Chapter 20 The Second Slave
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The day after my first real taste of the merchant life.
I’d had so much fun yesterday that I figured I’d give it another go today. I was just setting up when the brat, Ivy¹, came scurrying over again.
”Hey! If I do a good job hawking, you gotta feed me again today!”
”Honestly, Ibuki-sama… you’re far too indulgent,” Lisha sighed.
She had a point, but I didn’t mind the company. The kid was a cheeky little thing and a bit of a nuisance, but she had her charms.
”Fine. Give it your best shot. If you actually move some product, I’ll feed you.”
”You got it!” she chirped.
I decided to leave the stall in her hands and invited Lisha and Charlotte for a stroll. Lisha gave me a flat look and told me absolutely not. I was joking, obviously; I couldn’t risk some random kid running my business into the ground while I wasn’t looking. Instead, I left the stall to Lisha-who actually had the professional chops for it-and took Charlotte for a walk through the city streets.
”What are we looking for, Master?”
”Plants, mostly. I want to see what’s out there.”
The more I thought about it, the more I realized how much I was missing. Pigments, coffee beans, cacao… the list went on. I’d assumed my shopping trip was over once I’d cleared out the local vendors, but I’d forgotten the true potential of my Cheat Skill. Depending on my Mana², I could manifest almost anything. If I understood the genus of a plant, I could likely transmute one species into another.
…Aren’t I invincible?
Well, not quite. Creating something from absolute vacuum had too much resistance; Mana just wouldn’t take. I needed a base to work from.
I scoured the markets for anything recognizable. For the things I didn’t recognize, I bought a handful of seeds anyway. I figured I could test the Mana’s repulsion later to see how closely they related to Earth plants.
By the time we circled back to the stall, a massive crowd had gathered.
Did that brat do something wrong, perhaps?
I felt a prickle of anxiety thinking Ivy might have done something, but as I drew closer, I saw the crowd wasn’t angry-they were looking with interest at a plate Ivy was holding up.
”The merchant lady told me herself! This is top-tier stuff at a bargain price! Look at the finish! It’s smooth as silk! You won’t find a better deal in the city!”
”Ehh… even if the shop person tells us that…”
”Hey! Isn’t there anyone who can judge quality!? The customers yesterday were raving about it! It’s the real deal!”
”Pr, probably,” she says… for a shop person to say that, I thought as I watched from the shadows laughing, and one woman stepped forward and looked around at the plate.
”Hmm… for unbranded work, this should easily go for four or five Small Gold Coins³?”
”Umm… that’s… this is it! It says three Small Gold Coins!”
Ivy raised her voice, pointing at the price tag.
”””Ohhh…”””
With that, the customers also raised their voices and began moving to look at the shop’s products directly here and there.
”More than expected, or rather, she’s doing this quite seriously. That girl…”
”Yeah. Should I give her wages separate from the food…?”
Seeing her working hard and muttering that, Charlotte didn’t raise a voice of denial either. Then we returned to the stall and helped with customer service until the customers cleared out. More sold than expected-about a dozen or so were sold-so a considerable profit came in.
I guess sales chops really do matter, I thought, impressed, and since she worked hard, I served the kid two bowls of ramen. She inhaled them both with a look of pure bliss.
”So, Ivy, you’re a total leech-I mean, you’re on a ‘reach’… home? You’re heading home, right?”
Lisha caught the pun on parasite⁴ and giggled, while Charlotte looked at me, unsure if she should join in. Ivy, being a kid, was fuming.
”Hah?! I worked my butt off! And yeah, I’m heading home! You got a problem with that?!”
”No, I’m just wondering why you’re still hanging around here.”
”Well… I have to wait for the next transport…”
She started acting shifty. After some prodding, she admitted she was supposed to leave yesterday, but she’d stayed behind specifically to get another bowl of ramen. Now she was broke and had nowhere to stay.
”Are you an idiot?”
”I couldn’t help it! I was craving it so bad!!”
”That is the definition of something you can help. Where were you going to sleep? In a box?”
