose. But who will you sell them to?" It seemed that the sorceress was still not convinced.
"Listen, Freia. We are strangers here, so we need a mediator. A merchant who’d spread our goods without being too suspicious. And after I find the right man or woman, just take off your hood and tell him: "Greetings, good sir (or lady), we have a business proposition for you." Then I will speak and you will just look good in the background."
"Now this is considerate planning. You’re so smart, my lord, you made a medicine and a plan on how to spread it. I bet you’ll get to be a hero of this town!" Great, now she just praised him, drawing attention.
"No, I don’t even think of such things."
"And you’re also modest!"
"Hm, think as you please." — Keyaruga smiled wryly. After all, this had nothing to do with modesty or moral values. The man craved money, and having a trader with a monopoly on the goods with unlimited demand was the fastest way to get it. Also, no poor man could afford a potion from a profiteer. "One last thing, Freia. Be careful. The place is dangerous; you can even get kidnapped. After all, even this cape can’t hide your beauty. Especially from slavers."
"Thanks for your praise, my lord! Heh-heh, no common thug can ever catch me off-guard." The magician was proud. Her victory over a basilisk filled her with confidence that no man could best her in a fair fight. But that’s the thing; a scoundrel never acts fairly.
"GET DOWN!!!" The man pulled his saber and struck. A diagonal slash barely avoided Freia’s face, which couldn’t be said about her hair. Before the duo even saw the threat, a large man with a bag…
"FU-U-U-UCK!!! MY EYES!!!" Well, he got blinded. And his thin companion drew a rapier and a parrying dagger. But even so…
"Who else wants to steal my property? You? Would you like a painless death, or?.." In the end, the thin thug sheathed his weapons, grabbed his eyeless companion by hand, and fled. "Hah… Are you alright, Freia? Curses, what did I tell you about being cautious?!" The lad was angry. With his saber gone in the sheath, he groped his companion’s shoulder. He did it out of concern, though. "Look, magic is a great art and all, but with this attitude of yours, you will get killed!"
"I’m so sorry, my lord. It was so shameful of me, I… Please, teach me how to fight!" At least it got her priorities right.
"Certainly. Not here and not now, though." — the healer replied, petting his beautiful toy’s head. His jade eye revealed the princess's talents for battle arts, but it seemed that slouchy life in the palace dulled all of her skills other than magic. The hero could give her a lesson or two, but he’d been a lone wolf for far too long to teach anyone properly.
After what happened, the rest of the way, Freia held on to Keyaruga’s arm. It was a slightly troubling but also pleasant sensation. The lad used his jade eye to seek out a suitable person. Although the class of trader was a rarity even among this social class, the gift of the star nymph allowed its user to gaze through walls. Finally, the man saw a shabby inn. Inside, some pale boy tried to cut off the money bag from the belt of a wealthy-looking bearded man with a fur cap. Only to be kicked out by his tall bodyguard. No guest watched it for more than a second, for such things were just too common. In the end, Quinta, as the magic eye told Keyaruga, tossed a copper coin and left, unable to bear the tacky inn. A man showed no interest in the healer, but the latter did get interested in him.
"We need him, Freia. Do as I told you." And so, the caster made her way toward the man, removed her hood, and…
"Greetings, good sir. We’ve got a business proposition for you".
"Oh, everything you need, noble lady. So, khe-khem, what do you have to offer?"
His answer slightly surprised the healer. To recognize Freia’s royal blood? Well... It was actually pretty easy. After all, nobody could mistake her for a peasant with that clean face and hands. Either way, they got his attention.
"We have a rather delicate offer. Something that would make us both wealthy and healthy." And after Keyaruga's words, the duo got his interest.
"An excellent choice of words. Now, let me invite you somewhere nicer. I know a good inn for such… sensitive deals." The merchant was positively delighted. After all, he could finally leave the dirty slums and make an attractive transaction.
The path itself wasn’t that long. With twenty minutes to walk, the trader started a conversation with Keyaruga, while their companions would silently follow. Men spoke of politics, possible changes in relations between Jioral and Kaburama, the infinite desert. The deal maker also used a chance to ask the healer about the condition of the southern front. And Keyaruga would gladly speak. After all, he had all the necessary knowledge of those matters. More often than with him, however, the businessman tried speaking with Freia, but each time the possessive man would stop him.
In the end, four of them reached the inn the merchant told them about . Right on the border between the lower and middle city, that enterprise was nothing fancy on the outside, yet the interior felt cozy and warm. And the owner of the place seemed to know the bartender.
"So, let’s start the bargain, shall we? What we offer is an antidote to the local plague. One sip, and you’re done with the symptoms. " — The lad said. Strangely enough, they were the only customers. Others were, apparently, still working, with their jobs being more or less legal.
"The offer seems interesting, but did I not mishear? You two offer me something that would heal the plague in a single sip?" The merchant was rather mistrustful. After all, even with a great first impression, a rootless lad with a suspicious noble girl didn’t seem to him exactly trustworthy.
"Exactly what I said. This is what we have." Finally, Freia took a single box from the backpack under the table. And when she did, Keyaruga took two phials out there.
"You do realize just how unbelievable it sounds? Even the best local alchemists couldn’t find a cure."
"They’re just good. I’m the best here."
"Pff, can you… Khem-kha-a… Can you prove it? Or are you just bragging?"
"Now that’s the right question. Why won’t you try it yourself?"
"Not sure I understand your hint." He got nervous. Which was actually a good sign. Either way, the healer closed his eyes, calling upon the jade power.
