Volume 2 Chapter 26 Takumi-kun Peeks Into The Dark Side Of McGareff
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The next day, I was told there was a place I absolutely had to visit, and so I found myself out and about with Ranka-san. Aria-chan tagged along, acting as my bodyguard.
”I apologize for the impertinence, given my status as a slave, but please allow me to walk ahead and serve as your guide,” Ranka-san said, respectfully bowing her head.
With practiced grace, she led us through a network of narrow alleys, her steps confident and assured. The route was unfamiliar to me—one I hadn’t walked before. McGaref, true to its character, wasn’t built with convenience in mind. Roads twisted, sloped, and meandered. No straight lines, only strategic elevations and chokepoints. I realized then that the city’s layout was a blueprint for urban warfare. Before I knew it, the rooftops loomed overhead, shadows cast down as if I were already surrounded. The plaza we entered resembled a tiger’s maw—if archers had taken position above, it would have turned into a slaughterhouse. That chill running down my spine? That was history brushing against me—McGaref’s bloody past made manifest in architecture.
”I haven’t really come this way before,” I said aloud.
”Is that so? Takumi-sama is indeed wise, straightforward, and pure,” Ranka-san replied with an unreadable expression.
There was something in her tone that made me pause, but it didn’t seem sarcastic. Still, she was incredibly fast on her feet. Aria-chan kept pace easily—no surprise, given her martial arts training—but I was breathing a little harder than I’d like to admit.
”Want me to carry you, Tak-kun?” Aria-chan offered brightly. “I don’t mind if you grope my breasts while you’re up there.”
”I’m good, Aria-chan,” I said with a dry smile. “I’m a guy, you know. I’ve got some pride, too.”
”Muu… Shion, it seems your plan has failed again,” she muttered, crossing her arms in a sulk.
After about an hour of winding alleys and uneven paths, we finally arrived at our destination. One glance around was enough to tell me this area had terrible security. I’d been feeling the sting of judgmental stares since we arrived—evaluating, measuring. If they decided we were prey, we’d be swarmed.
”It’s fine, Master. I’m known here. Nothing too dangerous will happen,” Ranka-san said with a reassuring smile.
”That’s good to hear. So… where are we, exactly?”
Even as I asked, I already knew the answer.
”This is the slave market,” she said flatly.
She went on to explain: this wasn’t a place for common retail purchases. Rather, it served as a procurement hub for the merchant guild specializing in slave trade. While regular citizens could only make purchases through auctions, here, transactions happened behind the scenes. McGaref’s slave market was the second largest after the imperial capital. Yet, by its very nature, it remained quietly tucked away—churning out filthy profits hidden from public view.
”Debt slaves, those who sold themselves to save their families, prisoners… All kinds are brought here. The merchant guild processes them like products, then distributes them to guild halls and brothels, waiting to be bought by a fortunate master,” Ranka-san explained as we walked.
”What about criminal slaves?” I asked.
”They’re not handled in respectable venues like this. But… speaking of disreputable matters, kidnapped individuals sometimes end up here too. For some, buying them might actually be an act of salvation.”
We approached one of the buildings. Ranka-san addressed the gatekeeper confidently.
”This is the new chairman.”
Her name carried enough weight that we were immediately ushered inside with the utmost deference. The building was more solidly built than I’d expected. Thick walls, iron doors. Strangely quiet.
As we made our way down a hallway, a merchant passed by, leading a handcuffed girl who was completely nude. My breath caught.
She looked just like Kurumi-chan.
Our eyes met. Hers were filled with tears, her expression a mix of despair, shame, and resignation. That look froze me in place.
”Ah, Ranka-san. Is something the matter?” the merchant asked, raising an eyebrow.
”No. That slave merely resembles someone the chairman knows. It was surprising, is all,” she replied calmly.
”I see. We just got a fresh batch of female captives—it’s been a while. You’re lucky to have bought a good one before they were all taken.”
He left with the girl.
”This is everyday life here,” Ranka-san said, her voice smooth. “Now, let’s move on.”
I let out a quiet sigh of relief that Kurumi-chan hadn’t been brought along.
