Chapter 43

[Sherry <Female*Age 16>

Explorer Level 10]

The girl coming inside was short. She only reached the chest of the old lady. I know from the story that her height is around 140 cm, 4 feet 7 inches. She is also of the same age as Roxanne.

She definitely doesn't look like a dwarf, she also didn't have a child's body, she is just small, thin and lovely. I am reminded of Wednesday when I look at her, just her expression is totally opposite of her as she has a bright looking face.

"I'm Sherry"

A slightly raised nose with big powerful eyes and a small mouth. She really looks a bit Italian. Her Purple Hair is thick and gives a slightly strange impression. It's short and curls at the shoulder on the right and left side.

Her ears are thin and pointed just like an Elf's, it's good that she isn't muscular like the dwarves. She looks like a considerably beautiful girl.

"I am Michio and this is Roxanne" I greet her looking at her clear face.

"Nice to meet you" Roxanne bows a little to Sherry

"Umm Thank you for considering me" Sherry bows to us.

When she bowed her entire hair wobbled unnaturally trying to catch up to her.

"Sherry is the only dwarf we have at the moment. Sherry come here" Alan beckons her

"Ok"

We all sat back down. Sherry goes over and sits down next to the Slave Merchant on the couch in front of us. She looks really cute, like an obedient girl, I just want to pet her.

"Um, that …" Sherry hesitated to say something.

She looks towards the Slave Merchant, he gives her a small nod.

"I'm … already Explorer Level 10" Sherry speaks hesitantly

"That is good as we have the habit to dive into labyrinth regularly"

"Uhm … That's not what I mean" Sherry looked troubled

"You can speak freely" I tell her patiently already knowing what she wants to say.

"Until a dwarf becomes an Explorer Level 10, they have the chance to become a Master Smith. However, not all Dwarves can become one. Generally only those who have a talent in the Labyrinth can become one."

"Hmm" I just acknowledge her statement

"I wasn't able to become one" Sherry replies with her head down.

It's just like Sherry. The first thing she did was come clean with her flaws. So innocent and honest.

"If you don't become a Master Smith by Explorer Level 10, is it impossible to ever become one?" I question her earlier statement.

"Only Job changes before Explorer Level 10 are accepted in the Master Smith's guild, though exceptions aren't entirely unheard of"

See this talk of talent and all is just bullshit. I know the real conditions for Sherry to acquire the Master Smith Job already.

"I see" I nod at her reply

"I was one of the strongest people in my village. Among the dwarves, I think both my Strength and Height are above average" Sherry talks passionately, after a pause she bows towards me while sitting "I'm willing to enter the Labyrinth to earn my keep. I swear I won't hinder you. Thank you again for considering me"

She is really trying her best to appeal to me. She just looks too cute right now.

"Ahem … Would you like some time alone to consider?" Alan who was looking at all of this silently interjects seeing my calm expression.

"Sure"

"Well then .. " Alan gestures towards Sherry and they both go towards the door.

Before going out of the room Sherry looks back at me and bows. Such a polite girl.

"What do you think?" I ask Roxanne

"I was just like her, she was also aiming for someone that can go into a labyrinth" Roxanne replies with a hand on her heart

"Hmm"

"Of course if Master ever decides to stop entering the labyrinth. Please let me continue serving by your side" Roxanne says while looking at me earnestly

"You're so reliable, Roxanne. Thank you" I stroke her soft ears with a smile

"So you think that Sherry is promising?" I ask her for confirmation

"Well … even if she says she has no talent, she has the resolution needed for training and effort" Roxanne replies with pumping her fists. I looked below at the shaking mountains.

"I see" I say a short prayer to Sherry as Roxanne's training would surely be hellish

"She might not last long, but if the price is low she isn't a bad choice" Roxanne tells me after thinking for a while

"Because of her ears?"

"Yes, as Dwarves gets older, their ears become thinner, and her ears are considerably thin so she might be already quite old, you should check her age before deciding"

"I will do that then" I nod with a smile.

'I have checked her age through my Powers, she is also just 16 years old. She might be born with thin ears'

'Ohh I will believe Master then'

I used the party link because I think Alan might be listening to our conversation in some way.

"My apologies for the wait" Just then the Slave Merchant returns with the old lady.

The old lady gives Roxanne a wave.

"Ah" Roxanne stands up happily

"May I speak to that woman for a bit? I am indebted to her because she looked after me when I was here" Roxanne asks me eagerly with her tail wagging behind her.

"Sure, have a nice long chat"

Roxanne and the old lady left while The Slave merchant sat in front of me. Because of Party Formation I can kind of feel where Roxanne is even if I can't see her.

"How have you been Michio-sama"

The Slave Merchant and I spent some time doing small talk.

"So I have shifted to Quratar now and have a Huge Estate of mine there"

I tell the Merchant my need for quality slaves.

"If I get someone who will satisfy your requirements, I will hold on to that one for you"

"I would appreciate that"

"So, how was the Dwarf Girl?" The Slave Merchant comes to the main topic at last.

