Volume 4 Chapter 5 Negotiation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Once the questioning wrapped up, Rin headed back to her own inn. Her final move was to give Camilla a squeeze so tight the girl started suffocating again. Before she left, she whispered, “…I’m leaving Camilla in your hands.” She was clearly worried sick. Honestly, I kind of wished I could’ve traded places with her.
When I returned to the room, everything was exactly as I’d left it. I’d paid a week in advance since dealing with daily rates is a massive drag. I grabbed dinner with Liese and Camilla-extra meat, naturally-and then had Liese help Camilla wash up. A clean Camilla was somehow even more adorable. As a fox-type beastman, those twitch-twitching ears and that big, fluffy tail were just magnificent.
I considered having her sleep in Liese’s bed, but Camilla practically begged to stay with me. I kept my hands to myself, obviously. Still, it made me wonder just how old she actually was. Once we get her properly settled, I’ll have to check her abilities with Appraisal¹. Assuming she’s not totally hopeless, I’d love for her to join us as an adventurer. As we crawled into the same futon, I pulled her close, and she happily nuzzled her head against me. (I have to save her, no matter what.)
The next afternoon, I led Liese and Camilla toward the Guild. Rin joined us, since she was a key witness.
The plan was a sit-down between me and the “Beast Fang” party-a bunch of rough-looking customers-but I’d made sure to call in some official backup: a Guild clerk, a city guard, and an Inquisitor.
I’d spent yesterday setting that up. The clerk was there as a neutral observer to testify to yesterday’s events; his word could tank their Adventurer Rank if things got ugly.
The guard served as another witness, but more importantly, he was there to authorize a duel if the talks fell through-something the Guild guys can’t officially do.
As for the Inquisitor, they were there to verify my healing.
(Actually, I could technically bypass an Inquisitor’s Insight with my Disguise skill, but I wasn’t about to risk that. Besides, you can’t really bribe or fake being an Inquisitor. Bribing one triggers an “Evil” title for them, and faking it gives you one. The risk is just too high.)
The players were all in place. The clerk was Bruno, but I didn’t really know the guard or the Inquisitor personally. Not that it mattered. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice,” I began. “I’ll have to disclose some personal secrets to settle this, and while I have no choice but to speak freely here, I can’t have this information leaking out. Therefore, I only permit those who can swear a Divine Oath²-vowing never to repeat what is seen or heard regarding me in this room-to enter.”
I’d already prepped Rin, Bruno, and the officials. They gave their word and stepped inside. The Beast Fang party, however-especially their scary leader-wasn’t feeling it.
”Hah? What kind of crap is that?” Gerta barked. “How are you even gonna know if we keep our mouths shut?”
”If you’ve got the stones to spit in the face of the Gods by breaking an Oath, be my guest,” I replied.
”Tch. Fine. Whatever. I swear it to the Gods,” said Gerta.
First hurdle cleared. If they’d walked out now, it would’ve been a nightmare. In this world, a Divine Oath is a heavy burden; breaking one slaps you with a “Wicked” title. The Beast Fang party was composed entirely of beastman women, each one looking like a literal predator.
If they’ve been hunting on the seventeenth floor, they must have some back-line support, but from where I was standing, they looked like a pure vanguard squad. It was intimidating. Once the door was shut, I threw up a Wind Magic barrier to soundproof the room. I didn’t sense anyone eavesdropping, but better safe than sorry.
”Let’s try this again. Thank you for your time. I’m Daisuke, a B-Rank adventurer.”
”…Rin. B-Rank,” Rin added.
”I am Inquisitor Haida,” Haida said.
”Guard Karl,” Karl said.
”Bruno, Guild Staff,” said Bruno.
”B-Rank leader of ‘Beast Fang,’ Gerta,” said Gerta.
The rest of her unit stayed quiet and didn’t bother with introductions.
”We’re here to discuss the rescue and recovery of this girl, Camilla,” I said.
”That fox is my slave,” Gerta snapped. “I’ll say thanks for picking her up, but that’s as far as this goes. We’re done here. Let’s go, brat.”
Gerta reached for Camilla, but I stepped between them. “Not so fast. It’s not that simple. Under Kingdom Law, ‘If a third party treats a slave for life-threatening injuries or illness when the master’s intent cannot be confirmed, the healer is entitled to full reimbursement from said master.’ Isn’t that right, Karl?”
”That is correct,” Karl replied.
”Oh, for the love of… fine. How much?” Gerta asked.
”One hundred gold coins,” I said.
”Are you out of your damn mind?!” Gerta roared. “That mutt is worth forty gold at best!”
”The price is accurate. Allow me to break it down. When I found Camilla, her arm and both legs had been torn off by wolves. She was seconds from death. I treated her, and as you can see, she is now fully whole. Haida, am I telling the truth?” I asked.
”He is. I confirm his words as absolute truth,” Haida said.
”Hold up! How do we know he isn’t using some Skill to hoodwink the Inquisitor?!” Gerta demanded.
(I knew she’d say that. That’s exactly why I needed the soundproofing and the Divine Oaths.)
”If you doubt me, ask your own slave. Tell her to speak the truth. Or ask Rin,” I said.