"Cough, weakness, your right arm and leg got cold, your skin is inflamed, and you really want to scratch where your liver is."
"H-how do you?.. Fine, now you seem like a competent doctor. But why are there two bottles?"
"Heh, wait for it. Three, two, one…"
"KHA-KHA-HA-A-A!" Just like Keyaruga’d predicted, the bodyguard started coughing. He was so severely ill that he would soon vomit his breakfast and some blood along with it.
"This gentleman has only a week before getting too sick to fight for you. Oh, don’t worry, we won’t charge you for these two."
After Keyaruga’s words, Quinta nodded, and his defender snatched the phial from the table. If it works, the deal will go on. If not, the sellers themselves risk becoming goods. And when the goon drank it all, a green aura engulfed him before…
"That fucking rocks! Shit, I can finally breathe again." Yeah, he’d better keep his mouth shut. But, in the end, the merchant rashly took another potion and gulped it down in a single go. And when he felt the effect, the authenticity of the medicine in question was proven at last.
"So, shall we make a deal?" The Hero of Healing asked with a smile, but Quinta seemed to wish much more than that.
"How much for the recipe?!"
"Stop it, please. This is a secret in my family. I’m sorry, but I’m disinclined to accede to your request."
"That means no?" Keyaruga’s nod was an answer.
"Freia." — he addressed his attendant instead, who quickly put another box on the table. Then it was his turn to reveal another set of phials.
"Subtracting the two you’ve already consumed, we can offer you twenty-eight more."
"Name your price!"
"The price… A shiny golden disc with Margurth’s mug per single dose." That was a lot. A regular man could hope for a single gold coin per month, but with such goods… Keyaruga sold it cheap, too cheap.
"Yes, yes, of course! Can we expect additional shipments?"
"Certainly, good sir. Evening, two days. This very place." — the lad spoke, standing up from the table. He offered his arm for a handshake. Obviously, the sly dealer took the deal.
"We’ll look forward to it! And here are your twenty-eight Jioral’s cadmi!" And then, Quinta offered the payment. The healer took his chance to count it all down to a single coin. All of them were present, all genuine. But before taking his leave, the resourceful lad had another thing to say.
"Oh yeah, next time it will be you who sets the price. For example, a half of your actual income." After that word, the wry grimace melted on Quinta’s face. "Of course, you may try and fool me, but so can I find another buyer." That made everything clear. After all, even those conditions left the merchant with an unimaginable field for enrichment. Losing it to short-sightedness was foolish at the very least.
"I understand! Next time I will reward you in full then! "
"Well then, we’ll take our leave now."
Keyaruga and Freia left, although the deal was just fine, the healer could never shake the feeling of being watched. The duo once again walked under the sun, and yet they once again marched on the streets of the lower city. At this point, the sorceress knew better than to ask why. Or was she just concerned with something else.
"You seem tense, my lord."
"I am. That flashy prick was right. There’s no justice here. He will try to double-cross us, sooner or later."
"Then, why did we hand him the goods, if he’s so vile?"
"Exactly because he is such a man. We can’t spend our time looking for sick but wealthy customers. He can do it way faster." Freia nodded, but the explanation was far from over. "Also, it’s about our safety. The fewer people know we’re here, the better. And less trouble. You see, even if we try selling them in the street, some may try robbing us. And even if we kill them all, constant murdering is just bad for business.”
"I see now." The sorceress nodded and clung closer to Keyaruga’s shoulder. Fortunately, rumors spread fast, and now even the boldest of thugs should think twice before engaging a menacing saber-fencer. That was of little comfort, though, since the stench of dirt, drugs, sex, and excrement was just too intense here. "Where are we heading now?" — Freia asked, in the end. A plea could be heard in her words: "Let’s just leave here already."
"We’re going shopping. Oh, we’ve arrived." Finally, among the dilapidated shacks, the duo found a gorgeous two-storey mansion.
"But what do we purchase?"
"A slave. Soon, we’ll need a meat-shield." Barely had Keyaruga said it when the girl lowered her eyes. "What, you don’t like it?"
"How could I? They’re robbed of their freedom. They must follow orders they don’t like!" He had to give her credit. The magician’s words were passionately veracious.
"Can’t believe I'm hearing it from you..." — The lad replied quietly. Although the wounds from Flare’s arrogant abuse were still fresh, with a newfound sympathy for Freia, the healer decided to once again reevaluate what made this sweet bun into a witch he knew and hated.
"Did you say something?"
"No, don’t mind it." — Keyaruga shook his head, preventing the topic from developing further. But even so, his pink-haired toy stopped the man by pulling his sleeve.
"Please, let’s hire someone. This way, we won’t even need a slave." — She persisted, and the Hero of Healing started regretting entertaining the sorceress with stories about mighty adventurers, monster hunters, free mercenaries, et cetera. The girl just couldn’t grasp the main thing.
"Tell me, Freia, do you love me?"
"Without any doubts!" No place for lies, huh?
"Well, they don’t. They have their own motives and ideals, which may and will not always correspond with ours. Imagine them stealing our gold or selling us to our enemies. Strength means nothing without loyalty." Keyaruga insisted, and finally the magician reluctantly nodded her head.
"Understood. If you think it’s what it takes to save the world, let it be so, Lord Keyaruga."
