Chapter 004: Slave Market, Elves

This small spring-loaded dart was specially crafted by the exclusive dwarf blacksmith of the governor's office as a gift for Konstantin, in exchange for detailed information on the folding forging method he provided. The dwarf also included some other small components, yet still believed he had made a highly profitable deal—thereafter, a batch of exquisite knives was equipped at the waists of senior officers in the Western Frontier. The dwarf's forging skills also advanced to the level of a master.

However, when Constantine followed the old steward through the corridor of arches and ascended to the stone platform, this preconceived impression was shattered

The following is the most valuable item in this auction

Recalling the stories in his mind, Konstantin's smile turned somewhat bitter. Gaining a chance for rebirth is undoubtedly the greatest fortune, yet the protagonists in those memories never seem to exhaust their luck in such matters—they always acquire invincible power, extraordinary martial arts, and the protection of capable parents... Of course, there is also the favor of beautiful mentors and companions... However, in these twelve years, he has never experienced even a trace of similar good fortune.

In front is the Colosseum, the central arena of Haidun City. However, during the reign of His Majesty the Fourth Emperor, it ceased to function as originally intended. Its current purpose is as a slave market, and today seems to be hosting a special auction, which explains the crowd... Walter's explanations are always timely and accurate, and it is evident that the old steward is in a good mood today: "Perhaps we can find a suitable bodyguard for the young master, or a clever errand boy?"

If it were not for the sorrowful expressions on the faces of those models, Konstantin might even doubt whether he had returned to a familiar era, attending the opening show of some company.

This kind of life actually seems rather dull, yet the boy, who was a shut-in in his previous life, does not harbor much dissatisfaction with it

Of course, in addition to these sports, the youth also spent a considerable amount of time reading. After exerting great effort to grasp the basics of the written language, he began his assault on the not insignificant study within the residence. Over the course of approximately five years, he read every book in the study that he could understand. It was not that he possessed any particular genius, but rather that as a dedicated homebody, reading ability was not only necessary but also one of the most formidable skills.

The sound amplified by the spell resonated, and the crowd erupted into a clamorous wave. A figure cloaked in a robe slowly ascended the central stone platform, guided by two burly men. As the cloak was unveiled, the cheers from the crowd reached an astonishing level, overpowering even the magically amplified commentary.

This ancient city, which began as a military outpost and has continuously expanded to its current scale, is situated on the Karmi Plain between the Lorraine River and the Godon River, and can be regarded as a tranquil and fertile place. It boasts many sights worth appreciating—towering city walls and fluttering military flags evoke a sense of endless severity and solemnity. However, upon entering the city, the bustling and vibrant scene created by its hundreds of thousands of inhabitants brings warmth and comfort, making one feel as if the interior and exterior are entirely different cities.

If possible, he would even hope to live like this, in a grand mansion within that small city, with daily activities consisting only of not overly strict training. During his leisure time, he could read books, chat with a few familiar servants about interesting anecdotes, and occasionally go to nearby streets to buy some items. It would be even better if he could freely wander into taverns or stroll around the streets. ... Of course, the best part would be to encounter a few beautiful women ... . ... Not too many are needed, because he is well aware of the limits of humanity in this regard. During his leisure time, he could read books, chat with a few familiar servants about interesting anecdotes, and occasionally go to nearby streets to buy some items. It would be even better if he could freely wander into taverns or stroll around the streets. ... Of course, the best part would be to encounter a few beautiful women ... . ... Not too many are needed, because he is well aware of the limits of humanity in this regard.

Perhaps this is also an inevitability... Regardless of which world it is, the principle of equivalent exchange is likely a universal law—since the privileged nobility are born without worries about food and clothing, the freedom of the common people is thus distanced from you

It seems that the young man’s confusion was noticed, and the old steward explained with a smile: "However, it appears that these are the main characters today. I apologize, young master; I’m afraid there are no suitable attendants available..."

