Survive in the parallel world, please!

227 Don’t waste time, please! part “This way please.”

Just like that, he took me to another tent where they had a lot of cages, most of which were covered with blankets. The stench coming out of them was almost unbearable, that must be the reason why they’re burning incense inside the tent. There were a few uncovered cages containing mostly beasts, but there were a few people wearing thin iron collars too.

Not a minute had passed when I heard an anguished scream. It wasn’t a word, but it carried the same meaning as if the person screaming was begging for help in the most desperate way.

A loud clapping sound was heard right afterwards and the shout became muffled until it disappeared into the vast cloth tent.

To say hearing that scream was unsettling would be an understatement, but nothing could prepare me for what came after that, when I found the source of the call for help.

Right in between two cages, in a place where the light of the lamps barely reached, I saw a man with his pants down clutching on to the head of a crouching younger female amidst gurgling noises. Her wide open eyes and dilated pupils were just like a leaking faucet shedding an incredible amount of tears, presenting the most horrible sight.

For just a fraction of a second I could have sworn that she looked straight into my eye, as if looking for hope in whatever form it could take, only to be disappointed and helpless again.

She struggled as best as she could, flapping her arms in the air, but she didn’t attempt to fight back or harm her attacker in any way. All she could do was try to growl intermittently in between breaths.

“You! stop right there!”

.....

I yell without even thinking about the consequences, but Maximus limits himself to tap me on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry, It’s completely safe, she’s wearing a slave collar and there’s no way she can possibly harm anyone.”

He then explains, probably thinking that I was worried for the man. The young soldier looked back exuding anger, but after recognizing Maximus he quickly lifted his pants and apologized.

The young a young female was finally able to breathe normally and tried to regain composure, she seemed to be a completely normal human being, there was nothing off with her except for her very distinctive eyes. Her pupils were vertical.

I try to remain as calm as possible, to avoid getting into a disadvantageous situation, but it is so hard when they make it hating them so easy.

I get close to the poor girl, only to stop in my tracks when she cowered back into her cage. She seemed to be in terror, and I can’t really blame her, not after what she went through just now. I wish there was a way to comfort her, but right now I need to find Bardun.

And, just when I was thinking on how could I possibly find him among all these cages, I look at the cage next to the beast kin woman. There was a huge goblin standing up proud with a wide grin on his face. He was hurt and probably barely conscious because he didn’t seem to notice my presence, but he was still standing.

Bardun really looked fearsome, not just that, he was taller than the last time I saw him. I bet he became stronger after fighting all this time.

“Doesn’t this goblin look odd?”

I ask trying not to appear too interested.

“Oh, yes! this is the first time we encounter a goblin so strong. I bet someone of your position surely know that goblins fight in numbers, well, this one came to me all by himself after I challenged him to single combat, and he fought fair if you can believe it!”

Maximus exclaims amusingly. Of course he did, goblins are proud warriors after all.

“Did you fight alone?”

“I tried, but one of my companions shoot him from behind.”

Just when I was about to burst in anger I noticed how troubled he looked after he said those words. It looked like his own pride was hurt too.

“I take it”

“Just like that? no bargain? I thought you came from the south where people love their haggle skill. And here I was getting ready to waste an hour or even more negotiating.”

“So?”

I say trying to prompt him to answer quickly.

“I actually don’t really know the price. This goblin is highly unusual ... I don’t know. We’re actually new to this line of business, let me discuss it with my partner.”

Maximus went out the tent, but as soon as I heard him set foot outside I heard a cheer of joy. I would have laughed if I wasn’t in high alert because of the possible danger that could befall to us at any moment.

After a few minutes Maximus came back with Liu, they both held their best poker faces but it was too late, I already knew how to negotiate this deal.

Money itself means nothing, it’s just a concept of wealth that has no actual value. What good was having money for the people in Ironwoods when food became scarce? what good is money when you don’t spend it?

Those were my thoughts when I handed them a mithril coin. I didn’t even wait for them to ask for a price, I simply handed them the money. The stare of both my party members and the beast traders looked similar, but while the later were in awe at the prospect of earning a lot of money, the former were thinking I offered too much.

“I’m deeply sorry, mister, no sir client, but- but we don’t have any money to give you change.”

Not accustomed to handling that kind of money Maximus started blabbering non stop, Liu was a lot more composed but you could see it in his eyes that he was just as ecstatic as his partner.

“Then, how about this, instead of giving me change you give me the beast woman too and anything else until it reaches my money’s worth.”

Liu seemed to ponder what to answer for a few seconds and then he sighed.

“Actually, you can take the beast kin woman, she killed one of our men and it’s our tradition that she should atone for her sins first and then get tortured to death.”

Thinking on what would Luke say made my stomach churn, but it may as well be the only way of freeing her.

“Do you think I’m playing games? I want that woman, if my money is not good here I can always go check another shop. I could even head to the sacred empire.”

I sneered in the most annoying tone of voice I could muster.