Chapter 25

Today, I turned three years old.

I've gotten used to my body as Rain Duke of Orion and can now sprint without any trouble.

I've saved up some money, so I'm planning to go buy another slave.

By the way, this will be the third time I've ventured into town.

The second time was for the Kingdom Founding Festival, which happens roughly every three years (though it sometimes shifts by one or two years). I went with my parents, but there wasn't much to talk about.

It was just a noisy festival where everyone said "Happy New Year" or something like that, and at the time, as a two-year-old, I didn't really care.

Of course, I received pocket money and managed to save it without spending even a single copper coin, hiding it away.

I have a three-tiered dresser in my room.

I've removed the bottom drawer and stored the money there.

It's my carefully thought-out hiding spot, and I'm quite confident about it.

If I listen to my parents and behave properly, they occasionally give me pocket money.

Thanks to this, I've managed to save up 30 gold coins.

This amount makes me think, "Isn't this a bit too much?" but since the Orion family is wealthy, I guess it's normal.

In my previous life, I heard stories about noble children who squandered their parents' money, so I guess this is a common occurrence.

It's not like there would be a book detailing the allowances of a duke's children.

(Think of it as an investment)

I silently thank them and head straight to the slave market.

I'll be using a carriage today.

It's a high-end carriage, spacious enough for two adults to sit comfortably on one side.

I've had enough of walking.

I'm bringing Skuna and a maid with me.

Skuna said he didn't need to come, but for some reason, he insisted on following.

He said he wanted to give his opinion since he will be a colleague and an educator.

(No, I don't really listen to your opinions, though.)

I have no intention of listening to their opinions, as I'll be using my Divine Eye to choose a good slave.

I plan to make a quick decision and buy immediately.

After a while of the carriage shaking, a voice calls out.

"Master Rain, we're almost there."

"Understood."

I pull myself together for the final briefing, which is basically the same as last time, with the maid doing most of the talking and me chiming in when necessary.

Holding the maid's hand, I enter the slave market with Skuna.

The same slave merchant from last time is there.

"Oh! Master Rain and Lady Maid, and even Skuna! Thank you for coming!"

"It's been a while.

Skuna has been well-behaved.

I hope you can assist us again today."

"It's been a while! Yes! That's wonderful!

I'm here to assist you as well!"

He greets us with even more exaggerated politeness than before.

"Then, shall we get straight to it? I'm here to buy a slave who can also fight. Do you have any recommendations?"

(No, maid... Asking for recommendations right away is a bit too early.

At least ask about the preferred age or whether they should be combat-oriented or household-oriented.)

I think to myself but stay silent.

Even if they have high levels and magical talent, I'd say no thanks if they introduced me to a middle-aged man in his 30s.

"Yes! Of course! Would you like the same age range as last time?"

(Oh! Nice assist, slave merchant!)

"Right. My apologies.

I'd like them to be between 5 and 10 years old, any race or gender."

"Understood!

We have a pair of 7-year-old brothers who are highly recommended!"

He quickly walks to the back.

"Master Rain, they are recommended."

"Recommended, huh... This is promising."

Even I, known for my lack of social awareness (which was one of the reasons I was bullied in my previous life), don't use my Divine Eye to predict the future. I need to learn to wait.

Soon, the slave merchant returns with the two brothers.

"Thank you for waiting.

These twin brothers are among the best slaves since the establishment of this market!

Their names are Kō and Mei."

He enthusiastically explains to me.

The twin boys look identical, with golden hair, blue eyes, and a cute, young face.

They are even shorter than me, who is about 105 centimeters tall, which is quite tall for a child in Japan, if I remember correctly.

They look to be around 90 centimeters tall.

I immediately use my Divine Eye to check them.

[Kō/Lv. 6]

[Male/AB/6531/7/12]

[Dwarf/Slave]

[HP 103/103

MP 165/165

STR 38

VIT 45

AGI 46

[Magic]

Wind Magic LV.1

[Skills]

Rare 6 Twin's Blessing

[Mei/Lv. 6]

[Male/AB/6531/7/12]

[Dwarf/Slave]

[HP 103/103

MP 165/165

STR 38

VIT 45

AGI 46

[Magic]

Earth Magic LV.1

[Skills]

Rare 6 Twin's Blessing

(Twin's Blessing?)

I use my Divine Eye to check it.

Twin's Blessing Rarity 6

This skill activates only for siblings born on the same day and at the same time from the same parents.

It allows the transfer of all stats, including HP, between the siblings.

However, if one's HP drops to 1, they cannot transfer HP.

There is no limit to the range of transfer, and it can be done as long as the recipient is alive.

(That's... strong...

It essentially doubles their strength.

And it works as long as they're alive...

Ah, but there is a weakness.

They can't see each other's stats, so they might not realize if one of them dies.

Their full potential is realized when both are together.

Also, are dwarves supposed to be around here?