And finally, the duo crossed the threshold of a slave market, with the first two women and a cat beastman-slave being the first things they saw. One of the females was an attractive lady with a blade on her belt, and the second looked like an obese monstrosity, vainly hiding her ugliness behind cosmetics and a lavish dress. The sight wasn’t really beautiful, so Keyaruga decided not to focus on them. Instead, he gazed upon a broad hall with gilded cages. The interior was so pretentious it hurt. After all, it matched their regular clientele — wealthy aristocrats with enough resources to hire someone who could defend them even in this hole. The guards were nowhere to be seen, literally. Four men and one woman were invisible to anyone but the all-seeing lad. Freia looked disgusted, while Keyaruga would show no emotions during his slave appraisal with the jade eye. Until…
"Welcome, and greetings in my modest parlor." — Said an old man, approaching the duo. "How can I help you, dear customers?"
"I want to buy a slave." — The healer replied coldly. What others saw as goods, he saw as another objective for the future.
"I apologize, but slaves do not come cheap." In the end, the young man wasn’t exactly the type to scream "rich". But he would quickly dispel this misunderstanding by showing an imposing bag of gold, in which the hero added six more coins of his own making. Usually, slaves cost around twenty to thirty of Jioral’s cadmi. Other currencies would also suffice, as long as they weighed the same.
"I beg your pardon, sir. Now, what kind of slave do you desire? A worker? A fighter? Maybe, you wish for a sex slave? We have men, women, children, and even an appraisal scroll if you like. I may not look like it, but I am a competent caster, although not as powerful as your gorgeous companion." Now that felt like a treat. If the old slaver could feel Freia’s might, he was definitely a strong mage. But Keyaruga didn’t come here to fight, so he calmed down his toy and…
"No, I won’t need an appraisal. I need a fighter, preferably a woman. And none of these appeal to me. Do you have more?"
"But of course. Follow me, dear customers." And so, the aged merchant led the duo to a basement, the entrance to which was right behind the counter. But… no. That place was not a basement, it was an underground prison. A damp and dark tunnel, so "nostalgic", that now Keyaruga was shivering even more than Freia. Both sides of the corridor were "decorated" with doors made of iron bars, behind which entire crowds of helpless slaves were held. The air was filled with incense, just so the buyers wouldn’t be bothered with the stench. Keyaruga could sympathize but couldn’t help. Not now, at least.
"So, these are our battle slaves. If you ask me, I recommend this white tiger or a desert dog. Oh, how inconsiderate of me. You wanted a woman. How about this moon cat? She is tough and resilient. I am sure she will slay many of your foes." The seller did the best he could, but again, none of the apathetic demi-humans caught the healer’s eye. Not men. After all, after his story with Bullet, the lad would never again lay with males in any role. Also, the act itself would stink at the very least.
"We don’t like them. Show us more."
"We have one more section, but I fear we have only wounded and sick people there. Are you certain you really want to see them?"
"I didn’t ask for your opinion." Every moment Keyaruga spent here filled him with rage. Only his titanic focus held the man from letting himself and Freia murder the slaver. "Now, show me the goods."
The tone wasn’t to the seller’s liking, but he wouldn’t want to lose a valuable customer. The latter was not afraid of diseases; his healing magic could remove them in no time. One could understand the merchant. After all, not every slave was willing to reveal their true name willingly, so they were tortured or starved. And if the slaves from earlier were just hopeless, these were outright ruined. With nothing to cover the smell of dung, rot, plague, and bleeding ulcers, Freia closed her nose with both of her sleeves, while Keyaruga was once again persuaded that humans were the most despicable race on this earth.
Eventually, the seemingly endless corridor ended. It was a dead end, but in the black darkness, Keyaruga saw another door. The last of them.
"Open it." — The words of the Hero of Healing were everything but a request.
"Are you sure? This one is dying from the plague. And mark my warning, all you will have is trouble with her rotting corpse." And again, the old man protested. Keyaruga was already too tired to threaten, so the sorceress took that role.
"You heard him." — the heroine spoke with a voice of icy wasteland. The girl took the man by his shoulder and called upon her fire. "Open the door before I incinerate you."
"All right, all right! Have it your way!" Finally, the magician removed her hand, revealing a charred trace of her fingers on the old man’s robe. Now that was intimidating of her.
After finally being let in, Keyaruga, holding a lantern, saw three demi-humans with wolf features. However, two men were already feeding worms. Only one girl remained. Her scarce attire barely hid her ulcers, but she had the face not of a sufferer, but of a warrior. The charming face trembled. The aquamarine eyes were full of pride. Instead of human ears, she had wolfish ones. Other than that, the dying slave had beastly legs and fur on her forearms. No adult could stand the pain she endured, but this ice wolf’s will was too strong for that. Now it was time for the jade eye to decide if she was worth saving.
Race: Ice Wolf
Name: Setsuna
Class: The warrior of the Ice Wolves
Level: 7 ☆
Mana: 27/27
Physical attack: 20
Physical defense: 15
Magic attack: 20
Magic defense: 15
Speed: 21
Abilities:
Ice spirit magic: 2-nd circle
Ice wolves’ battle arts: 2-nd level
Skills:
Ice spirit affinity: 2-nd level. A blessing of the spirits of ice. Amplifies mana regeneration and increases the power of the ice spirit magic.
Ice wolves’ monarch’s bloodline: 2-nd level. Improves physical prowess, improves the strength of the ice spirit magic. Allows covering oneself in the aura of cold.
