Chapter 12: Welcome, Lord Gyuji.

Led by the buyer, we proceed down a hallway laid with a red carpet. The only problem is, I’m still completely naked, so unless I cling to Master, I feel cold, scared, and just plain uneasy.

The only saving grace is that no one else is around to see us.

I look up at Master walking beside me and spit some venom his way, mostly out of frustration.

“Quite the price for a worthless ‘imitation’ like me, don’t you think?”

“Just so you know, if you tried buying an elf normally, a thousand or two gold coins wouldn’t even come close.”

I was trying to throw in a little sarcasm, but what I got in return was a completely unexpected counter. Wait, is that for real?

“Even a non-virgin would go for at least fifty white-gold coins. If she’s a virgin, two hundred is a low estimate. I think the record was 212 white-gold coins when a virgin elf was sold about twenty years ago.”

The numbers are so ridiculous I can’t even begin to comprehend them... Honestly, it’s a relief that there was a misunderstanding. I even got to meet another Japanese person, but there’s no telling how I could’ve been treated otherwise.

Also, Master sure knows a lot... You must have really, really wanted an elf slave, huh?

Too bad you ended up with a fake girl and a fake elf like me. My condolences, heehee.

…No, I better not laugh. I really don’t want to end up back in that basement, strapped to that "specially modified" rodeo machine.

Yes, I remember now. I had wiped it from my memory because it was just that traumatic.

Though the fear of horses and the basement is gone after remembering it, I seriously wish this guy would learn what the word restraint means.

“Getting an elf that valuable for just 620 gold coins is—well, no need to say it—an absolute steal.”

Now I’m starting to regret rushing into that debt deal...

“This is the merchandise.”

“……”

The horned girl, Yuria, who had finished freshening up and was sitting on the sofa, turned a surprised expression toward me.

Please don’t mind the fact that I’m naked. I mean, seriously—how is it that the just-purchased slave is properly dressed, even if it’s just commoner clothing, while the one already owned is completely naked?

Back when I was handed over, I was still wearing the same worn-out, blackened shirt and underwear. It was like I’d been tossed into a convenience store plastic bag and dumped off. The world is just not fair.

“I’ll go prepare the contract. Please wait a moment.”

After watching the buyer politely bow and leave the room, I sit on the sofa across from her, facing her directly.

“Allow me to properly introduce myself. I’m Sora, and this is my Master—”

“Shuya Kisaragi.”

“I’m Yuria. I will serve you with all my heart.”

Yuria, unlike when we first met, lowered her head without looking at me, her face expressionless like someone who’d shut off her emotions. Well, yeah… Anyone who walks into a place like this with a naked little girl wouldn’t exactly earn trust.

“Though, technically, she’s the one who bought you. I just lent her the money and act as her ‘Master’ in name.”

“…Huh?”

So you’re revealing it now, Master? Yuria looked completely blindsided, her face a blank of confusion. I try to find the right words to explain things to her.

No one would understand this right away, not hearing it for the first time.

“I’m the one who selfishly asked Master to buy you. It was one hell of an expensive purchase. I paid with everything I had left in life.”

“From my point of view, it was a bargain.”

Shaking my head, I force a joking tone. Yuria, eyes wide in disbelief, suddenly lowers her gaze—then looks back up at me with tears gathering in her eyes, glaring.

“Why…? Why would you go that far for me?”

Looks like she’s starting to show some life again.

“Because— I couldn’t stand it.”

“…What?”

Yeah. Once I calmed down, I realized it. I absolutely couldn’t stand it.

“That guy, tossing aside the childhood friend who’d always been by his side, fooling around with some random girl like nothing happened. Your face, all dead inside, full of despair—I hated seeing that. It pissed me off so much I wanted to smash it all to pieces.”

Ugh. Ever since I got stuck using this weird speech pattern, I’ve kept it up, but slipping back into my old male way of speaking feels strange. I hope I at least sound a little intimidating, or powerful, or something.

“Wh-What is that even supposed to mean!? For something like that!? What does that have to do with you!?”

“…My first love was someone who went through the same thing. She was kind, hardworking, and I loved her. But just like you, she got thrown away by the guy she gave everything to.”

This is a piece of the past I told only Master about.

Yuria seemed to gasp slightly. She looked a bit confused, but at least she seemed willing to listen. I’m not entirely sure, but let’s just keep going for now.

“Um… So, what happened to her?”

“She couldn’t take reality anymore. Said she was just tired of it all and… took her own life. That’s why I hated it—you, giving up like that. And that Cain guy, acting like life’s all fine and dandy. I wanted to shove your smiling face right in that idiot’s eyes. So yeah, that’s my reason.”

After blurting it all out in one breath, I exhaled deeply and let my body relax. Playing the serious type really wears me out.

"Uh, um…?"

"That’s how it is. Officially, I’ll be registered as her master, and she won’t have any authority to give you orders. You’ll basically be treated as Sora’s caretaker. We’re not going to treat you badly."

Looking a little troubled, Master started explaining with a bit of reluctance.

Yuria still had a very complicated expression on her face, but in the end, she nodded. Well, not that she really had a choice. Ultimately, Master is the final boss here.

If he were to call her to his bed at night, she couldn’t refuse either.

She still didn’t seem entirely convinced, but it’s going to be a long-term relationship, so it’s fine to take it slow.

Up until now, it seemed like she had been living a very frugal life, unable to enjoy fashion or anything. But with some nice clothes and proper grooming, she’s actually a stunning beauty.

