Volume 1 Chapter 18 Friction
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Four days into this new world, and we were back at the guild. My level had climbed to 6 yesterday, and all my Skill Levels were officially at 3. I’d spent my nights practicing my magic skills in my room at the inn, but it’s about time I put them to use in a real fight.
Speaking of last night, my partner was Ines-san. When I started kneading those voluptuous breasts of hers, she looked so flustered – yet clearly into it – that I ended up getting carried away. I went a little too far and she ended up pouting at me. That gap between her usual dignified, cool-headed self and that shy vulnerability was just adorable. (Not that any of that actually happened. A guy can dream, right?)
I met up with Mercedes and her crew to pick up a request, but just as we were about to head out, a massive row broke out inside the hall.
”Just because she’s a slave doesn’t give you the right to treat her like that! It’s too much!” a high-pitched voice shouted.
”This has nothing to do with you,” a rougher voice barked back. “Butt out, outsiders.”
”That might be true, but still!”
”Mizuki, honey, I know how you feel, but calm down!”
”She’s right – you have to stay cool.”
I realized then that one side of the argument was the party of reincarnated high school girls. Apparently, they were picking a fight with a slaver. The woman who seemed to be the master was a massive beastwoman with gear that had clearly seen its share of blood.
She had wild, golden hair, jagged teeth, and pupils like thin, vertical slits. Her chest was impressive, sure, but the sheer bulge of her muscles was what really stood out. As a female warrior, she was probably the “ideal” specimen, but she was definitely a bit outside my strike zone.
Behind her stood the girl who was presumably the slave – a beast-ear girl who just stood there, not even bothering to touch her swollen cheek where she’d clearly been struck. It was as if she’d just given up on life. Her tail hung limp and her eyes were totally devoid of any spark. Clad in filthy, ragged clothes and thin as a rail, she was the textbook definition of a broken slave¹ – the real deal, unlike any I’d seen so far.
Opposite them, the Saint Mizuki was the one doing the shouting. Hina, the serious-looking Instant Swordswoman, and Nanami, the airy Stealth specialist, were trying to talk her down. Sakura, the twin-tailed Destroyer, was looking away with a scowl. I couldn’t tell if she was pissed at Mizuki for causing a scene or just disgusted by the situation. Rin, the Ice Mage, stood silently in front of Mizuki like a human shield. She was tall, but as an Ice Mage, her VIT had to be garbage. I respected the hustle, but it was dangerous; she really should’ve backed off.
”Those are the girls who were summoned with you, Daisuke-san,” Mercedes said. “Even if they’re promising adventurers with the Green God’s Blessing, they’re still weak. This is getting dangerous. Normally, a Knight wouldn’t intervene in a spat between adventurers, but I have to step in.”
Mercedes started heading toward the confrontation to mediate. Powerless as we were, we could only watch. The two from Twin Winds seemed used to this kind of drama and just stood by, while Sylvie-san looked intrigued but didn’t seem interested in helping.
”That’s enough from both of you,” Mercedes said, her voice cutting through the noise. “Everyone, take a breath.”
”Hah? Who the hell are you?” the beastwoman snarled. “You got a problem too?”
”Ah…”
”Wait… it’s the Jerk… people,” Nanami said, waving a hand. “Hey.”
”Oh, it really is the… Jerk-off-san,” Mizuki added, clearing her throat. “Ahem. It’s been… a while, right?”
(I’m glad you remembered me. Truly. Good to see you’re doing well…)
Mizuki and the others had finally noticed us. I am Daisuke, a man who leaves an impression on women – though I have to say, that’s a pretty brutal way to be remembered. Besides, isn’t Commander Emily² supposed to be their chaperone? Where did she go?
”I am Mercedes of the Royal Knights,” she announced. “Since my acquaintances seem to be involved in a dispute, I’ve come to mediate. Now, what exactly is the issue?”
