บท 27: Twins Part-2
***Character Profile***
Name: Noname
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Race: Human
---
Level: 37
HP: 520/520
MP: 460/460
---
Job:
Primary: Slave
Secondary: None
---
Titles acquired:
Dungeon Explorer, Beast Slayer, Herbert Ismail's Slave
---
Stats:
STR: 240
DEX: 198
DEF: 168
AGI: 176
VIT: 150
INT: 250
Luck: 75
---
Special Abilities:
Blessing of Udona
Abilities:
Staff Technique II, Spear Technique I, Cooking IV, Cleaning IV, Alchemy III, Farming III, Battle Sense III, Danger Perception III, Water Magic III, Lifestyle Magic I
***
***Character Profile***
Name: Noname
Age: 19
Gender: Female
Race: Human
---
Level: 34
HP: 470/470
MP: 250/250
---
Job:
Primary: Slave
Secondary: None
---
Titles acquired:
Dungeon Explorer, Goblin Slayer, Beast Slayer, Herbert Ismail's Slave
---
Stats:
STR: 260
DEX: 164
DEF: 150
AGI: 240
VIT: 190
INT: 120
Luck: 75
---
Special Abilities:
Spirit Perception I, Blessing of Undis
Abilities:
Shortsword Technique II, Bow Technique I, Dual Wield, Battle Sense II, Danger Perception II, Fire Magic III, Body Reinforcement Magic II
***
What the-! Their stats are no joke! And what's up with the number of skills? Aren't they pretty damn strong? Why are they even slaves when they could become great adventurers?
No, they must have their own circumstances. I should better do it properly, then. If I'm gonna have them, I should be deserving.
I looked at the slaves, and after thinking something, spoke to them.
"Before we begin, I would like to ask you two something."
The girls looked at the slave trader who nodded at them. It must mean he was allowing them to answer on their own accord. The long-haired one holding a staff replied.
"Please ask, sir."
"Why are you girls 'slaves'? And why is it that you two want to fight and have a strong Master?"
Maybe I was being tactless; they seemed to struggle a bit with the straightforward questions.
After a while of silence, the long-haired one replied.
"… I and my twin sister were both sold by our guardian since they couldn't take care of us. But they weren't a bad person. There were… circumstances. That's how we ended up as special slaves rather than normal ones. This was the parting gift from our guardian. As for the latter, we have been fighting monsters and growing our abilities to be able to adventure. But due to our slave contract, we can't have that freedom. So, we asked for a Master who is strong and chivalrous, and with whom we can adventure along. There isn't any deeper meaning to it, I'm afraid. It was just our childish demands and we were fortunate enough that it was granted to us. I'm sorry if it didn't satisfy your curiosity."
"Oh no, that's completely fine. I was just interested in knowing if there are any special circumstances surrounding this deal. I am an adventurer who has barely started adventuring so I don't know if I can satisfy your needs. I don't mind having companions though."
Perhaps it was my imagination but I saw the light in her eyes dull down for a split second when I told her I was a rookie adventurer. Was she disappointed? It was indeed true that I was inexperienced but I was certainly unlike other rookies since I had better stats and abilities.
"Then, please begin any time."
She was now standing with her twin partner at a small distance away.
"Is it really okay to fight like this? I feel like we might end up damaging the surroundings. Let me cast a barrier around us just to be safe."
I cast <Barrier> and a translucent hemisphere covered a fair area around us in an instant.
"Amazing…" (Mia)
"In just an instant…" (Maria)
The twins appeared to be amazed by my barrier even though it was just a normal type of barrier that I learned about from the Introductory Magic book. Their sentences were left unfinished as they looked at the barrier in a daze.
I looked at the slave trader and his servants who were now outside the barrier in a safe space. The servants seemed a bit nervous but the slave trader hushed them with a single wave of his hand. He now looked my way with his face still smiling. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
Leaving them alone, I turned back to face my current opponents.
Huh? Is it just me or they are looking more excited than before?
