There's no special pot, but it's a Jingisukan pot. There's no dedicated sauce, but it's a Jingisukan pot. The meat is from a goat we obtained by hunting a boss, but it's a Jingisukan pot.
Prepare two iron plates and a wooden stand that can burn. Place the iron plates on the wood, stack stones, and put another plate on top, placing charcoal between the plates. Light the charcoal and cook the meat and vegetables on the upper plate.
It looks like a regular iron plate grill. Thank you very much.
No, it's a Jingisukan pot. I used fish sauce, so it ended up tasting like stir-fried pork with no thickening, but it's a Jingisukan pot.
I said it's a Jingisukan pot, so today's dish is a Jingisukan pot. I seasoned the vegetables with meat juice, so it's mostly correct.
"Is it almost ready?"
"Thank you, Master."
"Thank you."
When the food is cooked, I divide it. Dividing the meat is my job as the master. Dadikul. Actually, neither Roxanne nor Cery can use chopsticks.
We enjoy it with Roxanne's stew, Cery's soup, and the bread we bought. The taste is quite good. It's a result of learning from yesterday's mistakes.
"It's delicious."
Roxanne also said the taste is good, so today's dish is a Jingisukan pot.
The meat and vegetables are delicious. I grilled the meat at the dining table, enjoyed conversations with two beautiful women, and savored the Jingisukan pot. It's a luxury comparable to a general in Meimyo being surrounded by geishas.
"Can I ask why Cery became a slave?"
"Um..."
"No, you don't have to say if you don't want to."
I ask casually. Roxanne's comment about the books at home doesn't seem to be a problem. This should be fine.
"My brother was injured in the labyrinth."
"Injured?"
"My father isn't very capable. My brother was the main source of income for our family."
Cery's grandfather's generation was prosperous. Cery's father might have lacked talent, or he might have been seen as incompetent because he caused the family's decline.
"If it was just an injury, you could have borrowed money to buy medicine."
"Well, if it was just an injury, you could buy a higher-grade healing potion to cure it."
I agree with Roxanne's opinion.
"Yes. I think they used the money from selling me to buy the medicine."
"Wasn't borrowing money an option?"
"Once you borrow money, it becomes difficult to get out. I've seen many families struggle and get worse because of a small debt. I didn't want that to happen to us."
That makes sense. Once you're in debt, it's hard to get out. The interest rates are probably high, and the collection is strict.
"Yes, there are such families."
"Once you borrow money, you might start relying on it for other things, and the amount you borrow might increase until you can't pay it back. In the end, the family breaks apart. So, they decided to sell me as a slave before that happened."
"Did you suggest it yourself?"
"Yes."
It's rational, or something. Given the situation, it might not have been the best but was probably a better option.
"That's quite something."
"No, it's the best option if you think about it. I failed to become a blacksmith or a priestess. Also, as a slave, I can learn Brahim language. People who can afford slaves usually speak Brahim."
So, there are benefits to being a slave. In this world, speaking Brahim can be quite useful. It's possible that Cery became a slave to learn Brahim.
"My younger brother and sister are still young, and we can't sell my brother, who supports the family. For the sake of my family, it was best for me to be sold."
I can't sell my father, can I? Or perhaps, because my father is seen as incompetent, he wouldn't fetch a high price.
"I see. Well, now we're like a family. Work hard for us from now on."
"Of course. Please take care of me as well."
"Cery, you're lucky to have met such a wonderful master. After all, he's the best master."
"Yes."
Roxanne's natural way of thinking is a bit scary. Eat more meat, meat. I'll give some of my meat to Roxanne.
The Jingisukan pot seems to be quite popular. You can tell by how quickly it's being eaten. The three of us are eating like crazy, and the ingredients are almost gone.
It's a shame there's no stir-fried noodles for the finale. I should have prepared them. This world has pasta-like noodles. Maybe I can use them.
However, I'm not sure if I can make stir-fried noodles with pasta and fish sauce. I'm afraid of failing if I try it suddenly. I should try making a small side dish next time.
"Thank you. By the way, are explorers good masters for slaves?"
I ask about something that bothered me when I bought them. Roxanne said it was good, but is it really?
"Um, is it okay to say?"
"It's fine. I'm your master."
Roxanne supports me. Is it something hard to say? Of course, it's hard to say to your master that he's a good master.
"Then, there are three types of good jobs for slaves."
"Three?"
"One is being bought by a very rich person and being specially favored. If you get a high position, the treatment and environment improve. In places with many slaves, the top slave has considerable power."
In places with many slaves, they probably let slaves manage other slaves. If you get a managerial position, the treatment changes. It's like joining a large company instead of a small one. But it's a bit different.
What about the top slave in a place with only two slaves?
"Oh, I've heard that too."
"You have, Roxanne?"
Since Roxanne and Cery were in the same place, it's not surprising they heard the same story.
"I don't know about high positions, but I've heard that some become concubines. If you become a rich person's concubine, you can live without any worries."
Yeah.
Roxanne, that's something to be proud of.
