Chapter 47

"Welcome, Sir Hero, welcome."

After the incident with Mototaka, we visited the slave trader.

"What brings you here today?"

"Before that..."

I was very concerned about the slave trader's appearance.

Looking around, even his subordinates seemed to have a prosperous impression, with their decorations becoming more luxurious.

"You seem to be doing quite well."

"Thanks to you, Sir Hero. Here."

"Huh?"

"Thanks to you, Sir Hero, our business has been thriving."

"What do you mean?"

Several reasons come to mind, but I lack the decisive evidence.

"First, the reputation of the Philorials. Collectors come asking how to get one of those monsters. Here."

Ah, so the reputation is spreading because Filo pulls the carriage. Indeed, it's a rare monster, and if they investigate where to get one, they end up at the slave trader. A few nobles even asked me to give them one.

I can't sell her easily, and if Filo sells, she might go wild.

"Then, just talk them into buying various monsters. Here."

"You're really something."

The conditions to become a Philorial Queen are still unknown. If it were easy to sell, it wouldn't be possible.

Does a Philorial become a Queen if raised by a hero?

Even taking care of one Filo is troublesome, let alone two.

"Next, after seeing your slave, the quality of my slaves has been praised, so I've been making a profit. Here."

This time, it's Luftharia...

Indeed, Luftharia has a beautiful face and figure, even from my perspective.

If the source of the slave is known, it adds credibility for those who use slaves.

I guess I've contributed to the slave trader's reputation.

"So, what brings you here this time? A slave? Or cooperation for Philorial experiments?"

The slave trader rubs his hands together, trying to gauge my mood.

"No, I have business with the monster trader."

"Then it's about the Philorial experiments?"

"No."

Does this guy only think in two options?

"Then, what brings you here?"

"Ah, I was wondering if I could buy some equipment for Filo."

"Equipment... I can prepare that."

The slave trader looks at Filo.

Filo, who was humming happily, hides behind me when she sees the slave trader.

She must be uncomfortable.

"Perhaps something like a ram horn or horseshoes. For armor, there's Philorial-specific armor, but..."

Considering Filo's body shape, armor would be difficult. Custom-made is possible, but since she transforms, she would have to change it frequently.

"What's a ram horn?"

"A helmet to wear on the head. It's used for charging."

"Interesting..."

Horseshoes are for horses' hooves.

"Then, claws?"

"What does Filo want?"

"Eh?"

Filo, you weren't listening to the slave trader, were you?

"A helmet for the head or shoes for the feet, and armor."

"Um... Filo, when I transform, the equipment might cut into my flesh, so..."

Ah, the tailor's warning is still affecting her.

So, the ram horn would be fine in monster form but heavy in human form. Horseshoes might cut into her feet, and armor wouldn't fit.

I could ask a magic shop to make metal plates like the thread, but it would be very expensive and probably not very effective.

"Considering ease of use, claws would be best. Here."

"Then, just the claws, Filo?"

"Okay."

"I need to measure the size, so please transform into your monster form. Here."

"O-Okay."

"Got it."

Filo transforms into her monster form and extends her feet.

The slave trader's subordinate measures Filo's feet.

"Hmm... You're quite larger than the average Philorial."

"Can you prepare it quickly?"

"I think we have a size that might fit. Would iron be acceptable?"

What standards do they use to determine attack power in such cases?

Is it just about being hard? Or sharp?

"I have some extra money, so I want something good."

"Understood. Then, magic iron is the best we can offer now."

"By the way, how much?"

"Since I favor you, Sir Hero, I'll give you a special price of 5 gold coins, which is half the market rate."

"Can I haggle further?"

"Your greed, Sir Hero, gives me chills. Sure, let's compromise at 4 gold coins."

"Deal. And add a good leash while you're at it."

"Sure thing!"

The slave trader is in high spirits. He's easy to deal with, but it feels like I'm being used.

He's a skilled businessman and a bit scary.

A large claw is brought from the back of the tent.

It's a metal claw that fits Filo's feet perfectly. It's quite impressive.

"Where did you get such a big one?"

"It's for a flying dragon. We have even larger sizes."

There are no Philorial-specific sizes left.

"Are you going to wear this?"

"Yes, this is your weapon."

