"I'm impressed you recognized it as a Skill Crystal, considering it’s the first time you’ve seen one."
"I had heard descriptions of them before."
Well, I suppose it stands to reason. No matter how you looked at it, the thing was clearly some kind of crystal, and its color and luster were distinct from a Magic Crystal. It glowed so brightly that it was impossible to miss.
"Fair enough."
"Thanks to you, Master, we're defeating monsters so quickly that I expected to see one eventually. Still, I'm deeply moved to see one this soon."
For those who braved the Labyrinths, obtaining one of these must be a primary goal.
We had hunted a significant number of monsters by now, but this was the first time one had actually dropped. It was definitely a rare drop. It would likely sell for a high price.
However, I had no intention of selling it. I needed to experiment.
When I used Appraisal on equipment, I sometimes saw items with empty Skill Slots. I suspected I could fuse a Skill Crystal into those empty slots.
According to what Roxanne had told me, fusing Skill Crystals often failed. Given that most equipment didn't even have empty slots to begin with, the explanation made sense.
I definitely wanted to try fusing a Skill Crystal into an empty slot.
However, it seemed that only a Blacksmith could perform the fusion. To make that happen, I needed to do something about the Blacksmith job. Apparently, only a Dwarf could become one.
The opportunity arrived sooner than expected.
By the time we finished our exploration of the Quratar Labyrinth, the Magic Crystal had turned yellow.
A Yellow Magic Crystal. According to rumors, these sold for 100,000 Nahl. That should provide the minimum funds I needed—assuming a Dwarf slave wasn't as expensive as Roxanne.
"I want us to go to Vale Town together this afternoon," I announced during breakfast as I laid out the day's plans.
First, I had to visit the Slave Trader and gather some information.
"Do you have some business there, Master?"
"Uh-huh. I have business at the slave trading house."
"At the trading house?"
"For one thing, I want to leave a will. You’ve been doing a wonderful job, Roxanne. If something happens to me, I intend to set you free."
In this world, a master could leave a testament regarding what should happen to their owned slaves upon their death. If no special instructions were left, the slaves were typically forced to follow their master to the grave.
I couldn't let Roxanne suffer such a fate. It was probably a useful deterrent to prevent slaves from murdering their masters, but it was unnecessary for Roxanne.
"Thank you very much. But... is it truly alright for you to speak of such things?"
"Hmm. I don't see why not. If you have to be present to finalize the will, you’d find out anyway. If you don't need to be there, I could just change it secretly later, so knowing about it now wouldn't give you a reason to change your behavior. Either way, I don't think talking about it is a problem."
Since I wasn't sure if Roxanne needed to be present for the legalities, I figured it was best to bring her along.
"I see. That makes sense. Though, of course, I would never change my attitude toward you."
"I know that. I'm just speaking in generalities."
In reality, I didn't truly believe Roxanne would ever stab me in the back. Honestly, if she did, I’d almost be okay with it.
"I believe a slave does not need to be present for a will," she said softly.
"Is that so?"
"Yes. And..." Roxanne lowered her voice even further.
"Yeah?"
"If you truly trust me, Master... please do not make a will."
She had suddenly come out with something completely unexpected. I was stunned. I couldn't grasp her meaning at all. Don't make a will?
"Wait, what?"
"A will is unnecessary."
"But why?"
"I will protect you, Master. I will never allow you to be struck down."
Roxanne made the declaration with absolute conviction.
I forgot to continue chewing my breakfast as I stared at her. She didn't look like she was joking. She was deadly serious.
"I—I mean, of course I’m relying on you, Roxanne, but..."
"If I were to survive alone after failing to protect my Master, it would be a warrior's shame."
"I understand that sentiment, but a will is a separate matter..."
"It is a proof of trust—an acknowledgement that you believe this slave will protect you until the very end."
Was that really how people viewed it here? Her logic felt a bit skewed to me.
"Well, I'm happy you feel that way, but there's always the possibility of a Myocardial Infarction."
"A shinkinkousoku?"
"It's a heart disease. There's a chance I could just drop dead."
The term didn't translate into Brahim. It seemed the concept didn't exist here.
The disease itself likely existed, but they probably didn't understand the cause. A myocardial infarction happens when the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle become blocked. Perhaps they categorized it differently, or just lumped it in with all other chest-related ailments.
"It will be fine. It is not something you need to worry about, Master."
"Are you... are you really serious about this?"
"I am."
She was one hundred percent serious.
Looking at her expression, I knew it wasn't a joke. She was like a knight swearing fealty to a lord. Given the technological and social level of this world, perhaps that mindset was common.
"If that’s what you want, Roxanne, then I’ll do as you say."
"Thank you very much."
"But why?"
