As a side note chapter 499 just came out by the author and there was a surprise note, he said another chapter should come out today, Tue, or Wed, and it's the first SS in close to 100 chapters(weeks). Things are getting pretty close to the timing of that SS23 continuation so that's looking suspicious...Really has been quite a while since the last SS, since like 35/39 of the reincarnated people have already been shown, the last few should be interesting if it's not related to SS23.
Tomorrow is March 3rd, Doll festival. During these past two days we've obtained just around 37 ogres worth of magic stones so when I said it was a joke Ralpha said she wanted to try lining them up, so I used magic to created a tiered platform for dolls with dirt and she lined them up on that. Starting from the tools brought along for the bridal procession on the seventh platform, the sets of furniture and stuff for the bride on the sixth platform, the fifth platform the three protectors of the emperor and empress, the fourth platform has the two ministers(minister of left and right), the third platform has the five court musicians, the second platform has the three court ladies, and the first platform has the dolls representing the emperor and empress as she lined them all up with their tools.
Since it's all made of stones lined up it's not very interesting at all.
I thought it might enjoyable for women but no one other Ralpha was showing any interest in it. Just one person, only Ralpha was sitting in the corner of the room with a spellbound expression in front of the tiered doll stand she made just looking at the magic stones.
In the first place, then there's torii included at the temples of Orth as well so there was a period I thought these sorts of events might exist as well. However, Bel said that fundamentally these sorts of events were based on imperial court events in Japan. Therefore, there should be no relation between the temples on Orth and the events of Japan.
"Hey, Al. What in the world is that? What is Ralpha doing?"
Since he started to get worried Zenom tried asking in a whisper but I couldn't say anything more than "It's an event that goes on at the temples in our past life. You pray for the health and growth of young girls. It occurs every year on March 3rd. Though in reality you're supposed to use dolls carefully modeled after noble people and other small props instead of magic stones."
When I was looking at Ralpha's back with her legs crossed in front of the odd doll platform in the corner of the room it somehow looked like she was crying. It seems like she has some sort of feelings on it, so it might just be that she had some sort of special attachment to the doll festival.
I put my hand on Gwine's shoulder when she was about to go towards Ralpha and just shook my head. Just let her be until she's satisfied at times like that. It's fine as long as she's energetic tomorrow. Even when it comes to long-time friends, I'm sure there's times you just want to be left alone.
................
Year 7445, Month 3, Day 3
After finishing my running and having breakfast, I walked to "Slave Store, Ronslail" alone. When the leisured madam that is the sexy elf madam Ronslail saw my face and she made an apologetic expression. It seems they still haven't gotten their hands on a slave that can skillfully use the shield. However, I didn't come in regards to that today.
I sat down on the reception set and while sipping some bean tea one of the slaves used by the store prepared I finished up with greetings. Now then, let's get to the main point.
"Ronslail-san, I have different order from the combat slave. It's a named order but is it possible to do anything about it?"
"Named? Is it? Well if the other party is a slave then it will come down to negotiating with their owner but it's not completely impossible at all. And, who is it and where are they from?"
The madam asked in sexy voice as she dropped some of the ashes from her Kiseru in an ash tray on the table.
"They're in Duke Rombert's territory, well the King's direct territory. It's a serf woman in Rockfall village. Her name is Catherine.Enforu. Her race is a Cat-person. Her age should be either 16 or 17. I've obtained the information that at least until the end of December of last year she was definitely in that village."
I put my elbows on my lap and crossed my hands in between my spread out legs while talking.
"..Then, in that case there's the possibility that she's not there now as well?"
Madam asked with a slightly discouraged feel. When it comes to the Cat-people who aren't very durable physically they're a bit cheap. I'm sure they're not very profitable. Furthermore, it's a woman and even a serf.
"No, the possibility of her being sold somewhere is pretty minuscule. Most likely she should still be there."
"A female Cat-people and a serf is it...What is her appearance like?"
Ah, if they're good looking and a woman then it's possible the price could go up a bit more as well. I've heard that some stores choose the slaves they buy for waiter jobs based on their appearances and yet another portion of certain stores rely heavily on the appearances of their slaves.
"No idea, I don't know that much.."
When I said that the madam was dumbfounded for a moment but quickly returned to her usual smile.
"You intend to buy her even though you don't know? If it's not a hindrance would you please tell me if there's some sort of reason?"
"No, it's not any sort of exaggerated reason like that. The newcomer in our party was born in that village. And it seems he promised to marry with that girl. Since he's about to have finished off the repayments of his loan so I thought to secure her before she gets sold off anywhere.."
Hear that the madam lightly laughed and in addition smiled a bit.
"Greed-sama is..Well it's fine. We were just planning to go to the slave market in the capital in order to stock up next week. I'll make preparations for our head clerk to go out there and purchase her."
"Ya~ thank you very much. I'm grateful for that. Unless there's some sort of extraordinary situation I promise I'll continue using this shop from here on out."
"Well, that's quite flattering of you."
"Now then, here's where I want to discuss things a bit, but that slave, I want you to try and purchase her as cheap as possible. Of course, I won't say to make take some profit. However, I want you to make it as much of a service as possible. I would like for you to put some power into negotiating her purchase the market price. If the other party is hesitating to sell then please negotiating using the name of the owner. The owner will be Sajesu.Basutoral."
