It Seems That the Slave Girl Is Actually a Count's Daughter. - Episode 2: The Slave Merchant

Episode 2: The Slave Merchant 

I followed the Guild Master into a back alley. This area wasn’t exactly unsafe, but it wasn’t a good place either. 

Shady stores lined the street. They were selling suspicious weapons, dubious magic potions, and questionable magical tools. Buying them was up to you. Using them was up to you. Everything was at your own risk. 

Still, customers kept coming. Official products were expensive because their quality was stable. For rookie adventurers and common folk, even these subpar items were valuable products. I, for one, was too scared to touch them. 

Among these shops, there was one particularly large and impressive store where the Guild Master stopped. 

The tall brick building was old but looked durable. It had intricate decorations carved into various places. A beautiful purple curtain hung at the entrance. And above it, the words “Slave Merchant” were carved in an arch. Two sturdy men stood on either side, each wearing armor with spikes on their shoulders and swords at their waists. They were glaring at their surroundings. 

“We’re here. This is the place.”

“This is a shop that sells slaves. What are you thinking?” 

My voice dropped involuntarily. Slavery was still deeply ingrained in this country. But in my homeland, it had been abolished about fifty years ago. I’d been on this continent for three years now, but I still couldn’t get used to this system. I pressed my lips into a thin line. 

“I’ll explain inside. Just come in for now.” 

It seemed my opinion wasn’t needed. My protest was meaningless as the Guild Master, looking somewhat grim, walked into the shop. 

At the reception desk, he whispered something, and we were quickly guided to a room in the back. 

Apparently, our visit had already been approved. That meant the Guild Master likely had connections with the owner of this place. I had no idea what he intended to make me buy, but I couldn’t let my guard down. 

Inside the room, a woman in a rather revealing outfit was waiting. Her age was unclear. But her sultry appearance was almost like that of a succubus. Her ample chest was fully displayed, creating a deep valley in her cleavage. Her outfit was truly indecent. 

Unlike a real succubus, though, she wasn’t actively trying to seduce me. 

“Nice to meet you. I’m Maini, the owner of this slave shop. I’ve heard rumors about you, Platinum-ranked adventurer Ernest-san.” 

She chuckled softly. That laugh didn’t give me a good impression. It felt like she was scheming to trick me. I needed to be on guard. My wallet was tightly shut—sealed as if made from orichalcum. 

“Well, that’s nice and all. But what do you want from me? I don’t need anything in particular.” 

At the front of the shop, I had seen slave clothes, belts, collars, candles, and whips all mixed together. I had instinctively grimaced at the sight. 

I shot a glare at Maini. Of course, I didn’t include any killing intent—if I had, she might have wet herself. 

“Oh my,” 

She widened her eyes in surprise. 

The Guild Master gave a wry smile. What was going on? I didn’t understand any of this. 

Noticing my confusion, the Guild Master spoke. 

“Ernest, there’s someone I want you to buy.” 

“You want me to buy a slave? Sorry, but I’ll pass.” 

No thanks. I wasn’t interested. I refused to involve myself in anything that would bring a sense of moral guilt. No matter how big her chest was or how beautiful she looked, I wasn’t interested. 

“Now, now, Ernest. At least take a look first. You can decide after that. Come, this way.” 

Maini led us further inside. 

How far were they planning to take us? We had already gone deep into the building. Did that mean the price of this “product” was that high? They weren’t trying to sell me an elf, were they? Assuming elves even existed. 

The room we entered was nothing like a place where a slave would be kept. 

A polished amber-colored table reflected the chandelier on the ceiling like a mirror. The walls were adorned with paintings. They gave the illusion of looking out a window. It was an extravagant reception room, seemingly designed for entertaining nobles. 

And in that luxurious, out-of-place setting, she was there. 

Her porcelain-white skin was as smooth as fine ceramic. Her long, silver-blue hair shimmered under the light. It was almost glowing with an ethereal radiance. Her deep blue eyes gazed at me silently. 

When our eyes met, her cheeks visibly flushed. 

What was this angelic girl who had descended to earth? 

And that bust. 

Did she have melons in there or something? 

She looked around fifteen years old. Her height was appropriate for her age, but her chest was on a completely different level.

“…..…Why is a girl like this a slave? She should have plenty of people wanting to take her in.” 

As if he had been waiting for my question, the Guild Master immediately answered. 

“You’re right, Ernest. But there are a few problems.” 

A few? It seems like nothing but problems to me…….. 

I glanced at her again. 

No matter how I looked at it, she seemed like a count’s daughter. Should I point that out? Or is this one of those moments where I’m supposed to play along? 

And that outfit—Maini must have forced her to wear it, right? It exposed everything from her shoulders to her chest, an incredibly bold and shameless design. 

Even now, she was hesitating. She was raising and lowering her hands as if unsure whether to cover herself or not. 

As for the Guild Master… he had turned his gaze completely in the opposite direction. It was as if he had decided he absolutely should not look. 

Yeah, I thought so!