I can hear footsteps on the roof.

Is there anyone trying to assassinate me?

I just recently angered two families.

Is this their revenge?

Wait, no. They said something about failing many times to organize a wedding.

Chances are an assassination is more troublesome.

What about my other enemies?

I guess it could be the slave traders.

The guy above could also not be here for me at all.

He could just be doing some parkour like the one I saw before.

There is only one thing to do now!

I just wait.

Some would argue that I should go confront whoever it is.

But what if I make a new enemy because of a misunderstanding?

I'm just holding my breath.

Before long whoever it was leaves.

Thus ends an eventful night.

I can't help but smile as I think of my plans for tomorrow.

****

As soon as I rise, I start baking.

I feel extra motivated!

Going out is great and all, but I need to work hard too.

Now time to see how many we sold!

I'm confronted with a mountain of pies.

[Say, old man. How many did we sell today?]

"Two if you include the one I ate."

That's when I notice the issue.

Our salesgirl is nowhere to be seen!

[What happened to her?]

"Oh, she still hasn't come back from that family meeting."

[So she's spending time with her brother pretty much?]

"Quite probably."

[So where can we get a replacement?]

"Either you scour the city, or you go buy a slave or something."

[Is there any employment center here?]

"What do you mean?"

[A place where people can post and take job offers.]

"Nope. How would someone even make a profit with that?"

[Well by letting people find jobs easily they get richer. Once they get richer whoever is in charge can collect more money from them. Makes sense, no?]

"I see your point but you failed to consider one thing."

[?]

"The ones with the money are the sects and the big families."

[You mean that no one cares about the others cause they are poor? And the rich ones don't need such a thing in the first place?]

"Quite precisely."

[Still sounds dumb to me. Isn't it extremely inefficient?]

"Not enough for how troublesome it would be to set up."

[Gotcha. If I ever own a city that shall be the first thing I will do!]

He chuckles and stays behind with Wolfie as I leave.

I bring with me some gold.

We aren't the most successful bakery, but we manage.

Usually, I would be lost, but I know exactly where to head!

It may sound dumb at first, but I have a plan!

Time for a disguise.

I stop by a shop that sells clothing.

It takes me a few tries to get one that does.

People here don't have the habit to use mannequins to show off their products.

Probably because glass seems more troublesome to get.

All the info is probably written on their signs.

Yeah written…

Anyway, I do manage somehow.

I get myself a new get-up.

One that can easily blend in.

A black robe.

The best color to hide the stains.

Then I change and go out.

My old clothes are quite worn so I just leave them there.

That is my perfect disguise!

I mean I was wearing a disguise when I went there the last time haha.

Oh yeah, what happened to the black cloak they gave me?

It's been sitting at the bakery now that I think about it.

I use divine energy to scout my way to my destination.

I get there and approach a nearby guard.

[Hey there, I'd like to purchase a slave!]

"Sorry Sir but we have none to sell at the moment. We are restructuring."

[What? How come?!]

I'm sure they had plenty the last time.

"That's all I'm allowed to say."

[So, where is the nearest slave trader place then?]

He looks at me at a loss.

"Sir I'm definitely not allowed to tell you that."

C'mon! They won't sell, they won't help either!

What kind of shady business is that?!

Ah, well it is supposed to be shady actually.

That is when a lady exits the building.

Purple long hair.

A face, torso, arms, and legs.

When she sees me, she freezes.

Do we know each other?

"Ah, are you here to buy a slave?"

[Indeed, I'm looking for a salesman.]

"This can't be!"

[What?]

"I was in there trying to apply for a job!"

[Right, what's even happening with…?]

*Cough Cough*

*Glare*

"Haha, how about we leave this place first?"

[Sure thing.]

As we walk across town, she tells me more about the situation inside.

Apparently, there are rumors of all the slaves escaping.

They tried to quell them but without success.

After all, there were many eyewitnesses.

I ask her why she even thought they would hire her then.

Apparently, slave breaks have happened many times in the past.

Usually, it wouldn't affect business much.

This time is different, or so she just learned.

Well, her guessing it would be more accurate.

According to her, they seem to have lost their contracting tool.

The artifact that regulates all temporary contracts.

I'm wondering how the hell she managed to learn that.

She tells me she did from seeing one slave they had inside.

She didn't have the slave seal.

Meaning they can still do a slave contract but not a temporary one.

With a complete one, it spoils the product.

This makes it way harder to control their prisoners.

They will need way more guards.

Wow.

I am the one that destroyed that artifact and yet she knows more than me.

All from deductions.

This is damn impressive!

[Are you sure you want to work as a saleswoman?]

"Of course!"

[The way I see it you could become a detective or something.]

"Ah, it isn't as easy. It requires proven loyalty to the city *Sigh*."

[So long and arduous selection process eh, makes sense.]

"Ah, right. What kind of business do you have?"

[Don't you want to try and deduce it?]

"I'm no prophet haha."

[Fair enough, I'm a baker.]

"Cool, then I'll sell so much bread just watch me!"

[We only sell pie.]

"Then I'll sell so many pies!"

Hehe, I like her enthusiasm.

The future looks promising.

Now I'm just missing that…