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Trick, Threat, and Lies
I headed to the punishment cell, accompanied by Jusa. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
There were 3 reactions from those 3 criminal slaves.
「Good morning, I brought you a meal」
With the morning light on my back, Motus suddenly raised his head.
「But, it’s not that good, you don’t need it, right?」
「Give it to me!」
A stark contrast from last night, he devoured nothing but dry bread and the water with a frantic look on his face.
As for Nithura, she looked to be in a terrible mood. She looked haggard, is it just my imagination?
I told her I brought her food, but there was no response. She was sulkily looking the other way.
And finally, I entered Iric’s cell.
「Good morning!」
「Uh……ah, mo, morning」
The man responded with a forced smile on a thin-looking face full of freckles. But, even at a glance, it was obvious he looked sleep-deprived.
「Huh? You didn’t get enough sleep?」
「Ah, yeah, a little」
「You’ve been sitting the whole time」
「Ah, right, that’s right, un」
At that moment, I suddenly got curious about the thing on his neck. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「Um, that.....」
A green color peeked out from the collar of his gray, crude clothes. There were plenty of .....stones on a thin string? No. It was something like a hardened resin hanging on his neck.
「What an interesting-shaped necklace」
Iric strongly twisted his body when I reached out my hand.
「Don’t touch it!」
It was a shrill voice coming from him.
But even his demon-like expression immediately softened, he probably noticed Jusa, who had tensed up next to me.....and returned to that usual, unreliable-looking smile on his face.
「A, ah, I mean, this is, you know.....umm, this is, a keepsake from my mother」
「So it’s like that. So Seripacia has strange necklaces」
「Ah, yeah, right, that’s right, it’s cheap, but it’s important to me, yeah」
He finished his explanation with just that while laughing ehehehe.
However, I was properly getting on with my own work while having that kind of conversation. The order was important in this kind of situation.
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Iric Wicker （28）
・Material Human Form
(Rank 3, Male, 28 years old)
・Skill Fores Language Level 3
・Skill Ruin Language Level 5
・Skill Drug Compounding Level 4
・Skill Hand-to-hand Combat Level 2
Empty (24)
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Following the Physical Enhancement Magic, I also took away his Business Dealing skill. I wanted his Drug Compounding skill or the high–level Ruin Language skill, but I have to be patient and wait a little. Although I feel impatient, I have to endure it. And Jusa still has not let go of his vigilance toward the criminal slaves. I can not take the risk if I can not enter and exit this cell on my own.
The next day.
It was pretty much the same kind of development. Motus made a complete change in behavior, he obediently accepted his food today, even Nithura ate the bread as if devouring hungrily. She had probably gotten increasingly used to the bad smell. And Iric, he looked more and more emaciated.
While time is running out, the next thing I stook was Motus’s Business Dealing skill. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
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Motus Etoute (23)
・Material Human Form
(Rank 4, Male, 23 years old)
・Skill Ruin Language Level 4
・Skill Staff Technique Level 4
・Skill Farming Level 3
Empty (20)
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With this, my Business Dealing skill is now finally level 4. I have joined the experts. Right, I knew this since I have tried it using insects, but apparently, skill’s experience accumulates. Only, I feel like the growth of skill is small.
From the experience I have had until now, this skill level is roughly proportional to the years of experience someone has with the skill. Generally, 1 level each year. But it requires around 2 years of experience to reach level 2. So, calculating normally, level 4 will need the total number of that level corresponding to all the levels to that point, around 10 years of training.
But in reality, there were cases where people had reached such a high level in a short period of time. Jill was a good example. At such a young age, she could use plenty of weapons already. But originally, that held true only if certain conditions were met, such as having superior material - that was, innate qualities -, undergoing highly intensive training in a limited time, or having a good teacher nearby.
So conversely, if you have accumulated the necessary years of experience, can anyone have a high level? The answer is no.
If you look at language skills, the problem becomes clear. I have never seen someone having language skills of 7 until now. So what does this mean?