”This woman was treating that girl horribly! She was hitting her! Abuse is supposed to be strictly prohibited!” Mizuki cried.
”I see. A suspicion of slave abuse,” Mercedes said, turning to the master. “Is this true?”
”The brat was being slow, so I was just disciplining her,” the beastwoman spat. “That ain’t abuse.”
”That was not discipline!” Mizuki countered.
I watched the exchange, thinking about the gap between “discipline” and “abuse.” That’s a thorny issue. Even in my old world, there were lines, but the physical boundaries always felt a bit blurry. Especially in this world – the social maturity and the whole concept of human rights are just on a different level. I mean, we’re talking about a world where slavery still exists. Naturally, the line between training and abuse is going to be miles away from what I knew in Japan. This is the kind of argument where both sides are just shouting at a wall.
”I understand both positions,” Mercedes said. “First, Mizuki-san. As things stand, it is impossible for you to resolve this.”
”…And why is that?” Mizuki asked, looking annoyed.
”It is true that, as you say, abusing a slave is forbidden. However, a master also has the legal right – and the obligation – to discipline their slave. The specific method of that discipline is left to the master’s discretion.”
”You call that discipline?!”
”The only person who can make that judgment is an Inquisitor³,” Mercedes explained.
”An Inquisitor?”
”An official with the authority to judge criminals. They investigate, interrogate, and use Insight⁴ skills to sniff out lies. They are the law. Even if a slave is struck, if anyone other than an Inquisitor attempts to judge whether it was discipline or abuse, it could be viewed as an infringement on the master’s right of discretion.”
It wasn’t so much that the master’s rights were strong, but that the slave’s rights were nonexistent. You have a right to stay alive, but no right to choose how you live.
”For these reasons, meddling in how someone else treats their slave is a recipe for disaster,” Mercedes continued. “Mizuki-san’s party, and everyone in Leemans, please keep that in mind.”
”I get it now… common sense really is just different here, isn’t it?”
”I thought I knew what I was getting into,” Hina whispered, “but I didn’t know anything…”
Mizuki’s fire had cooled, but she sounded dejected. “Still, being told we just have to accept that…”
”If you still want to force the issue, there is only one way,” Mercedes added.
”Which is…?”
”A duel.”
A duel. Things just got heavy. I figured a duel was that thing where you slap someone with a glove, right? “I challenge you!” “I accept!” Or something like that.
”In a duel, both parties must agree on ‘Conditions’ – how to win, proxies, gear or magic limits – and the ‘Reward.’ That is, what you want from the opponent. It’s typically expected that the conditions and rewards should be of equal value. A duel can happen if there’s an imbalance, but only if both sides agree. If you try to fight without agreement and take a reward by force… that’s just robbery.”
”I… I understand, but…”
”In this case, the master has zero incentive to accept,” Mercedes said bluntly. “Mizuki-san, you and your friends have almost no assets to wager, do you? If you were truly desperate, you could wager a ‘Reward’ that only requires your bodies – you could offer to become her slaves. But keep in mind, if you lose, you’ll be sold to a brothel or a mine, and you’ll have no right to complain. Do you understand?”
”Ugh…” Mizuki went pale and fell silent.
Hearing “brothel” and “slave” leveled at a high school girl… yeah, that’ll do it. So they do have brothels here. I guess with more women than men and not everyone able to get married, there’s always a market. Hina and Nanami were stunned into silence too. Rin’s eyes widened just a fraction – I think. Sakura just kept scowling. Seriously, does her face get stuck like that?
”Even if you did duel, Mizuki-san wouldn’t win,” Mercedes said. “Honestly, you should be glad this stayed as just a shouting match.”
”……”
”She’s right,” Hina said. “We can’t do anything.”
”Strategic retreat time, I guess…” Nanami added.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, but I could see the logic. To Mizuki, it must have been humiliating – not only could she not help the girl, but she only “got away” because she was too weak to be taken seriously. She looked down, clenching her fists. Rin looked equally crushed, her brow furrowing slightly. Hina put a hand on Mizuki’s shoulder to comfort her, while Sakura just closed her eyes. Wait, is she actually napping?
