Chapter 63

"Why is the chieftain's daughter here in the middle of a slave market? Answer me."

"Ugh..."

The girl, Peiyu, hesitated, but since the spell of absolute obedience had already been cast on her, she couldn't disobey my command. She answered my question with a pained expression, speaking hesitantly.

"My father let me escape."

"From the chieftain? But if you're the chieftain's daughter, you should be a high-priority prize. It wouldn't be easy to let you escape, and even if you did, it's strange that you'd end up being sold like this."

"My father, along with my mother, killed another child and then committed suicide."

"I see."

That made sense.

I looked at His Majesty, who had ruled the empire for many years and even led campaigns himself. He nodded quietly.

The chieftain must have staged a family suicide to cover up his defeat.

That was a common occurrence.

The fate of the defeated in war was usually tragic.

Rather than live to suffer, and let their children suffer, defeated leaders often killed their families.

The chieftain probably did that, and when the scene was investigated, the numbers matched, so it was processed as such.

"So, you were let go, but couldn't escape and were captured and sold as a slave."

"..."

Peiyu nodded quietly.

"Throw away your name and live quietly somewhere... that's what he said."

"I see."

I understand now.

"Noah, what will you do with this girl?"

His Majesty asked, and Peiyu shuddered.

As the Minister of Justice, I pulled out the imperial laws that I had memorized.

"The Saeyi clan never surrendered to the empire, so this is not a rebellion. Therefore, if the chieftain's bloodline is involved, the men are to be beheaded, and the women are to be given as slaves to those with merit."

"There's no need to do anything special, then?"

"That's correct."

Peiyu had already become a slave.

With the spell of absolute obedience cast on her, she couldn't disobey my commands no matter what.

If I ordered her to die, she would cry and scream, but her body would move on its own to follow the command.

I looked at Peiyu, our eyes met, and she quickly averted her gaze, looking frightened.

She was watching my expression, clearly understanding that the man in front of her held her life in his hands.

"In that case, I'll give this girl to Noah."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

I knelt and bowed.

I was officially granted the girl by His Majesty.

I stood up and looked at Peiyu.

"That's the plan. From now on, you'll be my slave. You'll work as a maid in my mansion."

"A maid, huh?"

"Yes."

"Aren't you going to kill me?"

"There's no need."

People are valuable.

I had just heard about Jerry's excellent performance, and since Peiyu was already under the spell of absolute obedience, I had no intention of killing her.

"Um, um..."

After a moment of hesitation, Peiyu mustered her courage and spoke up.

"Can't the others come with me...?"

"Others?"

"Yes."

Peiyu nodded timidly and looked around.

There were still many burlap sacks around her.

"They're all friends from the same village..."

"I see."

I nodded and turned to the slave trader, who had been silent the whole time.

"I'll buy all of them here."

"Thank you for your purchase!"

"And did you hear what I just said?"

I took out the gold I was carrying in a bag and handed it to the slave trader.

I gave him 1000 Reen.

"If there are any more survivors of the Saeyi clan, don't sell them; send them to the Thirteenth Prince's mansion."

"Prince, Your Highness!?"

The slave trader was dramatically surprised.

"Understood. I'll take care of it."

"Is that clear?"

"---! Yes! Thank you!"

Peiyu looked incredibly grateful, her face breaking into a radiant smile.

Her smile was beautiful, and it was a little firm, but more than that...

---

Name: Noah Ararat

Minister of Justice

Gender: Male

Level: 15/∞

HP: C+D Fire: E+A

MP: E+D Water: C+S

Strength: C+A Wind: E+F

Stamina: D+D Earth: E+D

Intelligence: E+D Light: E+C

Spirit: E+D Dark: E+C

Speed: E+E

Dexterity: E+D

Luck: E+D

---

The increase in the "+" for Stamina was more noticeable.

☆

A few days later, at the Nishir mansion in the capital of Almeria Province.

I arrived in the afternoon and called for Zoe in the living room.

Zoe, the head maid, has unwavering loyalty to me, and I trust her with the management of all the maids.

I called her in.

"I'm entrusting all the slaves I brought back from the capital to you."

"Understood. Should they all be maids?"

"Yes. They're under the spell of absolute obedience, and I've instructed them to obey your commands unless I override them. I'm entrusting them all to you."

"Understood."

"And---"

Just as I was about to give a few more instructions, the door opened, and Audrey entered the room.

"Welcome back, Master Noah."

"Thank you. Did anything happen to the mansion while I was away?"

"Nothing unusual. Everything is as usual."

"I see."

"I have something to report, Master Noah."

"What is it?"

"I'm pregnant."

"..."

I was a bit surprised.

I stood up and approached Audrey.

Though it wasn't visible, I knelt in front of her, looked at her belly, and gently touched it.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"I see. Well done. I'm happy."

It was a strange feeling.

After Audrey told me, a feeling welled up from deep within my chest.

A feeling of fulfillment.

The change in my emotions was intriguing.

"Thank you."

"We need to decide on a name."

"Please do."

I stood up and thought for a moment.

I considered several names, narrowed them down, and settled on two.

"If it's a boy, Sem."

"I think that's a wonderful name."

"If it's a girl, Avis---"

Right as I said that, something changed in a familiar scene.

---

Name: Noah Ararat

Minister of Justice

Gender: Male

Level: 15+1/∞

HP: C+D Fire: E+A

MP: E+D Water: C+S

Strength: C+A Wind: E+F

Stamina: D+D Earth: E+D

Intelligence: D+D Light: E+C

Spirit: E+D Dark: E+C

Speed: E+E

Dexterity: E+D

Luck: E+D

---

Not only did my abilities increase, but the level value also gained a "+".

"Is something wrong?"

"Zoe, show me my status."

I didn't answer Audrey directly but instead gave the order to Zoe, who had been standing a bit away.

Zoe cast the spell on me without asking for clarification.

---

Name: Noah Ararat

Minister of Justice

Gender: Male

Level: 16/∞

HP: A Fire: S

MP: C Water: SSS

Strength: SSS Wind: E

Stamina: B Earth: C

Intelligence: B Light: B

Spirit: C Dark: B

Speed: D

Dexterity: C

Luck: C

---

The official status was displayed.

Audrey, upon seeing it, said:

"Your level has increased. When did it happen?"

"Just now."

"Huh?"

"It increased when I named the child in your belly."

"---!"

Both Audrey and Zoe were surprised.

Both of them knew that my abilities increased as I gained subordinates and fiefs.

But this was the first time they saw my level increase.

"Your level also increases...? That's amazing..."

They were speechless at this new phenomenon.