Slave

A Slave is someone, who for various reasons, is no longer a regular person and is treated like an object.

Description[]

A slave is someone who has lost their right as a regular person and essentially becomes equivalent to an object. This does not necessarily mean that becoming a slave will lead to only a life of hardship. Some (like Sherry) may even view the perceived benefits, such as increased job opportunities and learning Brahim, as outweighing the costs.

Anyone who owns a slave is obligated to provide their slave food, clothes, and shelter. Slave owners also have to pay a tax for their slave alongside their own. If a slave owner abandons their obligations or treats their slaves remarkably unfairly, their contract is annulled. If the slave owner dies, so does the slave. This doesn't occur if the owner arranges for someone else to inherit their slave or if they are set free.

Everything a slave owner buys for the slave is considered the slave owner's property, not the slave's. On their first year as a slave, their owner has to pay a tax of 30,000 nars. After their first year, this decreases to 10,000 nars.

There are two primary ways to become a slave: voluntarily or as punishment for a crime. Freemen (and women) can choose to enter slavery typically as a way to help their families out of financial problems, such as taxes or debts. This is how both Roxanne and Sherry became slaves. To consent to entering slavery, one must be at least 15 years old. The other main way to become a slave is as punishment for a crime. While the Empire's justice system has not been made totally clear, it is implied that thieves and bandits can become slaves if caught. Additionally, it's known that Miria was enslaved for fishing in a temple's sacred waters, and Rutina was enslaved for her father's actions. It is unknown if there is an age-limit for criminals becoming slaves.

There is a third way an individual can become a slave: the child of two slaves will automatically be a slave since birth. This is the only known way for one to be enslaved prior to their 15th birthday. This is what happened to Vesta. It is unclear if this law applies only to the offspring of two slaves or if the child of a slave and a free individual would be born into slavery. It's also unclear whether slaves have to be sex slaves in order to have children together or if non-sex slaves can have children together, since the laws concerning that area are unknown.

Regardless, as Vesta is the only character known to have been enslaved via this method, it seems to be an unpopular means of "acquiring" new slaves. It also suggests most slaves don't have children. Again, it is unclear whether the masters find this method expensive and/or unpractical, or if there are restrictions as to which slaves are allowed to copulate and have children. It's likely it's a little of both, but particularly the former, since it would take at least 15 years for a child slave to be of any use or value to either keep or sell. This is probably why Slave Merchants usually sell such slaves the moment they turn 15 instead of investing more into their growth for more profit, as is seen in the case of those selling the Dragonkin slaves at the Quratar Auction in Volume 8.

Motivations to Become a Slave[]

Many, regardless of gender, decide to become slaves in order to learn Brahim since even just knowing Brahim would broaden their employment opportunities significantly. If they ever became free again, it would give them a great edge in the employment industry.

Many, of course, become slaves in order to pay off debts for themselves or their families.

Many male slaves hope to be chosen for the labyrinth or some other combat purpose, since the better you are, the better you are treated, so many try to look competent and reliable and formidable. They also have opportunities for labor and other miscellaneous opportunities, but those aren't as desired.

In fact, many in the Wolfkin and Dragonkin Tribes willingly become slaves in order to be used as Party Members in the Labyrinths, confident in their strength and combat prowess.

The three best cases of employment that female slaves wish above all else, according to Roxanne and Sherry, are the following:

If they get bought by a wealthy man who owns a bunch of slaves. Even better if you end up as the first slave, as the more slaves he buys, the more power you hold.
If they get bought by a widower who wants a concubine or an old master who needs a caretaker in their own age. In both cases, they look for female slaves who are demi-human or beastkin since they're unable to have children with those of different races from themselves, thus preventing any inheritance or succession issues with the master's grown-up children.
- In cases where a female slave is Human, it is likely that whoever buys her wants her as a concubine and seeks to have children with her — assuming, of course, the master doesn't have any children, or has children too young to worry about inheritance crises. (Or they just don't care about it.)
- Also, since the masters in these cases are often older, they're likely to die eventually, and they often add in their wills to set their female slave free after their death, thus female slaves can look forward to an early release.
If they get bought by a master who's seeking combat slaves to dive into the labyrinth as Party members. The stronger and more valuable they become, the better their treatment.

