“Nastasia-san!”
I unintentionally embraced her!
“…I’m fine, Master.”
Was it a difference in levels after all?
There are many other possibilities, but…!!
“Guest, how about our dojo’s Female Hero?”
“Yes, she was splendid. She might have gone far in the tournament.”
“Indeed. Well then, next, how about a duel between man and man?”
The tallest man, who looked the strongest, stood before us.
Yes, he was the type who seemed to say, ‘If you want to defeat the master, you have to go through me first.’
“Um, I…”
“Even as a slave, your precious Female Hero must have lost, right?”
“Well, she’s still in training.”
But after she regained consciousness,
Nastasia looked incredibly frustrated.
“Since you’re here, how about we make it a bet, guest?”
“What are you betting?”
“Our Orca, who just won, is actually a special technique.
There’s a secret method passed down in our dojo for a long time.”
Ah, so she won with some kind of ‘method’ after all.
Even I couldn’t understand her movements, so I had a feeling there was something.
“If I win, you’ll teach me that.”
“That’s right. However, if the guest loses, let me see…
I shall take your Female Hero slave.”
Ah, that’s his objective.
“I won’t give her away.”
“Then an equivalent item will do. We will specify the item.”
“But… an item equivalent to a slave?”
Even so, Nastasia isn’t just any slave.
Being a young Female Hero alone is incredibly valuable, and she’s a Hero Assassin.
An item equivalent to her… what are they aiming for?
“Then our strongest warrior in this dojo, Zams, will be your opponent.”
“I accept your challenge.”
“It’s nothing. A warrior like you, guest, will merely break a light sweat. Shall I go change?”
The Female Hero who lost first, Risal, was waiting to guide me.
“If you’re changing, please come this way. I will assist you.”
He wants me to show my manliness here, doesn’t he?
And the stage is set for a revenge match.
Alright, as a man, there’s only one path to take!
“Nastasia-san.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s go home.”
The old man hero looked bewildered.
“Guest, are you by any chance running away from the duel?”
“Whoa, whoa, wait! This is supposed to be a fight!”
The hero, who was fully prepared to fight me, stood in my way.
“I’m just a spectator. I got to experience it, and that’s enough for me.”
“Aren’t you ashamed as a man!”
“That’s for me to decide. And my lover, too.”
Yes, Nina and the others have done countless ‘shameful things as a man,’ especially in bed at night.
(Don’t make me say it!)
“Oh ho ho, so Hero Derus, who defeated the Seven Great Demon Lords, is running with his tail between his legs.”
“…You knew?”
The hero who was about to fight nodded.
“I thought he was a strong hero, but he’s a small man, just as he looks.”
Ah, yes, yes. Is this provocation?
“This will be great publicity for the dojo. Come, let us see the guest off.”
So, after being treated politely, we left the dojo.
(Well, paying gold coins and having a bad experience was a good lesson.)
“Master Deles, it’s because of me…”
“It’s alright. Because that was a complete trap.”
“Eh, was it?!”
The dojo where Nastasia achieved a mysterious victory that even I couldn’t understand.
I might lose with an unknown move on the first strike, assuming I’m fighting.
In fact, it seems like that’s what they were aiming for. If I had lost…
“Alright, to clear my head, let’s go to the coffee shop in Area A.”
“Um, I don’t really like fancy places…”
“At times like this, you should eat something delicious and sweet!”
Yes, I want to eat my feelings. I’ll have her accompany me.
Most importantly, today is a date with Nastasia!
(…I should at least report to Nina later.)
I don’t want to be unilaterally declared a ‘forfeiture in a duel’ for not fighting.
That’s right! My slave hero should get revenge on those guys in the dojo!
“Master Deles.”
“Yes, what is it?”
“I, I, I will definitely become stronger!”
Yes, I will diligently raise Nastasia as well.
(Come to think of it, what happened to Nastasia’s equipment…??)
It should be ready by now.
Nastasia and I are enjoying parfaits at a high-class coffee shop in Area A.
Thinking about it, slaves and attendants are common in this area, so it’s actually natural.
Dating a slave is probably unusual, but it’s not like we’re being looked at strangely.
(Many of the residents, not just adventurers, are refined people.)
Even the familiar prostitute I passed by, who was observing the customers, was refined!
“Nastasia, is it delicious?”
“Yes, Master Deles. I feel unworthy.”
“Don’t hesitate! Yes, I’m starting to crave pancakes too.”
I understand how Anju feels.
“…”
Nastasia is eating silently.
Given her position as a slave, she probably has trouble initiating conversation.
“So, Nastasia, let me confirm this again.”
“Yes. What is it?”
“We are on a journey to defeat all of the Seven Great Demon Lords of the Movermas Continent…”
And I suppose we’re also looking for a permanent home.
“I think that is a truly wonderful thing.”
“Nastasia, will you truly accompany me on this?”
“I am a slave, so I have no choice—”
“What if you were no longer a slave?”
She thought for a moment.
“…That would be, at that time.”
“Then tell me now. It’s an order.”
“Yes, Master Deles, I will follow you forever.”
She said it clearly. It’s embarrassing.
“Ah, thank you.”
“So, um, please, I apologize for my slave status, but…”
“Go on.”
“Yes, I, I, I…”
Now that I think about it, she likes me?
“Please, please… don’t abandon me!!”
That’s what she meant!
“Yes, it’s alright. And well, tonight…”
“Y-yes!!”
Yes, having a date like this again is truly important!
