Chapter 1

“How dare you steal from me! After all I have done for you. I feed you, clothe you, and give you a place to live in my house and you would steal from me?” said Antonio

“Dominous, my apologies but I was starving. I haven’t eaten in two days”, said the unknown slave.

“What!? What do you mean you haven’t eaten in two days? You are telling me that no one has fed you in two days.”

“Yes, Dominous. I would never steal from you.”

“Judging from you appearance it appears that you are telling the truth. Guards, release him and get him some food. If there is an issue you should bring it up with me instead of stealing. Next time you will be punished severely.”

“Yes Dominous” said the slave as he backed away bowing repeatedly.

“Bring in the next one.”

Immediately, two guards came in with another slave who had been beaten badly. They were holding him under his arms and dragging him by his legs.

“What did he do?”, asked Antonio

“He tried to escape, Dominous”, said one of the  guards.

“Escape?! You thought you could leave without my permission. I shall have you beaten within an inch of your life. Get the whip! 15 lashes for him.”

The 2 guards chained the man up to a wall and stripped him naked. Then the whipping began. With each lash the man’s flesh was torn and he wailed in pain. As he wailed Antonio simply watched and at grapes that one of his female slaves was feeding to him. All of a sudden everything went black.

Antonio opened his eyes and looked up. Initially, all he could see was a bright white light. He blinked his eyes several times and then his eyes began to focus. Antonio could see the wooden ceiling above him as he turned his head he could see the hooves of horses along with straw and hay. He felt something heavy on his feet. He looked down and saw shackles attached to his ankles.

What’s going on? I am Antonio a magistrate of the Roman Empire. Only a minute ago, I was torturing one of my slaves for trying to escape. What is going on where are my clothes? Why am I laying on the ground? What is going on?

“Hey slave what are you doing?”, said a tall man with some pointy ears. “Get to work!”

“Get to work?! What do you mean get to work!”, said Antonio

The man walked up and punched Antonio in the stomach. Antonio doubled over in pain almost vomiting from the force of the blow.

-20 (80)

Antonio stood up and looked the man in the eye and said, “What the hell did you do that for?”

The man smashed another blow on Antonio’s head.

-25 (55)

“Learn you place slave. Now get to work grooming those horses”, said the man.

Antonio got up and walked towards the horses and picked up a brush. He began brushing the hair of the large brown horse that was standing in front of him.

What the hell is this? I am no one’s slave what the hell is going on and what was up with the guy’s pointy ears? Why did those numbers come up when he hit me? What the hell is going on with all of this?

All of a sudden a bright light filled the room and a little old man stepped out. The man’s skin was pale. His head was bald and his beard and goatee were both snow white. The man was dressed in a beautiful white toga with golden bracers on his forearms. He had a beautiful jade ring on his right hand and in his left he carried a golden staff with numerous detailed carvings in it. The man walked over to Antonio.

Antonio began to back up.

Who is this guy and where did he come from? There was no one else here but this horse and I then a bright light and he showed up. Did he cause the light? Did he come out of the light? What the hell else is going to happen?

“Antonio I understand you have a lot of questions so I will be sure to answer them all for you “, said the older well-dressed man.

“How do you know my name?”, asked Antonio

“I know you because I am the one who brought you here. I am the God of this world. It is similar to your Earth but with some slight differences.”

“Wait you are God?! Well why did you put me here like this?”

“That is simple… you were killed. I brought you back to life.”

“What?! I was killed? What do you mean I was killed?”

“The last thing you remember was torturing a slave right?”

“Yes, how did you know that?”

“I am God I know everything you think? You do not remember what happened next because you were caught in torturing the slave. What happened next was an arrow flew through the air and pierced the back of your skull and went through you brain killing you instantly. That is why you don’t remember.”

Antonio stumbled back. His head became foggy and  he vomited all over the floor. As he wiped his mouth the world began to spin all around him. He lost his balance and trip over some tools causing him to fall head first into a wall. Immediately he lost conscious. God shook his head and sat down as he waited for Antonio to wake up.

“Poor boy but it is his own fault”

A few minutes later Antonio woke up and the man who claimed he was God was still standing there.

“Now I want to tell you about the world you are in. This world is very different yours. Here the land is filled with humanoid races like elves, dwarves, goblins, and a variety of others. Brace yourself, in this world humans have been enslaved by all of the other races. You are traded like cattle. You are beaten and whipped for the slightest offense.”

