The Spearmaster and the Black Cat-Novel

Chapter 153 – Parasite

This elven woman has been infested by a Maji parasite?

Let’s confirm it by scanning once more.

I focus my consciousness on the ▽ cursor located on her body’s borderline.

And once again, it starts scanning from her feet.

…

As expected, it’s still there. The Maji’s main body is right in the back of her neck, huh?

The slave collar is equipped at the front area of her neck. The bug is under her skin, so it’s probably quite difficult to perceive it from the outside.

It looks like her mind is undamaged, but the feelers extending up to her brain are disgusting…

――――――――――――――――

Carbon-type Napalm Life Form ng＃esg88＃

Brain Waves: Abnormal. Under the influence of a parasitic bug.

Body: Abnormal. Under the influence of a parasitic bug.

Gender: Female

Overall Physical Strength: 11

Elenium Integration: 565

Weapons: Present

――――――――――――――――

The status is the same as well.

“…Umm, is something wrong?”

As I continue staring at her with an awful look while staying silent, the elven woman is apparently unable to endure and asks me such a question. That’s at least my impression.

Besides, it appears that she can talk normally…

“…No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about something.” (Shuuya)

“Okay.”

Deliberately donning a serious expression, I place a finger on my forehead.

It’s a pose quite similar to one of some detectives, reasoning out a case.

『Your Excellency, she seems to be excellent, possessing a lot of mana, but what are you going to do?』 (Helme)

At that time, Helme appears in my visual field, breaking my line of thought.

『Even you don’t see it? This slave has her head infested by a parasite. Therefore, her having a lot of mana might be owed to that.』 (Shuuya)

The tiny Helme is surprised and adopts a cutesy attitude, apparently a new pose of her.

『Whaa-, such a mysterious creature has… as expected of you, Your Excellency. But, how were you able to discover the truth?』 (Helme)

『It’s thanks to the new magic tool I equipped on my right eye the other day.』 (Shuuya)

『The right eye, you say? Amazing. I couldn’t even perceive the insect nesting in her with my Spirit Sight and detection skills.』 (Helme)

『It feels like my eye has been remodeled, but it’s great that it allowed me to equip the Kaleidoscope. I guess the frequency of usage will steadily increase from now on. There also might be other people infected by such a parasite without anyone knowing.』 (Shuuya)

Totally unaware, mankind is getting invaded in secret by insect-shaped aliens…

That means it’s possible that the person next to me might be a space alien, wearing human skin.

『Yes. If you consider it like that, it’s probably best to check everyone present in this place…』 (Helme)

Helme proposes while looking pale even in her small form. It seems she’s also bummed out by the discovery.

『I guess you’re right…』 (Shuuya)

I restlessly look around me on the spot.

I scan everyone as their figures reflect in my framed vision.

I also check their statuses one by one…

Ah, great. No one else is possessed by bugs, relieving me of my worries.

『Including our party members, all slaves except for her are fine.』 (Shuuya)

『…That’s good.』 (Helme)

『Indeed… to be honest, I was quite worried when I checked Rebecca and Eva.』 (Shuuya)

『They are your cherished friends, after all, Your Excellency.』 (Helme)

『Yes… well then, disappear from my field of vision for now.』 (Shuuya)

『Okay.』 (Helme)

After showing a face full of relief, Helme vanishes while whirling around.

Next, once again, I look at the infected elf and scrutinize her.

She looks fair and beautiful, but I can’t look at her with a lewd ogling any longer…

Is she really sane, I wonder?

I guess I will investigate her state, including that part, to make head or tail of the situation.

While feeling a bit of pity for her, I chat her up.

“…So, it seems you are a former adventurer, but how did you become a slave?” (Shuuya)

“It all started after I got dragged into a conflict between my clan 【Red Wasp】 and the enemy clan 【Silver Pearl】 in the depths of the labyrinth. We were suddenly attacked by 【Silver Pearl】 inside the labyrinth, but while engrossed in fighting back, I ended up losing sight of my friends. I then became lost in the labyrinth… and when I came to my senses, I had returned to the surface with my whole body bloodstained.”

When she came to her senses, she says?

That’s way too fishy, like raising a flag.

My face reveals my skeptical emotions a bit.

Seemingly having seen that expression, she talks while averting her eyes disappointedly.

“It’s strange, isn’t it? I think so too… But I really have no memory of it.”

“What happened to the fight between the clans in the labyrinth?” (Shuuya)

I urge her to continue her story.

