episode_0036

“This, this is a garment made of Arachne’s thread. It is a mysterious thread woven by the spider queen Arachne. It is flexible enough that it cannot be cut even with a sword.”

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When the specialty came up, Loperman excitedly went around explaining the collections. I chimed in and looked around.

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The building had three floors.

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The hallways were lined with paintings, and the entire third floor was an arcade. Glass cases containing art pieces lined the path.

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I am confident that I know the value of slaves better than anyone else, but I am a layman when it comes to art. Even I could tell at a glance that it was expensive because it had a shine to it.

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“Ah, this. This was also an extremely hard item to obtain. It is said to be a helmet worn by the ancient warrior Ragnar. They say that if you wear it, even a coward will become a brave warrior.”

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“Have you checked?”

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Loperman said in a firm tone.

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“Oh, Mr. Sashin doesn’t know much. You shouldn’t use precious relics carelessly.”

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“Hmm, I guess so. If we’re not careful, the myth and mystery contained in the relics could be ruined.”

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“That’s right. Relics should be preserved as relics themselves, not as equipment, so that their value can be fully preserved.”

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“I think I know what you mean. I also have slaves that I am reluctant to touch. I feel like touching them will ruin their beauty, so I leave them in their pure state.”

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Loperman nods his head with a serious expression this time.

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“Hmm, I see. I can communicate well with Mr. Sashin. Oh, I have a feeling we could have a good relationship.”

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“That’s a coincidence. I just thought so too.”

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It’s not a bad thing to have one person with such a wide network of connections by your side.

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Of course, once all the mulberries are picked, they will be thrown away.

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“Hahahaha.”

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“Huh, huh huh huh.”

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Before I knew it, I had almost finished touring the building from the first to the third floor.

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“This is about all I have in my collection. There are more, more precious ones… .”

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“I understand that you are reluctant to show your precious things to outsiders.”

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“Thank you for understanding. Later, when our relationship becomes stronger, I’ll show you then.”

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“I will wait for that day.”

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Thanks to my amazing social skills, Loperman’s view of me changed. It seemed like he now regarded me as a real guest.

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I felt like I could eat my friend if I just did a little more. I didn’t want to though.

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“Okay, let’s go to the reception room now. Hey, I have to talk about the apology compensation I promised.”

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We went down to the second floor where the reception room was. The servant opened the door and Loperman came in. I stopped outside the door instead of going in.

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“Ah, why aren’t you coming in? Why are you standing there?”

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“I want to talk to you and the Lord alone, so… Miss Arphia. Could you please wait outside for a moment?”

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“Uh, yeah?”

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“What? What are you talking about now?”

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Arphia screams in surprise.

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I gave her a slight smile.

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“No problem.”

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“No, no matter what… .”

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“Do you trust me?”

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“… … .”

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“I trust Ms. Arphia.”

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Arphia, who had been looking at me with a blank expression, let out a sigh.

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“You, it’s against the rules to say that.”

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“Haha.”

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“I’ll wait outside, so if anything happens, scream. I’ll break the door down and come in.”

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“I will do that.”

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I left Arphia behind and went into the room, and soon the door closed.

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***

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A reception room for only two people.

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Loperman drank his tea with nervous gestures.

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Even though she was looking down, she glanced up at the man in front of her and checked his pupils. The man was sipping tea while maintaining his dignity as if he were a nobleman.

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Karami, the slave messenger.

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His notoriety is well known. He is a slave trader who only buys, not sells. He does not sell slaves that are worn out or have defects, but disposes of them.

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A slave messenger who lives for the fun of killing slaves.

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Loperman shivered, even feeling the odor of blood. He clutched the warm cup of tea to calm himself down.

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“Sa, Mr. Death, why did you ask me to meet you alone? I, I have business with the elves too.”

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“Before that. Is this room soundproof?”

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“… Okay, just wait a minute.”

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Something ominous is coming. Loperman tapped the crystal on the table. The ripples from the crystal engulfed the room.

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“Bar, it’s a soundproof magic tool. Even an elf wouldn’t be able to hear it.”

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“That’s fortunate.”

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widely.

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Karami, who had been savoring the tea, puts down the teacup. He crosses his legs and places both hands on his legs. The tip of his chin, slightly raised, seemed to show an arrogant attitude that placed everything in the world beneath him.

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Even the Lord of Noktar couldn’t do that in front of him. Loperman swallowed nervously and waited for Karami to open her mouth.

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“Your Majesty.”

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“What, what is it?”

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“Elf, would you like one?”

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Loperman ended up spitting out the tea as he was struck by a body blow that did not know hesitation.

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“Krrr! What, what?! What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

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“I’ll tell you in advance, I hate going around in circles.”

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A tone that suggested that he already knew everything. Loperman’s pupils shook as if there was an earthquake.

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You want an elf?

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Of course!

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He even attempted to kidnap an elf, spending a lot of money to add one untainted by worldly squalor to his collection.

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It was Loperman who returned to failure and became depressed for a while. What more explanation is needed, since he even skipped meals.

