...Um.
Is this some kind of gang headquarters?
Looking at the faces of the men gathered there, that was the first question that sprang to mind.
They certainly seemed well-suited for the front line, but they were terrifying. Or rather, they were a lost cause. Dealing with them was out of the question. Commanding men like these and actually getting them to listen would be a challenge on a completely different level of difficulty.
The glares they shot me the moment I stepped into the room felt lethal. I honestly worried they might start a riot right then and there. I wondered if the shop actually had things under control.
I was incredibly glad I hadn't brought Roxanne inside with me. In fact, I probably should have brought her along just for protection. My hand reflexively moved toward the copper sword at my waist, ready to draw if they lunged. I really should have just left the sword behind.
"Hold! We are in the castle! Do not lose your mind! We are in the presence of the lord!"
I abandoned the inspection halfway through and fled, my mind screaming historical dramas. "Let me go, Lord Kajikawa!"
I’d heard of high-pressure interviews before, but I’d never heard of one where the interviewer was the one being pressured. If those guys had growled at me to buy them, I probably would have nodded out of pure reflex.
It turned out some of the men in the room weren't even candidates, but bodyguards for the shop. That wasn't a comfort at all. I’d heard that detectives in organized crime units eventually end up looking just as ferocious as the gangsters they hunt; this was clearly the same phenomenon.
I had been naive about what it meant to own slaves. If I brought men like that home, a coup would undoubtedly occur within days. It takes a certain kind of caliber to own slaves like that.
"How were they?" the Slave Merchant asked as I stepped back out into the hall.
I wanted to snap back with something along the lines of "How do you think they were? They were a nightmare!"
They were impossible. Unfeasible. Out of the question.
"It seems I lack the necessary caliber to manage them myself," I said. I wasn't being humble; I meant it from the bottom of my heart.
"If there are any specific slaves you'd like to speak with individually, I can call them out."
"No need for that."
This Slave Merchant seemed like a shrewd businessman, but he clearly hadn't thought this through. If I had looked closer, maybe there would have been some decent people among them. However, when you're taken to a gang office and told to pick a hitman who doesn't look scary from a lineup of thugs, it’s an impossible request.
Even if there were someone who didn't look frightening, there was still the question of their fitness for the front line. I suppose this happened because I’d specifically asked for someone capable of fighting in the vanguard.
Should I have turned a blind eye to their appearance if they were useful in combat? The road ahead looked difficult.
"How was it?" Roxanne greeted me as I returned alive from that den of monsters.
She looked like a goddess. No, I could see a goddess right in front of me. Roxanne was a goddess, pure and simple. She was beautiful, kind, obedient, reliable in the Labyrinth, her dog ears were cute, her breasts were large, she was soft and served as a body pillow in the mornings, she woke me up with kisses, and at night—well, that goes without saying.
"Roxanne, thank you."
"Y-Yes?"
Roxanne didn't seem to understand the sudden outburst of gratitude, but it didn't matter. What I realized was, frankly, I didn't need any male slaves at all.
"It seems quite difficult for various reasons," I said, collapsing onto the sofa after giving her dog ears a quick stroke. I let my exhausted body sink into the cushions. I was grateful for the soft furniture. I took a sip of the herb tea.
"Ah..."
"Hm? Did someone other than Roxanne drink this?"
"No."
"Then it's fine."
If it was Roxanne's leftovers, I had no problem with it.
The Slave Merchant followed me back into the room. "Of those currently in our care, those are the only ones who seem capable of working in the Labyrinth."
"I see. Incidentally, may I ask the price?"
"Since they are men who can undoubtedly perform in the Labyrinth, the cheapest starts at 150,000 Nahl. Since they are men, the upper end goes up to about 250,000 Nahl."
"Hmm."
So that was the market price. It seemed a beautiful woman was more expensive than a slave you worked to the bone in the Labyrinth. Roxanne, who was both capable and beautiful, was an exception. In the case of labor slaves, the standard was how much they could earn; for female slaves, the standard was likely how much someone was willing to pay.
As I was thinking, there was a sharp knock on the door.
"Enter."
"Preparations are complete."
The door opened, and a middle-aged woman who looked like a shop employee peeked inside. The Auntie bowed to the Slave Merchant and then gave Roxanne a light nod. Roxanne bowed back. They were clearly acquaintances. This must be the "Auntie" Roxanne had mentioned. Since Roxanne had stayed at this trading house, it was only natural there would be people she knew.