"I believe you are a truly magnificent person, Master. You are young, strong, and capable. You will surely accomplish great things. And yet, you have treated even someone like me with kindness. I must repay this debt."
In old Japan, this would be a lord and his loyal retainer. Roxanne clearly had a certain romanticized yearning for that kind of relationship. If that was the case, I suppose accepting her resolve wasn't a bad thing.
"I understand. However, I should tell you—I doubt I’ll ever accomplish anything grand."
"I do not believe that."
"I'm actually here for the sake of not doing anything."
As someone who didn't belong to this world, moving recklessly could cause chaos. I had to avoid that. I had to be careful not to overestimate my power or get carried away. Like a fire kept in a grate, I needed to eventually burn out without setting the whole house on fire.
"I do not quite understand."
"You don't have to. Just take my word for it."
"I understand, Master."
Roxanne tilted her head in confusion but forced herself to accept it.
"Regardless, we’re still going to the Vale trading house. Since a will isn't necessary, you don't strictly have to come, but I think it’s time we expanded the party. I want to see if there are any good warriors available. From the eighth floor on, we’ll be facing up to four monsters at once. It’s going to be tough with just the two of us. Since I’m busy casting spells, I can't always react to everything. I'd feel better if we had another person on the Front Line with you."
The atmosphere had become a bit heavy, so I shifted back to our original goal.
It felt a bit awkward to bring this up immediately after she’d told me she didn't need a will. I probably sounded a bit too talkative because of my own lingering guilt.
Actually, I hadn't strictly decided that the next member had to be a woman. If I wanted a Dwarf who could be a Blacksmith and a front-liner, there was a high chance I’d end up with a bearded middle-aged man.
A flower in each hand... Of course I yearned for that. To wake up with a beauty on either side of me. To have Roxanne and another girl wash me in the bath.
God, that sounded amazing.
But my funds weren't exactly limitless. A slave with qualifications as good as Roxanne's would be expensive. She was beautiful, kind, and incredibly useful in both the Labyrinth and the bedroom. I couldn't imagine such a slave would come cheap. While I shouldn't compromise on quality, I suppose I’d just have to deal with it if the next one turned out to be an old guy.
"That is a good idea. Indeed, it might soon become difficult for just the two of us as we go higher."
Roxanne seemed on board.
Think about it. You never know what might happen in a Labyrinth. There might be a situation where someone has to be sacrificed to prevent a total party wipe.
In a moment like that, a middle-aged man would be perfect. If we had one, the choice of who to sacrifice would be obvious. I wouldn't hesitate for a second. That split-second decision might be what allows Roxanne and me to escape.
Thank you, middle-aged man. I’ll be in your debt.
I won't forget your noble spirit. I will live on, using your sacrifice as my foundation.
No more middle-aged men.
"You think so too?"
"Yes. So, may I accompany you?"
"I’d actually like your opinion. There’s a lot I don't know, so your advice will be helpful."
I also wanted to see how she’d react if I tried to pick a woman. If she was opposed to it, I wouldn't force the issue.
"I understand. In that case, I will go with you."
"I’m counting on you."
Still, thinking about some middle-aged guy being in the same party as Roxanne made me feel an irrational surge of anger. If he so much as looked at her chest, it would be an immediate death sentence.
A middle-aged man shouldn't look at Roxanne, shouldn't talk to her, and shouldn't even breathe the same air. That kind of discipline would be mandatory.
Plus, if we lived together, he might see her in her glamorous nightwear. Yeah, a guy is definitely a bad idea. No more middle-aged men. Let's keep the party strictly female.
After breakfast, we did a quick hunt in the Vale Labyrinth before heading to the Adventurer Guild in town.
We’d entered the Labyrinth mainly to stock up on various drops.
Since my thirty-percent bonus was effective for sales at the Guild, the 100,000 Nahl Yellow Magic Crystal would sell for 130,000. If the price just jumped by 30,000 for no reason, the staff might get suspicious.
Thirteen gold coins is an easy amount to count at a glance. To avoid drawing too much attention, the best strategy was to sell a huge pile of items all at once.
I also had to consider where to sell things.
It wasn't an issue this time since it was my first time selling a Magic Crystal, but eventually, the speed at which I produced them would look suspicious.
I had the Crystallization Acceleration skill, which meant I accumulated mana much faster than anyone else—up to sixty-four times faster. I had other skills I wanted to spend Bonus Points on, so I couldn't push it that high yet, but even eight or sixteen times was a massive difference.
Selling them in a crowded place where I could blend into the noise was the best bet.
"Can you sell Magic Crystals at any Adventurer Guild?"
"Yes, I believe so."
Roxanne confirmed it for me.
