“What a disgusting look!”
Sensing that burning gaze that made her feel sick, a trace of disgust flashed across Anliya’s beautiful face.
But Mills continued staring at her with unbearably heated eyes.
It wasn’t because he had fallen in love with the girl at first sight.
It was simply because he felt as though he had discovered a mountain of gold!
Golden hair + blue eyes + breathtakingly beautiful features + snow-white skin + pure maiden = ?
A girl this beautiful, almost as if she had been personally blessed by the gods, could easily be sold for at least one...
No.
Three Gold Sols if she were dressed up properly and taken to the Slave Capital!
If he fabricated a background for her claiming that she possessed noble blood, then with just a little luck, it might even be possible to sell her for ten Gold Sols in one deal!
At that thought, Mills felt as if all the blood in his body was boiling.
He had a feeling that if he could complete this deal and become rich overnight, his profession rank might rise once again.
Even though he was merely a lowly merchant, once he reached the third rank, the Morning Star Rank, even those arrogant nobles who normally looked down on people like him would have to maintain a polite appearance and treat him as an honored guest.
Mills immediately spoke in a loud and confident voice.
“Sir Knight, I’ll consider the coins I lost as a donation to the great Lord Hughes. In consideration of Lord Hughes’ mercy, could you allow me to take one person from this village that robbed me and make them my slave?”
Knight Solin, who had been preparing to leave, paused.
A trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.
He began seriously considering the gains and losses of this request.
If he refused, there was no guarantee that this merchant wouldn’t spread nonsense after leaving the territory and damage his lord’s reputation.
But if he agreed...
There didn’t seem to be any real loss.
Farmers who couldn’t pay their taxes were supposed to be sold into slavery anyway.
Now, the village would merely lose one person.
It wouldn’t have much effect on the village’s income next year.
As for what these farmers thought about it...
Who cared?
As a noble knight, Solin believed he had already shown these farmers more than enough kindness.
“Fine, Klay. We’ll do as you say.”
Knight Solin patted the hilt of the sword at his waist.
However, while agreeing to Mills’ request, he did not forget to threaten him.
“But if you dare spread any nonsense after leaving this territory, you’d better watch out for my sword.”
“Good! Good! Good!”
Mills was overjoyed and shouted “good” three times in a row.
“By the gods above, the great Lord Hughes must truly be as merciful and generous as the rumors say. Otherwise, how could his knight be so noble?”
Then Mills quickly stretched out his finger.
He pointed directly at the petite Anliya standing among the villagers.
“I want her as my slave!”
Anliya’s face instantly turned as pale as paper.
For a teenage girl, there were few things more terrifying than being sold to the Slave Capital.
According to the stories spread by wandering bards, that place had long since become a living hell for female slaves.
Sexual violence.
Horrifying torture.
Being eaten...
All kinds of terrifying rumors constantly came from that place.
Almost instinctively, the frightened Anliya looked toward a certain place in the crowd.
That was where the master to whom she had truly pledged her loyalty stood.
And in the future, she would most likely offer him her body and even her soul as well.
Seeing the panic and pleading in her eyes, like a frightened little animal, Xia Mingyu gave a slight nod.
Then he returned her gaze with a reassuring look.
Seeing that, the color gradually returned to Anliya’s face.
She calmly remained where she stood.
There was no longer even the slightest trace of fear on her body.
She had someone she could rely on.
And the person she relied on was very powerful.
“What a beautiful girl.”
Knight Solin looked at the calm Anliya standing among the villagers, and a trace of amazement flashed through his eyes.
