Volume 8 (1/2)

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Zanoba shi+rone The third prince of the shi+rone Kingdoth from birth

He's a deviant Undeniably a deviant You could perhaps say that he's a figurine otaku taken to the extre at dolls everyday When he feels like it, he'll gently pat the dolls

He'll never treat a doll roughly Though he'll be unable to suppress his superhuets excited, he'll neverthe dolls

He ht be in love with dolls

Love

Right, he loves dolls He dotes on them

For example, in his rooht sight of it in town, and bought it on impulse

It's the naked figure of a sliirl

When I had first looked for Zanoba's roo that statue in the nude It waswithout knocking There's no doubt that I was in the wrong, but when Zanoba saw me he flusteredly put on clothes, and bowed his head in an unsightly manner

I'o out of his way to explain what he was doing hugging it naked

His love for dolls is abnormal It still snows occasionally, up here in the north It's cold outside, and it goes without saying how cold a statue would be Though on the verge of getting frostbite, he was satisfying his desires It was devotion to a level that no one else could imitate★

However, it's not abnormal to an extent that I can't understand it In urines as well, after all However, I've never used the Holy Statue (Roxy Figurine) for that It's so unacceptable after all

Speaking of which, I didn't see a Roxy doll in Zanoba's room Did he perhaps leave it in shi+rone?

That Zanoba, on a certain day

He suddenly perfor that happened at night In

”shi+shou, please teach urines)!”

Over this pastto tell Zanoba to wait a little longer Though he had been patiently ”waiting” like a pet dog, it seems that he finally reached his limits

”Did we not an our lessons yet!?”

Zanoba was a little angry Of course I had no reason to refuse I had pro hi to rehabilitate my skills There was also the fact that my everyday life hadn't cal oal, and that I hadn't found a chance to teach him yet

”My dear Zanoba This training of mine will be harsh, you know”

I had deliberately spoken rather affectedly, and Zanoba was taken aback He then nodded solemnly

”Of course shi+shou, please do not underestimate me Even if I have to vomit blood, I'll learn the heart of shi+shou's doll creation method”

”Mmmn You have spirit”

And like that, I began to teach Zanoba my doll creation methods

Using the time before bed, I'd teach him about 1~2 hours a day

I had my ownAdditionally, he was royalty; he was rich

I had given up on colouring the dolls, and on ht be possible with his influence

First, I'd mass produce Roxy dolls In the past I had created it as an unique ite bronze statues as well as the art of creating western styled dolls existed in this world Even if the crafts these two techniques should allow me to mass produce them

After that would be Ruijerd dolls Using the real history as a basis, I would write books that glorified the Superd clan It'd be filled with battle scenes that the people of this world love so much, and in contrast to the depictions of faave up and the suffering and conflicts that he faced as he endeavoured It would courine

The figurine would co difference to show the protagonist visually If this turned out to be a success, it lorious exploits next

Alright, we can do it Though it ht be impossible on my own, no matter what they may say about hiot passion as well As a partner for this enterprise, there'd surely be no one better

There's a saying about counting chickens before they've hatched It was surely a fitting description for me at the time

”Well then, I'll teach you my secret techniques!”

”Yes! shi+shou!”

Our doll creating was just beginning

Let's just start with the conclusion

He couldn't do it Zanoba couldn't use voiceless earth ic to create dolls

There were two reasons First there was the fact that he couldn't control chantless ic Second of all, there was the fact that he lackedmana capacity

Thinking about it, there are hardly any people in this world who can use chantlessthe people I've met, there were only Orsted, Fitts and Sylphy In this school there was one ic However, I was told that he died last year Since I had been able to use it since childhood, it had never really occurred toback on it, Eris and Ghyslaine weren't able to learn chantless ic either Since it was like that, there was no way a person who just started learning ic like Zanoba would be able to use it

Moreover, the issue of urines, my mana is consumed continuously I use up a considerable amount of mana to produce them