As in Michio's cases both at Alan's Slave Shop and especially at the Imperial Capital Slave Shop, female slaves who were competent in their looks (or delusional with their situation) would appeal only to potential buyers who looked wealthy, even if they're combat slaves, in the hopes of either living a better life, become a concubine, or even just to avoid having to go into the Labyrinth. (Michio calls them "gold-diggers".)

Those who weren't interested in becoming the kind of slaves that Michio wanted — reliable Party members in Labyrinth Diving — or even didn't like that Michio was an Explorer/Adventurer would look uninterested, not look anyone in the eye, or even don a bad attitude in order to get those buyers to look the other way.

Based on this, and based on Michio's experiences with his slaves, who are all non-Human, it's assumed that female slaves of other races are more eager to fight in the Labyrinth or bandits than those of the Human race, who, if given an option, would prefer to avoid the Labyrinth despite them being combat or Explorer slaves themselves.

Price Differences Between Male and Female Slaves[]

"Speaking of fighting abilities and the ability to do manual labor, men have better abilities than women. However, the price of an (average) working adult male is about 120,000 nars; whereas for a young woman, her price will be higher, depending on her good looks."

—, Alan talking to Michio Kaga about the average market price differences between male and female slaves., Light Novel: Volume 1

Male slaves are usually bought as either labor purposes or as combat slaves. In rare cases, they might also be sold as sex slaves to female customers.

The prices for male sex slaves are unknown, assuming they even exist.

At least in Alan's Slave Trading Company, labor slaves could go anywhere from 30,000 nars to 100,000 nars. Whereas, combat slaves could go for 150,000 nars to 300,000 nars, depending on their age, experience, potential, and race. Those who are Wizards or Beastkin of various Tribes tend to be much more expensive.

Wizard/Mage slaves, regardless of gender, race, or age, are rare and thus will always be very expensive due to their job and background. They're always guaranteed to sell, making them popular assets for Slave Merchants to sell in the auctions.

Interestingly enough, as far as labor goes, there are few differences in the price between male and female slaves, since both genders pretty much do the same labor and duties. Even if a female slave has the extra bed duties, the price doesn't change much. The major contributor to the price difference is the beauty factor.

Female slaves, due to their beauty alone, can be two, three, even four-times the price of male slaves. Again, the price depends on age, race, health, virginity (or lack thereof), whether they understand Brahim or not, and how educated they are as slave. Naturally, females of certain races cost more than others. And those who can enter the labyrinth increase the price tag even more. Such slaves can cost anywhere from 200,000 to 600,000 nars, on average. One slave was even mentioned to have been sold at an auction for a whopping 1,000,000 nars!

In contrast, a presumed Human combat slave (probably a former Explorer) who was the first of three candidates Michio was interviewing in the Capital City Slave Shop before Miria was said by both Michio and the Slave Merchant to be so-so and didn't have any particular thing that she excels at. Thus, despite being pretty and moderately motivated, she was only 200,000 nars, without a discount skill (which is rather low for a female combat slave). It's assumed that those who are less pretty or less experienced are probably even cheaper.

The second slave candidate that Michio interviewed was probably the most beautiful slave currently in the Imperial Capital Slave Shop and was, apparently, a combat slave. However, her attitude showed disinterest in diving in the Labyrinth and becoming a proper Party member, and was obviously seeking to become a rich man's slave-cum-concubine. Her price, according to the Slave Merchant, was 500,000 nars. Her combat skills are unknown, but are presumed to be not worth the price Michio would have to pay. It's obvious that she was intended to be someone's sex slave or concubine.

In fact, another factor that increases the price of female slaves depends on race in particular, since females of other races cannot have children with human masters, making them perfect as sex slaves. However, that is only mentioned with the various Beastkin races, due to their half animal, half human bodies. It is assumed with Elves and Dwarves as well, since Cassandra wasn't able to have children with her Human husband. (Although, that could simply just be that, for them, it's just difficult to have children with Humans, but not necessarily impossible. However, there is no proof and so far is just fan speculation.) Of course, this also holds true with demi-human masters who buy female slaves of a different race, albeit not nearly as common.

Human Slaves vs. Demi-Human / Beastkin Slaves[]

It's assumed that Human male slaves are cheaper than males of other races, since they age quicker and have a shorter shelf-life compared to those of other races. They're also easier to replenish. Whereas males of other races are stronger and tend to age slower and last longer than Human males. Though there are exceptions. For instance, Humans of either gender who are Wizards will naturally be very expensive since Wizard slaves are rare.

