Chapter 12

Xiao Ming stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

In the slave market, there were many slave traders.

I am now about to buy a slave from one of them, no, I am about to make a contract...

I am not very familiar with the slave system in this world, which is different from what I knew on Earth.

Those who possess 《Curse》 can have it removed after serving for five years.

Therefore, one goes through a slave trader to enter into a "service contract" with someone like me who needs a cursed slave. After serving for five years, the 《Curse》 is removed.

I don't know much about 《Curse》, but I have a vague understanding of the system.

In other words, the position of a slave trader is probably similar to a dispatch company in Japan. Those registered with the curse are called "cursed slaves," and the contractors are the dispatch companies.

Hmm, thinking about it, it seems like a fairly normal system. But the term "slave" is concerning. Why is such a negative term used...?

The uncle, who is the shop owner, recommended three cursed slaves.

The first is a handsome but strong-willed man. 20 gold coins.

The second is a cat-eared beast boy with no left arm. 5 gold coins.

The third is a slender, handsome man with long bangs. 9 gold coins.

"Let me confirm... Are there no female cursed slaves?"

"Yeah, you want a female cursed slave, huh?"

"Oh, yes."

"Sorry, I thought you were nervous, so it was my attempt at a joke. If it made you feel bad, I apologize. And there are no women in my shop, sorry."

I felt a bit down, and the uncle said, "Sorry," to me.

In other words, he was trying to ease my tension with a joke... Is a father's dirty joke a universal language or something? It's tiring.

"Female cursed slaves who can act as guards are more expensive than males. Besides, foolish adventurers who mistake the party for a harem often contract them."

"Is that so..."

Well, what should I do? Honestly, I was planning to get a female because I'm not used to males... But looking at this, there are few females.

So, I should choose from these three... No, the handsome one is over budget, so I should choose from the two. The contract options are the beast boy and the inexplicably cheap male.

Thinking about the future... First, I need to get through the "Forest of Confusion" and return home. Along the way, I need them to fight monsters. I will support them. So... wouldn't it be dangerous if they are not skilled?

"Well, I understand why you might prefer a female. By the way, are you related to the Meldeite family? You were talking to Lord Cleaf and Lord Alfred just now, right?"

When I was wondering what to do, the uncle mentioned Cleaf and Alfred. Hmm... I did talk to them, but are they acquaintances? With a question mark in my mind, I looked at the uncle, and he continued to explain.

"Those two are famous, so no one in this country doesn't know them. When you said you were going to contract a cursed slave, Lord Cleaf was glaring at the surroundings. You are well-protected."

"Really? I didn't know... Is that so?"

"Yeah. So, no one will recommend a bad slave to you, hahaha! Besides, the cursed slave is bound by magic, so there's no danger to the owner. If you don't like it, you can return it within three days."

So, I was unknowingly supported by Cleaf! When I meet him next, I must thank him!

I made this vow in my heart and returned my gaze to the beast boy. There's a return period... Is it like a cooling-off period?

"Return within three days... What does that mean?"

"Yeah, you don't seem to know much about the cursed slave system. When a slave trader sells a cursed slave to a customer, there is a mandatory three-day return period. If you don't like it after the contract, you can return it to the shop for the same price. However, if the condition is not the same as when you bought it, the same amount cannot be refunded. Of course, this applies to my shop as well. So, most people buy on impulse. Of course, Lord Cleaf does too! Because you can return it! Hahaha! But if you do it three times in a row, you'll be put on a blacklist, so be careful."

I see...

So, there is such a system. Does this mean that there is a somewhat decent system despite the appearance? "Same condition" means no injuries, right? Hmm... It's hard to decide.

As I was thinking, the uncle explained about the cursed slaves.

"That's Shin. His village was attacked by bandits, and he was injured. He can handle a knife with his right hand, but he's not very good at defense."

"I see..."

Seeing my gaze on the beast boy, the uncle explained.

What a dramatic story... It's a grand life that makes my own life pale in comparison, Shin.

I am truly reminded of how different this world is from Japan.

"Which one fits your budget?"

"Yes... As you can see. And... I want to go to the Forest of Confusion."

"Ah, the nearby Forest of Confusion? It's shallow, so either of the cursed slaves should be fine. By the way, this one is a staff user named Iku. He's quite strong, but... he has no vision in his left eye, and his right eye isn't very good either."

"His eyes...?"

So, that's why his gaze was so unfocused.

His eyes, which are losing their light, seem to be covered with a weak haze. But, there's something about those eyes that draws me in...

"Can your eyes... not be cured?"

I squatted in front of the cage and gently asked Iku.

He slightly raised his head and looked back at me. Then, he opened his mouth and replied.

"The doctor said... they can't be cured. The right eye, which still sees, is said to lose its vision over time."

It seems there's no hope for a cure.

If it could be cured with a recovery potion, it would have been cured already... It must be a disease or something. Thinking about it, a flower suddenly came to mind. ...Is it doing well? But the photo of the flower given by God looked happy... Ah, I'm getting teary-eyed.

