Chapter 6

In the second half, I made a lot of cuts.

Kousai stopped in front of a certain store—a slave shop.

(Slaves... I’m not familiar with this world, but buying a slave and asking them various things might be good... I can ask them questions without worrying, and it could be useful for my journey ahead.)

While making excuses, Kousai entered the slave shop.

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……

…

"Welcome."

"You are..."

"Oh! Isn't that Kousai-sama!"

Kousai was greeted by the man he had met earlier, Spitz.

"You came so quickly!"

"Yes, I have a journey ahead, and I need a slave."

Spitz nodded in agreement, but slightly lowered his tone as he continued.

"But, Kousai-sama, do you have enough funds? The three silver coins I gave you won't be enough, right?"

"I don't think that will be a problem. I destroyed a bandit hideout and unexpectedly made some income."

Spitz was shocked and opened his mouth in astonishment at Kousai's casual words, but it only lasted a few seconds.

"No, I apologize... I thought Kousai-sama was strong, but I didn't expect this much..."

"Is that so? Anyway, show me."

"Understood. Female, right?"

"Yes. And I want one who can fight and has common sense."

"Understood. Please follow me."

Kousai nodded once and obediently followed. Despite appearing calm, he was far from it.

(Ohhh! Am I really buying a female slave!? Am I finally losing my virginity!?)

He was far from calm.

"Please wait here."

"Alright."

Kousai sat in the chair of the room he was led to. Spitz left the room, presumably to fetch the slaves.

(Calm down... calm down, me. Just because I bought her doesn't mean we'll definitely do anything. I just read a lot of novels with such scenes... It's not certain that I can do that with a slave in this world...)

While desperately questioning himself, Spitz returned.

"Kousai-sama"

"..."

"Kousai-sama?"

"Huh? Ah, yes. What is it?"

"Well, I thought Kousai-sama might need an explanation about slaves."

"Yes, I do... Why did you think that?"

"Are you suffering from amnesia?"

(Amnesia? ...Ah, I remember now.)

"You have a good memory."

"You saved my life. So, you want an explanation?"

"Yes, please."

Spitz sat across from Kousai and began explaining matter-of-factly.

"Slaves are basically treated as property. You can do anything to them without being held accountable, but if a slave commits a crime on the master's orders, the master is punished. Slaves are obligated to absolutely obey their master's commands. Do you have any questions?"

Kousai was taken aback by the question but quickly recovered and asked.

"What do you mean by 'you can do anything to them without being held accountable'?"

"Exactly what it means. You can do anything to your slave. You can feed them to monsters, use them for experiments, etc. Any other questions?"

"What about lodging fees? How do they work?"

"They are counted as one person."

"I see."

"Any other questions?"

"Um... Can half-humans... reproduce?"

Spitz smiled slyly, as if he had been waiting for this question.

"Don't worry. Elves and other races can't reproduce with different species. Any other questions?"

"No, not really."

"Alright. I think the preparations will be done soon, so please wait a moment."

"Alright."

With that, Spitz left again.

(Slaves are treated as property... This is a world where basic needs are not guaranteed.)

While thinking this, Kousai noticed a cup of tea on the table. He analyzed it to ensure it was safe before drinking it.

(What should I do from here... If I keep using my powers, I'll attract attention and it will become troublesome. If I do get noticed, I should prioritize a safe position... I remember, if you become a high-ranking adventurer, you're in a safe position. I'll consider that first.)

After finishing the tea, he placed the cup back on the table.

(Then, I'll go meet them. How to meet them... I'll think about it carefully. For now, I'll gather information about this world and secure a stable position. While doing that, I'll try to meet them. Is that a good plan?)

As he was thinking, he heard a knock. The door opened, and Spitz entered.

"Kousai-sama, the preparations are ready. This way, please."

"Alright."

Thus, Kousai followed Spitz, heart pounding.

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"Here we are."

The place he was led to was a basement.

(As expected, it matches my expectations. Cat ears, dog ears... half-humans. And they don't seem to be well-fed.)

"I'll take a good look."

"Please take your time."

Kousai examined each one, first by appearance, and then by analyzing their stats and skills among those he liked.

One of them caught his attention.

#

Misha

Level 26

HP 243/286

MP 162/162

STR 61

DEX 67

VIT 54

INT 50

AGI 76

MND 49

LUK 20

Skills

Martial Arts LV2

Swordsmanship LV2

Dagger LV3

Cooking LV1

Earth Attribute LV0

Attribute

Earth

#

(Earth Attribute LV0? What does that mean?)

"Ah, you've found a good one."

As Kousai was analyzing the stats, Spitz spoke to him.

"This one is named Misha. She just arrived recently."

"Considering that, isn't she a bit underweight?"

"Even when they arrive, they aren't immediately thrown in here. There are various procedures, so it takes time."

"I see."

"So, what will you do? If you let her go now, you might not get another chance."

"That's true. Let me meet her, then."

"Understood."

……

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…

In the room where Kousai had been, Spitz and Kousai were present.

Spitz was the first to speak.

"Misha is not unfamiliar with this world. She can use martial arts, swordsmanship, and daggers. She also has a cooking skill, though she has no talent for magic and can't use earth magic despite having an earth attribute. However, as you can see, she is quite beautiful. What do you think?"

"That's true... I still need to meet her to make a decision, so can you leave the room?"

"Understood."

Spitz left, and Misha entered.

"Thank you for choosing me."

"Yes. I have some questions... Can I ask them?"

