Hayato sat down on the sofa and I began to talk with him in my current position, sandwiched by the cowhide work chair and Oligor.

''Um, there's a lot of questions I want to ask you.

Well, I guess so.
You can't imagine what kind of history it was from a fledgling alchemist to the current situation.

It's a long story, okay?
Yes. I don't mind.
I'd love to hear about it. What happened to this house in such a short period of time?
Come to think of it, this was your house originally...
'Yes, that's right. We built a house that's sunny and just the right size, and then suddenly we're moving into the lord's mansion!　So I think I have an unconditional right to come here!
It's my house now, so give it up. You're welcome to come visit us.
"Ho-ho. Well, let's forget about work and bask in the sun together!
Oh, okay, but only if I get in a fight with White and win.

First of all, I have no doubt that White will be on my lap in the sun.
If you try to take the place, even the lord will eliminate you mercilessly.

"Well, first of all..... Let's start with those three.
By "three," I mean the three members of the Red Line.
'For the record, I haven't done anything wrong...'
Yes, of course. I believe in you.
Thanks. Well, let's start with me selling the recovery potions to the Adventurer's Guild.

It's a tragic event to remember.
It was the first potion I ever made........
I don't resent it now, but I'm just a little sad.

''....I see. I guess I'll have to talk to the Adventurer's Guild about that later.''
No, you don't want to do that now. I just heard the receptionist got married.
'Really?　But I see. So that's how Aina-san and Solte-san first became slaves while continuing their normal lives, right?
Oh, yeah. Well, that didn't stop me from collecting materials.
'Is that all there is to it?　I've enslaved two pretty girls, you know?　You did what you had to do then, didn't you?
'I didn't do it.... To be honest, I hadn't even caught up with my understanding at that time. I'd say I'm rather open-minded now.
'Well, then, Wendy, how did you come to be a slave to Mr. Itsuki?'
Hmm. Wendy, and White, too. Those two were usually bought out of Yasis.
A slave?　Well, did you have any resistance?
'Oh, you mean in terms of the ethics of the original world?'

Well, I know what Hayato is trying to say.

''Yes. To be honest, when I first learned about slavery, I had more than a little dislike for it, so....
Hmm. Even if we call them slaves, they're clearly treated differently than the slaves we know. Like an employee with guaranteed rights?

Our common image of slaves is that of a pyramid-building slave.
It's just an image, but the kind of guy who is forced to work while being whipped.
So I understand the disgust it creates, but slaves in this world are fundamentally different.
It's more like a contract between a ruler and a servant.

'Yeah, I know that story, too. It was that rotten Dardaril case, wasn't it?　Oh no. That was refreshing to hear.
The rottenness... oh, by the way, did he set you up?
That's the biggest stain on my life. That's the past I'd like to erase.

Well, now that the poison has been cured, I'm sure Yashis and Darwin will tease me about it.
Oh, kuvah kuvah bara.

'Well, when you say Dardaril, is that Dardaril, Darwin's son?
Yeah, yeah. He was trying to force me to buy Wendy, and I kidnapped him from the side, you s*xy man.
I mean, it's more like a kidnapping, but it's a Yasis-inspired game, and I bought it for 80 million Nol.
80 million?　Oh, because you had that much money?
No, I earned it. And by the way, I was about to be attacked by White, but he saved me and I bought him outright.
''Well......... How.........?
Hmm. Oh, come to think of it, you contacted Hayato once then, didn't you?
'Oh!　That's when. I was worried about you because you were acting kind of weird...
Have I been behaving badly?
Yes, everyone says so. Yes, everyone said it was strange that he was so motivated all of a sudden, because everyone thought he was an unmotivated, slow learner.
'It's terrible.... I won't deny it.
Well, I didn't say that, did I?　I've always thought of Itsuki-san as someone who does things when he has to.
I know. Hayato's a nice guy, really.

I think this guy is the type of guy who doesn't talk behind your back or anything.
To bullying and stuff, don't do it!　I guess he's the type of guy who can properly say, "You're a good-looking guy inside and out.
You're a handsome guy inside and out.

"So I kept on making accessories and got Rainrich to buy them for 40 million Nors. I've been making jewelry since then, and Rainerich bought it for 40 million knolls. Oh, and I used some jade.
'That's fine, but.... I see. Eh, so your alchemy level is already 7 or 8?
It's nine now.
'Quick!　Isn't it too early for you?
Hmm, I guess it's easy for a drifter to get up to speed.
'Yes, but that's only about two months ago. That's too soon.
It's early...