”Eh… I don’t know. A back alley?”
No, it’s not ‘a back alley?’!
It’s so stupid I can’t even laugh!
”Fine, fine. Here. You worked hard today, so take your pay.”
I handed her two Large Silver Coins. Her eyes went wide.
”I… I can have all this?!”
”Yeah. We had a good day thanks to you. Consider it a bonus. Now go home.”
”Ehh! It’s fine, isn’t it! I’ll work hard at selling!”
”No, it’s not that I mind, but… I don’t know if I’ll be here every day, you know?”
”Ehh… then tell me when you’re doing it.”
I don’t mind telling you, but I’m not putting out ramen anymore, I informed her, and she looked up with teary eyes. I wouldn’t mind letting her eat, but even a stupid kid like this will notice eventually. Where am I getting it from? There are boxes where the contents aren’t shown, but there’s no way hot ramen should be coming out of there. Well, I have no intention of telling her even if she asks, but it would be a hassle if she talked about it elsewhere.
”You’re on vacation. Go show your face to your parents soon…”
”Uuu… I get it. Then until the next transport! That’s fine, right!?”
When I asked when that was, she said four days later. During that time, what on earth was this girl planning to do… She was a total landmine⁵ of a person, but her salesgirl performance is high. If she brings in these sales for that level of pay, it’s more profitable to have her around.
”Alright. Until the next transport. The wage is fixed at one Large Silver Coin. I’ll hire you until then, but that’s it. Got it?”
”Got it-!” she shouted, throwing her hand up.
After that, she diligently called out to people, and she increased the sales surprisingly. What was only three pieces grew to nearly forty sold. Well, there were customers who bought in bulk for resale purposes and others who jumped on it for the novelty, so I don’t know if this will continue, but considering yesterday was three pieces, it’s entirely her merit.
As the sun set, I sent her on her way and turned to Lisha and Charlotte.
”I don’t want to make her permanent, but we need more hands.”
”…Wouldn’t that be fine even after setting up a shop? I think we might even have too many people…”
Lisha said, “If it’s a hassle, I’ll do the selling.”
”Ah, yeah. If it’s just a stall, that’s fine.”
I explained my concerns. We couldn’t stay under the radar forever. Magic existed here, and if the authorities ever ran an Appraisal on us, things would get complicated. If we ever have to move, I want a team I can take with me without any strings attached. So, I want a slave whom I can take out anytime without any lingering baggage, but what do you think?
My hang-ups about slavery had disappeared, mostly thanks to Charlotte. It wasn’t about the status; it was about the respect between two people. If the world was going to have nobles and kings, then social inequality was already the baseline. As long as I didn’t use the contract to break someone’s spirit, I could live with it.
Lisha and Charlotte both agreed. Merchant houses using slaves was the norm, after all. We headed straight to the local slave trader.
The proprietor was a woman who also ran a weapons stall. She lined up several girls for us to inspect. They were all female, with prices ranging from three to ten Gold Coins. I was looking for personality, interviewing them one by one, but they all gave the same rehearsed answers.
”Whichever you prefer is fine, Master,” Lisha said. “If it’s a slave, you can bind them.”
In the end, I picked a girl with a sharp, dignified look. She was fourteen.
”…I thought you disliked young girls because you were cold toward that child?”
”No, that’s not the case. It depends on the attitude. If they can respect the other person, then adult or child doesn’t matter. Also, I like the name.”
Her name was Shirley. It matched the name of the shop too.
I paid the price of eight Gold Coins and bought the slave. She was pricey because she had a Combat Class-she’d been the daughter of a warrior family and a fencer before falling into slavery. We finalized the Enslavement contract with her.
When we got her back to the house, Shirley looked terrified, her eyes darting around just like Charlotte’s had on her first day.
”It’s okay. See, I’m a slave too. You’ve met the best Master in the world.”
Charlotte showed the Slave Crest on the back of her hand, but Shirley just looked away, her face pale.
”Oh, I’m not making her say it-? I’m not a slave anyway-.”
