According to the information I got from Emily, she was raised in a single-father household.
Her mother passed away three years ago, and her father, who had always been rough, became even more unstable.
Now, she’s living with her paternal grandmother, who, fearing for Emily’s safety, decided to take her in.
This happened a few months before she met Quince and Kyle.
Botas, Emily’s father, seemed to think he’d gotten rid of a burden, but not long after, he started trying to get her back. Her grandmother quickly realized that her son, Botas, was up to no good.
Fortunately, Emily was often away gathering General’s Tea, so she didn’t know about her father’s actions.
But that changed when he barged into our house, making everyone, not just Emily, aware of what was going on.
When I first heard the story, I was glad he barged in.
If she had been taken without us noticing, it would’ve been difficult to handle.
The carriage crossed the main street and entered the northwest part of Selene.Emily’s family home is a bit over a ten-minute walk away, closer than the Academy.
We didn’t really need a carriage, but I had Samini arrange one to keep up appearances as nobility.
Even the children of nobles who rent homes use carriages for their commutes to and from the Academy.
Unfortunately, that’s the “proper” way of nobility.
As I sighed at the carriage ride, something I hadn’t dealt with since the exam results were posted, I asked the others riding with me.
“Do you have the documents?”
“No issues at all.”
Samini smiled and placed her hand on her bag.
If a professional says there’s no problem, then everything should proceed smoothly.
After enduring a bumpy ten-minute ride, we finally arrived at our destination.
The place was an old stone apartment near the outer walls of Selene’s northwest district.
The building wasn’t in terrible condition, but it looked older than my house.
The stone was chipped in places, with fine cracks and seams covered in black moss.
If not for the faint signs of life, it could easily be mistaken for an abandoned building.
Samini opened the creaking door and entered, while I followed, mindful of maintaining a noble appearance.
Our destination was a room on the second floor, at the very end.
As I walked through the dim hallway, I activated my [Presence Detection] ability.
I sensed Botas’ presence, and relief washed over me.
It would’ve been a waste to come all this way, dressed like this, only for him to not be home.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel conspicuous.
The other tenants cracked their doors open slightly, watching Samini and me.
Some of the glances were tense, but I, of course, didn’t care, and neither did Samini.
We ascended to the second floor under this curious reception.
When I glanced toward our target room, I saw Botas peeking out from behind his slightly opened door.
His expression was clueless—he had no idea we were here to see him.
“That’s the room.”
“Understood.”
As Samini approached, Botas finally seemed to realize what was happening.
He hurriedly slammed the door and moved away.
Sensing his retreat, I panicked as well.
Is he planning to run without even hearing us out?
I immediately activated [High-Speed Movement] and [Physical Strength Enhancement], overtaking Samini and kicking the door down.
“Hi-!”
A short scream rang out at the sudden sound of the door being smashed open.
As I scanned the disheveled room, I saw Botas with one foot on the windowsill.
Was he planning to jump?
He might survive if he has physical skills, but I won’t let him escape.
“I need to talk to you. Run if you want, but I’ll chase you down wherever you go.”
“You—you’re that noble from before! You really are… a noble?”
“I told you that last time. Now that you understand, watch your tone.”
I gestured with my chin for him to come back, and though still half in disbelief, Botas lowered his foot from the windowsill.
He cautiously approached, glancing back and forth between Samini and me.
I tossed aside some ragged cloth draped over a chair and sat down.
Samini stepped forward and bowed to Botas.
“I am Samini, representing the Commercial Guild. I’ve been given full authority by Alter-sama for this contract.”
“Contract…?”
“This is regarding the slave trade contract for your daughter, Emily.”
Botas’ eyes widened.
I observed him closely and sighed softly.
No rebuttal, no anger?
So he really intends to sell her. What a father.
“As a formality, we’ve already appraised her. She’s unskilled in both magic and labor, and being only nine years old, her value is quite low—”
“W-wait!”
Botas interrupted, panicked.
For a moment, I had hope, but once again, I was disappointed.
“You want to buy her, don’t you?! Look, she’s got a cute face, right? She’ll grow into a real beauty!”
Botas desperately tried to convince us of her worth.
It’s shocking how grotesquely someone can behave.
I kept my cold heart hidden, forcing myself to maintain a neutral expression.
Samini, evidently used to dealing with people like him, shook her head slightly, still wearing her polite smile.
“I’m sorry, but Lord Alter requires labor. Her appearance does not factor into—”
“Fine.”
I interrupted Samini.
Barely holding on to my composure, I turned to Botas.
“I’ll consider her looks in the appraisal as you wish. Do you have any other demands? Speak now. If you try to play any games, the deal’s off.”
At my signal, Samini placed a leather pouch on the table.
The sound of jingling coins caught Botas’ attention.
As Samini began stacking gold coins one by one, Botas’ grin widened with each additional coin.
“Twenty gold coins, plus ten for her appearance. A total of thirty gold coins. Will you accept this?”
“C-couldn’t it be just a little more—!”
“Slave traders wouldn’t offer you more than this. You know they’d try to exploit you. Isn’t that right?”
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