"Depending on the price, she might be alright"

I am already going to buy Sherry for sure. But let's haggle to get the lowest price, even if I have more money right now I should try to save it wherever I can.

"I see, Sherry is 16 years old. And even though she isn't a Master Smith, she has agreed to become a sex slave. She's a virgin so there is no worry about disease as well"

Getting the old lady to take Roxanne away so that we can chat more frankly. Alan is surprisingly good at being a Merchant.

"Is that so?" I reply with a thoughtful look

"Michio-sama may not be very familiar with the characteristics of other races. Sherry's ears are naturally thin, and that's generally a feature of an aging Dwarf. That decreases the price a bit and I think makes her quite affordable"

He definitely overheard Roxanne and my conversation. If not than he probably would have tried to sell her at a high price

"Even though people of other races wouldn't be concerned about her ears, you would still lower the price?"

"Actually for other races the only way to judge a Dwarf's age is by their ears"

"I see" Well her ears were definitely as thin as an Elf's so I can see the confusion.

"Also, because Sherry is only a First year slave, the amount of tax is cheaper too"

I am a Free Man or the head of my household, everyone else living in my house would be an Ordinary Citizen or a Slave. For a Free Man my taxes are 100,000 nars or 10 Gold coins. For an Ordinary Citizen the taxes are 30,000 nars or 3 Gold coins. And a slave's taxes are 10,000 nars or 1 Gold coin.

But this way people could become a slave temporarily, pay less tax and buy themselves back, saving 2 Gold coins and keep repeating that. That's why only a First Year Slave pays 1 Gold Coin in tax. After that it is 3 Gold coins for them.

"That is good"

"Yeah so because of her ears her price isn't that high, just around 300,000 nars. But her education isn't finished either so I'll decrease it by another 30,000 nars. How does 270,000 nars sound?"

Roxanne was more than double this price.

"Hmm …" I put a thinking pose and pretend to hesitate

"Well … 260,000. No 250,000 … that's the best I can do"

That was also the lowest price he went in the og story. Lets use my Ultimate then, 35% off!

"When I bought Roxanne, she had some clothes included. Add that too and I will buy her"

"Those? They were imitation Maid clothes, and they really pleased a lot of customers"

Well that reminds me I have yet to experience a 'Maid' service from Roxanne.

"If I add those clothes it's an additional 4000 nars" Alan pauses for a bit " As a a special service for purchasing both, the total would be 165,100 nars"

From 25 Gold to 16 Gold and 51 silvers, well Alan is a previous victim of my 35% skill so I guess he must be used to it.

"Sounds Good"

I count the coins and give them to the Slave Merchant. Alan happily takes the money in a tray and leaves. Roxanne enters as Alan goes out.

"Did you have a good chat?" I ask Roxanne

"Yes, thank you very much. What did you decide?" Roxanne asks sitting beside me

"She will be coming with us" I tell Roxanne with a smile.

"Is that so? That's Good" Roxanne replies with a smile of her own

I was observing her and that's why I could see that for a brief moment Roxanne's expression became cloudy. Even if she isn't that happy with my decision, on the surface she is welcoming it. Well making a Harem isn't that easy I guess.

"As I said before Roxanne, I would depend on you to look after her as her senior" I tell her while patting her head.

Her eyes brighten after listening to me.

"Yes! Please leave it to me Master" Roxanne replies with a pump of her fists and a happy smile.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting. Come here Sherry"

We both get up as the Slave Merchant returns with Sherry right behind him.

"Please look after me" Sherry comes forward and bows to us. Her purple hair also follows after her.

"Yes, I will also be in your care" I reply with a smile

"I am Master's number one slave, Roxanne. Please look after me too" Roxanne introduces herself from beside me.

You really are my first so that does make you number one, Roxanne.

"Well then I will carry out the contract" The Slave Merchant tells us from the side

"You were a slave after all? I thought you were his young wife." Sherry replies in surprise to Roxanne's remark

"His young wife?! Not at all" Roxanne says while shaking her head.

Roxanne you don't have to deny it that forcefully.

"I was mistaken because your clothes are so nice, you look very healthy, and your skin has such a lovely complexion" Sherry tells Roxanne while looking at her up and down

It may be because of yesterday's Bath.

"It's because Master is a gentle and wonderful person. Now that you are with us, you won't have to worry about food, clothing and shelter" Roxanne tells Sherry enthusiastically.

While those two were talking, I lifted my left hand. Sherry also lifts her left hand. The Slave Merchant recites an incantation and the Intelligence Cards appear.

"I have completed the contract process. Please confirm her age" Alan states after completing his chant.

"P-please" Sherry lifts her left hand towards me.

I checked her Intelligence card.

[Sherry Female, 16 years old, Explorer, Owner: Kaga Michio]

"Want to see?" I ask Sherry while giving her my left hand

"Is it all right?" Sherry asks back hesitantly

"Yes it's fine" I reply with a smile

[Kaga Michio Male, 17 years old, Explorer, Free Man, Slaves: Roxanne, Sherry]