In the reception room, Nina Starlights sat on a high sofa, resembling a small throne, befitting Nina Castle. Seira-san guided the group, who had apparently been waiting for a long time, to her.
“I am Eishin, a monster slave trader from the southwestern region of the Movermas Continent. To Nina Starlights, your fame echoes throughout the continent. It is an extreme honor to be granted an audience this time…”
“The pleasantries are enough, get to the point,” Nina interrupted.
The monster slave trader had been seen in Shucco Castle last night. Though somewhat flashy, he was dressed properly and maintained a serious demeanor. To his right sat an old illusionist, dressed as expected, but to his left…
(Why is the King here?!)
And he brought four guards with him! Was His Majesty made to wait? Behind them stood five figures cloaked in large robes, likely of the Angel Race, glaring at Nina.
(Preconceptions are scary.)
“Yes, today I intend to sell you wonderful slaves. At the previous auction, you bought the princess of a defeated nation and her retainers all at once for two hundred platinum coins,” Eishin boasted.
“I already said the preliminaries are enough!” Nina growled.
Ah, for some reason, she seemed irritated. Was it her period? Houkra-san had mentioned that one in three women on the Shamanias Continent seemed to suffer from perpetual menstrual cramps, and the leader of the Adventurer Guild in the third city, Kogatan, had indeed seemed that way.
(It’s probably also because of the Succubus bloodline.)
While these thoughts ran through my mind, the five robed figures lined up before me. The illusionist used his staff to undress each one, starting from the ends.
“How do you like them? They are rare slaves of the Angel Race. Although, it seems you have some of them here as well.”
“Ah, today we have brought two. They are not slaves, but our precious maids.”
Although they didn’t exactly look like maids… Harmy and Neary were surprised, as were the five undressed angels.
“What do you think, Harmy, Neary? Are they real?”
“So many of our kin we don’t know!”
“There’s no mistake, they are of the same Angel Race.”
Yes, it seemed they weren’t cosplay. The five slave angels also cried out.
“No way… golden wings on the lower half!”
“Then, as expected, male angels are…”
“Wait, if it’s male angels, then the entire wings should be golden!”
Is that so.
“Then with human men…”
“They must be kept for pleasure. How pitiful.”
No, it’s me who is being kept for pleasure!! (So what?) Though, I am currently in a hidden state.
(To think I’d be told to ‘stay quietly inside’ after she put on that queen-like robe.)
It’s probably because His Majesty the King is here. If he saw me, he might order my capture, and with four guards present, that possibility is high, which is why I’m hiding like this.
(Secretly, veeery secretly, I’m peeking through the gap in her chest.)
Seriously, the angels are glaring. They weren’t doing that to me!
“From the left, Swalo with black hair, Kayarin with purple hair, Inade with pink hair, the tall one with silver hair is Sagecca, and the one with reddish-purple hair is her younger sister Sacion. All are high-quality angels. How are they?”
“Hmm, how about one hundred platinum coins per person?”
“You jest! The followers of the Angel Church would pay ten times that!”
Yes, they brought out the platinum coins knowing this. Even five hundred platinum coins would be a significant amount, and Nina didn’t seem that interested either.
“So, not gold then?”
“Yes, actually, my wife’s mother is suffering from a difficult illness… *sob sob sob*.”
“Stop the fake crying.”
“And my illusionist, Ranberzevu’s granddaughter as well…”
“Call me Ranber, please. I am.”
Ah, this time he’s crying into his arm. This old illusionist probably has no tears left due to his age.
“That’s a lie.”
Clarice, next to Nina, brought out a large appraisal crystal. Yes, the one that could determine truth. She held it forward.
“As an illusionist, you understand what this is, don’t you?”
“… Regardless, I need Elixir. I need it, I need it, I need it.”
He suddenly started wiping sweat, though there was none to wipe. Nina signaled Clarice to step back with her arm, and the monster slave trader Eishin stepped forward.