I suspect the higher the level of a skill, the ‘quality’ of experience becomes more important. You would be unable to make a great literary work, no matter how well you can manage daily conversations. It was probably the same even with swordsmanship. Basic training was extremely important for beginners and experts, but the experts should require tougher training to achieve further growth.
This meant that no matter how many low-level skills I stole, I would not reach a high level in that skill. Furthermore, the skill did not come with the knowledge, so I would not get a great result without practicing or learning the skill.
Although that was the case, I should have gotten better at doing 「business」 now. Or so I would like to think.
It was now the 3rd day of our patience match. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
I begged Jusa.
「They are leaving tomorrow, right? So today is the last day I could talk with the criminal slaves, especially with Iric, I could talk about all sort sof things with him, so it it okay to relax a little and let me talk with him alone? 」
If it had been the other 2 criminal slaves, Jusa probably would not have agreed. But, except at the beginning, Iric has been consistently well-behaved and friendly. Jusa warned me not to get too close once again and allowed me to go alone.
「Good morning」
My target today was Iric. Moreover, the skill was not the thing that matters, it was information.
「Did you sleep well?」
But, he did not reply, his expression was stiff.
「You look tired」
「Ah, yeah, um」
Iric spoke to me, with a conflicted expression on his face.
「Y, you know I’m not feeling really well, right?」
「Is that so?」
「Y, yeah, so, that, you said his name is Jusa? I want you to tell him」
Oh.
He was cornered.
「I know I’m here because I did something wrong, but still, I would like to feel the sunlight sometimes, otherwise I’m sure I’ll die if I keep staying here」
Well, now, maybe he really just wanted to soak in the sun? www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
Nah, no way.
He realized something strange. ‘Why can’t I use Physical Enhancement Magic. The first night and last night.’ He would never have thought I stole his skill. After all, he had not lost his knowledge and memories of magic.
In that case, he was considering another cause. Perhaps, there was a problem in this cell?
「I think that’s difficult. But tomorrow, you can get out. You will be heading to the auction venue by carriage」
「No! I can’t wait!」
A high-pitched voice interrupted me.
But he immediately returned to his senses.
「So, sorry, I shout out loud」
「It’s fine」
「Please, please just tell him, I just want to breathe the outside air. 半刻 Just an hour will do, no, even just a moment will do」
……it seemed like it was time to take a do-or-die gamble.
「Can’t be helped then, sure」
「Re, really!? Thank you!」
「But, I also have a request」
「Wha, what is it?」
I pointed at his necklace.
「It’s that necklace」
Then, the smile disappeared from his face.
「Th, this is impossible! You can’t take this, alright?」
I guessed so.
There was no way I would forget his reaction on the second day’s morning. That’s why, I thought it was suspicious.
「Well, it’s not like I asked for it, you know. I just want to take a good look at it」
「N, no! You can’t!」
「Why not? I just want to look?」
He was openly vigilant. ‘Just look’. It was an unpleasant condition. You could say that you could not give it to them when they ask for it. But, what if they wanted to ‘just look’? Just showing them would not make you lose anything. So, there was no reason not to show it. He also didn't want people to know that there was something he didn’t want to show.
A little while later, he opened his mouth. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「……just a look?」
「Yes, just a look」
He nodded, reluctantly.
「Then, fine」
「Thank you very much!
I smiled and approached. On the other hand, he looked really unhappy. He couldn't even fake a smile.
I reached out my hand and lightly pinched the necklace.
This, is a very simple item. First of, a string around his neck. The color is the same as withered weed and it does not feel good to the touch. It’s a little shabby to be called an ornament.
Plenty of wooden chips were hanging from that string. There was a hole on one side and a distinctive protrusion on the other side. It was shaped just like the anchor of a ship.
There was a fragment of something green stuck in there. It was like a resin or something. It was sticking to the wooden chips so they would not fall easily.
Looking closely, there was another small stone-like object inside that green resin. It had been shaved into a specific shape, and there was something carved at the bottom that looks like a symbol.
