Roxane greeted me as I returned from the terrifying guild office. She looked like a goddess. No, I could see a goddess. Roxane was a goddess.
She was beautiful, kind, listened to what I said, reliable in the dungeon, had cute dog ears, and a large chest.
"Roxane, thank you."
"Y-Yes?"
"It seems to be quite complicated."
Roxane didnât seem to understand, but it didnât matter. What I realized was that I didnât need a male slave.
After petting Roxaneâs dog ears, I leaned back on the sofa and sipped herbal tea.
"Oh..."
"Hmm? Did someone else drink it besides Roxane?"
"No."
"Then itâs fine."
It was fine as long as Roxane had drunk it.
The slave trader returned shortly after.
"Among those currently here, the only one who can work in the dungeon is him."
"Is that so? By the way, how much would you say?"
"Since they are definitely capable of working in the dungeon, the cheapest one would be 150,000 nals, and the most expensive one, being male, would be 250,000 nals."
"Hmm."
Is that the going rate?
It seems that beautiful women sell for more than those who can be used in the dungeon. For labor slaves, the standard is how much they can earn, while for female slaves, itâs how much can be paid.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
"The preparations are complete."
The door opened, and an older woman, who seemed to be an employee of the shop, peeked in. The woman bowed to the slave trader and then gave a slight nod to Roxane.
Roxane also bowed. They seemed to know each other. Since she was in this commercial house, it was natural that she knew people.
"Then, this way."
"Understood."
The slave trader ordered, and the woman led a girl to the room. The girl was short, barely reaching the womanâs chest. She was small, probably under 140 cm tall.
Ceri, Female, 16 years old
Explorer Level 10
When I identified her, she was 16 years old, the same age as Roxane. Maybe because she was a dwarf.
Dwarves donât have very distinctive features. She looked like a slightly mature, short girl. I might have seen a dwarf somewhere before, but I probably didnât notice and passed by.
Her build wasnât bulky or fat. Rather, she was small, slim, and cute. I donât know the standard for dwarves, but she seemed to match her height.
She wasnât exactly a childâs body. Despite being small, she was well-proportioned. She wasnât overly curvy, but she had a good figure. Her hair was black, giving a gentle impression.
Despite her black hair, she had a rather rugged face with distinct features. Her nose was slightly high, her eyes were large and powerful, and her mouth was small. She looked somewhat like an Italian. If I say she had a face that could pass as Italian even though she was Japanese, you might understand.
She was a very beautiful girl. More accurately, she was a beautiful young girl. If her hairstyle were a bit better, she could pass as a celebrityâs daughter.
Her hair was voluminous and a bit strange. It was short but gathered on both sides above her shoulders.
"Please take care of me."
When she bowed, her hair moved unnaturally. Whatâs going on?
"She is the only dwarf we have here, Ceri. Ceri, come here."
"Yes."
Ceri came to sit on the sofa in front of me. She was a dwarf.
Even up close, she was a beautiful young girl. However, she didnât affect me as much as when I first saw Roxane. Why is that?
I think itâs because I already have Roxane, so I donât need to rush. Since I have Roxane, I donât need to force myself to get another. If I canât get her, itâs fine because I have Roxane. Even if I canât get her, I have Roxane.
Damn. Thatâs how it is.
It feels like Iâve seen the reality of a stratified society. The popular ones donât chase after girls, so they become even more popular. The unpopular ones show their intentions clearly and become even less popular.
Now, I can look at her calmly. Ceri doesnât have the charm of a woman, but she is a beautiful young girl. Itâs wrong to seek a seductive charm, and she is quite cute. She seems gentle, and after seeing the rough guys on the third floor, she gives a good impression.
"Is there any problem with entering the dungeon?"
"Yes, I will do my best."
"Is that so?"
I asked just to be sure. Iâm not worried about her fighting in the dungeon. Sheâs an Explorer Level 10, so she should be fine. Her arms, which were on the table, were slim and sleek.
Why did the slave trader think she wasnât suitable? She seems gentle and doesnât look like she would excel, but...
"Um..."
Ceri hesitated, looking at the slave trader. The trader nodded slightly.
"What?"
"I became an Explorer Level 10."
"Is there any problem with entering the dungeon as an explorer?"
I already knew that from the identification.
"Um, no, itâs not that."
"Is there a problem?"
"Dwarves can change their job to a blacksmith when they reach Explorer Level 10, but not all dwarves can become blacksmiths. Generally, dwarves who can excel in the dungeon are also considered capable of becoming blacksmiths."
There seems to be a problem.
"Um, so, you couldnât become one?"
"...Yes."
Ceri looked down at my question.
Talented dwarves can become blacksmiths at Explorer Level 10. Ceri is an Explorer Level 10 but not a blacksmith. So, she couldnât become a blacksmith at Explorer Level 10. This means she doesnât have the talent to work in the dungeon.
At least, she doesnât have the blacksmith job. For me, who wanted a blacksmith rather than a dwarf or a front-liner, this is a problem.
But how is it that some dwarves canât become blacksmiths? Thereâs already a restriction that only dwarves can become blacksmiths. Maybe itâs okay.
First, how do you measure talent? Maybe there are other conditions besides being an Explorer Level 10 to become a blacksmith. For example, Intelligence 100 or more. No, Ceri seems smart from her logical explanation about dwarves. Then, Strength 100 or more.
Since you can increase Strength by 1 point at a time with bonus points in character reassignment, it should be possible to set a condition like Strength 100 or more. For example, if the condition is Strength 100 or more and Explorer Level 10 or more, it would make sense. I couldnât get a clear answer from Roxane, and the concept of point-based stats doesnât seem to exist generally. Itâs not strange to think that a dwarf who doesnât meet the required Strength value at Explorer Level 10 canât excel in the dungeon.