”Well, even if we say it in words, it’s like that. Let’s show it through our future actions.”
When I said that, the two were also convinced. In any case, it starts with clothes. The clothes given to slaves are too dirty. I have to make her some pretty clothes.
I sent the girls to the bathhouse while I sat down to work.
Now then, I wonder what kind would be good.
I decided to go for a “cool” aesthetic since she had such a dignified air about her. She’d been wearing nothing but short skirts lately, so I figured I’d try my hand at a long dress.
As I let my imagination run wild, a vision of a tight, shimmering white party dress came to mind. I knew a look like that would suit her perfectly. It was probably a bit much for a simple stall vendor, but I figured there was no harm in making it just for the sake of it.
I finished the piece and set the outfit out by the bath, along with a matching set of underwear. Since it was just a pair of panties, her n**ipss would likely poke through the thin fabric, but I figured that was just part of the charm.
”I finished your clothes,” I called out. “Put them on when you’re out of the bath.”
After a short pause, Charlotte replied with a cheerful “Okay!”
…Come to think of it, she hadn’t said much yet. She’d spoken normally enough during our earlier exchange, so I knew she could talk. She was likely just terrified. I’d be a nervous wreck too if I’d been sold off as a slave⁶. I’d have to give her some time.
I waited for her to emerge, but when the door finally opened, both Lisha and Charlotte were pouting. Shirley was hiding behind them, looking small.
”What’s the matter?” I asked tentatively.
”It’s not fair,” Lisha huffed. “I want to wear a dress like that too!”
”I know you think she’s special, Ibuki-sama,” Charlotte added, “but it still hurts a little.”
I blinked. “I mean, I can make you both ones right now if you want. Is a dress really that big of a deal?”
Lisha tilted her head, explaining that for a woman, receiving clothes from a man was a dream-and a dress was the pinnacle of that dream. They were so expensive that even a man of means would only gift one to his true love. It made the gesture feel incredibly heavy.
Realizing I couldn’t leave them out, I scrambled to get back to work. I put my all into it, mixing pigments to create a cute, ruffled red number for Charlotte and a gorgeous, deep green dress with a plunging neckline for Lisha.
”I can remake these if they aren’t right, but try these on for now!” I said, handing over the silk.
They didn’t even wait to go to another room. I set up a full-length mirror and watched as they changed. There was something undeniably erotic about the way they pulled on their thigh-highs and twisted their waists to check their reflections.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of eyes on me. Shirley was staring at me, her expression a mix of shock and confusion.
”What is it?” I asked. “It looks great on you. You’re beautiful.”
It was true. The dress captured that perfect balance between elegance and charm.
”Um… what exactly is happening?” Shirley asked, her gaze wandering.
”What do you mean?”
”I mean… I’m a slave. And they are slaves too, right?”
”Yeah, that’s right,” I replied. “Look, for now, you can just think of me as some weirdo who loves dressing up cute girls. Whatever relationship we have will just develop naturally over time, okay?”
Lisha and Charlotte finished dressing and pressed in close. “How do we look, Master?”
”You both look incredible,” I said, my voice genuine. “It really suits you.”
”Mmm~♡” Charlotte cooed.
”Oh, Ibuki-sama…♡” Lisha whispered.
They clung to me, their new dresses rustling against my skin. Having two beautiful women draped over me was more than enough to get me excited. I felt myself hardening instantly. I wanted to pin them both down right then and there, tracing the lines of their bodies through the silk, but then I remembered Shirley was still watching.
”Right! Anyway, let’s eat,” I said, clearing my throat. “Since everyone’s dressed up, I’ll handle the cooking tonight.”
”Wait, really?!” Charlotte’s eyes lit up.
”Master’s cooking…” Lisha’s mouth practically watered. “Slurp…”
”Charlotte, wipe your mouth,” I teased, cleaning her chin before using my skills⁷ to whip up a meal. I didn’t bother hiding my abilities from Shirley since she was mine now, but I did have one rule.
”Shirley, don’t tell anyone about my profession or my skills. That’s an order.”
”Y-yes… if that is your wish,” she replied.
