It's been a year since I joined the knight's training. Somehow, I managed to finish the fifty laps more often than before. I still fall behind the knights, but now I can finish just a few minutes after them.
Joining the actual training hasn't been any easier though. I used to read about people saying that mountains are just a bunch of hills stacked on top of each other, but this takes it to a whole new level.
The knights don't seem to like that I haven't quit their training yet, and I get the feeling that the Vice-Captain just flat out hates me. I guess it makes sense, they trained for years just to get where they are, and now some kid just walks in and gets that same privilege.
I still haven't gotten any closer to figuring out my Bloodline Ability. I've already tried everything I can think of, but maybe I should try researching abilities to see if there's anything that could help me figure out what mine is.
All this thinking is hurting my head, I need some air. I have the day off from training, and I still have my allowance saved up. I think I'll explore the city for the day.
...
Woah, the city is even bigger than I thought. I didn't get to see too much the last time I got out of the castle walls since Mom made us take a heavily guarded carriage, but this really is a fantasy world.
There's actually blacksmiths, alchemy shops, weapon and armor shops, even a real adventurer's guild. And for the first time, I'm even seeing other species. I'd heard that this kingdom wasn't supposed to be a human supremacy anymore, but it looks like there still aren't too many demi humans here yet.
There are dwarves, beast folk, and demi humans, but that's pretty much it here. Dwarves make sense, in every anime, they're always some kind of blacksmiths or adventurers. They're probably more accepted since they look so much like human, aside from their shorter stature.
The real difference is in the way people look at the beast folk. It's like they don't even want to breathe the same air as them. I wonder why humans seem to hate beast folk so much, especially with those adorable fluffy ears and tails.
There really is so much I still don't know about this world. I'll have to do some more research later, but I'm gonna enjoy my outing today.
Let's see, I've got about fifteen siler coins and seven copper coins in my pouch right now. I should try buying something that could give me an idea of how money compares to my old world. This fruit stand seems good.
[Clerk] Hi there, young man. Are you interested in buying a snack?
[Sakyo] Yes, can I buy some apples here?
[Clerk] Sure thing, how many do you want?
[Sakyo] Um, can I have six?
[Clerk] Of course, that'll be one large copper.
Large copper? Come to think of it, half of these coins I have are different sizes. This one looks like the biggest.
[Sakyo] Is this enough?
[Clerk] Perfect, thank you for your purchase. I hope you'll shop here again and have a good day.
That was my first time buying something in this world. Since six apples were one large copper, it think it's safe to assume one large copper is roughly about ten dollars. If that's true, a small copper coin would have to be either half or a third of that. My silver coins are different sizes too, so it looks like it's the same for them too. Since silver is the denomination above copper, that would mean a large silver coin is about one hundred dollars... What the hell?!
So, mom's been giving me a hundred dollars a week for an allowance?! Jeez, the more I learn about this world and my mom, the more I realize how much she spoils me. Or maybe this is normal for royal and noble children. I never would've seen this much money in my old life. But seriously, this is way too much for a six-year-old kid to be carrying around.
Anyway, I've got some food now, so I should get back to exploring.
...
[Sakyo] I'm totally lost. I guess I wandered too far from the main road. Looks like I'm close to the outskirts right now. I guess there's a reason anime and manga always call these places the slums. It's got a completely different vibe than at the main road.
[Dealer] Come get them! I've got plenty for sale!
[Sakyo] (Hmm? What's going on over there? The little voice of reason in my head is telling me to just walk away, but an even louder little voice is telling me to explore over there.)
Sakyo walks toward where the dealer's voice is. Once there, a small crowd of people is gathered around.
[Dealer] Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! I've got the finest merchandise this side of the outskirts!
[Sakyo] (I can't see. What's he selling here?)
As Sakyo approaches the front of the crowd, his eyes widen as he can finally see the "merchandise" the dealer is selling.
[Dealer] Come right up and purchase your very own demi human right here! They can be yours for the right price~
[Sakyo] (I don't believe it, he's actually selling slaves. I heard that slavery was legal in this kingdom, but I never thought I'd see it. There's only a few left. They looks like they're barely being fed. I want to help them, but what can I do? I'm still too weak to just take them away, and I don't even have a weapon yet. Damnit.)
[Dealer] Alright, ladies and gentlemen. That will be all for today.
[Sakyo] (No, I can't just let him get away now. Even if I can't stop him myself, I can at least follow him and report back to mom and the knights.)
...
[Sakyo] (I've been following this guy for an hour. Looks like he has a shop hidden in the alley.)
Sakyo follows the dealer into an underground entrance in a dark alley. The dealer puts the demi humans he didn't sell into cages that line the walls.
[Sakyo] Looks like those demi humans he had on the street were just for the public. I'm guessing he keeps the stronger ones down here for private customers.
As the dealer finishes putting the demi humans in the cages, one of the beasts in a larger cage starts growling, having smelled an unfamiliar scent.
[Dealer] Who's there!
[Sakyo] (Crap, that thing gave me away. It's ok, I'll play the helpless lost kid.) I'm sorry, please don't hurt me.
[Dealer] A kid? What are you doing in my shop?
[Sakyo] I-I saw you walking those demi humans down here and I got curious.
