Chapter 51

The level of the playboy increased by 7, and he acquired a skill called [Card Equipment].

Are these cards like playing cards?

I thought, "There are some unusual skills out there."

Yesterday, I only increased by 5 levels, and after defeating the Minotaur, I reached level 10. Why did I suddenly increase by 7 levels today? Well, I guess it means I'm improving.

This morning, we decided to practice sword swinging together.

Before breakfast, I trained for about 30 minutes, but my level didn't increase. I guess 400 times 200 hours, or about 40 days of 5 hours of training per day, is too much. It seems that there's no substitute for real combat experience.

I would normally want to take a bath after sweating, but of course, there's no such thing here.

But I have a secret weapon.

"Purify!"

I cast the Purify spell I learned as a life magic spell on myself.

Bubbles enveloped my body, and the next moment, the sticky feeling from the sweat was gone.

I realized last night that Purify is effective on the human body. After using it to clean a soiled sheet, I tried it on myself, who was also soiled with sweat, and it worked.

It feels like I'm washing my entire body, including my clothes.

It feels really good.

Thirty seconds after the cooldown, I used it on Haru.

Just that alone cooled her body and completely eliminated the sweat, making her white hair, ears, and tail as clean as if they had been treated. I'm falling in love all over again.

It's really a convenient skill.

Normally, it wouldn't have such a great effect—just wiping with a dry towel, apparently. But because I changed my job to a magic-specialized one and increased my magic attack power when using Purify, it seems to have this effect.

Looking at the magic list, it seems that Purify also has proficiency and levels, so I plan to use it whenever I can. It only consumes 1 MP, after all.

The sheets were slightly yellow when we entered the room, but now they are completely white. I thought, "If it's this perfect, the innkeeper will be grateful," and while eating breakfast, the innkeeper said to us,

"Please try to be as quiet as possible at night."

Haru's tail drooped in embarrassment.

I'm also embarrassed; my face feels like it's on fire.

But, it can't be helped, can it? If Carol joins us, things might not be the same as before.

I set the playboy as an apprentice blacksmith and headed to the slave market.

At the slave market, Carol, not Quins, was cleaning.

Carol noticed me and bowed,

"Good morning, Ichinoshou-sama."

She greeted me with a smile. Her expression was energetic and age-appropriate, which was unimaginable from the girl who wished for her death two days ago. However, Haru's expression beside her turned stern.

I recalled the words she said when we left the guild yesterday.

"Master... Even if you buy me, please don't abandon me."

It's not like Haru to say such a thing, but I think it's her true feelings.

I care about Haru deeply.

How much? As much as I care about my sister who stayed in Japan.

If I had to choose one of their lives to save myself, I wouldn't choose either. Of course, I wouldn't forget to look for a way to save everyone, but at least to me, both of them are irreplaceable and precious.

But, I can somewhat understand why Haru feels anxious.

Generally, it's said that the more people you love, the more the love is divided.

But, I want to believe that the more companions you have, the stronger the bond becomes.

"Good morning, Carol. Is Quins here?"

"Yes, Quins-sama is waiting inside."

"Okay, can Carol come with me?"

"Yes... I will accompany you."

I entered the slave market, and Quins was sitting on a chair made of tree bark, smoking a pipe.

"Good morning, Quins."

"Good morning. So, have you heard from Carol?"

"No, not yet."

"I see. Then, Carol, tell him yourself. Got it?"

"Yes."

Carol turned to me with a smile,

"Ichinoshou-sama, first of all, I want to thank you for saving me twice and for consulting the goddess about my job and changing it back to a commoner."

Carol bowed deeply.

When she raised her head, she still had a smile on her face.

"And I'm very happy that Ichinoshou-sama wants to buy me."

"Then—"

Are you going to come with me?

Just as I was about to say that—

"I'm sorry."

Carol shook her head.

"I'm very happy, but I can't go with Ichinoshou-sama."

"…I see."

"Yes. I'm sorry."

Carol bowed her head.

If this is Carol's decision, I will respect her will.

Just as I thought that—

"Carol, is this for your master's sake?"

Haru, standing beside me, asked with a serious face.

For my sake?

"Carol, didn't you think that as a commoner, you have no value to go with your master after losing your seducer's power?"

"That's... true."

"I thought the same thing. I wondered if I had any value being with a master who is so strong that I don't need to protect him."

After saying that, Haru continued,

"But I thought, if I don't have value, I can work hard until I do. It's easy to think I'm not a suitable slave for my master. But that only destroys my own value."

"My value..."

"Quins said, if you can see your value, he wants to buy you. But before that, you need to see your own value. Can you really not be of any use to your master?"

"What I can do... I—"

Carol hesitated for a moment and then said,

"I have studied many towns! I've learned about local specialties, situations, what is delicious and what is taboo. I've learned about the races that live there, what sells for a high price, and what jobs are common. I studied every night in my room, hoping to become a merchant one day!"

"That's impressive—definitely a skill I don't have. I want to see the world. I'm aiming for Maleigurri, but honestly, I don't even know how to get there. There are no maps for sale, either."

I'm not exaggerating. I aimed south because I know Maleigurri is southeast, but I really didn't know how to get there.

"Then, I can guide the way! Ichinoshou-sama, please buy Carol!"

"Of course."

In response to my answer, Quins silently stood up and began preparing the documents to buy Carol.