After leaving Palinclone at the slave market, me and Maria came back to our new house.

　The first thing we did when we got back was to check the bathtub in the house.
　The bathtub in this house is made of plenty of magical stones and is apparently supplied with heat from a 'magical stone line' that extends from outside. However, if you use the heat, of course you will be charged for it later.

　Through my magic power, I turn the water in the bathtub into hot water.
　Although Maria has been cleaned up somewhat in the slave market, she is still dirty compared to the average person. So I encourage her to take a dip in the tub.

''Let's see. ....... There's hot water, can you take a bath?　Just make sure you get cleaned up properly.
A bath, sir? ......?

　Maria looks at the tub curiously.

'You don't know what a bath is?'
Yes, sir.
'It's a bath. The water is warm in the bath, and it cleans you up.
...... Huh. Okay, I see.

　He answered back one word at a time and began to sluggishly prepare to get into the tub.

　Maria makes only minimal statements. They are interested in her, but they are also wary of her.
　That's why I'm not sure what kind of person she is. All I know about her is her 'display' as a girl who is good at hunting and cooking - in other words, numerical information.

　I leave Maria in the bathhouse and head for the kitchen. Then I take out the food I've accumulated from my "belongings". This time I take out the bread and vegetables and decide to make a simple sandwich and salad.

　But even as I finish the meal, Maria doesn't come out of the bath. I call out to the doorway between the bathroom and the living room.

"Maria, where are you?
Oh. No, it's done. But the water droplets are on my body ......
Yeah, just wipe it down with a cloth from around here. You can wear the right clothes, too.
I understand.

　The minimum necessities of life were always on hand from the beginning, and I recommend Maria to use them.

　I can hear them rummaging through the door.
　Soon after, Maria emerges from the bathhouse.

　Dressed in a new beige outfit, Maria approaches me without saying a word. There was something embarrassing about being a bathing girl, but I feign a blank expression so that she doesn't realize how upset she is.

　Her black hair, cropped at her shoulders, remains disheveled, and she hasn't fully wiped away the water. I wipe Maria's head with a handy cloth and urge her to join me at the table where I've laid out the food.

'Sit there. It's late, but it's dinner.
Yeah.

　Maria responds distractedly.
　It seems strange that there is a meal to be had, and we take our place at the table with a dizzying gait.
　I also take a seat across from Maria.

　I start to take my food in silence, but Maria just freezes with a sandwich in her hand, looking curious.

'What's wrong?'
'No, it's not what I was told, so I'm going to have to go to ......
Hmm. What did you hear?

　I'm curious about the stories the slaves were told, and I ask them what they said.

I was told that I would regret being born a woman and would bite my tongue out in less than a day.
............

　I regretted it as soon as I heard it.
　After all, I reaffirm that it's best not to get involved in slave-related talk.

'You're going to rape, toy with, and destroy them, aren't you?
I don't. I'm okay for now.
Are we close?
'I may put it up for sale tomorrow. If that happens, you may need to be prepared for that, so I'm just asking you to keep it that way. It was a mistake for me to take you in today. It's ...... a temporary hesitation.

　I've been on the fence about what to do after this.

　I don't think Maria is a talent suited for the labyrinth, even though she is flattering. Since she was only purchased as a stopgap measure of emotion, she will have to think about recouping her money by selling it back in some cases.

　-- that's what happens when you think about it calmly.

　However, contrary to my words, I also feel that I would not be able to do such a thing anyway.
　It was a weak spirit that couldn't do such a thing, and that's why we have a slave named Maria here.

'Hmm ....... Then why did you buy me?
...... I ask the opposite. Why have you been staring at me all this time?

　I reply to the question with a question.
　It's partly because I don't want to say why, but it's very possible that nothing would have happened if Maria hadn't been staring at me in the first place. I stared at Maria with an emotion that was almost like taking it out on her.

'...... because she had black hair and black eyes.'

　Maria replied as she munched on her sandwich.

　It was a simple answer.
　Indeed, dark hair and dark eyes are rare in this world. It's a bit of a shrug that such a thing was the reason.