"Bring her in," the Slave Merchant ordered.
At his command, the Auntie led a young girl inside. She was tiny, barely reaching the Auntie's chest. Her height was likely under 140 centimeters.
Sherry, 16 years old, Explorer Lv 10.
Appraisal showed she was sixteen, making her the same age as Roxanne. Was her small stature because she was a Dwarf? Even so, she didn't have many distinct racial characteristics. She just felt like a short girl who looked a bit mature for her size. I might have passed Dwarves on the street before, but I probably would have just assumed they were children and ignored them.
Her physique wasn't rugged or stocky. Rather, she was small, slender, and quite cute. I didn't know the standard for Dwarves, but she seemed well-proportioned for her height. She didn't have a child's body; she was just petite and well-formed. Her hair was black, and she gave off a quiet, reserved impression.
Despite her dark hair, she had very distinct, sharp facial features. Her nose was high and well-defined, and her eyes were large and expressive. Her mouth was small. She had the kind of face that could pass for Italian despite her heritage. She was a beautiful girl—it was more accurate to call her a "bishoujo" than a "bijin." If her hairstyle were fixed up a bit, she could pass for a high-class celebrity's daughter.
Her hair was quite thick, which gave it a slightly strange appearance. It was cut short but gathered into bundles on both sides above her shoulders.
"It is a pleasure to meet you."
When she bowed, her thick hair swayed unnaturally. What was the deal with that?
"Sherry here is currently the only Dwarf we have in stock. Sherry, come here."
"Yes."
Sherry moved to the Slave Merchant's side and sat on the sofa across from me. Up close, she was undeniably a beautiful girl. However, I didn't feel my heart racing the way it had when I first met Roxanne.
I wondered why. I suppose it was because I already had Roxanne, so I didn't feel the need to be desperate. Because I had Roxanne, I didn't have to pursue this with unnecessary intensity. If I couldn't get her, it wasn't the end of the world. No matter what happened, I still had Roxanne.
I felt like I was witnessing the reality of a social hierarchy. The guys who are popular don't act desperate for women, which makes them even more popular. Unpopular guys have their ulterior motives in plain sight, making women avoid them, which only makes them more desperate.
Damn it. So that's how it worked.
Now, I could look at her calmly. Sherry didn't have a womanly sensuality, but she was a lovely girl. She seemed quiet, and after seeing those thugs on the second floor, she was a breath of fresh air. It would be wrong to look for an enchanting charm in her. She was cute enough, and as a second companion, she was an ideal type.
No, wait. What was I thinking? Ultimately, she was a comrade who would fight with me in the Labyrinth. Of course, it went without saying that it was even better if she happened to be a beautiful girl like Sherry.
"Do you have any problems with entering the Labyrinth?" I asked.
"No. I will do everything within my power."
"I see."
I asked just to be sure. I wasn't worried about her combat ability. She was an Explorer Lv 10, after all. Even though her arms resting on the table were slender and delicate. I wondered why the Slave Merchant thought she wasn't suited for it, even if she looked a bit reserved.
"U-Um..."
Sherry hesitated, as if she wanted to say something. She glanced toward Alan. He gave a small nod.
"What is it?"
"I have reached Explorer Lv 10."
"If you're an Explorer, then entering the Labyrinth shouldn't be a problem, right?" I already knew her level from Appraisal, but I played along.
"Um. It's not that."
"Is there some problem?"
"When a Dwarf becomes an Explorer Lv 10, they are permitted to change jobs to a Blacksmith. However, not all of us can achieve it. Generally, it is said that only Dwarves with the talent to truly excel in the Labyrinth can become Blacksmiths."
So there was a catch.
"Um. In other words, you weren't able to become one?"
"...Yes."
At my question, Sherry looked down at her lap.
If a Dwarf was talented, they became a Blacksmith at Explorer Lv 10. Sherry was at that level, yet she wasn't a Blacksmith. That meant she hadn't made the cut. In the eyes of society, it meant she lacked the talent to excel in the Labyrinth. At the very least, it meant Sherry didn't have the Blacksmith job yet. For me, who specifically wanted a Blacksmith, this was a problem.
But I wondered. Was it really just about "talent"? There was already a racial restriction that only Dwarves could take the job. Shouldn't it be more straightforward? In the first place, how do you measure something as vague as talent?
