Four carriages were moving along a highway in the former Sauron Duchy. The carriages at the front and back were packed with mercenaries, and the coachmen of these carriages were mercenaries as well. There were also more mercenaries on horseback surrounding the carriages, further strengthening their defense.

And the two carriages in the middle were loaded with ‘goods.’

“Really, the world has become a nice place.” The leader of this group, Padej Boctarin, had a cheerful smile on his face, paying no attention to the strict atmosphere. “Rumor has it that this region’s name will be formally changed soon. Oh my, what a happy event. With this, the Amid Empire’s rule will become firm.”

The leader of the mercenaries called out to Padej.

“Is it really alright to say that, Danna? Aren’t you a pure-blooded citizen of the kingdom?” he asked.

Was it alright for Padej to be so happy when his own nation, his birthplace, had been occupied and was now being ruled by an enemy nation? But Padej’s smile did not falter despite this question.

“Of course,” he said. “Which nation I was born in does not matter. I am a merchant; I love anything that grants opportunities for profit. And the Amid Empire will bring more profits to my business than the Orbaume Kingdom. Please look at the commodities behind us.” Padej pointed at the second and third carriages. Each of them were carrying over a dozen people. “This quantity and quality would have been unimaginable in the Kingdom.”

They were slaves.

Expensive slave collars hadn’t been put around their necks, but there were sturdy shackles around their wrists and ankles instead.

Padej Boctarin was a slave trader. But slaves are allowed even in the Orbaume Kingdom. So why was he making more profits under the Amid Empire’s occupation?

The reason for this was the races of the slaves. The slaves in the carriages were Beast-people, Titans, Dark Elves, half-Elves and there was even a Drakonid among them. All of them were members of Vida’s races or those who shared their blood.

In the Amid Empire, the treatment of slaves of races considered to be people – humans, Elves and Dwarves – was strictly regulated. However, members of Vida’s races and those who shared their blood were discriminated against. Their treatment was essentially unrestricted.

Padej had noticed this; he was gathering members of Vida’s races in the