”Hey, fox! Spurt it out! What happened?” Gerta commanded.
”I… y-yes,” Camilla stammered. “I was dying… the wolves… but Rin-onee… Rin-sama and Daisuke-sama saved me.”
”…I just cleared the wolves and gave her first aid,” Rin added. “Daisuke did the actual healing.”
”Still no lies detected,” Haida noted.
(I can use Disguise on myself, but I can’t hide the truth coming out of Rin or Camilla. Especially Camilla-she’s still Gerta’s slave, so she’s physically incapable of disobeying a direct order.)
”Did you have some high-tier regeneration potion?” Gerta grumbled.
”The method doesn’t change the value. Whether it’s a potion or high-level Healing Magic, limb restoration is astronomical. Karl, what’s the standard donation for a temple to regrow limbs?” I asked.
”Typically between thirty to eighty gold coins,” Karl replied.
The price fluctuates based on how much mana is used and how much the injury impacts the person’s livelihood. Temples aren’t exactly known for their charity when limbs are on the line.
”Since she lost three limbs, I’ve set the base at the maximum: eighty gold. That’s market rate, right?” I asked.
”It is,” Karl agreed.
”I concur,” Bruno added.
”Then there’s the hazard dispatch fee. A high-ranking priest wouldn’t step foot in a dungeon for less than a few gold. And during a Dungeon Upheaval³? It’s virtually impossible to get professional help down there,” I said.
”The dispatch fee is within reason,” Haida said.
”And he’s right about the dungeon,” Karl noted. “The Upheaval is still ongoing. It’s a literal no-go zone.”
”Finally, I’ve added twenty gold for the emergency nature of the treatment-she would have been dead in minutes without me. That brings us to one hundred gold coins. Even if I’d used a potion, the market cost would be nearly identical,” I said.
”Hmph. The pricing is legally sound,” Bruno concluded.
”I have no objections,” Haida added.
(That settled it. The one hundred gold coin bill was officially validated. I hadn’t explicitly revealed my healing method, but it was a thin line. Anyone could check if I’d actually bought a high-rank potion lately. That’s why the oaths were vital.)
”Gerta-san, the one hundred gold coin fee has been deemed fair. If you want to take Camilla back, pay up,” I said.
Now, what would she do? If she paid, I’d immediately pivot to abuse charges and let the Inquisitor tear her apart. If she was found innocent there, then I’d go to my final move: a duel.
”To hell with that! I don’t have that kind of coin!” Gerta screamed.
(Perfect. She took the bait. Camilla’s ownership just defaulted to me.)
”I see. It’s a shame we couldn’t settle the debt, but I’ll take Camilla as payment,” I said.
”You son of a…! Fine! I challenge you to a duel for the fox’s ownership!” Gerta shouted.
(I knew she’d jump to that, but man, she really went for it.)
”And what exactly are you wagering, Gerta-san?” I asked.
”Hah? I just said it! The fox!” Gerta said.
”Incorrect. Ownership of Camilla has already passed to me. Isn’t that right, Karl?” I asked.
”Yes,” the guard confirmed. “By Kingdom Law, the moment you refused to pay the medical debt, ownership of the slave defaulted to the healer.”
”There you have it,” I said.
Gerta went dead silent. If she’d just backed down now, we could have had a somewhat clean break. But the air in the room was starting to boil.
”…Forty gold coins then,” Gerta hissed. “That’s the market rate for a fox girl. You can’t complain about that. I’m not letting some punk make a fool of the Beast Fangs!”
(I sighed. Honestly, there wasn’t much point in accepting. I liked money, but I wasn’t desperate enough to fight a B-Ranker for forty gold. But if I turned her down now, this grudge would never die.)
”Fine. The reward is set. We’ll go with Guild Style Individual Rules⁴, agreed?” I asked.
”Works for me,” Gerta said.
The Guild Style Individual Rules-officially the Adventurer’s Guild Standard Duel Protocol-boiled down to a few key points. The duel is one-on-one with no outside help allowed. It starts on the witness’s mark and ends when someone surrenders or is knocked out. Accidental death is not murder, but intentional killing is a disqualification. Most Skills, magic, and gear are fair game, and each party pays for their own healing afterward. Since Gerta agreed to the terms, I wouldn’t have to worry about her cronies jumping in mid-fight.
”Let’s head to the training grounds. Karl, would you mind acting as the witness?” I asked.
”Understood,” Karl said.
The Guild’s training ground was a fifty-meter dirt lot out back. As we moved out, I pulled my gear from my Item Box: a sword, armor, and a buckler, all forged from Radiant Iron. It was high-quality kit, signaling to everyone that I was a B-Rank who knew my business. Because the dungeon was closed, the area was packed with bored adventurers. Once they saw two B-Ranks squaring off, the D-Ranks cleared out fast-getting caught in the crossfire of a B-Rank fight is an easy way to get killed. Most of them scurried up to the spectator stands.
”Are both parties ready?” Karl asked. “State your oaths.”
”I’m ready,” I said. “I swear to the Gods to abide by the Guild Style Individual Rules. If I lose, I will hand over Camilla as the reward.”
