Stella

Stella (ステーラ) is a location in the Empire that has a special temple.

Temple of Stella
The Temple of Stella is a temple that is a sacred shelter for escaped slaves.

If a slave happens to have enough money to buy themselves reaches the temple, they can do that. Otherwise, the slave can take refuge in the temple and the temple will buy them with the donation it receives.

Trivia

 * Vesta was originally intending to go to the Temple of Stella when she became a slave, but changed her mind after being bought by Michio.
 * Considering the means in which escaped slaves can make money, it would be exceedingly rare for a slave to be able to buy themselves outright even if they did reach the temple.
 * Michio doubts if the state of slaves that go to the temple would actually change.