Chapter 16

This is a story where Iku explains about the different world and slavery.

Hinami stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing secrets given to her by her mother.

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Since meeting Shia and Kilt, my daily life has been filled with new things.

I was able to leave this house, where I had always been alone, and go to town. Plus, I became friends with Shia. I think I was able to learn a little about this world for the first time.

"Hinami, here's your tea. By the way, why are you using a magic recovery potion as tea... It's a waste."

"Because it tastes good? It tastes like black tea."

While I was preparing fruit, Iku prepared the magic recovery potion, which he called tea. He took it out of the bottle and warmed it over the fire. This made a delicious cup of black tea.

Iku said, "It can't possibly taste good," but I'm sure he'll be surprised after taking a sip.

"Here, drink it!"

"...Okay. ...!?"

"See? It's delicious, right?"

"...Yeah, I'm surprised."

See, see, you were surprised, right?

"By the way... Who are you, Hinami?"

"Eh?"

"Because it's hard to believe that you live in the Forest of Confusion... You can cultivate medicinal herbs, but you don't seem to have the knowledge of a pharmacist."

Indeed, that's true... I guess I'm what you'd call a "mysterious girl" right now.

I came to this world two years ago. I've been in the forest all this time, and the first time I interacted with people was the day before yesterday. I guess I'm quite unconventional right now.

"This house... The craftsmanship of the magic tools is amazing... It's mysterious."

"Really? So I'm a mysterious girl!?"

"Eh?"

"Ah, never mind..."

That's right, I should explain to Iku. But what should I say... I'm worried.

I was brought here by God and live on points! That won't do... If I look at Iku, he's looking around the house curiously.

"Well, I don't really know much about this world, as Iku said..."

"Uh-huh?"

"I've been living here for two years, and..."

No good! I can't explain it properly...!

I don't even know where to start. Should I talk about God? I don't know if I should talk about it...

"Calm down..."

"!"

"Well, I can tell there's something going on."

"Thank you..."

I take a sip of tea to calm myself down. I feel embarrassed that I can't properly explain myself.

"Besides, I'm a cursed slave, so you don't have to force yourself to teach me."

"...That's not it."

"Uh-huh?"

"No, I'm sorry. Well... In the place where I lived, there was no such thing as a 'cursed slave.' So... I don't know how to explain it, but I can't treat Iku like a cursed slave."

"A place without a cursed slave system?"

"...Yeah."

I try to explain to Iku, bit by bit, that I don't understand and am not good with "cursed slaves." ...No, maybe my words didn't get across.

"I see. So, you treated me as a normal person, not as a cursed slave. Is that it?"

"Is... is that bad...?"

"No, it's not bad. I did think it was strange, but I could tell you didn't have any ill intentions."

Iku drinks his tea and rests his cheek on his hand, as if thinking. Then he looks at me and shakes his head.

"Hinami, you're special. You don't seem like a person from this world."

"!?"

"What, you look like I hit a nerve."

"No... It's nothing."

I didn't expect Iku to pinpoint it so accurately! I eat an apple to cover up and try to smile.

Ah, the apple is delicious.

"Well, I won't pry into your past anymore, so calm down."

"A, yeah... But, I'll try to gather my thoughts and tell you when I can!"

"Gathering your thoughts... Well, if that's what you want, that's fine."

"Thank you!"

I feel like I'm taking advantage of Iku's kindness, but there's nothing I can do about it. I need to check with the diary if I can talk about God.

Ah! But I want to know more about Iku. Is it okay for me to be the only one asking questions? But I guess it's polite to ask when I'm talking about myself, right?

I eat an apple, feeling conflicted, and when I look at Iku, he says, "What?"

"...You must want to ask me something, right?"

"Eh! How did you know!?"

"It's written all over your face."

"Ugh..."

Was it that obvious? I'm supposed to be good at poker face...

Iku says, "Go ahead," with a sigh. This means I can ask him anything!

"Still, I'm not that special. The cursed slave village I lived in was pretty normal."

Iku tilts his head slightly, as if to say, "There's no particularly interesting story."

No, no, wait. Even if Iku's life was normal, and he's a cursed slave, but...?

"Cursed slave village?"

"Eh, you don't know about that?"

"Eh?"

"Wait... I heard that you don't know much about common knowledge, but not knowing about cursed slave villages is a whole different level."

"...I'm glad to hear an explanation as if I'm a child who doesn't know anything."

How many times have I seen Iku's disappointed face?

"Then... Let's start from the beginning. Shall I explain about Lethisrill?"

"Yeah! Thank you!"

Iku explains Lethisrill to me in a way that I can understand, slowly and carefully.

This world... When there were no humans, animals, or even trees, it was a blank, barren land.

First, "rain" fell.

Next, the "sun" shone upon the land.

Finally, the "moon" gently enveloped it.

The rain moistened the land, and the sun and moon warmed it, giving birth to small trees. Later, these grew into a rich natural environment, and the goddess Lethisrill was born.

Lethisrill, born from this world, was very happy with the beautiful nature.

However, she also realized that she was alone.

Feeling lonely, Lethisrill created animals, humans, beastmen, and spirits.

They quickly became friends and lived happily. They named this world after the goddess... Lethisrill.

"...That's the beginning of this world."

"It's the name of the goddess...!"

"Yes. But this is the content of a picture book for small children."

"I didn't know, so I'm really grateful!"

"Sure. Well, up to this point is for small children. When children get a bit older, they learn about the... 'Curse' of the slave system from their parents."

The 'Curse' of the slave system. I've heard the word, but I don't know the specific content.

As I tilt my head, Iku starts to take off his jacket.

