Chapter 10 : Eina

"I'll buy her."

I let out those words before I knew it. Why? I don't know.

However, I know that that feelings of her certainly reached my heart. Those thoughts of hers that may be the cause of how she looks right now, reacted to me.

I might know why, however I don't need to think about that right now. After I said those words, I can't just say that was a slip of the tongue.

Clearly, I wish to buy her. I wish to save her.

Those thoughts whirled in my mind, while looking at her gazing at me with a surprised but frightful look. I tried to smile at her, only for her to curl up more, trembling at the words I said after.

"So, how much?"

I said that then looked at the traff-merchant, who then widely grinned while saying,

"Hehe, that girl is new, virgin even. I got her quite high, so 13 gold it is."

Smirking, he gave a price so high I know I can't afford, and he might certainly know too. Narrowing my eyes looking at him, I quietly activated my <Intention Seeker> again.

'Hmm... I know brats like you don't even have money. I am never giving you her, for normal price even if you begged me.'

His thoughts, being revealed to me, was clear. I know what should I do in these situations.

"Don't think you could fool me, mister. Even if I look like this, I am a son of a merchant and know the prices of the goods here. Even slave prices. I also know something. You're new here, aren't you?"

Saying that much, I meant those words besides the true prices of slaves. I know something he don't know that works here. That alone could gave me an advantage.

"So what if I'm new here? I study the cities before I go into them."

"I see. But that doesn't mean you know everything here, am I right? Let me tell you something," While saying that, I activated my magic, <Mapping>.

<Mapping> spell creates a map by giving magic a shape, I am able to create a 3D map of these city. The map spreaded and showed us the place we're in. I then pointed on the northwest of our site, and said to the frozen slave merchant.

"See this?"

"Wh-what? It's just a normal building!"

"So you say. However, don't you know that it's actually a secret place for knights that protect this area? After all, places like this tend to be unattended and many crimes happen here."

After continuing these battle with words, I added with a little lie, "Before going here, I have already seen someone who was looking to this place. He was in a civilian clothes, though a sword was on his waist. Maybe you know already what I'm talking about."

'This brat... He might've had an influence on those knights then... I better play it right here now...'

I was speechless at his thoughts that was slipping onto me, thinking I had a position higher than him...However, this works for me. Finally he said the price.

"...7 gold then."

"...That's fine then. Looks like I need to go now."

"...2 gold coins. Just let me be on my business here."

"The price became low fast, huh? However, that's fine with me," I said with a hint of arrogance to keep him in my palm. I need to. I handed the 2 gold coins to him, who said,

"It's much more efficient giving you a lower price than be in the prison for this, after all."

After accepting the gold, he pulled the beastkin girl, then done something to the collar which glowed crimson, then died after 3 seconds.

"Now the girl is yours. You can command her by letting out a bit of magic power. If she tried to disobey you, you can let out more powerful magic power and the collar will choke her."

"..."

That's cruel. However, that's life, I guess. We got out of the slave store. I remember the things I said to that merchant. While it is legal to have a slave here in Negissa, it's illegal to buy and sell slaves here.

As I thought about that, I stared again at the cat-eared girl in front of me now. She was following me, looking pale and trembling. This is bad. I might be seen as someone who abuses her if she look like this.

Having no choice, I tried to avoid people and hid ourself by using my spell <Camouflage>. With this, we won't be seen by anyone, however, we can stjll be touched.

I made my decision by that and jumped above holding her in a princess carry, using roofs as a foothold until we came into the gate on got outside, and we got into the hill I always go.

"Now then, what to do..." I murmured. I just suddenly got a slave. Rather, this isn't in my plan at all. However, here we are. I'm getting a headache about what I just did, putting myself into a problem. However, strangely, it doesn't feel bad at all.

Rather, I don't regret it. Now then, I need to know her more. Gazing at her, who was looking at me now without even an emotion, like someone who gave up everything.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."

"...."

I tried reassuring her, however she just looked at me and didn't say anything.I tried to probe at her thoughts, but even that was a mess. I was speechless. I atill need to speak to her though.

"...What's your name?" I asked her about her name, however she still didn't answer. I waited still, and finally, I heard her murmur something.

"...na."

"What?"

"Eina... that's my... name."

"...I see. Eina. ...I have heard those thoughts of you. You were just repeatedly saying Mother or Father. Can you tell me what happened before you were captured..?"

I tried to ask the forbidden question. Because it's the only way to open her heart... and hopely to heal its wounds. By saying that, Eina lowered her head and her thoughts that was already a mess became more unstable and messier as a tear fell down from her eyes.

After that, she cried really hard. I could only hug her seemingly weak body to help her calm her mind. She continued to cry out loud, and after a little while talked about what happened about her, and her family.