The certificate that I'm the official resident of that mansion (the mirror mansion, right?) was prepared by Mr. Toby in a rather stiff manner, and he handed it to me with a grin.
　It's a document written in some sort of otherworldly language on a thick piece of parchment-like paper. Naturally, I can't read it, but being the man he is, I don't think there's anything wrong with the specifications.
　I said condescendingly, "Thank you for your time and effort. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time with the guild," said Toby with a smile.

　...... I'll invite you to the house eventually. We'll see what he looks like.


　Then, after asking Misaki all the other questions I wanted to ask, I left the chamber of commerce. My next stop was the slave trading center.

　Of course I don't have enough money to buy slaves, but I had to go to the slave trade and research what it's like. ...... is actually a bit of a pain in the ass. I don't even know how they sell it, and I don't think modern Japanese people can face the idea of slavery ...... or anything like that straight away.

　But if we're going to operate over here, we need someone to be our escort, preferably an advisor who can also teach us about the world over here. I can't even read .......


　Misaki told me where the slave trading house was, so I didn't hesitate to get there, but ...... is ....... This is a hard one to get into, .......

　The entrance was closed and there was a signboard, but it was impossible to see what was going on inside.

　It's not just that it's very difficult to get into, it's that ......, you can't get into this one by yourself?　I can't even get into a sushi bar by myself.　It's even more challenging than "one man's yakiniku".
　And it looks like a membership-only restaurant, or maybe not for first-time customers. ...... It's too advanced: .......

　But, you know what? .......
　It's a hurdle to overcome if you want to do business in a different world. Trade is a war!

　But I just couldn't muster the courage to open the door honestly and walk in, so I decided to adopt a strategy to catch someone from the store who would probably come out to see me off if they came out. That's just the way I am.

　I was wandering around the front of the store like a prowler.
　Let's go in!　But when the time came, I jumped out and simulated saying this and that ......, feeling my courage to decide to do so wilting with each passing hour.

　After wandering around for 15 minutes, the door of the store finally opened.




　◇◆◆◆◆◆.




　The one who came out of the door was an aristocratic-looking man in his mid-twenties with striking silver hair. He walks out of the store normally without the clerk seeing him off. Just in the direction I am.
　It's a bit of a cop-out to not have a clerk's farewell. There is a way to wait for the next one, but a slave trading house is not likely to have that many customers .......
　Alright. I'll try to talk to this brother. It's also possible that this person is a clerk.


　I decided to take the plunge and talk to him. In any case, it would be good if I could ask a few questions about the slave, and it would be less of a hurdle than going into that store.


'Um, ......, do you have a moment of your time?'

Yes?　How can I help you?

　An aristocratic-looking man who replies smilingly. He's walking alone without an attendant, and I wonder if he's an aristocratic-looking common man. But his face, or rather his aura, doesn't really look like a normal person, to be honest.


'No, I just saw you coming out of your trading house, so I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about it: ....... Oh, my name is Jiro Ayase, and I'm a merchant.

You're here for the trading house?　They should be open for business now, so why not go?

'No, actually, I'm embarrassed to tell you this, but I've never bought a slave before, and I've been frightened by that gatehouse ....... So, if you'd like, I'd like to learn a little bit about slaves: .......

So that's what happened.

　An aristocratic-looking man who seems to have been convinced at one point. Apparently he wasn't a clerk. I called out to this guy with a hint of impetus, but I should have just gone to the store. But I guess it's too late now.


"So what do you want to ask me about?

'I'd like someone to be my escort, but I was wondering how much it would be for the market. If you could also tell me how much it changes with race and gender, and so on: ......

I'm sure you've heard of the market rate, but first of all, there is no market rate for slaves. Because it varies greatly depending on race, age, gender, appearance and background, and vocation. Depending on what line of personnel you're looking for, if you're in the lowest category of slaves, 'human 60 year old male, ugly man, former bandit lowly, no vocation', you can buy one gold coin.

　He's very thorough. He's so knowledgeable. He's so knowledgeable. He makes it sound so easy to understand. I think it was a good decision to ask him. I'll ask him more questions.

　--I'm not sure what to expect.


'If I had to ask, I'd say I need a young elven woman who can use swords and magic.

"...... Are you crazy?


　Oh, wow.





　◇◆◆◆◇






Is there something wrong? ...... Sorry, I'm sorry. I've actually lost part of my memory. I'm sorry if I've offended you in any way.

''Oh, so that's how it was: ....... No, I just thought it was pretty ballsy of you to want an elf slave.


　According to the aristocratic man, an elven woman seems to be the highest reigning thing among slaves, and the only ones who can afford it are the royalty and nobility or great merchants. Naturally the prices are astronomical.
　And it's on a reservation basis.

　Even if it's not, the elves themselves who become slaves are few.　
　Normally, people are enslaved if they are in debt, have committed a "crime" or were brought from a "defeated country".
　But right now the war is at a stalemate. Naturally, no new defeated country slaves are coming in. So the number of elven slaves is extraordinarily low.

　Secondly, elves have a longer life span compared to other races.
　No, the important part is that they have a longer period of youth in appearance. In a s*xual sense. I've heard that aristocrats are passed down to their own sons and daughters. In a s*xual sense. Oh my god, this country.

　Secondly, elves can do spirit magic.
　In this country that is with spirits, it is said that being near someone who can use spirit magic has a special meaning. It is said that spirit magic is a miracle caused by being inspired by a spirit. This is a completely different concept than the magic used by sorcerers. ......

　Lastly, enslaving elves is an amazing status.
　I've heard that the folkweeds hate it a bit, though. They respect elves. But the price is great, and if you're a merchant and you have an elf slave, it's a first-class certificate.


　---- So apparently a young pepe like me wasn't allowed to casually say "elven slave".


　It's ...... but ......


'I didn't see that. ....... But you can buy what you can buy, right? Is it possible to pre-order it at the merchant's office there?

'You're listening to what you just said, and you're still going to buy it?　I doubt your sanity: ....... Or are you the son of a great merchant or something?

No, it's just a pure individual. But if money could buy my dream, I'd like to pursue it. And I'd be a big merchant anyway. ...... And I'm going to be a great merchant anyway. The only difference is that I'll be buying elves first or later. Well, right now I'm just a fledgling.


............ dream, huh?



　An aristocratic-looking man with a difficult look on his face and silence.

　Yes, it was a dream. A dream that was never meant to come true. It's the dream of all the 300 million or so Elf fans on the planet.

　And of course little Elfie would be happier with me, because I'm probably the best elf in the world. Probably because I love elves more than anything else in the world!　Even if it's just me being smug!


　The aristocratic-looking man who had been silent turned to me and said.


''Then let's play one game.

Are we racing?

The game. If you win, I will give you the elf.

"Huh. ......, what?　Seriously?


　The flow of the conversation was suddenly unfamiliar to me.

　Seriously?　And that's me.