Chapter 4 - 3 Underground Auction – Reunited with Hayato

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

“Um, I've got a lot of questions for you” (Hayato)

Well, I suppose so.

You can't imagine what it was like to go from a fledgling alchemist to the current situation.

“This is gonna take a long time, okay?” (Itsuki)

“Yes. I don't mind” (Hayato)

“I'd love to hear about it. I want to know what happened to get this house in such a short period of time” (Oligor)

“Come to think of it, this used to be your house....” (Itsuki)

“That's right. I built a house that's sunny and just the right size, and then all of a sudden, I had to move into the lord's mansion!　So, I think I have a right to come here unconditionally!” (Oligor)

“It's my house now, so give it up. You're welcome to come over if you want” (Itsuki)

“Houho. Well, let's forget about work and bask in the sun together!” (Oligor)

“Oh, fine, but only if you could win a fight against Shiro” (Itsuki)

First of all, I'm pretty sure Shiro will be on my lap in the sunbathe.

If anyone tries to take that place, even a lord will get rid of it mercilessly.

“Well, let's start with...... Well, that's right, starting with those three” (Itsuki)

“By three, you mean the three members of the Red Line (Red Front)” (Hayato)

“Just so you know, I didn't do anything wrong...” (Itsuki)

“Yes, of course. I believe you” (Hayato)

“Thanks. Well, let's start with me selling the recovery potion to the Adventurer's Guild” (Itsuki)

It's a tragic event to recall.

It was the first potion I ever made........

I don't hold a grudge now, but I'm just a little sad.

“........I see. I guess we'll have to talk to the Adventurer's Guild about that later from me as well” (Hayato)

“No, it's too late for that now, so stop it. I just heard the receptionist just got married too” (Itsuki)

“Really?　But I see. That's the kind of situation that first made Aina-san and Solte-san slaves while continuing their normal lives, right?” (Hayato)

“Yeah. Well, thanks to that, I didn't have any trouble collecting materials” (Itsuki)

“Is that all there is to it?　You've enslaved two pretty girls, you know?　So, you did what you had to do, right?” (Hayato)

“I didn't do it.... To be honest, I hadn't even caught up with my understanding properly at that time. I'd say I'm rather open-minded now” (Itsuki)

“Um, so how did Wendy-san become Itsuki-san's slave?” (Hayato)

“Hmm. Wendy, and Shiro, too. Those two were normally bought from Yashisu” (Itsuki)

“Slaves?　Well, there was no resistance?” (Hayato)

“Oh, you mean in terms of the ethics of the former world?” (Itsuki)

Well, I see what Hayato is trying to say.

“Yes. I have to admit, when I first learned about slavery, I had more than a little dislike for it, so...” (Hayato)

“Hmm. And even though they say slave, they're obviously treated differently than the slaves we know. Like an employee with guaranteed rights?” (Itsuki)

Our image of slaves is generally that of pyramid-building slaves.

It's just an image, but a guy who is being whipped and forced to work.

So, I can see why disgust is created, but the slaves in this world are fundamentally different.

I think it's more of a contract of sorts than a ruler and a servant.

“Yeah, I know that story. It was that scumbag Dardaril's case, wasn't it?　Oh well. That was refreshing to hear” (Oligor)

“That scumbag you're talking about... oh, by the way, that guy is the one who set me up” (Itsuki)

“It's the biggest stain on my life. It's the past I want to erase” (Oligor)

Well, now that the poison has been cured, I' m sure Yashisu and Darwin will tease me for sure.

Oh, kuwabara kuwabara. (TN: “くわばらくわばら” it is use as chant to ward off misfortune)

“Um, when you say Dardaril, is that Darwin's son Dardaril?” (Hayato)

“That’s right, that guy trying to buy Wendy forcefully so, he snatched her from side, this good-looking man” (Oligor)

“I'd say it's more like a grab-and-run, but it's Yashisu who make a contest, and I bought her out for 80 million Nord” (Itsuki)

“80 million!?　Oh, I didn't know you had that much money?” (Hayato)

“No, I earned it. And by the way, Shiro saved me when I was about to be attacked, and I bought Shiro right off the bat” (Itsuki)

“Well.......... How.........?” (Hayato)

“Hmm. Oh, come to think of it, I had contacted Hayato at that time once” (Itsuki)

“Oh!　At that time. You were acting kind of weird and I was worried about you......” (Hayato)

“Have I been acting strangely?” (Itsuki)

“Yeah, everyone was saying that, too. Everyone thought it was strange that you were suddenly so motivated, that everyone thought you were an unmotivated, self-paced person” (Hayato)

“That's terrible.... I'm not denying it though” (Itsuki)

“I-I didn't say that, okay?　I've always thought of Itsuki-san as someone who does things when he has to” (Hayato)

“I get it. Hayato's a good guy, truly” (Itsuki)

I think this guy is the type of guy who doesn't talk behind my back or anything.

The type of person who can properly say, "Bullies and such, don't do that!"

He's so good looking inside and out.

“So. After that, I kept on making accessories and got Reinrich to buy them for 40 million Nord. Oh, and I used some jade” (Itsuki)

“That's great, but.... I see. Oh, so your alchemy level is already 7 or 8?” (Hayato)

“Now it's nine” (Itsuki)

“That's fast!　Isn't that too soon?” (Hayato)

“Hmmm, drifters are easy to level up, right?” (Itsuki)

“Yes, but even so, it's only been about two months. That's too soon” (Hayato)

“I knew it was too fast......” (Itsuki)

I don't have the ability like growth........

