Kingdom of Wilderness

In the borderlands to the south of the expansive Lofin Kingdom, adjacent to the territories of other nations, lies its capital—an aggressively barbaric realm. Despite its vast expanse, many regions are unsuitable for habitation, especially the north, where most creatures struggle to survive near the icy seas. With a population numbering in the tens of thousands, the Lofin Kingdom has been historically known for aggression, preying on those too impoverished to endure and forcing them to flee, spawning pirates and bandits. External invasions are virtually unheard of, as this is a land dominated by orcs, elves, sea creatures, and other fantastical beings, maintaining a quiet and understated existence. Two years into this world, Lawrence, a youth of fourteen, has encountered magic only in the grand tales of knights and drunkards. The Lofin Kingdom boasts few mages, and as the son of a baron, Lawrence has yet to witness such formidable figures. Lawrence arrives at the cruel reality of this world, where each day is marred by endless s*****y and oppression. Morality from his previous life dissipates upon entering the slave market. The slave market, a cold and business-like establishment, is but one of many in the city. Leaving the capital to venture into the frigid north ensures no encounter with aesthetically pleasing women. "Get up, you stupid pig! Get to work! You lazy and gluttonous swine!" As Lawrence steps into the slave market, any remnants of his past moral compass vanish into thin air. The market is desolate, a commonplace facility akin to a high-end home appliance store. Before venturing to the harsh and cold northern regions, Lawrence takes a moment to tidy his worn clothes, meticulously groomed over two years. At fourteen, standing at a height of 1.7 meters, he possesses a gentle countenance with a hint of scholarly charm. This world is far from idyllic. Since arriving, Lawrence has lived amidst ceaseless servitude and oppression. "Rise! You dumb pig, start working! A fat pig like you only knows how to eat and is too stupid and lazy!" Lawrence reaches into the inner pocket of his clothing, finding fourteen silver coins—his share of the family funds. "Yawn~" Freedom lies at his feet. Lawrence pats the coins in his pocket and inquires, "What kind of slaves do you have here?" Thin and weak, Malof quickly approaches, sitting across from Lawrence. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he smiles and says, "I'm Malof, the owner." Lawrence retrieves a silver coin. "I have silver. However, I'll only buy slaves I like. If none catch my eye, I'll leave without spending a single copper." Either they starve due to malnutrition or become astonishingly obese. Rarely does one find a woman over forty who maintains a normal figure, and the same applies to men. Lawrence explains, "I've come to purchase slaves. Have I come to the right place?" Malof, responsible for reception, is not a seductive beauty but a plump woman sprawled across three long benches, sound asleep. Lawrence squints. "Sounds good, but I only want beautiful female slaves. They must be exceptionally attractive!" Noble families grant inheritance rights only to the eldest son, who inherits the complete family estate. The rest of the children are assigned various positions, given a sum of money, or simply sent away. A nameless girl, similar in appearance to the one before, should be a mother-daughter pair. The old man emerges from behind the counter. "I'm Malof. This is my shop. We have over twenty slaves here—some skilled in planting potatoes, others in horse care, and even male slaves skilled in assisting pig births!" In contrast to brainless barbarian nobles, Lawrence has sensed the impending signs of war. Thus, he resolutely decides to leave. Unfortunately, the region is ruled by barbarians and military nobles, and this seemingly despicable appearance invites contempt and even deliberate harassment. The plump woman's snores persist in the hall. Lawrence, unwilling to provoke further, endures, and Malof wears an uneasy expression, swiftly heading towards her. The plump woman is abruptly awakened, hastily covering her face as she retreats into the room. War may bring wealth and land, but those are the spoils of the few. Over these years, Lawrence has come to realize his social status and has abandoned fantasies of chivalrous tales. Lawrence says, "I'm Lawrence, from the Bert Baron family." Malof sees perverts and those obsessed with women frequently, so he accepts the boy's unusual request without much surprise. Lawrence expresses his desire to escape the cruel oppression, avoiding the humiliation of being beaten due to his weakness. Although he is fat and unattractive, he shares some resemblance with the girl he encountered earlier, likely a mother-daughter duo. The old man exclaims, "I have many high-quality slaves here. Please, have a seat. What kind of slaves are you looking for?" Lawrence nods. "Yes." In this world, he also desires to be a "master." His chances of winning the favor of others are pitifully low. No sane woman would willingly choose to live in the mountains. Fortunately, there is more than one person in the shop, including a young girl with short hair and an old man. The young girl notices Lawrence and, seeing a young man enter, immediately speaks up, "What are you doing here? Get out! This isn't a circus!" The girl's shout quickly alarms the old man, but the plump woman continues to snore blissfully. "Snooore~" How he wishes to buy a beautiful female slave! "Alright! We have several attractive slaves here. Murray, get to work!" In this backward world, children start working at the age of three. They continue until they reach s****l maturity, which might adversely affect the family's women and patriarchal status, leading to their expulsion. Malof quickly realizes, "Are you a child of Baron Bert?" The old man excitedly says, "I have numerous high-quality slaves. Please, take a seat. What kind of slaves are you looking for?" It's not about inheritance rights; rather, the baron specifies the income from fields or orchards, which is then handed over to the adult, married son to manage. In this region, women, regardless of their youthful beauty, quickly transform into something akin to the plump woman, including noblewomen. Inheritance rights are reserved for the eldest son, who later inherits the title. These individuals must provide financial support to their parents, an obligation that the others are not burdened with. Young children like Lawrence work alongside women, assisting with various tasks, from farming and animal husbandry to estate maintenance. As the number of offspring increases, land becomes scarce for new children. At this point, those who grow stronger and bolder, much like wild beasts, are expelled.