[Dealer] You should keep your nose out of my business, kid. I deal with dangerous beasts. A squirt like you should play inside like a good kid.
[Sakyo] (Good, he let his guard down cause I'm a kid.) Um, c-can I ask you something?
[Dealer] Make it quick, I've got more merchandise to move.
[Sakyo] How much do these demi humans cost? (If I'm gonna report this to the knights, I'll need proof of what he's doing here.)
[Dealer] More than you can afford, kid. These things aren't something just anyone can buy. Come back to my street deals if you want. Maybe your parents can buy you a slave if you beg enough.
[Sakyo] (I can't let this opportunity go.) Um, mister, can I have a look to see if there's one I like?
[Dealer] What the heck? Fine, knock yourself out. Just don't touch anything.
Sakyo walks down the long hallway of the dealer's shop, taking note of everything he sees.
[Sakyo] (There're so many demi humans here, and it doesn't stop with them. There are actual magic beasts and monsters here too.)
After getting a look at everyone there, a certain cage catches Sakyo's eye. Inside lays a single demi human with gray hair, wolf-like ears and a tail. His golden eyes lack any form of light, and he looks famished. Unkept fur covers his forearms and his legs appear like that of a real wolf. No, not legs, only one leg. He's missing his right leg.
[Sakyo] (Is this...?!) Excuse me, can I ask about this one?
[Dealer] Oh, that's just a defect I picked up a while ago. I found it on the side of the road outside the eastern forest. It looked like it got attacked by a monster or something. It was in even worse shape than the pillaged villagers here.
[Sakyo] (Pillaged?!) H-how much would this one cost?
[Dealer] Seriously? You want the defect? Whatever, I'll let it go for one gold then.
[Sakyo] (One gold? That's ten large silver coins. That's almost everything I have, but it's worth it if it means I have a chance to get all these people out of here.) I have ten large silver coins. Would that be enough?
[Dealer] Ho ho ho, how'd a kid like you get this much? Actually, never mind that. I don't need to hear who you robbed to get that kind of money. You've got yourself a deal.
The dealer opens the cage and drags the wolf demi human out. He takes out a small bottle of ink and a small needle from his coat.
[Dealer] I'm guessing this is your first slave, so I'll give you a little rundown on how this works. I'll put this ink on your finger, and you'll use this needle to prick it. Once you do that, you'll place your finger on those markings on the thing's back. That will activate the seal from the slave mark and make it your official slave.
[Sakyo] Alright
Sakyo does as the dealer says and makes the werewolf his official slave.
System: [Notice: {Slave Blood Pact} has been activated. {Unnamed Werewolf} has become your slave.]
[Dealer] There you go, this defect is officially yours. If you ever rob another rich tourist, make sure to spend some of that dough here again. Now get out of here.
[Sakyo] Thank you, mister. I'll take him home with me now. (I swear, I'll be back to put this pig behind bars.)
Sakyo lets the werewolf lean on his shoulder as they walk out of the dealers shop.
...
It's sundown when Sakyo and the werewolf finally reach the knight's barracks. Reika is waiting at the entrance.
[Reika] Finally, I was about to go out searching for you. Who's this?
[Sakyo] I'll explain in a bit. Can we get him inside?
[Reika] Oh boy, what kind of trouble did you get into today?
Once they're inside, Sakyo lays the werewolf on his bed, where he falls asleep almost immediately. Reika stands right outside the door, waiting to question him.
[Reika] Alright, you owe me an explanation. Why did you bring a random werewolf back here, and where were you all day?
[Sakyo] He's a slave. I bought him from a dealer in the outskirts of the city.
[Reika] You went to the outskirts?! That's incredibly dangerous!
[Sakyo] I know, but I think this dealer is running an illegal slave trading business.
[Reika] I know you probably don't want to hear this, but slave trading is legal in this kingdom. Even if we don't like it, there's nothing we can do about it unless the violates certain rules.
[Sakyo] Then this might be just the case. A normal slave trader would advertise their shop, but this guy has his hidden underground in the slums.
[Reika] Hmm, I suppose that is suspicious.
[Sakyo] He also had some magic beasts and monsters caged up too. The demi humans looked like they're barely being fed enough food to survive. And he mentioned that he got them from a pillaged village.
[Reika] I see, then it's possible that he's illegally acquiring slaves to sell. Alright then, I'll look into this dealer. Since you're the one who found the place, I'll need a full report on everything you saw tomorrow. For now, get some rest, and make sure that werewolf gets some food when he wakes up.
[Sakyo] Thank you, Mom.
[Reika] And Sakyo...
She brings him into a tight hug, as if she's afraid to let go.
[Reika] I'm so glad you're safe.
[Sakyo] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you.
[Reika] Alright, go get some sleep. You've had a busy day, you little troublemaker. We'll discuss this more tomorrow.
Reika leaves the room, letting Sakyo be alone with his thoughts.
[Sakyo] (I didn't think my day off would turn out so eventful. This werewolf guy needs sleep. I guess I'm sleeping on the floor tonight, but before that, there's something I have to do.)
Without hesitation, Sakyo pets the werewolf's ears.
[Sakyo] So fluffy~ It's just like real fur. Alright, I should get some sleep. I'll bring him some food and water tomorrow morning.