Level cap: 7
Potential:
Mana: 76
Physical attack: 105
Physical defense: 71
Magic attack: 106
Magic defense: 71
Speed:108
Summary: 537
Now that was worth all the hustle. The girl was young, yet she’d already reached her full potential, albeit quite low, even by demi-human standards. Generally, beast races were much more talented than humans, but their level cap was lower. Some say the reason was them siding with the Six Primordials a thousand years ago. But this girl looked like one big joke from the gods. To have more than 500 potential and only the seventh level as a limit. She was hopeless. Or would be, if not for Keyaruga.
"We’re buying her." — Announced the young man. Those words shocked the seller so much that he seemed to forget Freia’s fury.
"Wait, wait, wait! This merchandise has been returned! You can’t make her stronger, so I don’t think she will satisfy you as a fighter. Another good customer took her as a sex slave, but she turned out to be too wild. She does not have much time, and we are still unaware of her true na!.." No sooner had the old man said that than the she-wolf dashed forward. Her fingertips got coated in sharp ice, and her heart got filled with battle rage. With her last strength, the captive would murder a man who tried to take away her freedom. Yet, Keyaruga wasn’t afraid. And neither was Freia. The healer sat down right where her chains wouldn’t let the slave reach him. The girl’s face got warped by fury and agony. Her hopeless onslaught, though, was stopped by the old man by raising his wrinkled finger clad in an enchanted seal ring. The collar burst with crimson light, and the proud warrior would fall down and scream in seizures.
"Dear customer, are you not hurt?"
"Stop that immediately!"
"B-but…"
"Stop! Unless you want to know how fast I can cut off your entire fucking arm!" — Keyaruga snarled, much to Freia’s delight. The seller lowered his slave ring, but the girl’s suffering just wouldn’t stop. The plague would soon eat her whole, and the only man who could help was approaching the captive. He wanted to look at her eyes, to see the sheer hatred behind those bottomless aquamarine lakes. Only one creature could truly sympathize with her. He petted her head, and the exhausted warrior had finally let go of her consciousness.
"We’re taking her with us, old man." — Without any asking, the man melted the chains and collar, leaving only shackles on the forehands, before taking his new companion in his mighty arms.
"At this point, I will not even question your adequacy. Just be warned, you shall not receive a refund for this one!" — Not that the merchant got angry. In Ranalitta, one could always expect rough conversations like these, and the old man could respect that. After all, Keyaruga honestly tossed him a money bag with thirty-four golden coins without even asking for the price.
"Her name is not "this one", it’s Setsuna. And we'd better not see each other ever again."
In the end, the seller walked his customers to the entrance. He never realized the bond that formed between the man and the demi-human. He wanted to aid her, to fuel the flame of her own vengeance. In her eyes, he saw his own path. Just like Keyaruga hated the trio of heroes, Setsuna hated her captors. The Hero of Healing would unleash her hatred. And when everything was done, the lad would look into her eyes once again.
Chapter 15 — Potions, gold and two smoking slaves
"Good morning, my lord." — Freia greeted her master smilingly and repeated his action by touching his cheek. She liked how the morning started. She liked the bed and the man lying before her. The sorceress slept soundly, and Keyaruga’s night was at least not so terrible. The duo felt refreshed. After all, the healer could avert fatigue but was never able to restore mental vivacity. So yes, the secure room in the inn proved to be worth every bit of gold. "So, what great deeds do you wish to carry out?" —asked the magician mischievously.
"How about something nice?" Keyaruga stood on his knees, with Freia doing the same. After that, he kissed her. It was a wild, passionate act of greed and lust. Their tongues intertwined, and saliva would drip on the sheets. It lasted more than a minute, with both stopping only to get a brief breath.
"Heh, you liked it?" The smug man felt power, and that feeling was pretty addictive.
"Hah… Hah… Yes, but… Ah!" Freia never managed to vocalize her words as the hero quickly pushed her onto her back. "What are you?.. Aah!" The lad stuck out his tongue. First it was cleavage between massive breasts, then the navel, then the belly. But before reaching the bottom, Keyaruga never missed his chance to lick the rough and sticky hairsprings.
"Don’t shave them." It was more of an order than a request.
"Y-yes!.. Ah…" Although pleased, Keyaruga never stopped his onslaught. The man gently caressed her vaginal lips, right before going wild inside. "Aah!.. No!.. AAH!!!" The caster moaned and gasped, but that never stopped Keyaruga from further licking. He knew them all. Flare’s body revealed to him all of her sweet spots. And the more Freia trembled, the louder her voice got, and with that, the healer became more pleased as well. After all, this act of love wasn’t followed by a dose of drugs, but something more. "A-A-A-A-AH!" In the end, the charming magician came. So much so that Keyaruga’s face was dripping wet now. Wet and displeased.
"Now that was rude."
"I’m so sorry, I just coul!.. Aah!" Once again, Freia failed to finish her line. The healer threw his toy on the belly and dove in. She didn’t even moan, she screamed with joy, as her man rammed her cervix time after time. Not every woman liked it this way, but this one was just thrilled. She kept bumping her butt against the lad, her lower legs clinging to his. The pleasure was so intense that Keyaruga came in no time.
"My prince… More!.." Obviously, it wasn’t enough for the ex-princess. Barely had the healer’s rod grown soft, he groped it with his magic touch. With his penis being locked and loaded, the lad just grabbed Freia’s leg and put her on the side, gazing at her double charms. "Harder, my prince!" Oh yes, this story… Either way, the man was more than happy with the outcome. After all, now he felt big and meaningful. And Freia was just perfect. Yes, she had some extra fat, and her pubic hair had just started to grow back, but in the end, she had her allure.
