Volume 2 Chapter 3
Ugh… damn it.
So you actually needed gold coins to enter the city? Even if I rummaged through my entire storage bag, I wouldn’t find a single one!
No, wait, I should actually be quite rich. The treasures in my bag would surely sell for a lot of gold… but pulling them out here would definitely cause an unnecessary commotion. If these guards knew anything about demons, it would be all over.
Beside me, Nia was clearly displeased by the guard’s demanding behavior.
“How dare you block the Dem—”
“Waaaaahhh!!”
I burst into a loud wail, forcing out a few fake tears for good measure. My crying conveniently drowned out the words “Demon King” that were about to escape Nia’s lips.
The line behind us began to stir.
Most of the people looked on with sympathy, but a few were indifferent, clearly used to such scenes.
“This is an order from the Duke! There is an important, large-scale royal event being held in the city. Several days ago, warnings were issued to all residents and transients outside and inside the city. To prevent security leaks and ensure the safety of the royal family, any suspicious individuals attempting to enter without a special pass or the ability to pay the fee will be immediately demoted to the status of slave! Besides, didn’t you see the notice board near the gate!?” the guard declared, his words merciless and cruel.
What? There was so much text on that thing, I didn’t even bother to look.
“Fine, then we’ll just leave!”
“No! Get back here! You have no special pass, no gold to pay the tax, you refuse a personal mana screening, and you ignored the city’s warning. Where do you think you’re running off to?”
This was outrageous!
I could probably blow this entire fortress away without breaking a sweat.
However, I still didn’t know enough about this world. As a being on the side of “evil,” attacking them on the spot would create a feud with the Winton Empire. Making enemies for no reason was a foolish move.
For now, I would just have to endure it.
Clank.
Cold shackles were fastened around my ankles and wrists. A collar around my neck was connected by an iron bar to the one on Nia.
Fortunately, these restraints, which a normal person couldn’t break, were mere decorations for a demon. I could snap them with just my wrist strength, like toy handcuffs from a game of cops and robbers.
Well, they’ll feed us, right? If you don’t feed slaves, they die. Then they’re not merchandise, they’re corpses.
Sigh. This world is so unreasonable. If I just had a little gold for startup capital, I might have been able to open a shop here. That was my dream in my past life.
The soldiers led us to a place that looked like a security station.
“Oh? No gold or pass, and you didn’t read the notice before entering the city? You two are quite the lucky ones.”
A middle-aged man who looked like a crooked merchant stroked his prominent mustache, his greasy hair parted and slicked down to match its shape. He sized us up.
Ignoring my disdainful glare, the mustachioed man spoke again.
“The Moon Blossom Festival is approaching, and the Imperial Princess will be in attendance. Lord Ciro, the Head Slave Master, has shown special mercy and is granting you an opportunity to escape your slave status. You have two paths to choose from. Listen carefully, I won’t say this a second time. First, survive the solo and team battle royales in the Colosseum. The second option is to serve Lord Ciro until he is satisfied, which may include… that sort of thing, if he so desires. Ahem. Now, make your choice.”
The middle-aged man’s expression made it clear he was expecting us to choose the second option. His lecherous gaze licked over my body and Nia’s.
…Nia has a girlish figure, fine, but he’s not even sparing a loli. I bet that Lord Ciro guy is some kind of pervert.
This was clearly giving women no real choice. What normal woman would pick the first option?
Me, serve someone? Nia would probably kill the slave trader on the very first day.
“Big sis, let’s pick the first one!”
“Mm, De— Alice.”
The crooked merchant’s face showed a hint of surprise, and he stroked his mustache with a touch of irritation.
“You two are sisters, right? Do you have any idea how dangerous the first option is? Isn’t it a waste at your young age? If you choose the second option, and if Lord Ciro is extremely pleased, he might even reward you both with gold coins. Why wouldn’t you take that offer?”
“No, Mustache Man, we’ll take the first one.”
“The first one,” Nia repeated.
“Where did you brats come from? Such poor manners. If you’re so eager to die… then there’s nothing I can do. A pity, a real pity. Guards! Take these two to the Colosseum!”
The crooked merchant’s face instantly darkened. After the two of them were led away by the guards, he muttered to himself.
“Don’t blame me when you’re dead. Ahh, I just don’t get it. To have such beautiful faces and yet choose to die in the Colosseum. How utterly foolish.”
