42-40

Chapter 40: Priestess Lupica 

“So what happened next?!” 

Milk, eyes sparkling like a child awaiting the next part of a story, urged Senior Merchant Person to continue. Finding Milk’s expression adorable, Person smiled warmly and continued the tale. 

“The merchant lord praised me greatly, granted me exclusive rights to trade with Blacksmith Milk and the nomadic Holstaurus, and promoted me to Senior Merchant. Haha! It’s all thanks to you, Chief. Thank you so much.” 

“I’m really glad to hear it. So from now on, we’ll keep dealing with you as Senior Merchant?” 

“Yes. But now that I’m a Senior Merchant, I have even more responsibilities. That’s why Valen, who became a merchant under me, will be in charge of this location and handle future trades. Ah, and she’s sworn an oath with me, so she’ll never reveal this place or your identity.” 

“A bit sad that I won’t see you as often.” 

“I’ll visit when I have the time. After all, you’re our biggest client. And now…” 

To get to the main point, Person clapped twice. Valen entered the chief’s room not alone. 

A line of women, collars around their necks like dogs, were dragged in on a rope nine in total. 

They were all ragged, with wounds and signs of harsh treatment, terrified and cowering, their eyes empty like dead fish. 

‘To treat fellow humans like this… Whether here or there, humans can’t survive without exploiting someone…’ 

Milk felt uncomfortable, though he didn’t show it. At that moment, Ru’s voice sounded in his mind. 

[Slaves are at the very bottom of the human food chain. They’re stripped of all rights and dignity. But slaves sold to non-humans are treated differently.] 

‘Because they’re treated better than by humans?’ 

[At least they aren’t starved, humiliated, or sexually shamed.] 

‘……’ 

Milk reconsidered life on Earth, for all its hardships, was heaven compared to these slaves. Though dying of cancer after all that work still felt tragic. 

Person then unfastened the leash from the most beautiful slave’s collar and dragged her forward. 

She cowered and trembled, and seeing Milk a non-human she grew even more frightened, crying and trying not to approach. 

“Please don’t sell me! I’ll work hard, please!” 

“You wretch!” 

Valen scowled and struck her with a whip. The slave collapsed, whimpering. 

“Aagh! Please… don’t sell me… ugh…” 

After a few lashes, the slave quieted, lying on the floor gasping as if half-unconscious. 

“Apologies. These blacksmith slaves were captured from enemy nations or were ruined and sold to us for life, so they’re not well-trained. But their skills are genuine handle them firmly and they’ll be useful.” 

Even Person, who seemed so friendly, turned cold before the slaves, treating them as less than human. Milk felt a chill. 

“Thank you. So they’re all blacksmiths?” 

“Yes. Especially the one collapsed there she’s the most skilled. But she committed a grave crime in the kingdom, her family was destroyed, and she was sold to us as a lifetime slave. Here are the contracts.” 

Person handed over nine documents listing the women’s names, ages, and magical seals binding them as slaves. 

“If a slave dies or the master tears up the contract, or the contract term ends, they’re free. But these are lifetime slaves, so that’s when they die. Their lives are now in your hands, Chief. Listen up!” 

Person shouted at the slaves. 

“This man is our company’s most important client. Live and die by his orders! From this moment, these contracts are transferred to Chief Milk. Serve him and use your skills well.” 

Most of the women nodded reluctantly; the one still dazed barely moved. Milk studied their faces and names. 

But they looked so weak that even a touch might break them. He realized they needed food and proper shelter. 

Compared to the robust Holstaurus, humans were frail letting them live on the ground would be fatal. 

“Senior Merchant.” 

“Yes, Chief?” 

“I want to feed them and build them proper housing. Can you get materials quickly? That’s the least you can do, right?” 

“Housing?” 

“Humans are weak. If they live with us, they’ll die quickly. They need their own quarters built to human standards.” 

“Ah! I see. I hadn’t thought of that. Of course, we’ll provide that. Valen will handle it.” 

