After thanking Yasis at the entrance of the slave trading house,
「Not at all. Please come again anytime.」
「Yeah, if I ever need something.」
「We'll be waiting for you.」
That expression clearly showed she was convinced I'd be back.
I couldn't help but notice even Wendy-san came all the way to the entrance to see us off.
Come to think of it, that cat-eared girl I met at the plaza never showed up.
Maybe she held back because Aina-san and Sorte were with me.
If I ran into the cat-eared girl in front of Sorte, I can easily imagine her slapping me with the labels of both pervert and lolicon.
「In the end, nothing really changed from usual.」
「Isn't that fine? We get to keep adventuring, and I won't have to put up with him doing pervy stuff to me.」
「Well… that's true, but somehow it feels like my apology didn't really come across…」
「It's fine. It got through just fine. I'll count on you when we're gathering materials.」
Now I can get supplies for free for a while.
It seems the Adventurer's Guild is short on Small, Inferior, and Minor healing potions, so if they gather some healing herbs, I can make and deliver them.
If I can get my hands on some higher-grade herbs, maybe I could sell them at a more reasonable price too.
Sigh… it's only been three days since I came to this world.
I didn't expect problems to pop up so soon, but it looks like things might finally calm down.
「Anyway, let's head to the Adventurer's Guild to report and make the delivery.」
「Yeah. Let's get it over with quickly.」
「Right. Lord, please think about what your first command will be.」
「Got it. …By the way, are you really going to wear that?」
I pointed at the leather collar around Aina-san's neck.
Apparently, it's a sign of being a slave. For a free contract, at least one person has to wear it.
I don't know the details, but it's supposed to make it easier to call them when giving commands.
In a subordinate contract, it's required unless the master orders otherwise.
Honestly, I feel like it'd suit Sorte better.
A wolf? Nah. She's a dog. And not just any dog—she's a mad dog.
As I walked behind the two of them, my attention was caught by Sorte's tail happily swaying back and forth.
I couldn't resist grabbing it.
Getting bitten full force… yeah, that was definitely my fault.
-0-
We arrived in front of the Adventurer's Guild, but… how should I put it? It's hard to go in.
Even though I've been told it's safe now and that no one would attack me, this is still the place where I was mocked and laughed at.
Just remembering it makes my stomach churn with discomfort.
「What are you doing? Hurry up and go in already.」
「I-I know, okay?」
「Aha! Don't tell me you're scared? So lame!」
「Shut up, you flat-chested mutt. Huh? Wait, you're a girl? Sorry, you're so flat I didn't even notice. HAHAHA」
「I'm gonna kill you!」
「Bring it on! I'll make you writhe in agony with a headache!」
Grrrrrrrr!
We glared at each other, growling even though neither of us had fangs.
「Come on now, save the roughhousing for later. Geez. When did you two get so close? I wanted to talk more too, you know.」
「「We're not close!」」
「See? You're like best friends already. Totally unfair.」
Sorte, you just gave Aina-san the wrong idea.
Still, there's no point in hesitating at the entrance like this.
That's right. It's not like I did anything wrong.
Reinrich did ask me to run an errand, after all. I'll just get it over with.
I pushed open the Western-style double doors and stepped inside.
Just like last time, a bunch of adventurers were seated around the round tables, and the moment I entered, they all turned to look our way.
But their gazes weren't on me—they were looking behind me.
「Hey, Aina-san's wearing a collar!」
「Hold on, Sorte-san too. She's got the mark of servitude on her right hand!」
Apparently, the collar Aina-san was given during the contract stood out.
And on top of that, Sorte—who wasn't even supposed to become a slave—had the mark of servitude on the back of her hand.
Still, the three of us ignored the voices and walked straight toward the reception desk.
Standing there was that same woman from before. What was her name again…?
「Firill. Call the Guildmaster. I want to report the results.」
「Aina-san! Understood. I'll call him right away, so please wait here.」
「Oh, and as promised, I came to deliver the potions. I'd like to take care of that too.」
「R-Right! I'll call the Guildmaster for that as well!」
As soon as I spoke to her, the woman—Firill—hurried off to get the Guildmaster.
That left just the three of us and the crowd of adventurers.
All eyes were focused on Aina-san's collar, Sorte's mark of servitude, and the guy walking beside them—me.
Then, one of the adventurers stepped forward and stood in front of me.
There's no way I'd forget him—he's the one who shoved me.
「Hey, I'm begging you. I'm sorry. I'll apologize, just let the two of them go.」
…What?
