12 Episode 12 "Visitors Talk About Slave".txt

'You bought her for 20,000 arsha. Then I will pay you ten times that amount, 200,000 arsha. For immediate payment, of course. If you are an adventurer, I will lend you an expert in recovery magic from the Order as a party member for free for the next year. This is a free option. The rest can be sent to .......

Wait a minute. Don't do what I tell you. Who are you?

'I told you.　I'm Argis, deputy bishop of the Order of Iturna. I'm Rita-Melpheus' immediate superior there.

The man bowed grudgingly to me.

He doesn't even look at Cecil and Rita who are in the room.

I'm sure you'll be able to see that they only talk to me, their master.

"Rita was fired from the Order, wasn't she?

Yes, I did. But the higher-ups have accepted my opinion that those who quit after such scandals as kicking the bishop should be sold into slavery.

Plainly, as if it were obvious, the man in front of me says.

He squints his blue eyes and has a kind face, benevolent, if you can call it that.

'What black company is this: ......

I'm not sure I understand what you mean.

I'm talking about bad taste.

'By the way, Rita has already made a master-servant 'contract' with you. It is impossible for us to buy and sell a slave whose owner exists without permission. The 'covenant' has been established by God. Even our Order cannot ignore it.

The man who introduced himself as Argis clicked his tongue lightly.

'She didn't tell me that she even signed a slave contract with you until she was dismissed from the Order. If you had told her, I would have managed to get you twenty thousand arsha or so. That would have speeded up the conversation.

"So that's why you came to me: ...... What are you going to do with Rita when you buy her out?

Naturally, I will make you my slave.

The deputy bishop finally looked at Rita.

'She is young and beautiful. Her hair is like a golden thread and her eyes are like jewels. You can imagine the feel of her white skin just by looking at it, can't you?　What human being would not want to touch the two fruits that have been borne in abundance?　No, he's not!　I will not leave her in the hands of an adventurer who doesn't know anyone anywhere!

The glare and the voice.

Wow, this guy is a pervert.

''That's why I'm asking you to give her to me. For the sake of preserving the order of the Order.

Oh no!

Rita shuddered in deep disgust.

'Oh no!　I'll never be like you!　What the hell?　I've already been fired from the Order, so what does it matter?

'That's only procedural. In terms of feelings, she's still my man.

"I don't get it!　No!　I want Nagi!　I want a nagi!

Rita clings to my back.

I'm the same as Rita. I don't get it.

What's the Vice Prelate saying?

It's weird to look at Rita as if she's licking her from top to bottom.

What the hell is this guy.

He even came to my house (・・・・・) and said some crazy (・・・・・・・) things (・・・・・).

I've already quit my job.

I quit my job and now I'm dragging the hierarchy of the workplace with me.

You think you're a better human being because you're the boss, or because you can give orders to people outside the office - you have the wrong idea.　It's weird. .......

It's funny. What's the mood? I'm dizzy. I'm nauseous.

I feel like my head is boiling over.

"...... It's Arusha 20 billion.

I couldn't help myself.

I see, you are an adventurer in search of money, as expected of an adventurer in search of money, to offer 10 times the amount we offered. Then let's negotiate. If your offer is 20 billion, this one is ............?　Billions?　Not two million?　Not 20 million?

Yeah, 20 billion arsha.

"What?　Twenty billion?!

The deputy bishop exclaims.

Ignoring him, I continue.

"I think Rita deserves that much.

'You've got to be kidding me!　Where are the slaves of Arusha's 20 billion?

"You just don't know. She's a 'cheat character'.

A 'cheat character'?　What's that?　What the hell are you talking about?

"Rita will change. She'll be unlike anything you could ever imagine. Next time you see her, you won't even be able to touch her.

Her sacred power was sealed away?　For the record, I'm the only one who can break her seal of Divine Power!

...... Now, how about that?

I'm going to laugh my head off.

Somehow, I get it.

I'm pissed.

But then again, a guy like the vice-pastor's a total douchebag.

