The place they took Kara back to was a rather nice upscale hotel.
Since you're not short of money, wouldn't it be better to live in a nicer place?
In fact, there's a reason why it's expensive; the service quality here is indeed quite good.
After ordering some food from the hotel restaurant and having it delivered to my room, I brought the restless Kara to my room.
"Please sit down."
"Yes, okay!"
Although she sat down on a nearby chair as instructed, Kara kept her head down and never dared to look in their direction.
I stared blankly at Kara like that.
To break the slightly awkward atmosphere, I decided to speak first.
"Let me briefly introduce myself. My name is Yandel."
"Ah… I am Kara Lindhart. I am, I am my master's slave."
Kara trembled like a rabbit standing in front of a wolf, claiming herself to be a slave.
However, since they are from the Lindhart family, they must have been high-ranking nobles who once held the title of duke...
Ah, I see.
I've vaguely heard that after becoming a slave, one receives various forms of education before being sold. This must be part of it.
Rather than saying she was deliberately trying to please me, it would be more accurate to say she was simply following what she had learned step by step.
"Okay, Kara. I don't want to put on airs anymore, let's just talk casually."
"Of course! Please do as you please! Okay!"
Although I've been in this world for almost three years, this way of speaking still makes me feel comfortable.
At the auction, in order to conceal my identity and avoid being looked down upon, I deliberately used a stiff tone.
But what should I say now?
...No, why should I worry about what to say? I am the master.
I subtly moved my chin, giving Kara the order.
"It's a bit boring before the food arrives, let's tell some interesting stories."
"An interesting story...?"
"Yes, it's for killing time."
"Uh... well..."
Kara hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.
Do you know how a cat responds if you say "meow" to it?
"have no idea."
It can say "woof".
"..."
"..."
What is this... is it funny?
Noticing my stiff expression, Kara hurriedly began to plead.
"I'm sorry! Please give me another chance... please give me another opportunity! This time it will be really fun!"
"Is it really necessary to beg me like this? Fine, let's try one more time."
"thank you!"
Kara's expression brightened instantly, but she began to ponder deeply again, for even longer than before.
The final answer is...
Do you know why vampires always smile while eating?
Could it be because of "blood-sucking"?
"..."
"Looks like I guessed right."
Even though I asked her to say it, what kind of nonsense is this...?
I sighed deeply and waved my hand.
"That's enough, that's enough. And stop telling jokes everywhere."
"This...this is strange...I clearly read this in the Imperial Joke Collection...Ah, it's nothing, Master. I really can do it. Please believe me. I'll think about it again now...So please give me another chance...!"
"No, really, it's not necessary. Everyone has moments when they can't joke around. Anyway, it's not an important matter."
In fact, what matters to Kara is whether she has truly mastered the Magic Breathing Technique.
Having no sense of humor isn't a big problem.
But I don't know how she interpreted my reaction, Kara's face gradually turned pale.
Tears welled up in her ruby-colored eyes, and she looked like she was about to cry.
This appearance inexplicably evokes a sadistic pleasure.
To be honest, watching this scene was much more interesting than those boring jokes from before.
I don't know how long I stared at the sobbing Kara.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Our food has arrived.
"Wait there for a moment, I'll be right out."
"…OK!"
I left Kara, who was nodding incessantly, and took the tray from the waiter.
Soft, appetizing bread, steaming hot soup, steak perfectly seasoned and exuding an enticing aroma, and dessert served on small plates.
Although the overall food culture in this world is not as developed as in modern times, as long as you have money, you can still eat delicious food.
Sure enough, money is the most important thing.
I chuckled to myself and dragged the tray into the room.
"Um?"
For some reason, Kara was kneeling on the ground, looking this way.
You told me to wait, but you didn't tell me to wait on my knees...
I was wondering what was going on when I suddenly noticed that Kara's eyes were fixed on the tray.
I quietly picked up the bread, and Kara's gaze followed.
I moved the bread to the left, and her gaze followed it to the left; I moved it to the right, and she looked to the right.
"Plop..."
Are you hungry?
Kara, who has always been timid and hesitant, rarely showed such a positive reaction.
I found it amusing, so I swung it back and forth a few more times, just about to hand her the bread...
"ah."
I accidentally dropped it.
The bread flew to the left, landed on the ground, and rolled a few times.
Perhaps it's due to the Earth's memory. No matter how rich you are, you'll still feel sorry to see perfectly good food lying on the ground.
However, it wasn't enough to pick it up and eat it, so I was going to call the waiter again to bring me another bread.
"Alright, I'm going to start eating...!"
Kara hurriedly crawled over on all fours, picked up the bread that had fallen to the ground, and ate it.
She didn't even use her hands; she just buried her head and gnawed at it.
"Um?"
The Lindhart family is a high-ranking noble family renowned for its magical tradition.
In fact, just now, her every move revealed aristocratic elegance and manners.
But what's going on with it now?
"Haaah... Mmm..."
She was on all fours, her bottom sticking out, frantically munching on the bread that had fallen to the ground.
Forget about the elegant demeanor of a noble lady; it's just like an ordinary pet.
