Chapter 11: A New Power

The next morning, we returned to Ilgusia and consulted Zeke about the magic stones in Almeria. He insisted that the magic stones must absolutely be converted to cash.

The Bryant family was clearly wealthy among Viscount families. Still, the tuition for Ike, me, Clarice, and Lina would pile up from here on.

Especially since the older three of us were going to another country to live. I understood Zeke's feelings.

"I've been thinking about this for a while, but I intend to buy slaves."

At Zeke's words, Clarice and I involuntarily looked at each other.

For people here, it might be natural, but for us, there was some resistance. Plus, we had almost been made into slaves ourselves. I intended to take good care of Clarice's mental state.

As for where to buy these slaves, apparently, there was a fairly large slave merchant in Almeria.

Immediately, Zeke and the three of us returned to Almeria and headed to the slave shop.

The slave shop was in the northeast of the city, in an area I had never visited.

Entering the shop, the owner rubbed his hands together and started his sales pitch to Zeke.

"Sir. What kind are you looking for? We have a stock of lively ones that came in recently."

"Ah, my son will answer regarding that. Ike, state your requirements."

Prompted by Zeke, Ike listed the words he had prepared.

"We are looking for porters. So, we're looking for people with high Strength and Agility."

"Unfortunately, we don't have any humans fitting your desired conditions."

When the owner answered apologetically, Zeke interjected.

"Does that mean you have non-humans?"

"Yes, if Beastmen are acceptable, there are many who fit those conditions. However, as you may know, Beastmen rarely acknowledge anyone weaker than themselves as master... The slaves here are not criminal slaves, so the slaves also have the right to choose..."

"Understood. If that's the case, there's no problem. Can we take a look at some suitable ones?"

The owner nodded reluctantly and headed to the back of the shop.

First, we went to ten rooms that looked like container houses. Small sections of the rooms were cut out so we could peek inside. Humans were living normally inside. The rooms were very clean, an environment sufficient for living as a normal apartment.

The slave rooms were four to a room, separated by gender. Seven of the ten rooms were in use, totaling twenty-eight people.

Since the walls were just cut out, naturally the slaves could see us too. Just as we looked at the slaves, the slaves looked at us with appraising eyes.

From the slaves' complexion and the cleanliness of the rooms, I could tell the owner treated the slaves well, which gave me a very good impression. I thought slaves would be placed in worse environments and neglected even by slave merchants, but that seemed to be my prejudice.

"Mars, see anyone good?"

"No, there is no one who meets the conditions."

When I answered Zeke's question, Zeke made a request to the owner.

"Show us non-humans too. Since there don't seem to be any humans here who can keep up with adventurers."

"...Understood. But let me say this first. The reason there are no human adventurer slaves is that they have already been bought by adventurers in this city. And the reason Beastman slaves remain unsold is that they are stronger than the adventurers in this city and have the pride not to serve a weak master."

Hmm... somehow that doesn't sit right with me, so I asked the owner a question.

"Why did you stock such Beastman slaves, owner? You know the level of adventurers in this city, right? Continuing to feed slaves isn't cheap either."

"That is to prepare for a Stampede or Dungeon Saturation. Only in the event of a Stampede or Dungeon Saturation can I forcibly make them fight. Since I have such a contract with them, they won't renege on it. The Carmel Margrave told me to make sure to have excellent Beastmen ready to protect this city..."

In short, they are kept here only for emergencies. The owner continued.

"In the past, there were B-Rank adventurers here too, so there were those whom they recognized as masters and were sold, but... currently, promising rookies go to Ilgusia, and B-Rank adventurers or B-Rank parties have gone to other cities or battlefields..."

The influence of Ilgusia is showing even here.

In the future, won't Ilgusia absorb Almeria?

"Thank you for telling us the circumstances. Please show us. We will do the negotiating."

The owner nodded and guided us further into the back of the shop.

The layout was the same as the human slave rooms earlier, but it was two to a room, so they used the room more spaciously than the humans.

Dogs, cats, wolves, bears... there were various Beastmen, ranging in age from six at the bottom to around thirty at the top.

The male Beastmen showed their fangs and sharp eyes to intimidate us when they saw us, while the female Beastmen looked down on us with eyes like they were looking at filth. Both seemed to say they would absolutely not acknowledge us.

And in the room at the very back, there was a Beastman... and an animal, using a space equivalent to two rooms for just the two of them.