「Hey, Aina. Sorte. You explained everything to them, right?」
They told me they did. That's why I came here in the first place…
「A-ahh.We explained everything properly this morning. Of course, that includes the background and how it all happened.」
「W-Wait a second…」
「Haah… what kind of explanation did you give to make someone like him show up…?」
Why does it seem like I forced the two of them into becoming my slaves?
「If you want, you can pay for them. Ten million nohl. If I get that much, I'll release them right now.」
After all, I'd just take that money, buy materials elsewhere, and literally turn it into more money.
The only difference is whether I get a steady, long-term supply or a big one-time haul.
Besides, it's extra money I wasn't counting on. I'll take anything I can get, but if it comes with trouble, I don't need it.
「If you're saying yesterday's discussion was pointless, then I'm leaving. I'll tell Yasis the reason, and release the two of them right away. But that just puts us back to square one. I'm the victim, and you're the attacker—none of that changes one bit. If anything, if you're the one throwing out the agreement we reached yesterday, I've got no idea what Reinrich might do about it, so be prepared.」
I'm tired of all this—yesterday and today. Enough already.
Still, if they get physical, I can't beat them.
It's pathetic, but all I can do is rely on Reinrich's name for self-defense. I've come to terms with that.
「Wait a sec! I told you, didn't I? I chose to become a slave. That's my decision. So don't blame him or take it out on him like it's his fault!」
「B-But even Sorte-san's ended up as his slave too. The two most iconic adventurers of our guild being this guy's slaves… we just can't accept that!」
「Look, as you can see, I'm his slave too, but it's a free contract, not a subordinate one. With a free contract, I can still work as an adventurer like before. It doesn't change much. My job as a slave is mainly gathering materials anyway. And for the record, the reason I ended up a slave is because under a free contract, it applies to the whole party. That's just how it works.」
「She's right. And I'm grateful to him. Even though he's the victim, he still allowed us to continue our lives as usual. And now you're going to go back on our words and blame him?」
The adventurer in question lowered his head and fell silent.
That expression held a mix of guilt for his actions and a sense of defeat in the face of Aina's determination.
「You guys… are you really that eager to destroy this guild? Being an adventurer isn't just about muscle. You need a brain too. Didn't you get that?」
The Guildmaster emerged from the back, sighing deeply as he approached.
Honestly, I'm the one who wants to sigh the most right now.
「Sorry about all this. They're good guys at heart, really.」
「Yeah, I can tell. They care about their comrades—that much is obvious. I just wish we'd met under better circumstances.」
「I've got no excuse… In any case, welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. As for your report… looks like that won't be necessary. I appreciate you putting them under a free contract.」
「Well, a subordinate contract would've been rough with no place to stay. Even staying at an inn would be three times the cost, right? I'm gonna need a lot of money from here on out, and tripling my expenses right off the bat isn't exactly ideal.」
「I see. Then would cash have been better?」
「Doesn't really matter to me—either way, now or later, it ends up the same.」
「As expected of Reinrich-dono's disciple. Sounds like the Alchemy Guild's future is in good hands.」
Reinrich's disciple, huh…
Looks like that title's gonna stick.
Not that I mind, if it keeps people from messing with me anymore.
「If things get too stable, Reinrich might let it go to his head. Anyway, I brought the batch of healing potions he had me deliver.」
「Ah, right. You've got a magic bag. Does that mean you'll be coming from now on too, Disciple-dono?」
「Well… maybe. But with how things are now, who knows.」
「I'm sorry. I'll make sure nothing like this happens again. I really do hope we can keep working together.」
「All right. I'll take your word for it—coming from the Guildmaster, I'll trust it. I'll be back with more of my own potions next time.」
「Yeah, I'll be counting on it.」
He held out his hand, and I gave it a firm shake.
Yesterday, all I saw was someone in a pitiful state, but in truth, he's probably a strong and reliable figure.
Seriously… I really wish we'd met before everything went sideways.
After wrapping up our business, I was about to leave the Adventurer's Guild, but that guy stepped in front of me again.
「U-Um… Hey, uh, do you have a moment?」
「What now?」
This time, he seemed to have chosen his words more carefully.
If that's the case, I'll hear him out properly.
「I, uh… I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. I can't ask you to forgive me, but… please, keep supplying healing potions for the sake of the newbies.」
「Man… you should've just started with that. Just so you know, I've got no problem letting Aina-san and Sorte go. If I can count on someone to sell me the materials I need, there's no reason to keep them as slaves. But—」
「I just want to see this through to the end. I take full responsibility.」
「…There you have it. And I will be supplying potions. The Alchemy Guild's going to keep selling them regularly. I'll even make special batches for beginner adventurers, so don't worry.」
「Th-Thanks. If there's ever anything you need, just say the word.」
He bowed his head deeply in apology, genuinely remorseful.