“You mean…”

“Yes you are now a slave. I brought you to this world to free the humans and stop their oppression.”

“Why me? I mean in my world I had slaves and I beat and tortured them.”

“That is exactly why. You know what it is like to abuse and mistreat people. It is going to happen to you. Soon though you are going to have to leave this place and it will be difficult for you because you will not receive any help and if you are caught you will be made into a slave again.”

"What if I say no?"

"If you say no, then you will live the rest of your days as a slave."

I don't want to live out my days here in a barn on the floor. I don't think I have a choice on whether or not to take this deal.

“I accept your terms but I have a few questions. How am I supposed to escape? How do I survive out in the wilde

rness?”

“I thought you would see it my way. I have not erased your knowledge from your previous life. You were a noble so you were trained in some things like reading, writing, swordsmanship, and diplomacy correct?”

“Yes but how are those going to help me survive?”

“In this world you develop skills with experience and you can gain jobs that are things that you do. As you increase in experience in those jobs you will gain new abilities and become more proficient at that job. Currently you have 3 jobs, slave, beast trainer, and farmer. As you work in those jobs you will gain experience along with increase to your basic physical and mental abilities.”

“What do you mean basic physical and mental abilities?”

“Well wave your right hand in a horizontal motion and you will see.”

Hiro waved his hand as instructed and then in front of him a translucent rectangle appeared in front of him.

Status Window Antonio Meridius Race:Humanlevel:1Titles:noneClass:noneJobs:Slave level 8, Farmer level 5, Beast Tamer level 6Health:55/100Mana:0/0Strength:20Agility:15Endurance:15Dexterity:15Wisdom:15Intelligence:17Luck:10???:???-Attack:18Defense:15AbilitiesTame BeastCrop Growing

Crop Growing: This ability gives you knowledge of the intricacies of farming. You will grow crops 25% faster and those crops will yield 10% more food.

Tame Beast: Allows you to tame wild beasts.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

“What does all of this stuff mean?”

“Well let’s start with strength. Strength is your physical ability to do things. Think of it as a rating on how well your muscles perform. It affects things like how much damage you do and how much you can carry.”

“That makes sense. So I guess agility has something to do with the way I move?”

“Yes, it also affects your ability to avoid attacks and your ability to use ranged weapons like bows and crossbows. Dexterity also plays a part in how you use weapons especially you are wielding 2 weapons.”

“So what do wisdom and intelligence have to do with?”

“Well you have not yet learned to access your mana yet but when you do intelligence will give you greater effects to the things that you can do with your mana. On the other hand wisdom will give you greater efficiency with mana. Finally as both increase the amount of mana you have will increase.”

“What is mana?”

“It is the life force of this world. It is in everything.”

“I don’t really understand.”

“Yes I’m sure you don’t but you will learn it over time. I am leaving you for now”

“I still have questions.”

“I’m sure you do but for now,”

The older man lifted his free hand and a soft glow began to appear around his hand. Suddenly a light grew above his hand. The light disappeared and 3 books appeared. gave Antonio 3 books. The books were old and they were wrapped in leather.

“Read these they will help you learn about this world and the things in it”, said the old man

Antonio grabbed the books and said, “Thank you. I don’t know what my life will be like now but it seems that I don’t have much choice.”

Then the little old man disappeared into a large ball of light. Antonio held the books tightly and fell down to his knees crying.

I don’t know what to do and how am I supposed to free the humans when I don’t even know where I am, I have no army, nor do I have any weapons with what to fight with? This is all too confusing. Anyway, if this world’s slave owners were like me I better I hide these books. If the master finds them I’ll be in a lot of trouble.

Then he stood up and began stroking the horse with a brush. The horse neighed softly. Once he finished brushing the horse Antonio bent down and began cleaning the horse’s hooves. Little by little he engrossed himself into taking care of this horse and the 5 others in the stable. His mind became focused on the task at hand lost track of everything else. Once he finished, cleaning and grooming the horses he walked them out into the pasture. The horses began grazing as he watched over them carefully.

The man in the armor from earlier came up, “Slave, get the horses ready. You will drive the carriage to town as the Lord and his daughter must go to a meeting in the nearby town.”

I must act like any other slave as not to offend him as I did before.

“Yes sir”, said Antonio bowing his head and placing his hand over his chest.