“Including the enemies, no one came back. Then the members of 【Silver Pearl】, who remained on the surface without diving into the labyrinth, appealed to the Labyrinth Administration Bureau. They accused me of having been the cause of the dispute. Even though they hadn’t been in the labyrinth at that time, they insisted on me having fabricated a reason for the conflict, which led to a battle between the clans. And, as the claim of 【Silver Pearl】 was acknowledged, I was arrested by the guards without any questions asked. Maybe because there are members in 【Silver Pearl】 who have close connections to the nobility, the verdict was passed quickly. You know, connections with the authorities are the most advantageous in a Royal Trial… since words such as justice and goodness are merely empty shells, you can never win against the authorities that don’t hold back on any atrocity in the name of greed…”

Her complaints sound as if she was set up, but…

I’m bothered by the matter of her having lost her memories inside the labyrinth. That really is dubious, and it also points to one direction.

…It’s probably because of the Maji clinging to her brain.

“…And then you were enslaved, right?” (Shuuya)

“Yes. At the Royal Trial, my execution had been decided for a moment, but Chianelas-sama negotiated with the country, resulting in me not getting killed. Although I fell into slavery, I’m grateful to Chianelas-sama who saved my life.”

It took the shape of Chianelas saving the day, huh?

Well, she’s an A-Rank adventurer after all and has bright prospects as a slave.

And she’s also a beauty on top of that. He probably thought that she will sell for a lot.

“I see. Allow me to consider whether I’m going to buy you for a little while.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.”

Without turning around, I ponder by myself.

So, should I buy this elf…?

There’s always the option to skip out on her.

Since I have my friends with me, it would be terrible if it’s contagious, but it appears that her surroundings haven’t been infected.

Only she has that bug attached to her. Therefore, it’s possible to assume that it’s not the sort of Maji that quickens infection.

Though it’s plausible that it might turn out like that once it grows up.

Besides, although her brain has been infected, it looks as if her emotions and speech center haven’t been affected. Is the bug simply observing the surface through her eyes?

Or will it react to some kind of stimulus and suddenly turn violent?

Is the bug intending to propagate or to attack someone? What’s its real purpose?

Just as my first hunch, her brain might have been encroached because of the incident in the labyrinth.

Was she, who lost her memories, manipulated into turning violent by the bug, resulting in her indiscriminately slaughtering her friends and enemies alike?

Another possibility is that everyone present back then was killed by a bug monster before she got infected.

The bug might have some reason to have infested her without killing and affecting her speech patterns.

And yet, knowing this information in advance before diving deeply into the labyrinth would be great in our explorations.

There’s probably a great diversity of unknown monsters, subspecies, new species, and guardians in the labyrinth. Having information on the existence of a monster that uses such a back route will be a big deal.

Be that as it may, I guess I will buy her.

I’m not sure whether I can deal with the parasite and so on, but I want to try observing her from nearby.

“…Chianelas, how much for this slave?” (Shuuya)

Stopping my careful scrutinizing, I speak while turning my face in Chianelas’s direction.

“As she has no equipment, it’s 20 platinum coins.”

“It considerably different from the dark-elf Viine.” (Shuuya)

“Haha, that’s only natural. There are humans possessing a skin similar to her, but she’s a peerless dark-elf beauty with silver hair, a bluish-white skin, and long ears. A rare race indeed. Moreover, she owns an Extra skill and a plethora of all sorts of skills she learned somewhere completely unknown to us. And above all, her intelligence makes someone like her a stellar existence.” (Chianelas)

For sure.

Once I look at Viine, she’s bowing with her cheeks dyed slightly red, obviously embarrassed at his outright appreciation.

“…Got it. I will buy her. Also, the snakewomanLamia, the small beastmanNoir Runner, and the tiger beastmanRazeil. I will have all four of them.” (Shuuya)

I point a finger at the slaves in turns, and in the end, I gesture while using four fingers.

“Ooh, thank you very much for purchasing them all together. Seeing you being so generous, I will also give you a discount. Please wait a little moment.” (Chianelas)

Chianelas smiles happily.

“—Slaves, whose names were called just now, you heard the voice of your new master, didn’t you? Get ready. And Moros!” (Chianelas)

Chianelas instructs the slaves and calls his servant subsequently.

“At your service, master!” (Moros)

Moros prepares a wooden clipboard with swift movements and hands it over to Chianelas. A bunch of parchments has been placed on top of it.

