Chapter 135: The Ageless Slave
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 135: The Ageless Slave
“That’s a chilling thought. To think that even Moira might have encountered a Roah from the Deep Layer.”
“Ugh. I’ll have to ask Mom later. But she really hates talking about what happened that day. Let’s go ask her together, Sion.”
“Let’s do that. But first, I need to establish a proper contract with this guy.”
I was dying to know what kind of contract Moira had made with the Roah. What could it possibly be? She seemed fine in her daily life, but the reality could be grim.
“Are you going to let me live? Even after I cursed dozens of people to death in this mansion?”
“To be honest, I’d love to drag you to a courtroom and see you hang. But I just thought of a much better use for you.”
“A better use?”
“That’s right, Mr. Dwarf. You’re going to have to work like a dog under me. Probably until the day I die.”
“Wait... If you’re keeping me alive, it means you have to be able to supply me with ectoplasm periodically. Is that even possible?”
“Ectoplasm is just what you get when you squeeze a soul, right? It doesn’t necessarily have to be a human soul, does it?”
“What...? It’s difficult to get proper ectoplasm from non-humans. The lower the intelligence, the more minuscule the amount of ectoplasm you can extract.”
“It’ll be fine. Some high-intelligence bastards have started showing up lately.”
Since the Cataclysm, creatures that understood and learned human language had been crawling out into the Underground City.
For instance, there were things like High Orc Warlocks. If I squeezed their souls, I’d get more than enough ectoplasm to keep Ainhel running.
“You’re going down into the Labyrinth with me. You’ll get an adventurer badge, and you’ll stay tucked away in the Underground City to help me.”
“As long as you don’t kill me... I’ll do anything. And if I can get ectoplasm without having to kill people, I’d actually be grateful.”
“Good.”
I decided to take Ainhel in.
He didn’t require food expenses, had no sexual desires, and possessed a unique body that wouldn’t suffer even if tucked away in a dark place for a long time. Moreover, he had maintained a remarkably clear mind despite living alone for decades.
Normally, people lose their minds if they don’t see sunlight. Their bodies fail, and their mental state deteriorates. That’s why people try not to stay in the pitch-black Labyrinth for too long.
But Ainhel was different. He had been stuck alone in a dusty back room—an environment arguably worse than the Labyrinth—without saying a single word, yet he was perfectly fine.
If I put him to work managing the Underground City alongside Roy, who was in a golem body, wouldn’t they make the ultimate duo? Ah, and with Fainel inside the Vine Bean, that makes an Underground City trio.
“He’s basically the perfect talent for working in the Labyrinth. You could even consider him half-monster. And with his ability to manipulate amorphous monsters, his combat power is excellent. Right? Everyone agrees, don’t you?”
“I’m a slave, so I can’t contradict Master’s opinion!”
“I... well. To be honest, it feels unsettling. But since I’m the one being rescued, it’s hard for me to argue.”
“I trust Sion. I’m sure he has a plan. Right?”
“Exactly.”
From Marin, who had to agree with me as a slave, to Leo, who was in no position to speak up as the weakest link, and even Yuria, who trusted me unconditionally—everyone was in agreement.
Well, it was a setup where no opposing opinions could really emerge anyway.
“Then, Ainhel. It’s settled that I’m taking you to the Labyrinth. All that’s left is to bind your soul with chains and place a restriction so you can’t betray me.”
“Bind me with chains?”
“Yeah. I’ll only feel at ease once I’ve bound your soul with chains.”
“If that’s what it takes to live... then so be it. But how do you bind the chains?”
There are a few conditions for binding the chains.
For a living being, you usually have to beat them half to death, hypnotize them, or break their spirit with drugs. Once their ego is weakened, you can break through and apply the Spirit Chain.
“Or you can just give your consent. Fully agree to having your soul bound by the chains. That’s the easy way. Otherwise, I’d have to use complicated methods... or beat you until you’re on the verge of death.”
“...I give my full consent. I hate pain.”
“Alright, then relax your body. Sit down on that chair.”
As I placed my hand on the dwarf Ainhel’s back and began to extend the chains, Leo, who was watching the scene from the side, spoke up.
“This... looks like a very heretical act.”
“This is a method of reformation approved by the Saintess. She said it’s perfectly fine to chain such heinous criminals. Are you daring to question the Saintess’s will?”
“No! You crazy...! If it’s a method approved by the Saintess, I have nothing to say. Don’t try to frame me as some weirdo!”
“Sure, sure. Then just stand there and watch quietly.”
“Dammit.”
Leo wiped away cold sweat. He had almost called a reformation method approved by the Saintess a heretical act. That was practically the same as picking a fight with the Saintess herself.
“There. The chains are all set. Anything feel weird?”
“It feels like... something is tightening around my heart.”
“Is it uncomfortable? Well, even if it is, there’s nothing you can do. There’s no other way, so just endure it.”
Ainhel nodded and replied that he understood.
With this, the Cursed Mansion was no more. I had turned the source of the curse into my slave.
And Ainhel, now my slave, was a highly low-maintenance, semi-permanent asset. He didn’t age, and he had plenty of uses.
Perhaps Ainhel himself was the hidden reward.
“Shall we head out then? Good work, everyone.”
“You’re finally smiling.”
“Yeah. I’m just so happy things worked out well.”
As I beamed, Yuria patted my shoulder with a grin.
