Volume 2 - CH 4

Chapter 4 – Reason For Choosing

“So, can I ask the reason why you chose us?”

The elf archer, Sorano, said. Although she herself might not intend to do this, Eto felt like he was being coldly looked down upon because of her height.

“Or rather, I want to know why you chose me.”

From what Eto can see, Sorano must be someone who was very straightforward about her curiosity. And Eto felt that responding to her thoughts with sincerity would be the first step in gaining her trust.

“Frankly, I didn’t know how true the story that Sorano just told me was. Things such as murdering a slave trader who tried to kidnap some children from your village or injuring the noble who was about to violate you. But, if those are true, ‘you sure can hold back there’, that’s what I thought. Because if it were me, I would definitely try to kill all the slave traders. Or at least, I definitely won’t leave such a group of criminals alone. And regarding the noble, I indeed don’t know how much I would do to that noble if I have to think about future consequences, but you were already in a position where you had already been treated as a criminal slave and one of the culprits is in front of you, right? Then, I think let alone cheek meat, I think it is unavoidable even if it was his neck that was torn off. The point is, I respect Sorano’s action.”

Eto conveyed his honest feelings to Sorano. Hearing that, Sorano turned to the side and sat down on the bed, saying, “I see.” Yes, it seems she was shy after hearing Eto’s words, but Eto was sensible enough not to point it out.

“Well then, we are next. Can you tell me why you bought my dad and me?”

The half-Ogre swordsman, Kohaku, asked Eto. Her father, Amou, boasted a giant-like height that made people have to look up when looking at him, he also has bluish skin and two black horns growing on his forehead, showing the characteristics of an Ogre. In comparison, Kohaku looked more like a human. Although that might be because she is still young, her body was smaller than that of Eto, and she has silky white skin. Without the transparent amber horns that grew at the center of her forehead, it would be unbelievable to call her a half-Ogre. And apparently, she was named after the color of her horns that had been growing since she was born1.

“The reason I bought slaves is to have party members who wouldn’t betray me. As long as I have a slave contract, at the very least, I can ensure my safety. In addition to that, as I explained to the firm, I will give you 5% of the quest reward. And when the money you have accumulated has already reached the price I bought you, I’m thinking of releasing you from slavery. As follows, I want you to work earnestly with that as an encouragement. You also don’t have to worry about food and shelter, basically, I am offering you the same treatment as me. Are you with me so far?”

Eto asked Amou and Kohaku for confirmation. Seeing them nodding, Eto continued.

“One of the reasons I bought you two was that Amou’s combat power was significantly higher than that of the other swordsman. Another reason is that since you two are a father and his daughter, as long as I agree to your terms, I think you two will be unlikely to betray me. If I could say it frankly, Kohaku could be used as a hostage to get Amou to work.”

The moment Eto used the word ‘hostage’, a strong aura of intimidation came from Amou.

“Of course, even if I said hostage, it doesn’t mean I would put Kohaku into danger. However, even if Kohaku is in a safe place, Amou will definitely return to your daughter, and if both of you are together, I’m sure you two can work together to overcome any crisis. The point is, I believe the strength of that feeling may be the last push to help us survive any difficult situation.”

After Eto had said that, the intimidation from Amou stopped, and Kohaku cast her eyes downward and nodded.

“Understood. We hope master will actually keep the conditions that master just said.”

Eto understands very well that Kohaku doesn’t seem to trust him yet, but it also doesn’t mean she is going to be hostile.

“Just call me Eto. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

After that, the four, who just became a party, left the inn room and headed to the shopping district to purchase some clothing and daily necessities.