I swallow a mouthful of tea. I was looked at with an amazed expression but that can't be helped.
"Though it's weird saying in exchange for that but it's fine if you make the next combat slave a bit more expensive than usual. Or rather, if it's a combat slave who is skilled then I intend to pay whatever is necessary. Please find a young and sturdy one. If you can really find some with a decent level of skill then I won't say just one person, I might even take into consideration purchasing more than two. If they were a former knight then I'd have nothing more to say."
Hearing that the madam's appearance collapsed a bit. It's quite self-interested of her but that's only obvious. Something like a serf cat-people brat is at best around 2,000,000 Z. It's a woman after all. If her appearance was considerably outstanding then after training her she could be sold for a higher price as a sex slave but the possibility of that is pretty low I'm sure.
In comparison to that even the cheapest combat slaves are 6,000,000 Z, when it comes to the expensive ones it's not strange for it to reach 10,000,000 Z. If they were originally a knight then they might even end several tens of millions. If we were to speak of a normal knight, then the only one nearby I know is sister-in-law Shani, but taking into consideration that level of skill with the sword and spear excluding magic, in addition to that if they've properly learned combat on horseback then let alone 20,000,000 they might even go for 30,000,000 Z. Madam.Ronslail's profit margin would be completely different.
If I were to use some extreme logic then that amount of money is something we could earn in just a few days on the 7th floor if I give my best after all.
"Well well, that is quite! You say things that make me quite happy Greed-sama!"
"Yeah, since that's the case, please do your best to take proper care of this."
After that I just had to make sure she would definitely keep her on stock until Basutoral saves up enough money and we confirmed a rough estimate of the delivery date(I only knew the rough direction of where Rockfall village is located) before I left the store. Since they can only go to purchase her after they stock up at the slave market it seems it will take at least a month and a half. Well even with time to spare it should be before Golden Week.
Around that time should be when he's finished paying his debt. It depends on the price but if we were to suppose it's 2,000,000 Z then it would be sometime after the middle of June. I already instructed madam over things like that. In other words, if you want to get her off your hands as soon as possible, make her cheaper.
Ah, even if she arrives I have no intention of telling Basutoral about it. It would be troublesome if he ends up making a mistake trying to earn in a hurry after all. I intend to tell him only after he's saved up enough money to buy her and afford the wedding ceremony.
Basutoral might end up being the first one to use congratulations and condolences days off.
..............
Year 7445, Month 4, Day 5
It's fine to use slowly take my time and use Identify after my slave brings the goods in front of me and puts it in my hands.
My slave respectfully offers up the spoils to me.
Packed into a leather-made scabbard adorned with delicate ornaments, I can see a picture that has a strange shape like it's based in human engineering or something. After I received it I examined it for a bit and then tried using {Status Open} on it.
【Short-Sword.Of.Sturdy】
Following that I use the {Cantrip}, {Magical Detection}.
And then, I slowly tried using 【Identify】 on it.
【Iron】
【Manufacture Date: 5/4/7445】
【Endurance: 28610】
【Effect: Bark Skin(However, only up to three times per day).】
I pulled the sword out from it's scabbard in front of her and looked at it.
On a day in the middle of three days off, I spent almost the entire day training spells together with Miduchi and that night, it was when we were all eating dinner together.
"Ah..."
Ralpha who was sitting on my left in between Miduchi and I raised her voice. What is it, did you drop some meat or something? and when I was thinking that Miduchi stood up and invited Ralpha further into the restaurant.
You bastard~ what are you doing dropping meat on top of me, didn't you make my clothes dirty. You're cheeky, let's take this outside for a bit.
I wonder if it's that sort of thing? I exchanged glances with Toris who was sitting in front of me and we were both about to stand up. Zenom who was sitting across from Giberuti and Basutoral at the four person table to my right is already completely drunk and didn't notice at all.
"It's fine, so stop."
Bel said that while grabbing Toris's sleeve and pulling him back to his seat.
"But you know.."
There's a piece of cooked meat fallen near the ground where Miduchi was sitting to my left. The small pouch Miduchi always carries around with her isn't here either. Are you serious? While thinking Miduchi sure is unpopular~ I stood up from my seat. Bel is still trying to get Toris to sit down.
"It would be best if you don't go."
In front of where Ralpha was sitting, next to Bel Angela said that while looking at me. Our table fits six people.
"No..I can't just leave things like this right?"
"It's not that sort of thing. Please just leave them alone."
On our left, there's another four person table where Zulu was and Gwine was talking with Zulu's woman but she cut off her conversation to look up at me while saying. I reluctantly sat back down with a question mark above my head but I can't help but feel curious about it.
After Bel and Angela whispered about something together, they ate some cooked meat that was sliced thinly.
It seems Toris noticed as well and after exchanging glances with me made a slightly embarrassed face with a troubled smile.
(Earth Magic Lv. 2, Water Magic Lv. 2, Void Magic Lv. 5, Consumes 13 MP, combination of Void Magic)
Raises the defensive power of the targets skin like bark. It's not like it actually becomes bark so it doesn't obstruct the movements of the target. The effect will continue until either the duration ends or the the target takes an amount of damage to their HP that exceeds the level of the caster. The duration of the effect is the same number of seconds as the level of the caster.