Moreover, there is no established papermaking technology in this world. Books made from lambskin, often containing over one hundred pages, can be as thick as a brick. Therefore, although the study of the Governor's Office in the Western Frontier is not small, the amount of knowledge it contains is actually not substantial.

Well, regardless of the circumstances, these activities have already consumed most of the child's time. In the little remaining time, the young one must also engage in some personal training sessions—moving their hands and feet in private, performing actions that may seem quite strange to the average person—such as standing still, doing push-ups, and frog jumps

Slave market? The young boy was momentarily taken aback

It is merely disheartening. Although the schedule for the youth's rest is relatively scientific and the meals provided by the governor's office are undoubtedly nutritious, the body of thirteen-year-old Konstantin still appears quite frail. The only source of comfort for him is that the muscles responsible for movement in his body are taut when in use, exhibiting a remarkable explosive power. It seems that the basic physical quality of humans in this dimension is quite impressive; even an ordinary person's body surpasses that of most people on Earth. However, the body of thirteen-year-old Konstantin still appears quite frail. The only source of comfort for him is that the muscles responsible for movement in his body are taut when in use, exhibiting a remarkable explosive power. It seems that the basic physical quality of humans in this dimension is quite impressive; even an ordinary person's body surpasses that of most people on Earth.

In the slave market of the Western Frontier, the majority of those sold are orcs and barbarians, who are all utilized as labor. However, it is not solely the case here, or rather, it is not just limited to this... Many serious criminals, when their crimes do not warrant death, are also sent here. In addition, there are some humanoid beings captured by mercenary groups, among others

Is that a fairy? ... Truly, it is one of the most elegant creatures in legend ... The young man habitually touched his nose and murmured softly to himself

Ladies and gentlemen ... ... '' The clichéd greeting amplified by magic resonated from the center, signaling the commencement of this commercial event

At this moment, Konstantin did not appear particularly remarkable. Although his chestnut-colored velvet long-sleeve shirt and the black calfskin hunting vest still indicated his status, distinguishing him from the common folk, the absence of any family insignia on his coat at least prevented anyone from associating him with the prominent marshal from the Western Frontier. At most, he seemed like the son of a minor noble wandering the streets with his old servant, and in Haydon, such a combination was hardly noteworthy.

A dozen beautiful dancers, three formidable slaves who could serve as warriors, and even a high-ranking orc warrior; it is evident that the preparations for this auction have been quite impressive. All the items have generated considerable value. Soon, the emotions of the thousands of spectators reached a peak, and at this moment, the merchants naturally seized the opportunity to present their most valuable items in exchange for the greatest worth, which they generally refer to as the grand finale

The straight and slender nose bridge, along with the cherry-colored red lips, is sufficient to validate that natural elegance, while the most distinctive feature is the long golden eyebrows, each measuring almost two to three inches in length

The young boy pressed one eye against a small cylindrical tube, observing intently. The combination of lenses made the face of the sprite appear much clearer. This was a simple telescope he had crafted from two pieces of crystal he had stumbled upon by chance. Although glass had already appeared in this world, the manufacturing techniques were still far from the level of quality that Konstantin had in mind. Not to mention achieving flat sheets, even the deep green hue could not be eliminated. Therefore, aside from some rough crafts like vases or bracelets, the remaining crystals suitable for lenses still had to rely on these natural materials. However, large and transparent natural crystals were exceedingly rare, so the observational capability of this small device in the hands of the unfortunate Konstantin was still quite limited.

The belief that children who speak earlier are smarter is a common understanding in both worlds. A child who can barely engage in daily conversations by the age of three is naturally not regarded as particularly intelligent in the eyes of others. This is one of the reasons why he does not receive much attention.

There is nothing particularly needed by the youth, whose gaze begins to drift aimlessly... He is situated in the viewing platform reserved for nobles; however, it seems that due to the absence of a large auction event, there are no private boxes arranged in the platform. Nevertheless, nobles are generally very polite beings. Although the number of people here is not less than that in the commoners' viewing area below, they quietly form several distinct zones.