”Hmph. That’s how it is,” the beastwoman sneered. “You’re the ones summoned with the Heroes, right? Just like the rumors I heard – a bunch of softies.”
The previous groups of reincarnated people probably tried the same stuff. We Japanese are famous for being “peace-addled,” so I can’t really blame her for saying it.
”Master,” Mercedes said sharply. “I was speaking in generalities. I haven’t actually acknowledged your claim that this was ‘discipline’.”
”What? So the Knight is on their side?”
”No, I am a neutral acquaintance. If you’d like to prove your innocence regarding the ‘abuse’ vs. ‘discipline’ claim, we could always have an Inquisitor look into it. And while I’m not accusing you specifically, I have heard stories of ‘rough’ adventurers who commit misdeeds just barely enough to avoid an ‘Evil’ Title. Why don’t we clear your name of that too, while we’re at it?”
”Tch… Hey, brat. We’re leaving.”
”Yes, Master.”
”Wait, hang on a second,” I said, speaking up.
Sensing the tide had turned, the beastwoman tried to drag the girl away, but I stepped in. (Full disclosure: I was actually pretty terrified.)
”Hah? You too? Enough already.”
”This will only take a second. Little Heal.”
I cast the Level 3 version of Little Heal⁵ on the slave girl. She was filthy and malnourished, but I couldn’t stand looking at that swollen cheek. I don’t know why – maybe it was some latent trauma from being hit by my parents? Or that time I got beat up by those punks back home?
”…Ah… thank… you…?” she whispered.
”Wasted effort,” the beastwoman barked. “I ain’t thanking you for that.”
”That’s fine,” I replied. “I’d just be happy if you were a little easier on her.”
”Hmph.”
She snorted and finally stomped off. Mercedes probably wasn’t serious about the Inquisitor, but she watched them go. Even Mizuki didn’t try to stop them this time. This whole thing made me realize Mercedes isn’t just a combat-obsessed airhead; she’s an elite member of the Knights for a reason. I guess the Order requires brains as well as brawn. Emily’s comment about her being “actually quite capable” was spot on. Even if she does have that weird flower-decoration on her head.
”Thanks, Mercedes,” I said. “You saved us back there.”
”Well, we’re friends,” Mercedes replied. “I wouldn’t do this for just anyone.”
”But Mercedes, you’re a Knight. Couldn’t you have actually done something?”
”A Knight isn’t a city guard. If they were bandits, sure, but I can’t just arrest someone in the middle of the street for a ‘suspected’ crime like this. It might be hard for you all to swallow, but hitting a slave for discipline is… just a common occurrence here.”
”Well, I’m glad my friends didn’t end up in a collar. I appreciate it.”
”You know, you could praise me more,” Mercedes said, puffing out her chest. “Start with ‘The pure and lovely maiden-knight Mercedes-san’ and go from there! desuwa!”
…Oh, Mercedes. What a letdown. Setting up her own punchlines? She’s more like a stand-up comic than a knight.
”Sorry, sorry! The Commander called me for some trivial nonsense, so I’m late!”
Commander Emily finally showed up. She said the Knight Commander called for her, but seriously? This early in the morning? Talk about a corporate hellhole⁶.
And so, despite getting caught up in a bit of drama first thing in the morning, we handled our monster hunting smoothly, and my level hit 7.
—
Summary:
Daisuke encounters the reincarnated high school girl party at the guild, where Mizuki has started a confrontation with a beastwoman over the abuse of a slave. Mercedes intervenes as a mediator, explaining the harsh legal realities of the slave system and the risks of challenging it through a duel. Daisuke ends the conflict by surreptitiously healing the slave girl’s injury before the party heads out for a successful day of hunting.