If they were accepted at any guild, then between the Explorer and Adventurer Guilds in Vale, Quratar, and the Imperial Capital, I had six different locations.
Rotating through six spots should make my earnings look relatively normal.
Then again, if they were going to be suspicious about ten gold coins becoming thirteen, maybe I shouldn't spread it around too much. I placed the Yellow Magic Crystal on the tray at the counter of the Vale Adventurer Guild. I piled several other drop items on top to hide it.
"I’d like to sell these."
"Certainly."
the clerk, a woman in her early thirties, took the tray and vanished into the back.
I waited, my heart pounding slightly.
When she returned, it seemed to have taken the usual amount of time. I quickly scanned the tray and counted thirteen gold coins.
The clerk didn't look suspicious at all. It seemed I was in the clear. I quickly swept the gold coins into my Item Box. I put the silver and copper coins into my pouch and stepped away from the counter.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes, Master."
It seemed the staff generally didn't comment on the purchase amounts. Since it was the lifeblood of Explorers and Adventurers, they probably made it a point not to pry.
If they did investigate, they could probably figure out a person’s entire lifestyle. They might not say anything, but they likely kept a very close eye on the data.
We went outside and walked through Vale for the first time in a while. Nothing seemed to have changed.
"I’d like to see the proprietor."
At the slave trading house, I spoke to the man who greeted us.
I’d forgotten the proprietor’s name.
"This way, please."
The man went inside for a moment before returning to guide us to a back room.
Wait, the back room again? He probably thought I was here to sell Roxanne.
"Sit down too, Roxanne."
"Are you sure?"
"It’s fine."
At the very least, I’d have her sit next to me. I couldn't let there be even a shadow of a doubt. Selling Roxanne was out of the question.
"Welcome, Michio-sama."
The Slave Trader entered the room shortly after. I checked his name with Appraisal.
Right. It was Alan.
"Sorry for dropping in without an appointment, Lord Alan."
I stood up to greet him. Roxanne stood up a moment later. She’d been taught etiquette at this house, but it seemed standing to greet a visitor wasn't part of it. Or perhaps she was taught to remain standing behind her master. They probably never anticipated a situation where she’d be sitting.
"Not at all. You are welcome anytime. Please, make yourself comfortable."
Alan gestured for me to sit back on the sofa.
"Here you go."
A servant brought in two cups of herbal tea and placed them before me and the trader. There was nothing for Roxanne.
Was it because they thought I was selling her, or just because they knew she was a slave?
"Roxanne has been doing a great job. Because of that, I’ve been thinking it’s time to find a second party member."
I spoke up before the servant left the room, making it clear I wasn't there to sell her.
"That is wonderful news," Alan replied after the servant had exited.
"I have a question. Is it possible to buy a slave who is a Blacksmith?" I asked directly.
It might have been a mistake to show my hand so early, but I couldn't help it. I wasn't good enough at small talk to lead up to it naturally.
"A Blacksmith?"
"Yes."
"Well... it is not impossible, but it is quite difficult," the proprietor said after a moment of thought.
As expected, finding a specific job was a challenge.
"I see."
"Are you aware that fusing Skill Crystals often results in failure?"
"I’ve heard."
"That remains true even for a slave Blacksmith. If failures continue, the owner eventually begins to suspect the slave of sabotage or theft. Many nobles desire their own dedicated Blacksmith, but those arrangements rarely end happily for either party."
Fusing Skill Crystals had a high failure rate. I’d heard some Blacksmiths even used that fact to run scams. Even with a slave, the same issues would apply. I wasn't sure if a slave could even fence a stolen Skill Crystal, but the risk was there.
Besides, if you ordered someone to do something and they kept failing, you’d eventually get angry.
"I suppose so."
"The Dwarves understand this as well. Consequently, when a Blacksmith is forced into slavery, it is common practice for them to change their job first."
"So there are no Blacksmith slaves at all?"
"It is not that there are none, but they are exceedingly rare. And, naturally, the price becomes quite steep."
The low supply meant a high price.
But paying a fortune for someone who then failed repeatedly would only make a master even more furious. It felt like a death spiral.
Bad reputation leads to fewer candidates. Fewer candidates leads to higher prices. If they were cheap, you could accept the failure, but paying a high price makes you more likely to take your anger out on the slave. That bad reputation then spreads, further reducing the supply.
It was a vicious cycle.
"Well, I’m not so desperate for a Blacksmith that I’d pay anything. What about other Dwarves? They seem like they’d be good on the Front Line."
Buying a Blacksmith slave seemed like a headache. But that was fine.
If I specifically asked for a certain job, the price would go up even if they weren't a Blacksmith. In my case, since I had Party Job Settings, the slave's current job didn't matter. As long as it was a Dwarf who could acquire the Blacksmith job, it would work.
