CH.168 Invitation to a birthday party

CH.168 Invitation to a birthday party

“Take care, you two.” I said as we separated from Alice and Paulina.

The two of them were heading to the adventurer’s guild again today, while I was going to visit a slave trader with Angelina. I asked if Angelina could really just take a day off for something like that, but she said she had some other business to take care of around town anyway, so she didn’t have any paperwork or meetings today in the first place.

Oh, I guess I should mention that we weren’t on foot or in Overdrive, but in a carriage that Angelina had prepared for us.

Another thing I feel like I should mention is the card I set on Alice to take the place of Sakuretsu Armor. It ended up being Spellbinding Circle as it was the best trap I had to combo with the others she has set on her. I would have loved to set Waboku on her, but I don’t actually have one.

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I did also consider setting a flip monster on her, but I need to test them out first at least. And most of the flip monsters with a good effect are no better than Sakuretsu Armor in scariness.

Like Man-Eater Bug or Rafflesia Seduction. At least Old Vindictive Magician shouldn’t be too scary, but he is a creepy old man, so I don’t want to give him to Alice.

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“We are here.” Angelina said as the carriage pulled up to a medium sized mansion. I really didn’t expect a slave trader to live in a mansion, but I guess slave trade pays well. And this might be a front for the more ... noble clientele. “Don’t look so suspicious. I know slave trade sounds bad, but it is a controlled and closely monitored business. The number of illegal slaves in this country is very low and there is almost no kidnapping people to make them into slaves, like you might hear in some stories.”

“I don’t like the word almost.”

“Well, there is no way to eliminate all crime. We can just try to catch the ones that are illegally forced into slavery.”

“Well, at least that is good to hear. But what about the more ... underground slavetrade?”

“As I said, we can’t eliminate all crime. And the problem with that side is that it is not on the level where just an Earl could do anything about it. The entire kingdom needs to take action to take down the large scale criminal organizations. And sometimes the criminal underground extends beyond the country's borders as well. I’m sure you can understand that. At least based on what I know, you seem to have a good education.”

“I do, in some areas, but not when it comes to politics.”

“Come. Let’s go inside and I’ll introduce you.”

We went inside and were guided to a parlor room by ... Well, she isn’t a maid, that much I can say. Service girl? Yeah. Let’s go with that. She was dressed in a fairly provocative leotard-style outfit, with her legs left bare. This, of course, drew your eyes to her long smooth legs. Now let’s just cut off the sleeves and some of the top part, add a bunny tail and ears, and she will be a fine bunny girl.

Oh yeah, before the thoughts of getting a bunny girl outfit for Laura completely derail me, I should mention that a guard had also come with me and Angelina inside the building. He had been sitting with the coachman while we were moving, but now he was following a few steps behind us.

“Please wait just a moment. Corben will join you in just a moment.” The service girl said after she had guided us to a room.

I followed Angelina's lead and sat next to her on a couch in the room. The guard remained standing behind us.

Just a moment later, the door that the girl had entered opened again and a middle aged male entered the room.

“Madam Garner, what do I owe this pleasure to?” He asked as he approached and stood on the other side of the table. I was expecting that I should stand up, but as Angelina didn’t, I didn’t either. Also, Garner is the surname of Angelina’s husband, so she must have taken it as well. “Looking for new servants perhaps? I believe I did send you the news about the new slaves we just got in.”

“Yes, I did come to inspect them as well, but the main point of my visit is an introduction.” Angelina said, getting the slave traders attention on me.

“The young man next to you? I don’t believe I recognize him.”

“You wouldn’t. Brian here is a new noble. He founded a new dungeon near the town of Alewatch. And you wouldn’t know him because he hasn’t made any public appearances as a noble yet. But I think you might have heard some rumors about him. If you have heard about the mechanical carriage going around town, that would be him.”

“Oh? That is his? I really wouldn’t expect something like that from a young man like him. You must have some connections to get something like that. ... unless... don’t tell me your dungeon can produce something so valuable.” That last part was said in a quiet voice that I just barely caught. Well, Overdrive doesn’t come from my dungeon, so no worries.

I noticed Angelina give me a look, which was my que to introduce myself, so I got up and said: “It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Brian Wood, and as Lady Garner said, I’m a new founder of a dungeon and will require your services in the coming days.” I, of course, used my full name as I was acting as a “noble” at the moment. I say noble in quotation marks, because I haven’t technically been given my title yet. Well, my terminal does somewhat show my status, but still.

“The pleasure is all mine, Lord Wood. Feel free to call me Corben. Please, do tell me what I can do from one such as yourself.”

We spent a some time as I explained that I was going to take in a dhampir as a slave and everything that would come with it. We also made an appointment for tomorrow afternoon, when I would come with Ria here to have her sign a contract and marked as a slave.

After that, we walked around the mansion and Angelina checked up on the new slaves. There were two families and some singular individuals. All of them were slaves due to debt. It is a little sad to see an entire family fall into slavery because they incure a little debt, but Angelina said that it is better to be a slave than being forced to live out in the wilderness. I guess that goes especially for people of low level. But I think higher ranked adventurers could just run off into the wilderness and survive there. Then again, from what I know, they are paid quite well, so I don’t think they would fall into debt that easily. Maybe if something like gambling was a thing. Actually, it probably is. It would be something that exists. I think. I don’t see any reason as to why it wouldn’t.

