Walking in Another World

ing if she was registered in town, but yes, she really can’t ask for identification.
And at the very least she’ll need it to enter and exit towns.
Little lady, don’t you want to go to an orphanage?”

Hikari aggressively shakes her head.

“That’s a problem.
Do you have any business in this town?”

“I want to register in the merchant guild if I can, and start buying and selling something.
I don’t think I’m cut out to be an adventurer.”

“So you want to do business by yourself? It’s going to be tough without any connections… But that’s your responsibility, so I don’t have to worry about it.
I know, do you know the slavery system?”

“Kind of.
There are criminal slaves, war slaves, and debt slaves, right?”

“Yes, but there is also something called a special slave.
It’s a system put in place to adopt people without identification.
It’s not used by a lot of people.”

That’s the first I’m hearing of it.

“It mostly comes with downsides, so that’s the main reason why.
It’s not too different from a debt slave.”

According to the gatekeeper’s explanation, a special slave is a minor with no identification that is provided for until they each adulthood and can get themselves registered.
Of course, in return the special slave has to help out, or even be put to work.

It’s a system occasionally used by merchants running big stores.
A big part of it is to secure capable people by training them from a young age.

If people are provided with a better environment, they’ll usually want to keep it and improve it.
There’s also the fact that they are pretty much surrounded by the idea that this is possible if they work for their masters, so they can’t escape, but the authorities mostly turn a blind eye to it.
Despite their masters’ intentions, at least the people themselves are happy.

“All right.
I’ll try registering like that.
I don’t think she’s going to want to get away from me anyway.”

I pay two entrance fees, and enter the town after hearing from the gatekeeper where I can find the slaver.

“We tricked him.”

Hikari says with a naughty smile.
I’m sure she still looks emotionless for most people, but I’m starting to pick up on those sorts of emotions.

“We were lucky to come across a nice gatekeeper.
If it was one with a more rotten personality, we would’ve been asked all sorts of things.
Although I’m not sure if he’s cut out to be a gatekeeper.”

“Agreed.”

We follow the gatekeeper’s directions, and arrive at a corner where the slaver is.
It really is in a place away from the center of town.
And I get the feeling that it’s smaller than ones I saw in the kingdom.
Is it because it’s a small town?

“Welcome.
How may I be of service?”

The slaver asks after looking at me, looking at Hikari, and looking at me again.

“I want to form a special slave contract with her.
Can you do it?”

“Of course.
I will prepare it right away.”

I pay ten silver coins, less for the commission, and more because of the magic items involved.
I’m guessing this is cheap because special slaves are just that, special.

The collar is different from regular slaves’ too.
This one is black with three silver stripes.

I step onto a magic circle along with Hikari, and the slaver starts chanting a spell.
I put a drop of my blood on the collar, and the slaver starts chanting again.
It’s over.
That was pretty simple.

“Please visit the nearest slaver when it’s time to undo this.
It can be done anywhere.”

“All right.
Also, do you have any beast people or elf slaves?”

“I do not.
Maybe you can find some in the holy city.
Am I right in assuming this is your first time in this country?”

“Why do you think so?”

“People here don’t ask that sort of question.
Yes, in the Holy Kingdom, slavery isn’t very well liked.
The reason is people’s strong devotion to the goddess.”

“But it’s still not prohibited?”

“Correct.
Despite their devotion, slaves are still useful.
Reality is different, no matter how pretty their words are.
Of course, some are very fastidious about refusing it outright.”

“So not many people ask what you have?”

“Almost no one.”

“I see, thank you for the information.”

“Come visit if you ever need something again.
Ah, our company also does business in other countries, and has a store in the holy city.”

The slaver bows respectfully with a shady smile.

I leave with Hikari, and look at the sign outside.

It says ‘Howler slave trading company’.