The group soon arrived at the beast market. Large shops adorned both sides of the streets. Each shop had statues of fierce looking beasts at their door, giving an intimidating presence to the customers.
The group had just arrived and was looking around the shops, trying to figure out which they should choose, when a young Elvin boy ran up to them and respectfully inquired, "Hello sir and madams, are you here for a pet beast? If yes, please visit our hall. I'm sure you'll find a pet fitting of your needs."
"Lead the way then." Max nodded with a smile.
The young boy became happy hearing this and immediately gestured them to follow him and led them to a large building.
When they entered, a middle-aged man came to greet them.
The young boy bowed toward him and said, "Sir manager, these noble customers would like to buy a pet beast, please take care of them."
The manager glanced at Max and others with indifferent gaze and just like others until now, when he saw little Arya, he paused and then respectfully bowed toward her, "Greetings, saint girl."
"Greetings, uncle." Little Arya smiled cutely.
The young boy who brought them here froze when he heard the manager address the little girl as 'saint girl'. Although he had seen the little girl with the group, he never thought she was the one and only saint girl, the beloved daughter of the city lord and the supreme guard commander.
A moment later, his face beamed with joy, and he excitedly thought, 'My luck is so good today. Since these people are with the saint girl, if they buy a pet beast from the hall, I, as the one who brought, will surely be rewarded.'
"Saint girl, are they your friends?" The manager glanced at Max and the group and asked. He wanted to know who exactly they were so that he would know how to treat them.
Hearing his inquiry, little Arya straightened her back and proudly said, "They are my big brother and big sisters and also my family's honoured guests."
When the manager heard the first half of her introduction, he didn't show any hint of surprise because he already knew that the saint girl was quite outgoing and liked to interact with the people of other races. However, when he heard they were also her family's honoured guests, his expression changed and became respectful.
"Greetings, dear guests. I welcome you to our little shop." He put on a smile and politely greeted.
"Hello, manager. We would like to buy a flying beast. Would you mind showing us?" Max gave a quick greeting and went directly to the point. He didn't want to waste any more time than needed, since he had other things to do.
"Yes, of course." The manager nodded before glancing at the young boy and said, "Good job bringing the guests. You are dismissed."
He then gestured to Max and the group to follow him and walked deep inside the building.
Max and the group followed him through the corridors and finally arrived in front of a giant door. The manager put a key in the keyhole and pushed the door.
Clank! Clank! Clank!
The door made metallic sounds as it slowly opened and revealed an enormous hall. From outside, they could see that the hall was filled with several hundred large metal cages.
"Please come in." The manager lightly smiled and walked inside.
Max and others followed closely behind, curiously looking around. Most of the cages had a beast locked up inside.
Roar!
Clang!
Growl!
"..."
When the beasts noticed someone enter the hall, they became restless and started clamouring. Some roared angrily while some slammed against the cages, trying to break out. However, the metal cages were very sturdy and didn't even budge.
"They aren't tamed beasts?" Leticia frowned. What use was there if the beasts weren't tamed?
"Haha... young miss, these beasts aren't easy to tame, especially when they are already mature." The manager laughed lightly and continued, "So, we use an easier and more effective method to control them."
"What method?" Leticia asked.
"The slave seals." It was Belen who answered. Her answer was slightly unnatural as she glanced at all the beasts.
The manager glanced at Belen and when he saw her expression; he knew she was feeling pity for them.
Seeing this, he couldn't help but chuckle and say, "It seems this young lady is quite compassionate."
Although it looked like a normal comment, his tone hinted that he was mocking her.
Leticia frowned and was about to admonish him when he sighed and said, "There is nothing wrong with being compassionate but young lady, you shouldn't feel sad about their fate. If our positions were to be swapped, our endings would be even worse."
Belen nodded. She knew he was speaking the truth. However, she couldn't help but sigh when she thought their lives would be at their masters' mercy after they were branded with the slave seals. They wouldn't even be able to commit suicide, even if they wanted to.
"We can only strive to become stronger if we want to live a carefree life." Max commented. The day he witnessed the death and destruction caused by the beast tide, he had understood this rule, and that's why he was striving to become stronger.
Everyone nodded at these words.
Clap!
Seeing that the mood had become strange, the manager clapped his hands, smiled and asked, "So, dear guests, what kind of pet beast do you want?"
"We need a flying beast." Max replied.
"Hm? So, the guests want it for the travel purposes or to fight?" The manager asked.
"It would be great if it has some fighting power but we need it mainly to travel." Max said.
"Very well then. Please come this way." The manager nodded in understanding and led them in front of a cage.
A red sparrow, only a few meters large, was lying inside with its eyes closed. When it noticed people approaching, it opened its crimson eyes jumped up in fright and backed away into a corner, shivering.
