The Appraising-Eye Slave Trader ~ A Blind Boy Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Dominates with the Power to 'See True Talent' ~ - Episode 6: Let’s Sell Off the Defective Slaves

Episode 6: Let’s Sell Off the Defective Slaves

“Crap… I’m seriously broke…”

In front of the ledger, I held my head in my hands.

Even though I earned so much through appraisals, it’s already gone down this much…

Kariya’s weapon costs, Lilia’s research herb expenses, Varna’s training equipment…… And food costs aren’t trivial either.

Every one of them has top-class talent. But the maintenance cost is piling up.

“At this rate, I won’t even be able to buy the next slave…”

Even if I can see the talent, it’s meaningless if I can’t raise them.

As a merchant, I can’t afford to go short on funds.

While I was groaning with my head down, a knock came. And in the office appeared Zebul, the informant.

“Ouji-sama, I have a proposal regarding raising funds.”

“Oh… Let’s hear it. Right now, I’m starving for the scent of money.”

“How about turning your attention to ‘defective slaves’?”

Defective slaves. Just from the name, it sounds pretty shady…

“They’re slaves who have lost limbs, or have major injuries or disabilities. Normally, they have zero value as merchandise… however.”

Zebul paused meaningfully. I realized what he was getting at.

“…With Lilia’s healing magic, they can be fixed… is that what you mean?”

“Yes. If the body can be healed, their value will skyrocket. Purchase price is dirt cheap, and the profit margin could be extremely high.”

I see, the logic is simple.

Buy injured slaves cheap, heal them with Lilia’s recovery magic, and sell them at a high price.

“…That’s one hell of a money-maker, huh.”

“Exactly. However, there is a risk of ethical criticism. For ‘treating people as merchandise.’”

“That’s kinda late for that, don’t you think?”

I stood up with a wry smile.

I am a “Slave Trader”. I can’t survive on pretty words.

Just then, Lilia quietly poked her head in from beyond the door.

“Ouji-sama, may I… help with that work?”

“You sure?”

“Yes. If I can heal someone’s wounds, and let them live again… that alone would make me happy.”

Ahh, seriously, is she an angel…?

That purity made my chest sting just a little. But I had no choice but to go along now.

“Alright, it’s settled. Zebul, tell me where the market is. We’re buying today.”

“Understood. I shall guide you to the defective-only line in the ‘Seventh Slave Sector’.”

◆　　◆　　◆

On the outskirts of the royal capital, the Seventh Slave Sector.

In the corner of a nearly abandoned market with sparse cobblestone, it was there.

A cage exclusively for “defective slaves.”

Those who had lost legs, had no arms, had burn scars on their faces—each one sat silently in dirty rags, expressionless.

“…Damn, this is even more hellish than I imagined.”

The words slipped out.

But my “Appraising Eye” saw a definite light among them.

(There’s talent… Even in this state, they’re definitely ‘shining’…!)

If healed, they can be used.

If used, they can be sold.

This is “business.” And also “salvation.”

“Lilia. It’s your turn.”

“Yes, Ouji-sama.”

We stepped deeper into the rotten market. We were aiming for both regeneration and profit.

To find the next “raw gem.”

In the dim back of the market—

There were those who were no longer seen as “people,” but rather “remnants.”

A boy who had lost one arm.

A girl whose legs had rotted away below the knees.

A black-haired girl who had lost her voice, staring blankly at the ceiling.

But my appraisal eye clearly saw “light” above their heads.

(Boy without an arm: Talent – Woodworking A 《Shipwright A》)

(Girl without legs: Talent – Light Warrior B 《Spear Aptitude A》)

(Girl who lost her voice: Talent – Singing A 《Spirit Resonance A》)

These guys… are incredible finds.

“I’ll take all three. Ten silver coins sound fair?”

“Eh, ehh!? Really? …Th-thank goodness it was before disposal~~~!”

The slave trader proceeded with the paperwork. His face was wrinkled in surprise and joy.

Apparently, there’s hardly anyone willing to take in “garbage” that was marked for disposal.

We loaded the three onto a horse-drawn wagon and took them back to the estate.

◆　　◆　　◆

Lilia gently held out her hand.

First was the boy who had lost one arm.

“It’s okay, you’ll feel better right away…”

The moment her palm touched the stump—

“O light of healing, fill what is missing—Heal!”

A dazzling light enveloped the boy’s shoulder.

White, thin bone appeared, sinew stretched, flesh covered it, and skin smoothly regenerated.

Seconds later, there was— a complete right arm.

“…N-no way…!”

The boy slowly opened his fingers, one by one.

His trembling lips formed words.

“My fingers… they move…! I can hold a mallet again…!”

Tears fell one after another.

He collapsed to the floor. He was pressing his face to the ground. He then shouted.

“God… no, Ouji-sama…! You let me be born again…! Thank youuuuuuuu!!”

Whoa, he’s crying. Well, yeah, of course he is.

“Thank Lilia… she’s the one who healed you…”

Next was the girl without legs.

“Uuh… I thought it was hopeless… but, but…!”

When Lilia placed her hands on both knees, warm light overflowed again.

