Chapter 3

Today, three chapters are updated. This is the third chapter.

I stood at the classroom door, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from my mother.

---

The man who had been dismissed as a hero stood at the entrance of the slave market, took a deep breath, and firmly gripped the secret letter from his mother.

In the spacious reception room, a slave merchant began to explain the four beautiful young girls and one old woman— a witch— lined up against the wall.

"The first one is an elf adventurer. She can use spirit magic and is advantageous for scouting and exploration."

"I see. An adventurer... But as an elf, she probably doesn't know much about human common sense, right?"

"Then there's the second one. She's an excellent human explorer. Map-making and trap-disarming are her specialties. She was once a thief, so she's well-versed not only in general common sense but also in the underworld."

A slender yet sexy woman. Just by crossing her long legs, her supple muscles moved seductively.

"But a thief... Won't I get involved in dangerous situations?"

"Well, that's something even I can't guarantee. However, I believe that a capable master like you can handle any minor issues."

"I see... But if that's the case, why is the next one also an elf?"

"The third elf has a different purpose. She became an unconditional slave due to a theft, so she can do anything from daily chores to nighttime services."

"Unconditional slave?"

"A slave who can do anything except killing and violence."

"Is the first elf different?"

"Yes, she is a conditional slave. She chose to become a slave, so she has conditions such as working hours, job content, daily pay, and benefits. If you make her do something not included in her job content, you will be punished."

"I didn't know there were two types of slaves... What can this one do?"

"She can use a bow and some magic, but her skills are not as advanced as the first elf's."

The elf girl was trembling slightly. Her emerald eyes were shaking, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't.

Her chest was average in size, but her well-proportioned figure was as beautiful as a first-class sculpture. Her skin was flawless, and her well-aligned teeth and large eyes were like jewels. Well, in terms of beauty, the first elf was also beautiful.

---

I see.

The first elf is not allowed to be a nighttime companion.

So, to satisfy those who want the first elf, a more compliant elf is offered, even if her skills are inferior.

It's like a store that displays a unique masterpiece at the front while lining up mass-produced items inside.

A foolish man—especially a foolish man like me—would easily fall for it.

But right now, getting a slave with common sense was a matter of life and death for me.

This girl is not an option.

Then, the first beautiful elf raised her hand.

The slave merchant gave her a stern look.

"What is it? In front of the customer?"

"I just want to say one thing on her behalf. She's been pestering me with telepathy. It won't disadvantage the store."

"Alright—oh, Mr. Alex. Conditional slaves can speak, but unconditional slaves are silenced."

The beautiful elf elf looked at me with her green eyes.

"She says that she only stole a novel from a bookstore and ate for free at a cheap restaurant. She didn't steal the store's money. A little money is nothing. So, please help her."

"Shoplifting and eating for free are serious crimes. It's not about the amount..."

The elf girl's eyes widened at my words. She seemed to have expected agreement.

The beautiful elf nodded deeply.

"I agree. Elves are considered superior to all other races, so they think it's okay to steal from inferior humans. That's why elves are looked down upon by all other races. You should reflect on this."

"..."

The elf girl, unable to speak, clenched her teeth in frustration.

She glared at me and the beautiful elf with a murderous look.

—This girl is definitely not an option. Who knows what she might do.

On the contrary, the conversation made it clear that the beautiful elf had a good sense of common sense.

Moreover, she seemed quite intelligent. She might be reliable to have around.

If she wasn't too expensive, she might be a good choice.

The slave merchant said,

"Shall I continue?"

"Yes, please."

"This old woman is a conditional slave. She's an expert in medicine and magic. She can concoct special medicines that are not usually available. Since she has lived a long time, her common sense is unparalleled."

"An expert, or rather, a witch?"

"Hehehe, you're a hero, aren't you?"

At these words, the faces of the slave women changed.

Especially the elf girl looked at me with pleading eyes, despite glaring at me just a moment ago.