'That's it?　You too, right?
'Because I'm ...... too. My family has been eradicated because of this hair and eyes. Because of this hair and eyes, I have a high price attached to me. So, with this hair and eyes, you are ...... very, very curious.

　Then Maria combed her long black hair with her hands.

　I felt that there was no lie there.
　Maria is speaking her mind with her inner feelings.

　I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

'So ....... I'm sorry to hear that. By the way, the reason I bought you is really a coincidence. You and I have a strange affinity for each other. I bought it out of self-satisfaction because it made my heart hurt more than anyone else's. That's all. That's all. ...... That's really all there is to it (・・・・・・・・).

　I repeat the same words twice, as if to remind the two (...) people here.

　The truth is that it has to do with the background of what happened in the day and the skills I possess, but I don't want to talk about that much because it's a long story.

'...... Okay, I understand. But then, didn't your heart hurt for the other slaves?
It hurts. So don't say anything else. I don't want to think about it.
'I see ....... It's just that you may be fine, although this time my heart aches with apologies for the other slaves.

　As the conversation continues, Maria's reticence disappears. Along with that, her character is also revealed.
　The silkiness of her unguarded manner of speaking is slightly irritating to me.

''You're quite a cocky slave ....... Don't you think that displeasing me will change my mind?
I'm a very good judge of character. I'll be fine.

　Maria continues to eat her food, looking confident, as she said. Although I am speaking from my biased knowledge, it is not the attitude of a slave approximately.

　Just a few moments ago, she was very observant and very quiet. Do you think she has seen through the person I am in the last few seconds?

'It's okay, why--'
'Because you are the kind of person who, when you see someone weaker than you, you pity and yet feel safe.

　Quite frankly.
　Maria anticipated my question and answered it without missing a beat.
　I'm stunned and can't help but be speechless.

　Maria continues to answer.

'You are too kind (・・・・・) to be rough with me, as you get satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment from helping the weak ...... generally speaking.'

　Maria's eyes met mine straight on.

　Those eyes were no longer the colorless eyes I had when I was on the platform in the slave market. They have transformed into eyes that seem to see through everything, similar to the eyes of Palinclone earlier.

'............!'

　Maria's characterization of me takes my breath away.
　Or perhaps it would be better to describe it as choking.

　Maria comments with conviction on something that even I myself cannot grasp. She understands me before I do, and I'm terrified of her.

　Out of that fear, as if out of habit, I gaze at Maria.


[Status]
　Name: Maria HP 31/41 MP 35/35 Class: slave
　Level 3.
　Strength 0.89 Strength 2.02 Skill 1.23 Speed 0.73 Wisdom 1.07 Magic 1.91 Qualities 1.52
　State: confusion 0.42 lethargy 0.89
　Inherent skill: penetrating eye (...) 1.44
　Acquired skill: hunting 0.67 cooking 1.07


　It's not a high status by any means.
　However, there is one strength that cannot be found anywhere else.

　In short, a skill that Maria has never seen anywhere else - 'Penetrating Eyes' - is her core.

　Perhaps it was with this skill that Maria chose me from within that large hall. And even now, she is using that skill to strip me, the person I am, naked and try to create a situation for her advantage.

　I'm trying to be tough so I don't get licked.

I won't touch you, but I might put you up for sale ......?
'You can do what you want. That will ease my heartache for the other slaves.

　Maria responds resolutely.
　She has her life and everything in her hands, and yet she is resolute, and I almost feel a sense of respect for her.
　At the same time, I reflect on this.

　If you're a slave to what, it's easy to take the initiative .......
　That's not true at all .......

　It's partly because Maria is special, but she was originally trying to get an exception.
　There is no excuse for that.

'Huh ....... Slavery is such a hassle ....... It's really just a temporary hesitation. I can only regret it.

　Perhaps out of a sense of defeat, I let the expression I've been careful not to show on my face.

　Maria, who saw the weak expression and me letting my words slip out, returns the words as if she was lost.