Keyaruga never slowed down. If anything, he only got rougher. Previously, Freia could speak at least something; now she just groaned. The Hero of Healing had but one orgasm, but the sorceress drowned in them. Although, every peak just drove him closer as well. In the end, the lad just put her feet on his shoulders, while holding her back. This way, the magician did feel like a living sex toy. Her mind was empty, the tongue swayed to the side, and cheerful blue eyes had nothing but void in them. Only the vagina reacted, spurring fluids and clenching the phallus.
"For the love of gods, Freia, you’re so ruined!" — Exclaimed Keyaruga cheerfully. And then, his own orgasm would follow. Much less intense, though. As if… "Ha-a-ah… Strange, I thought I restored it." Keyaruga was puzzled. Earlier, he would just hold on till the first ejaculation. But now it just feels somewhat troubling. "Seems like I can’t restore sperm with magic. Damn, that’s too bad. Hey, Freia, do you hear me?" There was no answer. And no choice but to leave an unconscious body on the bed. "Did I overdo it, or you’re just too weak for me?" That reminded him of their "first" night, when Flare lost consciousness just like that.
"Now, we’ll need a slave. Hm, I’d like someone pretty. Not that I couldn’t change her looks myself, but I just want something natural." With nobody to listen to, Keyaruga started talking to himself, simultaneously wiping his sweaty body with a towel. "Then, I’ll need to conquer her loyalty. Not with that true name thing, but knowing it would still come in handy. And… Damn, I need a bath…"
…
"M-m? Lord Keyaruga?" When the girl woke up, her master was the first thing she saw. Again. But this time, he sat behind the desk, tinkering with his... cape? "What are you doing, my lord?"
"Enchanting. Get in the tub, wash your body, eat, and let’s go. We have a lot to do." And so Freia would do. But before that, she recognized her man carving the runes of protection and control. Why would someone need control over their cape?
After some oatmeal and mulled wine for breakfast, the duo was ready to go. Where? Well, the lower city, obviously. Keyaruga needed money to buy a new toy; real, genuine money. And so, he needed all of his potions. He even bought a couple of little charming boxes for them. At first, the healer thought about making all kinds of medicine out of all the herbs he had gathered, but the idea was discarded. After all, the demand for a panacea for a plague was much greater. The very same thing the heroine carried in her backpack.
"Say, lord Keyaruga. Why are we heading here, and not just selling your drugs somewhere... not so stinky?" — Freia got curious while looking sideways. Ruins and wretchedness made her nervous. And man-made amnesia made her loyal, not obedient. After all, the man loved his toy genuinely, and not as some mindless doll.
"Where you only see stench and paupers, I see opportunities, a black market. You may not believe it, but the money here is just as big as in the higher city."
"That makes sense, I suppose. But who will you sell them to?" It seemed that the sorceress was still not convinced.
"Listen, Freia. We are strangers here, so we need a mediator. A merchant who’d spread our goods without being too suspicious. And after I find the right man or woman, just take off your hood and tell him: "Greetings, good sir (or lady), we have a business proposition for you." Then I will speak and you will just look good in the background."
"Now this is considerate planning. You’re so smart, my lord, you made a medicine and a plan on how to spread it. I bet you’ll get to be a hero of this town!" Great, now she just praised him, drawing attention.
"No, I don’t even think of such things."
"And you’re also modest!"
"Hm, think as you please." — Keyaruga smiled wryly. After all, this had nothing to do with modesty or moral values. The man craved money, and having a trader with a monopoly on the goods with unlimited demand was the fastest way to get it. Also, no poor man could afford a potion from a profiteer. "One last thing, Freia. Be careful. The place is dangerous; you can even get kidnapped. After all, even this cape can’t hide your beauty. Especially from slavers."
"Thanks for your praise, my lord! Heh-heh, no common thug can ever catch me off-guard." The magician was proud. Her victory over a basilisk filled her with confidence that no man could best her in a fair fight. But that’s the thing; a scoundrel never acts fairly.
"GET DOWN!!!" The man pulled his saber and struck. A diagonal slash barely avoided Freia’s face, which couldn’t be said about her hair. Before the duo even saw the threat, a large man with a bag…
"FU-U-U-UCK!!! MY EYES!!!" Well, he got blinded. And his thin companion drew a rapier and a parrying dagger. But even so…
"Who else wants to steal my property? You? Would you like a painless death, or?.." In the end, the thin thug sheathed his weapons, grabbed his eyeless companion by hand, and fled. "Hah… Are you alright, Freia? Curses, what did I tell you about being cautious?!" The lad was angry. With his saber gone in the sheath, he groped his companion’s shoulder. He did it out of concern, though. "Look, magic is a great art and all, but with this attitude of yours, you will get killed!"
"I’m so sorry, my lord. It was so shameful of me, I… Please, teach me how to fight!" At least it got her priorities right.
"Certainly. Not here and not now, though." — the healer replied, petting his beautiful toy’s head. His jade eye revealed the princess's talents for battle arts, but it seemed that slouchy life in the palace dulled all of her skills other than magic. The hero could give her a lesson or two, but he’d been a lone wolf for far too long to teach anyone properly.