To become a concubine, you need to be beautiful. The slave trader probably intended to sell Roxanne as a concubine, which is why he told her this.
"Um, to be bought by a very rich person and be specially favored, you need a lot of luck."
Let's get back to the topic.
"Of course, it's rare. However, among those who are forced into slavery, many dream of being a rich person's favorite."
"Escapism, I guess."
To stand out among many slaves, you need both ability and luck. If you had such luck, you probably wouldn't have become a slave in the first place.
"Another good condition is when someone buys a slave to replace a lost spouse."
"Really?"
"If the children are already grown, remarrying might cause inheritance disputes. If they buy a slave of a different race, there won't be a succession problem. So, the children recommend it. If they buy a slave, the slave can also take care of them in their final days."
"Like a caregiver."
This world has various situations. Since they can afford to buy slaves, they have money. That's why there might be inheritance disputes.
"Often, when the owner dies, they free the slave in their will. People who buy slaves to replace a spouse are usually old. For the slave, it's better than being overworked for a long time."
"You're being quite blunt again."
"In such cases, the masters are often successful and gentle. They treat the slaves well to ensure they take care of them later."
They need to treat the slaves well to avoid abuse when they need care. If the treatment is bad, the slaves might take revenge when they are bedridden.
When they become senile, the slaves might refuse to feed them or steal their money. Since slaves are in a weaker position, they might be punished unilaterally.
However, it's doubtful if this world has the medical and care environment for people with dementia to live long. Unlike modern Japan, it's a large family. Living in the same house, they can understand many things. It's unlikely that a distant sister-in-law would interfere too much.
"The third good condition is when someone buys a slave for dungeon exploration."
"Quite a contrast."
"It can't be helped. The first two cases are almost non-existent."
"That's true, I guess."
Still, it feels that way.
"Exploration slaves start the same as other slaves. However, exploration slaves improve their combat skills and become stronger. Strong combat slaves are irreplaceable, so their treatment improves, and they are treated better."
"I see."
Slaves working on farms, in mines, or in households can only improve so much. They rarely earn more than their masters.
In contrast, dungeon slaves can level up. It's not impossible for them to surpass their masters. They are usually part of a party, though.
As they level up and become stronger, their treatment improves. Stronger slaves are less likely to die in dungeons, and it's inefficient to discard them. There might be many level 10 slaves, but not many at level 40 or 50. They can hold their heads high.
"Since you're my master, I can tell you that strong slaves can also talk to other people and get bought if the treatment is bad."
There are such tricks. If that happens, the treatment must improve.
Then, I realize something.
"Um, does that mean I have to treat you two even better in the future?"
"No, no. I told you this because you're my master, but I have no intention of talking to other people."
"Me neither."
Roxanne and Cery will level up more and more. When that happens, it will be hard to replace them. Even now, they are irreplaceable.
"I don't want to be bought by anyone else except my master."
"Me neither."
If they become irreplaceable, the power dynamic will change. Their positions might reverse. If they reach levels 40 or 50, I might have to beg them to stay with me.
"I'm very happy with the current treatment."
"Me too."
Nonsense.
Does this mean I'll be under Roxanne's control from now on? I already can't thank her enough. What will happen in the future?
"If you want, I can accept worse treatment."
"Me too."
No, that's not the case. There are no slaves better than their masters. I won't let that happen, I won't let that happen, I won't let that happen.
"Um, I want to review your treatment from scratch."
"Yes, Master."
"Understood."
It's a good time to review the treatment. I need to make it clear that I am the master.
"Um, first, the food. I think it's too good for you to eat the same food as me."
"Food is a no-go. Without food, you can't fight."
That's the logical approach.
"Then, eating in a different place?"
"You can't gather information during meals, and eating at other times is inefficient."
"Master sits at the table, and we eat on the floor?"
On the floor?
Is that really necessary?
"Actually, that's not necessary."
"Then, clothes. I think we can wear more ragged clothes."
"Yes, the clothes we wear are too good for slaves."
"Clothes, huh. You two are beautiful."
I sigh.
"Thank you, Master."
"Thank you."
"Clothes are a no-go. I'm happy when you look nice. Unless you want to show off to others, it's better to dress up a bit in front of me."
I shake my head.
"Thank you. If food and clothes are out, then..."
"Living environment, right?"
Yes, the living environment.
Since food and clothes are out, the only thing left is the living environment.
The living environment reflects my authority as the master. It's the best way to make you two recognize me as the master. It's the place where I can show my presence as the master. You two will deeply feel your position.
"That's it."
"Isn't it too much to sleep in the same bed as Master?"
What...?
"That's a no-go."
"Taking a bath with Master is also too much."
Why?
"That's also... a no-go."
"Also, Master washing our bodies with soap is too much."
No way.
My daily pleasure.
Are you taking it away?
"Ugh... No, that's a no-go."
"Um, anything else?"
Stop it, Roxanne. My HP is zero.
"Um, after reviewing your treatment, I've decided to keep it the same. I'll announce it here."
"Um, so it's the same as before?"
"Yes. I appreciate everything you do, so it's good to review it."