Count Maccolin Avakane, my father-in-law, made me a proposal.
It was that Ric, my older sister who raised me until I left on my journey, be made a slave and given to me. It was an entirely unexpected proposition.
(Illion, my brother-in-law, was also surprised, but looked at me and nodded.)
Does this mean I should take my revenge to my heart’s content, or as Nastasia says, “Take That!”? And since the story of “Take That!” has spread to everyone else, it’s already become a party-wide matter.
(I’m sure Nastasia said it when I wasn’t around.)
“Let’s let Master Deles have his ‘Take That!'” and so on. I don’t remember agreeing to anything like that… Well, we did consult. But anyway.
“Father-in-law, you think Ric will agree?”
“It’s coercion.”
“W-Why, now?”
“Because Deles has returned.”
“Meaning?”
“If it’s someone who will never return again, there’s no need to give them up to that extent.”
My mother-in-law also nodded with a smile. I wonder if she sometimes looks at Anju because she likes her.
“Um, the reason for returning was primarily for Illion, my brother-in-law’s, confirmation, and secondarily, to introduce my fiancé.”
But Nina’s greeting is the main point, or rather, I was brought here by Nina.
(She’s not here today, though!)
She came on her own accord.
“But you’re going to have the wedding ceremony, aren’t you?”
“Yes, well, we will invite you.”
“You won’t have it here?”
“Um, that’s something I need to discuss with Nina.”
…I start to panic as my father-in-law seems to be entering a scary mode.
“Didn’t you also drive out the adventurer who tried to become a figurehead on his own?”
“That was just sort of in the flow.”
“The planning for new events is also up to Illion.”
“Ah, that’s what you mean.”
The pot-rolling race, or rather, the pot-carrying race (proposed by Nina).
(In other words, if the relationship continues, there’s a reason to hand her over.)
I look at Anju and Helen. Anju is scratching her back with her familiar “Illusionist’s Staff.” Helen notices my gaze and speaks to me.
“Since she was originally going to marry, and was planned to be taken as a bride by her husband, I thought it was simply a matter of whether or not the ‘Collar of Sub’ would be attached.”
“No, no, it’s not a simple matter of ‘simply.'”
Besides, the expression “take as a bride” is a bit much.
(But somehow, I understood what you meant.)
She was originally supposed to get married, so they’re trying to get them together in this way. …This is my home, after all. Let me be honest.
“Honestly, it’s hard for me to see Ric, who abandoned me.”
“That’s true. Even from a parent’s perspective, Deles was like Ric’s slave.”
“What, really?!”
“Ultimately, yes.”
So I was disposable…?!
(Ah, at times like this, I wish I had Nina’s or Clarice’s advice.)
Thinking that, I look at Anju, who has the highest status as a fiancée among those I brought.
“Hmm, shall I call grandpa and consult?”
“Um, in a serious situation, that person is a bit…”
“It’d be nice if you could summon the second person soon.”
Are the otherworlders waiting? There should be a girl and an old woman around my age too.
(And there was one more guy, who they called a voice actor.)
Let’s get back to the topic.
“Just to confirm, the reason you’re giving Ric to me as a slave is…”
“It’s our gratitude for saving our son, Illion’s life, and as an apology for Ric breaking off the engagement on her own.”
“But if it’s thanks for the Elixir, it should be a supplementary reward request from the Adventurer Guild.”
Yes, we received a reasonably good amount. As the Avakane family, we received the maximum amount we could.
“After that, we received various things from the Dwarf Country on two separate occasions. To the Avakane family, where Deles resides. At the time, we hadn’t even organized the information yet.”
Ah, it was divided into two parts. One was for saving the Dwarf King of the Milishitan Continent with an Elixir. The second was the gifts for marrying the princess of the Movermas Continent (or rather, being unilaterally declared as such).
(In terms of money, giving away a slave seems cheap. But out of all people…!!)
“Ah, what about Frau and the others?”
“I don’t know. The engagement was broken off, and they are no longer part of the Avakane family.”
…Is this “part of” referring to “possessions” as in owned objects, or as in family members? Knowing my father-in-law, he might mean both.
“Are you kicking them out?”
“I think I’m being kind by only letting them leave their luggage here for now.”
“Th-then Ponku…”
“You can take him with you, but if Deles wants him…”
“Ummm…”
I could take him and keep him here, but my beloved dog Ponku seems to be waiting all this time.
(But this isn’t the time to worry about that.)
“Ah.”
“Helen, what’s wrong?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
…Her expression makes it seem like she just realized something.
“Father-in-law, if I say I don’t want Ric…”
“Well, what should we do? Make her a private soldier as a slave swordsman?”
“No, I mean, maybe you could find her a new fiancé.”
Ah, but Illion has recovered now, so it’s fine, isn’t it? No, even if he’s recovered, so many things could happen, so it’s good to have insurance.
“I don’t need it. On the contrary, she has too many bad associations, so I can’t even foist her off on other nobles.”
Ah, that’s right, she was associated with a criminal. It seems like nobles with connections would know about that.
(And is that why you want to push Ric on me as a slave?)
…No, this is too shocking to make a calm judgment!
“Um, uh, Father-in-law…”
“You don’t need to think about anything, just accept one slave.”
My mother-in-law opens her mouth.
“Deles, please. Give Ric a chance.”
“A chance, you say?”
“Yes, a chance to atone for her sin. But I won’t force you.”
Even so, her pleading expression is evident.
(Yes, this isn’t the place for me to decide!)
“Excuse me, I need to consult with my main wife and Nina.”
“…Understood. Do it soon.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“I’ll make you wait for my answer, but it will be before Ric returns.”
Yes, I don’t want to run into her.
“Father, regarding that matter…”
“What is it, Illion?”
“If nothing unexpected happens, he should be able to return in about seven days.”
…I wonder where in the Movermas Continent he is now? Speaking of which, I’m supposed to be held up once I enter the Dwarf Country. I need to consult with Nina about this quickly. But she’s probably sleeping at this time.
“Understood. And Deles, you’ll be having lunch here, right?”
“Ah, yes. Anju and Helen, you’re okay with that too, right?”
“I humbly accept this meal, Master.” “Yes, Master.”
And so, for the time being, we went out into the hallway.
“…Whew, that was tense.”
“It was interesting!” “Anju?!”
“That Master…” “Ah, Helen, you seemed to have had a flash of inspiration just now.”
She nods vigorously. What could it be? She tells me as we walk toward my room.
“…The true meaning of the proposal made by that Master’s father-in-law.”
“You mean the matter of giving Ric to me as a slave?”
“Yes, I think the intention was, in my estimation…”
I was astonished by Helen’s words!
“Wow!!”
“Anju, you’re surprised too?!”
“Be careful on the stairs!” “W-what? Waaah!!”
Even though it’s a staircase I know well, from the third floor to the second floor… Anju, floating, saved me. But more importantly!
(No way, but, yes, indeed…!!)
I’ll think about that later in my room.
