Chapter 7: Heart-Pounding First Commission – Homecoming Edition

We're finally back. Back in the city where our home is—Peteshe! All my attempts at stalling and smoothing things over completely failed. Damn it all! At this rate, the secret tools of the night world slumbering in our basement might just explode. I’ve got to do something before I end up on the adults-only merry-go-round.

Oh, by the way, the next day, Clarice came to us looking like she’d cried her eyes out—but also strangely refreshed—as she announced her clean break from love.

Honestly, I thought we were going to get roasted alive, but apparently, getting rejected that thoroughly was enough to convince her there wasn’t even a sliver of hope. My Master really didn’t hold back with that rejection, it seems.

Oddly enough, there’s a part of me as a man that can respect that. It's way more manly to give a clean break than to string someone along and keep them as a backup, which is just the worst.

“Just so we’re clear, it’s not like you beat me or anything, so don’t go getting cocky!”

Her final words—basically a parting shot—actually made me feel a little warm inside. Here’s hoping she finds a truly wonderful guy who isn’t a depraved sadist. Also, praying that no crime-of-passion immolation incidents break out somewhere in the world.

“Unbelievable!”

As I walked through town trying to shake off those memories, I heard some raised voices arguing nearby. Curious, I turned to see a group of adventurer-looking folks arguing with a merchant.

“Wait… Wait up, Cain!”

“It’s fine, I’ll be right back for you! Just hang in there a little, okay?”

A humanoid-looking toad I recognized—a toadman. With him was a girl with light green hair cut in a semi-short style, cow-like horns and ears, and a chest even bigger than Lulu’s. The toadman was holding her arm, and she was reaching out toward a boy who clutched a bag full of gold coins, his expression firm with resolve.

The boy had chestnut hair and eyes, with good looks to match—someone you’d believe if they were called a hero. He even had a sword at his waist. Judging by the girl’s leather armor, they were probably both adventurers.

“This can’t be happening…! Why does it have to be like this?!”

“There’s someone who needs money right now. I have to help them… I promise I’ll come back for you too, Yuria! Please believe me!”

What exactly is going on here? It honestly looks like the boy is selling the girl off. Is there some complicated reason behind this?

“…What’s happening here?”

“Who knows…?”

“She’s a hostage.”

The grizzled veteran standing next to us answered our mutual question.

“A hostage?”

Not exactly the most pleasant word. But maybe it doesn’t mean what it usually does on Earth. Oh, and by the way, this is an interpretive translation from my universal translation feature. It’s the only cheat I’ve got. Master has one too.

“It’s a system among adventurers. You can put your companions up as collateral to borrow money. If it’s not repaid in a month, the person is sold off as a consensual slave. It’s really a last-resort option. Poor girl’s definitely going down the slave route…”

Judging by his tone, the boy likely borrowed more than he could handle. Normally, this kind of thing is used when a life is on the line and every second counts.

Still, you’d have to really believe you can repay it to wear a face that confident. Maybe he’s got some kind of plan?

“That brat’s got decent skills, I’ll give him that… but he’s also way too cocky. That talent of his just bloated his pride. Gets doted on by girls and ends up like this. And that girl? She’s his childhood friend from the same village.”

“Poor thing… She was the one cleaning up after all the messes he made, managing the money so they wouldn’t go broke.”

As more details came out, a chill ran down my spine. That girl really can’t catch a break…

“Him, huh…”

My Master looked at the boy and made a slightly sour face. So he knows him?

“He’s a well-known problem child at the guild. Got into a huge fight with other adventurers right after registering. Tried to skip low-rank subjugation quests and demand mid-level ones instead… causing a huge scene.”

Yikes… How should I put it…? His actions straddle the line between ‘heroic protagonist’ and ‘laughable side character’ so perfectly it’s impressive. That boy’s got potential—to become a total scumbag if he grows up twisted.

“Did you ever start fights at the guild, Master?”

“Idiot. Why the hell would I stir up trouble right from the start?”