This is probably similar to the slave manifesto just now, something instilled by slave traders.
To be honest, if we judge it simply by liking or disliking, both satisfy a dark sense of fulfillment, so I still quite like them.
However, if things continue like this, Kara will really become a slave, which would be troublesome.
There's still so much to learn.
Naturally, I gave the command to those swaying, round buttocks.
"Kara. [Put that bread down and sit down at the table to eat.]"
"Ah...yes...!"
***
In the spacious room, only the sound of clinking cutlery echoed.
After she was seated, Carla displayed impeccable table manners, a stark contrast to her earlier behavior.
However, the speed at which they ate remained largely unchanged.
"...It tastes so good."
"Ah? I'm sorry..."
"No, there's nothing to apologize for. I bought it for you to eat in the first place."
But I couldn't help wondering what was going on with her acting like a bitch just now.
"Even though this is a high-end hotel, it can't possibly compare to the Lindhart family's, can it? Is it really that delicious?"
"Ah... actually it's because I haven't been eating properly lately..."
"ah?"
I blinked blankly, and Kara stammered for a long time before slowly speaking.
"Well... there are regulations governing the education of slaves..."
Kara's next words confirmed my guess.
Just as some people can occasionally remove the mark of slavery on their own, this mark, while useful, is not without its flaws.
Even the orders issued are not absolutely mandatory, but they do give people a strong sense of coercion.
Therefore, it is necessary to break the slave's will in advance. Once the will is weak, even simple coercion will be seen as absolute revelation.
This preparation is often referred to as 'education'.
The methods of education varied depending on the slave's rank. It is said that most slaves were educated through violence and discipline.
For girls with outstanding appearances, although we will deliberately avoid violating their chastity... there seem to be many other methods of discipline.
If the cost-benefit ratio is deemed unfavorable, the slave brand will not even be applied.
It just means they'll be subjected to some rather harsh education.
"But I am…the highest rank…amn it…?"
"That's right."
Kara seemed ashamed of uttering the words "highest-ranking slave," her face flushing red. I watched her silently.
Her beautiful face seemed to have been meticulously sculpted by the gods. She possessed the refined demeanor and profound knowledge honed by being an outstanding magician. Add to that her noble birth, which should have been unattainable.
Even possessing just one of these qualities would significantly increase one's market value, but Kara possesses all three.
"Slaves who are more expensive than ordinary mansions... I suppose they won't be treated like ordinary slaves."
"Yes, yes. I received some special education."
You must not hit or scold them, nor can you sexually abuse them.
No, preventing her from getting used to these things from the beginning will actually enhance her value.
Slave traders are still traders after all. They wouldn't do anything foolish enough to damage the value of their goods.
"What exactly is this so-called special education?"
"...They only gave me pills, but wouldn't let me eat."
"pill?"
Could it be drugs? That could be a problem.
I couldn't help but frown slightly, and Kara hurriedly continued.
"This...this isn't some strange medicine! It was made as a meal replacement in the Magic Tower."
"Ah, I've heard of that. It's the medicine adventurers take when exploring secret realms, or knights and mages take when they're in seclusion for training, right?"
"That's right. But there's one difference."
What is it?
"It's hunger."
Hunger?
According to Kara, the medicine was originally made as an emergency ration, rich in essential nutrients and also provides a feeling of fullness.
But the medication she's been taking lately lacks the magical effect of creating a feeling of fullness.
In other words, while it won't affect your health, you'll have to endure endless hunger.
Anyone who has ever been hungry knows that hunger can drive you crazy.
It is said that the entire process was conducted by showcasing the training of ordinary slaves.
Although it was just simple whipping or beatings... for Kara, who was already mentally fragile, there was no more terrifying threat than this.
To the ordinary slaves, Kara appeared to be taking a leisurely rest, so she had to endure their disdain.
And so, her spirit was slowly worn down until she reached her limit.
They gave Kara some orders that were appropriately humiliating, and if she obeyed, she would be provided with a decent meal.
If you refuse, then you'll have to continue taking those pills.
It is said that even the Slave Declaration and eating on all fours were taught during that time.
Before their decline, she should have been the fearless heiress of the Lindhart family, so how come she's so timid now...?
Anyone would be on the verge of a breakdown after experiencing that kind of thing a few times.
Perhaps recalling the memory, Kara put down the utensils she had been fiddling with, her whole body trembling.
Seeing her trembling like a rabbit before a ferocious beast, my deep-seated sadistic desires unconsciously surfaced.
This won't do. There's no need to go this far.
Knowing this, I still can't stop.
There's something about Kara that can arouse a man's passion.
Finally, I smiled slightly and shared some food from my plate with Kara.
Eat more.
"Th-thank you so much...!"
You may not be able to eat it for a while.
"...ah?"
"Dietary control. What an interesting approach."
"..."
Kara was instantly frozen in place, as if a pause button had been pressed.
It looked just like a herbivore that had encountered a natural enemy.
"Waaah..."
Seeing Kara's aggrieved expression, a strange sense of satisfaction spread from the bottom of my heart.
...No wonder Kara met such an end in the original work.
The feeling of bullying her is so addictive.