After what happened, the rest of the way, Freia held on to Keyaruga’s arm. It was a slightly troubling but also pleasant sensation. The lad used his jade eye to seek out a suitable person. Although the class of trader was a rarity even among this social class, the gift of the star nymph allowed its user to gaze through walls. Finally, the man saw a shabby inn. Inside, some pale boy tried to cut off the money bag from the belt of a wealthy-looking bearded man with a fur cap. Only to be kicked out by his tall bodyguard. No guest watched it for more than a second, for such things were just too common. In the end, Quinta, as the magic eye told Keyaruga, tossed a copper coin and left, unable to bear the tacky inn. A man showed no interest in the healer, but the latter did get interested in him.
"We need him, Freia. Do as I told you." And so, the caster made her way toward the man, removed her hood, and…
"Greetings, good sir. We’ve got a business proposition for you".
"Oh, everything you need, noble lady. So, khe-khem, what do you have to offer?"
His answer slightly surprised the healer. To recognize Freia’s royal blood? Well... It was actually pretty easy. After all, nobody could mistake her for a peasant with that clean face and hands. Either way, they got his attention.
"We have a rather delicate offer. Something that would make us both wealthy and healthy." And after Keyaruga's words, the duo got his interest.
"An excellent choice of words. Now, let me invite you somewhere nicer. I know a good inn for such… sensitive deals." The merchant was positively delighted. After all, he could finally leave the dirty slums and make an attractive transaction.
The path itself wasn’t that long. With twenty minutes to walk, the trader started a conversation with Keyaruga, while their companions would silently follow. Men spoke of politics, possible changes in relations between Jioral and Kaburama, the infinite desert. The deal maker also used a chance to ask the healer about the condition of the southern front. And Keyaruga would gladly speak. After all, he had all the necessary knowledge of those matters. More often than with him, however, the businessman tried speaking with Freia, but each time the possessive man would stop him.
In the end, four of them reached the inn the merchant told them about . Right on the border between the lower and middle city, that enterprise was nothing fancy on the outside, yet the interior felt cozy and warm. And the owner of the place seemed to know the bartender.
"So, let’s start the bargain, shall we? What we offer is an antidote to the local plague. One sip, and you’re done with the symptoms. " — The lad said. Strangely enough, they were the only customers. Others were, apparently, still working, with their jobs being more or less legal.
"The offer seems interesting, but did I not mishear? You two offer me something that would heal the plague in a single sip?" The merchant was rather mistrustful. After all, even with a great first impression, a rootless lad with a suspicious noble girl didn’t seem to him exactly trustworthy.
"Exactly what I said. This is what we have." Finally, Freia took a single box from the backpack under the table. And when she did, Keyaruga took two phials out there.
"You do realize just how unbelievable it sounds? Even the best local alchemists couldn’t find a cure."
"They’re just good. I’m the best here."
"Pff, can you… Khem-kha-a… Can you prove it? Or are you just bragging?"
"Now that’s the right question. Why won’t you try it yourself?"
"Not sure I understand your hint." He got nervous. Which was actually a good sign. Either way, the healer closed his eyes, calling upon the jade power.
"Cough, weakness, your right arm and leg got cold, your skin is inflamed, and you really want to scratch where your liver is."
"H-how do you?.. Fine, now you seem like a competent doctor. But why are there two bottles?"
"Heh, wait for it. Three, two, one…"
"KHA-KHA-HA-A-A!" Just like Keyaruga’d predicted, the bodyguard started coughing. He was so severely ill that he would soon vomit his breakfast and some blood along with it.
"This gentleman has only a week before getting too sick to fight for you. Oh, don’t worry, we won’t charge you for these two."
After Keyaruga’s words, Quinta nodded, and his defender snatched the phial from the table. If it works, the deal will go on. If not, the sellers themselves risk becoming goods. And when the goon drank it all, a green aura engulfed him before…
"That fucking rocks! Shit, I can finally breathe again." Yeah, he’d better keep his mouth shut. But, in the end, the merchant rashly took another potion and gulped it down in a single go. And when he felt the effect, the authenticity of the medicine in question was proven at last.
"So, shall we make a deal?" The Hero of Healing asked with a smile, but Quinta seemed to wish much more than that.
"How much for the recipe?!"
"Stop it, please. This is a secret in my family. I’m sorry, but I’m disinclined to accede to your request."
"That means no?" Keyaruga’s nod was an answer.
"Freia." — he addressed his attendant instead, who quickly put another box on the table. Then it was his turn to reveal another set of phials.
"Subtracting the two you’ve already consumed, we can offer you twenty-eight more."
"Name your price!"
"The price… A shiny golden disc with Margurth’s mug per single dose." That was a lot. A regular man could hope for a single gold coin per month, but with such goods… Keyaruga sold it cheap, too cheap.
"Yes, yes, of course! Can we expect additional shipments?"
"Certainly, good sir. Evening, two days. This very place." — the lad spoke, standing up from the table. He offered his arm for a handshake. Obviously, the sly dealer took the deal.
"We’ll look forward to it! And here are your twenty-eight Jioral’s cadmi!" And then, Quinta offered the payment. The healer took his chance to count it all down to a single coin. All of them were present, all genuine. But before taking his leave, the resourceful lad had another thing to say.
"Oh yeah, next time it will be you who sets the price. For example, a half of your actual income." After that word, the wry grimace melted on Quinta’s face. "Of course, you may try and fool me, but so can I find another buyer." That made everything clear. After all, even those conditions left the merchant with an unimaginable field for enrichment. Losing it to short-sightedness was foolish at the very least.
"I understand! Next time I will reward you in full then! "
"Well then, we’ll take our leave now."
Keyaruga and Freia left, although the deal was just fine, the healer could never shake the feeling of being watched. The duo once again walked under the sun, and yet they once again marched on the streets of the lower city. At this point, the sorceress knew better than to ask why. Or was she just concerned with something else.
