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Hanging One's Head At The Window
30.000 gold coins.
1 gold coin was equivalent to 10.000 yen in my previous life, so converting all that, it was around 300 million yen.
The average monthly income of an adult male in urban areas was roughly 15-20 gold coins. In other words, right now he would pay me an amount that exceeded an adult male’s lifetime worth of their money.
「Even so, Gruvy-dono」
And as expected, from the noble Viscount. He does not change his expression when it comes to negotiations.
「Fay is already working as a servant in our family. There are many rules in noble households after all」
Although the way he said it was ambiguous, to put it simply, it basically means that it would be troublesome if the family’s secret - even mere gossip - were to leak outside. So that was why, servants in noble households could be content in their positions. Since the master will not easily throw away their servants. Of course, as long as they do not cause any scandal.
「I, understand guhii, but, it has only, been 3 months, right?」
「There is a reason I have him in his current role. And, he has fulfilled his role while serving me for these 3 months. So to let go of him right now is」
「To say of letting him go, that’s nonsense…..Your Excellency, you have nothing whatsoever to lose. From now on, guhii, Fay-kun, will just serve Your Excellency, together with me」
Gruvy suddenly stepped forward, as though not caring about the mere show of refusal. To give me up or not to? It was pointless to even refuse. In any case, it was just a matter of piling up more bags of coins.
At first glance, he may seem like he gave up negotiation and chose a path of self-destruction, but it was not that simple. Gruvy’s opponent was a noble. It was also a Forestian noble who values appearances. They tend to look down on greedy merchants and consider farming as the foundation of human activities. So, they deliberately avoid prolonged negotiations and set their sight on making a large amount of money. If anything, generosity was an attitude expected of them.
Since earlier, Ifroz - who had been standing beside the Viscount, had been sending subtle signs despite it being inconspicuous. He probably tried to tell the Viscount to 「reject」 it. I didn't know the reason for that. Perhaps he was reluctant to let me go, or it could just be that he was simply worried about the reputation and rumors that come with the act of selling the servant for a large amount of money.
「But, Gruvy-dono, you seem to have forgotten that I hold a public position. As someone who serves the royal family and the kingdom, it becomes my duty as well to protect and raise a helpless bird that has strayed into my hands」
It came out. His just cause. The usual ally of justice’s act.
「I do not think I have to tell you this but.....please leave this room and look, try to look from the high ground. Is there a bigger, more beautiful city than Pyris around here? And among those places, where else could be more fitting to educate a promising boy than here」
For a boy’s future, it was best to raise him in a noble’s house. If you still argue against this, then you will be socially out. However, Gruvy was still smiling.
「Certainly, there is no greater happiness growing.....gufuh.....near, Your Excellency. Although, my means are modest, I too, wish to make an investment, in the future」
「What do you mean?」
「Excuse me……」
In response to that question, he lightly bowed at the Viscount while still seated.
And then, he dragged his body slowly and turned toward me again.
「……Fay-kun, you see, I don’t have any children. If, you work for me, I will make you my adopted child」
At this, the Viscount and Ifroz were at a loss for words.
Gruvy was a prominent, wealthy person in the southern part of Esta Forestia. Although he was but a commoner, his influence could not be made light of. Indeed, although he was not a person with a good reputation and he had a lot of enemies, he has more than enough fortune to make up for it. If I were to become his successor. That was already a fine Cinderella story.
My goal, was eternal youth and immortality. And, there were legends of immortality in all parts of this world. So, I wanted to actually visit each of those places and confirm the authenticity of those legends. Only by completely realizing immortality could I avoid that repulsive 「Reincarnation」.
And a step toward that goal was the reason I chose the path of being purchased by the Viscount House. To steal abilities, to get knowledge and skills, eventually to prepare myself for the future journey of exploration.
But right now, the Viscount House had not given me what I expected. They were even unwilling to give me a chance to learn. In contrast, if I were to work under Gruvy, there was no reason not to go along with that.
Well, if there was one regrettable thing.....that would be the fact that the Viscount House was a noble house and there was a possibility of being promoted to a Knight. If I became a Knight, I would be able to travel around the world without having to ask for permission every single time, and so I wanted to get a noble page’s bracelet if possible.
