Chapter 5

Returning to the usual inn, we had our room changed to a double. Since we had almost no luggage, the room change went smoothly.

Now, because I had almost impulsively bought Aila, there was nothing in this room for her.

I realized I didn’t know anything about Aila and started a conversation with her.

“I’m Hibiki. I’m an adventurer. Nice to meet you.”

“Y-Yes, nice to meet you.”

She bowed deeply and respectfully.

“Ah, by the way, I’m a ‘Cursed’ one, but you are an adventurer, right?”

Aila looked at me anxiously.

That’s right, adventurers who sometimes risk their lives wouldn’t normally include a cursed slave in their party, as they could spread misfortune.

She must be thinking that I’ll be exploring forests and dungeons alone.

“Yeah, that’s right. Aila will help me with exploration. Of course, it’s not safe, but I don’t intend to make you do it alone, so don’t worry.”

“Y-Yes, thank you!”

Another exaggerated bow. When she bowed deeply, her tail at her waist caught my eye.

“Well, let’s give it a try.”

I decided to test something I thought of when I saw her.

“Aila, come here.”

I beckoned her over, and she approached hesitantly. Hmm, she’s on guard.

“It’s okay. I won’t do anything. I just want to try something.”

“Y-Yes.”

I placed my hand on her shoulder and focused on the ‘Blessing of Light.’

Suddenly, the room was enveloped in light and then returned to normal.

Feeling a definite response, I checked Aila’s status.

******************************************

Aila Lv.4

Warrior 15 years old

Health: 750 (+250)

Strength: 240 (+80)

Speed: 465 (+155)

Intelligence: 120 (+40)

Luck: 120 (+40)

‘Blessing of the War God (Follower)’

Effect: Significantly increases combat class stats

Target: Self

******************************************

Wow, the ‘Curse’ is gone, and with the addition of the ‘Blessing of the War God (Follower),’ her stats have increased. This girl is incredibly strong.

“What was that just now?”

Aila asked curiously.

“I just removed Aila’s ‘Curse.’”

I answered casually, trying to make it seem like nothing.

“Huh!? You can do that?”

It was believed that innate ‘Curses’ couldn’t be dispelled, but apparently, the ‘Blessing of Light’ can remove a ‘Curse’ by recognizing it as a status ailment.

“I have a ‘Blessing.’”

In this world, those with a ‘Blessing’ are quite rare. Moreover, only the person with the ‘Blessing’ knows its details. So, if I do something strange, I can just say it’s the power of the ‘Blessing,’ and everyone will understand.

For example, if I kill dozens of monsters on the day I register with the guild, or if I gather a large amount of herbs in a short time using the ‘Blessing of the Appraiser,’ everyone will be surprised, but they’ll understand when I say, “I have a ‘Blessing.’”

“That’s amazing. This is the first time I’ve met someone with a ‘Blessing’!”

“I don’t want people to know too much about my ‘Blessing,’ so please keep the dispelling of the ‘Curse’ a secret.”

“Understood! But, did my ‘Curse’ really disappear?”

“Yeah, if you don’t believe me, we can go to the Adventurer’s Guild tomorrow and get a guild card. You’ll see then.”

Like those with a ‘Blessing,’ those with a ‘Curse’ are also marked on their cards. It’s probably natural, given that they can affect others in a negative way, just like a ‘Blessing.’

“No, no, I’m not doubting you at all…”

“It’s hard to believe that a ‘Curse’ suddenly disappeared. Don’t worry, you’ll see tomorrow.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Anyway, we need to buy Aila’s equipment and daily necessities. I didn’t plan to buy a slave.”

“Huh!? You didn’t buy me because you needed a slave?”

Apparently, slaves aren’t something you buy on impulse.

“I bought Aila because you were cute.”

I spoke honestly. I wasn’t lying. I was also curious if I could dispel the ‘Curse.’

“R-Really? You think I’m cute?”

Aila blushed and covered her cheeks, looking embarrassed.

Yeah, that’s cute too.

Without thinking, I pulled her close and sat down on the bed with her.

I sat Aila between my legs and hugged her from behind.

I didn’t do anything more than that. I wanted to take it slow and be careful.

Aila seemed to be very reserved.

Perhaps it was because she had been oppressed for years as a ‘Cursed’ one. She had hardly interacted with anyone other than her deceased parents.

“I’m glad to have been bought by such a kind master.”

When she said this with tears in her eyes, I was taken aback.

Well, I looked like just another adventurer who had bought a cheap slave.

She was probably worried that I might use her as a disposable shield.

Thinking of her cuteness, I hugged her tighter.

“What do you need? Clothes, maybe? I don’t know much about tiger beastmen, so is there anything else you need?”

I asked while stroking Aila’s tiger ears from behind.

Tiger beastmen don’t only eat raw meat, it seems.

Aila was still a bit tense, occasionally flinching and looking embarrassed as she lowered her head.

“Um, can I have a collar?”

She whispered with a red face. Is that a fetish?

I asked reflexively,

“A collar?”

“Yes, it’s an obligation for beastman slaves to wear a collar.”

“Hmm, if it’s an obligation, I guess it can’t be helped. Anything else?”

I was relieved to learn it was an obligation, as I had momentarily thought she had a wonderful fetish.

“Not really, I think I need the same things as humans.”

“In that case, let’s go to a clothing store. They might sell collars too?”

While asking, I stroked Aila’s tail. I gently stroked from the base to the tip, and I could feel Aila’s body gradually relaxing.

I remembered the pet cat I used to have at home and stroked her to my heart’s content.

“Yes, I think they sell them. But, there are collars at equipment stores too.”

“An equipment store’s collar? That’s considered equipment, right?”

“Yes, it’s treated as headgear.”

“In that case, let’s buy the collar from an equipment store tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

While talking, my hands didn’t stop stroking Aila’s tiger ears and tail.

Aila’s eyes were slightly moist, and she leaned her weight on me.

Collars, which are considered equipment, are made from materials obtained from monsters. They are enchanted to fit any body type and are more durable and sharper than regular armor and weapons.

However, only one piece of equipment can be worn on each body part. Accessories can be worn in multiples as long as they are of the same type.

So, if you wear a ring, you can’t wear another ring, but you can wear earrings or bracelets.

It’s a bit of a mix between fantasy and reality.

Since a collar worn daily is considered headgear, it would be unwise to wear a weak helmet.

That day, Aila and I had dinner, washed our bodies with water, and fell asleep in the same bed.

Aila was cute even in bed. It really was a good purchase.