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Trivia:
- The setting has a specific legal official called an ‘Inquisitor’ who uses magic to detect lies in court.
- The ‘Blessing of the Green God’ is the power source for summoned individuals.
- Daisuke’s nickname among the girls is ‘The Jerk-off guy’ (Onanist) due to his previous behavior/class.
- The world operates on a ‘Master’s Discretion’ legal principle regarding slave discipline.
- Losing a duel can result in the loser being enslaved.
- Knights are distinct from city guards and cannot arrest people for minor social offenses
—
Character Insight:
Mercedes demonstrates significant legal knowledge and a ‘steel fist in a velvet glove’ approach to diplomacy, while Daisuke shows a silent act of altruism that contradicts his self-proclaimed perverted nature.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the high school girls to contrast modern Earth values with the ‘darker’ fantasy setting’s status quo.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Ines – Leader of the Twin Winds duo, a 170 cm human with long green hair, heavy metal armor and a voluptuous build. A D‑Rank, Level 21+ magic swordsman who fuses wind magic with swordplay, she accelerates with wind, moves swiftly, and is cool‑headed yet shy and pouting when teased. Dignified instructor for the party, light‑weight drinker.
• Mercedes – Brown semi‑long hair, thick chest armor, and a self‑styled ‘pure and lovely maiden‑knight’ look define her. As a Royal Knight and Guide she mediates, teaches shield techniques, leads the party, and despises goblins and orcs. Intelligent, elite, high‑level in combat and destruction magic, she knows guild mechanics, sees dungeons as divine trials, and seeks a boyfriend.
• Aya – Alchemist, 165 cm tall, slender with long hair and no chest armor, serious and straight‑laced, a hard‑working member of the Working Women Party.
• Mai – At 175 cm with a toned, athletic build, she dons thick chest armor and a single ponytail, giving a slightly masculine look. As a War Saint Vanguard of the Working Women Party, she’s enthusiastic about martial arts and speaks briskly and clearly.
• Rin – Ice Mage reincarnated as a tall, large‑breasted high‑school girl (JK). Long shaggy hair, thick chest armor, physically large yet fragile (low VIT). Usually silent; her quiet “mask” cracks only in intimate moments. Appears in Daisuke’s opening delusion, her overwhelming presence dominates those around her.
• Mizuki – Standing 165 cm tall with a standard build and long hair, she wears somewhat thick chest armor and speaks in an extremely polite manner. Reincarnated as a ‘Saint’ class high‑school girl, she is highly moral and emotional, confronting slave abuse despite legal risks, and earns respect by defending the vulnerable.
• Nanami – Stealth, a 165 cm slender high‑school girl with short hair and modest chest armor, speaks relaxedly and has a quirky streak. Reincarnated as a Stealth‑class student, she’s easy‑going, often nicknaming friends, and blends smoothly into school life.
• Sakura – Reincarnated high‑school girl, Destroyer class, 160 cm slender with twin‑tails and a perpetual scowl. She wears thin chest armor and a short‑hair yankee style. Currently double‑dating Hero Shouta and Holy Knight Takumi.
• Hina – Standing 160 cm tall, she’s a muscular, beautiful girl‑knight with a charming ponytail and thin chest armor, exuding an honest, serious aura. Reincarnated as an “Instant Swordswoman” class high‑schooler, she’s level‑headed and fiercely protective of Mizuki.
• Sylvie – Solo C‑Rank adventurer, 140 cm tall Elf with long wavy blonde hair and modest robes, small chest. A pure, lovely spirit‑magic user and instructor for Daisuke’s party; despite her youthful look she’s the group’s highest‑leveled member, radiating a terrifying aura when her age is hinted, refined yet mature.
• Emily – Captain of the guide knights, about 30, sports a striking purple wolf‑cut hairstyle and radiates a powerful aura. He also serves as a Knight and chaperone for a high‑school girl party, but is frequently late because the Knight Commander overloads him with work.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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