I didn't know what caused them to suddenly get enthusiastic, but they were now serious.
The barrier was the type to absorb attacks from inside and even sealed our noises as well so the spectators outside could no longer hear our conversation.
At my confirmation, our fight began.
The first one to approach me was the short-haired twin with daggers. She performed some pre-emptive strikes but I easily dodged them all without even the need to parry them with my sword. She jumped back to change her strategy. She then chanted something and then came in a zig-zag pattern with a speed that was substantially greater than before. She must have used Reinforcement Magic on herself. Her attacks were sharper and faster but the difference in our stats was still substantial as I managed to dodge most of them and parry others without breaking as much as a single sweat.
Since they wanted a strong Master, I wasn't as concerned about hiding my true strength. I didn't want them to have any complaints later on.
Furthermore, I was also starting to enjoy this little bout since it helped me learn how other magicians fought. The difference between this fight and all others I have had in this world was this the twins showed no hostility even if their attacks were strong.
After about 20 minutes of dodging and parrying, she started to show signs of wearing down. The twin with the staff then signaled her to fall back and regroup.
"I'm sorry, sis. I tried my best but I couldn't even get close to him. This person is much stronger than he appears. Even though, looking at him, I couldn't gauge his powers. He seems like an ordinary person on the surface. His mana is completely hidden but I assume he has a large mana pool. Be careful." (Short-haired twin)
"I see. I was of the same opinion until I saw him cast the barrier. By no means is this barrier weak or of poor quality. It's a specialized one too. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel like he has already gauged out our true abilities with just a look." (Long-haired twin)
"Is that even possible? Does that mean he also knows about our blessings?" (Short-haired twin)
"That's not something anyone ordinary can do. If he has, then he's a very strong person under that unassuming guise." (Long-haired twin)
You know, you girls might think you're whispering but I can still hear you two.
As I thought so, the twin with the staff spoke to me.
"Sir, we apologize for underestimating you and not going all-out from the start. Please forgive our disrespectful behavior. This time we'll come at you together at our full strength."
"Got it! Go easy on me."
What came next was a fury of attacks from both twins. Their styles felt greatly in sync with each other and they had some great dynamics in their attacks. They even used magic attacks on me but I blocked each of them using Barrier Magic. The fight dragged on for about the next 30 minutes in which they tried all sorts of strategies but after nothing worked and they both were breathing coarsely, I decided to end the fight at last.
I announced that I'll be the one attacking this time and then moved quickly, first to the twin with the dagger, and unarmed her in an instant with a hit on her hands. It was just enough to shock her and it didn't lower her HP. She quickly tried to launch a strengthened kick at me but I stopped that with one hand and with the next I lightly punched her abdomen while casting <Heal> just in case. She fell down from the force of attack but had not taken any damage according to her status result. I felt bad for punching such a beautiful girl but any magic attack would have caused more damage. I wasn't going to use offensive magic on them.
The twin with the staff realized what happened and jumped back quite aggressively to make distance and started to chant something. But I was not going to give her the chance. After I closed in the distance between her and me, she left her chanting and tried to block my vertical sword strike using her staff, but I was just feigning that attack. I quickly made the sword disappear by storing it in my Inventory and then proceeded to chop the staff in two using my ultra-special skill called Rio's Karate Chop… Okay, there was no such special skill, but I did use a karate chop on the hardwood staff and broke it in two. I may have accidentally used <Weapon Break> at that time since the staff ended up breaking into small pieces and fell on the ground.
With her weapon broken, I feigned a punch on her face at which she reflexively closed her eyes and move her hands in front. I stopped right before it could hit her. The momentum created a small gust of air which made her long hair flow backward a little.
"… Eh?"
Realizing there was no attack, with a dazed face, she dropped to the floor as well.
"Phew. I concede… It's your win, Master."
She said and bowed. The other twin also joined and bowed to me.
I didn't pay much attention to it at that time but she called me "Master" rather than "sir".
The result of the match had been decided.