In fact, the impression that Konstantin had of his nominal father—the Duke of the Empire, the Governor of the Western Frontier—was even less profound than that of his longtime steward, Walter, by a factor of ten. Over the course of the ten years during which this child was growing up, the two had met no more than fifty times, and the opportunities for conversation could be counted on one hand. At times, Konstantin even doubted whether he was truly the legitimate eldest son of this Duke, or merely an object meant for display.

Then came the emperor's decree, which muddled the young man into becoming the fiancé of that princess... Oh, the so-called fiancé, officially marking the end of the young man's peaceful dreams, declaring it all over!

Alternatively, he may simply be habitually using this gesture to conceal his expression

It is not that he cannot learn something that happened, but rather that there is too much to learn.

As the capital of Phoenix, the character of the city of Hayden is rich and complex

Turning around the secluded corner of the Duke's residence, the cacophony of voices began to gradually fill his ears. Konstantin squinted slightly, directing his gaze toward the other end of the street. A diverse array of people in various attires gradually gathered here, forming a torrent: some donned long robes, others wore short shirts and riding trousers, while some were dressed in formal attire adorned with lace. It resembled the medieval Europe of his memories, and this place was evidently several times more prosperous than the capital of Xijiang, Mideheim.

But why did one come to this world

Thus, having just begun to flexibly command his own body, Konstantin was immediately overwhelmed by these tasks. The rituals and doctrines that needed to be memorized were manageable, but whether in his past life as Yang Le or in this life as Konstantin, he completely lacked any exceptional athletic ability. In terms of swordsmanship and equestrian skills, what an ordinary child could learn in one month, he often required double or even triple the time to master, not to mention the recovery time from unfortunate injuries sustained during practice. This performance frequently caused Walter, the head steward responsible for teaching these courses, to shake his head.

In his previous life, his health was not very good; congenital stenocardia made it difficult for him to have opportunities for exercise. Therefore, this could be considered a kind of rebound. Moreover, strong males always seem to attract more attention from females, which appears to be a universally accepted principle in this realm.

The delicate arch of her eyebrows slants gracefully into her temples, complementing her radiant golden hair and pointed ears, further enhancing her appearance with an extraordinary sense of ethereal beauty and a dreamlike quality. Even though her grass-green attire is nearly obscured by dirt, and her body bears some faint scars, it still does not diminish this beauty in the slightest.

The young boy walked over and pulled out the dart that was only the length of a finger, then he struggled to turn a pulley on the mechanism, and once again placed it into the launcher. Satisfied, he secured this small weapon to his forearm with two leather straps. Finally, he put on the shirt and covered it with the long lace of the cuffs.

There are also some aspects that satisfy him, such as the impressive development speed of this body's nervous system, or the complete mental stimulation of a dimensional traveler. His neural responses have gradually begun to differ from those of ordinary people. Until recently, when faced with rapid movements, his reactions were always significantly faster than those of an average person in his memory

The childhood innocence that has been excessively suppressed, when it erupts, is often directed towards a malevolent path. The cruelty manifested in children is merely the dismemberment of dragonflies and toads, while a young person with a family background may only find similar gratification in the abuse of civilians. Moreover, it becomes even more troubling that at this point, merely scolding him as an adult will not suffice to stop him.

The level of civilization in this realm has not yet reached a certain standard, thus similar institutions can be said to be widespread across the continent. Even Konstantin, who rarely travels, is well aware of this. There are many slave markets in the western regions, but in Konstantin's memory, those places are not something that these prominent figures would eagerly flock to.

This was the scene he witnessed at the age of seven in a similar institution in Hudehang Province

However, it is evident that this can only be an unrealistic fantasy... Just a few days ago, following the third month after his thirteenth birthday, a command from his long-absent father, His Grace the Duke of George, marked the end of his previously comfortable life

... ...