That room alone was custom-made, not only in size but also with an interior so luxurious it was unrecognizable from the other rooms.

"Why is only this room special?"

At Zeke's words, the owner answered flusteredly.

"The adult in this room is originally one of the twelve Dukes of the Lister Federation, Duke Celeance. As you know, the Lister Federation consists of the Round Table Council of the twelve Dukes, but Duke Celeance, the Beastman representative, was exiled due to a coup d'état. The Carmel Margrave took him in at an exorbitant price..."

"Why is a slave bought by the Carmel Margrave at an exorbitant price here? If he bought him for that much, wouldn't it be normal to keep him close?"

Zeke's question was valid. Not as a slave, but ennobled as a subordinate... Eh? Could it be? Is it about strength here too?

"Well, Duke Celeance said he would not become the subordinate of the Carmel Margrave, who is weaker than him..."

Does he care about strength that much? Peeking inside the custom-made room, there was a Golden Lion man, over two meters tall, shirtless as if to show off his rugged muscles, and a lion wearing a cute red ribbon.

Just as I was about to use Appraisal on the man and the lion like the other slaves...

At the same time as the thick wall of the room was smashed through, the Golden Lion man came outside.

"———Wh-?!"

Without a moment to be surprised, the Golden Lion man attacked, clad in tremendous bloodlust. His speed was at a level my eyes could barely track.

Deploying 《Sylphid》 and predicting the attack with Vision, I used 《Wind》 to blow Zeke, Ike, Clarice, and the owner—who had frozen from the man's killing intent—backwards, and tried to blow the man forward with 《Wind Impulse》.

However, the Golden Lion man didn't seem bothered by 《Wind Impulse》 at all, coming right in front of me and taking an attack stance.

Was the difference in ability too great? No matter what action I took, I could only see a future where the man's fist smashed my face.

Trying to soften the impact somehow, I poured all my magic power into 《Sylphid》 and took a defensive stance.

"《Barrier》!"

Just as the Golden Lion man's right hand was about to close in on my face, Clarice's voice echoed in the room.

While being blown away by 《Wind》, only Clarice was released from the killing intent and deployed a 《Barrier》 in front of me.

With the sound of shattering glass, the Golden Lion man's right arm was blown back. He opened his eyes wide, looking back and forth between his right hand and me, but immediately aimed for my head with his left hand.

"Uooooohhh!!!!!!"

While shouting, I tried to guard against the man's left hand with both hands, but Vision showed the Golden Lion man's left hand reaching my face. I can't give up in a place like this! If I die here, Clarice will be in danger too!

———In that instant. Dazzling magic power manifested in gold covered me. A vast amount of magic power, incomparable to 《Sylphid》. When that magic power was released toward the approaching left hand, it illuminated the room in gold for a moment before shaking the building with a roar.

That roar was enough to make some of the Beastmen in other rooms faint.

W-What is this? The giant fist in front of me was charred black, and its owner, the Golden Lion man, looked down at me.

"You, what did you do?"

When the Golden Lion man opened his mouth, the enslaved Beastmen visible in my field of vision were surprised. His expression and words contained no bloodlust.

"I-I don't know."

The Golden Lion man showed a dubious expression but said one more thing.

"Still want to go?"

"N-No, I didn't intend to fight in the first place so... but may I speak with you?"

"...I don't mind."

"Why did you suddenly attack?"

He answered while glaring at me sharply.

"You tried to appraise me, didn't you? I just thought I'd scare you a little."

Come to think of it, Sasha told me not to use Appraisal recklessly. I had been careful after hearing that, but I didn't expect it to apply to slaves.

"I apologize."

I bowed my head and made a request again.

"My name is Mars Bryant. May I ask your name?"

"Barnes. Barnes Leo."

"Barnes-sama, may I appraise you again?"

"...I don't mind."

"Thank you. Then, right away..."

【Name】 Barnes Leo
【Title】 Beast King
【Status】 Beastman, Slave
【Condition】 Electrocuted (Weak)
【Age】 29
【Level】 72
【HP】 320/420
【MP】 20/20
【Strength】 306
【Agility】 250
【Magic】 5
【Dexterity】 45
【Constitution】 278
【Luck】 1

【Special Abilities】
Taijutsu A (Lv 17/19)

Too off the charts... Was that him going easy on me with all his might...? The title Beast King makes sense.

