She is a female werewolf who appeared at the slave trader's mansion.
A beauty like no other. Her eyes, a captivating tobi color, were stunning.
Can I buy such a Roxanne?
When she bent down slightly in front of me to place the cup, her chest moved.
That chest, to be at my disposal?
It would be delightful to have her.
Delightful, but buying a slave is, to be honest, a bit complicated.
However, if I don't buy her, someone else will.
Of course, as a sex slave.
I can't allow that.
I don't deny the existence of slavery in this world.
It's impossible to change the social system.
Even on Earth, while official slavery has been abolished, issues like human trafficking, organ trafficking, and child prostitution still exist.
There's no way I, a high school student on Earth, can solve problems that even adults on Earth, who supposedly know more, can't solve.
Even if I could make this world as prosperous as the advanced countries on Earth, the slave system might not disappear, as poverty hasn't been eradicated on Earth either.
I don't know the principles or manufacturing methods of computers, airplanes, or solar panels.
In this world, as in the first village, the slave system is tied to the judicial system.
It's not as simple as abolishing the slave system and everything will be fine.
At the very least, I understand that building prisons is necessary.
Building prisons requires taxes. To raise taxes, a bureaucratic system must be established, and to cultivate bureaucrats, an educational system is needed, and the problems just keep expanding.
I don't know what other connections there might be.
I never intended to become a social reformer in this world or to deny the slave system.
But, is it right to buy slaves?
Still, I've already bought slaves.
Roxanne.
I recall her beautiful face.
Will you buy Roxanne?
Yes No
No, no, no.
Will you buy Roxanne?
Yes No
Of course, I can't choose No.
The cursor won't move from Yes.
It's frozen.
Will you buy Roxanne?
Yes No
It's best to think about it.
I wasn't taken seriously by Tiliki or the beautiful knight.
There's no way I'd get a good deal reserved for handsome guys.
That's just how it is.
"Isn't a sex slave expensive?"
As a form of resistance, I ask the slave trader.
"No, it's almost the same."
"Why?"
Logically, wouldn't a sex slave be more expensive?
"There is a market price. For young women, whether they are sex slaves or not, there is no substantial difference in their duties. If you're looking for the same work, the price will settle at the same level."
"Even young female slaves who are not sex slaves do the same work as sex slaves?"
The slave trader nodded clearly and continued.
"In terms of combat ability or work capability, men are equal to or even superior to women. However, the market price for adult male slaves in their prime is around 120,000 nars. For young women, it's more than double, and the price can rise significantly based on beauty. That's how it works."
If you just want labor, there shouldn't be much difference in price between male and female slaves.
However, in reality, young and beautiful female slaves are more expensive.
Of course, because the demand is high. I doubt anyone would display a bought slave in a showcase.
Sex slaves and non-sex slaves do the same things.
So, the price doesn't change.
The slave trader's explanation is getting to the core.
If I ask more questions, I'll have to set that.
Setting that means acknowledging the purchase.
But I haven't decided not to buy. I can't proceed without setting it.
I chanted, "Character reconfiguration."
I checked the box for "bargaining."
The "bargaining" option changed to a 10% discount.
Of course, this pattern.
I removed the 30% markup and got a 30% discount.
The "bargaining" skill, like the markup, has six levels and ends at 30% discount, turning into faint text.
"Isn't she expensive?"
"Yes, that's true..."
The slave trader's face brightened.
He must have seen my intention to buy.
"Hmm."
"Frankly, the market price is around 600,000 nars. Considering the outfit and the recommendation, I'll let her go for 422,800 nars."
The slave trader announced with enthusiasm.
I exhaled deeply at his words.
422,000 nars.
It's not a price I can afford.
If it were a price I could afford, I might have jumped at it. I would have jumped at it. What else would I do?
Roxanne's tobi-colored eyes are mesmerizing. They're worth it.
But I only have 33 gold coins.
Ethics and my feelings don't matter.
You can't swing a nonexistent sleeve.
"Unfortunately, I can't afford it."
"Is that so?"
The merchant answered without much regret.
I'm disappointed, though.
"Well, it can't be helped."
"Would you like to see other slaves we have?"
I see.
Show the most beautiful woman first to raise the buyer's interest, then sell the cheaper, less attractive ones.
In places like brothels where AV actresses are said to work, they use the name of a popular actress to attract customers, then when the customer arrives, they say she's unavailable and assign a different woman.
I've never been to a brothel, but I've seen this deceptive technique on the internet.
It's the same kind of strategy. But in this case, I wasn't tricked.
I just couldn't afford it.
Fine. I'll go along with it.
"Hmm. That sounds good."
"Thank you."
The slave trader bowed and led me to another place.
We went to the back of the building and up the stairs to the third floor. The stairs were narrow and steep.
"Welcome."
There was an older woman on the third floor.
The area near the stairs was a small floor with two doors on either side.
"Line them up."
"Understood."
The older woman opened the left door with a key and disappeared inside.
