I sigh.
It is what it is.
He could’ve just asked me for the direction of our hidden stash, but I guess he is a Thief? Maybe the class doesn’t get levels if he is given the loot instead of finding it himself. But if he has that class, how is he so domineeringly strong? I didn’t think a Thief would have such high level as that is not a combat class…
I shrug my shoulders. It’s not my concern. Instead I spend the time watching the still bleeding corpse of my once beloved wife and try to rub one out for old times sake, but I’m told I will be handless if I stroke it once more by the overly rude girl.
She really could be more understanding to a man who is about to be executed… Or whatever sinister plan they harbor towards a poor old man such as myself.
We wait in this boring but tension-filled fashion for a good thirty minutes. The tall man then finally comes back with a leather pouch dangling from between his fingers and he is carrying a few more valuables, Julia’s necklaces and rings, our paintings and such. “Is this it?” He asks.
“Yes.” I respond, before I look at him pleadingly, “young lord, your companion refused to allow me to have a final sip of wine, could you have mercy on this useless old fool?” He seems a bit more accommodating than the woman, so I try my luck. I really don’t want to continue with this charade any longer while being sober.
“I’m afraid that you are out of luck, old man. I would let you have a sip or two in any other situation but I won’t overrule my cherished teammate’s decision just for you. You see, I’m trying to make her into my woman and doing as you ask would be rather counterproductive to my mission.”
“You what?!” She cries out in surprise.
“What, you prefer the term girlfriend? Lover? Partner for life? … Wife?” He asks the last one slower and with more nuance than the rest. “I’m open for nicknames as well.”
The short woman looks away hurriedly before admonishing him; “this place is really not the right location to conduct this kind of talk! Focus, please!” And just like that, this ill-mannered woman brings their conversation to an abrupt end.
I can’t help but chuckle at the sight. I’m so damn jealous. Youth and a budding relationship, plus both are so strong already… Their connection also doesn’t seem strained despite my assumption that she is his slave. I was probably wrong, however, in the end, who really cares?
“I understand…” I respond finally.
“I will bring Blossom here, can I ask you to stand guard for just a bit longer?” He asks, slightly apologetically.
“Of course.”
Just like this, my miserable waiting continues for over an hour, after which the tall man appears, this time accompanied by a blonde girl with dog ears and tail, a dog-kin. I must admit that she looks absolutely gorgeous despite her flawed animalistic traits. Her body has curves I’ve never thought would be realistically possible.
It’s as if she was sculpted by the Goddess herself through great dedication and effort.
The man speaks up, grabbing my attention, “let’s make a deal, old man. You will use your contract magic and enter the exact clauses I tell you to onto this awesome young lady. If you do, I will grant you a swift, painless death.”
“… Alright.” I knew something like this was coming, and I was resigned to my fate hours ago.
“Now I want her to enjoy as much freedom as she possibly can while remaining my slave. That’s all. Oh yeah, there’s one more thing. Technically, she is ownerless… Is it possible to forge a document stating that I bought her from her master before he passed?”
“Hmm… If you have his blood we can make it into a blood contract.”
“I knew something like this would happen.” The short woman states proudly.
“Yeah-yeah. I’m lucky to have you by my side.”
“As long as you are aware.”
After this the man produces a vial from his pocket, filled with dark-red liquid. “It’s a bit old, is that an issue…?”
“Shouldn’t be.” I reply curtly.
“What’s his family name?” The tall man asks.
“Boareater, Master.” The blonde beast-kin opens her mouth for the first time.
Both him and the short girl erupt into sudden, mocking laughter. I’m not in the mood to join them for some reason. After clutching their stomachs for a good few seconds they wipe their tears and become professional once again.
“Then, old man, do we have everything we need?”
“Yes…”
We move to my study where I draw up a contract between Ian Boareater and Quinlan Noir regarding the ownership transfer of Blossom for 10 gold coins. He tells me to mark it as if the transaction happened 2 days ago, naturally, I oblige. At this point I just want to get this over with.
I present him with the paper and place a copy into my drawer. With this, it will look like everything happened normally. I conduct a lot of ownership transfers as a slave merchant, so having their document here won’t raise suspicion.
Afterwards I conduct the slave contract where I basically set the woman called Blossom free in all but name. I left her clauses blank, which means that she has no real restrictions. She can’t attempt to take off her collar and she can’t outright betray her master, that’s about it.
Now this is a new kind of contract I’ve not yet written in my long career.
Once the details of the spell enter her collar she jumps up and down in ecstasy and soon finds herself nuzzled into Quinlan’s arms while her tail spins around erratically, creating gusts of wind in the process.
It’s good to see that I can say goodbye to this world and return to the Goddess after having done something positive for once. I’m about to open my mouth to ask if we’re done, but I get my reply before I can even utter a word when the man speaks up amidst erratically stroking the head of the euphoric, exhilarated blonde girl. “I’m sorry, old man. Your wife was not the only liar in this room.”
“What do you-” Before I can finish my question he cuts me off.
“Ayame, he is yours, do what you will with him, though don’t stretch it too much… Time is not on our side.”
I turn my head to the short woman who reacts to his statement by stepping towards me and drawing her blade after which she lifts her mask and hood. I then stand confronted with the cruelest smile I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
“Ah, now that’s just great.” I whisper dejectedly.
I soon find myself fingerless, teethless and lastly limbless. Yes all five limbs have been taken from me by this sadistic evil incarnate.
‘How can such a beautiful young woman carry so much hatred in her slender little body?’ I ponder this question during the last moments of my life.
Despite the man’s warning that she should hurry, I’m only finally allowed to breath my last hours after my torture-execution began.