''That, well, that's ....... As for me, I have a grudge against the city people for killing my entire clan, so ......
'Then it would be easier for me if you were to shake with fright like that: ......
'...... You really like the weak, don't you? You deserve contempt.
'I'm talking about a kid who was quiet and listened to me. ...... Haha, I surrender, I surrender. Have it your way. You can have it and sleep in your bed right there. We'll figure out the rest tomorrow, don't wake me up.

　With that, I lay down on a nearby couch without washing the dishes I'd finished eating.
　I gave up on taking the initiative and prioritized resting for now.

''--!　Do you want to register your collar at ......?　If we don't, the wrong people might steal it!

　Then Maria sounded like she was in some kind of a hurry.
　I didn't know what Maria was impatient about. When I looked up, she was pointing at the collar whose registration was blank.

　I remembered the information I'd gleaned from the slave market.
　If you fulfill a blood contract on this collar, you will be officially master and slave. It is said that this will allow the art of preventing slaves from escaping and sometimes causing pain to function.

'Oh. Come to think of it, there's something like that. Stay put.

　I pick up the 'Treasure Sword of the Aleiss Family' that was propped up.

''Hee--''

　So Maria let out a short scream.
　Her face becomes distorted in a way that is appropriate for the situation, as opposed to the blank expression she had earlier.

'Oh, I'm sorry ....... You're afraid of the blade. Don't worry about it. Your hands won't go crazy, so just stay put. --Magic 《Dimension Decisive Operation (Gradient)》

　Surprised by Maria's unexpected reaction, I deploy my magic.

　And then I swing the "Treasure Sword of the House of Areis" down. The sword that is swung down doesn't deviate even a millimeter and cuts through the collar.

　I've heard it can be removed by going to a special facility, but this method is sufficient for me. If it's a contracted collar, it's a problem, but I've heard that if it's not contracted, it's okay to forcefully break it like this.

'Yikes!'

　Maria screamed, but accepted the sword swung down without the slightest movement as she was told.

'If you want to run, you can run.'

　I propped my sword up against the couch and lay down again.

　If this makes Maria run away, it's no use. I can consider that I bought my mental stability with four gold coins today. In fact, I'd be grateful if she ran away because I wouldn't have to think about the rest.

　However, Maria looks surprised and picks up the broken collar and mutters.

''It's not even close to ...... sycophantic.
'I'm not a softie. I've abandoned my lot today, and you're right, I'm a coward who only trusts the weak.
I was just kidding.

　I'm already meditating.
　I'm in a fully sleeping position, although I'm holding my sword just in case.
　Still, Maria continues to speak.

'You can run away ......? But there is no one in this country who can help me. There is no place to return to. That is why I am a slave. There is nowhere to run to. Half-hearted kindness won't change anything: ......
'I know, but I don't know: ....... I'm going to bed.

　Those who are brought into slavery cannot live without depending on the Lord who bought them.
　That's what Mary told me.

　And I suddenly think, "There is no one to help me and no one to run to.
　There is no one to help you and no place to run to.

　-- that's the same for me (・・・・・・・・).

　There's a place to go, but it's not in the world.
　I'm like a slave too, I think, and I mock myself.

　A slave to clear the labyrinth.
　If that is the case, who is my master?
　Is it the labyrinth or the 'system'?
　I don't know.
　I shouldn't know.

'Good night ....... My master: .......

　Beyond the darkness where I was born with my eyes closed, I heard Mary's voice.
　Here, Maria is calling me master.
　A good irony, I think, and I return the words.

'...... sarcasm.'

　Behind me I hear the sound of getting into bed.

　When I finally fall asleep, I am relieved.

　The long day is over.
　I really do.

　As usual, I tried to make plans for the rest of the day until I fell asleep. But I'm even more tired than I thought I'd be and soon I'm falling into the depths of darkness.
　Into the depths of lukewarm sleep.


　--I thought I heard Maria's voice just as I was about to lose consciousness.


◆◆◆◆◆ ...


　Yesterday we were in action until midnight, but out of my usual habit I wake up early in the morning.

　I don't want to lose my rhythm by not starting to act early in the morning, so I give up on sleep. As it is, I wash my face and prepare for the day.

