The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick up Trash - Volume 2 - Chapter 123

Chapter 123:

Beauty?

“WOW. YOU’VE GOT some incredible friends, don’t you, Ivy?”

“You sure do,” Rattloore laughed. “It was too much for me to handle by myself. Thanks for your help, Sifar.”

Sifar sighed. “Well, I suppose I had no choice.”

I felt a little bad for him. I knew Ciel was a big deal, but I hadn’t expected that Sora was, too. But thinking back, maybe 

I had known deep down ever since the slime had saved both me and the adandara from fatal wounds. All this time, I’d been so preoccupied with fleeing what was behind me that I’d overlooked a lot of important things. I guess it’s better to know now, but…

“By the way, Rattloore. You wanted Ivy to hire an adventurer slave, right?”

“Yeah. If Ivy continues traveling, she’s sure to run into trouble again. I thought—well, I know—an adventurer slave could help keep her safe.”

Is he saying I could become a target again? He warned me about that even before he knew about Sora and Ciel, but…somehow this feels like it’s about more than me being a girl.

“Are people that likely to come after me because I’m a girl?”

Is that the only reason?

“Hmm, maybe you haven’t noticed. Ivy, you’ve got really nice features. When you grow up, you’ll probably be a knockout.”

A knockout? I held my face with both hands. Huh?! Am I going to be beautiful?

“So she hadn’t noticed,” Rattloore noted.

“Guess that’s why she was so confused when we told her she’d be a target, right?” There was a look of understanding on Sifar’s face. Did I look confused? And…really? Me, a beauty? Argh, my cheeks are getting hot! 

“Ha ha ha! Ivy’s embarrassed!”

“Nobody’s ever said that to me…” I was embarrassed. I could tell my cheeks were red.

“Ha ha ha! And you’re sweet, too,” Sifar added.

I suddenly wanted to run away. Honestly, I appreciated the compliment. I was embarrassed but happy—even if I didn’t like that it would mean people might bother me.

“Urgh, so hot…” I fanned myself with my hands, but I couldn’t calm down. For some reason, Sifar and Rattloore tousled my hair.

“Now you really need to think of how to protect yourself,” Rattloore said. “Dangerous folk are gonna have their eyes on you.”

Sifar nodded in agreement.

“Would a slave truly be best?”

“I…think so.” Rattloore mulled it over for a moment but didn’t change his mind.

Sifar was frowning, though. Was he against getting a slave?

“Mm, I don’t think an adventurer slave is the right move.”

Rattloore looked surprised. “Why not?”

“If protection was all she needed, then an adventurer would do the trick. But Ivy also needs to keep a low profile.”

“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

Right. If I stood out too much, people might find out about Sora and Ciel, too. That was something I desperately wanted to avoid.

Sifar explained, “Adventurer slaves make good bodyguards, but they’re a little conspicuous.”

“Yeah, I guess they are…” Rattloore winced slightly. He must’ve thought of something, too. Did adventurer slaves stand out that much? Now that I thought about it, I’d seen a few during my travels…

Wow, maybe they do stand out. I’ve definitely stared at them a few times.

“Besides, an adventurer who’s fit to be a bodyguard will probably know a lot of other adventurers.”

“Argh, I didn’t think of that! You’re right. Having a lot of connections is good for protecting her, but it’s bad if it means coming to more people’s attention.”

So you had to be a skilled adventurer to be a bodyguard? Those slaves probably cost a lot—way too much for my budget. Or were they cheaper than I thought?

“Um, how much does an adventurer slave cost?” I asked.

“Rattloore would be able to answer that,” Sifar replied. Did Sifar not know much about slaves? I turned to Rattloore.

“Usually, a five-year contract with a veteran adventurer slave would start around twenty-five gold coins. That’s the kind of adventurer I’d recommend for you.”