"Dwarves are a strong race. They certainly make excellent front-liners."
"I thought as much."
I’d heard similar things from Roxanne, though only in passing. I hadn't asked her anything too specific about buying other slaves—it felt a bit insensitive.
Dwarves, Beast-kin like Roxanne, and Dragon-kin were all physically powerful and suited for the Front Line.
Actually, were humans just exceptionally weak in this world?
"However, I’m afraid our house currently only has one Dwarf. And her personality... well, I don't believe she is suited for combat."
"That’s a shame."
He said 'her,' so it was a woman. But I couldn't jump on it immediately. He’d see me coming a mile away.
Stay cool.
"If you are determined to find a Dwarf, I can write a letter of introduction to other shops. You could take it and see what they have available."
"You’d do that for me?"
"I don't mind."
"Even though they’re your competitors?"
Was I such a bad customer that he wanted me gone? Maybe because I drove such a hard bargain?
"We are rarely short of customers who wish to buy. The difficulty is always in procurement. We have our own unique supply routes—primarily the Vale area and the southern plains. Shops that source from different regions aren't necessarily rivals. In fact, we often help each other out when necessary."
"I see. That makes sense."
Given the nature of the "merchandise," I suppose the industry had its own unique rules.
"I will introduce you to a trading house in the Imperial Capital that we are on good terms with. Though, at this time of year, I doubt they will have many candidates."
"Why is that?"
"Spring is the busy farming season."
I thought they’d be in high demand if things were busy, but I guess it was the opposite.
No one sells off their labor force during the busiest time of the year. If people were going to sell someone to reduce the number of mouths to feed, it would be after the harvest.
As for the buyers, if you’re only buying because you’re suddenly busy, you’ve already failed. A capable master prepares the necessary labor well in advance. Anyone without that much foresight probably wouldn't be in a position to buy slaves in the first place.
"Right. That makes sense."
I reached my own conclusion and nodded.
Regardless, the real question was whether the lack of supply meant prices were high, or if the lack of trading meant they were low.
"The house I will recommend in the Capital is an honest establishment. I believe you will find a satisfactory deal there."
"I hope so."
"Before that, as a formality, would you like to see the Dwarf we have here? I can also show you several others capable of serving on the Front Line."
"Sure. Let's do that."
I accepted the proposal naturally. Not bad. Better than looking desperate. Since he was a merchant, he obviously wanted me to see what he had and potentially make a sale.
"You have already seen some of our candidates, Michio-sama. Should I exclude those you’ve met before?"
"Yes, please."
When I’d first looked at Roxanne, I’d seen most of the female slaves. None of them had really stood out to me.
"In that case, the candidates will be mostly men."
"It can't be helped."
Well, I guess the Front Line really was destined to be a middle-aged guy. I could always use the Dwarf requirement as an excuse to turn them down.
"Thank you."
"Wait, I don't think I’ve met the Dwarf yet."
As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. It was obvious I was zeroing in on the fact that the Dwarf was a 'her.'
"She only arrived recently."
"I—I see."
"She has only been here a short time, but she is a very quick learner and has already mastered Brahim. Her education is quite thorough."
Actually, it was the trader who seemed flustered. He followed up quickly, looking a bit panicked.
I see. If I’d pointed out she wasn't fully trained, that would have been a weakness to exploit. I’d accidentally discovered a way to negotiate her price down, so I guess the slip-up was a wash.
Roxanne had learned Brahim and etiquette here. A slave who lacked those skills would be a liability.
The Slave Trader said he would make preparations and stepped out. I hadn't touched my tea, but I didn't offer it to Roxanne. To Alan, Roxanne was still just a slave.
"You can drink this."
"Thank you, Master."
I handed my tea to her.
I didn't need to worry about it being drugged like the last time. In the end, his recommendation for Roxanne had been perfect. I could trust him as a businessman.
"Do you have any preferences for the Front Line?"
"I believe you should choose whoever you like, Master."
'Whoever I like' was the hardest choice of all.
While I was talking with Roxanne, the Slave Trader returned.
"I would like you to see the male candidates first. With all due respect, could she wait here? Since there are only men present..."
"Good point. If a beauty like Roxanne showed up, there’s no telling how they’d react."
"Um... Master?"
"Roxanne, wait here for a bit."
"I understand."
Bringing her in front of a group of male slaves would probably be too much. They’d been reduced to slavery, locked in a trading house for who knows how long... if someone like Roxanne suddenly appeared, I’d be the first one plotting a rebellion.
Stay calm, Michio. Don't lose your head.
Guided by the Slave Trader, I headed up to the second floor and entered a room.