When the doubts about the bonus points were resolved, the cart had moved further along. Suddenly, the forest opened up, and a wall came into view ahead.
"Oh, that's the town of Bael?"
"Yes, it is."
"It's quite big, isn't it?"
The length of the wall was probably over a kilometer on one side. Of course, it couldn't be compared to the cities of modern Japan. Still, considering the cost of building a wall, it must be a considerable city. Around the wall, fields spread out, perhaps cultivated by the town's residents. The forest had suddenly opened up for that reason.
The sun had not yet risen halfway. Despite the various events, such as hunting Gummy Slimes, it had only been about three hours. An hour in this world was probably the same length as on Earth.
"This is the largest city in this area."
The merchant said this proudly. Several carts had gathered around the city, and the merchant's cart joined them as they approached the town.
There was a city gate, but no gatekeeper. It seemed that no inspections were being conducted.
"Can we enter the town freely?"
"Of course. The wall isn't very high, and with the teleportation magic, it's hard to control movement."
Teleportation magic? Such a thing exists?
Indeed, if one can teleport with magic, conducting inspections at the city gate would be pointless.
Huh? Then what is the wall for? If there is teleportation magic, there would be no need to come to the town of Bael by cart.
"Ah, I see."
There were many questions, but I decided to let them slide. The wall was probably for protection against monsters. I had to come by cart because I couldn't use my spatial ability.
The cart entered the town.
"First, we'll go to the slave trader. After that, I'd like to visit the knight's quarters, then the weapon shop, and finally the armor shop. Is that acceptable?"
"I'll leave it to you."
Once we entered the town, the merchant informed me of the plan.
The cart moved through the town. The roads were wide and paved with cobblestones. The buildings on either side were impressive, about four stories high and plastered. For a place without shops, it was quite something. There were quite a few people walking around, though not as many as in a bustling city. It was a pleasant town.
The people walking around included villagers, merchants, farmers, warriors, and swordsmen. It was surprising to see villagers in a city.
"The market is further ahead, in the center of the town. However, we'll turn right now."
"Understood."
The cart turned right.
"Beyond here, there are areas with poor security, including brothels. I don't recommend going too far in."
What is a brothel? A place with prostitutes, I guess.
Brothel. A sex shop. A place where you can get a massage. A world of sensual pleasure.
It seems that such demand exists in this world as well. If the area is unsafe, it might be near a slum or controlled by a gang.
This needs to be investigated. I must go, no matter what. To live in this world, it's important to know what dangers exist. If it's a dangerous place, I need to understand the reality of it.
I must go for the sake of investigation.
No, it's just an investigation. An investigation of a different world. Even if I have to do certain things for the investigation, it's necessary.
Yes. If it's for the investigation, it can't be helped. There's no need to go.
While thinking about this, the cart stopped in front of the second house after turning right. This must be the slave trader's place. A three-story building made of red bricks, it looked like an ordinary house.
"Is there something you need?"
As the cart stopped, a young man came out of the house. A Merchant Level 3. His low level suggested he was still an apprentice.
"I've come to hand over a criminal who has been reduced to slave status. Please check the cage on the cart."
The man removed the sheet from the cart and checked the cage.
"Understood. Please come inside the store."
The merchant and I entered the store.
"I think it's better if I sell the slave."
On the way to the back, I told the merchant. I get a 30% bonus.
"Understood. Then, please take this."
The merchant accepted it without hesitation and handed me a letter.
"What is this?"
"It's a letter of authorization from the village chief."
I didn't know such a thing existed. I took the letter and entered the room I was shown.
Sitting on a comfortable sofa, I waited. Soon, a man appeared.
Alan, Male, 63 years old
Slave Trader, Level 44
There is such a job as a slave trader. And this is the highest level I've seen so far. He seems to be quite capable. Or perhaps the village I came from was too rural.
"I am Alan, the head of this household."
"My name is Michio."
"I am Bicker from the village of Somara."
"Please have a seat."
I stood up to greet him and sat down again when prompted. The comfort of the sofa suggested that the slave trader's customers were all wealthy, as only those who could afford to buy slaves would come here.
"The market seems to be quite lively today."
The merchant started the conversation with small talk.
"Did you know? A dungeon was discovered two days ago."
"A dungeon?"
Hmm. There is a dungeon. I remember choosing a setting with both fields and dungeons. I remained silent, focusing on gathering information.
"Did you encounter any monsters near the town?"
"Not near the town, but twice today."
"Perhaps the activity of other dungeons is intensifying."
"Moreover, today we encountered Gummy Slimes."
"That's... Are you alright?"
The slave trader asked with concern.
"The Gummy Slimes were defeated by Michio."
"By himself?"
"Michio dealt with the bandits who attacked the village yesterday."
I felt uncomfortable with the praise. I decided to change the topic.
"There was a man who tried to steal the bandits' equipment. According to the village's rules, he was reduced to slave status."
"I see."
"Here is the letter of authorization from the village chief."
I handed over the letter, which the slave trader received.
"Let me see it."
"The sale price will be split equally between Michio and me."
The merchant explained to the slave trader, who was reading the letter.
"I see. That seems to be the case."
"What do you think?"
"I have confirmed the man. He is in good health and in his prime. The market price for him would be around 30,000 nals."
I looked at the merchant. I had no idea about market prices. The merchant nodded slightly.
"Alright. That's fine."
"Thank you."
"Then, could you pay half to me and half to Michio?"
It seems the 30% bonus didn't apply. Maybe it doesn't work for slaves.
"Is this your first time using our services?"
The slave trader asked me.
"Yes, it's my first time in this town."
"I see. You are an adventurer, then?"