However.
「Of course, I will also, release you from slavery.....」
But, I thought that my position would be no different from being a slave, even if I was no longer a slave. And what would I need to offer in return? Probably, my butt. A well-shaped, boy’s butt. Not good. If I remembered correctly, Gruvy’s Bedroom Technique was at an advanced level. My sexual preference was going to be extremely modified.
But you know, it might not be so bad if that was the price I had to pay to leave this mansion. Once I got away and was released from the status of a slave, I could do as I pleased without worrying about future troubles. If I could walk around freely, I would be able to snatch the experiences and abilities from people passing by every day.
But, Ifroz’s gaze hurts. Just the other day, I sharply spoke to him that I could prepare the money to buy myself back but.....I was sure he had a misunderstanding about this situation.
「And if you like, I can also hand over Nora’s ownership to you」
……ha?
Nora?
「Aah, to you, she is called, Dona, right」
Dona?
That was right. Dona was bought by this guy. It had only been 3 months since then. Did he change her name back to her real name? That’s not important at this point, but in any case, such a beautiful girl will still have potential for the future, but he was already tired of her?
Perhaps the doubts were shown on my face. He added.
「She is, still, as cute as ever. Even now, she should be doing her best, back in my mansion」
What? What did you mean?
Gruvy, was still not tired of her? Or rather, he still have not touched her? He gave me that kind of nuance.
Strange. That was strange, you know.
I remembered how he lost his temper when he lost his bid on me at the auction. I was watching it right in front of my eyes. Besides, he certainly showed desire when he looked at me at that time. But how was he now? Right now, he gave off the air of someone intelligent and composed. He still looked gross, and the sweat still made him 30% more unbearable, but even so.
No. He was, the so-called nouveau riche. He achieved success 20 years ago and has since become a very wealthy man. Someone of that caliber could never be only a pervert. Right, even if his businesses were conducted using shady means. For example, using Mind Manipulation Magic to manipulate other people.....
……eh?
「I am certainly, only a lowly merchant, gohho…and I can not make you a Knight.....but, there is, not just one way, for a person, to be a person of stature」
Mind Manipulation Magic?
A magic, that manipulates the mind.
So, what could it do specifically?
No way. Don’t tell me.
……this guy, was he reading my mind right now?
That was not all.
Could he control how I feel about things, to some extent?
No, no.
It was still too early to draw a conclusion.
If that was the case, then he should just immediately control the Viscount and Ifroz’s minds without doing such a roundabout thing.
「Hahhaha.....you must have been too surprised since our talk just got too sudden, right?」
Supposing that.....he could not control my mind or take a peek at it right now, at this place.
What the hell.
Gruvy has Dona in his hands.
Dona sold me out and.....well, I could not say that it was impossible forever, but I didn't think she would have a sudden change of heart in such a short time. But, that was only if she was in her right mind.
Even if he requires an enormous amount of preparation to use this Mind Manipulation Magic of his.
Even if there were various preconditions such as potions that have to be slowly simmered on a built-in altar, it would still be easy to prepare it in his own house. And, Dona had no way to resist him. Even if she struggled and ran away, the woman next to him would probably just easily hold her down.
Even if all he could get from doing all that much was a simple confession on the level of a truth serum. Dona would probably easily tell him all my secrets. How much did she know about my abilities? At the very least, she knew I delivered that flower on her birthday, and she knew either I could enslave birds or become one myself. That I was able to also remove my slave’s bracelets and shackles.
The day we went on a trip with Jusa. I was flying through the air when I noticed Dona approaching and dove into the water. I thought I managed to fool her somehow, but perhaps she saw me, barely?
Why didn’t I check with Dona? Just how much does she know about me.
Why didn’t I think about that possibility, I wonder. At that moment when Dona was taken by Gruvy, I should have realized it would become like this.
Did Gruvy know about my secret? How far did he know?
And now, at this moment, just how far has the effect of his Mind Manipulation Magic affected me?
When I was having such thoughts like this, was he reading my mind?
And, if he knew my abilities, what was his purpose?
What was he planning by having a young boy with a mysterious ability as a subordinate?
「……that is, what I intend, to do」
Before I knew it, Gruvy had turned back to the Viscount, just like before.