"Can I ask?"
"Yes, please."
Ceri looked up. She was cute. It would be a waste to reject her just because she doesnât have the blacksmith job.
To be honest, she looked a bit dirty. Her hair was also a bit unkempt. Maybe Roxane is just too beautiful.
When I first met Roxane, how was she? Since Roxane came to me, Iâve been wiping her body before bed and taking her to the bath several times. I polished her with soap yesterday. Thereâs a difference, of course.
If Roxane became beautiful, then Ceri can become beautiful too. She has good potential.
"Is there any other condition to become a blacksmith, or if you canât become one at Explorer Level 10, you can never become one?"
If there were other conditions, she wouldnât be depressed about not having talent.
"The Blacksmith Guild only accepts job changes at Explorer Level 10. I checked, and there are some precedents, but they are rare."
"I see."
Thatâs what I thought. If talent were the condition, it would be strange to become a blacksmith after failing to get the job at Explorer Level 10.
Strength 100 or more and Explorer Level 10 or more would be too obvious. Then anyone could become a blacksmith. It must be a stricter condition. However, if Ceri meets that condition, she should be able to get the blacksmith job.
Of course, thereâs a possibility she wonât get the blacksmith job. How much should I estimate that risk?
Itâs also difficult to buy a blacksmith slave. You can buy a former blacksmith, but itâs hard to identify them through identification. Thereâs a risk of being deceived. If you want a blacksmith, you have to take some risks.
If I buy her and she canât get the blacksmith job, it would be sad to sell her, but thereâs still room in the party. As a worst-case scenario, she could stay home while we go to the dungeon. The risk of her not becoming a blacksmith is worth taking.
The condition to get the blacksmith job might be Strength 100 or more and Explorer Level 10. If so, she canât become a blacksmith no matter how much she increases her Strength later. Itâs not wrong to say itâs determined by her talent at Explorer Level 10.
Ceri is currently an Explorer Level 10, so she might have a slight advantage.
"I was one of the strongest in my village, and I think Iâm strong among dwarves. I intend to do my best in the dungeon. Please take care of me."
Ceri bowed. The condition of Strength 100 or more seems unlikely.
But why is she promoting herself? Is she following the slave traderâs orders? I canât help but be suspicious.
"Is it okay now?"
The slave trader urged, perhaps reading my subtle reaction. Did my doubts show on my face?
"Ah."
"Then, letâs proceed."
I nodded, and the slave trader dismissed Ceri. He also left the room.
"Why is she so proactive?"
Alone, I muttered my question. The other female slaves I saw when I first met Roxane were rude. The male slaves I met on the third floor didnât actively promote themselves, even with people around.
If I were a slave, I wouldnât try to sell myself. So, the other slavesâ attitudes felt more natural. Why did she promote herself?
"I think itâs because the conditions are good."
"Are the conditions... good? She will be going into the dungeon."
Iâm not in a position to say that, but I donât have many other ways to earn money. Being a bounty hunter or something. Thatâs questionable. The risk is different when you decide on your own versus when youâre ordered to go into the dungeon.
"Those who promote themselves are probably those who were already in the dungeon or considered joining. I was the same."
That makes sense. Itâs a win-win situation to select those who seem suitable.
"Then, that dwarf seems promising."
After saying that, I realized. The slave trader left to let me and Roxane discuss. He must have left for that reason. Heâs not to be underestimated.
"Yes. I donât know much about dwarves, but with determination, she can improve through effort and training."
"Y-Yeah."
When Roxane talks about training, it sounds scary. But thereâs no reason to oppose it just because sheâs a woman. I feel relieved. Or maybe Iâm the only one with ulterior motives.
"I donât think she can excel for a long time, but since the price is lower, I think itâs not a bad option."
"Canât excel for a long time?"
"Yes. I think she is of a certain age. It might be better to confirm her age."
"Huh?"
When I identified her, Ceri was 16 years old, the same age as Roxane. What is Roxane talking about? Do dwarves have a short lifespan?
"Dwarvesâ ears become thinner as they age. Her ears were quite thin."
Roxane explained, tilting her head. Is that true?
I remember the slave trader saying that different races age in different ways. So, for dwarves, itâs their ears. The slave trader also said that different races donât have different lifespans.
"Thatâs how it is. I understand."
The age of a woman who looks old is an important point. This is a good piece of information.
The slave trader returned, perhaps sensing the uneasy atmosphere. Did he eavesdrop?
"Can I step out for a moment? I was taken care of by that person when I was here."
Seeing the woman, Roxane said.
"Ah, go ahead."
Roxane left the room, and the slave trader sat in front of me.
"Was it satisfactory?"
"Yes. Depending on the price, itâs not bad."
"Is that so? Ceri is not a blacksmith, but she is a 16-year-old dwarf. She has agreed to become a sex slave. She is a virgin, so thereâs no worry about diseases."
Without Roxane, the slave trader was more direct. He must have let Roxane leave for this reason. Iâm not the only one with ulterior motives.
"I see."
"Michio-sama doesnât seem very familiar with other races. Actually, Ceri was born with thin ears, which are considered a sign of aging in dwarves. If Michio-sama doesnât mind, she is much cheaper than the usual price, making her a good deal."
It seems he was listening to my conversation with Roxane. Otherwise, he might have sold her at a higher price. It was a good idea to bring Roxane.
"I donât think the ears matter for other races, but itâs cheaper?"
"Rather, for other races, the ears are the only way to judge."
I see. Maybe no one wants to spend a lot of money on a woman who looks old.
"Also, Ceri is a first-year slave, so the tax is cheaper."