"You're on your way home, sir.　Sir.

Cecil comes next to me and laughs at me, imitating me.

''Since Nagi-sama has accepted Rita-san, I have a duty to protect her. If you say any more nonsense, my special magic, the 120 billion Arsha's 'Chiitira', will fly off, right?

An evil dark elf!

'Yes?　I'm so evil that I would destroy Nagi's enemies without question.

The deputy bishop flinched at a glance from Cecil.

Or rather, don't increase the amount of money again without permission, Cecil.

Smiling bitterly, I turned my back to the deputy bishop and grabbed Rita's hand.

I push her slender shoulders and make her kneel down like before.

As it is, I touch her collar with my hand and declare it so that the deputy bishop can hear me.

I'm used to coming up with lines like this.

Don't lick the flaming coterie game creators.

'I ask thee, O Rita. I acknowledge thee to be worth twenty billion arsha. In all of its form, its heart and its soul. If thou accept it, Rita's life shall be bound to My life. Liberation is more distant. But the two souls shall go on together for a long time. Do you desire it or not?

At my words, Rita looks flabbergasted.

I give her a look, "Snap, snap, snap, snap.

Rita blushes a little and nods. I think she understands.

'I accept ....... Master. Let me be a companion to your soul.

I don't want this guy to hear. Tell him so only I can hear him, Rita.

'Yes, ...... master ............'

Rita moves her face closer to mine. She whispers in a faint, really quiet voice.

"'Contract.'

Stop!　If you sign a contract like that, you'll never be able to get away from that guy for the rest of your life!

Deputy Bishop Argis shouts. Just in time.

I move my mouth only to cover his voice.

"────

I don't say. My medallion slips past the side of Rita's raised medallion and clicks against the clasp of her collar.

The 'contract' to make Rita a slave of 20 billion Arsha is not in place.

But the deputy bishop wouldn't have been able to see if the medallion glowed or not, because I was in the way.

As long as I can mislead the deputy bishop, that's all that matters.

He's upset that Rita was taken, and there's a good chance he's looking at it wrong. As long as we can make him think that Rita will never be his, that's all that matters.

Because, see, you can't ask Rita to work for 20 billion arsha worth of work.

It's not just black, it's the devil.

Even a normal slave contract is too heavy for me.

I accept your wishes. Rita, in the name of God, thy life, thy mind, thy soul, and all thy life, thy heart, and thy soul shall be close to me. Hopefully, this association will continue in the next life.

I put the medallion back under my clothes, just in case, and then continued to speak.

I managed to say it without stumbling.

'Thank you for having me. Master.

I don't approve!　I won't admit it!

I don't care if you approve or disapprove. The deal is done. There's no room for you. Assistant Bishop.

'I've been after her all along!　Your golden hair. Those jewel-colored eyes...

Your descriptions are so poor!

I pointed at the vice bishop.

I thought it was ridiculous from earlier.

The golden thread-like hair and jewel-like eyes are too cheap to say ...... in front of him.

And the same thing, over and over again.

It's not just a matter of how much you've got, it's also a matter of how much you're willing to pay.

It's a good thing that you're describing a slave, at least say this!

Remember when you were making the game. Imagine your character's description.

Pull the words that describe Rita out of your mind...

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. The body full of life force like a wild beast can defeat a demon with a single blow, and yet it is so beautiful that it seems to break if you touch it.

There's a receptive force that accepts little Cecil, and his undivided heart is like a calm sea. But he also has a fierceness like a surging wave.

In battle, he will not step back and abandon himself for the sake of his friends. He's strong-minded and foul-mouthed, but that's what I like about him. The sense of security that comes from having her back to you is like a childhood friend who has been with you for many years. She is the new standard for the beautiful fighting priestess.

If it's a school story, she would be the student council president or a childhood friend of the main character. If it's a fantasy, she's an important support character. Eventually, she awakens as a cheat and together they step into the abyss of this world.

A beautiful beast that dances at the source of this world. That's Rita-Melpheus, and!

