The Imperial Market

As Kai walked through the bustling streets of the Imperial market, his eyes danced from stall to stall, captivated by the vibrant array of goods on display. Colorful garments hung from makeshift racks, their fabrics glimmering in the sunlight. Baskets overflowed with ripe fruits and fresh vegetables, their aromas mingling in the air. Even weapons and armor gleamed enticingly under the sun, beckoning adventurers and commoners alike. The stalls stretched endlessly, and even Kai couldn't help but feel a thrill; Imperial City wasn't one of the largest cities in the Kingdom for nothing.

'Although Imperial City wasn't mentioned in the beginning of the story, the flashback of a specific character began here—a female character destined to become one of the strongest in the whole light novel,' he thought as he navigated through the marketplace. He was accompanied by a maid from the mansion, who had come to procure fruits and foodstuff for the household. However, Kai had more specific intentions for his visit.

Emerald, a character who played a crucial role in the Adventurer's Crusade, was originally from Imperial City. Unfortunately, she was a slave, a harsh reality that Kai wished he could change. Her parents had taken a loan from one of the noble families and fled when they realized they couldn't repay it, leaving Emerald to fend for herself in a city that could be merciless. The noble family, furious over their lost money, sold her to a slave trader, and she eventually found herself in the marketplace, bought by a salesman who exploited her potential.

Emerald was a character of great power and immense potential. Her presence in the novel was significant, especially because of her fierce demeanor towards the main character, Elijah. She was particularly harsh on him, often expressing disdain for his carefree attitude, which only added to the complexity of her character.

'Potential-wise, Emerald is suitable,' Kai mused, shrugging off any lingering doubts. 'Who wouldn't want a Dragonkin as a comrade?'

Yes, Emerald carried draconic blood in her lineage, a trait that would be awakened later in the story. With that power, she would become one of the most formidable forces in the Asura Kingdom, even aiding in the final battle against the Demon Lord.

'But right now, she's weak,' Kai thought, a twinge of determination igniting within him, 'If I remember correctly, that flashback chapter said she hadn't lost her trust in humans at this point. It'll be perfect to recruit her. If Shadow can have a harem of beautiful girls at his beck and call, then what stops ME—the Supreme Kai!'

He chuckled to himself but quickly shook his head. 'Oh shit, that came out wrong.'

Kai refocused on the marketplace, his eyes scanning each stall with new found vigor. Although he couldn't venture beyond the city into the outskirts—both due to his fame as a Brandon descendant and the ever-watchful guards—he felt invigorated by the lively atmosphere of the market. Even if today didn't yield any results, he could always return in search of Emerald.

Thirty minutes slipped by quickly as they walked and shopped for necessities, but Kai remained vigilant, his eyes peeled for any sign of the girl destined for greatness. The Imperial market was vast; it was the primary hub for imported goods, and he knew it would take time to find her among the throngs of people.

'I've been saving my monthly allowance just to buy Emerald,' he reminded himself, feeling the pouch in his pocket. He recalled the character arts and descriptions as if they were etched in his memory—the beautiful women of the novel were always the first to come to mind, and Emerald was no exception.

But as time passed and he prepared to give up the search, he spotted her—a girl standing outside one of the countless stalls in the expansive marketplace. At first glance, she could have easily been overlooked, but her distinctive green hair made her stand out. Even from a distance, he could see her striking blue eyes, though they appeared dull and lifeless.

Dust and dirt smeared her clothing, which looked worn and tattered, and Kai's heart ached for her. If he had been reborn in this new world as an orphan, like many unfortunate souls in the novels, he might have succumbed to despair. The reality of Emerald's situation struck him hard; she looked like a ghost of her potential self, an embodiment of lost hope.

If there was one thing Kai detested about the fantasy world, it was the treatment of slaves. In contrast to the modern world he had once known, a slave here had rights no more than an animal. Most people didn't treat slaves as human beings; they were disposable, mere tools for others to exploit. Kai's frustration bubbled beneath the surface as he thought about it. Yes, he could buy a harem of slave wives, but that didn't sit right with him.

Unlike when he had first met Cecilia, he couldn't picture Emerald as the beautiful Dragonkin he was familiar with. There was something haunting about her expression; she looked utterly defeated.

Emerald stood still, her dirty green hair swaying slightly in the breeze. She held a crooked sign in front of her, her eyes staring blankly ahead. Kai found it unsettling, and he felt an overwhelming urge to approach her.

He turned to the maid who he had been following behind.

"I want to check out that store," he said, gesturing toward a nearby stall, "You can continue what you're doing, but when you're done, pick me up."

The maid didn't object; she nodded understandingly and went on her way. She had been instructed to fulfill all of Kai's demands without question, and she wasn't about to risk her job by defying him.

Once she was out of sight, Kai took a deep breath, steeling himself. He walked briskly over to Emerald, ignoring the bustling crowd that surrounded them. The noise faded into the background as he focused solely on her, the girl destined for greatness.

'You've suffered so much in the past, and that pain shaped you into the woman you became,' he thought, filled with sympathy. 'And while you did grow stronger, you never reached the full extent of your limitless power from your dragon lineage because of your inability to trust in humans.'

He wasn't wrong; Emerald had hit her peak far too early in the story, which was why her contributions during the battle against the Demon Lord fell short of what he had expected. If he could reach out to her now, perhaps he could change her fate.

"Emerald?" Kai called out gently, his voice cutting through the noise of the market. She blinked, the haze of her expression momentarily lifting as she turned to look at him. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and he saw a flicker of something in her gaze—a hint of curiosity, perhaps, or a spark of hope but it was quickly drowned out.