I Reincarnated As A Trash Prince With The Strongest Skill - Chapter 5 - Chance Encounter

Weeping voices and lamenting faces surrounded me before the villa’s gate.

“Take care, Young Master. We wish for your safe return from this ordeal.”

“Young Master, don’t forget to eat three times a day. Be careful of your surroundings, and don’t easily trust anyone.” 

“I will. Don’t worry. I will come back. See you.”

With that brief sentence, I immediately boarded the carriage, and my journey started.

———————————————-

The carriage shook heavily from time to time. 

‘The transportation of this world needs to improve. If this continues, I’m afraid my butt will take a beating.‘

The ride was so bumpy that it felt like being washed inside a washing machine.

The saving grace for me is that we always arrive at the next town where we sleep soundly. Even though fatigue lingered, it was better than sleeping in the wild.

After five days of traveling, we arrived at what looked like a fortress. 

“Good luck on your own, boy. This city is the farthest I could take you. It might be tough but hang in there. It’s only one town until your destination.”

While feeling confused, I proceeded to the colossal gate that stood before me. People lined up for inspection before entering as the guards thoroughly examined them before one could enter.

“Sigh, I guess this is where it starts.”

 I made my way to the lined-up crowd with heavy footsteps. After the guards inspected the documents, they permitted my entry into the city.

Although this was the frontline, people’s beaming looked different from the remorseful ones I had expected.

From swords, axes, spears, and bows, there were rampant weapon stalls all around. 

However, there was one thing that highly piqued my interest.

Slaves.

Specifically, chained demi-human slaves were everywhere, wearing tattered clothes, and had signs of malnutrition.

“*Whip* Whip*. Move your lazy asses, you monsters!” 

As someone not used to seeing pain, the sight unfolding before me broke my heart—fear, despair, hopelessness. Faces that give up on life. 

My hands wanted to reach out and give them hope. My feet wanted to jump in toward them. However, my mind held me back, and as I was to face the opposite direction, an enslaved person with pointy ears locked eyes with mine.

*Stare*

*Stare*

I was rooted in place. The demi-human slave’s striking bluish hair and eyes set her apart from all the other slaves. It was a first for me to see that unique and captivating appearance, as only portrayed in books and mythic. 

Time stood still. If there was eternity, this was it.  

However, the sounds of chains rattling pulled me back to reality. 

“Ah!”

“Move!”

Being pulled by the chains, the demi-human slave let out a pained scream.

“Excuse me. Is she for sale?”

“Huh? Who are you?”

“I am a traveler passing by.”

“Bah! She is. Why? Do you want her? Wait for her in the auction?”

“Auction? Where and when would that be?”

“A week from now. The auction will be at that tent, and an entrance fee of 10 gold will be needed. However, it would cost you a lot to buy her.”

“How so?”

“Elves are a secluded race and are challenging to capture, making them targets for collectors. Especially the nobles, the elf would fetch a hefty sum.”

“How much?”

“Prepare at least 1,000 gold.” 

“1,000 gold???”

I shouted as I said those words. The people around looked at me for my sudden outbursts. 

The elf in question just stared blankly toward the empty corner—lifeless eyes and unaffected. 

‘I want her.’

It was the only thing on my mind right now. 

After saying thanks for answering my queries, I walked hurriedly towards the inn.

Ba-dump, Ba-dump. The sound of my loud heartbeats echoed inside me.  

My imagination ran wild with every step—those luscious lips, that silky hair. Her smooth skin and that slender figure were comparable to the goddesses. 

With my adrenaline in full swing, I quickly arrived at the inn named “Dragon’s Den.” Greeting me was a small girl with chestnut-colored bob-cut hair. 

“Welcome! How may I help you?”

“I wanted to book a room.”

“That would be ten copper coins each night. If you wanted to have your breakfast prepared, that would be twenty copper coins in total.”

“Then I would like to book for six nights.”

“That would be 120 copper coins in total. Would you pay it in full?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you very much. Here’s your key. It’s on the second floor, the one at the farthest. 

After receiving the keys, I climbed the stairs and entered my room. 

It was a small room with one window that overlooked the road. It was a decent room for an inn.

Still excited, I walked back and forth and racked my brains hard.

“How could I earn that much money in a short time? What should I do?”

*Tap**Tap**Tap*

Walking back and forth, I stomped my feet on the wooden plank. There were a lot of ideas, such as taking adventurer quests, but they would only give a little money in such a short time.

*Plop*

Feeling tired, I lay on the bed. 

“Money… never thought I would also have that problem in this world. Should I just give up?”

With my feelings in turmoil, I closed my eyes and opened them suddenly as if God had given me an answer.

“Ah!!! I could do that!!!” 

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A/N: I changed my writing style. Should I continue writing like this?