“Yes, Senior Merchant!” 

“You heard see to it.” 

“Understood. I’ll get the best materials possible.” 

They understood immediately. Having risen thanks to Milk’s milk, they knew to provide top-quality materials. 

“Then, Chief, I’ll take my leave.” 

With their business done, Person and Valen left with their company. Milk turned to the women. 

“Come here.” 

“Eek!!!” 

“P-please spare me!” 

“Ugh… sob!” 

Even with a cute face, Milk was still a non-human, and as the chief holding their lives, the women trembled, cried, and begged. 

‘This will take time.’ 

[Not really.] 

‘Hm?’ 

[You forgot about favorability. Unlike others, you have the favorability system and me. I’ll help open their hearts.] 

‘That’s reassuring. Who should I start with?’ 

[Begin with the collapsed woman. She’s the most skilled blacksmith and, unofficially, the leader.] 

‘Her name was… Fatima, right?’ 

Milk recalled her name from the contract and looked at her. 

She wasn’t as voluptuous as a Holstaurus, but had an attractive figure and well-developed arms from blacksmithing. 

Her beauty was clear, and with some care, she’d shine like a jewel. 

Sensing Milk’s gaze, Fatima tried to crawl away pretending to be unconscious to avoid the whip. 

‘Clever. I’ll have to be careful.’ 

He beckoned her over with his finger. 

“Come here.” 

She seemed less wary of Milk than Valen, but still approached slowly. 

He unfastened her collar and sent her back. 

“Next.” 

After seeing Fatima’s collar removed, the other slaves complied, coming and going until all nine were freed. 

“You know you’ll die if you run away while these contracts exist, right? The collars are just for your sake. I won’t beat or starve you, but if you slack off, I’ll sell you back. If you return to Person, what do you think will happen?” 

His voice was boyish, but the meaning was serious and cold. 

If they disobeyed and were sent back, they’d face beatings, less food, and eventually death. 

“I promise you this: life here will be better than what you had with humans. I just want you to work hard and rest well. Don’t be scared just do your job.” 

Milk assigned them a temporary place to rest and set aside space for their new quarters. 

Afterward, he returned to the chief’s house, where Millie was waiting. She hugged him warmly. 

“You’ve worked hard, son.” 

A term and tone allowed only when they were alone. Milk loved this secret, special relationship. 

Though it took time to persuade her, Millie agreed to let him be childish when alone. 

Even at seventeen, with a body that stopped growing at 130cm, he was still like a ten-year-old in many ways. 

No matter how old a child gets, a mother always sees her child as a child. 

Millie seemed to enjoy his affection, patting his butt or even exchanging French kisses things that went beyond their titles. 

“Mmm ” 

“Haa ” 

Their private moments continued, though they had to be careful, as the tribe’s priestess was housed nearby. 

“What are you two doing in this sacred place?” 

“Ah!” 

“P-priestess.” 

Milk jumped away, and Millie hurriedly fixed her clothes, embarrassed by her exposed nipples. 

The priestess, initially stern, smiled to reassure them. 

“Oh ho ho~ Just joking. It’s nice to see a close mother and son.” 

She approached Millie. 

“I need to speak with the chief. Could you give us some time?” 

“Speak…?” 

“It’s time for the chief’s coming-of-age ceremony. Shall we begin tonight?” 

“Ah!!!” 

Milk was now seventeen a true adult. Until now, he’d only been treated as one by Honkale’s authority, but hadn’t had the ceremony. 

Millie realized the importance and quickly left. Alone in the room, Milk faced Priestess Lupica a woman with dramatic makeup, but, when removed, revealed a beautiful, fresh face. 

She looked older than other Holstaurus women but was just as beautiful, with an impressive figure, though her waist was a bit plump. 

Even so, she was certainly attractive. Lupica approached Milk, licking her lips like a predator, and slowly pressed her body close to his.