Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: In Search of the Crows (8)
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“I didn’t save you out of charity.”
The kid was soaking in the bathtub, only his eyes peeking out above the water as he stared at me. I continued calmly.
“Let’s just do one job together.”
“……”
“Then you’re free.”
“How can I trust that?”
“If you can’t, then we’ll do a soul contract.”
“……!”
A soul contract was exactly what it sounded like—a pact sworn on one’s very soul.
It was like swearing an oath before the gods; if you broke it afterward, your soul would be torn to shreds in the most horrific way.
“There’s a Rausian Temple nearby. We can head there as soon as day breaks and make it official.”
“……”
“So, ready to hear me out now?”
Once I brought up the soul contract, his gaze softened considerably as he looked at me.
“I’m planning to tackle the deep sea dungeon soon. As a mermaid hybrid, you’d make that job a lot easier. What do you say?”
“……”
“For starters, you’re not afraid of the ocean.”
He gave a small nod.
Not fearing the sea—that was the most crucial trait.
Plus, as a mermaid hybrid, he could swim like a fish and probably had a knack for magic too.
He was exactly the kind of talent I needed right now.
“If we do that, I’ll really be free…?”
“Yeah. No other conditions. You’ll be a free man. I’ll even give you a decent reward to start fresh.”
“……”
Unlike beastkin, mermaid hybrids didn’t have obvious tells on the outside.
So with a bit of money, he could probably live a normal life.
“What if I say no?”
“Hah. You can’t say no.”
“What if I kill you tonight and run?”
“People will remember what happened at the slave market. Especially that merchant who made three gold off selling you today—he’ll be blabbing about you everywhere.”
“……”
“Without me, you’ll end up dragged back to the slave market.”
“……”
“No matter how much of a mermaid hybrid you are, you can’t just swim your way to safety inland.”
“……”
“So you can’t say no.”
“……”
With nothing left to say, he dove underwater entirely.
“Alright, I’ll wait outside. Come out when you’re feeling better. I’ll have food ready.”
*Blub blub.*
Bubbles rising to the surface were all that answered.
There were no windows in the bathroom anyway, so he couldn’t escape. I left him alone and stepped out.
“Master, that person…”
“Oh, him…”
Come to think of it, I didn’t know his name yet.
“I’ll introduce him properly when he comes out. He’ll be staying with us for a while.”
“For a while?”
“Yeah. For a while.”
Judging by his attitude, he didn’t seem like someone I could make a full companion. As long as he didn’t bolt midway, that’d be a win…
Soon, the innkeeper and her son brought food up to the room.
Hearty stew made with big chunks of beef, a whole bottle of good wine, thick grilled corn, shell beans steamed salty with melted cheese and sea salt. The dense rye bread was packed with nuts, giving off a rich, savory aroma.
El and I sat at the table and started serving ourselves. Just as we were about to dig in, the bathroom door creaked open.
*Grrrrumble…*
Followed by the kid’s stomach growling loudly with hunger.
“Come here. Let’s eat together.”
I called him over, but El looked seriously uncomfortable. He whispered in my ear.
“Master, he’s still all wet…”
“No helping it.”
He’s a mermaid hybrid, after all. I shrugged and dragged an old chair up to the table. The kid hesitated but finally sat. I set down the special soup and white bread I’d ordered for him.
“…Hah. This is what slaves get?”
He alternated glares between our lavish beef stew and his soup, his voice dripping with sarcasm. El bristled and started to stand, but I waved him down.
“It’s not like that.”
“Hmph.”
“You look like you haven’t had a proper meal in days. Eating heavy food in that state could make you sick.”
El, who’d been through the same thing, nodded vigorously beside me.
“Once you’re recovered, you can eat whatever you want. For now, start with that.”
“……”
He shot glares at me and El, then grabbed a spoon. He blew on it furiously and started eating.
“Soup’s unlimited, so say if you want more.”
“……”
“By the way, it’s awkward calling you ‘hey’ or ‘you.’ What’s your name?”
“……”
“Better than ‘oi, kid,’ right?”
“…Roshnak.”
“Got it, Roshnak. I’m Theodor. This is El. You two seem about the same age, so get along for now.”