After checking the new slaves and inspecting the paperwork, (well, Angelina did all of that) we were ready to leave. I was expecting for us to go straight back to the manor, but instead Angelina took us to a high class clothing store.

“May I ask, why would you bring me here?”

“You need a suit.” Angelina said. “Otherwise, other nobles will look down on you when you make your debut.”

Mission: Gift of ValueGoal: Give Earl Sawyer a gift worthy of his position. Reward: Opens new sets depending on the value and rarity of the gift. Giving an overly expensive gift above your position will decrease the reward.If the gift is either too low or high in value, this mission will be treated as a failure and no reward will be given.

“Brian! We are back.” Alice said as she returned with Paulina.

“Hey, Alice. Welcome back. How did you do today?”

“We completed one quest. Here.” Alice said as she handed me a form like I had seen yesterday. D-rank quest to hunt 3 forest boars that were too close to farm areas.

“Great work. You completed a mission, so I guess I’ll give you a card for it. Do you want it now?”

“Yes, please.” Alice said.

“Do you want to choose yourself or do you trust in my choice?”

“... I ... I’ll let you pick this time.” Alice said. “I really liked Getsu Fuhma that you chose for me last time, so I’m sure you have something good this time as well.”

“Let’s hope so.”

“... Brian, perhaps this could wait a moment.” Paulina cut in. “We did just come back and I think both of us could wash ourselves first.”

“... good point.”

A little later, the three of us were in a private room sitting around a tea table. And to be precise, we were in Paulina’s room. It wasn’t any larger than my guest room, but it was better decorated.

“This is for you, your first dragon.” I said as I gave Alice Pitch-Dark Dragon. “He isn’t that strong, so don’t think he is, just because he is a dragon. But he should be easy to ride, so you can practice that. And if you like him, I can give you a stronger dragon next time.”

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The real reason I had picked Pitch-Dark Dragon is it being a Union monster and it isn’t too strong. Being an Union monster makes Pitch-Dark Dragon easier to ride than most dragons, according to Laura. And as dragons are still seen as dangerous by the people living here, so if I gave Alice something like Red-Eyes or even Kiryu as her first dragon, she might get into trouble. But Pitch-Dark Dragon is only about 7 meters from head to the end of the tail, so a small dragon like that should be fine. And as I said, if she likes it, I can give her Kiryu next. And maybe Red-Eyes after that.

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“A dragon? You are giving me a dragon? Thank you.” Alice said as she received the card.

“... Brian? Are you sure about that?” Paulina asked.

“It's just a small dragon so it should be fine.” I said. “And if it causes problems, Alice just has to give it back to.”

“I won’t cause problems with it.” Alice intercepted.

“Hopefully you won’t. Not that I have any right to say anything. I always cause trouble with my dragons. Well, not always, but sometimes.” I admitted thinking back to the Blue-Eyes accident and more recently the Horus incident. “I also have something else for you. Remember when I promised you something if you learn a new spell?”

“... yes. I remember. We had a fight after that, didn’t we?”

“Well, more like an argument, but anyway. I’m giving it to you now.” I said as I got the pendant out of my fanny pack. I still only used my Inventory for the coins, so everything that had been in my fanny pack, still is there.

“A pendant?”

“Yes, I thought you would like it. It also has a special effect, so it will help you.” I said as I got up, walked behind Alice and placed the necklace around her neck.

“Th-thank you. It is beautiful.” Alice said as she looked at the pendant.

“I’m happy that you like it. It also boosts your strength and magic a little, so it will help in that way as well.” I said, telling Alice about the effect of the pendant.

“Does it..? Status.” Alice said. After taking a look at something in front of her that I couldn’t see, aka. her status, she took the pendant off and took another look. Then she placed the pendant back around her neck and looked again. “It really does. Thank you so much. This is amazing.”

“Of course. Sorry it took so long for me to hand it over.”

“No. I’m glad I got it. I’d wait even longer if I knew I would get something like this.” Alice said, looking at the black gem hanging around her neck.

“I’m glad you like it.”

The rest of the day was ... uneventful. And as I had already taken a bath earlier after my etiquette and dance practice, I went straight to bed after dinner. Tomorrow, I’ll go and get Ria. Then... well, I guess we will find out. Living without a plan is the best way to live. Not really, but I still like it. It leaves you with options to do as you want.

“Just one more thing for the day...” I said as I got out two copies of Level Up! “... I should probably level up inventory, right? Even if it can hold over 300 of the same item in one slot, having more slots will be nice. I want to level up Inventory, Level Up.”

I felt the card activate and then held the second copy. “I’ll increase my overall level, Level Up.”

Again, the card activated. I put the two Level Ups back into my collection. As I checked my status, I realized I’m almost LV.50. Tomorrow, I shall be. Well, nothing left to do but to go to sleep.

Good night.

SpoilerName: Brian WoodRace: Human !Level: 48HP: 1220Mana: 1760Strength: 345Defense: 545Magic: 465 Skills: Pack Opener LV.4 (unique)Different Dimension Factory LV.1 (unique) Telekinesis LV.2 (extra)Summoner’s Unity LV.2 (extra)Inventory LV.2 (extra)

Dungeon Founder (extra)Summon Water Spirit (extra)Health Conscious (extra) Mana Control LV.5 Water Spirit’s Blessing (Greater)Language Comprehension (humanoid)[collapse]