The Indomitable Martial King

[ Chapter 45 ]

“A hundred gold coins!”

Siebolt’s eyes widened in surprise. Although the urgent need for funds had been alleviated, having a more substantial budget was always better. A hundred gold coins were not a small amount by any means. He was tempted to immediately reach out and grasp the gold coins.

However, he did not nod in agreement right away. Like an experienced merchant, Siebolt had already roughly grasped the situation.

‘This guy, he must have robbed the Rolpein estate, right?’

Otherwise, there would be no reason for such slave documents to exist. Was he a skilled thief, or part of a robbery gang? Either way, it was clear that the slaves were not acquired through a legitimate transaction.

‘He subtly threatened me as well.’

Siebolt cautiously asked, sensing that getting involved with a thief could only lead to trouble.

“Were you perhaps a member of the Night’s Wings?”

It was a somewhat refined slang term for thieves. Repenhardt shook his head.

“No, but I have quite a bad history with the Rolpein Trading Company.”

His confident gaze seemed to tell that he was not lying. Moreover, Siebolt prided himself on his ability to judge people. Repenhardt did not seem to have the demeanor of a villain.

‘It seems he might be safe to deal with, but….’

However, if he were to accept the slaves and the Rolpein Trading Company were to find out, the possibility of an irreversible conflict was too significant. Siebolt couldn’t help but feel conflicted.

“Hmm…”

To accept was unsettling, but to reject meant forgoing a hundred enticingly luminous gold coins. Repenhardt calmly asked the conflicted Siebolt.

“Is there a problem? You seem to have a close relationship with the Rolpein Trading Company?”

That’s when Siebolt realized. Becoming irreversible enemies with the Rolpein Trading Company?

‘What problem could there be when we are already in an all-out war?’

Without any reservations, Siebolt smiled back as he pocketed the gold coins.

“There’s no problem at all.”

Given that the situation between the Taoban Trading Company and the Rolpein Trading Company had deteriorated to the point where one must fall for the other to survive, there was no reason not to accept this commission. Why refuse money that’s being offered?

“Don’t worry. I also have a separate residence on the outskirts of Zeppelin. If they stay there, there’s absolutely no chance they will be exposed. They can live with my other slaves.”

As Siebolt was putting the gold coins back into the bag, Repenhardt slightly threatened him.

“Ah, but simply living there is not enough. I will not tolerate anyone other than me mistreating them or treating them like slaves.”

“Then, that’s what we’ll do.”

Siebolt readily agreed. Among those with an excessive sense of possession, there were quite a few who couldn’t tolerate their slaves receiving orders from anyone other than themselves. Therefore, Repenhardt’s request didn’t sound strange at all.

‘It seems they were all used as s*x slaves, the female elves. It would be best to isolate them after all.’

Isolation meant merely giving them a separate house to live in and then ignoring them. It wasn’t a difficult request at all. Suddenly, Siebolt frowned.

“But… a hundred gold coins is too much, isn’t it? Five gold coins should be enough to feed and shelter them all.”

Being a man of business ethics, Siebolt was troubled by the excessive commission. No matter the difficulty of the situation, he would never accept unreasonable money, as it was against his pride.

“Of course, the payment isn’t just for feeding and sheltering them.”

Siebolt, expecting such a response, waited for what came next.

“I would like them to be educated.”

“Excuse me?”

Siebolt was a bit taken aback.

“Well, they must have already received basic training under Teriq, hadn’t they?”

“I’m not talking about simple slave training.”

Repenhardt’s expression became serious. This was the real crux of his plan.

“I want to teach them letters and numbers, and depending on their level, even accounting, history, philosophy. If possible, medicine or pharmacology as well.”

“To slaves?”

Siebolt’s eyes widened. Why would he want to teach such things to slaves, who just needed to do their assigned tasks?

“Why would you do that?”

It sounded so absurd that Siebolt almost thought this imposing young man had gone mad. After all, Repenhardt had shown signs of madness since he started talking about investing in the Crovence Kingdom. Repenhardt continued, seeing the bewildered Siebolt.

“It’s not that strange. The more a slave can do, the more convenient it is for their master, isn’t it?”

“But slaves can’t possibly do those things, can they? It seems like a waste of money…”

“If it succeeds, the efficiency of the slaves could significantly improve. It’s not a bad idea, is it? If it fails, it’s my money that’s lost, not yours.”

“Well, that’s true but…”

Siebolt relented. It was an outrageous idea, and failure seemed inevitable, but if Repenhardt was willing to spend his own money, there was no reason to dissuade him.

“Um, I’d like to accommodate your request, but… realistically, it’s going to be difficult. Teaching them simple letters or numbers might be feasible, but scholarly fields are too much. There’s likely no one at the Chatan Academy willing to teach slaves.”

Chatan Academy was a prestigious hall of academia, gathering all the principality’s esteemed scholars in one place. Because graduation almost guaranteed a high-ranking position within the principality, it was a popular institution among the youth.

“I’m well aware of how high the scholars of the academy hold their noses. I have no expectations of them, either.”

“Then what?”

“There are students learning there, aren’t there?”

Though mostly attended by the offspring of the wealthy and nobility, Chatan Academy also had a significant number of commoners who struggled to earn their own money while pursuing their education. The idea was to bring these students in, pay them some money, and have them teach the slaves.

“But how can students, who haven’t even completed their studies, teach others?”

“We’re not going to teach the slaves anything significant, are we? It doesn’t matter if it’s taught poorly.”

“Ah, that’s true.”

“Besides, it’s cheap. And it’ll be good for the students since they can earn some pocket money.”