“Hmph.”
What a brat…
But El was the same at first.
I ate in silence. The innkeeper’s cooking was incredible—the food went down smooth no matter how much I ate…
“El, run down and grab a bottle of wine?”
“Yes, Master.”
Some flavors demand wine.
“And two pavlovas.”
“Yes!”
A bit later, El returned with wine and pavlovas. The meringues were perfectly baked, stuffed with whipped cream, strawberries, and raspberries—looked mouthwatering.
El finished his meal and dove into the pavlova, even breaking off a piece for Ayla. Roshnak watched, mesmerized.
“Want some?”
“……”
Kids will be kids.
If he’d been a pirate until recently, sea life wouldn’t have left room for treats like this. And slavery goes without saying.
I scooped a bit of pavlova onto a small plate. This much should be fine. I handed it to Roshnak, and he stared at me, mouth shut tight.
“Eat. A little won’t hurt.”
“……”
“What, think it’s poisoned?”
“……”
“Like I’d poison the guy I paid three gold for.”
I set the plate in front of him and started on my pavlova. Crispy outside, chewy caramel-like inside, with soft cream and tart fruit—heaven.
Roshnak watched me eat for a moment, then delicately picked up a single fruit. He savored the pavlova slowly, bit by bit.
I asked the innkeeper for blankets. No room with three beds, so one of us would have to sleep on the floor.
El wasn’t thrilled.
“Master, I’ll pay, so can’t we put him in another room?”
“No.”
Just in case—really, just in case—he might run, so separate rooms were out.
Couldn’t ask El to give up the bed, and Roshnak wasn’t recovered enough for the floor.
In the end, I gave my bed to Roshnak and laid a blanket next to Ayla. She seemed thrilled to sleep with me again, but her massive body kept snuggling up—heavy as hell.
“Alright, good night, everyone.”
I blew out the candle, and darkness fell.
How much time passed?
A stifled sob came from Roshnak’s bed.
“……”
“……”
We pretended not to hear.
* * *
The next day.
I checked Roshnak’s wounds first thing. The skills powered by Rinshaka’s divine power were incredibly effective—his injuries had vanished like a miracle. Even the flaky scales looked healthy now.
We went down to the dining room for breakfast. Afterward, I sent El to the market to buy some suitable clothes for Roshnak.
“You’re coming with me.”
I took Roshnak to the nearby Rausian Temple, just as I’d said—to seal the soul contract. He looked shocked, like he hadn’t expected me to follow through.
The temple of Rausian, goddess of restraint and order, handled special contracts like soul pacts. Standing under a massive quill sculpture symbolizing her, I glanced at Roshnak.
“Y-You’re really doing the soul contract?”
“Yeah. Told you yesterday.”
“But then your soul…”
“I keep my promises, so that won’t happen.”
“……”
“You just keep yours.”
I handed a silver coin to the priest handling contracts, then pricked my thumb with a sharp quill for a drop of blood. Roshnak hesitated but followed suit. We stated our terms, and the priest prayed them up. The quill glowed brightly, and my chest stung sharply.
“The soul contract is complete.”
With the priest’s declaration, we left the Rausian Temple.
Roshnak still looked dazed, like he’d thought I was bluffing.
“Free… really free…”
I watched him murmur, overwhelmed, then patted his head.
Truth be told, it wasn’t for his sake. Like I said, I’m no philanthropist. I did it because he might run—nothing more.
But it meant something else to him.
He looked up at me with resolve and declared seriously.
“That deep sea dungeon conquest.”
“Yeah.”
“…I’ll make sure we succeed.”
“Haha. Will you now?”
“Keep your promise.”
“Got it, got it.”
We headed back to the inn. El had just returned from his errand. I handed Roshnak the clothes El bought.
*Thud!*
“…Huh?”
I turned at the suspicious noise. Roshnak stood there, red-faced and fuming, having thrown the clothes on the floor.
“What the hell is this?!”
El spoke up as Roshnak yelled.
“What? You’re a boy, aren’t you?”
Oh, right—mermaid hybrids don’t show gender clearly until their fifties…
Before I could explain, a pair of drab pants hit me square in the face.
Ah…
These are gonna be rough days.