Volume 3 Chapter 1 In Search of New Companions
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Since I recently came into some extra income, I decided to revise my solo policy a bit. As I expected, while not as bad as a party of only black-haired, black-eyed men, a lone man still stands out quite a bit. Depending on the situation, it can be even more conspicuous than an all-male party. At this point, I’m not afraid of mere town thugs, but it’s always better to avoid unnecessary trouble. If you stand out too much, you risk catching the eye of those in power.
For that reason, I decided to look for companions to join my party. However, as I considered before, it’s difficult to join a normal adventurer party or gather people to form a new one. Well, I don’t think the difficulty of the act itself is that high, but I hate the idea of information leaks. I don’t have anyone I’d call close besides the Gale Party, so I don’t feel comfortable with others knowing my business. So, what should I do? This is the answer I came up with.
”Welcome. Are you making a purchase today?”
”Yes. Also, excuse me, I have a letter of introduction from the Guild just in case; is this alright?” I asked.
”Yes, that is fine. Please, this way,” the woman replied.
On Green Day¹, the week after my party disbanded, I visited a shop I had asked about at the Merchant Guild. I heard I didn’t need a letter of introduction, but I handed over the one I received just to be safe.
When I spoke to the servant-like woman standing at the entrance, I was guided to a reception room. Another girl ran off, likely to fetch someone in a position to negotiate trade. The room I was shown to had a reception set; while not exactly ultra-high-end, the chairs were comfortable enough. After waiting a short while and sipping tea, there was a knock and the door opened.
”Thank you for waiting,” a man said.
”No, I should apologize for the sudden visit,” I replied.
A middle-aged man with polite service but slightly intimidating eyes seemed to be the one who would handle the business.
”Thank you for coming to the Gruenewald Merchant Guild today. I am called Marcel. Since you wish to make a purchase, I assume you are familiar with the products handled by our Merchant Guild?”
”Yes, more or less. Just to be safe, could you provide an explanation?” I said.
I had researched it at the library, of course, but that isn’t necessarily the latest information, and there are things that don’t make it into books. It’s best to ask a professional.
”Understood. At this Merchant Guild, we primarily handle slaves, specifically General Slaves,” Marcel explained.
(That’s right-this Gruenewald Merchant Guild is a slave trader.) From the perspective of my previous life, I hesitate to buy a slave, but I think it’s fine if I view it as an employment contract. I intend to provide allowances based on their work and give them time off. Naturally, I have no intention of ordering them to do things they dislike. Initially, I’ll have them work as a porter, and once they get used to it, I’ll have them fight. If their level goes up, there are various benefits, after all.
”A slave has the duty to obey their master’s orders, but the master has the duty to guarantee the slave’s livelihood. Furthermore, you cannot give orders that violate the law. Killing or abusing a slave is a serious crime, and you should be aware that in some cases, you may fall into slavery yourself. We do not handle them here, but if a slave is rebellious, it is also the master’s duty to provide a certain amount of discipline,” Marcel said.
”Yes,” I replied.
(I knew this much already. They seem confident in their slave education, which makes me feel a bit relieved. Rebellious slaves are a pain… Ilse was terrible at first, too.) The explanation continued after that, but there was no particularly new information.
”Is everything satisfactory so far?” Marcel asked.
”Yes.”
”Then, please let me hear your preferences,” Marcel said.
Since it’s not a cheap expense, I had given it some thought.
”I don’t mind the race, but a man would be better. Since I am an adventurer myself, a combat-type Class is good. The level can be low, and they don’t need to have Skills. I’m thinking of a budget of around 40 gold coins,” I said.
(It’s not that I want to have that kind of relationship with a male slave, but if it gets out that I bought a female slave, I feel like I’ll get the cold shoulder, especially from the Transferee² women. It can’t be helped.)
