“Truly, truly free, and yet, now that I’m free…”
“Don’t worry, as long as you are affiliated with us, who have the endorsement of the blacksmith of the largest Lizard nation on the Movermas Continent, and the princess of the largest Dwarf Country on the same continent, your safety will be guaranteed.”
Ah, she cried!
She must have gone through a lot, to the point of losing her arm.
(Not in terms of blacksmithing skill, but physically!)
Aggie’s Collar of Sub was removed as she shed tears.
“Thank you, thank you.”
“This way, I won’t have to endure unnecessary remarks from my senior disciple.”
“Y-You knew?!”
“It’s easy to predict that much.”
As they were chatting,
Given it’s Nina, she probably heard about it from Lass.
(She told me I could use her name if push came to shove.)
But in the world of Lizards, it was like “Humans should just stay quiet.”
“Please continue to finish the work for me.”
“Leave it to me! I’ll polish my blacksmithing skills even further, to repay this kindness!”
Ah, I saw it.
Near the stairs leading down,
I saw Lass crying, hiding and peeking.
“Next are Jian, Citye, and Eldoria.”
Come to think of it, I had a long talk with these three,
About whether or not to put them up for Auction again.
In the end, they all decided to become a force for our Nina Starlights.
(Right? I don’t remember much, though.)
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“I have no complaints about my current situation, but I’m happy to no longer be a slave.”
“Finally, you need our full power!!”
No, it wasn’t like the Collar of Sub
Had any power to suppress our strength, magic power, let alone a Hero’s power.
(If the collar is in the way, I suppose I can understand that.)
The feeling of revulsion when it was put on,
I still remember it, and I look at Korome.
(That was Amatatsu, though!)
“Do I need to explain this?”
“Then I will-”
“Strena, please.”
“No, may I speak to you directly?”
Oh, the Empress herself,
And she even stood up from her chair!
(Maids are on standby to her left, right, and behind in case she stumbles.)
“Then, Your Majesty Zukki, please.”
“Yes, I would like to welcome Master Deles here as a Court Count.”
The Slave Heroes erupted in surprise.
“However, the members of ‘Nina Starlights’ must continue their journey to defeat the remaining Seven Great Demon Lords.
Therefore, I would like you to train a sub-organization centered around the Heroes and have them operate as adventurers in the employ of the Court Count within the Empire.”
Ah, I see.
Instead of binding the main body,
They intend to strengthen them into a group of hired adventurers to protect them.
(It’s true, it wouldn’t be a good system if they remained Slave Heroes.)
“That’s right. Your liberation as slaves is a strong initiative driven by Her Majesty.”
“Yes, it is no exaggeration to say it is my wish, so please do not betray us.”
“Of course!”
“It is an extreme honor.
“Leave it to me, for Nina Starlights, and for Her Majesty!!”
…It seems like they are bound by invisible chains far stronger than any Collar of Sub,
But if they are happy, then so be it.
(If push comes to shove, I might even foist the Court Count role onto them.)
Given it’s Nina,
She’s surely thought things through to ensure she doesn’t lose out behind the scenes.
Now, that’s four people, but who could the last one be…?!
(Ah, Helen and Nastasia, who were whispering in the back, have arrived!)
“We apologize, Master.”
“We have made our own decision.”
“Eh, what?!”
They announced it side by side.
“Anju’s proposed ‘One-Time Group’ is incorrect.”
“We, proudly having had relations only with Master and Master Deles…”
“Will call ourselves the ‘True Devotion Group’.”
‘True Devotion’ instead of ‘One-Time’.
I’m slightly impressed, but Nina, Clarice, and Anju’s gazes are piercing!
“What, I am also true to Deles now.”
“That’s right, I am also only for Master Deles.”
“I stepped on Sufma, but I only love Deles now!”
So, when categorized by the word ‘True Devotion’, everyone fits.
(It’s true, it would be cruel to exclude me because of my past experiences.)
“Understood. Let’s think of a different way to phrase it.”
“Haa, if Master says so.”
“Hmph, I apologize for the interruption. Please continue with the Slave Liberation.”
While all this was happening,
It seems the three male Slave Heroes have been liberated.
“Alright, leave the Deru Deru Ecstasy group to me.”
“From now on, I won’t have to worry about being taken advantage of and getting low-quality ingredients because I’m a slave.”
“If you’re forming a team with new members, count me in! I can even call the old members!”
Yes, they are all motivated to work with Nina Starlights.
(But what if they all disappear by tomorrow morning!)
No, that would be an insult to the Empress.
In that case, they’d be erased before they could escape the Empire.
(I haven’t given them any Teleport Scrolls, have I?)
“Now, let’s pull ourselves together for the final Slave Liberation.”
Nina’s gaze is directed towards…!!
