Evil Red Dragon

Alecto then followed the instructions and entered a magic shop in the town center.

Unlike the North Wind Acquisition Company, this shop was covered by a large security barrier and was exquisitely decorated.

After a cursory inspection, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

A level six barrier can be broken with full force, but the commotion would be significant, making it impossible to steal.

Each container inside was isolated by a barrier, displaying various magical items: rings, necklaces, scrolls, staffs...

He glanced at it, and his breathing suddenly became heavy.

None of these items cost less than 100 gold coins!

All in all... there are at least 20 gold coins!

There weren't many customers in the store at the time; only five or six people were browsing among the shelves.

The shop assistant came up and smiled:

"Welcome to the Museum of Rare Treasures. How may I help you?"

"I need a storage device."

Alecto was blunt: "The more space, the better."

The shop assistant's eyes lit up:

"Then you've come to the right place. Please follow me."

He led Alecto to a standalone display case deep inside the store.

The glass case contained three items: a silver ring, a leather belt, and a palm-sized cloth bag.

"These are the three best storage items we currently have in our store."

The shop assistant explained:

"This Moon Ring has an internal space of 24 cubic meters, which can store life items. It is priced at 80 gold coins."

"This dimensional belt has an internal space of eight cubic meters and can only store non-living items. It is priced at 79,000 gold coins."

"And this spatial bag..."

The shop assistant pointed to the seemingly ordinary cloth bag:

"The interior space is 16 cubic meters. It is the work of a master space mage. However, it was made a long time ago and needs to be regularly fed with magic to stabilize the space. It can only store non-living items. The price is 10 gold coins."

Alecto's gaze fell on the spatial bag.

16 cubic meters is enough for him.

"Can I take a look?"

"certainly."

The shop assistant reached into the barrier, opened the display case, took out a spatial bag, and handed it to Alecto.

The bag is lightweight and made of a material that is neither quite linen nor linen, with silver runes embroidered on its surface.

Alector infused a wisp of magic and immediately sensed an alternate dimension about 16 cubic meters in size.

The space is stable inside with clear boundaries, but as the shop assistant said, it does require a lot of magic to be injected regularly to maintain its structure, but this is not a problem for him.

What he has in abundance is magic.

"I'll take this one."

The shop assistant's smile became even more genuine.

"A wise choice. Do you need any other magical items? We have a variety of protective rings, enchanted weapons, magic scrolls..."

Alecto thought for a moment:

Do you recycle scrolls and props?

"You've been accepted. Please come this way."

The shop assistant then led him to the counter.

Alecto placed the three level-two scrolls and the level-one mana crystal from his dimensional bag onto it.

These items are too low-level and are of no use to him at all. He might as well sell them and exchange them for gold coins.

The appraisal was completed quickly: 3 level 2 scrolls, one defensive and two offensive, totaling 200 gold coins; a level 1 mana crystal, of medium quality, valued at 100 gold coins; for a total of 300 gold coins.

Just as Alecto was about to pay, a staff behind the counter caught his attention.

The Level 5 staff, Lava Claw, is displayed in a separate crystal case, shrouded in several layers of protective barriers.

The staff is about 1.5 meters long and is forged entirely from red steel that is highly compatible with the fire element. The staff is covered with fine flame patterns.

The staff head is carved into a slightly open dragon claw, with a fire-attribute crystal core loosely held in the palm.

The plaque at the bottom of the staff contains a brief description:

"Touch of Lava, Level 5 Fire Staff."

Forged by a master alchemist using the crystal core of a lava behemoth and red steel.

It can greatly amplify the power of fire spells (by 40% to 60%), and comes with a fixed level 5 protective spell - Lava Armor, which can be activated once a day.

Note: This requires a high total amount of magic power from the user and consumes a great deal of magic power. It is recommended for mages of level 5 and above.

Price: 50 gold coins.

Alecto stood in front of the display case for a full three minutes.

If he were to wield this staff, the power of his fire magic would be enhanced in an unimaginable way.

He can even unleash the destructive power of a level seven mage in a short period of time.

But 50 gold coins... should we just go for it...?

The shop assistant noticed Alecto's interest and stepped forward at the opportune moment:

"You have excellent taste. This Lava Claw is one of our store's prized possessions, and it just arrived less than a month ago."

Many mages passing through Graystone Town have asked about it, but the price... does indeed deter many people.

If you need it, we can hold it for you for 3 days, or you can consider installment payments…

Alecto withdrew his gaze, his face returning to its usual calm.

"Then please hold it for me for 3 days. I'll come and pick it up in 3 days."

