12 12. Dream slave, slave dream.txt (2/2)

Today's walk was devoted solely to observation in order to feel close to the people of another world, but the existence of slaves gave me a great hint of the labyrinth's conquest.

Even though I hated myself for tying all matters to the labyrinth, I became immersed in the practicality of it.

Maybe it's because of the skill I just activated, ”? I was able to think very calmly, perhaps because of the skill '?

In this other world filled with a sense of reality, I play out a rational calculation.

I can find slaves with talents suitable for the labyrinth in the 'display'.

In other words, asking those selected slaves to capture the labyrinth, which is my objective, is not a bad option. It's a cynical plan that I came up with, but I thought it was worth considering.

I immediately walked to the unsafe side of the Valt and looked for a place where I could find information about slaves.

People who seemed to be slaves were traveling in wagons.

I use the Dimension to determine their destination.

They are going down an alleyway where I wouldn't normally find them, and going through an underground passage. I follow it carefully and find a simple, old door in the stone wall. It's not a building I would have found without knowing about it beforehand.

I observe the inside of the building with Dimension and figure out that it's a slave auction house, but I don't have enough MP left to figure out how deep it is. I spot the person who seems to be in charge of serving customers at the entrance, and I decide to enter the building, proudly posing as a customer.

The inside of the building was opulent, like an aristocrat's mansion in a movie.

A corridor so deep that it's hard to tell how far it goes, leads from the entrance to two hands.

''-- This is, sir. What can I do for you at this early hour?

A nice-looking man greeted me as I walked in with a curtsy.

'...... was recommended to me by an acquaintance. I just wanted to check up on you.

For now, I'll be gathering information with my mouth.

I've gained confidence through my several labyrinth explorations, so even if things get rough, as long as I can keep on running away, I don't think there will be any problems with my current situation.

Also, I'm confident in my 'acting' to a certain extent.

Even though I'm young in years, I fabricate an atmosphere that I have the financial resources to be able to come here.

My height is close to that of an adult, so as long as I have a good attitude, I should be able to succeed.

'I see. But we're only open late at night, so there's only so much you can see while the sun is high.

...... Okay. Then can I ask you to show me a little bit of selfishness now for that night?

Of course, sir.

I thought they would be evil for being a customer who wasn't worth the money, but they allowed me to ask questions more easily than I expected.

Maybe it's the high price per customer.

I try not to be suspicious of the questions I choose to ask.

'Right. First of all, what I'm wondering is--

Yes, that's--

-- and I observe the surroundings while proceeding with the conversation to gather information.

Right now, within the reach of the 《Dimension》, the slaves who were carried by the carriage just now have been grasped. It seems that they are currently in the process of adjusting their appearance. In order to improve the appearance of the goods, bathing, makeup and decorating are being done.

The number of slaves in chains exceeds several dozen.

I continue to observe the treatment of the slaves and continue to get information from the man who serves them.

Then, after a bit of time has passed, a slave appears in the lobby where the customer service man and I are talking.

I knew that the slave was lost because I had grasped it in the 《Dimension》. For a long time now, she has been walking around this large mansion by herself.

She is a young black-haired girl.

Her dark eyes were vacant and her body was emaciated.

I'm not sure if they've finished decorating, or if they're just wearing a shabby cloth.

...... Is that a slave in there?

I ask the question knowingly.

Then I immediately 'gaze' and see the general status.

[Status]

Name: Maria Distras HP 39/41 MP 35/35 Class: slave

Level 3.

Strength 0.89 Strength 2.01 Skill 1.23 Speed 0.73 Wisdom 1.07 Magic 1.91 Qualities 1.52

State: confusion 0.56 lethargy 1.02

Inherent skill: penetrating eye 1.43

Acquired skill: hunting 0.67 cooking 1.07

Three skills and a rare magic power. He has above average talent.

However, if you compare it to yourself and Dia, there's definitely a difference between heaven and earth.

It's far from substandard.

''Ah, I'm ....... I'm .......

My first reaction was to a slave named Maria.

The color returned to her empty eyes and she stared at me.

It's like I found something shiny - with a look on my face.

'I'm sorry ....... Hey, someone!　Get that slave in the back!

The man who was serving her also noticed her and snapped his hand to call someone from the back.

Still, the slave girl continues to look at me.

Then, falteringly, she mutters.

'...... My name is Maria. My name is Maria.

Me and the slave girl were far apart, but I could still hear her clearly.

In a thin voice, she uttered a name that is often seen in this other world.

I was puzzled by the sudden introduction of myself - perhaps because of the customs of my former world, I would say my name back as if I were caught.

'I'm Christ but ......'

I realized I made a mistake by saying my name.

There is nothing good about publishing your name in a place like this.

No matter how much I was confused by the suddenness of the situation, I was too careless.

While regretting this, the slave girl is taken away by a human who comes out of the back.

While being taken away, the slave girl kept looking at me during that time.

For one reason or another (・・・・・・・・・), I couldn't take my eyes off the girl.

I don't want to guess what her eyes wanted.

The man who was serving her wiped his forehead and stated his apologies.

'I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry for the unseemly part: ......'

No, no. ......

I find myself more upset than I thought I would be.

Is it because of the empty eyes of that girl, Maria? Maybe I was too nervous for this place, or maybe I'm still tired from the labyrinth exploration.

Anyway, I could confirm now that I'm 'displaying' the status of my slave.

Next time I come back, it seems I won't have a problem finding a talented slave.

It's best not to stay any longer.

''Now, let's move on to the next explanation--''

No, no problem. We'll come back to it for today. I know everything I need to know.

'...... thank you very much. Well, we look forward to seeing you again.

With the man who reverently curtsies to me, I walk out of the shop with my back to him.

My knowledge of slaves is well gained and I'm doing well.

But I'm not in a good mood.

The sun is going down, and I turn to the bar where I work.

My feet are unusually heavy.

But I was desperate to move the heavy leg, looking only forward.

It was as if I was dragging my shackles.