Slave Harem in the Labyrinth of the Other World Chapter 082

Hey guys,
Here’s second Slave Harem chapter of the week. Expect next chapter tomorrow. Nothing else to say. Enjoy the read.
Yours truly,
Miria
“xxxxxxxxxx”
The catgirl, who stood up lastly, is told something and sent away. So cute!
Miria | Female | 15 years old Diver Lv2 (TN: It literally means ‘female diver’ but I have changed it to just ‘diver.’)
Miria huh? She didn’t stand up because she’s not willing to? Or because she’s not suited for combat?
“Why was she sent away?” “It was Bana language.”
Roxanne says when I mumble to myself.
“Bana language?” “Yes. It’s the language spoken by beastkin tribes inhabiting middle-eastern part of the Empire.” “I see. So she doesn’t speak Brahim language?”
When the slave merchant entered the room, he asked for those who understand Brahim to line up. Miria didn’t understand what he said but she still stood up because everyone was doing so. She read the mood.
As a Japanese, I believe that it’s important to be able to read the mood. Until now, there was no one who was sent away like that. No one was sent away like that probably because they didn’t stand up if they didn’t understand Brahim.
I won’t give punishment to a slave, who doesn’t understand Brahim, for not obeying an order which was given in Brahim. If I were to, the slave would follow other people out of fear of punishment.
This slave merchant and I probably don’t think alike. Apparently, a slave is not supposed to be so close to their master that they act on their own discretion. An order has to be issued in clear words.
I wonder if I should issue clear orders to Roxanne and Sherry as well. I must thank Roxanne for doing it in my stead. Whenever I visit slave trading house, I get to know how lacking I am.
“I apologize that she stood up needlessly.” “It’s alright.” “Then please, have a look.”
I follow the slave merchant and check them all out. Not one of them was outstanding. Miria was the cutest of all. And not just in this room, in the entire building.
Actually, the second one in the previous room, who wanted a rich owner, was the best in the entire building. But that’s only a matter of opinion.
“Roxanne, can you speak Bana?” “Yes. Where I was brought up, Bana was spoken there.” “And Sherry?” “I can’t.”
So Roxanne can speak Bana because her tribe is one of beastkin tribes? Can a wolfkin really live together with a catkin?
Small triangular ears atop Miria’s head are standing erect. Same as the amber merchant from before. She has to be a catgirl.
“She’s from catkin tribe, right?” “xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx”
When I voice my question, Roxanne says something to Miria who says something in return. What are they talking about? Roxanne looks at me hesitatingly.
“Yes?” “Umm… she wants to eat fish.” “Fish?” “xxxxxxxxxx”
Upon my affirmation, Roxanne says something to Miria. In my opinion, there should be no problem for a catgirl to fit into our party. Does this tribe like to eat fish?
“xxxxxxxxxx” “She says that she would be willing to join us if she gets to eat fish.” “Fish huh?”
Do they really like fish that much? Do people of catkin tribe like to eat fish? No wonder she has Diver job. It’s my first time seeing this job.
“Would you like to buy her?” “Can I have an interview with her first?” “But she doesn’t understand Brahim. She was found guilty of a crime and was, therefore, sold into slavery as punishment.” “So I can’t buy her?” “Not at all. If you want to, you can.”
He had an annoyed look on his face for a moment but I didn’t let it go unnoticed. Is Miria perhaps a bargain? Or is this all an act of the slave merchant?
Now that I have checked everyone out, it’s time for interview. I have selected three of them.
First one is the woman I saw in the first room. She looks decent and seems willing as well. I finish interview with her. She’s neither good nor bad. Not bad at all.
Second one is extremely beautiful but she prefers a rich owner. She doesn’t seem to be willing to join my party. She answers all my questions with no expression whatsoever.
Third is Miria. She enters upon the slave merchant’s call. Her height is more than Sherry’s but lower than Roxanne’s. About 150 centimeters.
