"So, my question. Do you guys stockpile illegal slaves like this often?"
"Of course we do! Illegal slaves with no usage restrictions can be sold to nobles for high prices! We keep a diverse stock of illegal slaves to cater to all sorts of perversions!"
"By the way, why was I chosen?"
"Because we had an order for a 'bratty little snot-nosed punk who needs to be taught a lesson.' There happened to be a request just like that."
Please stop.
I shouldn't have asked.
"Sorry, never mind that. Take me to the owner."
◇◇◇
"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Stolter."
The man who had lured Alan in led him to the owner's room on the third floor.
Stolter, the owner of the White Slave Guild.
His public face was that of the owner of a government-recognized guild that treated slaves appropriately.
"Oh? So you found someone who fits that difficult noble's order? A young boy who thinks he's tough, acts all cocky, is actually a little bit strong—just enough to put up a real fight—but will ultimately lose and end up looking pathetic and humiliated?"
"Well, yes... something like that."
His subordinate gave a vague answer.
"Oh ho! So that's the boy over there? You've got a good eye!"
Stolter, the middle-aged man with short green hair, exaggeratedly praised his subordinate.
It was an exaggerated gesture, but the praise was genuine.
The face of the boy his subordinate had brought was well-structured, and that slightly tilted, defiant air he had made him look very much like someone who would be worth breaking.
"Stolter, right? Stop dealing in illegal slaves immediately. It's a nuisance."
"What are you talking about? Is this some kind of little act? Should I just teach you a lesson right here?"
"I'm telling you to stop. Seriously, stop."
Alan, wearing an unwilling expression, ordered Stolter's subordinate.
"Call the black-suited men."
"Y-yes, sir!"
Stolter's subordinate let the black-suited men into Stolter's room.
"Wh-what the hell is going on?!"
"These black-suited men are apparently strong enough to restrain even orichalcum-rank adventurers. If you don't want to suffer terribly at their hands, you understand, right?"
Once again, Alan pressed Stolter to make a choice.
"No way—have you got these guys under your control?! Damn it, you brat, getting cocky like this…"
"Black-suited gentlemen, please prepare the expanding equipment."
The black-suited men began to pull out some kind of apparatus.
"Hyii, stop! Fine, I'll stop! I won't do it anymore, I'll quit the illegal slave trade, so just let me off!"
And then Stolter walked up to Alan and performed a magnificent jumping motion.
"An ancestral jumping kowtow, perhaps? Well, if that's the case, I suppose I'll forgive you…"
"Fooled you, you idiot! Don't underestimate the great Stolter, who has survived countless life-and-death battles! Hand-blade Excalibur—die!"
What appeared to be a jumping kowtow was actually Stolter launching himself into the air, unleashing his signature killing blow—a sharp hand-blade with his right arm mimicking a sword.
"I did it! The great Stolter's ultimate deception trick—pretending to swallow his pride and beg for his life against a damn brat! This is the end for you!"
But contrary to his subordinate's expectations, Alan casually dodged the hand-blade and landed a gut punch on Stolter.
Stolter, clutching his stomach, doubled over.
"Ggh... kkhah... why..."
"Because your apology just now lacked any sincerity. If you truly had a heart brimming with the desire to prostrate yourself, you should have done it on a scorching-hot iron plate. 'Slave Choker'."
"What—putting a slave collar on me, the owner of the Slavers' Guild?!"
"Then that makes me the owner of this Guild now. All illegal slavery is hereby banned, effective immediately."
"Don't screw with me! ...AGAGAGAGAGAGAH!"
"It's a slave collar forged with my magic. Resistance is futile, and don't even think about getting it off."
"Damn it! There's no way I'm letting this kind of injustice stand! You'll regret this!"
"This is a case that needs proper
discipline,
don't you think?"
And so, after all was said and done, the handling of illegal slaves throughout the kingdom plummeted.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse] [Divine Eye] [Sword God] [Fist God] [Spear God] [Scorching Magic] [Freezing Magic] [Clear Gale Magic] [Rock Iron Magic] [Holy Magic] [Dark Magic] [Space-Time Magic] [Thunder God Sword] [Gentleman Thief] [Ninja Master] [Seeker of Truth] [Herculean Force] [Pain Relief] [Complete Status Abnormality Resistance] [Dark Spirit's Protection] [Hyper Intuition] [Heaven's Gate] [Abyssal Contractor] [Magic Hand] [Treasure Search] [Seduction] [Incitement] [Eloquence] [Fortune] [10x Growth Speed] [Growth Limit Breakthrough]
Rank: Orichalcon
Thank you for reading!