Images flashed through the boy's mind in an instant... Various orcs and barbarians of different skin colors sat and lay half-naked, or even completely naked, each pair of eyes filled with a look of despair. Their hands were bound with ropes, trembling in the cold wind. The air was thick with a nauseating stench that could not be dispersed by the wind. The slaves were covered in filth, and some unfortunate ones were even riddled with wounds, their injuries festering with pus. Even in winter, flies buzzed around, searching for the delicacies that had just oozed from the living bodies.

There is no need to take the carriage; just prepare a set of ordinary clothes... After finally obtaining permission to go out and have fun, our protagonist will certainly not miss this opportunity. While riding in a carriage to tour the neighborhood may be relaxing and enjoyable, much of the fun will inevitably be diminished.

What is most significant is that he has always harbored a special aversion to foreign scripts, which is why he has abandoned English, a subject that is essential in the world...

Regarding his own abilities, Konstantin has never overestimated himself. Although he has undergone systematic training in physical strength and swordsmanship, such methods of combat without practical experience cannot be considered true martial prowess. Moreover, a mere thirteen-year-old boy lacks the capacity to handle emergencies effectively. He certainly does not expect that this outing will attract several exceptionally skilled subordinates—such arrogance is entirely unrelated to him.

As a time-traveling art student, his ability to appreciate various forms of beauty is unmatched by most beings in this dimension

Constantine himself had an even greater aversion to this cramming-style teaching method. He even believed that this educational approach was the reason why there were always more wealthy scions in this world than there were talented youths.

The festivals of this world are not as varied as one might remember; there are merely twelve or thirteen in a year. However, the most recent one in the boy's memory was not celebrated in such a manner. Yet, aside from the reasons for the festival, the boy could hardly imagine anything else—he truly knew little about the fundamental nature of this society, having spent his time in a small town residence.

Although compact, the power generated by the wire spring, utilizing technology unfamiliar to this world, allows it to achieve a considerable level of penetration and shooting speed. Even though it requires a significant amount of time and effort to reload after firing three bolts, it remains an effective self-defense weapon

In the Empire, as a noble, whether one is a young talent with grand ideals and a vast vision or a debauched wastrel who only wishes to indulge in wine and revelry, the intricate and stringent noble doctrines are inescapable. A series of disciplines, including fencing, dancing, and even drinking, are mandatory courses they must learn. Perhaps a fallen family may be in tatters, yet even in destitution, they must maintain an elegance that is far more noble than that of the ostentatious nouveau riche, even if it leads to their demise.

In a moment of exclamation, the youth's thoughts inevitably drifted to some clichéd places—although even after more than a decade, Konstantin had never seriously contemplated this issue—when reading novels in his previous life, the first book provided a rather sufficient and valid reason for the protagonist's circumstances. The subsequent books also had their own reasons, but by the end, no reason was needed.

However, this still allowed him to see clearly the item of immense value

And when he finally managed to scale the immense precipice of language, before he could even begin to showcase his modest talents, another weighty burden of knowledge loomed over him like a mountain—those protagonists from his memories, who always seemed to be exceptionally intelligent. Whether it was ancient martial arts manuals or spellbooks, anything that came before them could be mastered with just a little effort, as if it were second nature. However, the young Konstantin now understood that those were mere fantasies.

But clearly, Constantine is in for a lot of trouble... In fact, just learning to use the language for communication in this world is enough to give him a headache—newborns find it easy to learn a language from scratch because a child's mind is like a blank slate, ready to be drawn upon. However, as a dimensional traveler, Constantine's language center is not a blank slate but rather the Kangxi Dictionary. How difficult it is to inscribe an entirely different grammar in a space already occupied by the information brought by various square characters.

"Two sets, please. I would appreciate it if you could accompany me..." After a moment of hesitation, the young man added.

