I Made a Contract with a Devil, but the Price is Strange

“After tallying, it comes to 45 silver.”

At the magic stone exchange clerk’s words, Inis opened her eyes wide. The profit must have been much higher than expected.

The corners of my mouth naturally turned up too. I had earned incomparably more than when I went alone.

Moreover, since I went with a slave rather than a party, I could keep all this profit for myself. I couldn’t understand why other people didn’t go to the labyrinth with slaves.

“You ask why adventurers don’t go to the labyrinth with slaves? They do. But they generally avoid taking them.”

I asked Inis since she would likely know. It felt a bit awkward asking a slave about slaves, but still.

“Is there a specific reason?”

“The contract between master and slave, unlike what’s commonly known, isn’t an absolute contract. It means that if a slave is willing to take the consequences, they can break the rules.”

“Could you explain more specifically?”

“Hmm…”

She glanced at me cautiously.

She seemed reluctant to talk about it. Understandably, she might worry that I’d become suspicious of her, or that things might become awkward between us.

“I won’t suspect or doubt you. So please tell me.”

“If you say so, Master… alright.”

Inis thought for a moment and then spoke again.

“For example, imagine I’m holding a knife and trying to stab you. Is this possible? Or impossible?”

“Impossible. A slave harming their master violates the contract.”

This was something I had already heard from the slave trader. He said I didn’t need to worry about being stabbed while sleeping.

“That’s right. On the other hand, what if I suddenly run away while fighting in the labyrinth? Or if you’re fighting in front and I trip you from behind? Or push your back hard? Would those also be impossible?”

“They should be impossible too, right? They’re dangerous actions after all?”

Inis shook her head.

“Both cases are possible. Of course, the slave would have to pay the price for violating the contract. But it’s not completely prohibited.”

“Why? All the cases you mentioned could lead to death?”

“That’s the loophole in the slave contract. It doesn’t consider the situation or process at all. That’s why people don’t take slaves to the labyrinth.”

“Because so many dangerous situations occur?”

“Exactly.”

I felt a chill at her words. I wrapped my arms around myself and rubbed my forearms. I had goosebumps.

What if I had bought a different combat slave instead of Inis? What would have happened then? I really could have been killed by a slave’s betrayal.

“…Master. Are you alright?”

When I didn’t say anything, Inis looked at me with a worried face. She held her clothes slightly and bit her lip, seeming anxious.

“No. It’s nothing. I was just thinking about what would have happened if I had bought a different slave instead of you.”

“You said you visited the trading company intending to buy a combat slave. Moreover, you needed a slave to take the frontline position.”

“Right.”

“Then the situation I described could have happened. This is something I heard from other slaves. I heard there are slaves with the infamous title of ‘Master Killer’.”

“Master Killer?”

I frowned. Just hearing the name, I could imagine what kind of person it would be.

“It’s exactly what it sounds like. They killed their master, were caught while escaping and became slaves again, then killed another master and fled again.”

“Despite committing such acts, they can continue to live as slaves? And people still buy them? That’s strange.”

If it were me, I wouldn’t go anywhere near them. Why would anyone buy someone clearly insane?

“I heard they keep selling them if they’re extremely beautiful or if their talent is too exceptional to waste. It’s not bad for slave traders either.”

“Since they keep getting caught and returning, it’s essentially a continuously recycling slave. But wouldn’t that damage their reputation?”

“Except for well-known places like Celeste Slave Trading Company, they don’t really care. To begin with, do you think people who sell slaves care about such rumors or reputation?”

That was also true. They must be thick-skinned enough to sell fellow humans.

“I didn’t know much about slaves, but thanks to Inis, I’m learning a lot. Thank you.”

“Not at all. I’m glad that my knowledge could be helpful to you, Master.”

She answered with a beaming smile. Seeing her innocent smile made me feel a bit sorry. I had said I wouldn’t doubt her, but I had unconsciously been wary.

“Now that we have money, let’s go buy scissors and a shield.”

“Yes.”

I walked down the street with Inis. We bought and ate street food like skewers along the way.

Clang- Clang- Clang—!

We arrived at the street where blacksmiths were gathered. Hot air and the sound of hammering metal. The shouting of blacksmiths scolding their apprentices could also be heard.

As expected, it was always a hot and noisy place.

“Maybe it’s because of Lady Egun’s blessing, but it feels warm rather than hot.”

I smiled and went to the blacksmith I had visited before. It was the one run by a dwarf. Opening the small building, I saw a young boy.

“Oh!”

The boy pointed at me and called his master. The dwarf came out with a long yawn.

“You’re back?”

“Yes. Do you sell scissors and shields here too?”

“I sell anything that can be made of metal. I’ve made various shields too. I don’t understand what humans like about these things.”

“Please recommend a decent shield within 30 silver.”