A combat-type would be better, but I can make it work even if they aren’t. Levels and Skills can be trained from here on. Besides the temporary income, I have a bit of savings, so my true budget is about 50 gold coins. I’m intentionally stating it a bit lower because if I state my upper limit from the start, I might end up feeling regretful if I can’t buy a slave that’s only slightly more expensive. When I conveyed my wishes, Marcel made a slightly troubled face.
”Normally I wouldn’t ask, but since I perceive you are someone from another world, let me check just in case. Does the customer have… a preference for his own gender?” Marcel asked.
”Eh? No, I like women normally. Is there something wrong with a male slave?”
”First, I believe you are aware that there are more women than men in this world. Naturally, the number of people who become slaves is higher for women than men,” Marcel explained.
”Yes.”
”And naturally, there are more female buyers as well, but even so, customers who think ‘if I’m going to buy one anyway’ usually wish for a male slave. It’s different when a large Merchant Guild holds a massive stock, but it’s especially true for adventurer porters or ‘pets’ for nobles,” Marcel said.
”I see,” I replied.
”Because there is high demand for a small supply, the market price for male slaves is high-more than double that of women. At this point, it becomes difficult to meet the customer’s request,” Marcel explained.
”Wait, really?” (I only heard the market price briefly at the Merchant Guild and hadn’t researched it properly. I never thought there would be such a difference. Actually, I thought women would be more expensive.)
”Therefore, a male adventurer who goes out of his way to buy and travel with an expensive male slave is generally regarded as… a gentleman of that particular persuasion,” Marcel said.
”Ah…” I groaned. (And that’s what happens! This is bad. There are only a handful of Transferees, but almost everyone around me is a local. I can’t explain the circumstances to everyone I meet. If people think I’m into men, my chances of getting a girlfriend will drift even further away.)
”For the reasons above, unless there is a special reason, I recommend a female slave for your budget’s sake,” Marcel suggested.
”Thank you for the explanation. I understand,” I said. (The fact that it’s budgetarily impossible is a big factor. And I want to avoid the suspicion. Is there even any room for choice? I’ll have to explain it to the Transferee group… They’ll forgive me… right? This is an unavoidable circumstance!) “…I’ll change my request to a female slave.”
”Understood. I will have them prepared, so please wait a moment,” Marcel replied.
(I lost. I lost to the common sense of this world. Fine, let’s think positively. I have absolutely no intention of forcing a slave to do lewd things, but if I can adventure with a beautiful woman, that’s a good thing. Even better if we can get along. Since the education seems solid, I’m not worried about their loyalty, but I’m starting to get nervous.)
”Thank you for waiting. From the left: Elisa, Beatrice, Margareta, and Liese. Come, introduce yourselves,” Marcel commanded.
”Ohh,” I gasped. Four women entered. All of them were still young. Their clothing was plain but clean, and their eyes weren’t dead. Just as I heard at the Merchant Guild, it seems they aren’t abused.
”I am Elisa, a horse-type Beastman. My Class is Whistler, Level 7, and I am 16 years old,” the first said. She was calm, and her visible legs were muscular. Her hair was a black ponytail. (Black hair is a bit rare, but her eyes are green, so she isn’t a Transferee. Her height is about 175cm. Her ‘Chest Armor’ is quite substantial-the largest among the four. Good.)
”A-At… I am Beatrice! I’m a Human, my Class is Grappler, Level 6, and I’m 15 years old!” the second girl shouted. She was energetic with a healthy physique. Her eyes were sparkling. Her hair was a light blue short cut. (Height around 170cm? Her ‘Chest Armor’ is decent.)
”I-I am Margareta, a squirrel-type Beastman. My Class is Magic Archer, and I have an aptitude for Fire Magic… I am Level 6 and 15 years old…” the third whispered. She was lovely and slightly timid; she might be a bit thin. Her hair was light brown and flicked outward. (Height is about 160cm, and her ‘Chest Armor’ is on the thin side. Her large, fluffy tail is a plus point.)
