Chapter 2 : Chapter 2
Chapter 2. Urgent News from the Northern Frontier, Choosing Slaves
Kroll II’s expression darkened instantly. As he took the letter, his fingers unconsciously tightened, and the dragon-fang-shaped wax seal cracked open with a snap.
The moment he unfolded the letter, his brows drew tighter and tighter together. The warmth in his eyes gradually froze over with cold fury.
The atmosphere inside the study stiffened abruptly. Several ministers exchanged glances, each seeing the same unease reflected in the others’ eyes.
They recognized the wax seal—it was the emergency mark of the Northern Frontier Legions, used only when the situation on the battlefield had become extremely critical.
Kroll II slammed the letter onto the table, the edges of the paper trembling slightly.
“Derek, that useless fool!”
He growled in a low voice, barely containing his anger.
“The barbarian main force has bypassed the flank defenses. They are about to reach the Frozen River Valley!”
The ministers’ faces changed drastically. The old noble stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, the Frozen River Valley is the final barrier protecting the Northern Frontier’s grain reserves. We absolutely cannot lose it! Should we… dispatch another legion?”
“Dispatch?”
Kroll II let out a cold laugh.
“There are only three Royal Legions left that can still move. Should we strip the capital of its defenses as well?”
There was a trace of exhaustion in Kroll II’s voice.
William knew he should not remain any longer. He obediently bowed, turned, and quickly left the study.
The shadows cast by the corridor pillars fell across his face. Though his features were still childish, a seriousness far beyond his age flickered in his eyes.
I must accumulate strength as quickly as possible, he murmured silently to himself.
Before long, a carriage departed the palace under the escort of knights and mages. Its wheels rolled across the stone-paved road, producing a steady rhythm.
This was William’s first time leaving the royal palace.
Pulling aside the carriage curtain, the outside world dazzled his eyes.
Vendors calling out their wares, hurried commoners moving through the streets, rows upon rows of stone houses…
When people along the road saw the royal banner, they hurriedly retreated to the roadside in fear. Low murmurs spread like wind rustling through grass.
“That’s the royal carriage…”
“I wonder which Highness it is…”
“Lower your voice! Do you want trouble?”
William’s gaze swept over the crowd. The halos of talent flickered within his vision.
Just as he had expected, those with Gold or Silver aptitude were mostly among the occasional nobles. Most commoners carried dull Bronze or even gray halos, with few remarkable talents.
The carriage entered the commercial district.
At a street corner stood a building marked with the emblem of black iron chains—an unmistakable sign of a slave auction house.
William’s heart stirred.
Slaves came from complicated backgrounds. Perhaps some hidden talents might be buried among them?
“Knight Tos, stop the carriage,” he called out. “I would like to take a look inside the slave auction house.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Tos dismounted and signaled the guards to remain alert.
As soon as William stepped out of the carriage, nearby city defense troops hurried over upon hearing the news. The city defense officer, sweating profusely, directed soldiers to disperse the crowd, terrified that the commoners might accidentally offend the prince.
He attempted to step forward to escort the prince, but a court knight raised his hand and blocked him.
“His Highness has ordered that everyone wait outside.”
The knight’s voice was cold and firm.
The officer could only withdraw awkwardly, instructing his men to form a human barrier outside the auction house.
Knight Tos walked in front, his armor clanking steadily with each step.
The owner of the auction house had just learned from a maid that a prince had arrived. Forgetting the woman beside him entirely, he hurriedly threw on his coat and circulated the Silver Dou Qi within his body as he nearly stumbled toward the entrance.
Panting heavily, he appeared at the doorway. Just as he was about to step forward, two court knights crossed their swords and blocked his path.
“Halt. Who are you?”
The knight’s voice carried unquestionable authority.
“I—I am the owner here, Gray!”
The man quickly bent his back in a bow, his face filled with a fawning smile.
“I heard that His Highness had arrived, so I came to welcome him!”
William’s voice sounded from behind the knights.
“Tos, let him come.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Tos stepped aside. Gray immediately jogged forward. Upon reaching William, he dropped to his knees with a thud, his forehead nearly touching the ground.
“This humble one, Gray, greets the Fourth Prince! Your Highness’s arrival truly brings great honor to this humble place!”
“Rise.”
William’s voice was calm, revealing neither pleasure nor displeasure.
“This is my first time leaving the palace. I wish to select a few slaves here. Take me inside.”
“Yes, yes, of course! This way, Your Highness!”
Gray hurriedly scrambled to his feet and led the way with a bowed posture, secretly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
He had run this auction house for many years and had met all kinds of nobles. Yet facing this six-year-old prince somehow placed enormous pressure on him.
Those eyes were clear, yet they seemed capable of seeing straight through a person’s heart.
The noise inside the auction hall fell silent the moment this procession entered.
All eyes turned toward William.
The nobles rose to bow in greeting, while the slaves shrank within their cages, not daring to lift their heads.
Gray walked briskly while eagerly introducing the merchandise.
“Your Highness, these on the left are strong and sturdy—good for heavy labor.”
“Those on the right possess various skills. Sewing, forging, all quite capable…”
“If Your Highness prefers obedient ones, we also have some young female slaves further back…”
William ignored his chatter.
His gaze swept across rows of cages. Halos of talent rose and fell within his vision.
Most were Bronze. Occasionally a Silver appeared, but the aura around them was impure and mixed.
Then he reached the corner he had glimpsed earlier.
His eyes fell upon a skinny young boy.
The boy seemed to sense his gaze and slowly lifted his head.
His face was smeared with dirt, but his eyes shone with astonishing brightness, like flames that had never been extinguished.
Above his head, the halo of Legendary aptitude blazed vividly in William’s sight.
“What is his background?”
William stopped and pointed at the boy.
Gray froze for a moment before quickly replying,
“Oh, that one was captured from the Northern Frontier battlefield last week. A barbarian prisoner, apparently. He resisted fiercely, and we haven’t had time to break him yet…”
“If Your Highness likes him, I can have him properly trained first…”
“No need.”
William interrupted him.
“I will take him.”
“Are there any others?”
Gray’s heart stirred, and he immediately replied,
“Yes, yes, there are!”
“There are a few others from the Northern Frontier as well. They may not look impressive, but their bones are tough!”
With that, he led William deeper into the cage area.
Knight Tos followed behind, watching the prince’s serious selection. A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes.
His Highness ignored the obedient and docile ones, yet deliberately chose this defiant barbarian. He could not understand the reasoning.
William stopped before another cage.
Inside, a young girl was curled up.
She looked even younger than the boy from before, yet her body carried sharp, agile lines. Above her head shimmered the halo of a Sky Mage aptitude, faintly showing signs of rising toward Legendary.
“This one as well.”
Gray hurriedly agreed, though the doubts in his mind grew stronger.
This Fourth Prince certainly had… unusual taste.