However, the most concerning thing is that his condition is Electrocuted (Weak). Which means maybe...

"I have finished the appraisal. Thank you for holding back."

For some reason, I thanked him for holding back. I was terrified by the overwhelming difference in power, albeit belatedly.

"Umu. I don't mind."

"I have a question too. Who are you? What was that thing that repelled my right hand earlier? And what happened to my left hand? I have no sensation in it?"

Not knowing how much to answer, I looked toward Zeke, who was still frozen.

Then Zeke nodded as if coming to his senses. Meaning I could talk to a certain extent.

"I am an E-Rank adventurer. The one who repelled Barnes-sama's right hand was that girl over there. I believe I am the one who did that to Barnes-sama's left hand, but I was desperate, so I don't know the details well. May I see your hand?"

Looking at Clarice, Barnes held out his charred left hand to me. When I touched that giant hand, the golden something charged with magic power transferred from Barnes to me.

"Has the sensation in your left hand returned?"

"Yeah."

Watching Barnes open and close his hand as if regaining sensation, I used Appraisal on myself.

【Name】 Mars Bryant
【Title】 Thunder God / Wind King / Goblin Slayer
【Status】 Human, Second Son of Viscount Bryant
【Condition】 Good
【Age】 8
【Level】 21
【HP】 130/130
【MP】 7395/7999
【Strength】 84
【Agility】 90
【Magic】 133 (+1)
【Dexterity】 115
【Constitution】 81
【Luck】 30

【Unique Abilities】
Heavenly Gift (Lv MAX)
Heavenly Eye (Lv 8)
Lightning Magic S (Lv 1/20) (0 → 1)

【Special Abilities】
Swordsmanship B (Lv 7/17)
Fire Magic F (Lv 6/8)
Water Magic G (Lv 3/5)
Earth Magic G (Lv 4/5)
Wind Magic A (Lv 14/19)
Holy Magic C (Lv 6/15)

【Equipment】
Mithril Silver Sword
Wind Short Sword (Sylph Dagger)
Bracelet of Disguise

It was Lightning Magic after all! I was able to deal damage and electrocute an opponent who wasn't fazed by 《Wind Impulse》. And the title Thunder God... even though Lightning Magic is still Level 1... Ah, maybe I became the Thunder God because I'm the only one in this world who can use Lightning Magic? Hmm? Then why doesn't Clarice get a title for Barrier Magic? That should also be a magic only Clarice can use... Well, no use thinking about it. First, about the Thunder God.

【Thunder God】 A title given to one who stands at the pinnacle of Lightning Magic in this world. Greatly increases the power of Lightning Magic. Shortens magic manifestation time.

Amazing. It sounds a bit Chuunibyou, but Thunder God is cool. Though Thunder Emperor is hard to discard too...

"Are we done?"

Barnes pulled me back to reality as I was immersed in the appraisal results.

"Eh? Ah... we are looking for slaves, but..."

"I won't serve anyone weaker than me."

"Is... that so..."

"However, with your ability, those other than me might be convinced. We aren't refusing to serve anyone just out of stubbornness."

Barnes spoke while looking at the excited Beastmen.

When I strained my ears to hear what they were so excited about, it was partly about my magic just now, but mostly about the fact that Barnes was conversing with a human.

As I wondered why that was such a big deal, the owner, released from the killing intent, explained.

"Since Duke Celeance came to this Almeria, the only humans he has spoken to are myself and Mars-sama. He only speaks to those he acknowledges to some extent."

Which means I was acknowledged a little.

"Then may I appraise everyone?"

When I asked the Beastman slaves, they nodded. Their eyes were not the ones directed at us earlier, but eyes expecting something.

Just as I was about to appraise everyone, Barnes drove a nail in.

"The woman in the back is off-limits. Ask the rest yourself."

It seems I can't appraise the girl who was with Barnes. Though she looks more like a lion than a woman...

"Understood. Then I will look at everyone except the lady in the back."

The stats of the Beastmen were mainly high Strength and Agility, with Magic being at the lowest level.

When I conveyed the Beastmen's stats to Zeke, who seemed to have finally fully broken free from the curse of the killing intent, Zeke asked the owner.

"I want to hear the prices for these people. Of course, excluding Duke Barnes and the lady in the back."

"The prices for Beastmen are almost the same as humans. Around ten gold coins per person."