Jobs are acquired through meeting conditions. Just as I had gained the Hero, Thief, and Mage jobs after arriving in this world, people weren't born with the Blacksmith job. It was more likely that there was a hidden requirement other than just being an Explorer Lv 10.
For example, having an Intelligence stat over 80. No, she explained the situation quite logically, so she seemed smart enough. Then maybe it was Strength over 80? Since I could sink Bonus Points into Strength Increase in one-point increments through a Character Reset, a specific stat threshold seemed plausible. If the requirement was Strength 80 and Explorer Lv 10, everything would make sense.
Roxanne hadn't been able to give me a clear answer on this earlier, and it seemed the concept of quantifying stats didn't exist in this world. It wasn't surprising that a Dwarf whose Strength didn't reach a certain level by Explorer Lv 10 would be considered "talentless."
"May I ask one more thing?"
"Yes. Please," Sherry said, looking up.
Her face was cute. It would be a waste to reject her just because she lacked the Blacksmith job right now. To put it bluntly, she did look a bit unkempt. Her hair and general appearance were somewhat rustic. Or perhaps Roxanne was just too dazzling.
What had Roxanne looked like when I first met her? Since taking her in, I’d wiped her down every night, given her several baths, and just yesterday, I’d polished her up with soap. It was only natural there was a difference. If Roxanne had become this beautiful under my care, Sherry would likely bloom as well. Her basic features were excellent.
"Is it absolutely impossible to become a Blacksmith if you don't get it at Explorer Lv 10? Are there no other conditions?"
If she knew there were other requirements, she wouldn't be so depressed about her lack of talent.
"The Blacksmith Guild only accepts job changes at Explorer Lv 10. When I looked into it, there weren't many precedents for anything else, but..."
"I see."
So that was the standard. If talent really was the deciding factor, it would be strange if she couldn't get the job at level 10 but could later. Still, "Strength 80 and Explorer Lv 10" was a bit too specific for a natural world. There was probably a bit more to it.
Even if Sherry didn't have the job now, she should be able to acquire it as long as she eventually met the conditions. Of course, there was a chance she might never get it. I had to weigh that risk.
Buying a slave who was already a Blacksmith seemed nearly impossible. You could buy a "former" Blacksmith, but Appraisal couldn't verify past jobs, and there was a high risk of being scammed. If I wanted a Blacksmith, I had to gamble.
Even if it would be a shame to sell her off if she never got the job, I still had room in my party. If she could fight, she’d be useful, and worst-case scenario, she could just watch the house. The risk of her never becoming a Blacksmith was one I could afford to take.
Maybe the condition was "Strength 80 exactly at Explorer Lv 10." If that were the case, she could never get it later. But Sherry was currently Level 10. She was at the perfect threshold. That gave her a potential advantage.
"I was one of the strongest in my village, and I think I'm quite strong even among Dwarves. I intend to do my best in the Labyrinth. Please, I ask for your favor."
Sherry bowed deeply. Her claim about her strength made me think my "Strength 80" theory might be off, but her determination was clear. Why was she being so proactive? I wondered if Alan had ordered her to act this way. I couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.
"Is it about time to decide?" the Slave Merchant prompted, sensing my hesitation.
"Ah, yes."
"Well then." At my nod, Alan had Sherry leave the room. He followed her out a moment later.
"I wonder why she's so eager," I murmured once Roxanne and I were alone.
The other female slaves I’d seen when I first met Roxanne had been sullen or indifferent. The men upstairs hadn't tried to sell themselves either. If I were a slave, I don't think I’d be enthusiastically marketing myself. Their reserved behavior felt more natural. So why was she different?
"I think it's because the conditions here are good."
"Are they? We'll be fighting in the Labyrinth." It felt strange for me to say that, given I was the one taking her there. However, as someone with no roots in this world, I didn't have many other ways to earn a living besides the Labyrinth or hunting thieves. Being a slave under a commander who made the right decisions was probably safer than many other lives.
"The people who sell themselves like that are usually those who were already in the Labyrinth or planned to enter it. I was the same way."
I see. So there was that aspect to it. It helped screen for people with the right aptitude.
"In that case, does she seem promising?" I asked, then realized why Alan had left. He wanted us to discuss it privately. He really was a pro.
"I believe so. I don't know much about Dwarves, but even if they say she lacks talent, resolve and hard work can overcome many things."
"Y-Yeah, you're right." The idea of "training" coming from Roxanne was a little intimidating, but I was glad she didn't object to another woman joining.
