Chapter 27

I stood there and immediately decided to purchase the dark elf criminal slave.

The price was 16 million CL. It's a sign of the times that a promising, shining blacksmith apprentice would be worth this much.

"Then we will proceed with the subjugation contract."

Philip said this and took out a piece of paper. It was a contract used for the subjugation magic. I had seen it before in Mefion. A master and slave bound by the subjugation magic skill cannot take any actions that go against the content written in this contract. It's not a matter of what happens if the contract is broken; a strange compulsion makes it impossible to break. Well, actually, there are plenty of backdoor methods to break it without penalty...

By the way, the subjugation magic was supposed to be a specific NPC's unique skill that appeared a few times in the story of Mefion, which was half there and half not. Of course, that NPC wasn't Philip, and players couldn't learn it. This means that in this world, the conditions for obtaining NPC unique skills have been newly set, and there are multiple people who can use NPC unique skills other than the designated NPCs.

"Is the content of the contract satisfactory?"

Oh, I haven't read it yet. What is it? The master and slave (hereinafter referred to as Party A and Party B) hereby enter into a contract as follows. Article 1: Party A is obligated to provide Party B with appropriate and reasonable food, clothing, and shelter, i.e., a level of support that does not undermine human dignity... Hmm...

...Yeah, I see. I skimmed through it, but in essence, it says, "The master must treat the slave humanely, and the slave must be obedient to the master." It's a reasonable content.

There is just one point that concerns me. It's the last item added.

"Article 29: Party B shall not take any offensive actions against any human."

Wow, that's harsh. It might be a light punishment for a former assassin, but if this happens, you can't defend yourself if someone attacks you... That's surprising.

"Is there nothing that can be done about this?"

"Yes. It's an order from the country, so there's nothing that can be done..."

Philip made a bitter expression.

"Can't be helped. I'll ask for the contract with this content."

"As you wish."

Well, it's limited to "humans," so as long as I can attack monsters, gaining experience points won't be a problem. I reluctantly agreed and signed the contract. The dark elf slave also signed it.

Philip, seeing this, activated the subjugation magic.

Something invisible connected between me and the dark elf. It's quite a new sensation. Her slender, well-shaped eyebrows twitched.

"The subjugation contract is now complete. Thank you for your purchase, Second. The Maurice Guild looks forward to your next visit."

The contract was completed so smoothly.

The dark elf, freed from the chains, walked over to me and stood silently behind me.

"......"

What is it? It's really awkward.

"What's your name?"

"I don't have one."

"Is that so? Gozaimasen, let's head back to the reception room."

"...I mean, I don't have a name."

"......"

My best joke didn't land. Not only that, but this dark elf even looked exasperated. She's a brave one, even as a slave.

...But not having a name. What kind of life has she led?

"Just kidding. But it's hard to call you without a name. Can I give you one?"

"Sure."

Hmm, a name... Dark elf, brown skin, nice body... purple hair, purple, purple, violet, purple, purple...

I crossed my arms and grunted, thinking for about five minutes before deciding on her name.

"How about Yuki?"

When I said this, her eyes widened slightly.

"Understood. I am Yuki. Nice to meet you, Master."

Yuki bowed beautifully.

It was so graceful that I almost bowed back.

"Call me Second. I'll introduce you to the others later."

"Understood."

I was slightly flustered by the word "Master" but tried not to show it as I turned my back to Yuki and hurried to Sylvia and Echo.

Yuki followed quietly behind. She must be a former assassin; I couldn't even hear her footsteps.

"I'm back."

"Oh, Second. Did you find a good blacksmith—"

When we returned to the reception room, Sylvia greeted me, but her words stopped when her gaze fell on Yuki.

"...Second, could it be that this beautiful dark elf woman is—"

"Yeah. Her name is Yuki. I'm going to train her as a blacksmith from today."

"...Oh my."

Sylvia collapsed. "A female blacksmith was unexpected," "Why didn't I consider this possibility," "And she's so big!" she muttered.

"I'm Echo! Yuki, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you, Echo-sama."

"Echo-sama? Just Echo."

"Nice to meet you, Echo-san."

"Echo-san? Just Echo."

"...Echo, nice to meet you."

"Yup!"

Echo's communication skills are amazing. Still, Yuki, who maintained her composure without changing her expression, is also impressive.

"That's Sylvia. She's a fine magic archer, despite appearances."

I introduced her. Yuki tilted her head at "magic archer?" but nodded when I said, "You'll understand later."

"Let's buy Yuki a horse and some clothes, then head back to Peho. We'll have a meeting about the future after that."

With that, we left the Maurice Guild.

And so, the aspiring blacksmith Yuki joined our group.

...At first, I thought she was just nervous.

But that wasn't the case.

On the way back to Peho, I tried to bond with Yuki by talking about various things.

The result was a dud.

No matter what I said, Yuki remained expressionless, responding in a very dry, almost mechanical way.

It wasn't just me; Sylvia and Echo got the same reaction when they tried to talk to her.

Is she suppressing her emotions?

I can't read her true self.

The only time I thought I saw her true self was when she said "Gozaimasen."

That exasperated look—over the past half day, that was the only emotion I could discern from her.

I'm not good at communication, so I'm already at a loss.

Even though she's a slave, she's a new companion. I'd like to get along with her.

If we don't have a good relationship, even if she becomes an excellent blacksmith, she might leave.

What should I do... I thought and thought.

And in the end, I always come to the same conclusion.

I'll just ask her straight out.

"Yuki, can I ask about your past?"

As soon as we arrived at the inn, I called Yuki to my room.

"Is that an order?"

In response to my question, Yuki said coldly.

Her eyes were slightly trembling.

"You don't have to if you don't want to."

"...Then I will remain silent."

She refused, firmly.

I maintained my composure and said, "I see. We'll gather in the next room for dinner in 15 minutes," and sent her back to her room.

It was a very short exchange.

"......Haha, ha, ha"

Oops, I couldn't help but smile.

But I didn't expect to get so much out of it.

Because in response to my straightforward question, Yuki showed more emotion than ever before.

It was confusion, pretense, guilt, and... fear.

She has something in her past. That's why she doesn't say much and acts like a non-threatening slave. And she's "afraid" of her past being known.

The reason for hiding her past—probably related to her work as an assassin.

But I already know that. She must know that I know.

Then why hide it? Why be afraid? Why act?

......

"Oh, I see."

I suddenly realized.

Back when I was the world's best. "What do you do for a living, Seven?" I remember feeling a similar emotion to Yuki's when asked this question.

I didn't want to tell the truth, so I had to lie. I always answered, "Real estate."

Why did I hide it? Because it would ruin the current, harmless relationship. If people knew I was unemployed, they would always look at me with "that look." I was afraid of that, so I kept my distance from others. I was always acting. "I have money and time, so I'm just doing it for fun and became the world's best," that was the act.

...Yuki's reasons are probably not as light as mine. But I think there are some similarities. The part where she's avoiding reality.

"There's no way they'll accept it even if I reveal it." She must have this thought.

"Devote your life to an online game? How wonderful!" No one would say that. She's given up.

If that's the case.

What we need to do to bring out her true self is.

To make her believe, "These people will definitely accept me even if I reveal my past."

It's difficult.

Very difficult, but it's worth a try.

"Alright!"

I stood up with renewed determination.

First things first, dinner!

Thank you for reading.