Next, other servants, carrying a small table and chairs, appear in succession and set up the furniture in front of our eyes.

At that point, yet another servant, who is holding an accessory kit, a set of ink, and quill, draws near to Chianelas.

Chianelas picks up a magnificent quill from the quill receptacle in the servant’s hands and signs the parchments with elegant writing motions.

He is writing while revealing a gross smile on his face.

Once he finishes, he carefully puts the documents down on the table.

A healing potion and a knife are placed on the same table, too.

The servants are really capable. It seems they are pretty used to this scenario, bringing out the required things without even being ordered.

When I bought Viine, a healing potion and a knife were also prepared in the same way.

“…Please sign these documents later on. The price will be 99 platinum coins for all of them. Is that fine with you?” (Chianelas)

Chianelas offers me a set discounted price.

The slaves I plan to buy draw near at the moment.

They squat down, placing both their knees on the ground, and push out their chests.

It’s a posture allowing me to see the black collar well.

99 platinum coins for these four, eh?

It’s a significantly large amount of money. If I add the need to prepare equipment for them to it, it’s a costly endeavor, no doubt.

Hearing that price, Rebecca complains about something in the back again.

I can also hear Eva’s voice curtly murmuring “That’s only natural,” to Rebecca.

I ignore the sounds coming from behind me and focus on the front.

I strike a conversation with Chianelas, who’s producing an expression with an artificial smile.

“—Deal. I will place the money here.” (Shuuya)

I quickly operate my item box, take out a large amount of the platinum coins I stole from Eribol, and put them on top of the table.

“Okay. Then please drop your blood on the collars of the slaves.” (Chianelas)

Chianelas gives me the same instruction as back then with Viine.

I nod silently and cause my finger to bleed by biting it without using the knife.

In reality, I’m capable of accomplishing the same with blood manipulation, but I put up a little show to fool him.

Holding out the bitten finger, I drip blood on the four collars one after the other.

Later, I apply the healing potion on my finger, rapidly curing my wound.

The collars react to the received blood, and a faint flat magic crest is created out of the obsidian gem of the collar, being deployed three-fold.

The next instant, the magic crests sink down and are absorbed inside the collars’ gems.

All four collars that finished sucking in the magic crests break into pieces.

I could see a small, black and dark-green snake-like creature penetrating the slaves’ skin at the instant the collar broke.

The slaves cough violently, looking pained.

It is the same for even the elf with the parasite, and it looks like she’s showing a proper slavery effect despite carrying a bug in her.

That parasite, just what the hell is that thing?

As I indulge in such thoughts, slave rings appear on top of everyone’s chest around their collars.

“All that’s left is to sign these papers. By the way, the slaves have already filled out the documents.” (Chianelas)

“Understood.” (Shuuya)

I guess he’s telling me that they were ready to go.

Using the provided quill, I sign the documents, completing the deal.

“Thank you very much for your purchase. Starting from today, these people are at your disposal, Shuuya-san.” (Chianelas)

With this, the four high-class combat slaves became mine.

The purchased slaves bow their heads to me and,

“””Master, please treat me well from now on.”””

“Please allow me to take care of you, master.”

They give their greetings all together.

Only the snakewomanLamia used a slightly different phrasing, but I didn’t point that out as I don’t mind it that much.

“Aye, I’m looking forward to it. My name is Shuuya Kagari. The black cat on my shoulder is my partner and familiar, Rollodeen; her nickname is Rollo. Best regards. For starters, go and greet my friends in the back, too.” (Shuuya)

“”””Yes, master!””””

The slaves move over to Rebecca, Eva, and Viine, who are spectating from behind.

“Nyao.”

Rollo says something along the lines of “I’m off” while swinging her tail up and down.

Her red eyes are focused at the small furry beastman.

I guess she is intrigued by her.

Or she’s thinking that a good-looking plaything has joined. Whatever the case, it has undoubtedly sparked her curiosity.

“Rollo, pranks are not allowed.” (Shuuya)

“Nya? Nnn.”

Rollo turns her round and cute eyes towards me and tilts her head to the side.

And then, she purrs while growling through her throat.

Kuh, how cute.

I’m naturally drawn into caressing her small head, as if under a spell.

“Shuuya-san, this black cat appears to be quite intelligent, doesn’t she?” (Chianelas)

While I am flirting with the lovely Rollo, Chianelas, watching from nearby, breaks our moment with that question.