It was then that I understood it for the first time It seereater than others No, strictly speaking I had vaguely noticed it I thought that I had ht that it'd be so far above the average When I was an adventurer and I had seenlike ”they've been wasting their s nuician had 100 ht that I was around 500 or so However, the reality is that it seems I have much, much more than that To think that Zanoba couldn't produce even a single doll part

Well, leaving reat effort

Waking up early, he'd use up his mana until he fainted, then when he woke up, he'd use up his ht be because he'd continued to use hisand starting to sag a little His face was like a skeleton, and ith tears andhe wanted to do most That much was obvious

I've done so so, I apologised

”I'm sorry”

Zanoba shook his head and replied without any power

”No, if I was more talented”

The figure of a ure of a loser, surrounded by a shroud of sorrow It wouldn't be good to give up here

I think about things

It really is quite pitiful that Zanoba can't even urines Even so, it can't be helped since chantless ic is impossible for him Since he lacks in urines using the same method that I do

”Alright Let's change the creation method”

I spontaneously reach such a conclusion

”There's another way of doing it!?”

The grieving Zanoba suddenly recovered, and now leans in towards me

”Yeah Let's try a method that uses mana as little as possible”

Saying this, I create a lump of earth It's clay

”Though I used ic to create this, you should probably be able to find this naturally in the wild”

Just where do people get clay? I hear that famous potters like to seclude themselves in the mountains, but the h, those gole like clay, and you can probably obtain clay even without having to dig up the earth yourself

”What are you going to do with that?”

”I' to carve it”

Carving

It's the oldest method, the most reliable method, but also the most difficult method

I'll create the figurine parts one by one by carving the clay If I do things like this, it should be possible to create figurines even without usingtools, but we can probably work it out by looking for a s like knives that can cut through stone like butter

”I see, shi+shou! With this method, even I should be able to do it!” said Zanoba in a cheerful voice

His expression was filled with hope

His hope was very simply crushed

Zanoba couldn't use his fingers skilfully The cause was an ability he possessed since birth

Superhuth

Indeed, he was hindered by that superhuh that he didn't destroy everything However, that was as far as he could control it It was difficult to perform the delicate work required to carve the parts

Zanoba persevered each day with bloodshot eyes His passion was the real thing

Without even a wink of sleep, he immersed himself in doll creation until he alone the way he had wanted, he redid things again and again Each tie noises

And then it would be finished; the doll that he had created from scratch

It couldn't be called beautiful by any means The workmanshi+p was bad, and had it been in hed at it in scorn It was like the badly done joke photoshops that you could find in abundance on the internet However, I knew I knew that this was his passion I'd never laugh at hi, Zanoba himself could tell that it was badly done

”shi+shou, I can't do it I can't do it the way shi+shou does it!”

Zanoba cried Unable to create what he saw in his rief, he seey left to stand

Fro of our lessons to the end was 2Zanoba's depressed and worn out expression, there was nothing I could do

”And that's how it is”

I had consulted Fitts-senpai Asking someone else for advice about my student; I was truly shameful as a shi+shou However, I still wanted to rely on someone else's wisdom Zanoba was too pitiful after all

”Making dolls?”

Fitts-senpai couldn't really understand Whilst sitting on some chairs that were lined up inside the library, he listened to my story and then tilted his head in puzzlement

”Yes That's basically how it is”

Using earth ic, I create a simple doll to show hi, and was a bit like a Sarubobo[2]

”A-, a”

Fitts-senpai stared atThen as though wondering if he could do it as well, he gathersor other that was a bit like sli that he had just tried to copy

However, it seems that it didn't turn out the way he wanted In the end Fitts-senpai sighed and gave up

”I can't do it”

Well, creating figurines is so time now, and is an accumulation of the techniques that I've studied If it was so, I'd cry Nevertheless, it feels to me that if Fitts-senpai practised, he'd be able to do it In the first place, he's soic