I don't have the ability to grow........

''Come to think of it, you promised to make an accessory when you come back.
'Oh, yes. I have the ingredients, if you don't mind me asking?
You can make one for me as well, okay?　A token of our friendship.
'Yes, yes. One more isn't much of an effort, so it's fine.
Yeah!　It's something to say. If you can, I'd appreciate an item that would take away my stiff shoulders and headaches.
'If I had that accessory, I'd make one for myself. Well, that's more like it.
That way?
'Hmmm, I think you'll know Hayato when you see him. That's how I got the rest of the forty million knolls bought out by Yasis.
Well, are they from the original world?
Oh, yeah. You'll have to wait and see. I'll give one to Hayato as a present, so please give me your thoughts.
Oh, yes. I wonder. I feel a little uneasy........ Come to think of it, I met Renge-san before I met my lord, and he said he had something to do back home, but how did you become Ituki-san's slave?
''Uh ... that. Yeah, it's a misunderstanding, or rather, it's not malicious, it's from a misunderstanding born of Sorte's character...

Honestly, I just feel sorry for Renge, I just feel sorry for him.
It's certainly a violent act, and even if there was a doubt now, it was a misunderstanding to begin with.
That's the end of becoming a slave........
And a criminal slave.
This is just what we imagined a slave to be.
You can do anything you want, and they won't even let you rebel.
They don't even have to rebel........

'I see. I'm glad. Itzuki-san will wake up to the evil ways and become the king of the harem!　I'm really glad I didn't just say that...
Hey, you trust me?
'And I believed it, but I was just worried about Letty on the way out because she was talking about what if she'd gone bad.
'Oh, by the way, I heard someone got hurt, are you okay?'
Oh, yes. Chris has lost a little, well, one eye...
'Hey, hey.... Are you okay?
The recovery potion should be able to heal some of the partial loss, but perhaps because the eye is a vital organ, it didn't work and I came back in a hurry.
Then Hayato needs the elixir, too!
'Yes. He says it's okay because it's one eye, but as for us, it's an important fellow eye. We're going to attend an auction in the back to get it. Fortunately, we have plenty of money to spare.
Auctions....
Um, do you want to come with me if you're interested?
Are you sure?

I'd be lying if I said I didn't care.
I'd like to go there if it's safe to do so.

''Yes. It will take place in the royal capital, but if you don't mind traveling by carriage.
A royal city. Hmm, I'm suddenly very interested.
Then join us.
'I love it!　I'd like to go off and force Soma to do the job too, but she'd probably be pissed off...
I have no doubt he's going to be pissed.
'I'm scared when I'm angry Soma. I'm scared to the point of being Rainrich-grade.

Mr. Soma, I thought you were a gentlemanly first-timer, but I think you're one of the most monstrous people I've ever met.
I won't be offended.
In the meantime, I'll be sure to escort this little guy back to his manor.

But a carriage........
At times like this, I imagine a vehicle from the original world, but considering the rough terrain, a simple two-wheeled vehicle would be dangerous.
Besides, if a demon appears, it's the end.
So four-wheeled is the answer... Haha!　I can't picture the structure at all.
I can kind of understand the engine, but if the engine runs, how can it be powered?
How do I connect them?
So I can't make a ride out of it.

When are we going?
''I just got back from the dungeon, so I thought I'd take a few days off. Even if we take our time getting to the kingdom, it will only take us two days to get there, so it will be two or three days later.
All right. Can we have one carriage over there and one over here?
'Yes, sir. Will you be bringing all the slaves with you?
Well, we'd all like to go together anyway. Besides, if I'm going, I'm sure White and Wendy will be along for the ride.
'I see. They adore you, don't they?
'Yes. I hope you're right.

You can't say they adore you, can you?
Well, but I'm sure they don't hate me.
It shouldn't be conceited to think that at least Wendy and Shiro like me.

'What about Hayato?　If you're on the road with those four guys, you've got one of those floating stories to tell.
Haha, well, I don't really have that kind of tolerance, you know.
Hayato seems to be very shy.
'Hahaha...'
What do you mean, you're intolerant of love?
Well, you see, it's...

Not resistant to...?
No, no, no, no....
That's ridiculous.
You've had a long journey with that group, right?
Are you a handsome guy?
You're kidding me.

I'm going to have to get this out to Miss Letty later.
This is very important, even if it's not a question for a girl.