Mystic Overlord: Reading Gives Strength-Chapter 1175 - 1169: On the Road to the Market

The merchant who came to 'visit' was already carefully observing Ronald and Patricia's actions.

Patricia spoke openly about her thoughts, and a merchant seeking profit naturally wouldn't miss the opportunity.

He almost immediately followed up Patricia's words, saying:

"Sir, from what I understand, I indeed have a place where I could be of use."

"How about this, let me take you to see..."

"We're fine to take a look," Ronald interrupted the slave merchant, speaking in a serious and earnest tone, "but I must clarify in advance that your role is not essential, so it'd be best not to do anything inexplicable."

"..."

Being interrupted by Ronald with such an attitude, the slave merchant squinted slightly.

Yet he still plastered a sycophantic and ingratiating smile on his face and spoke with an unchanged tone:

"Sir, I certainly understand the importance of honest transactions, so you can rest assured about that. So, shall we go have a look now?"

Ronald raised an eyebrow:

"I've heard about a major incident this morning, isn't the city supposed to be under curfew at night?"

"That's for ordinary people," the slave merchant chuckled and then raised his hand to display a ring on his finger, "People like us who have successfully learned spells can ignore some restrictions."

With these words, the ring on the slave merchant's finger flashed, and a small flame appeared in his hand.

"..."

Ronald and Patricia exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with a hint of helplessness.

The spellcasting ability this guy displayed was actually not his ability at all but entirely from the magical item on his hand.

In fact, during the slave merchant's ascent on the stairs earlier, Ronald and Patricia had already noticed that the merchant lacked inherent spellcasting traits.

Now, combining it with the merchant's proud expression...

It's hard to discern whether this guy was using the ring to assume an identity for convenience in his business activities;

or whether his understanding of the mystical side was flawed from the start, believing that having a ring made him a caster?

"Alas..."

Ronald sighed softly, deciding not to dwell on this issue.

Or maybe it was the slave merchant's identity that made Ronald uninterested in his thoughts.

He then nodded and spoke:

"Since that's the case, let's go have a look."

"A wise choice!" the slave merchant expressed an immediate joy, promptly making assurances, "Sir, I can assure you, the slave market of [Johruno] will not disappoint you."

"Even if it's just to experience the local customs here, you'll surely be satisfied!"

After finishing his words, the slave merchant also saw Ronald's lack of interest in him.

Thus, he stopped saying much and directly opened the door, taking Ronald and Patricia into the city toward the area near the city gates.

The sights along the road also verified the truth in the slave merchant's words.

Though the pedestrians on the streets were noticeably fewer compared to during the day, a considerable number of residents were still out at night, each focusing on their respective tasks.

Furthermore, since only casters could ignore the curfew.

Those appearing in the [Johruno] city at night were generally those with spellcasting ability, or at the very least, those like the slave merchant who possessed magical items, or were led by casters.

"Sir, do you see?"

"What a prosperous and beautiful city!"

The slave merchant couldn't help but boast to Ronald, perhaps moved by the scene before him:

"I can tell you, most people appearing here are powerful casters. Such a sight, even in any other city in the world, could be described as miraculously prosperous!"

"..."

Ronald really didn't want to respond to this 'boast'.

So facing the slave merchant's introduction, Patricia took over the conversation once again.

Observing her surroundings, the swordswoman spoke:

"Since the world has changed, these casters who couldn't be seen in the past have indeed increased in number. But I think for the ordinary people, such a change might not necessarily be good."

Upon hearing Patricia's perspective, the slave merchant laughed:

"Miss, your statement clearly shows you are not just anybody; only those in high positions would think such thoughts."

Patricia openly admitted:

"You're right. Everyone's opinions on matters are influenced by their own biases and limitations, and I am no exception, so my views must be biased and incomplete."

A thousand people will have a thousand different Hamlets in their eyes.

Patricia's response revealed this simple truth.

Yet this straightforward answer actually made the slave merchant put away his previous smile and continued explaining in a truly respectful manner:

"Miss, for ordinary people, trying to elevate their social status is extremely difficult—or almost impossible. It's a one-in-a-million chance, almost definitely not going to happen."

At this point, the slave merchant's gaze shifted around:

"But now, things are different."

"At least in [Johruno], in [Looney Kingdom], successfully learning spells brings a chance to completely change one's social status, and this is recognized by everyone."

Patricia fell silent.

At this moment, she truly realized the strange feeling that had lingered since entering the city.

It was the fervor in people's hearts, the intense pursuit to change all suffering!

This kind of thing was absolutely unseen in [Springs], or any city from the past.

While Patricia remained silent, the slave merchant continued:

"So, for many 'people' who had absolutely no such opportunity before, this is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and missing it would mean never having the chance again."

"..."

Patricia, always very earnest, hadn't ever discriminated against ordinary people due to her noble or caster status.

Upon hearing the slave merchant's words, she almost completely immersed herself in thinking about this concept.

Ronald was sensing Patricia's emotions through Reconnaissance Magic.

Aware of Patricia's mindset, he said softly beside the swordswoman:

"This potential looks good at first, offering a fair chance for all, but this environment entirely driven by ability would ultimately form even more formidable and impenetrable barriers under the control of few at the top of the pyramid."

"Constituted by people's hearts and absolute power, it's far stronger than any feudal regime that could be overthrown."