Revised on December 23, 2015.
Revised again on March 19, 2016.
Revised once more on March 26, 2016.
Revised yet again on April 14, 2016.
Slightly reduced the use of kanji.
The next morning, before the sun had even risen, I woke up and checked on my slaves. The two of them were still unconscious.
After quickly eating breakfast—hard bread and milk—I removed their gags and waited for them to awaken.
Even in such a situation, observing the two beautiful girls clad in slave garments as they stirred in their sleep, their chests rising and falling beneath the thin fabric, made the wait for their awakening surprisingly enjoyable.
Among the two beautiful girls I had brought in, the first to regain consciousness was the silver-haired girl who had been brutally murdered in the carriage.
Though she had woken up, the silver-haired girl seemed dazed, unable to fully grasp her surroundings.
“W-Who are you?!”
However, the moment she noticed me—a stranger of the opposite sex—nearby, she bolted upright and demanded an answer in a loud voice.
“Quiet!”
At my command, the silver-haired girl suddenly found herself unable to speak. Her mouth opened and closed wordlessly as she stared at me in shock.
“If you don’t raise your voice, I’ll permit you to speak.”
With that, I lifted the penalty command of the Slave Contract Magic.
“What did you do to me?!”
Now somewhat calmer, though still seething with quiet anger, she spoke in a low voice.
“You were brutally murdered inside the carriage.”
The silver-haired girl glared at me skeptically.
“I happened to know Resurrection Magic, so I brought you back to life.”
Her gaze remained fixed on me.
“I make my living as a slave trader, and you are now my slave. Tell me your name!”
I pressed on firmly.
With high-ranking nobles and royalty like her, it was crucial to take control of the conversation early—a tactic I recalled from my past life.
“Y-You insolent…! I am Elise Lisha Umb Portland, the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Portland!”
As expected, the silver-haired girl proudly declared her name.
“So, you’re the former princess of the now-fallen Kingdom of Portland? How much was the bounty on your head again?”
I decided to crush her pride.
“P-Please… help me.”
Her face flushed red as she trembled, clearly aware that she was a wanted fugitive. Her tone softened as she pleaded for protection.
“You’re already bound by my Slave Contract Magic. That’s why you couldn’t speak earlier.”
I made sure she understood the reality—she was now a slave.
Realizing her situation, the former princess’s eyes filled with despair, and she collapsed, weeping.
“You belong to me now, so accept it. As your master, I’ll take care of you.”
I waited for her to stop crying before asserting my dominance.
“……”
“Silence!”
Just as I thought she had quieted down, I noticed her muttering under her breath—attempting to cast a fire-based attack spell. I immediately sealed her voice again.
Come to think of it, the Portland Royal Family was known for producing many great mages. I had forgotten that until now.
With her last resort sealed, the former princess had no means left to resist.
“I won’t treat you badly.”
Gently stroking her head, I lifted the penalty command again, shifting to a more conciliatory approach.
“R-Really?”
“Really. I just need your power when the time comes.”
My words seemed to reassure her.
I glossed over the details about the assassin lying next to her and explained the situation as it stood.
“…I understand. I will be your slave… M-Master, please… be kind to Elise.”
“Thank you, Elise. Let’s get along from now on.”
Realizing she was the only one left alive, Elise understood she couldn’t survive alone. Though reluctant, she agreed to become my slave.
“Hold still for a bit. I’ll remove your handcuffs and shackles.”
Now that Elise had accepted her situation, I freed her from the restraints.
“Thank you, Master, for releasing me from my bonds.”
Elise bowed deeply, showing her submission as my slave.
This marked the beginning of her role in my adventurer party, where she would later take charge of attack magic and logistics.
