MTLNOVEL Chapter 1.3 - Slavery
As a man, it’s only natural to dream of having a harem at least once in life.
I mean, come on… Every guy wants to be popular with women.
That’s just how it is.
But in my past life, I was a plain, introverted nerd. Being popular was out of the question. However, with money, things were different.
And in this world, money could be used to its fullest potential.
I knew it was a scummy thought. But I wanted to be honest with my desires—after all, I had been given a second chance in another world.
“Hehehe.”
And so, less than an hour after regaining my past life’s memories, I was already gripping my allowance and heading to the slave market.
“…My disguise is perfect.”
This slave market was located in my family’s territory, the very city where House Reinhardt’s mansion stood.
Even though I was still a child, many people in this city would recognize my face.
As the son of the ruling lord, it was only natural.
To avoid any unnecessary commotion, I had used magic to disguise myself as I walked through the market.
With this, there wouldn’t be any trouble.
“Now, what should I do?”
I muttered to myself as I wandered through the market, scanning my surroundings.
“Hey there, young man! Why not buy from us? Our slaves are guaranteed to be safe and reliable!”
“Please, someone! Won’t anyone buy me?”
“This one’s got some scars, but you won’t find a rarer slave! A true bargain, don’t miss out!”
All around me, merchants were calling out, advertising their goods—mostly attractive female slaves.
But with so many options, choosing just one was proving to be quite the challenge.
…Still.
“Heh… No one’s calling out to me.”
Maybe it was because I hadn’t disguised myself to look wealthy, but unlike the other potential buyers, I wasn’t getting approached by the merchants at all.
Everyone else was being actively courted, but I was completely ignored.
It was a little lonely, to be honest.
Maybe I had gone too far in trying to blend in.
“Hmm…”
Well, never mind that. The real issue was deciding who to buy.
It wasn’t like I had an unlimited budget.
Even as a noble’s son, the money in my hands was nothing more than what a child was allowed as pocket money.
And slaves were expensive.
At most, I could afford one.
I had to choose carefully.
“Ah… I’ve wandered into the section where they sell young girls.”
Before I realized it, I had walked into a different part of the market.
The slave market was divided into sections—one for laborers, one for beautiful female slaves, and, unfortunately, one for young girls.
I had no business being in this section.
“Yeah, no. I’m not into that.”
Underage prostitution? Absolutely not.
I had no interest in buying a child. My tastes were strictly mature, older women.
I turned to head back toward the area with the cute female slaves.
“Wait!”
“Huh?”
Just as I was about to leave, someone called out to me.
“What the—!?”
Before I could react, something suddenly latched onto me from behind.
“Buy me!”
The person clinging to me twisted nimbly, wrapping her legs around my neck and flipping over my shoulder.
With acrobatic precision, she adjusted her grip, dangling upside down while still clinging to my body.
Her agility was impressive—but wait.
Wasn’t I the one holding her up right now!?
“Uhh…”
Dumbfounded, I glanced down at the girl hanging from my neck.
She had short blonde hair and striking blue eyes.
And around her neck—
No, wait.
Wasn’t she way too aggressive for a slave? This was the most forceful sales pitch I’d ever seen!
“Now, hurry up and buy me!”
“I—I mean, that’s a bit…”
I had no intention of buying a child.
“BUY MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!”
“Whaaaaaaa!?”
Despite my protest, the girl refused to let go, thrashing around as she continued to scream, “Buy me!”
“Have you changed your mind?”
“No, not really…”
“Have you changed your mind?”
“Um…”
“Have you changed your mind?”
Every time I tried to refuse, she pressed harder.
“I’d really prefer not to—”
I struggled to maintain my stance, but—
“You’re buying me, right? You’ve decided, right?”
“…Yes. I have.”
I was weak to pressure.
I couldn’t say no.
“Yes! Hehehe!”
Was this… really okay?
“Hey! What’s going on here!?”
As I stood there, questioning my life choices, a man hurried over from the distance.
“You fool! What do you think you’re doing!? My deepest apologies, sir.”
The flustered man, presumably the slave merchant responsible for this girl, bowed his head repeatedly while scolding her.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. This guy’s buying me. Come on, hurry up and draw up the contract.”
The girl, now back on the ground, puffed out her chest confidently as if everything had already been settled.
“Eh…?”
“Eh…?”
Both the merchant and I voiced our disbelief in unison.