"What the hell is ......?　What the hell is that?　What are you talking about?　Rita...... why are you coloring your cheeks!

'Shut up, Sub-Bishop!　Either way, me and Rita's 'deal' is done. Your words mean nothing and there is no room for you to come between us!　Shut that mouth and get the hell out of here!

Bang, bang on the wall.

The game is long overdue.

The "contract" is the rule of this world, so if I don't break it, Rita won't be his. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's taken me for a ride.

He looked down on me as a mere adventurer, when I paid him to do what he wanted.

I guess he never imagined that we would bite him.

The deputy bishop hurriedly turned on his heel and ran out of the room.

Finally.

You think you can make an enemy of me for free?

And I didn't forget the discarded line.

I didn't hear the end of it, though, because I was running too fast.

I did ...................

I put my head in my hands.

This is the second time after the king. What the hell are you doing?

Why is this happening to me when I'm dealing with the best people in the organization?　Sick?　Are you sick!

...... There could have been a better way to do it: .......

What do I do? Run away?　Another town to move to?

...... And that would be an infinite loop.

Besides, I don't know if I'll have enough money to pay for my trip to the next town.

Do I sell my rare skills for money?

Nope. All the rare skills I have now are too badly effective to sell.

I mean, if they use the skills I sold and do something to me, I can't even look at them.

I wonder if the "Scales of Leviathan" will be ...... to money.

I'll check this out later, but I'll also ...... ......

...... That deputy bishop is not the same as the king.

The guy is at the level of a somewhat big man in a local city, and he doesn't represent the consensus of the Order. He's here on his own, I think.

And we haven't shown him any cheat skills.

If he tries something, we can handle a lot of people, Cecil and Rita.

And if we can't beat him, we can at least run away together.

But whatever happens, if something else happens, we've got time. Maybe.

We need to set a goal.

We need to earn enough money from this metecal to pay for our travel to the next town and to live for a while after that. Then, as soon as we have the money, we'll move on as soon as possible.

That's how it's done.

...... Okay, we've decided on a policy. There's no point in worrying about it.

In the meantime, I'm Cecil and Rita's master, so I don't want them to be worried about me.

' ...... It's eaten up a lot of time. It's time to get ready to go to the guild tomorrow..., huh?

I said, getting my bearings.

The air in the room felt weird.

Cecil, for some reason, puffed up his cheeks, put his hands on his hips and stared at me.

'Nagi......go, Goshujin-sama...... now you've praised me ......?

And Rita was all red, like she had a fever, pointing at me and shivering.

I've been told a lot of ............ something ...... that?　Why?　I didn't really understand what you were saying: ...... Huh?　Huh?　I know it's ......, ............ and I'm so happy to see it: ...... ......

What?

I'm sorry, just don't look at me for a second!

With a gasp, Rita cowers with her back to me.

She's trembling, holding her face in her hands.

'Sit up, sit up, throb, sit up, stop, stop, Shinzo.

No, I'll die if my heart stops beating.

...... woo, what is this master? Why do you have such a stupid face and why do you have to say such flashy things? It's not fair.

...... I don't remember saying anything that amazing.

'Nagi-sama Nagi-sama'

What the hell, Cecil?

Can I ask for ......?

What?

'I want ...... too. Nagi-sama's words: ......

Cecil looks up at me, his red eyes sparkling.

'Oh, yes. Um.

Tiny Cecil. He's teasing his fingers through his silver hair and clutching the hem of his clothes.

He asked me, so I try to reflect on it.

When it comes to introducing Cecil's character: ......

'An obedient little elf. Her brown skin looks blessed by the spirit of the earth, and her silver hair is like a river flowing on the surface of the earth. Her destination is a mellow sea of promise, and her slender body, with its softness, tells me about her future.

Her thin, almost broken body is a forbidden beauty that I would be reported if I carelessly touch it. The soul that is too straight is a glasswork that swings between a puppy girl and a yandere girl. It is both fragile and strong, and it supported me who didn't know this world.