「I will do, anything, I can.....gohyuu, to raise, a fine young man, that can be of service, to you, Your Excellency」
「Hm」
The Viscount crossed his arms and assumed a thinking pose.
At any rate, the decision was always made by the master. I wonder how the Viscount will deal with Gruvy’s request?
I think I had a rough understanding of what kind of person her is. And also the depth of Ifroz’s worries with such a master. After living here for 3 months, various problems of this place have become clear.
This Safis-guy, he deeply cared about appearance and reputation, but he was actually not that impressive. Although he was not stupid nor lazy, he was not particularly honest and diligent either. Even now, he was thinking about the large amount of money dangling right in front of him.
The reason he - more accurately, Ifroz - successfully bid on me, was to maintain the retainer body for the future Viscount House. 6.000 gold coins was not an amount you pay for an object. Perhaps, he purchased me because he determined he could trust the slave trader, Myluc.
But, any loyal child will do, no matter who he is. In this part, there was a difference in their perception. The Viscount - who has no interest in his subordinates - was content as long as he could maintain his organization - that was his house - and believed it was only natural. So, he really did not understand why Ifroz would pay such a large amount of money for a child slave. If Gruvy was willing to pay 30.000 gold coins, he thinks it would be better to sell off this Fay and, in exchange for him, find another 10 or so suitable young child salves.
On the other hand, being somewhat on the actual field, he realizes that the organization was thoroughly rotten at its roots. So to dig it up and expose it to the southern province’s sunlight, he needed a capable and dependable retainer, a handpicked elite. And if possible, someone fresh, unsullied, with no strange outside connections, a person devoted solely to the Viscount. People who have continued to serve the family for several generations could actually become surprisingly useless, due to all the ties or bonds they share with the other servants.
Right now, Ifroz was already old, and he did not have that much time. Just as the previous head of the house once appointed outsiders - including himself - to the retainer body and reformed it, Ifroz also wanted to inject fresh blood from outside into the retainer body.
I could glimpse such a difference in perception. Even now, the Viscount was pretending to think. But, deep down, he just thought it was absolutely a bother. To him, servants should be the one who naturally followed him, and it was not something to read too much into every single time. Well, that was not entirely wrong since the House has a steward.
So, the real conflict inside of him was something else. Such as, ‘How can I convince Ifroz? How can I preserve my dignity as a noble in front of Gruvy?’
If so, his answer naturally became.
「I see, I fully understand」
He uncrossed his arms and smiled.
「Nurturing the younger generation who will take on the future is an important service to the nation. Therefore, I thought I should do as much as I could, but I realized that monopolizing all this honor upon myself is also a problem 」
「Then, gofuu」
「Now now, Gruvy-dono. The one who will be most affected by this decision will be none other than Fay-kun. So, I think it is better to let him choose for himself」
The Viscount proposed with a refreshing smile on his face.
Ifroz had a stiff expression. The Viscount seemed to have handled the situation, but that was only how it looked on the outside. Somehow, I could understand it too. After all, the person in question was right in front of me. A master who thought he could let me go and exchange me for a lot of money, and another who thought I should help him lend him my strength by all means. From a servant’s perspective, which side would I lean towards? Even though Ifroz wanted me to have loyalty to the Viscount House, this was how the master was.
And, it was not just my problem. Other retainers will soon hear about this incident. It sounded nice to hear ‘Welcome those who come and don’t chase those who leave’, but isn’t it only natural for a flesh-and-blood human to feel unsettled and cold in such a situation?
Now then.
At this point, the future of the Viscount House was none of my concern. But, the problem was this guy’s - Gruvy - plan.
This was just a guess, but to summarize it. Currently, there was a possibility that Gruvy could read the Viscount, Ifroz, and my mind. Of course, it might not be possible. Only, no matter how small the chances are, Dona’s mind had probably been analyzed by him.
So, he was aware that I had special powers. Having knowledge of that, he was trying to take me into his possession.
The problem was after that. I don’t know what his aims are, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I will willingly cooperate. So what should I do? As stated here, he will free me from slavery and pay me a good wage, and moreover, will even give me Dona? If so, I should probably jump at this opportunity. At the same time, it would be great if he could become my master in Mind Manipulation Magic. I’m not an ungrateful person, so I would naturally want to repay those who do their best for me with something worthy in return.