“Yes. I’m not going to boast, but she’s no normal cat for sure.” (Shuuya)

“My goodness…” (Chianelas)

His eyes, which are as deep blue as the depths of the ocean, stare at Rollo.

“How enviable…” (Chianelas)

He says with a quiet voice.

“Nyao.”

Reacting to Chianelas’s words, Rollo purrs and then dives into the hood on my back.

It’s evident that she is quite picky, and if she dislikes someone, she won’t keep them company.

“Haha, that’s harsh. I’m a slave dealer, but there had been a time when I studied for a while to become a Lesser Demon Tamer. However, I couldn’t acquire the skill in spite of my best efforts. That’s why I honestly feel jealous when watching you being on such close terms with your familiar, Shuuya-san. Your bond is admirable, to say the least” (Chianelas)

Honestly, eh?

Certainly, Rollo trembled, but I couldn’t sense anything evil in Chianelas’s look.

“Is that so?” (Shuuya)

“Yes, please don’t take it in a weird way. In 【Oath of the One HornPledge of the Unicorn】, to which I belong, there’s also a slave trader colleague who can tame monsters. Every time I meet him, he’s telling me how he caught something, full of sarcasm. Pestering me with such boasting… ah, sorry.” (Chianelas)

Chianelas belongs to the board of directors of a big company.

I guess there’s also a merchant, who deals with tamed monsters, among them.

“He’s a person with a really bad character, isn’t he?” (Shuuya)

“Haha, certainly. Even today, there will be a meeting later. I have to head to the mansion where my colleagues will assemble.” (Chianelas)

I suspect that mansion to be fairly big, seeing as the merchants belonging to a big company gather there.

Speaking of mansions, now that I bought slaves, I’d like to have one of those soon as well.

I guess I will try asking him while we’re at it, using the opportunity. It’s best to make use of your connections if you have some.

“…It’s a little topic change, but do you also deal in real estates, for example, land, vacant houses, and such?” (Shuuya)

“No, not at all. It’s a totally different ball game, but I can introduce you to someone who does.” (Chianelas)

Lucky~ I guess, I will have him give me a reference.

“May I ask that of you?” (Shuuya)

“Yes, with pleasure. I will introduce you to the Melson Company, a member of the Big Dualbell Company same as me. Since the Melson Company is in charge of a great number of properties, I believe that you will definitely find a place to your liking.” (Chianelas)

A great number of properties? Seems fine to me then.

Though I would hate a house with ghosts, exceptional circumstances, or other similar issues.

Once you open the sliding door, a pure white boy… eewwww.

That’s the kind of development I absolutely don’t want to encounter. Let’s hope I haven’t jinxed myself.

“…That’s great. Please take care of me.” (Shuuya)

“Understood. I will have the introduction letter brought here. Please wait for a moment. Moros—” (Chianelas)

“At your service!” (Moros)

Receiving his instruction from Chianelas, Moros starts running on the spot and leaves the room hurriedly.

After a short time, he comes back while carrying something like an envelope in his hand.

He then passes it to Chianelas.

“—If you pass this envelope to the president of the Melson Company, Carol Melson, she will immediately know that it’s an introduction from me. Please understand that I can’t go with you as I have to attend the meeting, but I will have Moros guide you to their store.” (Chianelas)

Chianelas bows while expressing his apology.

“Okay.” (Shuuya)

I receive the envelope while acknowledging.

The envelope feels like a letter and has a unicorn mark wax seal on top of it.

So this is a letter of introduction, huh?

Moros-san approaches us and lowers his head, showing that he’s ready to take us there.

I give me my greetings to Moros-san.

“Moros-san, best regards.” (Shuuya)

“Yes! Please leave guiding you to the Melson Company to me.” (Moros)

Moros returns the greeting while bowing.

“Well then, pardon me for taking off. I leave the rest in Moros’s capable hands. Shuuya-san, let’s meet again when there’s an opportunity.” (Chianelas)

Chianelas turns on his heels and leaves the hall immediately after.

“Shuuya-sama, we have prepared several carriages in advance. I will wait for you at the front door.” (Moros)

“Got it.” (Shuuya)

Moros-san also leaves the hall behind his master.

Now then, let’s go back to everyone.

When I turn around, my friends and the four new slaves are chatting in a friendly atmosphere.

I return to them and join the conversation.