Slim and slender. Moderate chest. Neither modest, nor big. Earlier, her hair seemed black but it’s bluish. It’s dark blue- no, dark navy blue.
Slightly round face. Cute! Round eyes. Cat-ears atop her head.
Hair on the outside of her ears is blackish blue, like hair on her head. Hair on the inner side of her ears, however, is white. Soft ears covered in hair. I so wanna play with her ears!
“Roxanne, can you be the interpreter? “Please leave it to me.”
I start her interview with Roxanne as interpreter.
“First, let’s talk about fish. How frequently would you like to eat fish?” “xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx” “Once every three- no, five days.”
I was of the idea that it would be daily but it’s not. That’s a relief. I have no idea how much fish is eaten normally in this world. There’s a fishmonger in Quratar, so procuring it won’t be a problem. Yet I have never seen Roxanne and Sherry cooking fish.
“xxxxxxxxxx” “She says that she would be fine with once in ten days.”
Oh, she has relaxed her demands. Miria is looking at me with expectant eyes.
“Are you fine with it, Roxanne, Sherry?” “I don’t dislike fish.” “I’m fine with it.”
I’ll try meuniere sometime, I guess. It’s too late for me to say that I don’t like fish.
“There’s no issue with fish.”
I nod to Miria in affirmation.
“xxxxxxxxxx” “We can sprinkle a little oil and grill as is; or we can make meuniere by dredging it in flour, so that its moisture doesn’t escape; or we can saute it in olive oil; or we can fry it in olive oil and wine; or we can simply boil it with salt and fish sauce. It sounds simple but tastes great.”
So tempting! When Roxanne translates it, Miria leans forward. With eager eyes.
“xxxxxxxxxx” “She says that she wants you to be her master.”
Just like that?
“Can she cook?” “xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx” “Yes, ‘leave it to me,’ she says.”
Restaurants and convenience stores are not common in this world. There are not many people here who love to dine out.
“It’ll be troublesome if she cooks fish everyday.” “xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx” “She understands.”
Well, I can simply not have Miria cook everyday.
“Does she have any issue with fighting in labyrinth?” “xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx” “She seemed to have taken out a fishkin in a labyrinth.”
Does she have anything to say other than ‘fish?’
“Brahim… if she doesn’t learn it, there’ll be no fish for her.” “xxxxxxxxxx”
No, don’t translate that! No! When Roxanne translates it, Miria glares at me like I’m her enemy. Well, she seems ready for labyrinth at least.
“xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx” “xxxxxxxxxx” “Umm… I have convinced her that master is not a bad person.”
Roxanne seems to have followed up.
“So, have you decided?”
After Miria regains her calm, the slave merchant gestures me wrap it up. After I acknowledge, he takes Miria and leaves the room. It was considerate of him to leave the room.
There are only three of us in the room now. I ask Roxanne and Sherry for their opinion.
“So, what do you think about those three?” “Second one is unreliable. She will only hold us back in labyrinth.” “I know, right?”
Roxanne is talking about that woman who was beautiful but unwilling. I agree with her opinion.
“…In regard to chest… I will drop further down the order.”
Says Sherry. There’s a famous saying, ‘flat is justice,’ don’t you know? You should not compare yourself with your fellow party members. You should have more confidence in yourself. Although I’m thinking so, I’m afraid to say that out loud.
“First one isn’t bad.” “But not good either.”
Ignoring what Sherry said, Roxanne continues.
“Umm… master, which one do you like?” “Well, Roxanne and Sherry are already beautiful enough. I just want someone who won’t cause trouble for me.” “Th-Thank you, master. Third one is good. The one from catkin tribe.” “Why catkin tribe?”
Roxanne’s facial expression turns strange
“T-Those of catkin tribe don’t stick to their partners all the time. Therefore, it would be enough if you play with her for a short period of time everyday.”
In other words, even if Miria becomes my slave, I won’t be able to spend much time with her? And Roxanne will have the opportunity to monopolize me? Roxanne’s line of thinking is odd.
