Vanj couldn't believe it, in less than the night Lana had refilled every single cage, and not with lowlife slaves as the stupid lizard did but with young harpies and sirens of pristine quality.
The rarest and most sought-after slaves in Blackwater auctions.
How she did it, he dared not ask. He was just glad his head was safe due to her actions.
While they were untrained, that didn't matter much. Even if they were worth 20% of what their potential was, he would still both keep his head and obtain immense profits, training could be left to their masters.
And he was especially glad that his trust was repaid by Lana not attempting to run away, despite his suspicions of her obedience she did nothing that would warrant his scorn.
The collar that was given to her was enchanted with [Track] and [Shock], something that every slave needed to have so they couldn't run away.
And yet Lana reported everything truthfully.
Lana was an ideal servant.
An obedient and Innocent child capable of leading others into a trap.
The way she effortlessly led others to him was magnificent, she wouldn't remain a mere slave for long.
No Vanj could easily see her becoming his most trusted servant, even attending noble events with him.
He could see nights he could spend with her in his arms.
Once she matured she would graduate from being a mere slave to becoming his wife, while she would hold that title she would still be subservient as all women should be.
All of this was possibly due to the fact that Lana defended him, which filled him with hope that she wouldn't be seen as an illegal slave.
Usually, it took years of breaking for the slave to become so obedient, and yet Lana was on that level from the get-go.
'I wouldn't be surprised if one of the bosses tries to steal her...'
From the corner of the room he heard first of the new slaves waking up, their voice was both groggy and terrified.
"Where the hell am I?!" A woman that was led by Lana exclaimed as she looked around.
"What have you done to the girl you monster!" She frantically screamed, clearly more worried about the girl who asked for their help than herself.
"Oh you mean Lana, she already belongs to me. Lana come here!" He called for her.
She emerged behind the cages before she approached Vanj "Yes master? ~"
"You monster! What did you do to the poor girl?!" She stared at the collar that she dismissed last time.
"Nothing really, she is just a naturally perfect slave."
"How dare you! This is illegal, Coek is gonna have your head! Just you wait!" The Harpy screamed from her cage.
"Silence! I do not have time to train you but you will be sold on Blackwater auction in a couple of days. Until then sit there." He mocked, before turning to Lana.
He needed to establish his authority, so he turned towards Lana and prepared to hit her, weak enough to not hurt the girl but enough to knock her back far.
She tumbled back as she crashed into the wall, she gasped for air before rising onto her feet.
"Go back into the cage Lana," Vanj ordered, to which she obeyed.
It was a test in a way, to see if she was thinking he favored her more, and yet she obeyed without question.
"How... could you... she is just a child."
"She is a slave, just like the rest of you. Be silent otherwise, I will kill the little girl." Vanj threatened, despite knowing fully well he wouldn't dare harm what was his lifeline.
'She is too perfect...' Vanj thought again.
The tricked girls didn't blame the harpy girl, no who would blame a child for actions committed after being under who knows what cruel treatment?
Girls who woke up understood that too, however, some still blamed the young girl.
Their eyes followed as Vanj made his way out of the storeroom, most likely going to report to his superiors.
"Why are you listening to that scum, have you no shame?!" A harpy with short black hair spoke, she gripped the cage bars as she screamed.
However, the girl merely started sobbing. "I... they told me they would kill mommy... I had no choice... please forgive me."
An innocent child act that nobody could question, their demeanor changed.
"I guess it is fine, Coek's men will find us soon." The first girl spoke, clearly containing her own fear.
"It is not fine! She got us trapped!" A siren woman shouted.
"Didn't you hear her?! She had no choice, she is a child!"
"How do we know she isn't lying?!"
"Look at her, she is crying!" The girl pushed her head against the bars, looking towards the little child that got them trapped.
"I... guess I overreacted, but what do we do now." Siren leaned with her back against the cage.
"What can we do, wait for Coek's enforcers and pray to Iguva to be rescued," Harpy spoke, her voice trembled and was on the verge of tears, and yet she pushed it down. She had to be strong, she couldn't afford to make an innocent child blame herself.
After all what kind of child wouldn't obey if it meant their mother would be safe?
"They will notice so many of us missing right?" A worried harpy voice reached everyone.
"They must! After what Coek put us through with his military law, he better make do with his promise of safety!" Siren shouted.
"I'm sorry... I had no choice..." Lana cried as she apologized.
"No, it is fine. You had no choice. That guy is a scum." The woman looked with anger, and yet not directed at the child.
'I swear I will rescue you and kill that monster...' Harpy woman swore, she wouldn't allow a little girl like her to be used like this.
"But... master is good... he promised to get medicine for mom if I obeyed..." Lana responded.
Harpy couldn't respond, she couldn't dash away the child's last hopes.