”This is so that a normal person can't imitate”

”That's true I had thought that anotherfrom a lump of clay would work out, but”

”Since he was clumsy with his hands, he couldn't do it, you said”

Fitts-senpai let out a 'M about it with his hand to his chin It see his hand to his chin when he thinks It lasses, but it looks awfully uncomfortable Incidentally, when he's aard or embarrassed, he'll scratch his cheek or behind his ears It's an action that's quite suiting of his age, and suits hiht not be as young as he seems

”Mmmm, let's see I'm not sure if you'll be able to use them as a reference, but there are people like him in the Asura capital as well”

”People like him?”

”Ms they want to do themselves, but lack the ability or skill”

”What do these people do?”

When I asked that, Fitts-senpai seemed a little reluctant to answer and scratched himself behind the ear

”Uet slaves to do it”

”Hohh” [3]

According to Fitts-senpai, those people in the capital had the knowledge, but lacked the skill That's why they would buy slaves, train those slaves, and had the slaves create what they wanted

”According to what I've heard, that Zanoba-kun likes the dolls that you make, Rudeus-kun, and because he wants ht?”

”Huh? Was that what I said?”

”Umm, that's how it sounded to me?”

Is that so? But still, norurines, you'd just paint them yourself or remodel them; you wouldn't think to create them froe remodeller

”I'm sure that Zanoba-kun wanted you as his personal doll-maker, Rudeus-kun, but he hiht be why he said soht?”

”Well, I don't think it'd be ih”

Employed by Zanoba in the shi+rone Royal Palace, and spending each day ht not be bad Working for a royal palace would probablyof which, how et from Princess Ariel each month?

It feels like it'd be rude to ask, huh?

”Well, I'll try suggesting it to Zanoba once Thank you very much”

”Mn, you're very welcome”

When I bowed, Fitts-senpai smiled bashfully Why is it that I feel so startled when I see that s face of his?

It's a mystery

The mysterious man, Fitts Truly a mystery

Buy a slave, teach them, and they'll be able to create dolls When I told Zanoba about this idea, he agreed

As I expected, he began reat joy

It seeinally wanted to create them himself However, it seems that he realised that since it was iive up on it Unexpectedly, the ested was typical for this world Be that as it may, for a student to ask their shi+shou to teach a slave instead of the Zanoba tried to learn it until he was vo up the topic, when I suggested it instead, he was relieved

”And so our nextto the slave market”

Once again, I expressed ave me advice when I was troubled, I really was thankful to him

”I see It'd be good if you found a good slave”

And like that, the topic cah it had coety What to say?

”Speaking of which, I'm free as well next monthly-break”

”Is that so?”

”Mn And so, u to visit the town, but it's not like there's anywhere I wanted to go in particular I don't have any friends, so I'd be going by myself”

Frolances towards me, he conveyed what he meant

Is this okay for a guard?

Wouldn't it be bad if he wasn't near the princess when so happened?

Well, that's not for me to worry about

I'm sure Luke would be able to deal with it somehow

”Umm, would you like to come with us, senpai?”

”Is that okay? Wouldn't I bother you?”

”It's fine As thanks for your advice, I'll treat you to a meal”

”Really? Then I'll accept”

Saying that, Fitts-senpai smiled bashfully

------

Like that, the plan was for the three of us to go to the slave market

I had originally thought to :

”Rudeus vs Zanoba”

”shi+shou's Mana Capacity Is the Greatest in the Woooooooooooooooorld!”

”A Flower in Each Hand!? Heart-Throbbing Shopping with Prince Super-Strength and Prince Bashful!”

but I decided against it

”It's nice to meet you I'm Fitts”

When Fitts met Zanoba, he was a little nervous If he's a senpai, then he should act nified or so I was thinking, but the thing about hiht really be the case Zanoba steps forith a jerk

”Third prince of the shi+rone Kingdom, Zanoba shi+ronnoaaa!”