"I don't think she'll be able to stay active for a very long time, but since that will make the price lower, I think she is a good choice."
"Wait, she won't be active for long? Why?"
"Yes. I believe she is of a certain age. It might be better to confirm."
"Eh?"
Appraisal said she was 16. The same age as Roxanne. What was she talking about? Did Dwarves have short lifespans?
"When Dwarves grow old, their ears become thin. Her ears were quite thin," Roxanne explained.
I tilted my head in confusion. Was that a thing? Come to think of it, the Slave Merchant had mentioned that the signs of aging differ by race. For Dwarves, it was the ears. He’d also said there wasn't a significant difference in lifespan between the races.
"I see. That's good to know." If she appeared older than she was, it was a major bargaining point.
As the atmosphere settled, the Slave Merchant returned, accompanied by the Auntie.
"Would it be all right if I stepped away for a moment? That woman took care of me when I was here," Roxanne asked.
"Of course. Go ahead and talk to her."
Roxanne swapped places with Alan, and he sat down in front of me.
"How was she?"
"Well. Depending on the price, I'm interested."
"I see. Sherry is not a Blacksmith, but she is a sixteen-year-old Dwarf. She has consented to the contract, including the personal aspects. She is a virgin, so there are no concerns regarding health."
With Roxanne gone, Alan was getting straight to the point. So that was why he’d let her leave. I wasn't the only one with ulterior motives.
"Understood."
"Lord Michio, you seem unfamiliar with the nuances of other races. In truth, Sherry's ears are naturally thin. Among Dwarves, thin ears are a sign of aging. If you don't mind that, she is significantly cheaper than the usual market price. I believe she is a bargain."
It was almost as if he’d been eavesdropping on my conversation with Roxanne. If I hadn't known better, he might have tried to sell her to me at a premium. I was glad I’d brought Roxanne along.
"I don't think her ears matter to someone of another race, but it still lowers the price?"
"To an outsider, the ears are one of the few ways to judge their age. It affects her value regardless."
"I suppose that makes sense." People probably didn't want to spend a fortune on a woman who appeared older to society. Owning a slave was, to some extent, a matter of prestige.
"Because Sherry is a newly arrived first-year slave, the taxes will also be lower."
"First-year slave?"
"Yes. Normally, the tax on a slave is 10,000 Nahl. The tax for the commoner class is 30,000 Nahl. To prevent people from becoming slaves briefly just to evade the higher tax, the first year of slavery carries a 30,000 Nahl tax. A slave who hasn't paid this yet is called a first-year slave."
So, commoners paid 30,000 and slaves paid 10,000. By becoming a slave and buying yourself back immediately, you could save 20,000. The government closed that loophole by making the first year expensive. For a Free Citizen like me, whose tax was 100,000, it would still be a massive saving, though I doubted I could just return to being a Free Citizen afterward.
I wondered how Roxanne's taxes had been handled. Since she was sold because she couldn't pay her taxes, Alan probably covered her first-year tax of 30,000 and added it to her price.
"I understand."
"Regarding her price... because of her ears, she won't fetch a high sum. I would normally say 300,000 Nahl, but since she’s new and her training might be incomplete, I’ll take off 30,000. How does 270,000 sound?"
The price was a huge jump from Roxanne. Still, she was more expensive than the men, likely because she was such a beauty. It seemed there was no fixed market price for beauty. In Roxanne's case, he had exploited my desperation. This time, I was calm. I was only buying if the price was right.
"Hmm."
"Then 260,000 Nahl. No, 250,000. That is my absolute limit."
When I played hard to get, Alan dropped the price again. He clearly wanted to close the deal here. He knew I didn't care about the ear issue.
"Is that really the best you can do?"
"It is..."
250,000 Nahl seemed like the real floor. I couldn't push him much further. It couldn't be helped.
"You included some clothing when I bought Roxanne. If you throw that in as well..."
"You mean that costume? It's modeled after the uniforms of the Imperial Palace ladies-in-waiting. Many customers find it very appealing."
So that maid outfit was based on palace uniforms. It was clearly designed for high-class domestic labor.
"Is that so?"
"I can include it for 4,000 Nahl."
"Fine."
"Thank you. In that case, as a special service for a returning customer, I will let you have everything for 177,800 Nahl."
Since I was buying multiple items, my 30% discount kicked in. The deal was done.
"Agreed."
"Thank you for your business."