"Yes..."

"Do you really have an earth attribute but can't use earth magic?"

Misha's blue eyes filled with sadness.

"...Yes."

"Do you know why?"

"I don't know..."

"I see."

(Cute, so I'll buy her...)

Thus, the meeting with Misha ended.

"How about it?"

"It depends on the price. She is beautiful, but she doesn't talk much and can't use magic."

"I see... How about 70 silver coins?"

(Cheap! 70 silver coins is about 700,000 yen in Japanese currency! 700,000 yen for a person's life...)

But Kousai maintained his calm.

"Alright, I can afford that. I don't know the proper price for a slave, but that seems reasonable."

"No, it would normally be one gold coin. But since Kousai-sama is my savior and there are some issues, I'll give you a discount."

(A gold coin is still cheap for a person's life...)

"Alright, I'll take you up on that."

"Thank you for your purchase."

Kousai asked Spitz, who bowed.

"Can slave contracts be terminated?"

Spitz raised his head and answered.

"Yes, but it's rarely done. Terminating a slave contract costs one gold coin, so most people just kill the slave instead."

"I see."

Thus, Kousai bought a slave.

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After making the slave contract with Misha, they left the slave shop.

"Alright, let's get something to eat."

"Yes, Master."

They found a restaurant after about 20 minutes and entered.

After sitting down, a dog-eared waitress came to take their order. Kousai ordered the dog-eared waitress's recommendations for both of them.

(If dogs can eat it, wolves can too, right?)

"Why are you sitting at my feet?"

"Sorry, I'm in the way... But Master, you eat a lot."

Misha sat on the ground a bit away from Kousai.

"Hmm... Are you misunderstanding something?"

Misha flattened her ears.

"Sorry... I thought I could share in Master's bounty..."

"That's what I'm saying is a misunderstanding."

"Huh?"

Kousai smiled gently at the confused Misha.

"Sit properly. You must be hungry, right?"

"But, sitting in the same seat as Master..."

"Hmm... This is your first order. Sit and eat your fill."

"Master...!?"

"I'll buy you clothes and shoes, and find us a place to stay after this."

"R-Really? You'll buy me clothes!?"

Misha's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes. I don't know about others, but I won't treat you like property. Buying clothes and shoes is normal."

Kousai, unusually, was able to convey this properly.

"Thank you, Master!"

Misha bowed deeply, drawing a lot of attention in the restaurant.

"Just sit down."

Kousai was calm but embarrassed.

"Yes!"

When Misha sat down, the food arrived. It was a thick steak.

(That dog-eared waitress... she likes meat!)

Kousai started eating the steak, and Misha waited for him to finish. When Kousai asked if she wanted more, Misha's eyes sparkled and she asked, "Really!?"

Kousai happily agreed and let Misha eat more, then observed her.

(She's much brighter now.)

Kousai smiled again as Misha happily ate the steak.

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The bill was 15 copper coins. Kousai thought the steak was cheap at 5 copper coins each.

Incidentally, the dog-eared waitress's name was Rokon.

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After that, Kousai and Misha went to a clothing store and bought several outfits and undergarments for both of them. They also bought a dress.

"What's this?"

"It's for you."

"Really!? Such an expensive... Thank you!"

"Sure, sure."

They bought shoes as well and found a place to stay by evening.

"Welcome. Are you staying?"

A kind-looking man in his 20s was at the reception.

"Yes, one room, please."

The man smiled at Kousai and Misha.

"Understood. Do you need hot water for washing?"

Baths exist in this world but are quite expensive.

"Yes, please."

"Understood. Let me explain the inn. You can have meals in the morning and evening. If you want lunch, it can be prepared for an additional fee. Is that clear?"

"Yes."

"How long will you be staying?"

"Two weeks."

"Understood. That will be 560E."

In this world, 1 copper coin is 1E.

Kousai paid 5 silver coins and 60 copper coins and entered the designated room.

"Um... Master?"

"What is it?"

"I'm ready! I'm prepared!"

Kousai was taken aback by the sudden declaration but quickly understood.

(Well, buying a slave and sharing a room with a member of the opposite sex... It's natural to think that way. Since she's willing, I'll respond properly.)

"Be prepared."

"Yes!"

"Let's go eat dinner."

"Yes!"

After dinner, Kousai and Misha returned to the room.

"Let's clean up."

"Yes!"

Kousai appeared calm but was extremely nervous inside.

(Difficult! It's difficult for a virgin, but I'll do it!)

Kousai had Misha undress, and he was speechless at her naked form.

She was a bit underweight but had pale, smooth skin. Her breasts were larger and more shapely than they appeared in clothes. Her waist was small, and she had a tail. Her legs were long and slender, and such a beauty would be rare on Earth.

"Um... I'm embarrassed."

"Sorry."

Kousai couldn't admit he was staring and started wiping Misha's body with a towel.

After that, Kousai had Misha wipe his body and changed into the pajamas they bought, then sat on the bed.

"Here, drink this."

"Is this... water?"

"Yes. Drink it all."

"It's a lot, but I will."

Kousai had Misha drink about 500ml of water, then started talking.

"Hey."

"What is it?"

"Can I call you Misha from now on?"

"!!... Yes! Thank you!"

"You're a strange one... Anyway, Misha."

"Yes."

"Why did you become a slave?"

"..."

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"No, it's okay. My parents sold me."

"I see."

Kousai said nothing more, and Misha remained silent as well.