A bud of bone swelled. Sinew and skin stretched out. They formed sturdy lower legs.

“I-I can stand… really… I can stand…!”

The girl stood up unsteadily.

“Can I… run again…!? Can I hold a sword again…!? Ouji-sama~~~!”

Next moment, she collapsed onto the ground in a full prostration.

Please stop, my heart hurts…

“N-no, it’s fine. I just restored your value as merchandise.”

“Even if I get sold, I’ll go anywhere! I’m just so happy to live again like this…!!”

This is bad, they’re practically worshipping me now…

Finally, the black-haired girl who had lost her voice—Rei.

When Lilia touched her throat, a faint blue light glowed.

“O light of healing, bring clear sound to this one again—Heal!”

Rei’s throat trembled.

“…Ah… ahh…!”

At first, a raspy voice. But—

“♪ Ahh… the wind… it sings… ♪”

A transparent soprano resounded. It was like a song descending from the heavens.

The air trembled with her voice.

Birds chirped outside the window, and the garden flowers slowly began to bloom.

As if nature itself was “welcoming” her.

“No way… I’m… singing…!”

Rei covered her mouth with both hands and let the tears she’d been holding back pour out.

“I always… wanted to sing again… just one more time…! Ouji-sama, Lilia-san… thank you so much…! I offer this voice… with my life!!”

…Please don’t swear things like that while crying.

I’m just a merchant doing business. Because I have someone who can use healing magic.

But—

(Lilia, you’re amazing…)

Her magic doesn’t just heal the body.

It heals the “heart” too.

My job is to spot talent and raise their value.

But the one who truly brings it to life… is the power of my companions.

“…Alright. Now that you’re healthy again, next comes ‘working,’ okay? I didn’t heal you for free.”

“Y-yes, gladlyyyyy!!”

The three voices rang out strong and bright.

They were no longer “trash to be disposed of.”

Now, they were clearly looking toward the future.

“Welcome, everyone! Today’s highlight product is—this one! The ‘Miracle Healed Slaves!’”

Applause, murmurs, and whistles echoed through the market.

I now stood at the center of the royal capital’s high-class slave market—nicknamed the Golden Paddock.

On that stage stood the three who were once destined for disposal. They were now beautifully dressed.

Rei was clad in a glamorous dress. She sang a song toward the audience.

Nobles who had been flipping their cloaks stopped. They were captivated by her voice.

“Are these… really former disposal slaves?” “It’s an angel’s voice…”

“Yes! And she has spirit resonance! She can even serve as a personal priestess!”

Next, stepping forward was the boy—Till—gripping a wooden mallet with his restored right arm.

Once the son of a blacksmith who had despaired after losing his arm, now he quickly assembled a folding chair on the spot with that hand.

“Hm… this design… could work even in the royal castle’s furniture team.”

“Let’s see, my bid—fifteen gold coins!”

“Seventeen gold coins!”

“Twenty coins!”

The bidding kept heating up.

And the last to appear was the warrior girl, Maria.

With an agility that made it hard to believe she’d ever lost a leg, she swung a practice spear and showed off her form.

“She has B-rank aptitude as a light warrior! With training, she could be a front-line candidate!”

At that moment—

“Twenty-three coins!” “Twenty-five coins!” “Thirty!”

“Thirty-five!! I’ll buy her outright! Bring out the contract immediately!”

*—Ding!* The bell rang loud.

It was the signal that the auction had concluded.

◆　　◆　　◆

“Now then… today’s sales total…”

I stared at the ledger and let out a quiet smirk.

Rei (Singing: SS) → 42 gold coins

Till (Woodworking: A) → 18 gold coins

Maria (Light Warrior: B) → 35 gold coins

Total: 95 gold coins.

“Heh… Hehehe… HahahahahaHAHAHAHA!!”

Laughter spilled out in the study of the mansion.

Ah, so this is what “profitable talent” looks like…!

An investment of ten silver coins turned into a return of ninety-five gold coins.

Gross profit margin: an astounding 950%.

This wasn’t just business anymore—it was revolution.

“See that, you black company bastards!? I’ve established the ‘healing alchemy business model’ in another world! I’m making money and saving people! You won’t find a more win-win business than this!”

Before I noticed, all the slaves in the mansion were looking at me like I was some kind of god.

“Ouji-sama…” “To think you were such an incredible man…”

“Nah, I’m just a ‘merchant’. I just have a bit of an eye for talent. The real amazing one is Lilia.”

I let out a snort of laughter. Kariya then leaned in and whispered in my ear.

“Ouji-sama, your face is looking way too smug.”

“Let me have this! We made bank!!”

Lilia chuckled softly and said,

“So then… who shall we go heal next?”

“Alright… Next procurement is at the ‘Wounded-Only Auction’! Lilia, get ready to heal. Varna, I need you on escort. Kariya—tea!”

“““Yes, sir!!”””

And thus, the name of our “Rehabilitation Slave Merchant Team” would soon resound across the royal capital—

—But behind the scenes.

A church faction was sensing the abnormal rise in market prices. They began to move in secret.

“…There’s someone using God’s miracles for commerce, it seems.”

And so, a new conflict over the “Appraising Eye” quietly began to unfold.