With that out of the way, I got to work. I’d been craving fried chicken, but without any poultry, I settled for Orc meat⁸ seasoned with soy sauce and pepper, paired with a hearty pork miso soup. Knowing Charlotte’s appetite, I made extra for everyone.
I lined the table with rice, steaks, and soup. Shirley started to stand, but Charlotte pulled her back down, explaining that in this house, everyone ate together. They sat there waiting, until I realized they were waiting for me.
”Right, head of the table goes first. Let’s eat!”
I tucked into the meat. Soy sauce really was the king of seasonings. The Orc meat was rich and delicious, and the soup was perfect. I looked over to see how everyone was doing, only to find Shirley sitting perfectly still.
I remembered how the other two had been at first. I sliced a piece of steak, held it out on a fork, and brought it to her lips.
”Here, Shirley. Say ‘ahhh’.”
”E-eh?! Um, I…!”
”Ahhh,” I repeated firmly.
She timidly opened her mouth and took the bite. “This is all yours, so make sure you eat your fill. It’d be a waste otherwise, right?”
She nodded vigorously. I finally relaxed and started on my own meal, but then I heard a quiet sob. Shirley was crying.
”What’s wrong?!”
”It’s… it’s so good,” she sobbed. “I’ve never tasted anything this wonderful…”
I’d heard she came from a warrior family⁹, so I assumed she’d been well-off, but I guess things were harder than I thought. I’d have to ask her about it later.
”Well, I’m glad you like it. This is how we eat every day, so get used to it.”
She looked stunning even while crying, but before I could comfort her, Charlotte started wailing too.
”Now what?! You eat this every day!”
”But… but my dress!” Charlotte cried, pointing to a tiny grease stain on the hem. “It’s ruined!”
”I’ll fix it,” I groaned, patting her head. “I’ll clean it right after we eat. Stop crying!”
”Master!” Charlotte wailed, lunging into my arms.
Shirley’s eyes went wide again. There was no point in trying to act cool anymore. I just petted Charlotte’s hair while Shirley watched. I pulled Charlotte’s plate closer and started feeding her like a child to calm her down. She munched on the food while still sniffling, while Lisha watched on, muttering about wanting to cry so she could get attention too.
Once the plates were cleared, Charlotte took Shirley to the kitchen to show her how to do the dishes. As soon as they were gone, Lisha slid into my lap. Her dress left very little to the imagination.
”I want some love too, Master…” she whispered.
”Seeing you in that dress… it’s hard to say no,” I admitted. Usually, I’d just grab her, but the elegance of the outfit made me hesitate.
”Does that mean I’m making you nervous? Because that makes me feel all tingly inside…♡”
”Don’t worry,” I said, pulling her close. “I’ll take care of you. I want you to focus only on me right now. Okay?”
”Yes, Master…♡”
She leaned in, her lips crashing into mine as our tongues intertwined. As we lost ourselves in each other, the other two returned. Charlotte saw us and immediately hurried over, wanting to join in. Shirley stood by the door, her face beet red, unsure of where to look.
I hadn’t bought Shirley specifically for s*x, but seeing her there, she was undeniably cute. Still, I wasn’t going to force her.
”Shirley, tell me honestly. Do you want to join us, or is this not your thing? I won’t be mad if you say no. Consider that an order to be honest.”
Shirley fidgeted, her face flushed. “I… I don’t know. I’m not used to this… but you’ve been so kind to me. It’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just… I’m scared.”
”I get it. We just met today. I’m just happy you’re happy. We’ll wait until you’re ready. But for tonight, you’ll have to forgive us for doing this in front of you. I’m not stopping!”
”Y-yes, of course,” she whispered, backing against the wall. “I’ll… I’ll try not to look. Please, don’t mind me.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, her face glowing red. I felt a pang of guilt, but it didn’t stop my hands from wandering as I turned my attention back to the two women moaning in my arms.