“How about this? Five of these female angels in exchange for three Elixirs?”
Huh, haven’t they increased?!
“…Hmm, even one is more than enough.”
Ah, I see. This is negotiation. So, they’ll meet in the middle with two? After all, he’s a merchant, that’s pretty basic.
“Slaves of the Angel Race don’t just appear out of nowhere, unless Nina Starlights makes them available.”
“And the fact that we aren’t making them available means you expect to buy them if we put them up for sale.”
“Even just their feathers are valuable materials, so I also received a few feathers last night.”
Ah, so that’s why they went to the trouble of bathing. It’s more gentlemanly than forcibly pulling them out, perhaps? Though they did threaten them in the prison.
“Hmm, indeed, if outsiders buy them, the value of those items may decrease.”
“That’s why we are keeping the sale of the Angel Race top secret, for all of you.”
“However, if you don’t buy them, you’ll expose this. And the value of the Angel Race-related items we put up for auction will also decrease, you say?”
Slave trader Eishin grinned, as did the illusionist Lanber-nantoka.
“…May I speak with the slaves?”
“Please do.”
Nina approached. As a precaution, Helen-san accompanied her… Well, regardless of whether Nina had security or not!
(Ah, it’s because I’m on Nina’s chest.)
Perhaps they’re more worried about me.
“First, Swalo, was it? Why did you become a slave?”
“I just ate a fallen watermelon. Just a little bit!”
“No, a little bit wouldn’t make you a slave.”
Nina looked at Eishin.
“These individuals devoured all the watermelons produced in the Kalenda village. If things continued as they were, they wouldn’t have survived the winter, so my trading company compensated them for the watermelon. In exchange, we took the Angels who ravaged the land… Ah, it’s fortunate we have an illusionist in our company.”
Did they really eat all of them? In that case, it couldn’t be helped that they were driven away.
“I understand. There will be no mercy.”
“What!”
“This is a matter of law. Ignorance is no excuse, and you must have known it was a bad deed.”
Yes, that’s true. Eishin nodded in agreement.
“Then let’s compromise. Two Elixirs in exchange?”
“No, we already employ dozens of the Angel Race. We don’t need any more. If you give them to us, we’ll gladly take them.”
“Then the followers of the Angel Church will win them at the auction?”
“That would be quieter, as they won’t be coming here to demand we hand them over.”
Ah, they were still coming after that?
“Then we will put them up for auction. We will announce their existence, is that acceptable?”
“I don’t mind. I, personally, don’t mind. Harmy and Neary, do you mind?”
“We want to help our kin… but…”
“Eating human crops without permission is unforgivable!”
Who is saying that? Who?!
“No, no…”
“Ah, we’ll surely become taxidermy…”
“I refuse, I am not for sale!”
“Sister…”
“We’ll be together until the end.”
…My chest stings. This might be beyond “good-natured.” But, but here… Nina also said “personally,” and it’s a matter of her own opinion!!
(With resolve, I peek my head out from Nina’s chest!!)
“Um, excuse me.”
“Wha?! What is it?!”
“What a strange sight, I must say!”
The slave trader and the illusionist were surprised, as were the angels…
“Kyaa!!”
“What, a human was born?!”
“Hkk, ah, yesterday’s severed head!”
“Shh, shhh!!”
I instinctively brought my finger to my lips.
“You startled me. Oh, where’s the other one?”
“She was there the whole time? Truly a plaything.”
Yes, and I am even happy to be one!!
(Beyond my limit, further beyond, and then to be forcibly subjected to even more, is unbearable!)
Putting aside the fervent thoughts in my heart.
“Ah, I am Deres, a porter. I carry everything for these older sisters.”
Though currently stored away.
“So, Porter-kun, what is it?”
“Yes, Eishin-san. I’ve heard the conversation. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I, personally, would like to buy them.”
Everyone looked even more surprised.
(Well, for now, I’ll just ask.)