Incidentally, not all of the wood chips had green resin stuck to them. Some had nothing stuck to them. This is probably.....
「It’s enough, right?」
Iric said with a fed-up look.
「Right」
I gently loosened my fingers.
「So, quickly tell Jusa……」
「Where did you buy this?」
He showed an annoyed expression when I interrupt him.
「……this is handmade by my mother, it’s not sold anywhere. Rather than that」
Now!
I put strength into my fingers and jump backward in one go. The string - which looked like withered grass, broke without resistance. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
I had a hidden letter cutter we use in the office between my fingers. Different from the one used in modern Japan, this one had a really dull shape. It was roughly rectangular, and if I had to say it, it gives the impression of a razor.
「Ah……gi, give it back!」
Iric yelled. However, for better or worse, the iron door of the punishment cell also served its purpose of blocking screams. His hands could not reach me now.
「……this?」
I swung what he called ‘necklace’ to the left and right as if to tease him on purpose.
「Yeah! Give it back! That’s mine!」
It’s mine now. But, I can’t let my guard down. I have to corner him well.
「Of course, I’ll give it back. After I examine it」
Iric stiffened at that reply.
「Wh, what.....? Exa, examine? Did you say examine?」
Looks like I hit the mark.
「Yeah, examine. I think I’ll have a magic expert take a look at this」
「Wha! Why」
He underestimated me, thinking I was just a kid. Surely, he must have thought no one would see through the fact that this is a magic catalyst.
「Iric Wicker……huh? Where was your home again? Weren’t you quite rich? Ahh wellー, to think someone like that will turn into a criminal like this」
「Yo, you! How did you even know my family name!?」
I just saw it with Piercing Hand. But with this, Iric would be under the impression that I know something.
Unlike transferred slaves, criminal slaves normally don’t change their names. The reason was simple. That was because one would immediately be able to tell the slave was a criminal slave. But even so, the main principle of you losing your family name when you become a slave did not change. To begin with, becoming a slave also brought dishonor to one’s family, so they would feel grateful that they lost the family name. That was why the case officer from the Holy Forest Army omitted the family name when reading out the criminal slaves’ names.
So, what kind of existence would I look in his eyes now? www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
He should have never taught anyone his name ever since he arrived here, but I knew it for some reason. He thought no one could see through it....and actually, the existence of the catalyst went unnoticed all the way during the escort, until now. He must be confused. I must not miss this opportunity.
「Unfortunately, you can’t use magic here, you know?」
「Wha……!?」
He shut his mouth in panic. Getting agitated for not being able to use magic. That was already no different from admitting it.
I can’t explain that I have already stolen his skill, and I won’t. Instead, I’ll make a little lie.
「I haven’t heard the details, but there is some kind of barrier set up...rather than that, this catalyst, how do you use it?」
There were some wooden chips that did not have any resin on them. And they were hanging close to his face. Above all, Iric had skill relating to pharmacology. That meant.
「I knew it, you swallow it, right?」
「Tha, that’s....」
There was a gasp.
「My, my mother, keepsake....」
「Is that so. I understand」
I suddenly turned around.
「Then, I’m going to examine it, and I’ll return it to you later. Sorry」
「Ah, wa, wait!」
「It’s fine, I’ll find it out soon. See you, Iric」
「S, stop! Please stop!」
I looked back with a complacent smile. This is the moment I cast off my child’s disguise. Honestly, I’m not good at this kind of method, and I don’t like it, but I steeled myself and achieved it.
「Just be honest」
「Wh, what?」
「I’m gonna leave, if you waste my time, you know? But」
Once again, I flaunted the necklace.
「Yeah.....I can give this back to you, if you tell me how to use it and how to make it」
Iric suddenly stopped moving. His lips were trembling. There was hesitation. But, he had no other choice.