It's presumed that Human female slaves aren't as popular as demi-human and beastkin females since, unlike them, they're more likely to get pregnant by their masters, who are often Human themselves. Human females also aren't popular as combat slaves, unless they are Wizards, since they're presumedly weaker than demi-humans. Human females also show signs of aging quicker than demi-human slaves, and it's also mentioned and implied that Human female beauty can pale in comparison to those of other races.

That being said, in the Imperial City, it's apparently popular to buy beautiful combat slaves to take with them to the Labyrinth, so there are many female slaves who are combat slaves, Explorer slaves, or Adventurer slaves, regardless of race. And many of these slaves are Human. Human slaves are always among the most numerous, regardless, and are the cheaper options compared to those of other races.

Furthermore, female Human slaves, if they are beautiful, tend to be bought for concubine/mistress roles, making them very valuable regardless.

Trivia[]

It is unknown if the institution of slavery exists in other countries, or if the Empire is one of the few, if not the only, country to have it.
Slaves are taught Brahim by Slave Merchants because most people who buy slaves speak Brahim.
Slaves generally don't eat at the table with their masters and are usually fed leftovers, are dressed in secondhand clothing, and sleep on the floor. They are also not generally given weapons unless absolutely necessary.
It is not unusual for people who enter labyrinths to buy slaves to join their party. This is because even with the increase in people, all the profit goes to the slave owner.
It is also not unusual for slaves to be mistreated by their masters. Roxanne and Sherry mention many times that it's not unheard of for combat slaves to be treated like expendable tools or fodder in the labyrinths. This might even also apply to female combat slaves, even though one would assume that they'd be treated better due to their... other duties outside the labyrinth.
According to Roxanne, if a powerful combat slave feels like they're not being treated well, they can find another potential master and try to convince them to buy them from their original masters. Sherry also mentions that slaves would even do their best to act obedient and trick their masters to change their wills so that they can kill them in the labyrinth without dying themselves and without having to worry about being interrogated by the Knights and be investigated.
The slave must give their consent to become a sex slave if their owner wants to have sex with them. It is also necessary for the person's consent to become a slave at all, if they aren't criminal slaves.
Many decide to become slaves in order to learn Brahim since even just knowing Brahim would broaden their employment opportunities significantly.
Slaves cannot be challenged to duels, perhaps to do their legal status as non-persons. However, they can fight as proxies for their masters. The Baradam Woman uses this loophole to challenge Roxanne to a duel.
The highest known price of a slave in the LN series was a slave who was sold at the Quratar auction for 1,000,000 nars. It's assumed to be the Wizard slave that Alan was selling.
A male Dragonkin slave sold at the Quratar auction for almost 400,000 nars. If what Michio overheard from one of the participants was true, then that is the average market price for a male Dragonkin and is considered a good price. Female Dragonkins are expected to be anywhere from 400,000 to 800,000 nars.
Dragonkin slaves are apparently quite popular as combat slaves. However, due to their upkeep and some biological demerits, only masters or parties who do well in the Labyrinth or are wealthy can afford to take care of them.
It's not known if male sex slaves exist, since we haven't seen any female customers. It might be due to social views that it's improper for a woman to own those types of slaves, so it's rare for a woman to boldly purchase slaves, let alone sex slaves. (Though it might be that there are certain places you have to go to for that, aside from brothels.)
It is possible, though uncommon, for a slave to buy their freedom.
Slaves must be at least 15 years old before they can be sold.
The only possession a slave owns is their underwear.
According to Alan and several others, it is apparently very rare for Wizards to become slaves. This is likely because most of them come from noble or wealthy families and thus don't have to worry about financial problems. Even those who are commoners seem to have no shortage of job opportunities or financial gains and are thus usually exempted from having to sell themselves as slaves unless there are special circumstances involved.
As a result, the price of a Wizard slave can get VERY pricey, since Wizards are the backbone of any Party who dives in the Labyrinth and is a source of power for any family. Alan comments that he wouldn't be surprised if the bid for his Wizard slave went up to 1,000,000 nars or even higher. There seems to be some merit to this since some participants, upon hearing that a Wizard slave was up for sale, were desperately trying to gather more platinum coins, anticipating fierce competition.