Chapter 12 (1/2)

Volume 1 — Different World Life, Start

12 The Curse-Slave Market — 2

There were many dealers at the curse-slave market

I don’t know very well the slavery system of this world which is different from slavery on Earth

When someone with a ‘curse’ serves fro 5 years, that ‘curse’ is dispelled

I don’t know very much about the ‘curse’, but I understood the system

Huh, in that sense, it seems rather normal But I’m curious about the expression ‘slave’ Why such a bad term…?

The dealer recommended to me 3 curse-slaves

The 2nd person was a cat-eared therianthrope boy without a left arold coins

The 3rd person was a slender type? with a handsoold coins

“Just to confirm… are there no female curse-slaves?”

“Ah, yes”

“Sorry, you looked nervous so I was just joking to lighten the ise if I made you feel uncomfortable Also, I do have women in my store, my bad”

The old man said, “Sorry,” rather downheartedly

Rather, he was trying todirty jokes is a global language or so

“Female escorts are more expensive Moreover, there are some idiotic adventurers who mistake their parties as harems”

“I see…”

Nohat should I do? To be honest,a wo at this street, there weren’t many women

Thinking about the future… First I have to get through the ‘forest of the lost’ to htan arerous?

“Well, I do get a girl wanting a woman But lass, are you related with House Melditi? You were talking with Clef-saht?”

While I was pondering what I should do, Clef-san and Alfred-san’s naht up Huh… I did talk to them, but… is he acquaintances with them? When I continued to look at hi

“Those two are famous people, no one in this country doesn’t know theet a curse-slave, Clef-sa around the area I see you’re precious to them”

“Truly So I didn’t get any dangerous slaves near you, haha! Besides, curse-slave contracts are forer to the master If you don’t like your curse-slave, you can return him within 3 days”

There was Clef-san’s assistance before I knew it…! I have to thank him the next time I meet him…!

After vowing so in my heart, I turned around to the therianthrope boy But, a return period…? Maybe it’s so-off period

“Return within 3 days… what does that mean?”

“Aah, so you don’t know the curse-slave system very well After a dealer sells a curse-slave to a custoation to provide the customer a 3 days refund period This, if the contracted curse-slave is not to your liking, you can get back theif you return the curse-slave to the place you purchased fro, you can’t get back the same amount Of course, this applies to my store too So most people buy in bulks when curse-slaves Of course, that Clef-saet a refund! Haha! Ah, but if you do it 3 tiet blacklisted so be careful”

I see…!

While I was agonising, the oldabout the curse-slaves

“His naot attacked by bandits For now, he can wield a knife with his right hand However, he won’t be very good at defending”

“I see…”

Seeingtowards the therianthrope, the old

I could really feel that it’s different from japan here

“So, with your budget, these two are alright with you?”

“Sure thing Aah… the one near here? That one’s shallow so I think either of theood with the staff He’s Ikuru However… he can’t see with his left eye, and his right isn’t very good either”

“His eyes…?”

So that hy his gaze didn’t have focus

The lightless eyes felt as though there was a fog over it However, soaze was drawn into that eye…

“Your eyes… will they not get better?”

I gently sat down in front of the cage and asked Ikuru-san

He lifted his head slightly and looked at me Then he opened his mouth and answered

“The doctor… said that it’ll never heal The right I can still see ill also slowly lose sight”

Looks like a full recovery can’t be hoped

There was Ikuru-san, who almost can’t see, and shi+n-kun I reached my hand out to Ikuru-san

“It ht with you…… will you come with me?”

“Yes, is that no good…?”

“Eh… ah, yes”

While I was talking with Ikuru-san, the dealer suddenly butted in Certainly, the dealer stands to lose if I change ue answer

I took out 9 gold coins from my rucksack and handed it over to the old man

“I properly received 90,000 Ril Then, we’ll be for the curse-slave contract, so lend me your ID Also, I need your left hand”

“Ah, yes”

I didn’t think I’d need the ID

The ic tool? On top of that, I was told to place my left hand so I quietly followed the order On top of that, only Ikuru-san’s left hand was out of the cage then placed on the device Then the device shone and Ikuru-san’s left hand… no, his left pinky finger also shone

“Okay, with this the contract is complete Would you like an explanation, lass?”

“Alright Just noith your ID, the inforraved With this, he is now forh the crest on the left pinky finger which is connected to the master Simply said, a curse-slave can’t attack theirto the curse-slave, it’s ireat pain shoots up through the body However, this ‘order’ can only be used 3 tiet that”

“It’s just a safety device On Ikuru’s pinky finger, there should be an crest that forether Try checking it”

“Yes”

The old man took Ikuru-san’s hand and showed it to er, there was a crest for There was a s it as if to protect it

“The curse-slave crest is affected by the contractor and the curse-slave, so there are le-shaded line, but if there are wave patterns or other shapes it ood If so, the contractor’s h that crest that the curse-slave can power up…”

“Wait, what!?”

“…!”

While he was explaining about the curse-slave crest, I let out an honest exclamation Alerted at my voice, the old er Without saying anything, just looking at the pinky finger, a rather aard silence continued A while later, the old man spoke up first

“Such a splendid crest… it’s the first ti one like this”

“Usually, there’s just one line for the crest A slight curve would be considered lucky Lass and Ikuru’s coht of as fateful, not just lucky”

“Ah As a final note… providing the h for a curse-slave However, if there’s harsh treatment, the curse-slave can sue you so be careful Also, after 5 years the curse-slave contract expires so don’t forget that For that, please go to a proper office instead of a dealer like h so there are oes there on their own after the 5 years”

I see

If there’s cruel treatht, if there’s such a system, than I feel a bit better

I looked at Ikuru-san’s pinky finger again

I, in contrast to hoeak I a restoratives (potions), cultivating medicinal plants Those and the curse-slave crest this time Anyhow, should I just think that I’m lucky?

Afterwards, Ikuru-san was brought out of the cage and we left the curse-slave market

“Now then… I’m Kusunoki Hinami Please take care of me, Ikuru-san”

“Eh… but I’er?”

“Mn… okay, Ikuru”

“Yes”

While walked a step ahead, he followed behind quietly

Right, at times like these, food is the best…! After I walked a bit, there was a restaurant 3 metres ahead I told Ikuru that we should eat and entered the store

On the wooden building, there was a largeThe bright place was lively with a lot of people

“Nohat should we eat—? …Eh?”

What’s this now Ikuru was sitting behind

When I turned around with a troubled expression on my face, Ikuru had a question mark on his face

“Ikuru… we’re going to eat, aren’t you going to sit down?”

“……Won’t you sit down?”

“…Yes”

Maybe because I felt a bit irritated, ot somewhat lower

But are curse-slaves not supposed to share their tables with theirthat I was on edge, Ikuru looked sorry