—
Summary:
Ibuki hires the energetic Ivy as a temporary salesgirl, leading to a massive spike in stall profits. Realizing the need for a more permanent and loyal assistant for his future shop, he decides to purchase another slave. He selects Shirley, a 14-year-old former fencer, and begins preparing for her integration into his household.
Ibuki uses his crafting skills to create elaborate dresses for his slaves, including the newcomer Shirley. The act of gifting dresses causes a stir due to its symbolic meaning of ‘true love’ in this world. The chapter ends with a communal meal where Shirley is overwhelmed by Ibuki’s kindness, leading into a s*xual encounter between Ibuki, Charlotte, and Lisha while Shirley watches.
—
Trivia:
- Ibuki’s Cheat Skill requires a base material to transmute plants; he cannot create life from a total vacuum.
- Ivy is only in town for four days waiting for a transport.
- Ibuki is concerned about ‘Appraisal’ magic revealing his true identity in public/official settings.
- Shirley was a member of a warrior family (buke) before becoming a slave.
- The slave trader is also a weapons stall owner.
- Shirley is from a ‘buke’ (warrior) family, suggesting higher social status previously.
- Ibuki is using his ‘creation skill’ to produce items that would normally be incredibly expensive.
- The ‘no-bra’ aspect of the dress was a deliberate choice by Ibuki.
- The command for Shirley to hide Ibuki’s skill is a formal slave contract order
—
Character Insight:
Ibuki demonstrates a pragmatic shift in his morality; he accepts slavery as a tool for loyalty and safety in a world where social inequality is the norm, provided he treats them with respect. Ivy shows surprising competence as a merchant, while Shirley’s fear mirrors Charlotte’s initial state.
Ibuki shows a mix of artisan pride and hedonism; he treats his slaves like family but doesn’t suppress his s*xual desires. Shirley’s breakdown over the food highlights her past deprivation despite her noble bearing.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The ‘landmine’ comment is a nod to modern Japanese internet slang (jirai), referring to a person who looks fine but is emotionally unstable or problematic once you get close.
The author uses the ‘dress’ trope to establish that despite the ‘slave’ label, the girls are being treated as significant partners (honmei).
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Ivy – A thirteen-year-old student at the Knight Academy in the Royal Capital. A direct retainer of a minor noble house. Blue-collar noble vibes.
• Ibuki – Broke high‑schooler from Earth who got tossed into another world with the “Crafter” class he first thought was useless—turns out it’s totally busted. Black‑haired, germaphobic, and low‑key bitter but sharp as hell. Uses Synthesis, Processing, and Inventory skills to survive, craft gear, and haul loot while exploring. Currently a Level 10 otherworlder, wielding a stone axe, traveling the frontier forest with Charlotte, and just trying to stay alive long enough to find a bit of peace.
• Lisha – Mature‑looking native woman with a soft “big‑sister” vibe, a big, bon‑kyu‑bon chest, and an hourglass figure. Polite, domestic, and secretly shy, she treats being with Ibuki as a blessing and quietly fixes the bedding after they’re done. A skilled cook, hot‑spring lover, and “doer” who melts when others take control. She’s the Guildmaster and receptionist/butcher for the Hasshi Subjugator Guild, good friends with Collet, and lets Ibuki and Charlotte stay at her place, worrying about his safety while torn between duty and her feelings for him. Has a younger sister and family in a nearby town.
• Charlotte – Short, skinny late‑teen slave girl with messy brown hair, feline eyes, and a soft, slender body. Was an Ex‑Level 8 farmer, now Level 10 and bound to Ibuki, who she calls “Master” and calls herself his wife. Wears rags at first, then pretty clothes he makes, plus his bat‑wing hairband. Blushy, clingy, protective, and easily emotional, she follows him on runs, fights, and flights while always worrying if she’s useful enough.
• Shirley – A 14-year-old girl, former daughter of a warrior family and a fencer. Ibuki’s second slave, purchased for her combat class. A newly acquired slave from a warrior family (buke). She is described as having a ‘dignified’ air and ‘cool’ beauty. She wears a tight, glossy white party dress and is initially terrified and confused by the household’s kind treatment.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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