“Going by the looks, I guess you finished introductions?” (Shuuya)

“Welcome back. That’s right, we lightly talked about our names, combat occupations, and our roles in the party. But Shuuya, you sure spent quite a lot of money again and didn’t even blink at that.” (Rebecca)

“Rebecca, is Shuuya some sort of hidden rich man?” (Eva)

Eva asks Rebecca in excitement and anticipation.

“Yes, he is. No I’m kidding, but the other day, he casually slammed a large platinum coin on the table and made a big purchase of magic scrolls.” (Rebecca)

Hearing that, the slaves give a short cheer of “Ooh.”

That Rebecca, don’t talk so casually about such things!

“Amazing. …I didn’t know.” (Eva)

Eva turns her wheelchair around and looks up to me as my figure is reflected in her pretty, violet eyes.

Well, there’s no reason for Eva to know about it.

After all, I bought the magic scrolls from the sage-like shopkeeper before I met her.

“Well, I do possess some money. Putting that aside, as you all know, I just settled on going to another company that deals in real estate. Eva, Rebecca, are you going to come with us?” (Shuuya)

“Nn, that’s okay?” (Eva)

Eva asks while smiling pleasantly.

“Sure. I will be able to guide you to my new home if I make a decision. Though it will be nothing more than a waste of time if I go there without choosing anything.” (Shuuya)

At least that’s what I’m planning, but I don’t know the prices for the property at all, so we’ll have to see.

Rebecca mutters, “You are going to buy a house…” while looking dumbfounded, and then gulps down her spit.

“What’s wrong for you to give such a huge reaction?” (Shuuya)

“…Ah, yea… I own a house as well, but you know, I’m quite poor. Honestly saying… I’m envious. Tell me—I asked you this before—but Shuuya, you are truly not from nobility?” (Rebecca)

Rebecca’s blue eyes probe my face for any change of expression.

Well, I previously spent a good chunk of money, and this time as well.

So I guess it’s only natural for her to be doubtful, all the more if you see it from close-by.

I guess I will explain a bit to remove some of her doubts.

“…As a matter of fact.” (Shuuya)

It became dead silent at once.

Not only Rebecca, but even Eva, Viine, and the slaves hang on my lips.

I ponder on whether I should play the fool and tell a lie, but let’s hold back on that.

I take out my adventurer card from my bandolier and remove the Evil Dragon King’s ring from my finger.

“First, please look properly at the title on this card.” (Shuuya)

With those words as a cue, I show the card to my comrades.

“Ah!”

“Dragon Slayer.”

Once Eva mentions the title written on my adventurer card, further cheers of “Ooooh” can be heard.

“Just as you can see, and this is the proof: a ring made out of the Evil Dragon King’s navel.” (Shuuya)

Once again, the slaves kick up a fuss.

“Are you satisfied? Most of the reason for me possessing a lot of money is this.” (Shuuya)

There’s actually a big amount of cash I stole from the Eribol, but I didn’t mention that here.

“…I am.” (Rebecca)

Rebecca sighs and mutters that short phrase, still relishing in that shock.

“Nn, Shuuya… you are an amazing adventurer, just as I thought.” (Eva)

Eva praises me after nodding deeply one time. She seems to have taken it a bit better than Rebecca.

“…” (Viine)

As Viine already knows about it, she just watches silently.

She has a somewhat proud face, though.

After several “Wow’s”, the slaves begin to repeatedly extol me as a heroic adventurer, dragon-slaying master, and various other glorious names.

I guess I will gloss it over while acting silly with a weird face since it’s somewhat embarrassing.

“Ack, how embarrassing. You guys, stop teasing me.” (Shuuya)

Using my hands, I pull a face with a nose resembling a pig’s snout and a deliberately hideous face.

“Pupu, ahahahaha.”

“Fufu, Shuuya. What a funny face.”

“…Fu-, pupuh~”

Viine resisted in order to not break into laughter but yielded in the end.

“Ahaha. Viine, it’s the first time for me to see that expression.” (Shuuya)

Unintentionally, I react to that view, which I can’t see that often, by bursting into laughter, too.

“…Master, that sudden surprise attack is unfair.” (Viine)

“Sorry, sorry. I just couldn’t hold back.” (Shuuya)

“It’s funny, but even I…!”

I don’t know whether Rebecca took that as encouragement, but she imitated me in making a strange face by putting her beautiful face into disorder with her white, slender hands.

“Pupu.”

“Fufu, Rebecca, it’s cute. Even your small nose hairs are visible.”

