Slave Trader: "My my, if it isn't Hero-sama. Welcome."
Naofumi: "I certainly was not expecting this."
We show up at the Slave Trader's after the run-in with Motoyasu.
Slave Trader: "What business do you have today?"
Naofumi: "Putting that aside......"
I am quite concerned with how the Slave Trader is dressed.
Even his subordinates...... They are all wearing luxurious accessories that are shaped like wings.
Naofumi: "That wing design looks good."
Slave Trader: "Thanks to Hero-sama. Yup."
Naofumi: "Huh?"
Slave Trader: "Because of Hero-sama’s peddling, we have made a lot of profit from it."
Naofumi: "What do you mean?"
I can think of several reasons, but none of them are very significant.
Slave Trader: "First of all is the infamous Philorial Queen. Many nobles with demon collections are trying to obtain one. Yup."
Ah, so the reason his reputation rose is because Firo was pulling the carriage. Well, she is certainly a rare demon. If someone wanted one, they would of course come to the Slave Trader and check.
And whenever a noble comes, he just points them to my direction while knowing that I will not sell Firo because she would behave very violently if I do.
Slave Trader: "So when they give up, they purchase various other demons. Yup."
Naofumi: "That’s just like you."
At the moment, the conditions to become a Philorial Queen are uncertain. Otherwise, there would be a lot more sold.
Will it become a queen if it's raised by a hero?
Well one Firo is more than enough, I wouldn't even want to imagine if I had two of her.
Slave Trader: "Next, because Hero-sama's slaves are seen, there is a rumour that my shop's slaves are high quality, so I get some extra profits. Yup."
It's Raphtalia this time huh......
Raphtalia is certainly a beauty with a great figure.
Once people know where she came from, they would give them credit.
Will everything I do raise the Slave Trader's reputation?
Slave Trader: "So, what do you need this time? Another slave? Or maybe your co-operation on Philorial experiments?"
The Slave Trader rubs his hands together happily.
Naofumi: "This time, I came to you to talk about demon-related business."
Slave Trader: "Then Philorial experiments it is."
Naofumi: "That's not it."
Are there only 2 options in this guy's head?
Slave Trader: "So, what do you need?"
Naofumi: "Ah, I was wondering whether or not I could purchase equipment for Firo here."
Slave Trader: "Equipment?..... That can be done."
The Slave Trader turned to observe Firo.
The Slave Trader hummed cheerfully as Firo ran and hid behind my back.
As expected, she is bad with him.
Slave Trader: "Would a horseshoe shaped weapon suffice? There is also armour made for Philorials......"
Taking into consideration Firo’s body size, armour is probably impossible. Although something tailor-made is not impossible, it would be a burden when she transforms.
Naofumi: "Do you have anything for transforming?"
Slave Trader: "You could equip a helmet. To use when tackling."
Naofumi: "Hmm......"
The horseshoes should be able to attach to her legs.
Slave Trader: "What about the claws?"
Naofumi: "Firo, what do you want?"
Firo: "Eh?"
Were you too scared of the Slave Trader to listen?
Naofumi: "You can get a helmet or have shoes attached to your feet."
Firo: "Umm..... When Firo transforms it will dig into my skin..... No~"
Ah, is the threat from the dressmaker's still working?
It would be no problem in her demon form, but it would be very heavy for her in human form.
The horseshoe would dig into the foot too and the size of the armour might not be correct.
We head to the magic shop and heard that it is possible to add the magic threads to metal plates, but it would be very expensive.
The defence would not increase that much either.
Slave Trader: "How about detachable claws, yup."
Naofumi: "Firo, is that fine?"
Firo: "Yes."
Slave Trader: "We need to measure her size so please let her transform into a demon now. Yup."
Naofumi: "Oh right."
Firo: "Okay~"
Bofun* Firo returns to her demon form and sticks her foot out.
A subordinate of the Slave Trader measures the size of Firo's feet.
Slave Trader: "Hmm..... She is considerably larger than an average Philorial."
Naofumi: "Is there any you can prepare immediately?"
Slave Trader: "I think we have one just barely her size. Are you all right with iron?"
I wonder what kind of offensive power I can expect.
Should I be looking for hardness? If it's sharp......
Naofumi: "That's fine, I can afford to get this fellow something good."
Slave Trader: "I understand. Iron with magical properties is the best I can prepare for now."
Naofumi: "By the way, how much is it?"
Slave Trader: "Because of the help from Hero-sama, I will sell it to you for half the market price, which will be 5 gold coins."
Naofumi: "May I haggle further?"
Slave Trader: "Hero-sama's greed is giving me the shivers. Fine, I'll compromise for 4 gold."
