Chapter 5

Roko looked at the little Maonv in the cage nodding with tears in her eyes, his gentle smile not fading.

He asked softly.

"What is your name?"

The little Maonv's body was still trembling slightly, as if she had exhausted her last bit of strength; her voice was as thin as a mosquito, carrying a heavy nasal tone.

"Fu, Fula..."

Fula.

Roko silently repeated this name in his heart.

【Name: Fula】

【Race: Maonv】

【Level: None】

【Talent: SSS-Rank】

【Status: Near Death (Vitality is draining)】

【Favorability: 70】

【Loyalty: 0】

Favorability soared directly to 70.

This was not strange; for Fula at this moment, Roko, who pulled her back from the edge of despair, was no different from a savior.

Roko stood up and turned his gaze to the short, fat slave trader sitting on the ground, his face ashen.

The slave trader made contact with Roko's gaze, his body shuddered violently, and he hurriedly crawled up using his hands and feet, squeezing out a smile that was uglier than crying.

"My, My Lord."

"This Maonv..."

He was incoherent, not knowing what to say to appease the possible anger of this noble young master.

Roko's tone was flat.

"Name your price."

Although with his status, he could completely take this slave away directly, and even kill this merchant, no one would dare to say anything.

But Roko didn't want to break the rules as soon as he arrived.

At least the rules on the surface still had to be followed.

Buy things, pay money.

It was only right and proper.

"No, no, no!"

The slave trader shook his head like a rattle, cold sweat sliding down his greasy cheeks.

"My Lord, it is her blessing that you take a fancy to her, and it is my honor!"

"How can I accept your money!"

"This Maonv, just take it as my tribute to you!"

While saying this, he tremblingly took out a rusty key from his waist and respectfully handed it to Roko.

He just wanted to quickly send away this hot potato, this heterochromatic Maonv who represented "bad luck."

Give it away for free.

Just begging this Raymond Family young master not to pursue his behavior of trying to whip the slave and offending the noble person just now.

Roko glanced at him and didn't take the key.

He took out the heavy money bag from his bosom and casually threw a gold coin over.

The gold coin drew an arc in the air and landed at the slave trader's feet, making a crisp sound.

"I don't like taking advantage of others."

Roko's voice was still calm.

The slave trader looked at the gold coin at his feet, stunned for a moment, then a look of ecstasy and gratitude appeared on his face.

A gold coin!

No one was willing to pay even a silver coin for this dying Maonv usually.

This young master actually gave a gold coin!

He had simply picked up a huge bargain!

More importantly, this young master accepted the Maonv and paid for it, which meant that the other party would no longer pursue his previous offense.

"Thank you, My Lord! Thank you, My Lord!"

The slave trader thanked him excitedly, picked up the gold coin, and then quickly stepped forward, using the rusty key to open the lock of the iron cage.

The cage door was pulled open with a creak.

Roko didn't let anyone help.

He bent down again, carefully stretched out his hand, and carried out the little Maonv who was so frail and almost weightless.

Fula's body was stiff and cold, curled up in Roko's arms, as light as a feather.

She seemed to have no strength left to open her eyes, just shrinking unconsciously toward that warm embrace.

Roko held her and turned to look at Guard Captain Barton beside him.

"Prepare, I want to brand her with a slave mark."

Barton was slightly startled, then immediately reacted and responded respectfully.

"Yes, Young Master."

He waved his hand to signal his subordinates to clear an open space and let the surrounding crowd of onlookers retreat.

In the Black Kingdom, and other human kingdoms, the status of Orcs was extremely low.

Orcs without masters, especially those with special appearances like Fula, were easily targeted by slave traders again, or encountered more tragic fates.

Branding a slave mark, marking the master's sign, was a kind of protection for her.

Declaring her ownership.

At the same time, this mark also contained a cruel contract.

If the master dies, the slave follows.

If Roko dies, Fula cannot live alone.

Soon, Barton handed over a metal seal radiating a faint magical fluctuation.

At the top of the seal was a simplified pattern of the Raymond Family's Flame Griffin emblem.

Roko took the seal and looked down at the little Maonv sleeping in his arms.

He stretched out his finger and gently brushed away the messy, stain-covered hair on her forehead, revealing the smooth skin.

He gently pressed the cold metal seal onto the center of Fula's forehead.

A trace of weak magic power was stimulated.

The pattern on the top of the seal lit up with a flash of red light.

"Mm!"

Fula in his arms let out an extremely painful muffled groan, her small body twitching violently.

The intense pain made her tense her body instantly.

Just for a split second.

The red light faded.

Roko moved the seal away.

On Fula's forehead, a small Flame Griffin mark like a tattoo remained.

The mark was pale red, forming a sharp contrast with her fair skin.

And Fula, who had endured this momentary intense pain, completely lost consciousness and fainted, her head hanging powerlessly to one side.

Roko held the little Maonv who had lost consciousness in his arms and stood up with a calm expression.

The surrounding guards, slave traders, and those onlookers from afar all watched this scene in silence.

The branding of a slave mark was a common occurrence for people in this world.

Roko didn't look at the slave trader again, nor did he pay attention to the surrounding gazes.

He held Fula and turned to walk outside the slave market.

Barton immediately led the guards to follow, escorting them all the way.

Returning to that magnificent Raymond Castle.

Roko went straight back to his slightly remote courtyard.

He instructed a maid who had heard the news and rushed over.

"Find someone to wash her clean and change her into clean clothes."

"Then carry her to my bed."

The maid saw the dirty Maonv in Roko's arms, like a little beggar, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, but her good professional quality made her not ask more, just responding respectfully.

"Yes, Young Master."

She carefully took the still unconscious Fula from Roko's hands.

Roko watched the maid carry Fula away, then turned around.

The sky had not yet completely darkened.

He didn't return to his room to rest but walked straight toward the center of the castle, his father's study.

The matter of the territory still needed to be finalized as soon as possible.

Inside the study.

It was still the scent of old paper, ink, and cigars.

Marquis Levis sat behind the desk, seemingly having just finished processing a batch of documents.

Cain stood to the side, his expression calm.

Seeing Roko return, Levis raised his eyelids, his eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

"Is the matter finished?"

"Yes, Father."

Roko bowed slightly.

"I came because I want to discuss the choice of territory with you."