Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Second-in-Command (1)
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Lian hadn't stepped foot outside the mansion once since becoming a slave.
In this country, slaves couldn't go out unless accompanied by their master—it was quite strict.
But Isabel was such a severe shut-in that she rarely went out even before.
And with winter dragging on, she hadn't gone out at all. Even on the rare occasions she did, she never took Lian along.
"You want permission to take Lian out?"
"Yes, Madam Isabel. I need to head to the government office with him."
Isabel rolled her eyes, pondering Diego's request.
Was she worried he'd seize the chance to run away if let outside?
"He seems reliable enough now. Go ahead."
"Thank you for permitting it."
Fortunately, Lian's first outing permit came through without issue.
'Yes! Finally, some fresh air!'
Lian cheered inwardly.
No matter how grand and lavish the mansion, months of confinement had been suffocating.
He almost wanted to shower the usually disagreeable Diego with praise.
"Have a safe trip."
"Will do. You all take care too."
Lian stepped into the street with Diego and two escort guards.
Now that full spring had arrived, it felt worlds apart from when he'd arrived at the mansion with that human trafficking ring leader.
The bleakness of late autumn and early winter was gone.
The streets brimmed with flowers, fresh green sprouts, and bustling crowds.
Spring was in full bloom.
"Wait, even if Madam Isabel gave verbal permission, don't we need some kind of document?"
He worried about slip-ups on this rare outing.
Slaves needed proof of outing when not with their master.
Without it, they'd just get picked up by the security force and returned to their owner as lost property.
Still, a simple document could've wrapped it up—no need for complicated verification.
"I thought you were sharp, but you spout nonsense now and then."
"Huh? Why?"
"Think about it. What do I do?"
"Well, accounting and such... Ah!"
Diego held the title of accountant, but that didn't cover it.
He was essentially the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House's CFO and Isabel's financial legal proxy.
So taking her asset—Lian—around was flexible.
'Hang on. If I end up taking over Diego's position someday, what happens then?'
It felt like discovering a legal loophole.
But that'd only happen if the stubborn old man crossed a line or retired voluntarily.
Wondering now was pointless.
"You know, now that we're out... there sure are a lot of slaves around here."
Scattered among the street crowds were people with collar-like necklaces.
"About one in ten of the island's population, I'd say."
"Whoa... that many?"
"What's the surprise? Back in the Madella Kingdom days, it was a third."
Strict slave laws meant a long history with them.
"Let go! I showed you my outing permit!"
"You blind idiot. Think a obvious fake would work?"
With slaves so common, Lian even witnessed one caught trying to escape, being dragged off by security.
"No! It can't be! Let go! I don't wanna go back there!"
Had it fled unbearable abuse?
Beyond the ragged clothes, old bruises and scars covered visible skin.
'Why's everyone staring so sharply...'
But amid the commotion, Lian drew the most attention.
Especially envious glares from other slaves.
Slaves staggering after masters with huge loads like human mules.
Emaciated ones barely fed.
Even non-extremes had shabby clothes and lifeless eyes—that was standard.
It showed plainly how typical slaves were treated.
"That collar... he's a slave, right?"
"With old Diego? Must be that famous one."
"Whoa! Three hundred gold worth, and he lives up to the hype!"
Not just slaves.
Few on the street dressed better than Lian.
His daily food and sleep must show too.
Without the slave collar, everyone would've pegged him for nobility.
'No wonder I can't give this life up.'
The outing confirmed it for Lian.
Compared to the world's harshness, Isabel's flaws were trivial.
The South Port government office, handling commerce, felt like a chamber of commerce.
Abacus clicks everywhere.
Desks piled with ledgers and vouchers.
Officials sweating over merchant-craftsman disputes.
Boards and blackboards covered in graphs...
"Huh? Graphs?"
"Hm? Oh, that. Thanks to you, every numbers guy uses them now."
"Ha, should've charged per use!"
"Tch. Robbing an old man? Never seen such a bandit."
Lian shrugged nonchalantly, following Diego to the counter.
Still, pride swelled knowing he'd changed the world a bit.
"From the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House? I'll assist you!"
"Lian, hand over the documents."
Lian pulled the bundle from his bag and passed it to the official.
"I'll check them. Please wait a moment."
The official pored over the stack with attached ledgers and vouchers.
How long they waited...
"L-Leon, sir! What brings you here...?"
"Meeting the administrator. Is he in?"
"Yes! Please wait just a moment!"
A knight in a red cloak symbolizing security arrived, silencing the noisy office instantly.
Black curly hair, thick brows, neat mustache and goatee—a gentlemanly type.
Looks and reactions suggested a high-ranking officer.
"Old man, who's that?"
"Leon Monteir. South Port's Security Commander."