Is today a holiday? The gaze lingered on the surrounding architectural complex, which could almost be described as a monument. Constantine's past preferences brought him joy, but soon the young man noticed some strange phenomena—at least half of the people were moving in one direction, and the bustling crowd seemed to be surging towards a tall building

After half an hour, an old man and a young boy, two strangers, were leisurely wandering the streets of Haydn

In response to the old butler's words, Konstantin took out a delicate steel object from a box beside him. With practiced ease, he pulled and flipped it, and the dark object opened completely with a sound of friction, tightly combining the spring made of high-quality steel with hinges. After loading three specially crafted, hairpin-like small crossbow arrows, the young man aimed and, with a not very loud click, a small dark shadow appeared on the wooden wall in the corner of the room

Once upon a time, a planar traveler, upon arriving in a new realm, garnered the favor of one of the realm's deities, who bestowed upon him the so-called "weakest" ability to control souls. By merely reading the thoughts of others, he quickly learned several languages of that world in a very short time

How should this be said ... ... masterpiece? ... ... It truly is a masterpiece of nature

The books in the study may not be appreciated by the martial-born governor, yet as a noble, they serve as decorative items. The content is quite rich, encompassing the geography, history, economic theories, and discussions of humanistic thought of the continent. Constantine, who enjoys reading but does not seek deep understanding, primarily focuses not on the meanings within this knowledge. For most matters, a superficial awareness is sufficient; there are actually very few things that require earnest contemplation.

"Young master, in accordance with the master's instructions, the carriage is ready. May I ask if you are prepared to depart now?" With two soft knocks, the old butler's voice appeared at the door, interrupting the young man's reverie

Even this time, upon suddenly arriving in Haydn, the Duke did not return to prepare anything in Mieheim, but instead met the convoy halfway. Konstantin only received a notification, and because of this, the enormous mansion where he currently resides has very few servants. Aside from a few lower-level staff responsible for cleaning, as well as the chef and the old butler Walter brought by the Duke, there are actually no maids or similar attendants at all.

Apart from the long and pointed ears, she is almost indistinguishable from a human girl, provided that there exists such a perfect visage among humans—her skin is so delicate that it surpasses even the finest porcelain, reminiscent of the surface of pudding or a boiled egg. Her emerald green eyes are partially concealed by a few strands of golden hair that fall due to her lowered head, yet this only adds to her air of mystery

To be honest, it is indeed the place on earth closest to hell. If it were not for Constantine, who had previously encountered the dark lens in a past life, but rather another child of the same age, they would likely have been left with psychological scars long ago

A corridor supported by two rings of arches at different heights, with the uppermost layer being a solid wall thirty feet high. Stepping back layer by layer, the tiered slope of the stands seems to evoke the emotions of the spectators who once watched the beasts fight. However, the central circular area has been obscured by a rudimentary wooden platform, yet draped over that platform are bright red fabrics, forming a double-layered screen made of linen dyed with color.

This is a habit brought to him from his previous life; in his memories, there was also a skilled martial artist with a similar fondness... However, as an ordinary person, he shares no similarities with that martial artist, except for a minor issue with his nose—of course, this newly grown body is very healthy, with no such problems. Yet, the habitual actions developed over nearly thirty years are not so easily changed. He shares no similarities with that martial artist, except for a minor issue with his nose—of course, this newly grown body is very healthy, with no such problems. Yet, the habitual actions developed over nearly thirty years are not so easily changed

Konstantin is not particularly concerned about having a companion. In fact, as a planar traveler, he has long developed the habit of handling his own affairs. Although he has been in this world for quite some time, he still has not fully accustomed himself to the service of others

Here lies Xiu Tielong Avenue, the epicenter of imperial power. The mottled stone patterns on the pavement still faintly reveal the colors of yesteryears, where countless great figures once left their footprints. The history of the empire extends like this avenue itself. The buildings flanking the avenue are mostly masterpieces from the reign of the first royal family of the Reilfu Dynasty, characterized by their tall, solemn, and dignified structures, with almost every wall adorned with sculptures. There are no buildings lower than four stories here; from a distance, the massive columns and granite reliefs exude the grandeur of the capital. This sight fills Konstantin with boundless emotion.