“Eh, that’s a lie!” (Rebecca)

“Ahahaha, I lost. Rebecca-san, thanks for showing us your nose hairs!” (Shuuya)

“Geez, what’s with that! …It’s too embarrassing!” (Rebecca)

As we are having this silly conversation, the faces of slaves, including the small beastman, had become stiff with no hint of a smile to be found.

Are they still nervous?

Or did they draw back after seeing mine and Rebecca’s silly faces?

Like thinking, “Are the heads of this master… and his party alright? Or do they have a screw loose?”

Only the lamia extended her long snake tongue from her mouth with her cheeks twitching.

After pulling myself together and putting on a serious expression, I say,

“Well then, Eva, Rebecca, you are going to come with us, right?” (Shuuya)

“Of course.” (Eva)

“I will!” (Rebecca)

The two replied cheerfully.

“Understood. Alright, we are keeping Moros waiting at the front door, so let’s go everybody.” (Shuuya)

I start walking with the envelope containing the introduction letter for the Melson Company in my hands.

“”””Yes, master!””””

Taking along the slaves, I leave through the front door of the slave trader company.

Descending the slope without a hitch, we arrive at the street.

The carriages, which had been apparently prepared by Moros, are parked here.

“Please get on over here.” (Moros)

Moros, who stood next to the carriages, leads us with an extended hand gesture.

They are not like the special, rectangle carriage, which Chianelas used before, but ones with standard sizes.

Two carriages are waiting at the roadside for us.

“The slaves can board this one here.” (Moros)

“”””…Yes!””””

Under my eyes, the slaves step in the carriage at the front.

The way how the lamia moves is slightly amusing, though: she smoothly advances by winding her snake torso.

“…I suppose we will get on the carriage in the back.” (Shuuya)

I board together with Eva, Rebecca, and Viine.

Apparently sleeping in my hood, Rollo doesn’t show any reaction to it.

“Well then, we are going to depart. …Rick, Sass, please go ahead!” (Moros)

Moros loudly informs the coachmen after confirming us having boarded the carriages.

Hearing his voice, the drivers let the carriages advance steadily.

In the 30 minutes of traveling along the main street, only my comrades talked while Moros stayed silent.

After an uneventful trip, the carriage stopped.

“It looks like we’ve arrived.” (Moros)

“It’s been quite fast.”

“Yes. I will get off first.” (Moros)

Moros lowers his head slightly and disembarks the carriage.

Next, we follow him as well.

The slaves traveling in the first carriage have also gotten out.

They run up to my side at once and wait for orders after straightening themselves.

Moros, who confirmed that everyone had stepped off the carriages, stretches out an arm in the direction of the store.

“This is the Melson Company.” (Moros)

This store?

Since it’s facing the main street, it’s no different from the previous brick store.

It’s a wooden building with one floor, using a Semmering style.

Plenty of posters informing about properties have been carefully pasted to the store’s wall, making it rather obvious that the store here deals in real estate.

“We will have you reimburse if you damage these property posters.”

Something along those lines was also written there as a warning.

The contents are different, but the way the information of properties is displayed feels kind of similar to the real estate agencies in my previous life.

As I’m checking the store’s exterior,

“Shuuya-sama, I will go back now.” (Moros)

After completing his duty, Moros tells me in a whisper with a polite attitude.

“Got it. Thank you.” (Shuuya)

“No, not at all. It was my master’s order. Excuse me then.” (Moros)

Without a change in his narrow eyes, which seem to be closed, he bows, gets on a carriage, and returns to his company.

“Well then, time to enter this store, huh?” (Shuuya)

At the moment I took a step forward to enter the store, one of the slaves calls out to me.

“…Master, we will wait for you here.”

Mmh, it’s the bug-infested elf that said this.

Certainly, I suppose it’s not a place I can enter while taking slaves along.

“I understand. You guys wait here.” (Shuuya)

“Yes.”

“Yes, master!”

“See you later, then.” (Shuuya)

I leave the slaves at the entrance after dropping the words.

Pushing the wooden door decorated with a relief, which had a light brown house mark carved into it, I step into the store, and the doorbell jingles, announcing the presence of a new entrant.

Looking back, a brass bell was affixed to a bracket on the inner side of the door.

I have seen that kind of mechanism before; it’s simple yet effective.

“Welcome to the main store of the Melson Company.”

Compared to calling it the main store, the store’s interior isn’t really all that large.

Right after opening the door, we were immediately greeted across from the counter located ahead by a black-haired, elderly man.

The attire he’s wearing is a simple, black tunic.