　With my cooled head, I thought about the treatment of Maria.

　As expected, I decided to use her as my companion in the labyrinth, as I had originally planned. Of course, there's a high possibility that Maria won't be able to keep up with the rough stuff. However, that 'penetrating eye' skill is an unknown quantity, and there are things I want to try out in the labyrinth with Maria.

　I tell Maria, who woke up late, to that effect.

''--That means.
I can't. I'm dying. I can die on my own.
Run if you don't want to. But if you're going to live here, you're going to have to make some money. You know that.

　I charge Maria the rent.
　Maria strokes her collar missing and seems to understand the justification for it.

'I'll help you with the housework,'
No need. I can do it myself.
'There's not much I can do. Is that a distant way of asking me to use my body to make money?
No. I'm too nice, they say.
But there's no way we'll ever get into the labyrinth. Those are the places where experts risk their lives.
Just try it. If it doesn't work, we'll find another way. Now all I want to do is help in the maze.
''Haha ....... I thought you were a good-natured bonbon, but I didn't expect you to be a labyrinth explorer. I may have only a few minutes left in my life. ......

　Maria paragraphs as if she has given up on something.
　However, I don't see any sadness there. Maybe she had given up on life as a slave in the first place. There didn't seem to be much resistance to death.

'No, I won't let Maria die. I won't even let her get hurt.

　The state of Maria makes me angry.
　Because it reminded me of Dear with no arms and the example slave who spilled blood.

'Ha, ha ......'

　Maria looks at my enthusiasm with wonder.

　She probably thinks that such a thing is impossible.
　It's a well-known fact that challengers die every day in the labyrinth. The eyes are convinced that if you challenge that labyrinth, you'll die as a matter of course, including your frail self.

　But I won't let that happen.
　It's not like I'm trying to take Maria away from you without any chance of success.

　The odds are - and I'm not just talking about the benefits of the search that come from my search ability and loading capacity. I believe that the benefits of the party system are greater than anything else.

　Up until now, I've been partying with Dia without question, and the experience has been half and half.
　But that's an anomaly.

　That doesn't happen with other parties. Basically, you get a total of what you defeat. From what I've heard from experienced players, it's often said that it's difficult for wizards who are dedicated to helping others to level up.
　And yet, if I have a party system to keep them company, it's a perfect 50-50 split.

　In short, I'm privileged to work on leveling up my party. The result of this is, for example, Dia's level.
　Perhaps, just by exploring the labyrinth with me, Maria's level should also increase.

'Maria, I've made the math for you to do well in the labyrinth. So I want you to follow me.
...... Got it.

　Maria nodded at my assured tone of voice.

'First, let's go shopping to get ready,'
Yes, master.

　I'm about to leave the house with Maria and stop at my call that she let slip.

'Master is ....... You don't have to worry about what to call me. His name is Christ Eurasia, so you can call him whatever you want.
'I am your slave. I'm your master, of course.

　Maria laughs thinly and insists that it's natural.

'What are you talking about? You're not a slave anymore. There's no collar to prove it.'
No, actually, I think my life would be easier if I were your slave.
'But just don't call me master. It's embarrassing.
No, no, no, it's the least amount of civility for a slave to call you master. You must observe that--
What, you're just harassing me?

　I decide that Maria is teasing me when she begins to talk about the civility of slavery in her eloquent manner.

'Hmph. No, no, no, no. It's really out of respect.

　But Maria denies it and giggles.

　I can't read Maria's true intentions. But I'm certain that her eyes are no longer as vacant as they were before, so I don't mention it any further.

　Towards my back, Maria continues in a small voice.

'-- I am your slave. That's the way the mind is, isn't it?
............

　I'm not familiar with the culture of slavery.
　I didn't have enough information to dismiss Maria's words out of hand, and I couldn't tell if she was serious or joking. So I didn't say anything in particular about it.

　After that, we stopped talking about slaves, and while talking about exploring the labyrinth, we proceeded to the shopping district.


[Maria will be joining the party]
　The party leader is Aikawa Uzumi.