Chapter 19 (2/2)

To begin with, the slave mark was made so everyone could see it. It was done on Bal in that same way, so it was better to say that it was the big man instead that was slow to notice it.

Moreover, while the reason why it was put on a visible location was so that people could see who were slaves, it was also done that way in order to protect the slave at the same time.

Even if one was a slave, it wasn´t like he would obey all people, which would account for many people of all kinds, but only the person that bought him.

To damage a slave is to damage the possession of its master. If someone was to put their hand onto the slave of a master that had power, that person might receive retribution.

With that said, although it was a possibility for a slave to be only a servant or something similar, if one was a battle slave, and better yet, one just like Bal that would wear equipment that was clearly better than those of average mercenaries, they would be outright considered an existence that was many times at a better standing than, for instance, those mercenaries standing there.

But with a battle still being a slave, if one was to ask whether the big man that had said to be Bal´s fan had any thoughts about it, one could say he definitely had. However, Bal said to the angry big man:

“It was in exchange for a knight group model machiini. It wasn´t anything shady.”

To that, even the man could only answer “you were bought by quite a lot”. It is said that the selling price of a knight group model machiini wouldn´t be less than sixty million goldin. This was the same of the wage of an average mercenary for twenty or thirty years. However, if one was to really think about it, it would also be needed to consider if the mercenary wouldn´t have already died or retired by that time.

“So, you are piloting the machiini?”

Clenching his fists tight, the big man asked. Bal nodded.

“Though I cannot be compared to the level of my master, I give my support at battles within my range.”

Bal said while showing a smile. It seemed his blood would run faster once the topic would become about battles. Seeing Bal´s att.i.tude, the big man said “I see”, nodding his head. Seeing Bal´s satisfied face that was like that for some reason, it seemed the big man reached some sort of understanding.

“In that case, I will be eager to meet you in the battlefield. Give my best regards to your master. The ojou-chan there too.”

“Yeah, alright.”

Hearing the big man say that, Bela gave a complacent smile.

Neither Bal nor Bela said anything in particular about the big man´s misunderstanding. The conversation would proceed more smoothly by letting him think Bal was escorting the daughter of his master or something along those lines. Both knew they didn´t need to cause unnecessary friction.

After saying his name was [Orga] and the name of his mercenary group was [Crazy Cow], the big man left the place together with his companions.

“Ah, the name of the mercenary group. Now that I think about it, I still didn´t think of one.”

Bela said while watching the back of Orga and his companions that were leaving the place.

“Haven´t master registered our group at the mercenary a.s.sociation? Did you not put a name?”

“I just put my own name there, you see”

Usually, it was the representative of the mercenary group that did the registration at the mercenary a.s.sociation. Although Bela had already settled the matter about her registration at the town of Yarke, it was for the sake of getting the reward of the machiini pilots of the bandit group.

“I don´t really know much about giving names and so. So Bal, don´t you have a good name?”

Bela threw Bal this question. It was difficult for Bal to think of Bela lacking common knowledge, but since he was asked, he would answer.

“It seems they usually take the name from their own name, or from hero tales or folk tales from their home town they heard. There are also times they put the name of a greater beast they defeated.”

“Like putting the name Bigrobear, right? Don´t you have anything in mind that gives off a whimsical sense of strength?”

そうバッサリとベラに言われてバルもうなる。(TL note: Dunno how to translate that^^)

“One that is from an existing name would be Beladonna… No…”

Because of her name “Bela”, people would a.s.sociate her with that certain queen. That was the same for Bal. However, the first thing he heard from Bela when they met was that she didn´t like Beladonna. That´s why he was going to apologize, but…

“Yes, that´s fine.”

Although Bela had immediately accepted the name, as to be expected, Bal made a blank face.

“Is it fine?”

“That´s the name you said, wasn´t it?”

Bal frowned at Bela´s shocking words.

“Well, although it is fine if you like it, didn´t you hate the princess?”

“It´s just that she was some old hag that lost and died. So, wouldn´t it be just fine if I just steal that name “Beladonna”?”

“Ha?”

Bal doubted his own ears. Bal looked at the little girl that said she was going to steal the name of Beladonna with a face of someone that saw something weird. Seeing that, Bela laughed. And then, she said “Yes, it will be it”.

“It should feel so good if all the people in this world were to make a face like that.”

Bela muttered that.

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