Filo places her foot in the claw on the ground.

"It fits perfectly."

"Seems so."

The next step is to tie the claw to her foot with a rope.

Filo lifts one foot to feel the new claw.

"It feels strange."

"Get used to it. Once you do, your attack power will increase."

Filo's leg strength is already strong. If it gets even stronger...

I remember when she kicked Mototaka. This time, if she kicks with the claw, it might tear him apart.

"Filo, when you kick someone with a spear, don't use the claw."

"Why not?"

"Because it might do more than just crush the testicles."

I am a hero, after all. I don't know what would happen if I killed someone. It's a bit late to think about it now.

Mototaka probably couldn't complain about being kicked in the testicles by one of my subordinates.

His motivation is to be popular with women.

It would be embarrassing to tell the trash king that he couldn't do something so uncool.

"Hmm."

Filo is focused on the new claw, only half-listening.

Does she understand?

Well, whatever happens to Mototaka is not my concern.

I hand 4 gold coins to the slave trader.

"I don't need armor after all."

Since the claw fits, Filo thinks armor is unnecessary.

I didn't plan to buy it anyway, so it's fine.

"Next, what else..."

I had something else to do, but I forgot after the incident with Mototaka.

I remember now. It was about Luftharia and Filo.

"Hey, slave trader. Can you help with class upgrades?"

"Class upgrades?"

"Yes, the trash king won't approve the class upgrades for my subordinates. I heard you had slaves over 40, so I thought you might have letters of recommendation."

The slave trader puts his hand on his chin, thinking.

"I'm very sorry, Sir Hero, but we don't have letters of recommendation."

"I see..."

So, the slave didn't get a class upgrade through the slave trader's influence.

"You can get a class upgrade if you gain trust in neighboring countries, using their dragon hourglasses."

"What?"

Wait, I thought dragon hourglasses were only in this country.

"Are there any in other countries?"

"Yes, but gaining trust takes a lot of time..."

I need to upgrade quickly, so the time is a problem.

Has the Shield Hero's bad reputation spread to neighboring countries?

If it has, it would be difficult.

"The best options are the mercenary country Zeltbull, the demi-human country Siltvelt, and Shildfreiden. Here."

"Are there that many?"

"Yes, I recommend Siltvelt or Shildfreiden for you. You'd get a free pass there."

"Hmm... How long would it take to get there?"

"By carriage, about a month. By ship, about two weeks."

The slave trader shows me a map and explains the route.

Indeed, if I calculate the average daily travel distance in the Melromarc Kingdom, it's quite far.

Filo could probably get there in two weeks, but it's safer to estimate three weeks.

Two weeks by ship is tempting, but being unable to do anything during that time is tough.

"A flying dragon would get you there faster, but for you, this is the most reasonable option."

"It's far..."

However, if I want to strengthen our forces, I have to go.

Considering the materials and shields I can get from monsters not found in this country, it might not be a bad idea.

I'll fall behind the others, but if Luftharia and Filo don't grow, staying here is pointless.

It seems we have to go to the demi-human country.

"I'll go after the wave ends."

That trash king is too passionate about making my life difficult.

"Thanks for your help."

"If you think so, then—"

"No. By the way, can humans be sold here?"

When I defeated bandits, I thought about selling them as slaves, but it was too much trouble.

"Human slaves are not possible in this country. You'd have to go deeper, but that comes with higher quality and risk requirements."

I see, in this country, demi-humans are the safe line. It's a human supremacist country.

"I see, thanks."

With that, we left the slave trader's tent. Filo transformed back into her human form and tied the claw with a rope to carry it.

However, Luftharia has been quiet, not participating in the conversation with the slave trader.

I'm impressed that she's thinking deeply, even though I wouldn't want her to interfere in negotiations.

"Next, it's Luftharia's turn."

"Huh?"

"Holy water. I remember it's sold at the church."

"Oh, yes."

"Come to think of it, Luftharia is a girl, and that black mark would be a problem."

"Well... if it concerns you, Naofumi-sama..."

Luftharia whispers, blushing.

"No, it's natural to be concerned. Since I caused it."

"In that case... no, never mind."

Luftharia sometimes says things I don't understand.

In any case, we have to go.