「……y, you, why, do you want to know that? Just, who are you」
「Okay then, bye」
「Wa, wait!」
Iric finally said, while biting his lips. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「O, okay. I’ll tell you. .....that’s right, that’s a catalyst. It’s just as you’ve thought, you swallow it without chewing, and then, then 2 magic will take effect immediately. There’s also no need to chant or gestures」
「Hm, and then?」
「One is, it will give you great strength temporarily. It will also make you move faster. Jus...just that, you won’t be able to move well if you’re not used to it」
I see. As expected, this man was the person with superhuman strength Zelkova was talking about.
No one would suspect anything with his appearance.
「And the other one?」
「Your senses become sharper. You can hear sounds better, and your sense of smell will also improve. You can see things in detail even in dark places, also.....fast-moving objects can be seen moving slower」
「That’s amazing!」
As expected from Level 5 Physical Enhancement magic. If you combine this with combat skills, you are going to be able to fight a strong enemy. Unfortunately, Iric only has Level 2 Hand-to-hand Combat.
But, he frowned after hearing my voice of admiration.
「Y, you can’t use it in any case」
「Why?」
「Unless, you practice magic - specifically magic in this field - and have your mana flowing through your body, or it won’t have any effect. But, there will be side effects」
「Side effects?」
There’s something like that? I’m glad I can hear it now.
At any rate, I was threatening him to extract information from him. There was also the possibility of his deliberate act of telling only incomplete information.
That’s why I am purposely acting as a jerk like this and continue to apply pressure on him. Things will get troublesome if he recovers mentally and starts trying to negotiate or scheme.
「The effect of magic will last for an hour half koku. And after that, your whole body will become sluggish. This.....this will also continue for an hour. You can still walk but, you will basically become useless」
「How do you eliminate the side effects? Is there anything to remove it?」
「None. Thi, this system of magic has some spells to grant vitality and make you resistant to fatigue and drowsiness, but they don’t work on this particular side effect」
「I see.....so, how do you make this?」
He shook his head.
「Impossible, it’s impossible」
「Then, I guess I’ll have to take it back with me and have it checked」
「No, that’s not it!」
He raised his voice. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「You, do you want to use magic? But, it’s not that easy. Unless you practice for 10 years, you won’t be able to use, that magic」
「I know. Rather than that, how do you make this?」
He looks annoyed. Good. That’s much better than having to do some weird calculations.
「F, fine! I’ll tell you, you’re not gonna be able to make it anyway. All the materials to make them are from Seripasia. First, the exterior resin is gathered from peeling off the bark of the young Tsumaraka tree found in the northeast woodlands. They melt when heated and are then used to wrap up the content. The content is the pollen of the Tandra flower blooming in the northwest of Lind plains and the hardened body fluid of the Moor Spider that lives in the southwest marshland. Once it thoroughly dried, you cut it into hexagonal pillar shapes, carve magic characters on them, and apply gold leaf to them」
「Hmm, I see.....un, I wrote them. Okay. I have those materials here, I’m going to make it now. If I can make it well enough, I can just give the finished product to Iric instead of this necklace」
Of course, that’s a lie. If I don’t do this, he might lie about some of the processes. Even he probably don’t want to receive a defective product for a catalyst.
「Y, you stupid! Those are highly poisonous!」
See.
I have to be careful.
「Ehh? Why didn’t you say so, earlier?」
「Tha, that’s, that’s common sense! You’ll be unconscious if you inhale too much pollen from the Tandra flower! The body fluid of the Moor Spider will cause numbness and pain if you take it. You can’t use it if you don’t remove the poison. Thi, this is not something someone with no experience can make!」
Hmーm, I might overlook some things if this were done in a question format.
「Then, write here. Write all the necessary processes and the things to take note of. I might look like this, but I have a lot of influence in this housing facility, you know. I am pretty much a slave, but I’m the master’s favorite, so actually, no one can go against me here. And I’m going to make the pharmacist sensei make it for me, so please write the instructions in detail, alright. Iric is the one who will use them after all so you have to take real care of it」
「I, idiot! Everything will be discovered if you do all that! Rather than doing it that way, bring the tools and materials here secretly! I will make it right in front of you!」
Oops.