Twenty-five gold coins?! I don’t have that much money! Oh, but…the gratuity and rewards? Umm, don’t tell me…

“Um, that’s a whole lot of money, isn’t it?”

“I’m telling you, it’s covered by what you’re owed,” Rattloore answered with a smile.

My expression was frozen. Umm, am I going to get twenty-five gold coins? Is it that much?

Worse, he added, “You’ll have more than enough for a single slave. Heck, you’ll have lots to spare. Maybe you could afford two!”

“…Huh?”

Er, did I just hear something terrifying? More than enough? Then I’m about to be paid more than twenty-five gold coins? I’ll have money left over after buying a slave…or two?!

“Ack…” I made a strange noise.

Sifar laughed, “Whoa, we broke Ivy!”

But how could I help it? I’d expected ten gold coins at most, so this news far exceeded my expectations. But…it’s not decided yet, right? Rattloore doesn’t know how much I’ll actually get from them, right?

“Ivy, Rattloore’s giving you a reasonable figure.” Sifar killed any doubts I had.

Reasonable… Is it?

“Taking down such a widespread organization is a major feat. You even helped us handle those wanted murderers. Heck, fifty gold coins wouldn’t be out of the question.”

Fifty gold coins…

“Uh, errr…I think I’m getting a headache.” I didn’t want to think anymore. But I had to think about it so we could solve my biggest problem.

“Let’s get back to the main topic,” Sifar said.

I muttered in agreement. They were doing their best to help me, so I had get it together. Still, the thought of that gratuity and reward was terrifying!

“If not an adventurer slave, how about a merchant?” Rattloore suggested.

Are there merchant slaves, too? I’ve only ever noticed the adventurer ones.

“Hmm…a merchant, huh?” Sifar thought aloud. “I bet Ivy would make a great saleswoman.”

“Right? She’s an outstanding cook, too. Can’t you see her running a popular restaurant?”

“Why would she do that? It’d make her stand out.”

“Whoops! Yeah, you’re right.”

Sifar and Rattloore went back and forth for a while. What kind of person did they think I was, exactly? I’d never traded for goods in my life, so running a business would be kinda hard to pull off. I couldn’t cook without Past Me’s help, either.

“Hmm…so that’s a no to the adventurer slave, huh?” Rattloore racked his brain.

“Is it hard to find slaves who aren’t adventurers?” I asked.

“There are plenty out there,” Sifar said, sounding a little disgusted. “The problem is how they became slaves.”

“Umm, problem?”

“Most adventurers are enslaved because they’ve messed up their work and taken on debt, but when it comes to other professions, they’re often in debt because of alcoholism or gambling. Some people let it happen over and over—they’re bad apples.”

“The worst are the alcoholics,” Rattloore added. “Some of them transform when they get a little drink in them, and not for the better.”

Is that a reason to go into slavery? Alcoholism is pretty serious—I’d rather stay away from those people. I’ve heard gambling can be addictive, too.

“Are there other reasons?”

“Hmm… Sometimes merchants sell their kids to cover business losses or medical fees when the family business is in the red. But those kinds of slaves are both scarce and popular, so you’d be lucky to find one.”

I see. Those are people who’ve become slaves through no fault of their own. I wouldn’t mind a slave like that.

“You said you were heading for a town near the capital, right?” Rattloore asked.

“Yes.”

“Does that mean you’ll be passing through the town of Oll?”

“I think so.”

“There are some famous slave traders there. You might have a better chance of finding a good fit.” Rattloore really knew a lot about slaves. But why?

“Y’know, Ivy, Rattloore was a slave for a little while,” Sifar said.

“Huh?!” I stared at Rattloore dubiously.

“A reeeally long time ago, I took a sort of stupid request. A friend bought me though, and I repaid my debt in just four years.”

I see. That explains why he knows so much.

“It’s lucky to get bought by a good owner. Whoever you choose will be in good hands, Ivy.”

It would be better for me and better for the slave, too? I’m glad Rattloore said that.