"Appointment? I don't recall there being any reservation service here," Rosse asked calmly, 'Since when did slaves have the right to choose for themselves?'
Either this woman had truly been reserved by some big shot, or she was simply too naive, naive enough to believe a slave shop would easily sell her off.
Those put on display in the windows were basically not for sale. The price tags were just for show.
"Tesoro said three years ago that he wanted to buy me. He should have the money saved up in the next few days," After the woman finished speaking, she looked as though a burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
"Tesoro…", A flash of understanding passed through Rosse's eyes. He now knew who this woman was.
Gild Tesoro, the future owner of the Gold-Gold Fruit, the future Golden Emperor, second only to the World Government as the richest man alive.
This person's rise was rather dramatic. Originally a gambling thief, he changed after meeting his white moonlight in the human trafficking market, repented, and worked hard just to earn enough to buy her freedom.
Unfortunately, just as he was about to save up enough, a Celestial Dragon appeared and easily bought his white moonlight away.
From then on, Tesoro went dark, believing that money could buy everything. He even snatched Doflamingo's Gold-Gold Fruit and eventually became the future Golden Emperor step by step.
The tragic part was, even after becoming the Golden Emperor, one of the richest people in the world, he still couldn't buy revenge against the Celestial Dragons.
If nothing unexpected happens, this blonde beauty in front of him must be Tesoro's white moonlight from that tale—Stella.
"She is indeed beautiful," Worthy of being fought over by a future powerhouse and a Celestial Dragon—Stella indeed had a charm of her own.
Aside from her outrageously attractive figure, her golden, smooth hair, snow-white skin, and the fragile aura emanating from her whole being all stirred a desire to claim her.
No wonder such a woman could become the centerpiece of this slave shop, standing on display for three years just to attract customers.
"Customer, what did you say?", Stella didn't quite catch Rosse's words, but Rosse's attire, demeanor, and the follower beside him all made it clear—this was someone who needed to be treated with utmost respect.
"Nothing much. Just wanted to make a bet with you."
"Customer, what kind of bet do you want to make?", Facing Rosse's half-smiling eyes, Stella couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.
But he was a distinguished guest, so Stella had to keep a smile on her face while serving him.
"Let's bet whether that Tesoro of yours can actually buy you, how about it?", Rosse smiled.
"Customer, please don't make things hard for him. I'm willing to go with you," Stella's face changed drastically. She didn't have time to think and immediately misunderstood Rosse's intent.
To her, what Rosse said sounded like he was using Tesoro's life to threaten her into going with him.
"No no no. Whether or not he has feelings for you, you're coming with me tomorrow. I just want you to watch a good show before that."
"If the Tesoro you mentioned can buy you fair and square, and the slave shop doesn't interfere, then I'll take you from him, and give him an unforgettable lesson."
"If Tesoro has the money but still can't buy you, then you'll come with me right in front of him. Best to give him an unforgettable memory, how's that?"
After hearing Rosse's words, Stella fell silent.
She completely ignored the part about being forcefully taken away, she'd heard such lines too many times.
And maybe because she had heard it too often, she seemed to have overlooked many details.
It's been three years. She's been in this slave shop for three whole years.
In these three years, with her beauty and charm, countless people had liked her. Some of them were strong pirates, and some were wealthy merchants.
But not one of them managed to take her away.
Was it because they had no money? Or weren't strong enough?
If neither was the case, then the problem could only lie with her.
Perhaps the slave shop had never intended to sell her in the first place.
"Why…"
After realizing all this, Stella's face filled with pain.
'Why… is it not enough that I have been captured, turned into a slave, and torn from my homeland?'
'Why does every so-called hope always hide a bottomless despair?'
'Someone… please free me…'
At that moment, even though Tesoro hadn't yet arrived with money, she already knew the answer.
Just as Rosse said, Tesoro, even if he saved up enough money, would still not be able to take her away.
From the very beginning, she was never an ordinary piece of merchandise.
At this moment, Stella even felt a little hatred toward her own appearance. If she didn't have this face, maybe she wouldn't have been targeted by slavers in the first place.
"Yo, Saint Rosse?", At that moment, a lazy voice called out from the side.
'Rosse? So that was his name?', Stella's heart stirred slightly.
'But why… is there a "Saint" before it?'
Before she could think it through, she raised her head, and was stunned by what she saw.
The once-bustling street had fallen completely silent. A Celestial Dragon in protective gear walked down the street, with people kneeling on both sides.
In the entire area, aside from that noble Celestial Dragon, only she, Rosse, and Rosse's follower remained standing.
And that voice from just now, it had come from that very Celestial Dragon.
"Saint…", Stella seemed to realize something. Her breathing grew rapid, and the way she looked at Rosse became filled with fear.
'The guest who has been chatting with me just now, is actually a Celestial Dragon!'
Thinking of the Celestial Dragons' reputation and Rosse's commanding tone earlier, Stella's heart was thrown into utter chaos.
"Saint Philimon," Facing the newcomer, Rosse only gave a slight nod, his version of a greeting.
Topman Philimon, a Celestial Dragon somewhere between idle scum and the elite. Not particularly high, not particularly low. If not for his grandfather being Five Elder Saint Topman Warcury, he'd be no different from Saint Roswald.
The old Rosse had been roughly at the same level as him.
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[Topman Philimon Saint]
[Overall Rating: A]
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"Just heard Saint Roswald mention you. I'll be off now, wait for you back at the Holy Land to compete with slaves. Hope this time you pick some decent ones," Philimon laughed heartily, gave Stella a brief glance, then looked away and continued walking deeper into the slave market.
Though Stella's appearance and aura stirred him, he was a noble Celestial Dragon and the descendant of a Five Elder, how could he compete publicly with another Celestial Dragon over a female slave?
'Just a mere female slave, not worth too much effort.'
After Philimon walked off, the street remained eerily silent.
One Celestial Dragon had left, but there was still another one here.
"So I wasn't the blonde…", Rosse looked away with a bit of disappointment. He thought he was the blonde Celestial Dragon in Tesoro's story, but turns out there was someone else.
But thinking about it, it made sense. If Rosse hadn't awakened his memories, he wouldn't have come to Sabaody Archipelago any time soon.
"Noble master…", Stella looked toward Rosse cautiously. Facing a Celestial Dragon, she didn't even dare breathe too loudly, let alone act as naturally as before.
"Just keep the same attitude as earlier. Otherwise, I'll kill you," Rosse snapped back to reality, lightly raised his brows, and gave Stella a meaningful look.
"Ah… yes, guest!", Stella immediately straightened her posture, kneeling upright on the display platform. Her body was stiff, clearly, even if she tried her best to relax, it was impossible to return to how she was before.
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