I thought they lived in the western empire...)

I assume they must have been brought here somehow, and while I'm lost in thought, the negotiation begins.

It seems I missed some parts of the skill explanation, but they weren't relevant to me.

"Then! To the point! The price is a special, super discount of 35 gold coins for both!"

He announces this with the loudest voice he can muster.

"Cheaper!!"

(Ah, crap!)

I blurt out.

(No way, this is too cheap. Two slaves with different magical talents and a Rare 6 Twin's Blessing for just 35 gold coins?

Even I, who don't know the market well, can tell this is a steal.)

The slave merchant is momentarily surprised by my words but quickly regains his composure and smiles again.

The maid speaks for me.

"Isn't this a bit too cheap?

We can't afford to give Master Rain slaves with problematic personalities..."

The slave merchant hurriedly denies this.

"Oh no, not at all! They are very serious and excellent twins! I swear on the honor of my shop!"

"Then why are they so cheap?"

The maid asks, a bit hesitantly.

"Well, if we raised them and sold them, they would easily fetch 100 gold coins.

But, I heard about Master Rain's status and thought I should take this opportunity!

This is a special, super discount for you!"

(Ah, I see. He heard about my status.

As the first candidate to inherit this territory, he wants to make a good impression.

In the long run, it's a profitable deal, and he can bask in the glory of the duke's family.)

At three years old, I can no longer hide my existence, and rumors about me being the next heir of the duke's family are already circulating among the merchants.

(They wouldn't know if they didn't deal with people.)

But I still don't have enough money.

I'm short by 5 gold coins.

The maid, who knows this, says frankly,

"Excuse me, but we only have 30 gold coins and are short by 5. Can you give us a discount?"

(You should be more discreet! This is a classic example of showing your hand.)

She reveals her hand too quickly.

"I'm very sorry, but I can't do that.

I've already given the lowest possible price, and I can't lower it even by a single copper coin."

He says this apologetically but firmly.

"Then, can you hold them for a few days?"

The maid suggests.

(Oh! Good idea!)

I silently praise her.

"I'm very sorry, but the longer we hold them, the higher the price will go.

As I mentioned, they are low level and have magical talent, which is why they are priced this way."

I missed this part earlier, but I know it.

"..."

The maid looks at me for guidance.

I lean in and whisper to her to try asking for a favor.

The slave merchant's response is,

"I'm very sorry, but our shop, like most slave markets, does not allow deferred or installment payments.

The reason is that we deal with living beings, and we can't predict what will happen the next day.

In the past, this has led to disputes..."

They might suddenly fall ill or run away before payment is made, leading to arguments and payment disputes.

Since then, they only accept full payment upfront, and refunds are only given if the buyer hasn't taken possession of the slave.

But I can't give up.

From what I can see with my Divine Eye, there are no abnormalities.

Their personalities are irrelevant; I can't tell anyway.

So, I'll buy them!

How?

I'll have to ask my parents, which I didn't want to do.

So, we agree to keep the price the same for today and return home.

I go to my mother's room, take a deep breath, and knock.

She answers, and I enter.

"Oh, Rain. Welcome back.

I heard you went to buy another slave today. How did it go?"

She asks immediately.

"Um... Well, I have something to discuss with you, Mother...

I need to ask for your help..."

"What is it?"

I clear my throat, take a deep breath, and gather my courage.

"Mother, I... I don't have enough money...

I need 5 gold coins...

Can you lend them to me?

Please?"

I bow deeply.

I'm willing to kowtow if necessary.

There's a moment of silence.

I almost urge her to speak but remember the saying "Silence is golden" and keep my head down.

"Alright, I'll lend them to you."

She says, though technically, it's all her and my father's money.

"Thank you, Mother!"

"But!! There are conditions."

My mother, unusually serious, says.

"First, we will educate the slaves to be suitable for this household.

Second, until you turn 15, I will be in charge of their training.

You focus on your own responsibilities.

Do you understand these two conditions?"

(Oh! Tough conditions!

And she's binding me until I'm 15.

I haven't decided when I'll leave home to become an adventurer, so this means I can't leave until I'm 15 if I agree.)

Since coming to this world, I've vowed never to break a promise.

If I agree, I'll have to stay until I'm 15.

It's a good age to become an adventurer, but I have some resistance to being bound.

(But... Kō and Mei are only available now...)

I hesitate, and she says,

"Then, let's make it 12.

I can't go any lower."

It's a simple strategy: start with tough conditions and then soften them.

But even knowing this, I can't resist.

I'm weak for bargains and limited-time offers.

"Alright. I, Rain Duke of Orion, swear to these conditions!"

I agree.

I doubt there will be better slaves.

12 is fine (I think).

The first condition is something I can't avoid living in this house anyway.

But if they receive the same education as Skuna, I can trust it.

And so, I successfully bought the Kō and Mei brothers.

I hugged my mother in excitement, but that's a secret.