”I’m ready to go,” Gerta growled. “I swear to the Gods to abide by the rules. If I lose, I will pay forty gold coins as the reward.”
”Oaths confirmed,” Karl announced, stepping back. “As the witness, I swear to judge fairly and enforce the reward. Ready… Begin!”
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Summary:
Daisuke maneuvers through a high-stakes legal negotiation to secure the ownership of Camilla, the beastman girl he rescued. By utilizing specific Kingdom Laws and involving officials like an Inquisitor, he traps Gerta into a financial corner she cannot escape. When Gerta refuses to pay the exorbitant (but legally sound) medical bill, she loses her slave, leading her to challenge Daisuke to a formal duel. The chapter ends with the two B-Rank adventurers preparing to clash in the Guild’s training grounds.
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Trivia:
- Daisuke’s mention of ‘Disguise’ bypassing an Inquisitor’s ‘Insight’ suggests a future plot point where he may need to lie under official scrutiny.
- The heavy emphasis on ‘Wicked’ titles for breaking Divine Oaths highlights a system of spiritual/karmic tracking in this world’s power system.
- Gerta’s willingness to gamble 40 gold coins despite being unable to pay 100 shows her desperation to preserve the reputation of ‘Beast Fang.’
- Camilla’s age being a mystery hints at her potentially being younger or older than her appearance suggests due to her beastman heritage
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Character Insight:
Camilla’s transition from Gerta’s slave to Daisuke’s property marks a major shift in her status and safety. Daisuke shows a protective but highly analytical side, viewing the situation as a tactical puzzle to solve. Rin’s silent but intense concern for Camilla deepens her bond with both the girl and Daisuke.
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Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
The ‘Dungeon Upheaval’ serves as a significant economic and legal event, making medical services within dungeons a premium luxury. Kingdom Law is shown to have robust protections for healers, allowing them to effectively ‘buy’ slaves through unpaid medical debts. The Adventurer’s Guild provides standardized duel protocols that are legally binding.
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TL Notes:
The term ‘surisuri’ (rubbing) was localized to ‘nuzzled’ to capture the warmth of the scene, while ‘piko-piko’ (sound of twitching) was adapted to ‘twitch-twitching’ to remain natural for a US audience.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Camilla – A beast-kin slave rescued by Daisuke. She is emaciated, traumatized, and currently clings to Daisuke as a surrogate for her lost brother. A former slave recently acquired by Daisuke. Has a fluffy tail and a timid but affectionate personality. A fox-type Beastman with twitching ears and a fluffy tail. Formerly Gerta’s slave, she was rescued and healed by Daisuke after being mauled by wolves. The slave girl whose ownership was at stake in the duel. Previously mistreated by Gerta’s party. A fox-type Beastman child. Thin and malnourished from abuse. Formerly a slave to a B-Rank party.
• Rin – Tall, large‑breasted high‑school‑type B‑rank adventurer with long shaggy hair and thick chest armor, projecting a cool‑beauty façade. Quiet and blunt, she wields ice magic for first aid, protects Camilla, and feels a debt to a rescued beast‑man child, dominating Daisuke’s group.
• Liese – Dragonewt girl, 16, grey‑blue hair, thick horns, grey scales on neck and limbs, 170 cm tall, thin chest, tail that thumps when excited. Loyal disciple and Daisuke’s first slave, she wields a spear, trains on dungeon floors 3 and 11, Level 14, titled “Two Conflicting Dragons” sealing fire/water magic, loves meat and reading, and helps care for Camilla, especially bathing.
• Bruno – A middle‑aged, meticulous man in the Guild’s Appraisal Department, married and roughly the age the protagonist once was. During the Dungeon Upheaval he serves as an investigator and neutral witness for the Adventurer’s Guild.
• Gerta – A B-Rank adventurer and leader of the ‘Beast Fang’ party. She is a Beastman woman with a predatory aura, aggressive temperament, and a history of slave ownership. A level 47 High-Strength Warrior and member of the ‘Beast Fang’ party. A wild-type beauty with jagged teeth. Uses a greatsword and skills like Maten, Magic Blade, and Roar. Vanguard of the B-Rank party ‘Beast Fang’. A tall, muscular beastman with jagged teeth and a wild personality.
• Daisuke – Mid‑40s Japanese man, reincarnated adventurer, wears a ten‑year‑old watch and Radiant Iron gear. B‑Rank with high AGI/DEX, he uses Healing, Fire magic, Ground Shrink and Flash Move. Mentor to Liese, Rin and Camilla, he runs a growing household, cares for slaves, and gains fame after defeating Gerta.
• Haida – An Inquisitor possessing the ‘Insight’ ability to verify the truth of statements.
• Karl – A City Guard tasked with witnessing legal procedures and duels. The witness of the duel who certifies the victory.
• Mai – 175 cm tall, toned and athletic, she dons thick chest armor and a single ponytail, giving a slightly masculine look. War Saint Vanguard of the Working Women Party and Leemans member — former gym instructor, adventure lover, brisk speaker — also in the transferee party, recalling martial‑arts tournament knowledge from a past life.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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