Zanoba was getting cocky, so I kick him behind the knees[4] He topples a little It's not like I have plans to reinforce the pecking order It's just that it'd probably be best to be a littlea senior for the first time

”Zanoba, the one who came up with our current plan was Fitts-senpai Pay him your respects properly”

When I said this, Zanoba bent at the hips and greeted him

”I understand, shi+shou I do not believe I have had the pleasure of dom's Third Prince, Zanoba shi+rone Pleased to make your acquaintance”

”N-, no, it's all go-, fine Because you're a person of royalty, please stop with that”

While waving his arms in a fluster, Fitts-senpai took his place behindthat, Zanoba stared in wonder There was quite an astonishi+ng gap between his appearance, the rumours about him, and his current speech and conduct

Despite being acalled Silent Fitts, he was acting afraid like this Despite wearing sunglasses, and looking a little once you spoke to hiood senpai who looks after his kouhai

”Well then, now that we've all o”

At in to walk

The slave market is in the Commerce Street

The slave trading business was just barely scraping along on the Milis continent and in the southern parts of the Central Continent However, it's different here in the north

Here, the slave trade is perfectly legalized in most countries, and is endorsed To the countries in the northern parts of the Central Continent, the slave trade is an important business They're reliant on it to the point where the countries wouldn't be able to survive without it

There are a variety of reasons for a person to become a slave

Those who are orphaned in a war

Those who are up to their ears in debt due to bad harvests, and so sell their children

Those who sell themselves off to save their family

It's also rumored that in the dark side of the Thieves Guild, there's so like a slave farm

The Ranoa Kingdoic Triu further east are a great nues that have to sell children at fixed intervals

Those slaves are bought by warrior and roups or countries and used as disposable soldiers in warfare

However, there are those in the business that are connected with the Kingdom of Asura Slaves that are beautiful or have a lot of ability are brought to the Kingdodoh there are those who live in destitution, there's nobody who suffers froht there are basically winners I honestly think that you've lost the h

Also, because the slaves here in the north are excellent and robust, there are those who come all the way here toto buy people

”So it's this place, huh?”

In fact, I'd gathered information at the Adventurers Guild beforehand

In a district as big as this, there are numerous slave markets This particular district has 5 of them,

Though there are 5, they range in quality For example, I was told about one of them ”absolutely never buy from there” I was told that in a slave market with low credibility, there are slaves who are diseased or dying that people try to pawn off to others with a straight face Well, I also heard that you could occasionally find a bargain there, but since we're all beginners we'd all have no way to tell the difference

Because we're new to this, we head to a better slave market

”Hmm, it's quite different to my homeland”

Zanoba nodded in interest

The slave lance Made of stone and earth, it was a typical building for these parts Judging by the standards of this world, this building was on the large side There were three of them in a row Written above the door that served as the entrance was 『Rium Company - Slave Trade Centre』

There were fires burning at the entrance, and standing around wereThey were unshaven, but didn't give a particularly bad feeling I've spent 2 years as an adventurer though, so it ht be that I've becoht different about them in the past

”The slave market isn't outside huh”

Fitts-senpai's voice sounded surprised In the north, there are many slave markets that are held indoors The reason is simple

”Shall we enter?”

When we enter, a waft of hot air surrounds our bodies There are fires throughout the inside of the building

And on top of the countless daises are naked slaves lined up in a row The reason they don't do it outside is basically because it's cold The slaves would catch colds

However, because indoorcustomers, there are those who still do it outside

”Hmm, there are a lot of different sales places, aren't there? shi+shou, what should we do?”