This felt like the right place to let things settle.
「Got it. Then once you've gathered some Medicinal Grass, leave it with your Guildmaster or someone. I'll make small-size potions equal to what you turn in and deliver them. Sorry, but I don't have any on hand right now.」
「Ah… R-Right. I really am sorry.」
Hm? Oh… did that sound sarcastic?
I wasn't trying to be snide this time, honestly.
「If you're really sorry, show it with your actions. With this, we'll call it even between us.」
「Yeah! Leave it to me! I'll gather a thousand, no—two thousand if I have to!」
「Are you trying to kill me…?」
He's seriously expecting me to make a thousand potions…
How many days is that gonna take?
「…Wow. So it ended up getting resolved pretty quickly, didn't it.」
「Yeah. I guess that's what they call a bond between men. Kinda makes me jealous. Should we try having a fight sometime too?」
「No thanks. Sounds sweaty and gross.」
「Well, anyway. From now on, we'll just show up like normal. If you've got any quests, talk to the Guildmaster or post them on the board.」
I wrap up my talk with the guy and casually join the girls' conversation.
「If you ever need me, just use the collar to call me. I'll rush over, no matter the time or place. …Well, maybe just not in the middle of the night. At least, not yet.」
「I'm not going anywhere unless Aina's coming too. And I'm not wearing a collar either.」
「Yeah, well. You'd really look like a mutt if you put one on anyway.」
「Chomp!」
「OW!! What the hell!?」
This dog-girl really makes me want to mess with her.
It's not because I like her or anything. This is totally different from that.
「Well, I guess that's it for today. As for stuff I need… come to think of it, I've got no clue what materials are good for what. Just bring me whatever decent-looking materials you find. I'll mostly be over at the Alchemy Guild for now.」
「Got it. …You've really relaxed with how you talk to me, haven't you? You even dropped the honorific just now.」
Just now… oh, when I was mad earlier.
Now that I think about it, I'd been calling her Aina-san the whole time, but I slipped and went informal without realizing.
「Yeah. I actually like it better that way. I feel like… it means we've grown closer somehow.」
「No! No no no! You can't go thinking about getting closer to him!」
「That's not fair, Sorte! You're the one who's been all casual and friendly with him from the start! I've had so much I wanted to talk about too!」
「Huh!? Are your eyes broken or something? Should I buy you the best eye drops in town? Not like I ended up using this money anyway.」
「My eyes are fine! You were with him all day, talking non-stop! I just sat there, quietly watching, feeling totally jealous! That's why from now on, I'm going to talk with him a lot! And you can just sit there and watch me for a change!」
「Whaaaat!? I don't care! Talk all you want if you're so desperate to!」
「Yeah, I will! Hey, Master! …Master? Wait, where'd he go?」
「Uh… Aina-san? Sorte-san? That alchemist already said his goodbyes and left a while ago.」
「「Whaaaaat!?」」
While the two of them were still scanning the area in confusion, I had already left the Adventurers' Guild.
As I passed by the tables, most adventurers gave me a slight nod of acknowledgment, and one newbie even called out,
「I'm buying your potions, man! Count on it!」
Well, I guess they're decent guys when it comes down to it.
Makes you realize just how messed up the Pharma Guild must be if these guys turned hostile in comparison.
I don't want anything to do with them—and I don't intend to.
If anything comes up, I'll just rely on those two.
They might be mad that I left without saying anything, though.
Thinking that, my pace naturally picked up.
I wanted to get back to the Alchemy Guild as soon as possible, and my feet moved faster with every step.
-0-
Back at the guild, the two girls walked side-by-side toward the exit.
「Hold on a sec! He didn't say goodbye to me!」
「Lord? Lord?! Why won't you talk to me?!」
The two of them burst through the swinging saloon-style doors so forcefully, it was a miracle they didn't snap them off the hinges.
The young man watching them had never seen the two of them argue like this before.
They were always calm, dependable, and composed.
Back when he was still a rookie, he'd been saved by them more times than he could count.
In this town, there wasn't a single adventurer who didn't know their names.
They were A-Rank adventurers—the highest practical rank—members of the elite Red Front.
S-Rank was a special tier requiring dungeon completion and approval from all Guild masters, so in most cases, A-Rank was the top.
And now, these two reliable, veteran A-Rankers looked like… well, just two totally ordinary lovestruck girls.
「…That alchemist guy's in for a rough time, huh.」
Watching their transformation, the man muttered quietly to himself.