「No way. That’s more dangerous. I have the pharmacist sensei’s weakness, so it’s alright. More importantly, just do as you’re told.....」
「Damn it, this.....!」
Yosh yosh, he’s getting nicely fired up and writing with enthusiasm. Well, I still can’t trust him completely, but it is probably better than nothing. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「Y, yosh, I wrote them. Now, quick.....」
「Aah, one more thing. Is there a simple spell or something?」
「Haa?」
I have to squeeze out as much as I can. This is my only chance.
「Earlier, you said there is a way to gain vitality, right? That, how about that?」
「……that’s not an easy spell. The easiest spell to use right away is an action-inhibition spell」
「Action-inhibition? What’s that, that sounds convenient, doesn’t it? What kind of effect does it have?」
「It will cause momentary pain to the opponent. It will not cause injury in itself. But, it will make someone fall and drop whatever they are carrying」
「Heeh!」
That in itself was quite useful. Please teach me about it.
「That’s nice! Then, write that action-inhibiting and.....vitality spell? Write both of those spells」
「Kuhh……」
When I looked at the finished writing, there were unreadable characters written there.
「What’s this?」
「Magic Characters」
「I can’t read them. Write them properly in Fores language」
「Impossible. The pronunciation is also different, I can’t express it」
I guess it can’t be helped then. If that information is correct, then it still has value, so I guess I’ll accept it.
But, this may be the time to test his honesty.
「Then.....the easier one. The Action-Inhibition one? Chant the actual incantation」
He was grinding his teeth. Probably feeling completely desperate already. Then he chanted the incantation as told. Of course, nothing happens. He believed that there was a barrier set up in this jail.
「Hm, I guess I will try it too」
「It can’t be done right away. You have to do basic training for a year, and although it is different since I am used to it, first a catalyst.....Ugahh!?」
I only muttered a few words under my breath, but Iric collapsed weakly. Un, looks like it was not an act. Although the other information may not necessarily be the truth, at least this one is okay.
「Yosh, so it’s like this」
「Y, you」
「Hm?」
「……why, can you, use magic」
Ah, crap.
「That’s because the barrier only covers the area beneath your feet, you know. It’s obvious, isn’t it?」
While saying that, I pulled out a single wooden piece from the necklace and threw it at Iric.
「I’ll ask the pharmacist sensei to make it later. First things first, here」
Catching the superhuman pill, Iric was all smiles, completely different from the previous expression.
「Ooohhh.......as, as long as I have this.....!」
「Ahー, just in case I’ll say it first, don’t cause trouble and act out here, alright?」
He looked at me suspiciously when I said that. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
「What?」
「Well, I mean. It will be found out that I gave that to you」
And, perhaps it was due to the resentment he holds until now, Iric made a nasty smile.
「Th, that’s convenient. If, you don’t want it to be found out」
「I guess I have no choice but to have Myluc shoot you dead」
I am not going to let him negotiate. I am the one who will always give orders. That is absolute.
「This.....how far.....!」
「It’s fine isn’t it, you can just escape once the auction is over」
「Wha, what about my companions next door」
「Are they that important to you?」
After hearing that, Iric stood silent for a while. And immediately after that, a vulgar smile appeared on his face.
「Heh……now that you mention it, I, I don’t care about them」
「Right?」
Once I organized the notes I got this time, I finally decided to leave the room.
「Bye then. Well, do your best」
「Hmm……」
I closed the door and said goodbye to the indignant Iric. With this, I bid farewell to the smell of the punishment cell.
And.
「……what luck」
I muttered. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
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(Self) (7)
・Ultimate Ability
Piercing Hand
・Material Human Form
(Rank 7, Male, 5 years old Active)
・Material Bird Form
(Rank 6, Male, 8 years old)
・Skill Fores Language Level 3
・Skill Business Dealing Level 4
・Skill Drug Compounding Level 4
・Skill Physical Enhancement Magic Level 5
Empty (1)
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