"The third floor is the women's slave room. Basically, all management of this floor is handled by female employees."
"Hmm."
"Virginity checks are also conducted by them."
The slave trader explained while standing.
It's not as if they let men do it.
The voice of the older woman echoed from the next room.
After a while, the noise subsided, and she returned.
"Preparations are complete."
"Please, this way, sir."
The slave trader led me into the room.
A large number of women were lined up in a row.
They didn't seem particularly smelly, ragged, or malnourished.
They are, after all, merchandise.
They must be well-managed.
"These are they."
"Yes, please proceed to the back and take a look."
"Hmm."
I walked past each female slave, looking them in the eye.
I thought they would be naked when shown, but they weren't.
Maybe because I haven't decided to buy yet.
They were looking back at me, making me nervous.
But I wasn't embarrassed.
Rather, they seemed to be looking at me in a dazed manner.
Is this how a slave to be bought looks at potential owners?
I feel the meaning of buying a slave.
But, wouldn't they want to be bought by a better owner?
I don't expect them to look at me with sparkling eyes, but a little more interest would be nice.
"We provide proper meals here. They are better off here than where they were before."
The slave trader explained from behind, sensing my doubt.
"I see."
So, the living conditions here are not bad.
And they don't have to do any hard labor.
They probably prefer to stay here rather than be sold.
The first woman was looking ahead with a lack of enthusiasm.
She was completely uninterested in me.
The next woman was definitely sulking.
I wouldn't think of buying someone like that.
"I've been trying to explain what it means to be unsold, but they don't seem to understand."
"Hmm."
I wouldn't want to understand that either.
But the slave trader would be troubled if they just ate and didn't sell.
If they remain unsold, they would lower the price and try to sell them to worse conditions.
The next woman had eyes that weren't dead, but her face...
The one after that, ... no, not her.
The next one was decent.
A 27-year-old woman, a villager. Too old, though.
The next one was a bit cute.
But no chest.
There was another cute one further down.
She was cute, I guess. Cute, I guess.
I reached the end.
Indeed, there were a few cute young female slaves.
Not bad, maybe.
If I hadn't seen Roxanne first.
Roxanne is too beautiful. Compared to her, the others seem inferior.
The slave trader's strategy failed.
He should have shown the less attractive ones first and then the beautiful ones.
I walked back to the front, looking at the lined-up women again.
The slave trader and I left the room.
Outside the room, Roxanne and another older woman were there.
She must have just returned from serving.
She's really beautiful.
Roxanne bowed her head.
Ah, dog ears. Dog ears.
She had changed and taken off her hat, so her distinctive ears were clearly visible.
They were large and droopy, like a golden retriever's.
They were hard to see if you didn't look closely, as they were hidden by her hair.
"How about it?"
The slave trader asked.
"Once I see her, it's hard to look away. Unfortunately, though."
"It seems the customer likes you."
The slave trader told Roxanne.
"..."
Roxanne looked at me silently once.
When our eyes met, she averted her gaze, looking troubled and blushing.
What was that?
Super cute.
But, what can't be done, can't be done.
I don't have the means.
It's important to know when to give up.
"Can you wait for about ten days?"
"Huh?"
"The market opens every five days. Five days is too short to prepare, so we'll wait until the market opens ten days from now. In the meantime, please prepare what you need."
The slave trader continued without my consent.
Was it a strategy to show the top-tier product first, then the standard ones, and make me want the top-tier product again?
I let my guard down.
"Ah, no, I..."
"The customer wants to buy you, but he doesn't have enough money on hand. So, we'll wait ten days for the contract."
I declared to Roxanne as well.
"Thank you."
Roxanne bowed her head.
What is this coordinated play?
Now, it's impossible to refuse.
Maybe the slave trader and Roxanne are in cahoots, but even if they are, it's not necessarily bad.
If I can get such a beautiful woman.
Even if Roxanne and the slave trader were in cahoots, how could they trick me?
The slave trader explicitly stated that she is a virgin. She's probably not a strange woman, and it would be difficult to sell her to multiple customers.
Even if I were to reclaim her later, if the slave trader's explanation is true, I would die if Roxanne dies.
The only way would be to get me to prepare the money and then kill and rob me.
If the slave trader and Roxanne are just working together to sell Roxanne, it doesn't cause me any problems.
"I can't guarantee I can prepare it."
"In that case, I'll just have to find a new buyer. Her beauty will ensure a quick sale."
"Better buyers might appear in the ten days."
I tried to resist.
"That's not something you should worry about."
"Wouldn't it be better if a better buyer appeared for her?"
"I'll wait for you."
What? What's with this sales pitch?
Why is she trying to sell herself?
Roxanne looked at me and smiled.
Her beautiful, white teeth peeked out from between her elegant lips.
Beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful.
"Then, move her to the sold room."
The slave trader ordered the older woman.
Game over.
"Yes, this way."
The older woman led Roxanne to the opposite side of the stairs from the room we had seen.