Chapter 5

Thank you for the bookmark and the rating.

I added a bit more description of Aura and Lily.

I came to the guild the next day. Thanks to the hood, it seems that no one has recognized me as the one from yesterday.

"Asuka-san, good morning. Here, this is yesterday's lunch box. It was delicious."

"Good morning, Nest-san. Thank you for bringing back the lunch box. Also, I've prepared a table for the treatments, so please use it."

As she said this, Asuka pointed to a table.

"Basically, it's fine for you to decide the price. Of course, I wouldn't want it to be too high, but with you, I don't have to worry about that. Please take care of it."

However, I don't plan to do any treatments today. It seems my Heal is abnormal, so I want to at least be able to use a normal Heal. If I can't learn it today, I'll try again tomorrow, but since I've seen the real thing up close this time, I'm sure I'll be able to learn it quickly.

---

"Starting treatments. Prices will be negotiated based on the condition of the injuries."

"Here we go."

I set up a sign I had made beforehand next to the table. People around me looked at me curiously, but they seemed a bit pleased when they saw the sign.

I took out a knife from my bag.

"Let's start, then."

Unlike before, I made a small cut on my hand, just enough to leave a slight scar. There's no point in healing the entire wound here, so I focused on healing it a little.

"Heal."

However, I ended up healing it completely, even though I only wanted to heal it a little. As expected, my first attempt failed.

To improve my control over my magic, I repeated the process over and over again.

"Heal."

After a while, I finally succeeded.

From then on, I succeeded smoothly without any failures.

Now I can use Heal without arousing suspicion.

With nothing else to do, I left the guild.

---

On my way back to the inn, I found something interesting: a "slave market."

I've never had anything to do with such things before, so I was a bit curious.

The slave market was full of slaves of various races, from humans to elves. Of course, slaves are expensive. I wasn't really interested in buying any, but as I was looking around, I noticed a particular notice.

"Challenge from the Slave Market! Win the approval of the princess who brought down a nation!"

In short, it said, "There's a former princess who won't listen to anyone. If you can get her to recognize you as her master, we'll give her to you for free! However, if you fail, you'll have to leave half of the money you currently have. *Anyone is welcome."

I don't have much money on me, but this seems like something I could try. After all, I'll have a way to earn money from tomorrow... I might as well do it now while I don't have any money!

---

Now, I'm supposed to be meeting the former princess, but for some reason, she's tending to a girl lying on the bed behind her.

The girl, with her short, neatly cut red hair, exudes an indescribable charm.

The girl on the bed looks unwell, her face pale, almost as blue as her hair.

"Um, former princess? I'd like to talk to you..."

"Don't talk to me! I'm busy, so go away quickly!!"

What a good business the slave market is doing. That's a bit harsh, though...

"Um, what's wrong with that girl?"

Thinking the princess was a lost cause, I asked about the girl who had been on my mind.

"..., This girl is my sister. Not by blood, though."

"Ah, I see. Is she sick or something?"

Otherwise, I can't imagine the princess being so desperate to take care of her.

"This girl is sick. There's no known cure. She's surviving on medication, but to get that medication, I have to turn you away. So, can you please leave?"

Wow. I didn't know they had such a way of making money these days. The people at the slave market are smart, I must say.

But what should I do... Should I use a recovery spell? It's pitiful... sigh.

"Heal."

I decided to use it, even though I had decided not to. There's no other way.

The girl's body was enveloped in light. The light quickly faded, leaving the girl sleeping peacefully.

"Eh, what did you do!?"

"Um, a recovery spell. I think she's cured."

"Recovery spell..."

The princess stood there, mouth agape, in a daze.

"Well, I'll be going now. She should wake up soon."

"Eh, wait a minute!"

The former princess grabbed my arm as I tried to leave the room. It feels like déjà vu...

"Ah, you want me, don't you!? That's why you healed her, right!?"

Ah, objectively, it does look that way... But I don't really want a slave.

"Um, I just thought it would be interesting to try. When I thought about it, it would cost a lot in lodging and stuff, so I don't really need her."

"You don't need her!?"

For some reason, the princess looks shocked, but I ignore it and head for the door.

"Well, if you leave, what will happen to that girl?"

I try to counterattack with my HP at 1.

"Actually, she's not a slave. She's just here. So, if you stay, I'll give you another one."

---

I'm sorry, Dad and Mom. My HP is now 0.

---

"Phew, finally got out of there!"

Walking beside me is the princess, and the girl is sleeping on my back.

The people at the slave market were initially very surprised, but being professionals, they quickly composed themselves and completed the contract. I pretended not to notice their slightly regretful expressions.

Actually, I impulsively got a slave, but what should I do now... I held my head in my hands.