”I am Liese, a Dragonewt³, and my Class is Lancer. I am Level 7 and 16 years old,” the last one said. She seemed serious, average build or maybe a little thin. Her hair was long and grey with thick horns. (Height is about 170cm, and her ‘Chest Armor’ is thin. Her tail had a reptilian feel and looked sturdy. She had grey scales on her neck and limbs. Every girl is a beauty, and their Classes are combat-oriented. Margareta’s magic aptitude would be nice, but I won’t be troubled without it. In short, it’s very hard to choose.)
”Do you have any questions?” Marcel asked.
”I’d like to hear the best qualities of each of the four,” I said.
”Understood,” Marcel replied.
”I do not possess particularly outstanding combat Skills, but I will serve you with all my heart. I am certain you will be satisfied with my… nighttime attendance as well,” Elisa said. She licked her lips with a wet smack and sent me a suggestive gaze. (Wait, that was incredibly erotic. This girl isn’t a succubus, is she? Judging by her expression, she seems like an S.)
”Marcel, are ‘nighttime duties’ common for slaves?” I asked.
”Yes, that is correct. When possessing a young slave of the opposite s*x, it is common to have a relationship. In your case, please be careful, as taking them around on adventures while pregnant constitutes abuse,” Marcel warned.
”Thank you for the advice. However, I have no intention of forcing them,” I said.
”Of course, that is for the master to decide. Since they are properly educated, they will not refuse their master’s requests,” Marcel replied.
(Well, I just shouldn’t demand it. I get the feeling Elisa would seek it out herself, though. If that’s the case, then she’s welcome.) “I see. Next, please.”
”My energy is my best trait! Even when Master is feeling down, I’ll make sure to cheer you up! I’ll do my best at night, too!” Beatrice shouted. (She’s selling herself with eyes that shine brilliantly. She seems quite active. No, I have no intention of making her do it. I don’t! Though I wouldn’t be unwilling if she asked?)
”I-I have an aptitude for bows and Fire Magic, so I will do my best as a Rearguard… I-I will work hard so you are satisfied at night…” Margareta stammered. She didn’t make much eye contact.
”I cannot use fire or water magic, but I will work with my spear to make up for it. For nighttime attendance, you may order me to do anything,” Liese said. She was serious, answering while looking me straight in the eye.
”Every girl is charming; it’s hard to choose…” I muttered.
”Thank you. Since the price is an indicator, I will tell you. Elisa and Beatrice are 40 gold coins, Margareta is 50 gold coins due to her magic aptitude, and Liese is 20 gold coins,” Marcel stated.
(As expected, Margareta is expensive. Since it’s my true upper limit, I could buy her, but I don’t need to push it. More than that, I’m curious about Liese’s low price.) “Only Liese is extremely low; is there a reason?”
”Yes. As she mentioned, she has no aptitude for fire and water magic. It is not ‘low,’ it is ‘non-existent.’ This is due to her race. Dragonewts inherit traits from ancestors. Liese’s parents are a Red Dragonewt and a Blue Dragonewt. In her case, her parents’ characteristics repelled each other, and her aptitude for fire and water magic vanished. As an aftereffect, her hair and scale colors have become grey. Because she cannot use the two magics most often used in camps, her price is lower,” Marcel explained.
(I see. So that’s why she’s cheap. That said, to be blunt, I don’t care. I can just do it all myself.) With this, I’ve heard what I wanted. I look at the four in order once more. Elisa has a pleasant smile, Beatrice has sparkling eyes, Margareta is glancing away, and Liese is staring straight ahead.
…Alright, I’ve decided. “Marcel, I’ve decided. I’ll go with Liese.”
”Understood,” Marcel replied.
”Thank you very much,” Liese said. She bowed her head flatly. Elisa and Beatrice looked disappointed, while Margareta looked a little relieved as they left the room. (Sorry… The deciding factor was a feeling, intuition. I think I was drawn to Liese’s straight gaze.)
”Will you be making the payment immediately?” Marcel asked.
”Yes, with this,” I said, taking gold coins from my Item Box.