Kind of surprising, honestly. I figured he’d hit all the classic troublemaker checkpoints like a good protagonist.

Meanwhile, I woke up in a forest and got captured immediately, and ever since I’ve been trembling under a whip as a slave. I kind of envy the freedom he had, even if it was reckless.

“Anyway, once I help that kid, I’ll come back for you right away! Just wait for me!”

“Cain! No! Don’t leave me behind, Cain!!”

The boy didn’t even flinch at her cries. He smiled, waved, and walked away. The other adventurers around watched his back with bitter expressions, then turned sorrowful eyes toward the girl.

Her outstretched hand dropped limply, and the face that should’ve been lit up by a smile was now consumed entirely by despair.

Everyone there, including the girl, understood what was happening. She was already on the path to becoming a slave.

Pulled along by the arm, she was taken into the toadman’s shop. For the next month, she’d be treated as a guest—after that, she’d be sold. It’s still better than being dumped in a mass slave pen, but…

…All we can do is pray she finds a decent master, at least.

“Alright, let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

Once the crowd started to clear out, Master took my hand, and we started walking again. The money that boy handed over was worth less than the girl’s sale value. Even deducting a month’s living expenses, it was still a good deal for the merchant.

I do feel bad for her, but... there's no way I can ask Master for that kind of money.

“Senpai…”

“…It’s okay.”

Lulu, too, looked a little pained.

For most people, living the carefree life we do would be unthinkable.

When I think about that girl, I can’t help but see myself in her. But even so, I can’t do anything. We’re Master’s property—just livestock. Pets. Without his protection, we wouldn’t even have food to eat. We’re at the very bottom of the social hierarchy in this country.

Being powerless… really sucks, doesn’t it?

“Here.”

“Fwah!?”

While I was zoning out at home, a chilled glass suddenly pressed against my cheek. I heard the fizzy pop of carbonation and caught a refreshing whiff of lemon. The liquid inside was a faint, translucent yellow.

“Homemade lemon soda. I used the honey and lemons I bought earlier. Even made the soda water myself.”

Wait… you can make that? I had no idea. Well, no sense turning it down—gratefully accepted.

As I took a sip, the bubbles popped and tingled across my tongue. The sourness was a bit sharp, but the strong sweetness from the honey gave it a soft finish. It didn’t taste quite like the one I remembered, but there was something nostalgic about it… and it was delicious.

As I slowly sipped away, Master’s hand came down gently on my head.

Looks like I worried him… Seriously, for a heartless sadist, he sure has these weirdly considerate moments.

“F-Mya!? Shuuya-sama! Is this drink poisoned!? M-My tongue just got zapped—it hurts!!”

Lulu’s shriek rang out. She’d been given one too, but it seemed her first encounter with carbonation was a bit too intense. As I tilted my glass again, I watched her flail in confusion, her eyes wide with panic.

Maybe we really are “happy slaves,” in our own strange way.

Being a guy on the inside, I can’t help but have mixed feelings… But if I were a woman both in body and heart, maybe I’d be as openly affectionate with Master as Lulu is. Well, not that it matters—it’s all just a “what-if.”

“Nya!? Shuuya-sama, you’re terrible!”

“Ahahaha!”

Master flicked lemon peel at Lulu, making her tear up as the juice stung her eyes. I watched the two of them bicker with a hint of exasperation… and a quiet hope in my heart.

May these peaceful days last as long as they can…

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇
[EXP]
NO BATTLE ––
◆【Sora Lv.8】
◆【Lulu Lv.1】
◇––
◇––
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Sora Lv.8 [82]
Lulu Lv.1 [13]

[RECORD]
[MAX COMBO] >> 12
[MAX HIT] >> 16

[PARTY]
[Shuuya][Lv26] HP 372/372 MP 630/630 [Normal]
[Sora][Lv4] HP 17/17 MP 30/30 [Normal]
[Lulu][Lv1] HP 272/272 MP 22/22 [Normal]

＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
[Comment]
“…Huh?”
“Shuuya-sama, you didn’t do anything today, did you~?”