“Come to think of it, I promised you I'd make you an accessory when you came back” (Itsuki)

“Oh, right. I have the materials, if you don't mind me asking?” (Hayato)

“You can make one for me as well, if you want?　A token of our friendship” (Oligor)

“Yes, sure. It's not a lot of work to get one more, so that's fine” (Itsuki)

“Gotcha!　It's something to say. If you can, I'd like to ask for an item that will help me get rid of my stiff shoulders and headaches” (Oligor)

“If I had an accessory like that, I'd make one for myself. Well, that's more like it over there” (Itsuki)

“Over there?” (Oligor)

“Hmmm, I think Hayato will know it when you see it. That's how I got the rest of the 40 million Nord bought out by Yashisu” (Itsuki)

“Um, is it from the former world?” (Hayato)

“Yeah. Well, look forward to seeing it afterwards. I'll give one to Hayato as a present, so please give me your thoughts later” (Itsuki)

“Ah, yes. I wonder. I feel a little uneasy........ Come to think of it, I met Renge-san before I met a lord, and she said she had business in her hometown, but how did she become Itsuki-san's slave?” (Hayato)

“Oh.........that. Yeah, it is a misunderstanding, or rather, a non-malicious misunderstanding that was born out of Solte's character......” (Itsuki)

Honestly, in the case of Renge, I just feel sorry for her.

Certainly, what she had done is a violent act, and if there was one, which I now suspect there was, it was a misunderstanding in the first place.

That's where it ends up, being a slave......

In addition, it is as a criminal slave.

This is what we're supposed to think of as a slave.

It doesn't matter what the person does, and it doesn't even make her rebel.

So that's the state of they are in........

“I see. Thank goodness. Itsuki wakes up to the evil ways and becomes the king of the harem!　I'm so glad you didn't just say something like that......” (Hayato)

“Hey, you trust me, right?” (Itsuki)

“I-I believed you, but I was just worried because in the middle of the journey, Letty was talking about what if you'd fallen into evil” (Hayato)

“Speaking of which, I heard someone got hurt, is she okay?” (Oligor)

“Oh, yes. Chris has, you know, lost an eye and....” (Hayato)

“Hey, hey...... Is she okay?” (Itsuki)

“The recovery potion (large) should be able to heal some of the partial loss, but it didn't work, probably because the eye is an important organ, and I came back in a hurry” (Hayato)

“Then Hayato needs the elixir, too!” (Itsuki)

“Yes. a person who has injured says that she has one eye, so it's okay, but for us, it's a very important comrade's eye. We're going to participate in the underground auction to get it. Fortunately, we have plenty of money to spare” (Hayato)

“An auction is it......” (Itsuki)

“Um, do you want to go with me if you're interested?” (Hayato)

“Are you sure about this?” (Itsuki)

I'd be lying if I said I'm not interested.

I'd like to go there if it's safe to do so.

“Yes. The event will take place in the royal capital, but if you don't mind the carriage ride” (Hayato)

“A royal capital, huh? Hmmm... I'm suddenly very curious” (Itsuki)

“Then, come with us” (Hayato)

“That's nice!　I'd like to go and make Soma do the job, but he'd probably be pissed off...” (Oligor)

“He'll be pissed, no doubt about it” (Hayato)

“I'm scared when Soma gets angry. He's scared to the point of being Reinrich’s grade” (Oligor)

Soma-san, I thought he was a gentlemanly first-timer, but it seems he was one of the most extraordinary monsters.

I'm not gonna piss you off.

In that case, I'll make sure this child gets a proper ride to a lord's mansion.

But a carriage....

At this point, I imagine a vehicle from the former world, but considering the rough terrain, I wonder if a simple two-wheeled vehicle is dangerous.

And if a monster appears, it's the end of the line.

So, it's a four-wheeled vehicle, woh!　I can't picture the structure at all.

I kind of understand the engine, but if the engine runs, how can it be powered?

How do I connect them?

That means I can't make a ride out of it.

“What time are you going?” (Itsuki)

“I just got back from the dungeon, so I thought I'd take a few days off. Even if I take my time getting to the kingdom, it'll only take me two days to get there, so I guess it'll be two or three days” (Hayato)

“All right. Can we have one carriage over there and one over there?” (Itsuki)

“Yes. Will you be bringing all the slaves with you?” (Hayato)

“Well, we'd all like to go together anyway. Besides, if I'm going, I think Shiro and Wendy will be along for the ride” (Itsuki)

“I see. You're adored” (Hayato)

“Yes. I hope you're right” (Itsuki)

I cannot say that they adore me.

Well, but they won't hate me.

It shouldn't be vain to think that at least Wendy and Shiro like me.

“How are things going with Hayato?　If you're on the road with those four guys, you've got one of those floating stories” (Oligor)

“Ha-ha, you see.... I don't have that kind of tolerance...” (Hayato)

“Hayato is notoriously shy” (Oligor)

“Hahaha....” (Hayato)

“Intolerable, like in love or something?” (Itsuki)

“Well, I mean... yes” (Hayato)

Not resistant to...?

No, no, no way....

That's absurd.

You've traveled a long way with that group, haven't you?

Are you a good-looking guy, right?

You're kidding me.

......I'll have to get this out to Letty-Jouchan later on in secret.

Even if it wasn't a question to ask a girl, it's a serious one.

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