Before I knew it, I took it for granted that she was by my side. I miss you when you're not by my side. I'm afraid that I won't be able to do anything without you. She was the first girl I met.

In a fantasy game, she'd be a fairy or a genie to guide the main character. In a galley game, it's the main character's younger sister. Even if she is my own sister, she has the ultimate sisterly talent of knocking down the barriers of my parents with one finger.

That's Cecil Farot. The Brown Little Witch.

────────────?

With a thud, Cecil also turned his back to me and crouched down.

The two girls trembling in the corner of the inn.

It's a good thing that you're not the only one who's been in a position to do this.

No, what I just said is just an image of what I would write an introduction to the game characters, right?　

It's like a continuation of the description game you just played with the deputy bishop, right?　

Of course, it's not that I don't feel that way about Cecil and Rita at all, but it's not like I'm saying anything great about them.

...... Sorry, Nagi.

What?

"After all the praise you've given me, my divine power is sealed away.

It was.

I call up Rita's skill list.

A window appears between me and Rita, probably because we have a master-slave contract in place.

Rita has six skills.

Her unique skill "Fighting Aptitude Lv 4

Normal Skills: "Sacred Fighting LV4 (Sealed)", "Sacred Protection LV4 (Sealed)", "Singing LV5", "Air Attitude LV4".

Lock Skill "Seal of Divine Power LV9

Rockskill ......?

'I've heard of it, Nagi-sama. It's a skill I can't remove myself.

Cecil explains.

'It's used to keep ferocious slaves docile and to seal the sinner's magical powers.

Can't a skill be installed without his consent?

I've heard that it's a group ritual or something, and they're forcing people into it. It's a really special ritual and I don't know much about it either: ......

I voluntarily accepted on the condition that I would 'consider paying Nagi and his friends.'

Rita murmured with tears in her eyes.

'Oh, but your presence and singing skills aren't affected by it, right?　I'm good at fighting in dungeons. If I run out of money, I'll sing and earn it, I got it!

It was empty-hearted to all intents and purposes.

You're going to have to make some kind of excuse to get out of here!

Rita specializes in supplementary magic.

For example, 'Sacred Fighting' would give you a bonus to the damage you deal to your opponent, and 'Sacred Blessing' would give you resistance to poison and paralysis. Now that it's sealed, that means Rita's abilities are pretty low.

''Cecil, is there a way to break the lock skill?''

The person who performed the ritual should be able to figure it out. I've never heard of any other way to do it.

Skills that can't be removed, stuck, or taken out.

Huh?

'Let me get this straight, Rita. You can't get the lock skills out of Rita, can you?

...... That's right.

You just can't get it out, can you?

Rita nods at my words.

I thought it would be more than that. You just can't move it, can you?

Well, that's easy enough, isn't it?

"Rita wants her divine power back, right?

No, of course not.

Are you willing to put up with a few things for that?

'I'll put up with anything, not just a little!　It's a divine power that I've cultivated since I was little and finally made it this far!

Okay. I'll take care of it.

I understand the system.

The skill system in this world is simple. At least, more so than the RPGs I've made and burned down.

So there's room for me to take advantage of it.

"Rita, come lie down in there for a minute.

"What?　Ah ...... yes. ............ um ...... okay ......

Rita held her chest shyly and then lay back down on the bed as if she was ready.

Her golden hair spread softly, fluffily, over the sheets.

I'm trembling. Nervous, I can tell.

'My fixed skill is 'Ability Reconstruction [Skill Structure]'.

...... 'Capacity Rebuilding'?

'A skill that can interfere with skills. It's a skill that makes Cecil a cheat character. It will rewrite Rita's lock skill.

Has that happened to you, Cecil?

Rita looked at Cecil.

Cecil nodded, smiling gently to reassure Rita.

'............ fine.'

Rita took a deep breath and then laughed.

'Do to me, what you did to Cecil, do to me. Make sure you know that I belong to Nagi and no one else. Master (Master).