But. There was no reason for Gruvy to go to such lengths.
Not only was he an experienced Mind Manipulation Magician, but he also had various abilities. Extraordinary financial power. And capable subordinates. They might completely dominate my mind if they performed complicated rituals, and if that was possible, he would be sure to make me a slave, in its truest meaning. Also, this female ninja would chase after me if I tried to escape. Even if I defeat her, there might be another one.
Not good.
The conditions were attractive, but they could not be trusted. What if I thoughtlessly get swept up by the sweet temptation and end up as his property?
Think the other way around. Why was he raising the money to 30.000 gold coins? Because I was the Viscount’s property. If he were to kidnap me by force, there would be repercussions in many ways.
In other words, I was currently being protected by the Viscount House as a matter of unpleasant necessity. The reason I was able to remain safe was that I was taken in by an influential person in this mansion.
「Gruvy-sama」
The surrounding atmosphere urged me to speak. So I bowed and opened my mouth.
「For rating me so highly, thank you very much」
Ifroz was staring at me with a gaze so powerful I felt as though it could pierce right through me. Even though he was misunderstanding something.
「Nevertheless, I have also received a debt of gratitude from the Viscount House. Is it really acceptable for the servant themselves to change their master at their own convenience?」
Gruvy frowned for a moment at this.
「Therefore, I can not give you a favorable response. But, I would like to cherish Gruvy-sama’s feelings. If there is an opportunity next time, I would like to do my best to be useful for the sake of the Viscount House and also Gruvy-sama」
The moment I finished speaking, a sickening smile had formed on Gruvy’s face.
「Fay」
A small voice called out from the side. It was Ifroz.
The time for a servant’s forwardness in speaking had just come to an end. At any rate, the decision whether to transfer me or not lies in the master’s hands. So he gave me a signal with his eyes to leave.
I bowed and quietly left the room.
Coolness returns at dusk. Unusually, being released from work, I stared outside from the window of my room.
There was no one here right now. I gazed into the distance from the second floor of the servants’ building. Although it was facing south, honestly, the view was not great. Since there were large buildings on both sides, I could only see into the distance from the gap between them.
The port could be seen in the distance. The large warehouses in the surrounding area. Masts of warships lined up. All of them were dyed orange.
In the end, I remain a slave. Gruvy did not push any further, gave up, and went back.
Nagia sarcastically told me that I missed the chance to be rich.
When I was cleaning up the room, Ifroz - who came to check up on me - silently tapped my shoulder. Still as expressionless as ever. Perhaps he thought I managed to somehow make Gruvy to move. I’m sure he must have received this time’s disturbance as a demonstration of my being able to leave here anytime.
Behind, the door opened.
「Fay, are you here?」
It’s the young man in charge of internal affairs.
「I came to collect the clothes loaned to you」
「Aah, it’s hanging on the closet over there」
Being told so, he quickly reached inside the closet.
「What’s the matter?」
The other person’s expression seemed a little gloomy so I couldn’t help but ask.
「No, well」
He looked away, seemingly unable to speak.
「Well, don’t be discouraged」
「Eh?」
「There are people, who still managed to get pulled back up, even if they are removed from the welcoming task」
Apparently, he felt sorry for me.
「Well, you, you’ve been working too hard as a kid, so why don’t you take this chance to take a bit of a break? You still have a long way to go after all」
「Yes」
Although his consideration was off the mark, I’ll still accept the kindness gratefully this time.
「Well then」
「Thank you very much」
The man left, and the room was enveloped in silence again.
This time, Gruvy gave up. But if he had an accurate grasp of my strength, there was no way he would back down.
I needed to quickly steal experiences, cram all sorts of knowledge into my head, and get stronger, obtain recognition in this Viscount House by my own hands, and get rid of people like Gruvy who try to pry into my secret.
There were too many things I had to do.
I have to do something about this....
I sighed helplessly toward the sinking evening sun. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
Author Note:
This concludes the Fifth Chapter.
Finally, it’s time for the cheat to make its appearancesー.
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