Why would he think that? Does my face look like an adventurer's? Perhaps, since I was wandering near a village that gets attacked by bandits, it's natural to assume I'm an adventurer.
"No, I'm not in the guild."
"Then, do you plan to buy slaves in the future?"
Wait. What did he say?
"Buy... slaves... Do many adventurers buy slaves?"
I managed to connect the conversation.
"Of course, many do."
Buying slaves. I never thought about it. Am I too bound by the norms of modern Japan?
In this world, there are slaves. Since I sold a slave, it should be possible to buy one as well.
Can I buy a female slave to serve me? Can I buy a female slave and live a happy life? Can I buy a female slave...
"That's right. However, I just started out on my own after training in the mountains. I'm still unfamiliar with many things."
I used the excuse I had been thinking about. If I say I'm from a rural area and trained in the mountains, it would explain my lack of knowledge about this world and my strength. My strength comes from Durandal.
"I see. You look quite young. Have you visited the dungeon near this town?"
"Hmm. That might not be a bad idea."
If there's a dungeon, it would be worth checking out. If there's a hole, I want to go in. That's what men are like.
"If so, please allow me to explain."
Somehow, I was persuaded to listen.
The slave trader left the room for a moment and returned with the money.
"Here is half the amount, 15,000 nals."
"I have received it."
The merchant took the money. It was one gold coin and many silver coins. One gold coin is worth 10,000 nals.
"In anticipation of future transactions, I will buy the slave for 19,500 nals."
The slave trader then handed me another plate with money. One gold coin and a lot of silver coins. It seems I get the 30% bonus.
I glanced at the merchant, but he didn't seem to mind. He didn't react to the 30% bonus or the suggestion to buy slaves.
"I have received it."
However, I didn't like the idea of being suggested to buy slaves. It's a dangerous suggestion.
Actually, is it right to buy slaves? Buying slaves is a crime, right? No, that's the ethics of modern Japan. This world has its own ethics. Since I sold a slave, it shouldn't be too strange to buy one.
Right. Selling slaves is wrong. I feel tainted.
It's no use wallowing in self-pity. I decided to escape quickly.
"Thank you for your visit, Michio. We look forward to your return."
My name was remembered. I couldn't escape now.
Well, it's fine. I'll come back. I want to learn more about the dungeon.
The merchant and I left the slave trader's house. The merchant turned the cart around, and I got back on.
We returned to the previous road and headed towards the center.
"Oh, that's the market."
On both sides of the wide road, stalls were set up with food and clothing, and people were gathered.
Warrior Level 41
Swordsman Level 47
Priest Level 35
Cook Level 28
There are quite a variety of jobs. There are also people with high levels.
Adventurer Level 13
There really is a job called adventurer.
"That's the knight's quarters."
The merchant pointed as we moved through the market. It seemed to be in the center of the town. The road led to a roundabout with a square, and on the left front was a brick building with a bell tower.
The cart stopped in front of the building.
"ΓΓΓΓΓΓΓΓΓΓ"
"ΓΓΓΓΓΓΓΓΓΓ"
A knight came out and talked to the merchant.
Knight Level 4
His level was low. He was probably still an apprentice.
"Michio, please show me the Intelligence Card of the bandit."
The merchant spoke to me.
"Ah, right."
I had forgotten why we were here. We were here to receive the bounty for the bandits.
I took off my backpack, opened the pouch, and took out the card, handing it to the apprentice knight.
The merchant also handed over two cards, probably from the villagers.
The Intelligence Card of the bandit was blank. I wondered how it worked.
"Let me check the Intelligence Cards."
"Please do."
The Level 4 knight extended his arm. He raised the back of his left hand to the knight's face.
Despite my inner anxiety, an Intelligence Card easily came out from the back of my hand. I was worried about it coming out, but I didn't know what was happening.
"Is it...?"
I asked, worried about the knight's silence. The silence was scary.
"...A noble? ...No. You are a free citizen. That's fine."
It seemed I passed. The knight went back into the quarters.
I looked at my Intelligence Card.
Kaga Michio, Male, 17 years old, Villager, Free Citizen
It was written in kanji and Arabic numerals. Having a last name was probably rare in this world. I was a free citizen. There were definitely slaves, and there were probably nobles as well.
"What did you check?"
"To see if the job was Bandit. We can't give a bounty to a bandit."
I froze for a moment at the merchant's answer. I had the Bandit job.
However, the job on my Intelligence Card was Villager. Perhaps only the first job is reflected. It was good that my first job was Villager.
"Ah, I see."
I let out a breath. The Intelligence Card couldn't be pulled out of my hand. When I lightly pressed the tip, it retracted into my hand. I really didn't know what was happening.
"The bandit's Intelligence Card is being checked inside. You'll know the result soon."
"How do you get the Intelligence Card?"
"It appears naturally 30 minutes after a person dies."
The merchant explained. So, as long as the Intelligence Card doesn't appear, the person is alive.
Soon, a woman came out of the quarters.
Radia Maxinante Gossel, Female, 28 years old
Knight Level 27
Equipment: Magical Armor, Boots of Acceleration
Her level wasn't very high, but her equipment was unfamiliar, and her name was complex. She probably came from a noble family. She was a sharp, beautiful woman with a well-toned body. Her chest was probably not very large. She had her flaxen hair tied back.
"Did you defeat the bandits?"
She looked at me with her bright eyes.
"Yes."
"They are part of a bandit group based in the slums of this town. We are currently conducting a crackdown, so some of them have escaped. There are bounties on two of the bandits you defeated. There are no bounties on the others yet."
The beautiful knight glanced at the merchant.
"I see."
The two cards the merchant handed over were probably not bountied.
The Level 4 knight ran out of the quarters and handed a white bag to the beautiful knight.