"You seem tense, my lord."
"I am. That flashy prick was right. There’s no justice here. He will try to double-cross us, sooner or later."
"Then, why did we hand him the goods, if he’s so vile?"
"Exactly because he is such a man. We can’t spend our time looking for sick but wealthy customers. He can do it way faster." Freia nodded, but the explanation was far from over. "Also, it’s about our safety. The fewer people know we’re here, the better. And less trouble. You see, even if we try selling them in the street, some may try robbing us. And even if we kill them all, constant murdering is just bad for business.”
"I see now." The sorceress nodded and clung closer to Keyaruga’s shoulder. Fortunately, rumors spread fast, and now even the boldest of thugs should think twice before engaging a menacing saber-fencer. That was of little comfort, though, since the stench of dirt, drugs, sex, and excrement was just too intense here. "Where are we heading now?" — Freia asked, in the end. A plea could be heard in her words: "Let’s just leave here already."
"We’re going shopping. Oh, we’ve arrived." Finally, among the dilapidated shacks, the duo found a gorgeous two-storey mansion.
"But what do we purchase?"
"A slave. Soon, we’ll need a meat-shield." Barely had Keyaruga said it when the girl lowered her eyes. "What, you don’t like it?"
"How could I? They’re robbed of their freedom. They must follow orders they don’t like!" He had to give her credit. The magician’s words were passionately veracious.
"Can’t believe I'm hearing it from you..." — The lad replied quietly. Although the wounds from Flare’s arrogant abuse were still fresh, with a newfound sympathy for Freia, the healer decided to once again reevaluate what made this sweet bun into a witch he knew and hated.
"Did you say something?"
"No, don’t mind it." — Keyaruga shook his head, preventing the topic from developing further. But even so, his pink-haired toy stopped the man by pulling his sleeve.
"Please, let’s hire someone. This way, we won’t even need a slave." — She persisted, and the Hero of Healing started regretting entertaining the sorceress with stories about mighty adventurers, monster hunters, free mercenaries, et cetera. The girl just couldn’t grasp the main thing.
"Tell me, Freia, do you love me?"
"Without any doubts!" No place for lies, huh?
"Well, they don’t. They have their own motives and ideals, which may and will not always correspond with ours. Imagine them stealing our gold or selling us to our enemies. Strength means nothing without loyalty." Keyaruga insisted, and finally the magician reluctantly nodded her head.
"Understood. If you think it’s what it takes to save the world, let it be so, Lord Keyaruga."
And finally, the duo crossed the threshold of a slave market, with the first two women and a cat beastman-slave being the first things they saw. One of the females was an attractive lady with a blade on her belt, and the second looked like an obese monstrosity, vainly hiding her ugliness behind cosmetics and a lavish dress. The sight wasn’t really beautiful, so Keyaruga decided not to focus on them. Instead, he gazed upon a broad hall with gilded cages. The interior was so pretentious it hurt. After all, it matched their regular clientele — wealthy aristocrats with enough resources to hire someone who could defend them even in this hole. The guards were nowhere to be seen, literally. Four men and one woman were invisible to anyone but the all-seeing lad. Freia looked disgusted, while Keyaruga would show no emotions during his slave appraisal with the jade eye. Until…
"Welcome, and greetings in my modest parlor." — Said an old man, approaching the duo. "How can I help you, dear customers?"
"I want to buy a slave." — The healer replied coldly. What others saw as goods, he saw as another objective for the future.
"I apologize, but slaves do not come cheap." In the end, the young man wasn’t exactly the type to scream "rich". But he would quickly dispel this misunderstanding by showing an imposing bag of gold, in which the hero added six more coins of his own making. Usually, slaves cost around twenty to thirty of Jioral’s cadmi. Other currencies would also suffice, as long as they weighed the same.
"I beg your pardon, sir. Now, what kind of slave do you desire? A worker? A fighter? Maybe, you wish for a sex slave? We have men, women, children, and even an appraisal scroll if you like. I may not look like it, but I am a competent caster, although not as powerful as your gorgeous companion." Now that felt like a treat. If the old slaver could feel Freia’s might, he was definitely a strong mage. But Keyaruga didn’t come here to fight, so he calmed down his toy and…
"No, I won’t need an appraisal. I need a fighter, preferably a woman. And none of these appeal to me. Do you have more?"
"But of course. Follow me, dear customers." And so, the aged merchant led the duo to a basement, the entrance to which was right behind the counter. But… no. That place was not a basement, it was an underground prison. A damp and dark tunnel, so "nostalgic", that now Keyaruga was shivering even more than Freia. Both sides of the corridor were "decorated" with doors made of iron bars, behind which entire crowds of helpless slaves were held. The air was filled with incense, just so the buyers wouldn’t be bothered with the stench. Keyaruga could sympathize but couldn’t help. Not now, at least.
"So, these are our battle slaves. If you ask me, I recommend this white tiger or a desert dog. Oh, how inconsiderate of me. You wanted a woman. How about this moon cat? She is tough and resilient. I am sure she will slay many of your foes." The seller did the best he could, but again, none of the apathetic demi-humans caught the healer’s eye. Not men. After all, after his story with Bullet, the lad would never again lay with males in any role. Also, the act itself would stink at the very least.
"We don’t like them. Show us more."
"We have one more section, but I fear we have only wounded and sick people there. Are you certain you really want to see them?"