This was the first time I had a fight with some decently strong opponents and learned a thing or two about real combat as well.
But above all, the times their things swayed and jiggled while in battle were the best eye candy I could have asked for. I was kind of glad they didn't wear armor. Their bodies had great curves and both of them had well-endowed breasts. They are identical in their physique as well. As a young man, it was irresistible. I ended up ogling them a bit. Though, doing so during a battle might have been rude on my part. Hopefully, they hadn't noticed that.
I released the barrier and heard the slave trader and his employees clapping on the back. They had witnessed our battle and must have been enjoying it since each of them had satisfied and excited expressions on their faces.
"Bravo dear customer! That was truly a spending match! Your strength was a sight to behold. I and my servants were so captivated by it that we didn't realize it lasted for nearly an hour." (Herbert)
The others didn't say anything but they all seemed to agree.
"Thank you. They were great opponents. I got a learn a lot from them."
It was a simple truth. I did learn a bit about combat. Still not enough to be called experienced, though.
"I'm sure they are also fully satisfied with their fights." (Herbert)
We looked at twins. They were merrily discussing something and seemed to be having a blast for some reason. Their breathing was still rough and there was sweat on their faces, but I couldn't see any signs of gloominess from their loss. I was relieved to see that they were happy. With this, the matter was settled. I had rightfully earned the right to have them.
But, now I felt a bit hollow inside. I wondered why.
"So, shall we head back and discuss the prices?"
I nodded. Fighting for an hour with the twins wasn't very tiring, but I was feeling a bit thirsty. My body seemed to be unusually warm. I wondered if they could serve me cold water if I asked.
Maybe I should try asking them? There's no harm in asking.
I came to the lobby with the slave trader and the discussion on price began.
"Since the twins are special, I've put in great effort to ensure that they have learned all sorts of work a slave needs to do. You'll find their services to be more than satisfactory, in all areas. And as you have seen with your own eyes, they are also good fighters. Not as good as you. However, they could compete with any B-rank adventurer. And last but not the least, both of them are top-class beauties. I was planning to sell them at the slave auction being held in the capital this year, but since the dear customer has plans to buy them, I would like for them to go home to a Master of their liking."
The slave trader left no effort to do one final push to show off the twins.
Just how much is he planning to charge me if he's being this thorough?
"So, with everything considered, I think an amount of 25 Golds for both is ideal."
"25 Golds?!"
What the hell? What kind of price is that? I can buy a house in the inner district with that amount!
"Isn't that too expensive? I just bought a house in the inner district which cost me 35 Gold coins. I'm sure they are great, but still, isn't 25 Golds too much?"
I was genuinely surprised. 25 Golds was a very large sum of money. I was interested in buying the twins but I wasn't going to pay this much. Not that I didn't have that much right now, but his price was simply absurd.
"Hmm, I see... So he already knows the price range..." (Herbert)
He muttered under her breath but I caught that. This damn merchant was trying to rip me off!
He then grinned and said.
"Then, I guess I should provide the dear customer with some first-time discount. Let me see..." (Herbert)
He appeared to be doing some calculations on his hands and then spoke a new price.
"15 Gold coins. That's a great price considering you get two top-class slaves." (Herbert)
Hmm... I don't know if this is still high. I mean, I can still buy a great house with that much money, but perhaps slaves cost a fortune. They're people after all. I'm sure they are considered highly valuable. I guess this much is fine.
"Fine. 15 Golds is okay with me."
"Wonderful! The deal has been locked then. Let's quickly sign the contract." (Herbert)
"By the way, you showed me quite a few slaves before. What were their prices?"
"Oh? Does dear customer perhaps wish to buy a few of them too? I can add them to the price here and give you a good discount on the whole deal. How about it?" (Herbert)
"No, for now just the twins are enough. But if I feel the need for it, it'll be helpful to know the price estimates."
That was a lie. I just wanted to see how much the price of twins differed from the normal slaves.
