Volume 1 Chapter 11 Encounter.txt
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”What?!”
”Kyaa!!”
The boy almost ran into the girl as he stepped through the gate.
She yelped and fell on her backside. He froze, then rushed to help her.
”Are you okay?”
”Y-yeah…”
He reached out his hand. She stared at it for a moment, blushed, then took it.
”Sorry. I didn’t see you.”
”No… it’s my fault. I wasn’t looking.”
They both apologized—an odd sight for their age. Most kids would argue, not blush and act polite. They blinked at each other, unsure.
”Your dress is really nice. Are you… a noble?”
”Huh? Oh, um… yes.”
He had guessed right. Her clothes were clean, soft, and clearly expensive. She stood tall, with grace in her voice.
”I’m Klock. Klock of Livorno. What’s your name?”
”Ah… um, C…”
She paused. Her eyes moved slightly. Then she answered.
”C… Cianie. That’s my name.”
”Hmm?”
Something was off. Her dress was fancy. Her words sounded noble. But she didn’t give her family name. Why?
”Nice to meet you, Cia… Cia.”
”…Yeah.”
Klock had just turned ten, but he was sharp. He smiled and didn’t push for answers.
From that day, the two grew close. She showed up often. Though she had a fiancé, she still came to see him.
She told Klock it was okay “just for now.” That made it harder for him to turn her away.
And soon, Klock couldn’t stop thinking about her.
* * *
”Ah…”
”…Huh?”
I woke up without meaning to. I had fallen asleep while sitting and watching the slaves work.
Now a boy was standing in front of me, staring.
Crap. I really nodded off.
I stayed up too late last night. My body gave in. I let the workers handle everything, and now here I am—caught sleeping on the job.
I looked around. The crowd was noisy as always, but the fat, bearded merchant was gone.
No sign of Boit. Good.
”…Oh. Done?”
The slaves had finished loading. Most were now sitting around. One boy came to ask for orders.
But on his neck…
A mark?
Right. Boit said something about curse seals.
All the slaves here had strange signs on their throats. I didn’t know what they meant, but they clearly blocked speech.
…Adelina doesn’t have that. Just the mark on her shoulder.
Still, there might be something else. Once things settle, I might check her whole body.
Adelina. My slave. But I don’t know what kind of seal she has.
The contract I got for her was stolen. I can’t see its contents. And if I ask a mage or priest, they’ll start asking questions I can’t answer. Too risky.
Also… I’ve never bought a slave before. I don’t even know how to use a contract seal.
A real seller would explain it. But I stole mine. No one taught me anything.
If Adelina ever ran off, I wouldn’t know how to stop her.
But… she won’t. She’s too obedient.
More than I want, even. She probably has some reason.
A bad one. Like being the daughter of a whore or something.
”Oh, good job.”
”You’re back. Wait, how long was I out? The ship won’t sink, right?”
”Hahaha! It’s fine. It’s lighter than it looks!”
I didn’t feel good.
Boit’s merchant ship isn’t that big. But it’s packed heavy—too heavy.
Too many slaves. Too much cargo. That usually means junk.
I had a bad feeling.
”Klock. This is your last time in this town. In this country. Let’s have a drink.”
”…Yeah. Sure.”
Boit wasn’t the sentimental type. Hearing him say that… it felt weird.
I thought maybe he was hiding something, but I kept it to myself.
We left the port and walked into town.
He didn’t go far. Just into a crowded tavern full of workers.
He looked around, then picked a seat in the back, like he wanted to talk in secret.
”Klock. I’ll show you something good.”
I sighed. “What now.”
I wanted him to stop wasting time. Just sail already.
”Here. Know what this is?”
”…A scroll?”
Boit pulled a scroll from his bag. A rolled-up sheet with magic seals on it.
Magic scrolls are paper tools filled with energy.
They’re used by people who can’t use magic—or who want to save theirs.
They cost a bit, but even common folks can buy them if needed.
The seals on this one looked plain. But it still gave me a bad feeling.
Character Notes:
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Boit – A merchant involved in human trafficking, with a villainous face and a loud, obnoxious voice. He is pragmatic and willing to help Klock escape the country in exchange for something. His relationship with Klock is business-like, though both are aware of each other’s illicit activities.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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