I pulled out 14 gold coins and 378 silver coins to pay for Sherry. My funds were running low now. I still needed to buy her gear. If the price had been any higher, I would have been in trouble.
Alan left to count the money, and Roxanne returned.
"I've decided to bring her with us."
"I see. That's good news."
For a split second, I thought I saw a shadow cross Roxanne's face. Perhaps it was just my own guilt. Or maybe it was my ego wanting her to be a little jealous. Even if her expression had darkened, it was gone in an instant, replaced by a welcoming smile. After all, she was the one who said it was okay to buy her. Then again, as a slave, she couldn't exactly say no. I almost wished she’d been a bit more reluctant, but that was a lot to ask.
Strengthening the party was essential for the Labyrinth. If I’d bought a man, other problems might have arisen.
"Sorry to dump this on you, Roxanne, but I'm counting on you to show her the ropes."
"Yes. Leave it to me, Master," she replied with a bright smile.
As long as I didn't get carried away with Sherry, everything would be fine. But after paying that much, staying completely indifferent might be difficult.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. Sherry, come here." Alan returned, leading Sherry back into the room. She bowed politely.
"I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
"I am the First Slave, Roxanne. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Somehow, Roxanne had promoted herself to "First Slave." Since she was the first one I bought, it was technically true. I wondered if there was a better title—Head Slave? Chief Slave? Neither sounded particularly appealing.
"So you were a slave after all? I thought you were the Young Mistress," Sherry said, her eyes wide with surprise.
"Me? The Young Mistress? Heavens, no."
Roxanne, I kind of wish you hadn't denied that so forcefully.
"I heard you used to be here, but your clothes are so fine, and your complexion is so healthy. Your skin is beautiful."
"It's all because Master is a kind and wonderful person. You won't have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter anymore, Sherry."
While the two talked, I raised my left hand. Sherry reached out hers. Alan chanted something and adjusted the Intelligence Cards.
"The contract is complete. You may verify her age now."
He wanted me to see for myself that she was young despite her ears. With the Intelligence Cards, age falsification was impossible.
Sherry, 16 years old, Explorer, First-year Slave. Owner: Michio Kaga.
I’d already confirmed her age with Appraisal. Her ears were indeed thin, but I didn't care. In fact, since it had saved me money, it was a benefit.
Michio Kaga, 17 years old, Explorer, Free Citizen. Owned Slaves: Roxanne, Sherry.
My own card now showed the increase in slaves. I wondered if there was a limit to how many you could own, but since the cards only displayed what was relevant, it probably wasn't an issue.
"Confirmed."
"The clothing will take time to prepare. Please return in ten days to pick it up."
Alan gave me the same lecture on slave ownership he’d given me with Roxanne. Once that was done, we left the trading house. Outside, I officially added Sherry to the party.
Explorer Lv 10, Villager Lv 3, Herbalist Lv 1.
I checked her jobs in the Party Job Settings, but as expected, Blacksmith wasn't there. She had so few jobs likely because she was only a Villager Lv 3. Warrior, Swordsman, and Merchant would probably unlock at level 5. Maybe Blacksmith was the same? At least she didn't have the Thief job.
Sherry had nothing but the tunic and trousers she was wearing. Roxanne had started with just a garment bag, so I guess this was standard.
"We're stopping by the Explorer Guild first."
"Understood."
"U-Understood."
We went to the Vale Explorer Guild and I bought one Black Magic Crystal. I’d already bought one in Quratar this morning. If I’d known I’d be buying a slave today, I would have bought two at once. Ever since fusing that first crystal, I hadn't found any more in the Labyrinth. I really should have saved it. My decision-making was far from perfect.
"Alright, let's head to the Adventurer Guild. From there, we'll go home."
"Understood."
"Y-Yes?"
Sherry looked confused, but I started walking toward the guild.
"Is something wrong?"
"Um... are there other Adventurers in the party?"
"No, just us. Why?"
"Because you said we were going home."
Roxanne and Sherry talked behind me. Traveling from the Adventurer Guild wall to my house required the Adventurer skill, Field Walk. Sherry had seen my card; she knew I was an Explorer. That was why she was confused.
"It's okay. You'll understand once we're there," Roxanne said.
Roxanne had completely given up on explaining. It would have been easier if she’d done it for me. Maybe she was taking my request for privacy too literally.
"Eh? Wait, um..."
Sure enough, when I activated the black warp wall at the Vale Adventurer Guild, Sherry looked completely lost.