Iku and Shin, the two with visible eyes. I extended my hand to Iku.

"Even though you can't see, if you like... would you come with me?"

"...! I can see with my right eye now, but I will eventually go completely blind... Even so, will you contract with me?"

"Yes. Is it okay...?"

"Of course, miss, always!"

Iku and I were talking, and the uncle suddenly interrupted. Well, if I can't sell Iku, the uncle will lose money.

I took 9 gold coins from my backpack and handed them to the uncle.

"I have indeed received 90,000 rils. Now, we will make the cursed slave contract, so lend me your ID card. And your left hand, too."

"Ah, yes."

Oh, I didn't know I needed an ID card.

The uncle placed the ID card on a box-like device... Is it a magic tool? He instructed me to place my left hand on it, and I obediently followed. Then, Iku extended his left hand from the cage and placed it on top. The device glowed, and Iku's left hand... no, his little finger, glowed.

"Alright, the cursed slave contract is complete. Do you want an explanation?"

"Yes, please."

The uncle wrote Iku's information as a cursed slave on my ID card. Now, Iku is officially my cursed slave. The cursed slave is controlled by a pattern on the little finger of the left hand, which connects to the owner. In simple terms, the cursed slave cannot attack the owner, and if you say "order" before a command, the cursed slave cannot disobey. If they do, they will be hit by intense pain. However, you can only use this "order" three times, so don't forget.

"Wow... That's scary."

"Well, it's a safety feature. The pattern on Iku's little finger is a combination of your magic and Iku's magic. Check it out."

I took Iku's hand from the cage and looked at his little finger. There was a pattern that looked like a ring, with a small flower and grass surrounding it.

"The cursed slave pattern varies depending on the contractor and the cursed slave. Usually, it's just a line, but if it's wavy or has a different shape, it means the contractor and the cursed slave are compatible. In that case, the cursed slave can be powered up through the pattern by the contractor's magic..."

"It looks like a crown... cute."

"What!?"

"...!"

While the uncle was explaining the cursed slave pattern, I couldn't help but say my honest thoughts. Surprised by my voice, the uncle and Iku also focused on the finger. A slightly awkward silence followed as they stared at the little finger. Finally, the uncle spoke.

"I've never seen such a magnificent cursed slave pattern."

"Eh?"

"Usually, the cursed slave pattern is just a line. If it's a little wavy, it's lucky. The compatibility between you and Iku is not just good, it's fate."

"Really...?"

"Yes. And one last thing... As long as you provide the minimum necessities for the cursed slave, it's fine. However, if you treat them too poorly, they can sue you. Also, the cursed slave contract is terminated after five years of service, so don't forget. When that time comes, go to a proper cursed slave guild to terminate the contract, not a shop like mine. The contract can be terminated by either party, so the cursed slave can go alone after five years."

I see.

If I treat them poorly, I can be sued... Yes, if there's such a system, I can feel a bit more at ease.

I looked at Iku's little finger again.

Indeed, there was a cute crown-like pattern. Since the uncle said he had never seen it before, it must be very rare.

I, who am weak, can achieve great results in such matters... like recovery potions or herb cultivation. And this cursed slave pattern. Well, I should think of it as lucky.

After that, I received Iku from the uncle, and we left the cursed slave market.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Let's start again... I am Nanami Kusunoki. Nice to meet you, Iku."

"Nice to meet you. ...By the way, as a cursed slave, please call me 'Iku' without honorifics."

"Eh... But I'm younger than you?"

"You are my master."

"Umm... Okay, Iku."

"Yes."

I walked a step ahead, and Iku followed silently behind.

To be honest, I'm quite nervous. After all, I was planning to buy a female cursed slave. It feels like having an idol next to me.

Right, in such a situation, it's time for a meal...! Just in time, a restaurant came into view about three meters ahead. I told Iku we were having a meal and entered the restaurant.

The building was made of wood with large windows. The bright interior was bustling with people.

"Well, what should I eat? ...Eh?"

What's happening? Iku stood behind me and didn't move after sitting down.

When I turned around with a puzzled look, Iku had a question mark on his face.

"Iku... It's a meal, so please sit down."

"I... I am your cursed slave. It's unthinkable for me to sit in the same seat as you."

"...Sit down?"

"...Yes."

I felt a bit irritated, and my voice became slightly lower.

But, cursed slaves are not supposed to sit in the same seat as their masters? If there's such a rule, it's a pain in the ass! Iku seemed to sense my irritation and had a guilty look on his face.

"Ah... Sorry. I've been living alone in the forest, so I don't know much about common sense."

"No..."

While thinking about what to do, I ordered the daily special for two. Iku looked surprised. Was he surprised that I ordered for him...?

I'm not regretting it, but I'm wondering if I can handle a cursed slave. From Iku's reaction, it seems the treatment of cursed slaves is not as good as I thought. So, I can't follow the general rules of the cursed slave system... I want to treat him normally. Is this the Japanese way?

"First... I want to talk to Iku properly."

"Talk?"

"Yes. I did buy you and make a contract, but