“In any case, I won’t ever ignore you, Roxanne.” “Th-Thank you. She’s not as good at fighting in party as fishing. We will have to teach her that.” “So, are both of you fine with her?” “Yes. I have no problem. Leave interpretation to me.”
If Roxanne has no problem, there’s no problem. The slave merchant comes back after a while.
“So, have you made your decision?” “Can you please tell me the prices of the three?” “First one is valued at 200,000 Nar. It’s a bargain price if you ask me.” “Oh, is it?”
It’s cheaper than I expected. Although she’s not exceptional, this price makes the deal worth it. Or Roxanne and Sherry are extraordinarily exceptional, perhaps that’s why I have set the bar high?
“But she doesn’t have any specialty. Second one is priced at 500,000 Nar. Since you were introduced by a fellow of mine, however, I’ll give you a discounted price of 450,000 Nar. No man can refuse such an outstandingly beautiful woman.”
Because she’s beautiful, her price is sky high. However, he discounted the price by 50,000 Nar just like that. There doesn’t seem to be any market price.
“It’s too much.” “Third one, with the level of talent she has, could easily go for 600,000 to 700,000 Nar in auction if she knew Brahim. But she doesn’t, therefore, she is available for 450,000 Nar.”
Is there an auction for slaves? So, is that why he seemed annoyed back then? Because he can sell her later in auction for much higher?
“But there’s no guarantee that she will fetch high price in auction. And then there’s her food expense.” “It’s included in the price.” “But it’ll take time and effort to teach her Brahim.” “This is exactly why her price has been lowered to 450,000 Nar.”
The slave merchant shakes his head.
“Is she in her first year of slavery?” “Of course.”
He nods with confidence this time. I don’t want to buy leftover goods. The discount is not in respect of clearing obsolete stock, it seems.
Would he really discount her price this much merely due to language? Now that I think about it, the slave merchant said that she was found guilty.
“You mentioned earlier that she was found guilty of a crime.” “She was caught fishing in the territory of a temple. Her village, in consultation with the temple, sold her off into slavery. It’s believed that the divine punishment will only subside when she becomes property of someone else.”
The slave merchant tells the story. Did she step into some god’s sanctuary? It sounds similar to the story of a greedy person who fished in the territory of Ise Grand Shrine. A greedy person huh?
Divine punishment is feared even in this world, it seems. And a person who has incurred divine punishment seems to be unwelcomed. So, is this her demerit?
“Divine punishment…” “She probably didn’t know that the area was restricted. It doesn’t necessarily mean that she has a habit of stealing.” “But to pay such a high price only to share divine punishment with her.” “Not at all. Why would you share her punishment? Okay, I’ll lower the price to 400,000 Nar. I won’t lower it any further than this.”
The slave merchant lowers her price even more. Is this the final price? If he were confident in selling her for high in auction, he wouldn’t have lowered her price like this. Actually, considering her background, there’s no guarantee that he can sell her at all. Now that he has the opportunity to sell her, he must be trying his hardest to avail it.
“Okay, I have made my decision. I’ll buy Miria.” “Thank you for business.” “I want to change my will as well. Sherry will be free upon my death, so I want her to inherit Miria.”
Death penalty is a painful way to die. It existed in Edo period too. Disembowelment, crucifixion, beheading, saw mill. It’s not an easy death.
By default, if a master were to die, their slave would die as well. However, if a slave murders their master, they would receive death penalty. If Miria kills me, she will not die by default. She will be inherited to Sherry and then receive death penalty. This is only a contingency plan however.
“Changing the will costs 300 Nar.” “Doesn’t matter.” “Well then, the total amount to pay is 280,210 Nar.”
Although he said earlier that he can’t lower it any further, he lowers it in the end. A merchant can’t be trusted after all.
[Previous Chapter] – [Table Of Contents] – [Next Chapter]