“The Merchant’s Gambit: A Bid for Freedom

Noorlan led them through the inn's labyrinthine corridors, the air thick with the scent of exotic spices and the murmur of clandestine deals. They emerged into the daylight, where a large, long building cast a shadow over the back courtyard.

"Mr. Shiki, Mr. Rosse, welcome to the heart of our operations," Noorlan announced with a flourish, gesturing towards the building with pride.

Aqua, maintaining his composure beneath the guise of Mr. Shiki, nodded. "Impressive. Let's see the workforce you boast about," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within.

As they approached the entrance, Tien leaned in, his voice barely a whisper. "Aqua, this is madness. We can't possibly—"

"Trust me," Aqua interrupted with a reassuring glance. "We're not here to buy; we're here to free."

Noorlan, oblivious to the silent exchange, pushed open the heavy doors. Inside, rows upon rows of people from all walks of life and species stood in silence, their eyes telling tales of sorrow and resilience.

Aqua's heart clenched at the sight, but his face remained an unreadable mask. 

In the dimly lit chamber of commerce and cruelty, Noorlan, with the enthusiasm of a carnival barker, showcased his collection of living wares. "Behold, the finest beastwomen in all the land!" he proclaimed, gesturing to the shackled figures before them. Known for their affordability and exceptional submissiveness, they surpass all other species in physical prowess. Additionally, they have the ability to fulfill your deepest desires in the bedroom, offering endless pleasure.

Noorlan presented them with beastwomen who were bound by chains, their eyes reflecting submission and a desire for death rather than life. Some of the beastwomen carried their young, clad in ragged garments and emitting a foul odor. A few appeared to be suffering from malnutrition.

"Hmm, I will take these into account," Aqua murmured.

Noorlan then turned to face the humans, who were commoners and are with dark skin.

Sir, these individuals are our human servants, who have been acquired through the sale arranged by their previous owners. There are individuals who find human servitude appealing, which is why we offer these individuals for purchase. Human servants are priced slightly higher than beastly individuals due to their superior intellect. As you may be aware, these beastly individuals possess only raw physical strength and lack intellectual capabilities. Additionally, humans can also be utilized for reproduction purposes. If you desire intelligent labor, you may consider purchasing some of these individuals. Furthermore, we also have individuals with dark skin available, who are known to be the strongest among humans.

Aqua's gaze met theirs, eyes alight with the fires of hatred and dreams of vengeance. He turned away, unable to bear the weight of their stares.

"And now, for our pièce de résistance," Noorlan announced, unveiling a group of five extraordinary individuals. "Two elves, a mermaid, a dwarf, and a triad. Our most prestigious offerings."

Aqua feigned interest. "And the cost for this entire collection?" he inquired, already plotting their escape.

Noorlan, nearly choking on his own surprise, stammered, "Fifty thousand gold coins for all 300 souls."

Tien's shock was palpable. "Fifty thousand gold coins?" he echoed, his voice a mix of disbelief and horror.

Aqua, cool as a cucumber, laid out his terms. "I'll return in a week. If even one slave is missing, the deal is off. I want all 300, no exceptions."

Noorlan, sensing the deal of a lifetime, bowed deeply. "As you wish, my lord. My shop is yours and yours alone."

With a final nod, Aqua and Tien departed, leaving Noorlan to marinate in his greed and anticipation, unaware of the storm that was about to break upon his house of chains. 🌩️🔗

Aqua's plan was as audacious as it was simple: earn 50 thousand gold coins in a week and buy the freedom of Noorlan's slaves. Tien, ever the skeptic, couldn't help but laugh at the sheer boldness of it. "Yeah, simple for only you," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Aqua, undeterred by the enormity of the task, knew time was of the essence. "Their condition is dire. If we're late, some might not make it," he said, a serious undertone to his usually jovial demeanor.

As they made their way to the merchant house, Aqua's mind was already turning over the possibilities. Registering as new business owners was the first step in their grand scheme.

"Excuse me, lady, we're here to start a business," Aqua announced to the receptionist with a confidence that belied their current financial state.

The receptionist, all smiles and efficiency, handed them a form. "Please fill this out with your name and the product you wish to sell," she instructed.

Aqua, scribbling down 'Shiki' for the name and 'Amazon' for the company, mused aloud about starting with cosmetics—a product sure to fetch a pretty penny from the capital's elite.

It was then that Arthur, the owner of the Red Corporation, made his timely entrance. Dressed in a coat that screamed wealth, he saw aqua wearing a robe which is different from there common outfit so he introduced himself, and Aqua wasted no time sense that this man could help their financial issues. "Mr. Arthur, I have a business proposition that could make you the king of gold," he said, his eyes locked onto Arthur's.

Arthur, intrigued despite himself, invited Aqua to his office near the central plaza, handing him a golden paper as a pass.

With their business cards in hand, courtesy of the friendly receptionist, Aqua turned to Tien with a grin. "We've got a meeting with the owner of the Red Corporation. It's time to start our business."

And so, with a mixture of guile, charm, and a dash of luck, Aqua and Tien set off to weave their magic in the capital, their sights set on a fortune large enough to buy freedom and justice. 🌟🎩💼