Cheaper than the ones at the slave auction. I recall they were around twenty to thirty gold coins at the auction. Though there was one guy who didn't get a price.

"However, you will have to negotiate the treatment after forming the contract with each slave individually."

Hmm. Meaning we have to give the slaves a salary or something equivalent.

"Also, as I assume you know, sexual acts with slaves are prohibited in principle unless there is consent. Few may keep this promise, but we always confirm this upon sale."

Yes! This is nice! The reason I felt resistance to the word "slave" was that I was worried about this point.

"Father, how many do you intend to buy?"

Ike, also released from the killing intent, came next to Zeke and asked.

"Umu. If ten gold coins is fine... I think about three would be good, what do you think?"

"Let's see. We might just be bringing back magic stones from the Almeria Dungeon, but we might encounter monsters on the way back. Our plan is to dive to the second floor after exterminating enemies on the first floor to some extent, so three might be good for safely going back and forth."

When Zeke said he wanted to buy three, the owner introduced some recommended Beastmen.

"Then how about these three brothers? They are Wolf Tribe, and if possible, I would be relieved if you could buy them together..."

The three introduced were sixteen years old. Triplets, maybe? Ability-wise, there wasn't much difference compared to the other Beastmen.

【Name】 Guy Jet
【Title】 -
【Status】 Beastman, Slave
【Condition】 Good
【Age】 16
【Level】 24
【HP】 158/158
【MP】 5/5
【Strength】 70
【Agility】 52
【Magic】 1
【Dexterity】 12
【Constitution】 56
【Luck】 1
【Special Abilities】 Taijutsu C (Lv 8/15)

Guy is around lower C-Rank to upper D-Rank adventurer level. The second son, Mack, and the third son, Ol, have similar stats.

When I finished appraising them, the owner let the three out of the room to introduce themselves.

"I'm Guy, the eldest son of the Black Wolf Tribe."

"I'm Mack, the second son."

"I'm Ol, the third son."

All three had blue-black fur with white tips on their tails. The eldest, Guy, looked good with a beard. The second son, Mack, had a scar over his right eye. The third son, Ol, was a giant.

The moment I saw the three of them, a certain name popped into my head. Starting today, they are the 【Black Three-Wolf Stars】!

When Zeke asked the 【Black Three-Wolf Stars】 about the conditions for their servitude, the eldest, Guy, answered.

"Promise us food, clothing, and shelter. Prepare a place where the three of us can live together. And for food, just let us eat our fill at every meal. We won't ask for expensive stuff, but you must provide meat. If you promise this, we don't really need wages."

This... might actually be quite expensive? Though I feel the living space is the biggest issue...

"Hmm... Then let me propose a few conditions as well. I will accept all your conditions. On top of that, we intend to prepare a house where you will live with Ike and the others. However, the one forming the contract of servitude with you is me, the head of the Bryant family. Therefore, you will obey my orders. Is that acceptable?"

Right, the Beastmen acknowledged me, but they hadn't acknowledged Zeke.

"Fine. You're not diving into the dungeon anyway, are you?"

"Ah. I'm a noble entrusted with Ilgusia, after all. I can't stay here for long. However, if something happens, I may come here. At those times, you must obey me. Got it?"

The 【Black Three-Wolf Stars】 nodded, but at those words, the owner asked a question.

"I've been wondering for a while, but are you Zeke-san of the 【Brown Shield】? Our Maria-sama's husband..."

"'Our Maria'... hey... well, yes."

"Is that so! Then if you come with Maria-sama next time, I will give you a huge service discount! I'm sure she is still beautiful even now!"

Being a beauty really pays off.

Though, having my mom's appearance praised feels kind of ticklish. I'm happy about it, though.

"Understood. I'll come with Maria tomorrow or so. Then is it fine if we buy them tomorrow? I also intend to buy one human servant at that time. Is that okay?"

The owner couldn't hide his happiness, rejoicing while spitting slightly.

"By all means! Then I will be waiting for you tomorrow. I'll go get a haircut now and..."

He was so excited I couldn't hear the end of it.

Midway through the conversation, Barnes had returned to his room and was yelling.

"Helic! Hurry up and arrange to fix this room!"

Man, who broke it...? I definitely can't say that... Besides, my Lightning Magic caused considerable damage to the other slaves' rooms too.

"Then, we'll come again tomorrow, so I'm counting on you."

Leaving the slave merchant, fatigue hit me all at once.