The shop assistant immediately smiled and said:

"Okay, deposit of 5 gold coins."

"OK."

Alecto took out gold coins from his dimensional bag to pay the bill, then turned and left the Museum of Curiosities.

15 gold coins vanished in the blink of an eye, leaving only 3. Even a robbery couldn't have done it this fast!

We'll just snatch it from him!

Alecto sighed and said, "I'll let you keep it for three days. You'll have your turn to cry later."

Next came the slave market.

The slave market in Greystone is located on the edge of South Street, in an open-air area near the town wall.

At the market entrance stands a wooden sign that reads "Slave Trading Market," with a smaller line of text below:

Legal operation, quality guaranteed.

Before I even got close, all sorts of sounds reached my ears.

The hawkers' cries, the buyers' inquiries, the slaves' sobs, the clanging of chains...

Upon closer inspection, various foul odors were detected: the smell of sweat, excrement, and mold...

Alecto frowned, but didn't stop. He paid the five copper coins entrance fee and entered the market.

It was noisier inside than outside.

The venue was bustling with people, and most of the buyers were well-dressed merchants, minor nobles, and representatives of mercenary groups.

The sellers stood in front of their goods, loudly proclaiming the advantages of slavery.

"Look at this! A strong orc laborer, hardworking, eats little, and can withstand hardship and hunger! Only ten gold coins!"

Behind the trafficker were seven or eight orcs, all of them tall but listless, their bodies covered with whip marks.

Alecto glanced at it once and then looked away.

Orcs? He already has a huge number of them under his command, why would he need to spend money to buy them?

"An eighteen-year-old girl! Exquisitely beautiful, trained in singing, dancing, and serving! You can take her home for just five gold coins! Don't miss out!"

This doesn't seem to be of much use.

……

Alecto slowly walked past rows of steel cages.

Various slaves were kept in cages.

Kobolds, gnolls, humans, children, and even a rare half-elf...

Their eyes were empty, devoid of any light.

Alecto's gaze swept over each slave, his heart unmoved.

He is not a savior and cannot save everyone.

As you walk deeper into the area, the number of people noticeably decreases.

The slaves here are treated much better; they are clean and not chained, except for symbolic ropes tied around their wrists.

A middle-aged man in a long robe approached, a smile plastered on his face.

"My lord, what kind of slaves do you require? We have everything here, quality guaranteed."

Alecto glanced at him:

"I need craftsmen—carpenters, blacksmiths, stonemasons—and do you have a cook?"

The man's eyes lit up:

"Yes! Of course! You've come to the right place!"

He turned to the side and gestured for them to proceed.

"We are the largest slave trading house in Graystone Town, specializing in high-end business. Craftsmen, scholars, musicians... as long as you can afford the price, we can get them."

Alecto followed him into the shed.

The shed was divided into several areas, each containing a dozen or so human slaves, men, women, and children, all dressed in uniform gray linen clothes, sitting quietly on benches.

"This is the artisan area."

The man pointed to the left:

"There are three carpenters, all of them are master craftsmen, the least skilled of whom has been practicing for ten years; there are two blacksmiths, one who can make farm tools and the other who can make weapons; and there are two stonemasons, who can carve."

Alecto walked over and looked at them one by one.

The three carpenters were all middle-aged men with calloused hands but relatively clear eyes.

The two blacksmiths were of different ages; one was younger, about thirty years old, and the other had gray hair.

The stonemasons were two burly men who sat in the corner, saying nothing.

"How's your cooking?"

Alector asked.

"Absolutely no problem!"

The man patted his chest:

"These were all obtained from the capital. They were originally private slaves of noble families, but were sold off when their owners fell on hard times. We have inspected them, and the craftsmanship is still excellent."

"Where's the chef?"

"The chef is over there."

The man pointed to a slightly smaller area on the right:

"We have two chefs here, both of them are veterans who have worked in aristocratic kitchens."

Alecto walked over.

Both chefs were around forty years old, one was fat and the other was thin. When they saw someone coming, they both stood up and bowed slightly.

"Can you cook bear paws?"

Alecto suddenly asked.

The chubby chef paused for a moment, then replied:

"Yes, the bear paws need to be soaked in lime water for 3 days to remove all the hair, then simmered in broth for 12 hours, and finally drizzled with a special sauce..."

He spoke eloquently, and Alecto nodded.

It's at least better than the meal I ate.

"price."

The man rubbed his hands together:

"For craftsmen, carpenters get 10 gold coins each, stonemasons 20, blacksmiths 30, and cooks are more expensive, at 40 each."