"Monteir...?"
Lian had heard the name before.
"Yes. The Lord's eldest son."
The local Lord's son.
It stirred old trauma.
Prejudice or not, he wanted no involvement.
But the world rarely obliged.
"Well, if it isn't Diego from the Lapis Lazuli Merchant House!"
Leon spotted Diego and strode over.
Lian caught Diego's brief sigh.
"Long time, my lord."
"Ha ha! How's Isabel?"
"Well, thanks to you."
"Heard there was an unfortunate incident at your mansion recently. Meant to visit, but here I see you first!"
Probably Pedro's matter.
It'd concluded as accidental death.
Was it really just courtesy?
"Wait. That's the slave, right? Then this young man must be..."
"Yes, my lord. Isabel's slave, Lian."
"Ha ha! So Isabel's goat is walking her dog? Quite the sight!"
As expected, "Lord's son" bred bad preconceptions for Lian.
Fortunately, the awkward encounter seemed short-lived.
A plump middle-aged man in fine silk rushed out from an inner office.
"Oh dear! Leon, sir! If you'd sent word, I'd have..."
"Hold on."
Leon stopped him without a glance.
"Diego, any chance Isabel would sell this one?"
"...I couldn't presume to speak for her."
"Fair enough."
Leon nodded but couldn't peel his eyes off Lian.
His face screamed masked rapier heroics, yet he blurts that.
"Lian, was it?"
"Yes."
"Heard amusing tales. Isabel asked 150 gold, but you pitched 300 to sell yourself?"
"Something like that."
"So, what's your value now?"
His own price.
Winter feats and future earnings? Tenfold easy.
"Best ask my owner, Madam Isabel."
Lian borrowed Diego's tact.
"Always snags the best goods first, that woman."
Leon scratched his head with a wry smile.
Genuine regret.
"Come on, Leon, sir. Enough wasting time on him, now..."
"Administrator. I said wait."
"Urk...!"
Leon finally eyed the administrator—cold and sharp.
The man, indignant, glared at Lian, pudgy cheeks quivering.
Lian had ruined his first impression perfectly.
"One more question."
The culprit ignored it, sidelining the administrator to grill Lian.
"That guy, Pedro? Really just slipped drunk?"
"If security says so."
"Is that so?"
Leon's piercing gaze stabbed Lian.
"But you crippled his leg, right? A slave like you, to a free man."
No rights as a slave, yet inflicting permanent injury.
Pedro could've sued later—trouble.
Leon probably aimed at that.
But law was interpretive.
Lian angled to show his sword clearly.
"Madam Isabel gifted me this blade. I merely protected her property as intended."
"Legal self-defense, then."
If pressed on trapping him, no retort—but morally gray, legally clean.
"Understood. We'll end it here."
The awkward first meeting nearly over.
"Wonder who'll slip fatally next."
Leon patted Diego's shoulder, leaving that ominous line.
Diego paled.
"Sorry for the wait, administrator."
"No problem! This way, please!"
The freed administrator hustled Leon to his office.
"Hoo..."
Diego, holding breath beside, sighed deeply, shoulders slumping further.
"Time to let go of lingering regrets..."
"Pardon? What was that?"
"Nothing."
Diego's weary mutter made him look far more fatigued than usual.
That mutter wasn't a mishearing.
Days later, nearing end of dinner, Isabel brought up Diego abruptly.
"Diego says he'll work till month's end and quit."
"Huh? He didn't tell me."
"Probably saw no need."
Lian thought they'd grown closer despite the goatish nagging.
Just his illusion?
And quitting suddenly? What about handover?
"How much have you learned from him?"
"Lately, I'm handling almost everything—no more learning. Huh?"
Recently, Lian managed most of Diego's tasks.
Looking back, no handover needed.
Maybe the office trip was an intro.
"Then you can seamlessly take his place."
"Isn't that too smooth? Kinda iffy."
"Why? What's the issue?"
"Well, my slave status..."
By his old calc, half the price cleared.
Post-spring, fully paid.
"My property doing my work—what's the problem?"
"True..."
But Isabel showed no rush to free him.
Lian wanted to negotiate, but...
"Want this collar off?"
Isabel gazed soulfully into his eyes.
Phantom insect buzzes gnawed his ears.
Chills crawled his spine like spiderwebs underfoot.
Lian smiled, stepping back subtly.
"As long as I stay by your side, Madam Isabel, the form doesn't matter."
Best as live-in pillar, though.
"That's why I like you, Lian."
I can be with you long-term.
Isabel beamed, pleased.
"I'll give you a year. Run the house your way till next spring. Can you?"
"I can, but why?"
"Impress me. Then off comes the collar."
The strongest temptation yet.