Gazef wasn't sure how to deal with the situation before him. He once had been a mere commoner and the only reason he was where was right now was all because of the generosity of his lord, Alaric Mansour. A man who was arguably the kindest noble in all of Melromarc, a man Gazef had failed at his moment of need. And now he had brought slaves to his lord's lands. To the lands of the man who had been the greatest voice for those who were against slavery.

It wasn't like he didn't understood the thought process of his new lord. Lord Kyros had been right when he told them that they did not have the luxury of honor for their land, and that every slave he here would be one slave who did not end up in the hands of someone like that pig Rabier.

It still stung. But such small things made him feel better. At least none of these slaves would be abused in their lands.

"Oi! How long until we get there beardy?!" Though some of them might need a punch or two. Especially the lizardman who had cheerfully dubbed Gazef 'beardy'.

He was a rather impressive specimen, with muscles bigger than most humans' heads and dark green scales that looked as durable as armor covering his body. Not to mention his mouth that looked more akin to a crocodile rather than a lizard.

Though none of them felt as scary as they could be to Gazef since he knew that the lizardman was only level one.

A rather nasty tradition from Zeltoble, where a lord have the tradition of having their slaves who were 'too' powerful returned to level one in order to torment them. Though it did have the benefit of lowering the prices of those who had the potential to be powerful. It was widely accepted that getting to a level after being reset was easier than the first time, though for someone like the Lizardman behind Gazwf, who had been over level sixty, that probably wasn't much of a comfort.

There were a few other slaves who were in the same boat as the lizardman among those he was taking to his lord. Each one of them holding a more dangerous air to them compared to the others. Though none could compare to the kid that everyone was keeping clear of.

Rather small compared to many due to his age, dark hair going down to the middle of his back and eyes that looked like their owner was between a state of being dead inside or deciding to kill everything outside.

The slave trader had claimed that the boy was an Aotatsu, one that had killed his captors even while under the slave mark's punishment effect before being set back to level one. Gazef wanted to claim bullshit but the look in the boy's eyes made him think twice.

As he kept going towards his lord Gazef couldn't help but think that the slave merchant had been way too happy to sell the young Aotatsu and something told him that the deplorable man's happiness wasn't just about money.

In the end, it didn't matter. Gazef knew that using slaves would have its own share of problems and risks, this simply meant that he would have to keep an eye on the young Aotatsu more than others.

"Come on beardy, how long until we get there?!" Though at least young Aotatsu wasn't annoying like the lizardman.

"There is still some time before we reach our destination." He said gruffly while the reptilian slave laughed.

"Come now, there is no reason to be so grumpy! We will be around each other a lot since this lord of yours has bought us, we might as well get to know each other." The lizardman said as he kept laughing and no matter how much he didn't like it, Gazef had to accept that the reptilian man was making a good point.

"Then stop calling me 'Beardy', my name is Gazef. Gazef Stronoff."

"Nice to meet you, I am Zenberu. Zenberu Gugu." The irritating reptilian man introduced himself as he hit his chest with a closed fist.

"So, anything you can tell us about where you're taking us? Or anything about our new master?" Zenberu asked as he tilted his head sideway and Gazef noticed that the rest of the slaves were now paying more attention to their talk, except for the Aotatsu boy.

"You have been bought by my lord, Kyros Mansour. Our former lord died and many people who resided in our lands left to other lands, so we are short on work force." Gazef explained as Zenberu nodded at the warrior.

"Which is why he is buying slaves."

"That is right. My lord had me bought you all in order to fill manpower. Which means none of you have to worry about being mistreated, this is an unfortunate situation for all but you will be treated well as long as you do work. We have no wish to make people suffer needlessly." Gazef explained and he could see that many who had been bought looked relieved, but just as many looked like they didn't believe him.

This was… sad. Gazef could see scars on the forms of these people; human, demihuman and beastmen. All of them likely had been at the receiving end of the cruelty of those who owned them or the merchants who smelled them, Gazef could only hope that they hadn't experienced… more forceful individuals when it came to their sick pleasure.

He knew that his lord's words had merit. These people were basically the fastest way to deal with many works their land required. From agricultural to even militaristic aspects, they were necessary. And they would definitely be treated well in their land, lord Kyros wasn't like those pieces of garbage like Rabier and anyone who would abuse these slaves would meet Gazef's fists, if not his sword. This was a situation that was good for all sides.

Didn't mean he liked it.