Chapter 374 - Know who you work for
"This is the best night of my entire life," the young boy said, looking up at his parents. Before the by was covered in filth, his hair was messy and untidy, and his face looked miserable. There were still several bruise marks over his body. Still, just the shower and new clothes made him look like a completely different person.
The smile on his face even warmed up his parent's hearts. Bob, who had been looking after the slaves and seemed to find everything an annoyance, was starting to have a smile on his face.
"Is this real happiness," Bob said. Before Bob had only cared about money as a merchant and he only used it for himself and no one else. He never realised how much difference a shower and meal meant to these people were.
Some of them had never had a warm bath in thier life, and right they felt like royalty. Still, there was the big question on everyone's mind, just who was Ray. He was not just wealthy like other merchants, it seemed like he had even more wealth than them.
Katy had even noticed at the front desk, when Ray was asking for rooms at the inn, thier treatment of him was different. She wanted to ask, but there was no way she could overstep herself as a slave. She knew her place, she was just to do as asked, and if they were treated like this, she felt like she could live a happy life.
Ever since Ray had entered his room, he never left to check up on the slaves. Each of them were given thier own rooms to share to sleep for the night. Before going to sleep, several of them cried. They just couldn't believe what was happening.
Even if it was a trick, to experience one day like this before, possibly dying was a dream come true. For all of them, it was the best night sleep they had ever had.
The next day had arrived, and the morning sun was out. Ray had recived no more messages from Jack. It was still early, so Ray felt like Jack would message him when he needed him. He could rely on Jack for that at least.
Today, Ray had a different goal. It was to enter the auction has as a VIP member. There were a couple of things he wanted, a new weapon for Jack, equipment for himself or those close to him and also to find out just what was in those metal containers.
As soon as Ray had left the room, he could see all the slaves standing there in there new clothes. They all had huge smiles on thier faces. "Good morning, master." they all said as they bowed down.
Bob looked at them proudly. He had been working all morning waiting for Ray to wake up and see his work. Originally, it wasn't Bob's idea but Katy. She had come up to him, asking if there was anything they needed to do for thier new owner, she insisted that she wanted to help.
Thus Bob had come up with this, drilling in the proper manner and way to greet one in a high position. It was challenging work, as many of them had bad habits, but it just made it that much more rewarding when he saw the result.
However, Ray wasn't exactly pleased. Seeing this had brought back some memories of when Jack was in charge of the Redwings.
"These call me master, and the others call me boss. What is with these people?" Ray thought, confused.
Katy stepped forward from the row of slaves and saluted. "Is there anything you would like us to do for you today master."
Last night Ray had thought about what to do with the slaves. Especially after Bob had given him some advice. Finally, Ray had come up with a plan.
He walked up to Katy and placed his hand on her.
[Would you like to break the contract?]
[Yes]
A few moments later, and the magic circle with the slave crest started to light up on her neck. There was a little pain, but then, the mark had completely disappeared.
The others were unable to stay in line that had been drilled into them. The shock was too great.
"What happened?" One of the slaves asked.
A contract could only be placed by a mage, and for one to be able to create contract in the first place required great magical power. But the most shocking thing was what Ray had done in breaking it completely.
It meant one thing. Ray had more magical power than the mage that had made the crest.
Ray then grabbed Katy by the hand and placed a single gold coin in it. This time, completing the transaction smoothly. A smile appeared on his face as he was proud he had accomplished what he couldn't before.
"I have broken the slave contract seal. You are no longer bound to anyone. Use the money however you wish to, change your life. Live on."
Katy looked at the shiny gold coin. She couldn't believe what she was holding onto. This single amount was enough for her to live for years without working. It wasn't a huge amount for merchants and adventures but for regular people like her. It would take her a lifetime to save up a fortune like this.
She was too in shock to say anything, and before she realised, she should have at least said thank you. Ray had already broken the seal of everyone there and given each person a golden coin.
"What a fool!" Bob thought, but even he was smiling as he looked at the delighted faces of the people.
As Ray was about to leave the room to head to the auction house. Katy called out to him.
"Wait!" She immediately got down on one knee, with her head bent downward. "Please, I don't know who you are, but I want to serve you, help you. You can't just give us all of this, do all of this for us and go away without saying a word." As she spoke these words, tears had filled her eyes, and the same had happened to the people behind.
Suddenly, the other people behind, they too had gotten down on one knee. "Please master, let us pay back this debt. We can work on the farm, anything. Meeting you has changed our lives."
Eventually, all ten of the slaves had knelt down.
This action had surprised him. Ray had expected something like this to happen if he was to only break the seal. This was why he decided to also give them the money to set them free. Enough money to start a new life in a different town or city away from everything.
"As I said, you are all free and can do as you wish. If you wish to serve me, then that is your choice as well." Ray replied. "But, before you decide your future like this, it is only fair that you know who you will be serving. If you change your mind, then I do not blame you."
The others, gulped as they heard Ray say these words. He had a serious tone. They knew there might be a risk to working for someone who knew of this town. Many who visited or knew about this place weren't good people in the outside world.
"My name is Ray Talen, leader of the Red wings and King of the Red wing kingdom, I guess." The other's eyes widened hearing this.