Those slaves who have owners outside probably don't get paid either, even though they are provided with food and shelter...
They still have to endure beatings and insults, and there's also the risk of being sold if the owner is in a bad mood or gets annoyed with them. From this perspective, the life of these slaves here seems somewhat more comfortable. Well, they may lack freedom, but it doesn't seem to affect them much since they are considered expendable, and this place is the best proof of that.
No wonder...
The Holy Heir agreed to come here by himself, after all, to outsiders, this place seems like just an ordinary large factory. Though Ryuto came here knowing that they were all slaves, his impression of this place is just that of a typical factory, or even one with relatively good treatment, a place that provides job opportunities for unemployed people.
Ryuto initially thought that their working environment would be harsh, with punishments like whipping for not working, but in reality, it is the opposite of what he expected.
Is that why the slave factory isn't hidden underground or in a secretive location like an auction house?
To outsiders, this place just appears to be a good workplace, suitable even for foreign visitors to tour. Not only is it acceptable, but it might even be praised, as they have effectively increased and developed productivity.
Part of the reason for being located in a remote area is to avoid being seen, after all...
It would be quite bad if outsiders knew that the people here were slaves. But the most important reason is that the factory requires a large area, unlike an auction house which must remain hidden. Additionally, because the patrons are wealthy, it wouldn't be situated in a remote area.
Wealthy individuals wouldn't travel so far just to visit, satisfying these criteria leads to creating an underground auction house in the city center, a win-win situation.
The reason Holy Heir hesitated before was because Ryuto knew about the slaves' existence. However, Holy Heir seemed unaware that Ryuto was also aware of the auction house, or else Ryuto would not have been allowed in.
Furthermore, even though the existence of the slaves might pose some trouble for Holy Heir, compared to Ryuto's agreement to help, it's practically nothing. Even if Ryuto's intentions for coming here were not known, he wouldn't pose a threat. Besides, since this place is considered a good workplace, there shouldn't be any issues. That's probably how Holy Heir weighed the situation.
Based on the information she has gathered, this judgment seems accurate.
Because life here is better than outside, they don't run away?
Although Ryuto would like to think that way, upon seeing something, the answer to that question was immediately denied.
In denying the wrong answer, the correct answer was obtained.
Whether it's the reason they aren't wearing handcuffs and leg irons, the overseers oddly trusting them, or the fact that they work in such a comfortable environment, all became clear.
The reason they don't run away, although similar to those people from last night in some respects, is different in the following three reasons, they are even more...
Thinking about this, Ryuto couldn't help but squint his eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Perhaps finding Ryuto's reaction strange, Crepes·Clair asked with a hint of confusion in her tone.
"Oh, it's nothing, just... oh, I didn't expect it to be like this. This is actually the first time I've seen the processing of things. So, the finished products are assembled from these parts? I thought they came out as finished products right away."