Cain really was hopeless. If only he hadn’t overreached and just worked hard with her by his side, they might have had a completely different future. Giving up such a promising girl for some random girl he didn’t even know—it’s just proof he had no eye for value.

"Thank you for waiting."

With the conversation finally wrapping up, the buyer returned with the necessary documents and tools for the contract. Once Master registered his information into the collar of the trembling girl, she officially became a member of the Kisaragi family.

At the exit, we returned the seal, got her dressed, and then headed home with Yuria in tow.

Tomorrow, I’ll need to take Lulu along to go pick out clothes and accessories. Master will be covering the expenses, and Lulu, despite everything, has good taste when it comes to fashion. I’m completely hopeless at it myself, so she even picks out my everyday outfits.

Sometimes something clearly meant for nighttime gets mixed in—but hey, that’s just part of the charm.

She used to squeal on her first day, but once she got used to it, she turned out to be surprisingly open and lewd—our little pervy cat.

We passed through the town and reached the residential district. When Yuria saw our house—a large standalone one on the outskirts—she looked quite puzzled. I guess it was unexpected. After all, Master had just dropped six hundred gold coins like it was nothing. She must’ve imagined a proper mansion.

"Um... is Master not a nobleman?"

Yuria asked nervously. After some discussion, we settled on her calling him Master, and me Milady. It’s a naming scheme that rather perfectly symbolizes our complicated relationship.

But apparently, even among nobles, it’s not uncommon for well-favored slave pets to be called Milady by the servants, so it’s not that strange.

That’s why, among the slave livestock who’ve been taken into good households, there seems to be fierce competition over status. The higher up you go, the better the lifestyle, so everyone works hard to suck up. Our household isn’t that messy, though.

...Right? It’s not, right?

"Nope. He’s an adventurer."

"Adventurer…"

You could practically see the disappointment washing over her. I kind of get why.

On one hand, she was sold off by her childhood friend because he couldn’t afford to keep her. On the other, we’ve got a guy buying a slave on a whim for six hundred gold, who owns a spacious house with a garden.

Just looking at my clothes, she almost cried, saying, “I’ve never even worn anything that nice myself,” so I’d guess her financial situation was really dire. That childhood friend of hers must’ve been completely useless.

"Lulu’s waiting. Let’s head in already."

"Ah—yes!"

There was no point just standing outside the house, so I stepped ahead and opened the front door.

“Welcome hoooome.”

“I’ve returned.”

Following the drawn-out greeting, I made my way into the living room—only to find a lazy catgirl sprawled across the sofa in nothing but her underwear, stuffing her face with honey cookies!

Just how free-spirited can one girl be? Being a cat doesn’t give her a free pass, you know!?

“What on earth are you wearing!? Put some clothes on, properly!”

She’s hopeless. Totally spoiled and getting way too full of herself. At this rate, the moral integrity of our household is in grave danger.

“You’re sounding more and more like a mom lately, Senpai. Is it finally baby time?”

What the hell are you suddenly saying, you dumb cat? Do you want me to throw a bowl of red rice in your face!?

“Wait, Milady, are you pregnant!?”

“I’m not, okay!?”

And what’s with this, just believing it like that!? You’re acting way different from when we talked in the cell. Have you gone soft from the lazy atmosphere in our home?

Well, I suppose that’s a good thing in its own way, but if the number of jokers keeps increasing, I won’t be able to keep up with the comebacks.

“I’d be more than willing, but unfortunately, it’s not happening.”

Great, now even the bastard chimed in. Seriously… For the record, this world has a handy thing called contraceptive magic. Master always uses it, so it’s safe.

But you can’t make that joke yourself after explaining it, otherwise it feels like you deliberately turned it off. That’s not funny!

“Shuya-sama turns it off when he’s with you though, doesn’t he, Senpai?”

…Excuse me? What? I’m sorry, what?

“Lulu, what are you saying? That’s not funny. Stop it. Please tell me that’s a bad joke, okay?”

My spine just about froze for a second there, seriously!

“…Anyway, let’s have dinner, a little welcome party. Yuria, can you cook?”

“Ah, yes… It’s just rustic countryside food, though.”

Master? Why are you obviously trying to change the subject? Look into my eyes. Look directly into my eyes and say, loud and clear, that it was a joke, okay? Please.

“We’ve got ingredients, so make whatever you’d like.”

“It’s been a while, but I’ll do my best. I hope it suits your taste…”

Tell me it was a joke, Masterrrrrrrr!

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇
【EXP】
MAX Combo 5
BATTLE TOTAL 8
◆【Sora Lv.12】+5
◆【Lulu Lv.4】+3
◆【Yuria Lv.0】
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.12 [120] → [125]
Lulu Lv.4 [45] → [48]
Yuria Lv.0 [0]
【RECORD】
[MAX COMBO] >> 21
[MAX HIT] >> 21
【PARTY】
[Shuya] [Lv32] HP440/440 MP720/720 [Normal]
[Sora] [Lv12] HP30/30 MP110/110 [Distressed]
[Lulu] [Lv4] HP352/352 MP24/24 [Normal]
[Yuria] [Lv0] HP400/400 MP32/32 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
【Comment】

“…Uuuh… hic… sniff… that’s a lie… it has to be a lieee…”

“(Senpai is just too fun to tease)”

“(That was supposed to be a joke… I might’ve taken it too far)”

“(I wonder if I’ll really be able to make it here…)”