"I didn’t ask for your opinion." Every moment Keyaruga spent here filled him with rage. Only his titanic focus held the man from letting himself and Freia murder the slaver. "Now, show me the goods."
The tone wasn’t to the seller’s liking, but he wouldn’t want to lose a valuable customer. The latter was not afraid of diseases; his healing magic could remove them in no time. One could understand the merchant. After all, not every slave was willing to reveal their true name willingly, so they were tortured or starved. And if the slaves from earlier were just hopeless, these were outright ruined. With nothing to cover the smell of dung, rot, plague, and bleeding ulcers, Freia closed her nose with both of her sleeves, while Keyaruga was once again persuaded that humans were the most despicable race on this earth.
Eventually, the seemingly endless corridor ended. It was a dead end, but in the black darkness, Keyaruga saw another door. The last of them.
"Open it." — The words of the Hero of Healing were everything but a request.
"Are you sure? This one is dying from the plague. And mark my warning, all you will have is trouble with her rotting corpse." And again, the old man protested. Keyaruga was already too tired to threaten, so the sorceress took that role.
"You heard him." — the heroine spoke with a voice of icy wasteland. The girl took the man by his shoulder and called upon her fire. "Open the door before I incinerate you."
"All right, all right! Have it your way!" Finally, the magician removed her hand, revealing a charred trace of her fingers on the old man’s robe. Now that was intimidating of her.
After finally being let in, Keyaruga, holding a lantern, saw three demi-humans with wolf features. However, two men were already feeding worms. Only one girl remained. Her scarce attire barely hid her ulcers, but she had the face not of a sufferer, but of a warrior. The charming face trembled. The aquamarine eyes were full of pride. Instead of human ears, she had wolfish ones. Other than that, the dying slave had beastly legs and fur on her forearms. No adult could stand the pain she endured, but this ice wolf’s will was too strong for that. Now it was time for the jade eye to decide if she was worth saving.
Race: Ice Wolf
Name: Setsuna
Class: The warrior of the Ice Wolves
Level: 7 ☆
Mana: 27/27
Physical attack: 20
Physical defense: 15
Magic attack: 20
Magic defense: 15
Speed: 21
Abilities:
Ice spirit magic: 2-nd circle
Ice wolves’ battle arts: 2-nd level
Skills:
Ice spirit affinity: 2-nd level. A blessing of the spirits of ice. Amplifies mana regeneration and increases the power of the ice spirit magic.
Ice wolves’ monarch’s bloodline: 2-nd level. Improves physical prowess, improves the strength of the ice spirit magic. Allows covering oneself in the aura of cold.
Level cap: 7
Potential:
Mana: 76
Physical attack: 105
Physical defense: 71
Magic attack: 106
Magic defense: 71
Speed:108
Summary: 537
Now that was worth all the hustle. The girl was young, yet she’d already reached her full potential, albeit quite low, even by demi-human standards. Generally, beast races were much more talented than humans, but their level cap was lower. Some say the reason was them siding with the Six Primordials a thousand years ago. But this girl looked like one big joke from the gods. To have more than 500 potential and only the seventh level as a limit. She was hopeless. Or would be, if not for Keyaruga.
"We’re buying her." — Announced the young man. Those words shocked the seller so much that he seemed to forget Freia’s fury.
"Wait, wait, wait! This merchandise has been returned! You can’t make her stronger, so I don’t think she will satisfy you as a fighter. Another good customer took her as a sex slave, but she turned out to be too wild. She does not have much time, and we are still unaware of her true na!.." No sooner had the old man said that than the she-wolf dashed forward. Her fingertips got coated in sharp ice, and her heart got filled with battle rage. With her last strength, the captive would murder a man who tried to take away her freedom. Yet, Keyaruga wasn’t afraid. And neither was Freia. The healer sat down right where her chains wouldn’t let the slave reach him. The girl’s face got warped by fury and agony. Her hopeless onslaught, though, was stopped by the old man by raising his wrinkled finger clad in an enchanted seal ring. The collar burst with crimson light, and the proud warrior would fall down and scream in seizures.
"Dear customer, are you not hurt?"
"Stop that immediately!"
"B-but…"
"Stop! Unless you want to know how fast I can cut off your entire fucking arm!" — Keyaruga snarled, much to Freia’s delight. The seller lowered his slave ring, but the girl’s suffering just wouldn’t stop. The plague would soon eat her whole, and the only man who could help was approaching the captive. He wanted to look at her eyes, to see the sheer hatred behind those bottomless aquamarine lakes. Only one creature could truly sympathize with her. He petted her head, and the exhausted warrior had finally let go of her consciousness.
"We’re taking her with us, old man." — Without any asking, the man melted the chains and collar, leaving only shackles on the forehands, before taking his new companion in his mighty arms.
"At this point, I will not even question your adequacy. Just be warned, you shall not receive a refund for this one!" — Not that the merchant got angry. In Ranalitta, one could always expect rough conversations like these, and the old man could respect that. After all, Keyaruga honestly tossed him a money bag with thirty-four golden coins without even asking for the price.
"Her name is not "this one", it’s Setsuna. And we'd better not see each other ever again."
In the end, the seller walked his customers to the entrance. He never realized the bond that formed between the man and the demi-human. He wanted to aid her, to fuel the flame of her own vengeance. In her eyes, he saw his own path. Just like Keyaruga hated the trio of heroes, Setsuna hated her captors. The Hero of Healing would unleash her hatred. And when everything was done, the lad would look into her eyes once again.