"Eh! What are you doing, Iku!"

"It's faster to show you."

Wh-what! Before I know it, Iku is bare-chested and looking at me. It's funny that I feel more embarrassed than Iku...!!

I turn my face away and try not to look at Iku's bare chest, but Iku calls out to me.

"This is the 'Curse'."

"...Eh?"

When I look at Iku, I see a tattoo-like mark, resembling a flower, clearly visible on his chest.

The moment I see it, the feeling of embarrassment disappears, and I feel a chill from its strangeness.

"What is that...?"

"...Let's continue the story."

The goddess Lethisrill lived happily with everyone in this world.

However, as time passed, the number of inhabitants in this world increased, and some began to leave Lethisrill. Although everyone was sad to see them go, they understood that it was not good to gather and harvest food in one place.

For a while, they occasionally visited Lethisrill and enjoyed light-hearted conversations. No one doubted that these happy times would continue forever.

However, there was a significant difference between Lethisrill and the others.

That is, the difference in lifespan.

Lethisrill, born as a goddess, did not know death.

As time passed, close friends would die, and new life would be born. Gradually, those who had moved far away began to forget about Lethisrill.

Several hundred years later... a tragedy occurred.

Lethisrill's precious "Gem Flower" was stolen. The thief was... a human, a beastman, or both. Shocked and deeply saddened by this sudden event, Lethisrill's tears overflowed, and the world was washed away by her tears.

When she realized, Lethisrill had disappeared, and a single flower was engraved on the chests of those who had stolen the "Gem Flower."

This was the 'Curse,' a mark of Lethisrill's sorrow. The 'Curse' had three effects:

'Curse'

Effects:

1. Decrease in status values.

2. Inability to use offensive magic skills.

3. Some kind of status abnormality.

Removal Method:

Dedicated service for 5 years.

At first, those who were marked with the 'Curse' did not understand its meaning and left it alone. However, the 'Curse' was passed down to their children. After several hundred years, people gained knowledge about status values and status abnormalities and realized that this was not right. All the inhabitants of the world began to work together to solve the problem.

The 'Curse' became known as the slave system, and the system of serving to remove the 'Curse' was established as the cursed slave system.

A guild was established to manage cursed slaves. This later grew into a neutral organization that also supported adventurers, becoming an essential part of Lethisrill.

The guild managed the core, with slave traders in the middle, and a system for making contracts was created.

"This is the beginning of this world, Lethisrill, and the story of the cursed slave system."

"..."

"I understand that it's hard to believe. The existence of a goddess itself sounds ridiculous."

Iku, who says this as if he doesn't believe in the goddess, looks somewhat sad.

"So... This cursed slave system is not strictly 'slavery'?"

"Name? Well, this is something the guild came up with, but it was a crime against the goddess Lethisrill, who was particularly devout. In short, those with the 'Curse' are descendants of thieves who stole from the goddess."

"But, but, it disappears after 5 years, right?"

"Yes. Those who believe in the goddess treat those whose 'Curse' has disappeared as if they have been forgiven by Lethisrill."

I see...

So, the cursed slave system is quite different from what I imagined.

Is this a testament to the goddess's sorrow? She was hurt by the theft of something precious... She couldn't forgive it... But she couldn't keep inflicting pain... Such kindness.

I feel sorry that the 'Curse' is passed down to children, but without knowing the exact events, I don't want to blame the goddess.

"So... Iku, you have restrictions and status abnormalities due to the 'Curse'?"

"Yes. But the extent to which the status values have decreased varies from person to person, so it's not known until the 'Curse' is removed. I can only use the exploration magic skill, so that's probably it. The status abnormalities don't affect my daily life, so it's not a problem."

"That's good... I'm glad there are no problems!"

I guess the status abnormalities are physical, and it's not good to pry, so I'll try not to mention it if there are no problems.

But if you seem to be in trouble, I'll support you with all my might!

But... wait...

"The 'Curse' disappears after 5 years, right? But there are a lot of cursed slaves, aren't there?"

"Thieves' descendants, I guess. Do you think someone who steals from the goddess would serve her for 5 years?"

"Oh, I see... If it doesn't affect their life, they can just leave it, right?"

"Yes. Those who become cursed slaves to remove the 'Curse'... Those who don't like having the 'Curse' on their chest. Those who don't like the status and offensive magic restrictions... These are adventurers, knights, or people living in areas with many monsters. And those who want to remove the status abnormalities. So, it's not that rare for people not to remove the 'Curse' through service. That's why the number of cursed slaves doesn't decrease. The guild is having trouble because the problem isn't being solved."

Oh...

I'm trying to organize the information I've received in my head. But, in other words, there are many people who leave the 'Curse' as it is, so the number of cursed slaves doesn't decrease?

Wait, wait...!

"Right! And, what about the cursed slave village?"

"Ah, it's a village where people like us with the 'Curse' live. Basically, those with the 'Curse' are managed by the guild. They can live normally in the city, but it's troublesome if they are found by people who believe in the goddess. So, people with the 'Curse' naturally gathered and formed a village. That's what's known as a cursed slave village."

"I see... I thought the cursed slave village would be a scary place."

"Well, it looks like a normal village."

The goddess and the 'Curse'.

Is the goddess gone now?

Or is she somewhere in this world?

Gur...

Just as I was about to ask Iku more about the goddess, my stomach growled...

"Let's have dinner for now."

"......Okay."

Hinami: "I lost again...!"

Hana: "Then, the movie we're going to watch is the anime I wanted to see!"

Hinami: "...Okay. But why did I lose, Old Maid?"

Hana: (Because, big sister, it shows on your face.)