The beautiful elf spoke with a hint of urgency. Her golden hair swayed gently.

"You're a hero, sir!"

"Yes, but I've quit. Or rather, I was fired."

"Oh..."

The elf opened her eyes wide and fell silent.

The witch laughed seductively.

"To think they would treat a real hero so poorly and favor a young upstart like Marius. This country has no discernment."

"Poor treatment? Was I treated poorly?"

"Hehehe, you know nothing. You don't even have a sword or armor. You were probably forced to fight with the country's supplied weapons, right?"

"That's true... But other heroes are different, right?"

"Use your head a bit. They probably negotiated to use high-performance weapons and armor... I see. That's why you're asking for a slave with 'common sense.'"

"...Ah, that's right."

"Buy me. I'll make you a hero or a sword saint."

"That's tempting... But you seem expensive."

"Probably 30 million to 50 million goats for three months."

"Too expensive."

For a moment, my heart was moved, but it was too expensive. Moreover, conditional slaves have a short term, so they can't stay for long.

I want a slave who can stay for a long time, even if they are cheaper.

The slave merchant prompted,

"Then, the fifth slave. She's an unconditional slave healer, essential for adventures. She also worked as a cleric, so she has a lot of common sense."

Healers, restorers, priests, and clerics are highly valued.

They are essential in adventurer parties, but there are not enough of them to meet the demand.

As a hero, I was assigned a high-ranking cleric from the country, but I often saw parties struggling without a healer.

If I were to become an adventurer, this could be a fortunate encounter.

However, the fact that she is an unconditional slave is concerning.

"Why is she an unconditional slave?"

"She ran an orphanage but became heavily in debt. So, she became an unconditional slave."

"I see."

She must be a kind-hearted person trying to protect the children.

I looked at her face. She had a straight nose and slightly droopy double eyelids. Her violet eyes were moist as she looked at me.

I examined her body in the nun's habit. Her slender hands and neck gave an impression of fragility, but her chest, hidden under the habit, was large.

I couldn't help but catch my breath.

If I bought her, could I touch this body...? Just thinking about it made me nervous.

—She is an essential profession for adventures, has common sense, is kind, and is also attractive as a woman.

She is a rare find.

However, the fact that I thought this way means that the slave merchant's strategy worked.

The first elf, who best fits my conditions, is out of reach.

The second and third elves can be touched freely, but they have problematic histories.

By placing the eerie witch next to them, the fifth beautiful girl appears even more beautiful.

"How much do they cost?"

"The price of conditional slaves is negotiable. The first one is 1 to 3 million, the fourth one is as mentioned earlier. The second one is 6 million, the third one is 7 million, and the fifth one is 10 million."

Damn! It's exactly the amount of money I have.

The slave merchant had accurately gauged my financial situation.

I had no choice but to be honest.

"I think they are all wonderful slaves, but I have exactly 10 million. If I use it all, I won't even have dinner tonight. ...Can you give me a discount?"

The witch burst out laughing.

"Such a ridiculous negotiation! It's beyond absurd! It's a disaster for a slave to be bought by such a fool, hehehe!"

—Damn, I was angry.

But I clenched my fists and held back.

I was angry, but the witch was right.

I didn't even know how to negotiate a discount. I am ignorant and foolish.

That's why I'm trying to rely on a slave...!

But the witch continued to taunt me.

"What's so great about this woman? Your eyes are blind, hehehehe!"

My fists trembled even more.

—But.

Suddenly, I had an idea.

—Wait a minute?

Looking at the smirking witch, I said,

"Then, I'll buy you for 100,000 goats for 10 minutes. Your job is to negotiate a discount on the slaves."

"What!?" "What!?"

"You mocked me, so you must be capable. You can't be laughing if you can't do it, right? —Now, make the discount negotiation successful in 10 minutes. Hurry up!"

I took a large gold coin from my bag and thrust it at the stunned old witch.

From tomorrow, I will probably update one chapter every day.