”Since it'sas well, first let's look around as appropriate”

We start to walk around without much of a plan The 8 slave stands are merchants associated with the Rium Company Gathered around each place are possibly those who are selling slaves they've bought

They probably alternate when they've sold out, or it nated timeslot has passed

It's quite a successful business, and there are crowds of people around each of the stands Their outfits are quite varied; there are those like me who are dressed like adventurers, those who like Fitts-senpai and Zanoba are dressed like nobles, as well as those dressed likethem are merchants whose aim seems to be the resale of slaves Further away from the stalls are those who have just purchased their slaves and are having a chat with each other

Could the seedy looking ones be pickpockets? No, pickpockets wouldn't coht be slaves who are sent by their masters to purchase other slaves

Nonetheless, I clutch onto the coin purse under my robes This time I've been entrusted with the funds It wouldn't be a joke if they were stolen

”U-, uwah, uwah They're really all naked”

Seeing the slave stalls, Fitts-senpai's eyes are staring in surprise His face is bright red Because he's wearing a mantle I can't really tell, but he seeeon-toed

”T-, they're big, huh? To become like that”

Following his line of sight, I find that he was looking at so introduced as featured goods Whether man or woman, every one of them ell built In particular, the feoes without saying that her stature was big, but her bulging chest was soh it seeet in the way of battle, as I understand froe, there's not really a problem

”Senpai, is this your first time at a slave market?”

”Eh? Ah, mmn”

While scratching behind his ear, one of Fitts-senpai's hands was already holding his mantle in front in embarass Truly the reaction of a DT I was like that as well, once Now? Well, look, right now my motive is a little different

”Y-you sure are used to it huh, Rudeus-kun?”

Though Fitts-senpai was my senpai, it seems that he still hasn't had any experience When I think about it like that, I feel like boasting about my victory a bit, but I've only done it once too, andI can be proud about Still, with just that as experience, I really as It's a probleh!

”I think once you've had sorow used to it”

”Y-, you think? Wait, so you've had some experience, Rudeus-kun”

Fitts-senpai see

”shi+shou, we have no need for warriors, so e should be looking for is a race that can use ht?”

As if to say he had no interest in these things, Zanoba jerked his chin in another direction It seems that he essentially doesn't have interest in woht not be that he has no interest in sex at all

”If it's a race that's good with their hands, I guess it has to be dwarves, right?”

”It seeic would probably be best Although I don't really think there's a need to fuss over the race”

Saying that, I have a look around one of the stands Though it's a slaveas this, the number of dwarf slaves is few The majority of the slaves are those with combat ability, and there are al

”Uic, then I think a young child who can't use ic would be better”

Fitts-senpai gives some advice

”Why?”

”Chantlessthat you can learn easily as a child”

”Ah, is that how it is?”

”Mn I think that after you become 10, you basically can't learn it”

Is that how it is? But thinking about it, though Sylphy could do it, Eris couldn't Could there be a relationshi+p with age?

”Is there a relationshi+p with one's age?”

”Mn From my experience, my master's words, and the words of the teachers at school, I've concluded that I shouldn't be wrong but Ah, also, if you start using ic from when you're about 5, your mana capacity increases tre your reater ht?”

If you start using ic from when you're about 5, your mana capacity increases tremendously I had come up with a similar hypothesis in the past, but this is the first ti it from someone else

”I've heard that your mana capacity is determined at birth, but”

”That's wrong It certainly says that in the textbook, but because you can't increase it past the age of 10, I think they're probably ”

I see So if you start using ic from when you're about 5, your mana capacity increases treic since 2 or 3 andthat I can assent to Also, since Fitts-senpai said he had personal experience, he's probably concealing a considerable amount of mana as well

”Fitts-senpai has been usingas well, huh?”

”Mn That's In the past, I was saved by ed them to teach me”

”Hehh”

Perhaps he was attacked by so, the chance that it was a kidnapping is high In this world there's quite a kidnapping boo on Since senpai would probably be a bishounen if he took off those sunglasses, I can understand that kidnappers would aim for him

”That ic?”

”Mn They're an a person, you know I respect them even now”

”Is that so? In that case I'd really like to meet them one day”