Naofumi: "Done. Also, throw in a good bridle."
Slave Trader: "Sold!"
The Slave Trader's tension is high. Though he feels easy to deal with, I feel like I’m being used.
What a scary business sense this guy has.
A big claw is brought out from the back of the tent.
The size of the metal claw seems to fit Firo's foot just right. That's good.
Naofumi: "This thing is huge."
Slave Trader: "It's a claw meant for Wyverns. There is a bigger size too."
You're not even a Philorial anymore?
Firo: "Firo will wear this?"
Naofumi: "Yeah, it is your weapon."
Firo picks up the claw and equips it.
Firo: "It fits perfectlyǃ"
Naofumi: "Seems like it."
All that's left is to connect the claw to the foot with a cord.
Firo raises her foot to confirm if the claw is actually attached.
Firo: "Feels strange~"
Naofumi: "This will make your offensive power even stronger than before, you'll get used to it."
Firo's attack power with her leg is still ridiculous. Having it increase even more......
The scene where Firo kicked Motoyasu is replayed in my mind.
Next time, it seems Firo's kick will rip it apart.
Naofumi: "Firo, next time you kick that spear guy, do not use the claw."
Firo: "Why not~?"
Naofumi: "Because even if it’s his balls, it will be completely crushed and his body will be in a sorry state."
After all, he is a Hero. I do not know what consequences there will be if I murder him. Though it’s a bit late to start thinking like this now. That guy's reason to live is to become popular with woman. For Motoyasu, being kicked in the groin by my subordinate would be very mortifying. If that happened, who would be the one to inform that trash king?
Firo: "Hmm."
Firo concentrates really hard on the claw that we just bought. Is she listening properly? Oh well...... Whatever happens to Motoyasu doesn't concern me. I give the Slave Trader 4 gold coins.
Firo: "Firo doesn't need the armour after all~"
Do the nails not fit? Firo seems to think that the armour is unnecessary. Well, if you don't want it then that's fine.
Naofumi: "Now then, next......"
Hmm, I'm sure there was other business. I can't remember after watching Motoyasu get blown off. Certainly Raphtalia and Firo..... Ah I remember.
Naofumi: "Hey, Slave Trader. Is it possible for you to provide Class Up here?"
Slave Trader: "Class Up you say?"
Naofumi: "Yeah, because the trash king won't let my subordinates who reached level 40 Class Up, I am having a little trouble. I remember seeing some slaves here above level 40."
I tell the Slave Trader my request and he puts his hand on his chin to think.
Slave Trader: "Hero-sama, I regret to inform you that I cannot help with that. I do not have a letter of introduction."
Naofumi: "I see......"
So those slaves did not Class Up from the power of the Slave Trader.
Slave Trader: "If you obtain enough trust with neighbouring countries, you can use their Hourglass of the Dragon's Era to perform Class Up."
Naofumi: "What?"
Wait a minute, this isn't the only country with a Hourglass of the Dragon's Era?
Naofumi: "They are also in other countries?"
Slave Trader: "Yes, though it might take you time to gain their trust......"
Time is very precious right now and I can't afford to waste it. Will the neighboring countries opinions be affected by the bad reputation of the Hero of the Shield? If so, this might be difficult.
Slave Trader: "You can do it at the mercenary's country Zeruto Buru, the Demi-human country Silt Welt, and Shirudo Furiden is also available. Yup."
Naofumi: "There's that many?"
Slave Trader: "Yes, for Hero-sama, I would recommend Silt Welt or Shirudo Furiden. You have a free pass there."
Naofumi: "Hmm...... How long would it take me to get there?"
Slave Trader: "Let's see, by carriage it would be one month, and two weeks by boat."
The Slave Trader brought out a map and taught me how to get there. Certainly, it is quite far from Melromarc. It would take Firo a little over two weeks to arrive. But with a large margin of error in mind, 3 weeks would be more than enough to go there. Two weeks on a ship sounds good, but I would not be able to do anything during that.
Slave Trader: "If there was a wyvern around here, Hero-sama would be able to get there very quickly."
Naofumi: "It is far......"
However, it would be important to Class Up because of our situation. It shouldn't be that bad if I get new materials and monsters for my shield to absorb. There is no meaning to stay here any longer as Raphtalia and Firo cannot improve. Should we just go to the country of Demi-humans?
Naofumi: "I guess we’ll go there once this wave is over."
Seriously, that trash king is putting in so much effort to annoy me.
Naofumi: "I am indebted to you."
Slave Trader: "If that's what you think then by all means-"
Naofumi: "I refuse. Oh right. Do you sell humans here?"
I was wondering if it would be better to sell thieves here instead of killing them.
Slave Trader: "Selling humans i