"You can pretty much get any of them from 2 to 5 Golds. They are also all trained girls proficient at chores and such." (Herbert)
"I see."
That's cheaper compared to the twins.
So the twins were indeed costly by normal standards. Assuming both of them had similar prices, the initial amount for them was each 7 Golds and 5 Large Silvers. I didn't know how the auctions worked but if the slaves were indeed sold so costly, I doubted normal people could afford them.
"Well then, since there are no problems, shall we start the contract transfer ceremony? Let me call them. And while they come, I'll tell you about the basics of having a slave in this country." (Herbert)
I heard his little lecture containing information on how to treat slaves and what was okay and what wasn't. And the things related to the ownership of the slave in case of their Master's demise. That was something that was set during the ceremony and could be changed later if the Master so desired.
I was going to make it so they would be set free if I died. Though, I had no plans of doing anything dangerous which might result in my death.
The contract required first a document signing as legal proof and then once the twins were there, the slave trader brought out a bluish-violet gem— it was called Enslavement Mana Stone according to Appraisal— and started chanting a spell. The collars of the twins' necks began shining. Then I was asked to put my hand on both of their collars together. A light surrounded their collars as I touched them and then it got absorbed inside my hand. For a very brief moment, I noticed a tattoo appear on the back of my right hand but it disappeared before I could observe it. With that, the transfer ceremony was complete.
"Now they are officially your slaves. Thank you for your purchase, dear customer."
The slave trader notified me.
I appraised them again to see if anything had changed and sure enough, both of them had their titles changed from "Herbert Ismail's Slave" to "Rio's Slave".
Thump!
"Once again thank you for using my humble establishment. I hope we continue to serve all your slave needs in the future as well."
Thump. Thump.
I paid the entire amount and was told to wait for a little so that the slaves could collect their belongings.
Thump Thump Thump
The two twins came back with a bundle each in their hands. Both of them were wearing a set of white fabric that they had worn the first time I saw them. I was informed that they have been given a set of maid uniforms as a complimentary gift each.
Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump….
….
I had finally done it. Losing to my own carnal desire, silencing all moral and rational thoughts, choking my own conscience to death, I had bought humans. Not one, but two. There was no turning back now. I could no longer show my face to the people of Earth. No, before that, could I even look into the mirror without getting overwhelmed by the feeling of utter disgust towards the person I could see, who had always claimed to be a moral and good person, but had indulged something not even most low lives would care to do. What would my friends and family think of me if they knew I did such a thing? Will I be able to look them in the eye? I probably couldn't look even at myself anymore.
So the answer to those questions was: no.
Whatever the reason, I had done an inconceivable evil, said to have perished in the past. Now, all I could do was suck it up and at least treat them properly since I had taken responsibility for them. I was now responsible for their well-being. I couldn't half-ass it. I couldn't escape from them.
What have I done? How did it end this way? How could someone like me do this? Was I, in the end, just a hypocrite scoffing at people of this world, when I was no better than them?
My life was about to take a new turn with this milestone. A lot of new things and experiences will happen from now on. I was up for one hell of a ride.
On one hand, I was devastated that I had lost part of my conscience. It felt so bad.
But on other hand, a little part of me was still shamelessly happy for some reason. Why was that? Was it the lust inside, that released Dopamine because I had two beauties who will live with me inside a single house? Or was it perhaps the fact that with them around, I won't be lonely anymore? I would have someone waiting for me inside my home now as I would come after completing my daily quests. And they will be these beauties. That felt devilishly good. I was ready to lose part of my conscience for that feeling of not being lonely anymore.
""Please take care of us from now on, Master.""
The two twins bowed deeply and said in unison.
"Ah, yes, please take care of me too."
I realized then that I didn't know what to call them. I was told that slaves lost their names when they became slaves and were given new names by their Masters when needed.
Ugh, but I suck at naming... Why do I have to do this hard task? I would rather fight monsters than find new names. Even my Katana is nameless still.
Taking the twins, I exited the slave traders.
***
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