"Yeah.a slave."
Gundalf wasn't surprised by satoru's reply as he now aware of satoru's knowledge about this world.Gundalf saw satoru's reaction and continued-
"He bought her while he was a guard of the town.he must have used his corrupted money for his own pleasure.cause buying slave as good as her isn't cheap."
"What do you mean by as good as her?"
"Didn't you see.she was still in her 30s.that means she must be very young when he bought her."
"So young slaves are costly?"
"Yes.they are.young slaves have better physical abilities compared to old ones.
They can huge help for heavy working where man power is required.i myself do own some."
"Eh?"

Satoru looked at him with an expressionless face.

"Hey,don't look at me like this.i don't treat them same as that man.actually the ones i own are quiet good.they help me with
Accounting,carring different goods,in selling and buying,in keeping everything arranged,in my travels and lots of other stuffs.being merchant isn't an easy job you see.and in exchange i give them enough food,shelter and their basic needs.thats the contract bound by any slave and master in this world."

"Oh.i understant it now.its more like give and take thing.but don't you think this is wrong,i mean forcing someone to become slave."

"Well.see.it depends on how you see things.the people being enslaved may or may not be forced."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Its true that many slaves are actually former war prisoners but still some are criminals who were punished to become slaves for their acts while some are slaves because of their own will."

"I got that.but why would someone enslave themself.its totally wrong."
I know what how you are thinking.but its true.there are sometimes when being slave can brought some good."

"How is that?"

"I don't have any proof for that now but you might understand it when you end up finding situation like this."

"Ok.but that women protected the madman.if he died,wouldn't it be good for her."

"No.it is not."

"How?"

"When someone becomes slave,a magic seal is casted upon the slaves.so if they betray their masters,they will be punished in a way you can't even imagine.and if their master dies in any way,they die too if their master don't release them before he die.it wouldn't be easier to control slaves who were criminal in any other way,don't you think?"

"Oh.i get it.thats why she protected him."

"No.thats not particularly true i think."

"Why?you just said so."

"If madman is a bad master.don't you think she would be happy to see him beat up.after all he was just passed out and hadn't died."

"Yeah.you are right."

"She must care about him in real too.she wasn't happy when you beat him.she also apologizes and saved him from villagers back their too."

"Yes.that's true."

Gundalf smirked and said-
"Well.let's cut it out.you can't tell something you don't know.so we should just sleep now.it's already too late and we have too many things to do tomorrow so let's get to bed."

"Ok.good night."

Lights were turned off while satoru was lying on his bed.he started to remember his home,his mother,his old life.would he be able to go back ever again?who knows.he ended up in deep sleep while recalling everything.the moon in the sky was shining bright while tears were dropping from satoru's eyes.

"Wake up.it's already late.if you won't wake up in few minutes,you won't get any breakfast."

"No.mom.wait i am coming."

Satoru shouted while he suddenly woke up from his bed.there was still some time for sunrise but pale orange coloured sunrays have entered through a hole of hut.Gundalf was outside the hut rushed to see what's going on.he is soon standing at the door.

"Hey,what happened."
Satoru didnanswer.he was just lost in his own thoughts.soon he came back to his senses when Gundalf called him.
"No.nothing."
"Bad dream,huh?" Gundalf looks a little worried.
"No.actually a good one."
Satoru replied with smile.

Satoru soon left the bed while Gundalf asked him to stay at the hut. he was arranging some more things.satoru agreed.satoru took his sword and walked out of hut.he was trying to train himself as a swordsman as it was important for him.he was trying to learn new techniques on his own while he spotted that madman coming from other side.he did not seem to be much hurt. His hand was bandaged where sword hit him.apart from that there was nothing more of injury.satoru pretended to not see him until he come in front him.
"Hey,you are that boy from last night, don't you?"

Satoru was stumbled.
"Yeah.i am."

"Don't you think you owe me an apology."

Satoru don't wanted to apologize but he doesn't wanted to make a scene.so he apologizes to him.
"I'm sorry ."

"Yeah.that's good.make sure you won't get your nose in between someone's other business."
That man turned and about to leave while satoru's feeling anxious.

"I do have apologize to you but i don't regret what i have done."

"What did you say,you brat."

"Hitting a women when she is not even at fault,how can you call yourself a man."

" She is my slave.i will do whatever i want to do.who do you think you are judging.what do you even know."

"Yeah.i know. but why does it even make difference.it was you who was at fault but you were not ready to accept as you were drowning in your alcohol addiction.didn't you see she took care of you all this time despite your behavour and you rewarded her with that prize.but i am not surprised, as why a madman like you would care for a slave."

Satoru turned furious.it's pure silence after he's done.he was worried as it might be possible that he could've said too much.

"No.i do.i do care for her."
"Huh."satoru muttered.

" You know i have been royal guard in town of vale as you must have heard it from people of this village.one day,i was accused for stealing money whichwas supposed to be collected as tax even though i have not done naything like that.i tried to explain it to everyone but nobody believed me.i was asked to leave town.my wife knew i have not done anything wrong but there was no proof.so she left me as she thinks it could affect her life.i was all alone when i buy her from the money i saved for my family which was broken.both of us started together our journey.she helped me a lot on my way.in meantime,we became more attached to each other but soon bad things happen.my wife claimed stealing money from her for buying a slave.i was punished by court.after punishment was over i lost my faith in everything.i started drinking.i started to stay here but villagers still thought i am a scoundrel.so day by day it get worse and i started holding her responsible for everything.and day like yesterday has came.i really didn't wanted to hit her but i was drunk.i am ashamed for what i have done."

Satoru was stunned to hear it.
"I don't want you to believe me but i just think i should told you."
He starts walking of the place while satoru stopped him.

"I am sorry. I was the one to judge fast."
"It's okay.i didn't think you would believe me."
"I think you should tell this to villagers.i am sure they will understand.you won't know unless you try,right."
"I don't think so."
He denied but satoru forced him a little.he agreed.
"By the way,you were training,weren't you?"
"Yeah.a little sword practice."
"Want me to help.after all i was a guard. And i am good at swords too."
"Seriously.thanks.it would be great help."
He started to teach him.
before starting,he saw Gundalf standing at a distance near the hut as he was smiling.he left as soon as satoru looked at him.
Satoru wondered how long he would've been there but he continued with training.
After training's done,satoru took that man to village chief while he saw a lot of people standing there.Gundalf was also there.as both came,village chief came forward and said,"we know everything from thus merchant.we are sorry for not giving you a chance to explain yourself.but from now on,you are one of us.so forget what happened and join us."
That man was frozen he was so happy as his eyes were all wet.the women( his slave) come beside him and said,
"isn't it great,master.you don't have to worry about anything anymore.everything's okay."
"Yeah.you are right."
As all of them were happy,satoru is standing behind with smile on his face.