“It’s good that you have learned your manners, slave. Now, hurry up. Don’t keep the master waiting”, said the man as he walked away towards the main house.

Antonio took the horses back inside the stable and began to hook them to the carriages. Once he finished he got up on the carriage and took the reins.

I guess the master’s house is the large one up on top of the hill. I’ll head there.

Antonio snapped the reins on the horses and the carriage headed towards the main house. As he rode he could see about a dozen other humans working in the fields harvesting what looked to be vegetables like corn and wheat. As he got closer to the main house he saw a small building with smoke coming from the top of it. There was a rhythmic sound of metal clashing against metal.

That must be where the blacksmith is located.

He continued riding as the main house in all of its splendor came into view.

This house looks like his my house in my former life.

There were numerous bedrooms with large window. The exterior of the house was completely made of brick. The large double doors in the front of the house were wooden but looked extremely heavy. After reaching the front of the house Antonio pulled back on the reins stopping the carriage. He immediately dismounted from the driver’s spot on the carriage and waited in front of the carriage door.

This is what I expected of my driver when I had slaves so this should be sufficient. What should I call him though? My slaves called me Dominus but I don’t know what I should call him. I should just listen and maybe one of the other slaves will say his name so that I can learn it.

Antonio waited for a few moments and then the doors of the house opened. Two men opened the doors. The men were wearing white cloth clothes. Both were humans from what Antonio could tell. They bowed as two soldiers dressed in plate armor both carrying large kite shaped shields with swords and what appeared to be long swords in scabbards on their waists. As the soldiers moved forward down a white staircase that appeared to be made of stone, a man and a woman appeared.

This must be the master and his wife.

The couple was majestic. They both wore beautiful white clothes adorned with golden necklaces and bangles. He wore a golden breastplate that had a muscular physique carved into it. His hair was golden blonde and his eyes were a piercing blue.

His wife was wearing a beautiful green leather breastplate that accentuated her figure. Her ample breasts almost spilled out of the top. Her hair was a blue that Antonio had never seen before and her eyes were as green as the most beautiful pastures. On both of her hips she had a set of daggers.

They both have weapons and armor? Why? Is this trip dangerous? What will happen if we are attacked? I have no weapon or armor. This is bad.

As the couple walked past, the slaves said, “Be safe Lord Sky and Mistress Storm”

Ahhhh…. So that is what I should call them, Lord Sky and Mistress Storm. I’ll make sure that I do that.

Behind the couple 2 more pairs of soldiers came. One pair wore plate armor but they had large greatswords strapped to their backs. The other group wore leather armor and they had bows in their hands with a full quiver of arrows showing over their shoulders.

That makes me feel better. With this group of soldiers we should be safe.

As his masters and their escorts got close to the carriage, Antonio bowed his head and opened the door.

As they stepped up to the cart Antonio said, “Good morning, Master and Mistress.”

Neither spoke a word.

As I expected idle chit chat is beneath them.

The master came first and stepped into the cart. When the mistress stepped up Antonio helped her onto the carriage. After she sat down, he closed the door and moved to his position as the driver of the cart. The six soldiers took their positions. One sat with Antonio. Two soldiers stood on either side of the carriage and the final soldier was in the rear of the carriage.

“Where to sir?”, said Antonio to the older man who was sitting next to him.

This man must be the captain of this group. His face shows a lot of battle experience and his presence tells me he is dangerous.

The man replied, “We have not met before as I am new here but my name is Captain Harris and our destination is the town of Rao. What is your name as I do not wish to refer to you as slave for the entire trip?”

He wants to know my name? That is strange for someone to actually want to know the name of his slaves. Hmm…

“My name is Antonio”

“Good. Now drive the carriage south off of the property there is a passage there that you will follow. When we reach the fork in the road I will tell you which direction to travel.”

“Yes sir”, said Antonio as he snapped the reins.

The horses began to move and the soldiers followed on foot.

The day went on as the carriage traveled. No one spoke as the carriage rattled on down the road. After about 2 hours of riding the path went through a wooded area. There were trees on both sides of the path. Antonio began to hear the sounds of rustling among the trees. The horses became agitated but Antonio kept them moving forward.

Something is wrong here. Should I tell the captain? Even if I do will he believe me? I don’t know.

The carriage kept moving forward suddenly, Captain Harris yelled out, “Stop the carriage! Ambush!”