Alecto did some mental calculations.

3个木匠30，2个石匠40，2个铁匠60，2个厨师80，加起来210金币。

Not cheap, but acceptable.

"I want it."

The man's face lit up with a smile:

"You're so generous! Would you like to look at anything else? We also have maids, grooms, accountants..."

"Need not."

Alecto simply withdrew the gold coins to pay.

The man took the money, counted it, and his smile widened.

"Deal! I'll get you the contract documents right away."

He opened the cage door and released the slaves.

"From now on, you are this man's property. Behave well and don't cause him any trouble."

He then handed a stack of documents to Alecto:

"These are their sales receipts and contracts; please keep them safe."

Alecto took the document, casually stuffed it into his dimensional bag, and then looked at the 10 new slaves:

"Come with me."

Ten people silently followed.

It was already dark when we left the slave market.

The streetlights on both sides of the street were gradually turned on, casting a dim yellow glow on the stone pavement.

Alecto led the slaves to the inn.

The boss was taken aback when he saw him bring in so many people:

"Master, what's wrong...?"

Five rooms.

Alecto tossed a gold coin over:

"Also, send my men into the kitchen to prepare food."

The shopkeeper took the gold coins, and a smile immediately spread across his face:

"Okay! I'll arrange it right away!"

The rooms were quickly prepared, and Alecto told the slaves to go back to their rooms to rest, while he stood by the window, gazing at the gradually darkening sky outside.

Today's harvest was pretty good.

We have the craftsmen, the chefs, and we've spent almost all the money.

I'll go check out other places tomorrow. If I can buy maps and some technical books, then this trip will be complete.

As for the kobolds...

A smile played on Alecto's lips.

Why spend money to buy things that can be caught for free outside?

Let him search according to the map; I don't believe he won't find it.

He also had a general understanding of the current situation in Graystone Town.

The thirteenth princess has left, leaving only a portion of the Silver Wing Knights and the knights' commander stationed here.

Outside the window, the lights of Greystone Town lit up one after another, and the Milky Way seemed to fall to the ground.

Alecto looked for a long time until there was a knock on the door.

"Sir, dinner has been served."

It was the chef's voice.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, and the chef walked in carrying a tray, followed by the inn's waiter carrying a large food box.

A simple stew, white bread, and a pitcher of ale.

But compared to the roasted meat made by orcs, this is already considered delicious.

Alecto sat down at the table and picked up a spoon to taste the stew.

The potatoes were soft and tender, the meat chunks were flavorful, and the broth was rich and delicious.

"Can."

He rarely offered a compliment.

The chef looked grateful, bowed, and left.

Alecto ate slowly, but in his mind he was planning his next move.

Go pick up the staff in three days, and then you can go back.

Once he brings these craftsmen back, he will have the orcs learn from them.

And Kula's injury...

Alecto put down his spoon, his brow furrowing slightly.

Where can we find the sap of the ancient tree of life, stardust...?

There was absolutely no news of them in Greystone Town.

Perhaps it's time to go and see bigger cities.

The capital city? Or one of those famous commercial city-states?

He shook his head, suppressing these thoughts for the time being.

Take it one step at a time.

Let's solve the immediate problem first.

The night outside the window grew deeper and deeper, and Graystone Town gradually quieted down.

Only from the direction of the tavern in the distance could one faintly hear the noise.

After finishing the last bite of bread, Alecto got up and walked to the bedside.

He blew out the oil lamp and lay down in the darkness.

The dragon's eyesight allowed him to see clearly even in the dark, but he still closed his eyes.

In human form, sleep is a precious form of rest.

Although with his current physical condition, he could go without sleep for several days without any problems, he still wanted to experience this long-lost feeling.

The wind slipped in through the cracks in the window, bringing the chill of the night.

Alecto turned over and fell into a deep sleep.

In his dream, he seemed to have returned to that little, dilapidated ball, walking through a crowded place, carrying the groceries he had just bought...

The scene shifts to a sky full of floating cities, with cannons roaring overhead.

He suddenly opened his eyes.

The sky was just beginning to lighten; a new day had begun.

Alecto sat up and stretched his stiff shoulders.

The human body is indeed too fragile.

He pushed open the door, and the slaves in the next room were already up, waiting respectfully in the corridor.

"grown ups."

"Go have breakfast, then come back here and wait for me."

Alecto tossed them a gold coin, and in doing so, marked them all with a small tag:

"Solve it yourself."

The chef accepted the gold coin, bowed, and said, "Yes."