One hundred gold coins meant nothing to Nightfall Domain, but for an ordinary individual, it was enough to live on for five years.

Phield had barely enjoyed the surprise for a few seconds before another troublesome piece of news arrived.

The soldier responsible for purchasing slaves returned with a report: the prices of slaves and grain had risen yet again.

Male human slaves had already increased to two gold coins and fifty silver coins each, while several surrounding provinces had all raised their prices as well.

"Phield, these prices are wrong. Even bread has become more expensive."

Even Tisiana, who knew almost nothing about internal administration, could sense a conspiracy brewing beneath the surface.

"Yeah. Hopefully this so-called slaughter-for-divinity incident only happened in Wind Tour Territory."

Even as he said it, Phield himself did not believe it.

Tisiana’s chest rose and fell with anger. She wanted to say something, yet in the end, she could only sigh helplessly.

The nobles and wealthy merchants would absolutely go mad over the possibility of creating Divine Chosen, even if the rumors had not been confirmed. In their eyes, it was nothing more than consuming a group of useless people.

"Human labor is becoming unaffordable. Let’s just buy demi-humans instead."

Phield decisively changed targets. Compared to humans, the biggest flaw of demi-humans was their feral nature, but with Ashina suppressing them, there was nothing to worry about.

"Tisiana, help me purchase some seeds for rare plants. We’ll need them in the future."

After giving his instructions, Phield headed toward the slave market.

The moment he arrived, he felt as though he had stepped into a living hell. The filthy environment made his entire body uncomfortable.

"My lord, perhaps you’d like to consider some high-quality human slaves?"

A slave merchant covered in gold and gemstones smiled brightly as he pointed at a skinny old man with a branding iron.

"Two gold coins and forty silver. All experienced farmers. Very popular."

"Too expensive. He’s not even considered a healthy adult anymore. Don’t try to fool me."

Phield sized up the pitiful old man. Even elderly slaves now cost over two gold coins, and the number of slaves on the market had clearly decreased. At that moment, Phield felt fortunate that he had previously purchased a large number of high-quality slaves.

"Yes, yes, my lord is absolutely right."

The slave merchant laughed awkwardly. He certainly did not dare argue with a noble.

"Business seems good for you lately."

Phield pointed toward the merchant’s hands. Every finger was covered in gemstone rings, and one of them was even an enchanted ring, likely inscribed with defensive magic for survival.

"The prices of slaves have increased five or six times over. Has something major happened recently?"

"May the Goddess bless the Empire. The Sacred Griffin Empire has always remained prosperous and peaceful. Nothing major has happened."

The merchant immediately gave the standard political response. He respectfully bowed toward the direction of Griffin Province before turning around and lowering his voice while trembling.

"The three western provinces are on the verge of rebellion. These rebels are utterly inhuman. They’re complete demons."

"Go on."

Phield was genuinely curious what kind of enemy could terrify such a vicious and greedy slave merchant.

"They show absolutely no mercy toward merchants and... ah, forgive my rudeness, toward merchants and great nobles alike. Anyone they capture is publicly judged and beheaded. And they distribute money and food to the lower classes."

The slave merchant’s face turned deathly pale.

"It’s horrifying. Unbelievable. They actually don’t care about status, wealth, or food. They must be demons that devour souls and flesh!"

"Uh... perhaps."

From the perspective of the ruling class, such behavior really did seem incomprehensible.

"According to the rumors, the leader of the rebellion is a man known as the Hero King. I don’t know anything beyond that."

The merchant shrank his neck fearfully.

"My lord, if you intend to suppress the rebels, please choose my merchant caravan. I’ll provide supplies at the lowest possible prices."

"The battlefield is where nobles belong. Of course I’ll pursue glory there."

Phield agreed without hesitation before abruptly changing the topic.

"I need slaves, specifically demi-human slaves."

"Ah, excellent choice. Demi-humans may be stupid, but they’re as strong as cattle and horses."

The merchant quickly invited Phield into the slave tents. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The demi-human slaves were chained and shackled together. Several of them were already dead, while disgusting pus and filthy blood covered the ground everywhere.

Some of the worst cases even had their internal organs spilling out.

"Slave hunting is simply like this. As long as the slaves are captured, the job is considered done. But our slave hunters have many more things to consider."

The merchant shook his head dramatically.

"We don’t want to injure them either, but who told them to resist?"

After speaking, he leaned closer with a lecherous grin.

"Actually, heavily injured female demi-humans have even more ways to be utilized. Rewarding them to desperate slaves is more than enough to motivate morale."

"I’m buying laborers."

The impatience in Phield’s expression immediately caused the slave merchant to retreat awkwardly.

"My lord, these are all demi-humans suitable for work."

The merchant handed over a lantern, illuminating the darkest corner of the camp.

"This is... a Cocogoat?"

Besides the common cat, dog, and rabbit demi-humans, Phield spotted an entirely new race.

Deep blue hair that instantly caught the eye paired with crimson goat horns. It was a species of demi-human he had never seen before.

"Cocogoat? No, no, my lord. These are called Berkeley Cold-Horned Sheep demi-humans. Enter the demi-human tribal alliance from the border and continue northeast. You’ll find this species in the extreme northern frigid regions of the alliance. Mister Berkeley discovered them, while Cold-Horned is the name of the location."

"Let’s just call them Cocogoat demi-humans. Easier to remember."

Phield waved dismissively. He did not care about such ridiculous names as long as he was satisfied.

"Whatever my lord says."

The merchant smiled flatteringly.

"Allow me to introduce this species to you."

He directly unlocked the shackles of a female demi-human before roughly grabbing her by the hair and forcing her before Phield.

Contrary to expectations, the Cocogoat demi-human showed no hatred in her eyes whatsoever. Instead, she looked completely dazed, as though she did not even understand what was happening.

"Smack! Smack!"

The merchant immediately slapped the demi-human girl twice, knocking her to the ground before viciously kicking her.

"That’s enough. Introduce them if you want, but why are you hitting her?"

Phield frowned.

"That’s their greatest characteristic. They have absolutely no temper."

The merchant grabbed the female demi-human by the hair and lifted her up for Phield to inspect.

The Cocogoat demi-human merely lowered her head. Tears continuously streamed from her orange eyes, yet she only pouted and cried without showing the slightest intention of resisting. The other Cocogoat demi-humans watching nearby all wore similarly numb expressions.

"Even if your soldiers worked her nonstop twenty-four hours a day, she still wouldn’t resist."

The merchant grinned.

"This species of demi-human is perfect whether you want them as camp women for the military or simple laborers. Originally, I intended to sell them to Lord Simon, but the baron has no interest in women who don’t know how to resist."

"Interesting. How much?"

It was the first time Phield had ever encountered such obedient demi-humans.

Back when Ashina was still a slave, she had looked ready to bite people to death at any moment.