”As you saw, female slaves are displayed nude, without any consideration for modesty.”
Ranka-san continued as we walked.
”The captive slave from the clan you spoke with recently—I’ve had her processed here. I hope this doesn’t offend you. But this market is a reality in McGaref. You’re already an important figure in this country, Takumi-sama. Understanding both its light and its shadows is essential.”
She paused in front of a door.
”We’ve arrived.”
Inside, three nude women sat, collars fastened, limbs shackled. At a signal from the supervisor, all three stood and turned to face us, exposing their bodies without a hint of modesty.
T/N: In slave markets of this fictional setting, nudity is used as a display of “product transparency,” and reflects a deeply dehumanizing societal norm rather than erotica.
”Aria-chan, if you’re uncomfortable, you can wait outside,” I whispered.
”No way. I’m staying right by your side, Tak-kun,” she said firmly.
As Ranka-san engaged the supervisor in discussion—prices, abilities, background—I glanced over at the girls. They looked close to my age. Athletic, composed features, but… no performative smiles. No forced seduction. Which probably meant they weren’t “polished products” yet.
”I’ve assessed their condition. All three are worthy acquisitions,” Ranka-san said. “The funds are prepared. The final decision is yours, Takumi-sama.”
I hesitated. Was this a test? Was Ranka-san trying to gauge something about me? And what was this market, truly—corrupt to the core, or a grim necessity?
In the end, I purchased all three. Ranka-san paid in full.
The girls’ expressions shifted—first in surprise, then in quiet relief. Though private conversations were likely forbidden, they seemed to understand each other without words. That I was buying them together must have been reassuring.
”Takumi-sama, there’s a private room available. Would you like to use it right away?” Ranka-san asked, her tone casual.
”Eh… What?”
”Naturally, the purpose is to discipline them through intercourse. The girl from earlier has already been moved to another room for that purpose. Since none of these three are virgins, there will be no loss in value from your… use.”
T/N: In this setting, “disciplining” slaves through sexual means is viewed as standard practice by the merchant guild, but is a product of a highly dystopian moral framework. This is not portrayed as a normative stance but as a critique of the setting’s ethical structure.
I froze, taken aback by how matter-of-factly she explained it. I’d never been explicitly instructed to sleep with anyone before—certainly not like this. Ranka-san might see it as standard procedure, but for me… it was too much.
”No,” I said firmly. “Let’s take them back as they are. You three will be exploring the labyrinth as part of my clan. So behave yourselves.”
”You may speak freely,” Ranka-san told the women.
The one who seemed to be the leader glanced at her cautiously before nodding.
”Thank you very much, my master. We shall serve you to the best of our abilities, until the end.”
”You are not to act as prostitutes or disposable fighters,” Ranka-san said, addressing them. “You will be receiving extraordinary favor. Be grateful to your master, and do your utmost.”
At her words, the three brightened for a moment—then their expressions dimmed. The girl sold off earlier—the one who looked like Kurumi—was likely a friend of theirs.
But I couldn’t do anything for her.
As Ranka-san handed over clothing, received from the supervisor, and the girls began to dress, I whispered to Aria-chan.
”Hey… was how I handled that okay?”
”You were great!” she whispered back with a grin. “I love kind Takumi. But you didn’t have to hold back because of me. You know I’m not like Shion—I don’t get jealous. Educating slaves doesn’t count as cheating!”
Her words caught me off guard. Maybe she was right. From an outside perspective, it was perfectly normal for the clan leader or guild master to use their slaves however they pleased.
But from Ranka-san’s perspective, my behavior was… insufficient.
That night, I received a lecture on the responsibilities of “owning slaves.”
From both Ranka-san and her older sister Marina.
Their method of instruction?
Their own bodies—and their virginity.
Notes:
• Ranka – She’s a guild shop assistant with a friendly demeanor and a practical mindset. Ranka’s recommendations are based on logical, merchant-minded suggestions, catering to the buyer’s needs.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Shion – Ginga’s GF. Archery, healing.
• Marina – Ranka’s older sister. The formal owner of Merchant Guild Katarina.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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