“It’s going to get busy. We have to clean the mansion.”
“It’s too big a mansion for you to handle alone, Marin. I’ll bring in more slaves.”
“A junior is coming! I love it! Thank you, Master!”
I’m going to buy your junior with the money Mr. Leo gave me. Thank Leo, not me.
“The sun is almost down.”
“I told them to be out before sunset. We’ve delayed too much.”
When we stepped outside, the Land Manager ran toward us, his face pale with worry.
“Are you all safe?! No matter how much I called, there was no response, so I even called the people from the Guild! Where on earth were you?”
“Well, you see...”
It seemed the Land Manager had requested help from the Adventurer’s Guild, fearing that something might have happened to Yuria, the Guild Master’s daughter.
They had searched the mansion together, but found no trace of the visitors. Eventually, as the sun began to set, the adventurers had all left, saying the place felt too eerie.
Left alone again, the Land Manager had apparently been waiting for us all this time, pacing anxiously.
“Nothing happened, so don’t worry. We’ll be purchasing the mansion.”
“What about the others who went in with you...?”
“Who knows?”
“Ah.”
The Land Manager looked aghast at Yuria’s words.
Right, everyone except us was dead. Ainhel had used sorcery to turn them into amorphous monsters.
If they had survived, there would have been competition over the mansion’s purchase, and if it had gone to auction, I would have had to pay a much higher price. In a way, it was a relief they were gone.
They were people I didn't know well, and since they had openly looked down on us from the start, I didn't feel much sympathy for them.
“We’ll be buying the mansion. There were no ghosts or anything.”
“Then... are you really buying it?!”
“Yes. Prepare the documents; I’ll be back tomorrow. Thank you for waiting for us today.”
“No, no. I’m just grateful you returned safely. Then, I’ll see you tomorrow!”
“Yes, yes.”
The Land Manager hurried back to his office, ecstatic that the house had finally sold after several years.
I finally had a real home.
“It hasn’t even been a year since I came to the Labyrinth City. To think I’ve already achieved the dream of homeownership.”
“Feeling sentimental?”
“Yeah. It brings back memories of the hard times.”
There were days when I cried over a single piece of bread.
Thanks to the Subspace Pocket, I was able to accumulate a lot of wealth quickly. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to buy a house this fast.
“Marin, go pick up Olivia and have dinner first. And Mr. Leo, get the money ready.”
“Understood. Thanks for saving me.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I’m actually grateful you got into trouble. Thanks to that, I’m basically getting this mansion for free, so it’s all for the better.
“Then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Right. Should I be at the Guild?”
“Yes. Let’s meet around noon.”
“Got it.”
Leo stumbled back toward his lodgings.
Since Marin went to get Olivia, now Yuria, Ainhel, and I just needed to head to the Guild.
The Saintess had probably sent someone by today. I needed to sign a proper contract regarding the sale of the giant’s corpse. Also, I had to make Ainhel an adventurer so I could take him into the Labyrinth.
“Yuria, aren’t you hungry?”
“A little. Should we grab a bite?”
“Let’s do that. Anything you want to eat?”
“Meat. Bring forth meat and ale!”
“What’s with that tone?”
“Macho adventurer talk. The buff males use this kind of speech.”
“It’s just funny when you say it, Yuria.”
“Hey, I was being serious with that impression.”
As I chatted with Yuria, Ainhel, who was walking behind us, looked around at the people passing by.
“What are you looking at?”
“Well... it’s been a long time since I’ve been outside.”
“Take a good look. You’ll be heading into the Labyrinth soon.”
Ainhel nodded and continued to observe the streets as I led him into a nearby restaurant. It was my first time at this place, but the smell of roasting meat was enticing.
“Here. Bring forth meat and ale!”
“Excuse me?”
“Ah, two orders of the grilled set, please. Hey! Yuria! You’re confusing the staff!”
“Hehe. Sorry.”
“Ah... right. But will the person next to you not be eating?”
“Yes. Just the two for us will be fine.”
Ainhel couldn't consume food.
Well, to be precise, he could eat, but he said that eating anything other than ectoplasm made him feel extremely bloated and unwell.
“The smell is good.”
“Want to try some?”
“No. Just the smell is enough for me.”
“A life where you can’t eat anything must be tough.”
“You get used to it.”
Ainhel quietly watched the people in the restaurant.
Yuria and I ignored him and tore into the meat. This place was good. No wonder it smelled so nice.
“Hey, Sion...”
“Yeah? What? Is it bad? Want me to eat yours?”
“No, not that. My mom... she’ll be okay, right?”
“Ah. Hmm... she’ll probably be fine, right? Moira is strong. There hasn't been anything strange about her in daily life. Maybe she really did get out on her own without making a contract.”
“I hope so. It would be sad if she was doing something weird because of some 'destiny'...”
“She might really have nothing to do with the Roah. So don’t worry too much.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Yuria looked worried. It was only natural to be concerned that the parent she had lived with her whole life might have made a strange contract with a monster from the Labyrinth.
Actually, I was worried about Moira too. Since I had a relationship with her as well, of course I’d be concerned. However, I had a feeling Moira would be okay. She was a very strong person, after all.
“If we go and ask today, we’ll find out exactly what happened. So for now, just eat.”
“Yeah... okay. I’m definitely going to hear it this time. How she managed to survive and get out alone.”
We reaffirmed our resolve and finished off the rest of the meat.