Chapter 71

The day after visiting the harem.

Eifa and Rize left the capital Asta early in the morning by carriage and arrived in Protoasta by noon.

When they returned to the governor's residence, Prince Cecilio, accompanied by several guards, greeted them.

"Ah! You've returned, Eifa. Did you have any trouble on the way? Well, with Rize, there shouldn't be any problems, I suppose."

"A, ah, yes. Thank you..."

Eifa, feeling intimidated, replied while inwardly frowning.

Why did he bring guards? Was he meeting someone else?

The prince continued with a smile.

"I was waiting for you. Come this way."

"H, ha... yes..."

Reluctantly, Eifa followed Rize as instructed. They were led to a room on the second floor of the residence, which resembled a conference room. There was a terrace facing a large garden, and the windows were wide open to let in the breeze.

There were a few other men in the room.

The prince called out to one of them.

"Thank you for waiting, Lord Groot. This is her."

"Hmm. This is... quite a fine specimen."

The obese middle-aged man leaned in, eyeing her as if appraising a commodity. Eifa, unable to help it, pulled back with a strained face.

"Normally, we would strip her to check for skin diseases, injuries, and nutritional status... but, that's not possible in this case."

The obese man then asked the prince.

"I understand she has some academic training and can use magic?"

"Yes."

"Difficult. It's hard to gauge the demand for slaves with such added value, making it difficult to set a price. However, if I were to estimate... "

The man had a page bring paper and a pen, wrote something down, and handed it to the prince.

"About this much, I think."

"...It's roughly the same as the amount I prepared. Good. Curtis, is this recognized as the official value?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

The man with the mustache, who received the paper from the prince, said.

"The date, the guild's seal, the appraiser's name, and the slave's name are all recorded. As a tax collector, I, Curtis, acknowledge this as a reliable document that objectively shows her value."

The mustachioed man continued.

"The emancipation tax is one-twentieth of the amount."

"Indeed. Hey."

The prince called out, and one of the guards opened a leather bag on the table.

Eifa's eyes widened in shock.

Inside were a large number of gold coins.

"W, what is this...?"

Driven by an indescribable unease, Eifa asked the prince.

The prince turned to Eifa and said with a smile.

"This is for your emancipation procedures, Eifa."

"E... eh?"

"From today, you will be free."

To the confused Eifa, the prince began to explain.

"You know, in Astiria and the Empire, there is a system for emancipating slaves. By paying the owner an amount equal to the slave's value and paying the required tax, one can become free."

The prince continued.

"Normally, this would be done at an office, but since I am the head of the administration, it's not a problem. And... I will cover the cost of your emancipation this time."

"Eh...?"

"I will pay the appropriate amount to Seika and a portion as the emancipation tax to this city. Formally, it will be treated as if you bought your own freedom. Don't worry. I will handle all the procedures here."

"E, no... It's impossible. There's no way that can be done."

Eifa said, as if trying to convince herself.

"Seika's consent is needed for emancipation. It's not right to complete the procedures without his permission."

"He will consent."

The prince said firmly.

"Rewarding slaves for their work and eventually freeing them is a norm among the wealthy in the Empire. Refusing to free a slave who has paid a sufficient amount would not be well-regarded by society. However, if... Seika does not recognize your emancipation..."

The prince declared.

"Then I will issue a slave requisition order in Protoasta and forcibly buy you from Seika."

"Eh...! S, such a thing...!"

"This is a wartime measure, but it can be issued by the governor without the council's approval. Once you are treated as a public asset of the city, I can decide your fate as I see fit. I can buy you again and then emancipate you."

Eifa said in a flustered manner.

"I, I didn't ask for this!"

"I've heard from Rize."

The prince said calmly.

"I don't understand the fear Seika inspires, as I can't see spirits... But I can't leave you under a potentially dangerous master."

Eifa was speechless.

"Besides... you must have been unhappy being a slave for so long. This time, I won't ask for any compensation. Whether you enter the harem or not is up to you. I just want you to live your own life."

Eifa asked in a slightly trembling voice.

"In the Empire... emancipated slaves need an adult guardian. If I become free, can I... return to the academy...?"

The prince looked away with a guilty expression.

"That... would require designating a guardian and completing the procedures in the Empire..."

Eifa realized her worst fears were confirmed.

According to Imperial law, emancipated slaves need a guardian to ensure their living and status.

By custom, the former owner usually serves as the guardian.

However, Seika is not yet an adult.

And in a major city or imperial institution, it is impossible to live without a guardian.

If she were emancipated, she would not be able to return to the academy.

This meant being separated from Seika.

"Seika said you could be free in this country if you wished. He didn't seem to have much attachment to you."

The prince's words, delivered like a final blow, made her heart waver.

But...

She still couldn't accept it.

"No. I don't want to be emancipated."

"Why... Don't you want to be free? Don't you want to live your own life? As a slave, you entrust your life and death to others. Why would you want to serve an unknown master?"

"I, I will decide what I want! Even if my status isn't free, what I desire is my choice!"

"...The emancipation documents are ready, Your Highness."

The mustachioed man said in a cold tone.

"This requires the slave's thumbprint."

"...But Eifa's will..."

"Heh, she seems conflicted, Your Highness. It's not unusual for a slave to desire servitude."

The obese man laughed lightly.

"When placed in harsh conditions, people often try to protect their minds by believing they chose that situation. I've seen many slaves say the same thing. In a way, they have lost their sanity."

"...How can she regain her sanity?"

The obese man shrugged.

"It won't happen immediately. But if her circumstances improve, she will eventually realize her mistake. For now... it might be best to force her to consent."

"..."

The prince called out, and two guards restrained Eifa.

"No! Stop it!"

"I'm sorry, Eifa... Curtis, a thumbprint will do, right?"

"Yes. The ink is here."

"Stop it!! If not...!"

Eifa called out to the spirits surrounding her.

Use magic if necessary.

The experience of being scolded by Seika was for this moment.

But...

"Use no magic."

The spirits, which were about to respond, suddenly fell silent.

Eifa, in shock, saw countless white butterflies dancing around the room.

Light attribute spirits.

It was a light magic similar to the barrier of Seika's talisman.

Rize, with a stern expression, said.

"If you use your power here, it will no longer be just your problem... although, in my [Sanctuary], it wouldn't matter much."

"W, why...!"

"Forgive me. This is for the good of our country... and for you."

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her left thumb.

The feeling of warm blood. A small green bird flashed in her vision.

She immediately realized she had been cut by something like a wind blade.

"Blood will do for the thumbprint, Curtis."

"Ah, as expected of Lady Rize. Your skills are formidable."

Eifa's left hand, held by the guards, was gradually brought closer to the parchment with the text.

Her tightly clenched fingers were forcibly opened.

Eifa closed her eyes tightly.

"Seika...!"

Just as her bloodied thumb was about to touch the parchment—

A sudden gust of wind swept through the room.