“Within 30 silver, you can take any shield in our shop. I don’t really have an attachment to shields, so I just made them because they’re needed.”

“Then isn’t the quality low?”

“What!?”

“Ah. You shouldn’t have said that…”

The drowsy dwarf’s eyes widened as if they might burst. His face turned bright red.

“Nothing I make is done carelessly! Because what I make is an extension of myself. How could I do something shameful to myself!”

The hoarse voice of the old man. I frowned at the ear-piercing sound.

“Ah, yes.”

“Don’t ever spout such nonsense again! I’ll let it slide this time because it’s your first, but next time I’ll kick you out of the shop. Understand!”

“Yes, yes.”

I had heard that dwarves were very sensitive about their work, and it seemed to be true.

“Inis. Choose a shield from those hanging on the wall that feels comfortable to you.”

“Yes.”

She bowed her head and went to the shields. I looked around at the scissors in the blacksmith shop. I picked up a suitable one and sat on a nearby chair.

“Are you using the mace you bought last time well? I’d like to hear some feedback after actual use.”

“It’s serviceable. Although you said the striking power was weak, it was sufficient against goblins. It was also easy to handle, so I could use it right away.”

“Hmm. Just as I expected. Were there any disappointments?”

I shrugged in response. I really didn’t know since I hadn’t used it much.

“It was satisfactory overall. I don’t know if other adventurers would feel the same, though.”

“Hmm. I see.”

“Master. I’ll choose this one!”

Inis said while holding a small shield. She probably chose a small one to use with her longsword.

“How much is that?”

“Just give me 10 silver. By the way, you’ve already bought a slave. She must be quite skilled.”

“She’s good enough that I’m not embarrassed to be seen with her.”

I said that and drank the water on the table. The boy had brought it earlier.

“Can I buy a longsword within 20 silver? Something as similar as possible to the one my slave uses.”

“Is this agreed upon by the slave? To a swordsman, a sword is like a life companion. It’s not something easily changed. One must get accustomed to their weapon.”

“This has already been agreed upon. The sword and armor are all deteriorated due to poor maintenance, so we concluded to replace them.”

“Bring the sword here. If it looks decent, I’ll repair it for you.”

“Inis. Come over here.”

She approached at my command. When I told her to show her sword to the dwarf, she obediently drew it.

“Hmm.”

The dwarf looked at the sword from various angles and then nodded.

“It’s not in good condition. It would be better to buy a new one than repair this. Fortunately, I have something similar among the ones I’ve made.”

He got up from his seat. He walked lazily and took a longsword hanging on the wall.

“This is it. Try it.”

Inis looked at me. Only when I nodded did she draw the sword.

Shing-

The longsword emerged from its scabbard. The blade reflected in the light, shining silver.

Whoosh—!

Inis swung it a few times in place and then smiled with satisfaction.

“Will that do?”

“Yes. The weight is just right, and it’s well-balanced. It feels more comfortable than the one I used before.”

“You can’t compare weapons made by humans to those made by dwarves. Take good care of it from now on. It’s something I put my heart into making.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. You’re paying full price for it anyway.”

I took out 30 silver from my pocket and held it out.

“If you sell me the sword you were using, I can discount about 5 silver.”

“Here.”

He took the sword and returned five silver coins. Once the transaction was complete, we immediately left the blacksmith shop.

“Come again next time!”

After receiving the boy’s farewell, we returned to the inn. We decided to buy the magic compass later when we went back in.

“Give me stew, meat, and one drink each.”

“Yes!”

Perhaps because it was dinner time, the inn was busy. I placed an order with Muffin and waited for a moment.

“Here’s your order.”

“We’re going to bathe, so please prepare some water.”

I said while giving her money. Including a tip, Muffin smiled brightly and nodded.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“You too, Master.”

Inis looked at me with a smiling face. Only after I first took a spoonful of stew did she begin to eat.

After dinner, we went straight to bathe. We didn’t do it together. Inis said it was fine, but I still felt awkward.

After we both finished bathing, we returned to our room.

“Ugh…”

Lying on the bed, all the fatigue accumulated during the day rushed in. I felt like I could faint right now, but there was still something to be done.

“Inis.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I’m going to summon Lady Egun now to pay the price. So don’t be too surprised.”

“Yes.”

Inis looked at me, sitting up straight. I felt a bit nervous for some reason but didn’t show it. Perhaps it was because this was the first time doing this in front of someone else.

『Are you ready to pay the price?』

A window that had become all too familiar.

“Yes.”

Woong—!

“Gasp…!”

The black space rippled. A blood-red portal appeared. Click, click, the sound of high heels. Soon, Lady Egun revealed herself.

“Romon. My contractor.”

“Yes, Lady Egun.”

She glanced at Inis and smiled slightly. Then, as always, she approached me and kissed me.

“Smooch…♡”

It was the beginning of an ecstatic time.