”Certainly. I shall perform the contract with Liese, so please come here,” Marcel said. I faced Liese and had him cast the Contract Magic. “The contract is now complete. Thank you for your purchase.”
”Thank you as well,” I said.
”I feel as though I may have further dealings with the customer. I look forward to your continued patronage,” Marcel added.
(I wonder if Marcel has an Intuition Skill too?) Actually, Sense Malice didn’t react to Marcel. He must be facing his business with sincerity. You could say Marcel is a trustworthy person. Thus, welcoming Liese as a new companion, I left the Gruenewald Merchant Guild.
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Summary:
The protagonist visits a slave trader to find a party member after his solo venture proves too conspicuous. He learns that male slaves are drastically more expensive and often associated with specific s*xual preferences. Ultimately, he chooses Liese, a Dragonewt with a unique elemental disability, as his new companion.
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Trivia:
- The protagonist uses ‘Chest Armor’ as a mental euphemism for breast size.
- Male slaves cost twice as much as female slaves due to high demand and low supply.
- Dragonewts inherit specific elemental affinities from their dragon ancestors.
- Sense Malice is a reliable indicator of a person’s character in this world.
- Green Day is a specific day of the week in this setting
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Character Insight:
The protagonist shows a blend of modern ethics (treating slaves as employees) and pragmatic fantasy survival. His choice of Liese over more ‘versatile’ options highlights his reliance on intuition over pure stats.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author notes that progress in the relationship with Liese will take significant time.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Marcel – Middle-aged man with polite service but intimidating eyes. A professional slave trader at the Gruenewald Merchant Guild.
• Ilse – 16‑year‑old demi‑human bandit, level 5 Archer (Archery Lv3), petite with beast‑ears, large‑breasted yet youthful, soft sensitive skin, cheeky‑stubborn but serious‑hearted. Slave of Elmer, earns sexual “rewards” from Daisuke and faints at climax; meets the protagonist monthly, sharp‑tongued yet diligent, now his lover. In the brothel she’s called a ‘lightweight’ or ‘small fry’ for basic practice.
• Margareta – 15-year-old Squirrel-type Beastman. Class: Magic Archer (L6). Light brown messy hair, 160cm, thin chest, fluffy tail. Fire magic aptitude.
• Beatrice – 15-year-old Human. Class: Grappler (L6). Light blue short hair, sparkling eyes, healthy physique, 170cm, decent chest.
• Elisa – 16-year-old Horse-type Beastman. Class: Whistler (L7). Black ponytail, green eyes, muscular legs, 175cm, large chest.
• Liese – 16-year-old Dragonewt. Class: Lancer (L7). Grey long hair, thick horns, grey scales on neck/limbs, 170cm, thin chest. No fire/water magic aptitude. A 16-year-old Dragonewt slave with gray hair and scales. Spear user (Spearman). Has the Titles ‘The Two Conflicting Dragons’. Loyal, serious, and enjoys meat. A slave and novice adventurer under Daisuke. Formerly educated by the Grunewald merchant guild. Uses a steel spear. Has a tail.
• Aya – A 165 cm tall, slender alchemist with long hair and a flat chest, wearing no armor. Serious and straight‑laced, she serves the Working Women Party and the Leemans Party, formerly a pharmacist, now an apprentice alchemist. Clean‑prudent, she appears as the protagonist’s lover in his delusions.
• Rin – Ice Mage of the JK Party: a tall, large‑breasted high‑school girl with long shaggy hair and thick chest armor. She wears a cool‑beauty façade but secretly loves makeup. Quiet and salty, her fragile VIT makes her physically imposing yet fragile; only intimate moments crack her mask, and her overwhelming presence dominates those around her, especially Daisuke’s delusion.
• Ren – Second‑year high‑schooler reborn as a Saint, healer and buffer for the Hero Party. Cynical and observant, he wears a plain school uniform with a faint halo, draws on MMO tactics, and rejects caretakers like Shouta. A Saint from another world, he joins the Hero Party, nursing resentment toward Otto’s forced mentorship.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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