Chapter 23

Slave. Yes, a slave.

The reason why it's a slave is because Faye argued, "I don't think Togo can change the magic stone in the seal every day without forgetting! Besides, Togo has no life skills at all! If left alone, he'll die!"

I wanted to say that I wouldn't die if left alone, but when the story came up that I had fainted several times due to "magic depletion," the atmosphere no longer allowed me to argue.

Then, it was decided that if I were to live in the forest, it would be better to have someone nearby to take care of me, mainly in terms of food and sleep.

...And that's how the conversation turned to "buying a slave."

This world apparently has a slave system. Criminals, the poor, those who can't pay their debts, and even those from enemy countries defeated in war become slaves.

...Well, I have quite a bit of resistance to it. After all, it's slavery. Slavery. It feels like it goes too far... My original world's sense is still strong, and I feel a lot of resistance.

"Faye, you mean there were no slaves in your world?"

"Yeah."

I realize that this is a different world. The common sense I know is completely different, and the values are naturally different.

Faye is a good person, but at times like this, I can't help but feel a bit of distance.

...But.

"Then, what did people do if they had trouble eating? Surely not everyone was begging on the streets, right?"

When Faye said that, I felt a bit of a "huh?" moment.

"Well... those who can't work or are unemployed are supported by the government."

I decided to tell Faye a little about my world. About welfare and cultural life. Yeah, that kind of stuff.

"I see... So, in other words, it's a system where the rich help the poor, right?"

"Um... mostly, yeah."

It was summarized a bit roughly, but I guess it's mostly correct. Mostly.

"Then, isn't it not much different from the slave system? At least, this way, there are proper employment opportunities."

...Huh?

"Sure, you can't choose your job if you become a slave. But at least, you're guaranteed food and a job, right? And once you save enough money, you can buy your freedom. Not bad, right? What do you think?"

Somehow... somehow, it feels different from the "slavery" I imagined.

"Um, so, slaves... do they have to do whatever they're told, or are treated badly, or something like that?"

Just to be sure, I asked. Is the "slave" in this world different from the "slave" in my world?

Faye grunted and answered.

"No... I can't say it doesn't happen. It does happen, especially with criminal slaves. But at least, it's illegal to mistreat someone who became a slave due to poverty."

What, there are laws? It's way beyond what I expected. This world is really mysterious.

"Um... even though it's illegal, does it still happen?"

"Sure, it happens in places where no one can see. It's hard to enforce. Yeah... did you not have that in your world?"

"I did."

Now that I think about it, there are people who repeatedly break the law in my world too. Like, labor standards are often violated.

...I see. The slaves in this world are, surprisingly, quite normal. It feels a bit off, but it makes sense when you think about it.

So, we arrived in the town.

"...There are so many people."

"Ah, maybe this is your first time in town, Togo!?"

"Yeah."

This was my first time in town since coming to this world.

The town... mostly made of wood and stone. Well, the forest is nearby, so it makes sense that wood is available. Of course. But it's not like Japanese houses, so it has a foreign feel.

The walls are mostly plastered with lime, but they're not white; they have colors, which is stylish. There are shades of gray, light pink-beige, and even champagne gold.

That means they have materials to mix with the lime. ...I'm a bit curious.

Then, the windows. There are glass windows, but in houses, wooden shutters are more common. It seems that glass is a bit of a luxury.

The streets are paved with cobblestones. The dark stones give a calm impression, but among them, some are pure white, which serves as an accent and looks quite nice.

Children are running on the cobblestones. There's a fountain in the square, which seems to be a place of rest for children and various people.

...It's all so new.

I see. This is what a town in a different world is like.

"Ah, it's your first time in town... I should have planned better to make it more enjoyable. I failed."

Faye looked at me with a face that clearly said "I failed." It was kind of funny.

"It's fine. You don't have to do that..."

"But you're from a different world, right? You're a visitor from a different world. It's supposed to be fun, right?"

Oh, "enjoyable" means Faye wants to enjoy it, not me.

...Yeah. I like this about him.

We walked a bit more and came to the outskirts of the town. There was a large, old building. The plaster on the walls was peeling off, revealing the stones and bricks underneath.

This seems to be the place where slaves are sold.

As soon as we entered the store, Faye started talking to the shopkeeper. I was left out, but Faye said, "We're not here to hire an employee, but to find a caretaker for this guy," and looked at me, so the shopkeeper also looked at me.

