"This is it, everything you asked for is inside here."
I immediately took the pouch and untied it right away to make sure the magic stones were inside.
Honestly... I'm still confused why the price of magic stones here is so cheap, there's even some money left over for me and Luke.
Whatever, I don't need to overthink this, the important thing is that the item is already in my hands—
...
W-What is this... The sight before me is completely different from what I expected.
This is even more confusing than hearing that these magic stones were very affordable. Now I understand why...
I shouldn't have been so careless when buying something, will Vol-san get upset when I bring these stones back, I wonder?
I've never seen him angry or frustrated, so I can't imagine him suddenly scolding me for bringing the wrong item... Maybe?
Inside this pouch, indeed... There are ten magic stones just like the seller told me when I handed over the money.
But... Their quality really doesn't show that they are magic stones.
Not a single one of them is glowing or showing any color that matches the magic contained within.
All of these stones look like damaged magic stones, not worthy of being called stones with magical properties.
They really look like scrap that should have been thrown away, yet still kept for some kind of purpose.
I could only stare at them in confusion, but at the same time, it felt like the quality matched the price he took. Maybe that price could only get something of this low quality.
"I do not accept returns, you cannot refuse the item after we have exchanged money."
The seller made it clear that I couldn't get my money back... This means I still have to take this pouch with me, right?
I let out a rather heavy sigh before leaving the cashier's counter, approaching Luke who was holding a circular magic stone displayed in the showcase.
"Let's go, Luke. I've got the item. See?" I showed him the pouch.
"That was fast? Well then, where are we going next?" Luke asked as he walked out of the shop with me.
"Ehm... The last thing we need is... A replica slave collar."
"A replica? Do we really need that?"
Huh? What does Luke mean?
"We can just buy the real thing. We can go directly to the place. But before that, we need to go to the bar again."
"The bar again...? Oh, so that's what you're thinking?"
——
Just like we talked about, Luke really took me to a bar to ask people there about a place that sells slave collars.
Even though I already knew what kind of place Luke actually wanted to show me, I decided to wait until we got there.
A slave collar directly from its original place... That means we're going straight to a slave trading place, right?
I'm not sure the sight there won't make me feel upset, but at the same time, this isn't the right time to try to free them either.
Maybe I'll talk to some of them... I want to know how they feel living under someone else's control.
—
"Luke... Is the place really here?" I asked, unable to believe the building standing in front of us.
This place only looks like a small one-story building, squeezed between other buildings.
The street in front of it is also quite crowded, in fact this is a main road with many people passing by.
Could it be... The place is inside this food shop?
"I'm very sure, especially since there are several menu writings outside, but if you look closely, there's a hidden meaning in them," Luke replied while looking at the menu written on the wooden board.
Looking closer... "Serving food, and also emptying your wallet," "Get rid of your hunger by spending your money"
... Oh, I think this is the one. "Need a companion at home? Get one directly inside," this one is clearly a sign, way too obvious even.
Didn't the person who made this menu think of a better disguise? People should be aware of this place, yet they act like they don't know anything.
Or maybe, they think this place really provides staff to accompany them for meals at home?
—
The two of us climbed a few steps and opened the door of the building, this place looks very ordinary from the outside, which is why many people are deceived.
Click.
"Welcome~ What would you like to order? We also provide services for your wellness~!"
"Of course! You can see it directly later once we have prepared the item, please wait a moment, okay?"
... Honestly, this place looks like a normal restaurant, with young girls working as staff.
The clothes they wear are also very modest, long-sleeved tops and skirts that cover their legs.
On their heads, there is only a tied cloth, as if marking that they are staff members here.
One of the girls immediately approached us, waiting for our answer with her hand ready to write down our order.
This service feels like a maid cafe, but the difference is only in the appearance of the staff, everything else is almost the same.
"We want to go downstairs. How much is it?" Luke asked while pretending to take money from his pouch, even though there was nothing inside.
"Ah, is that what you want? Then please wait a moment. We will check the situation below first, please wait, okay?" the girl replied before entering a door that is probably the kitchen behind it.
... The entrance is inside the kitchen? Quite hidden, no wonder the door is placed there.
Not even a minute passed before the girl came back, looking cheerful.
She gestured with her hand, allowing us to go toward where she had just come from.
"Please go this way, my friend will assist you there~" she said with a bright smile, enjoying her job as a staff member here.
—
The two of us entered, and the inside was not what I had imagined before.
This room was not a kitchen, but a rather dark room lit only by a lantern, and beneath it was a door leading to the basement.
Hmm? The girl said someone would assist us here, do we have to go down first before being helped—
Thud.
"What's wrong, Luke?" suddenly he hit my back quite hard, but it didn't feel like he intended to hurt me.
I turned around, and saw Luke slightly trembling, what's wrong with him—