It seemed quite plausible. While only fully educated scholars might be qualified to teach properly, if the learners were slaves, then even average students should be sufficient. Especially if those students were from commoner backgrounds, they likely wouldn’t have much pride to be hurt.

However, all of this presupposed that the slaves had the capability to learn properly. Siebolt looked skeptical.

“If you wish, I will do as you ask, but I still don’t think slaves can comprehend academia as humans do.”

Repenhardt simply smiled without a word.

The notion of educating slaves wasn’t exactly a groundbreaking idea. Among the countless humans on the continent, it would be absurd to think that Repenhardt was the only one to ever consider it.

However, it was virtually unheard of for someone of a status high enough to own slaves to entertain such a thought. To slave owners, suggesting such a thing was as nonsensical as giving a brush to a dog and expecting it to learn to paint. The belief that other races were inferior to humans had been a firmly established value for hundreds of years.

‘I’ll use that value against them.’

The paradigm that had tormented Repenhardt so much now became his weapon.

The original reason for not educating slaves was to eliminate any chance of rebellion. When non-human races were first enslaved, human rulers knew this and deliberately prohibited the education of slaves, instilling in all humans the unshakeable belief that these races were nothing more than slaves.

After hundreds of years, humans had become accustomed to the idea that their non-human slaves couldn’t possibly think of rebelling.

‘And they even forgot why they shouldn’t educate non-human races in the first place.’

Once Repenhardt’s slaves started receiving education and began to awaken, even if just slightly, Siebolt would be surprised by the effects. And he would start to educate his own slaves. After all, if a slave’s performance improved, it naturally made life easier for their master.

And, if done well, this trend might even spread to others.

If non-human slaves began to receive proper education like humans, it was certain that some of them would start questioning their status as slaves. Over time, it was almost certain that a slave-led rebellion would occur. Of course, the likelihood of such a rebellion succeeding was low, since humans were still the rulers of all races. But at least, it would become clear that educating slaves could lead to them harboring rebellious thoughts.

This point was crucial. It would naturally lead humans to realize that slaves could have their own will to rebel.

This was a change in perception that he had not managed to achieve in his past life.

‘The beginning starts now.’

Repenhardt smiled inwardly. What he had sown was a tiny seed of revolution. But in time, it would grow into a large tree that cast its shadow over the entire continent.

* * *

Thus, Repenhardt entrusted Siebolt with all the slaves. Every non-human race obediently followed his orders. Talkata asked to be taken along, but he was the only one among the slaves who possessed combat abilities and could not be separated from them. Someone had to stay behind to protect them in case of any eventuality. Talkata understood the reason and, although disappointed, he promised over his sword.

“My lord, to whom I have pledged my sword. I swear on this blade to protect them with my life until you return.”

It was a noble statement befitting a warrior, but since it was spoken in Orcish, Siebolt could only click his tongue. To him, it merely seemed like grumbling and growling.

‘Ah, what’s the point in educating these brutes?’

Nevertheless, he planned to dutifully educate them as per the assignment. It wasn’t a trade in the usual sense for a merchant, but a deal was still a deal. Being faithful to the client’s request is the mark of a good merchant.

After finishing his tasks, Repenhardt left the Taoban Trading Company. Sillan and Siris were waiting outside.

Siris insisted on staying outside despite the cold, to be prepared for any potential trackers. Sillan stayed with her for backup reasons. Approaching Repenhardt, Sillan urged him to hurry.

“If you’re done with your work, let’s head to the inn, pack up, and leave immediately.”

They had caused a significant trouble, necessitating their swift departure from the place. Repenhardt agreed. No matter how much they had manipulated memories to erase their traces, continuing to stay in this city was not wise.

“Since we have no further business here, let’s leave at once. The city gates should still be open, right?”

“There’s still time before midnight; we have plenty of time. We should also buy some food supplies for the journey.”

Repenhardt and his party hurried to the Golden Rest to check out and then went to a nearby general store to buy the necessities for their trip. It was right when Repenhardt was about to take out his wallet to pay.

Suddenly, Repenhardt’s expression turned pale.

“Ah….”

He then looked extremely embarrassed. To think Repenhardt, who stood tall against ancient demons and aura users, would show such a face! Sillan asked in serious surprise.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Did they make some mistake at the Rolpein mansion? Sillan’s face was full of tension. Repenhardt looked down at him and stuttered.

“Ah, you see, Sillan. The thing is…”

“What is it, exactly?”

After sighing deeply, Repenhardt whispered in a tiny voice.

“I, I need to borrow some money.”

“What?”

He had been so generous with his spending that he had even handed over the last of his necessary expenses to Siebolt! Sillan was dumbfounded and chuckled before taking out his wallet to pay instead. Siris, with an indifferent face, watched this and asked.

“Should I return this dress?”

In her own way, it was Siris’ attempt to consider Repenhardt’s situation. It seemed like he had run out of money, and returning this unnecessarily expensive dress might just net him some cash. After the incident at the Rolpein mansion, she had somewhat opened her heart to Repenhardt.

‘He’s a pervert, but at least he’s a good pervert….’

Of course, listening to this was only painful for Repenhardt. The feeling of a man running out of money in front of the woman he loves is universally the same throughout all ages, regardless of whether he’s a Demon King or anyone else!

“Ugh….”

With nothing to say, Repenhardt just bowed his head in shame. Despite his large frame, seeing him so deflated was somewhat cute. Siris unconsciously giggled with laughter.

“Ahaha….”

Unbeknownst to Repenhardt, preoccupied with his miserliness, this was the first time she had laughed since becoming a slave.