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The Arphia I discovered was a blue bird I encountered in the forest where I had lost my way. Its beautiful appearance was a perfect match for the fairy I had heard about so many times.

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Loperman’s eyes rolled back. He wanted to get his hands on it at any cost. That’s why he invited the two of them today and made all the preparations.

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The mercenaries I recruited have infiltrated this defense. If I give them the signal, they will appear at lightning speed and subdue the two of you.

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Loperman, who was just waiting for the signal to be given, must have been very flustered when Karami hit the player.

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I wondered if Karami was trying to read my mind, but the endless black eyes seemed to see through everything, so it was nearly impossible to tell a lie in front of those eyes.

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Loperman nodded.

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“That, that’s right… .”

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“You must be targeting slave hunters outside.”

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“Oh, that’s right… .”

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“Hmm… .”

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As Karami let out a deep breath, Loperman flinched. The heavy body was huddled together in a somewhat awkward manner, like a student being disciplined by a teacher.

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“I understand the desire to get your hands on an elf. I’ve felt that way before. But I’m very disappointed that you’re forcing an elf that came as a guest into your collection.”

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“Ha, but you’re a slave trader, so you should know! You’re an elf! One of the higher species! If you don’t get greedy after seeing that appearance, then you’re not a collector!”

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“Would an elf who has been forced to kneel obey? An untamed dog is worse than nothing. What value is there in a collection that you can’t proudly display in front of others?”

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“… … .”

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Loperman’s mouth did not open. Karami’s words perfectly penetrated Loperman’s mind.

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Collecting rare items alone is meaningful, but showing off to others also plays a big part. Looking up, envious eyes.

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I can’t tell you how good it feels to receive them. No wonder they even held a slave festival to select the best slave.

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But that didn’t matter anymore. I wanted to get my hands on the elf, no matter the process or the outcome.

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The charm that the elf exuded was enough to drive people crazy.

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“Oh, how can it not work? I, I beg you like this.”

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“Are you telling me to betray my employee?”

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“If you’re an employee, it doesn’t matter. Well, you hired them anyway, so we won’t see each other after work. Just think of today as the day!”

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“Hmm… .”

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Karami showed signs of distress. Loperman, who thought that this was an opening to dig into, clung to him persistently.

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“If you help me… That, that’s right. I’ll give you one of the rare items I saw earlier. Oh, no, two! What do you think? You won’t get such an outrageous offer anywhere!”

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If they were put up for auction, hundreds of slaves could easily be bought for that amount.

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This is an offer that any slave trader who is willing to risk his life for the sake of his work cannot refuse.

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Karami is thinking with a serious expression. Loperman’s mouth is drying up and no more saliva comes out.

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A long time passes.

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Karami breaks the silence with a refreshing smile.

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“Okay, I’ll accept it.”

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“Really?”

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“The result is obvious, so why not? Since I know his weakness, I can easily capture him without much effort.”

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Loperman clenched his hands.

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Yes, no matter how much of a slave trader I am, I am still a slave trader. On the other hand, I am a merchant of a merchant group.

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“As expected, I can communicate well with you! I was already anxious, but if you help me, this operation will definitely succeed!”

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“I guess the owner had something planned in advance. Could you tell me what it was? Then I can make a more perfect plan.”

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“Of course. Of course! We’re already friends on the same boat!”

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Loperman, unable to contain his excitement, began to chatter excitedly, without even thinking about digging into the hidden feelings of Karami behind her smile.

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***

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As time passed, Arpia became more and more impatient.

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Karami doesn’t come out, and even if I strain my ears, I can’t hear anything.

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At some point, the sound from outside the room completely disappeared. It was probably soundproofed.

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What are you talking about?

I wonder if something happened.

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… .

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‘Huh?’

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Why should I worry about that guy?

Even though he saved me, he was a human who made me a slave.

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When Karami dies, the chains of your soul will break. You will be free to return to the forest.

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‘The soul has already been defiled.’

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Now I wonder if there’s any point in going back to the forest. Maybe just staying like this with Karami wouldn’t be so bad…

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… .

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‘Huh?’

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My thoughts keep going in strange directions. My mind is filled with distracting thoughts. It’s all Karami’s fault for doing things out of his own free will and making the elves worry.

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Just come out and I’ll give you life lessons that are packed with the essence of an elf.

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Squeak.

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The door is finally open.

The long-awaited Karami crawls out.

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“Don’t move. If you move even a little bit, I’ll poke a hole in his neck.”

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But with a woman who wasn’t there until just now.

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Dark yet pale skin.

In contrast, the pure white hair and eyes the color of the deep sea.

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The woman’s ears were long like an arpia, so she was commonly called a dark elf. The dark elf was pointing a dagger at Karami’s neck.

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“Haha, that’s what happened. I didn’t know you had a mercenary hidden inside.”

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Arphia blinked blankly at the sudden situation, and Karami laughed in vain even though a blade was shoved into her neck.

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“Put your weapon down. Unless you want to see your friend die.”

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“That… Miss Arphia? Excuse me, could you please lower your bow?”

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Arpia blinked for a long time and covered her eyes with her hands.

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