I bowed my head a bit. I feel a bit uneasy in situations like this.

Then, Faye and the shopkeeper talked a bit... and Faye smirked and whispered something to the shopkeeper.

...I wonder what that was about.

Then, it was time to see the slaves.

"Alright, Togo. Do you see anyone you like?"

There were slaves in front of me.

...It's a strange feeling. Most importantly, the slaves here are... very proactive.

"Oh, what a cute boy! Hey, why don't you choose me? I can cook and clean."

"Then why don't you choose me instead of that old lady, 'big brother'? I promise I won't do anything bad."

"Wow! What a handsome boy! I want to be bought by you! Please, choose me! I'll do lots of good things for you!"

...Yeah.

I'm in trouble.

In front of me, many women are smiling. And they're saying things that are a bit... well, you know. And their outfits are quite revealing. What should I do...?

"Alright, Togo. Who do you want? Who's your type?"

And Faye asks with a smirk... but this is definitely a tease. He's smirking, and the women in front of me don't look like housekeepers at all.

...So, I'll state my opinion clearly.

"Well, these kinds of women make me feel uneasy... I don't like them."

I don't want to be with someone who makes me feel uneasy.

"What!? Are you okay!?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean!?"

What do you mean?

"No... Togo, you're here to find a slave to take care of you, right? You'll be living with this slave."

"Yeah."

"Wouldn't it be better to live with a pretty lady? Wouldn't it be better if she could take care of you from morning till night?"

"Hmm...?"

"Besides, you'll be living alone deep in the forest. You don't have any status or connections, so no one will complain if you buy a slave like this!"

"No. I don't like it. It makes me feel uneasy."

Difference in opinion.

Especially when living together, I don't want to be with someone who makes me feel uneasy.

...So, I decided to see other slaves.

But I want to avoid the grumpy old men. I also want to avoid the strict-looking old ladies. The sexy ladies make me feel uneasy, and the sexy men too.

...There are a few people I think might be okay, but for some reason, I can't quite decide.

Hmm... I guess it's understandable that I can't choose a slave when I don't know the ropes...

In the end, it was decided that it would be faster for me to look around than to have slaves brought to us, so we were taken to the waiting area for slaves.

There were many rooms with large windows, and the slaves were either alone or in groups in these rooms.

There were brief descriptions of the slaves written on the doors. I couldn't read them, but Faye read them for me. Things like "good at housework" or "can use magic." Apparently, the slaves are categorized. "Good at housework," "can fight," "suitable for farming," and so on. They are mostly grouped by category, with similar abilities in each row.

...And there was a row of people like the ones Faye had asked to be brought earlier. It was awkward, so we quickly passed by.

As we went deeper into the store... there was an area with iron bars.

...This is very close to my image of a "slave store."

"Hey, Togo. Beyond here is where criminal slaves are sold."

Oh, I see. Criminal slaves...

Yeah.

Faye tried to stop me, but I wanted to see everyone just to be sure. Since none of the previous ones felt right, I wanted to see everyone before making a decision.

However, "criminal slaves" were beyond my expectations.

There was a clanging sound. The sound of the iron bars.

And the person who made the iron bars clang looked like a "bad guy."

"Hey, kid. Are you a noble's kid?"

"No."

"Alright. If you don't have money, you're not welcome here."

The "bad guy" then went back into the depths of the iron bars. ...I was a bit surprised.

"Hey, Togo. This is..."

"A bit surprised, but I want to see everyone."

Faye tried to stop me again, but I wanted to see everyone.

The people behind the iron bars had fierce eyes, were sleeping, or were muttering to themselves and banging their heads against the wall. ...Yeah, they are definitely not suitable for taking care of me. They make me feel uneasy. In a different way from the women earlier.

Some even threw things through the gaps in the iron bars. Broken glass bottles and such. I wish they wouldn't throw things. It's dangerous. But Faye's summoned creatures protected me, so I was fine.

Still, I looked at the row of iron bars. I looked at many scary people, and I looked, and I looked... and then.

At the very back of the iron bars, I found someone.

...Sharp eyes. A clear, straight nose. A well-built body. Long hair and a beard that looked like they had grown out. This person, who looked like a "warrior"... reminded me of something.

The plaster statue in the art room.

It's called the Hercules statue, apparently.

"I'll choose this person."

I decided on this person.

Because I want to draw this person.