Slime Reincarnation Chapter 44: Studying About This World

"Then, after giving a simple explanation about the slave system you’re curious about, shall I explain the state of the world?"

Nise began explaining with a gentle smile.

Sorry about that! As a light novel-raised Great Demon Lord, I can’t help but confirm the harem route! I an, co on! My magnificent sli pee-pee that curves all the way to my belly button—! Wait, no, I’m a sli! ...Yeah, I exaggerated! My pee-pee definitely didn’t curve all the way to my belly button!

I went a bit overboard, so what?

And this is the second ti my soul is screaming, so what?

"The slave system first requires strict identification from the buyer. Nobles are fine as long as they are the head of the family. rchants need their rchant Guild card, adventurers need their Adventurer Guild card. Ordinary citizens require a town-class citizenship certificate."

"Isn’t a citizenship certificate sothing everyone has?"

"Actually, not everyone properly holds one. Citizenship certificates are only issued to those who continuously pay a certain amount of tax — and it’s a relatively high rank. The majority of ordinary citizens are issued a different certificate called a registration certificate. This one can be obtained by anyone for 5 copper coins. With this, you can enter and leave the town without paying taxes."

"I see. So you can’t buy slaves with just a registration certificate?"

"Correct. You cannot purchase slaves with a registration certificate. It is believed that without a certain level of financial strength, maintaining slaves is difficult."

"I see. So the rights of slaves are sowhat established then."

"Yes. I’m not sure if ’rights’ is the right word, but there are several restrictions on the buyer. They have an obligation to provide als so the purchased slave can live decently, to pay attention to their health, and so on. There is also an obligation for safety considerations toward the slave."

"Safety considerations?"

"Things like not assigning them work that would clearly lead to death... and so on. There aren’t many such cases, but it ans not forcing extrely unreasonable tasks. Of course, you also cannot force them to commit cris that harm people, such as murder."

"I see."

"The slave contract uses a magic called . After confirming the buyer’s intention to comply with the slave laws and the slave’s intention not to harm their master and to obey orders, the contract is established. After the contract, a ’Slave Crest’ appears on the slave’s side. It always appears on the back of the right hand. This is so that the fact that they are a slave can always be confird."

"So that’s how it works."

The Slave Crest seems like quite a strict asure. Even if you want to hide the fact that soone is a slave, constantly hiding the back of their right hand would be difficult. It’s not realistic to keep wearing a gauntlet all the ti. Though situations where you need to hide a slave’s status probably don’t co up often anyway.

"The slave contract uses the sa thod, but sotis the condition is added. This is when soone who took on debt becos a slave with the premise of being bought out. In this case, even if you buy the slave, once they earn a certain amount and repay the debt themselves, the slave contract disappears."

"So if debt repaynt is the condition, the buyer doesn’t retain permanent rights."

"Correct. However, in such cases, the initial price to purchase the slave’s rights is considerably cheaper compared to cases where the rights last for a lifeti."

"I see."

So it’s like hiring a special employee?

If there’s no debt repaynt condition, it’s more like taking care of that slave for life — like family...? Well, slaves can probably be sold too. But I definitely won’t be able to do that. If it were soone I could do that to, I wouldn’t have bought them with money in the first place.

"There are slave rchants in this town as well, but there is a fairly large slave trading house in the fortress city where Margrave Coruna, who governs this entire region, resides. If necessary, I can write you a letter of introduction."

"Please do."

I answered without missing a beat.

Even if I put the harem matter aside for now, visiting a slave trading house is sothing I really need to do. I have to get used to life in another world.

Squeeeeze!

Irina-san? Isn’t the grip of both your hands a bit too strong?

It doesn’t hurt, but squeezing my right hand so hard that it loses its original shape is a bit much, don’t you think?

"Then, let’s leave the slave system at that. If you want more details, it would be better to hear a direct explanation from a slave rchant when you actually make a purchase."

"Understood."

Yeah, and since I’ll get a letter of introduction to the slave trading house! I’ll ask for a detailed explanation then... though I’ll have to leave Irina behind.

Squish squish!

Whoa!

Irina-san, please don’t squeeze so hard that my hand changes shape!

"Then, shall I explain the world situation? This world is roughly divided into five countries on a large landmass called the Revalein Continent. One of them is this Barbaroi Kingdom. It was founded by the first King Lorganto Arel Barbaroi I."

Whoa! After several months of hardship (lol), I finally learn the na of the continent and the country! Barbaroi Kingdom has quite a brave-sounding na.

"Currently, King Warenhyde Arel Barbaroi XV rules the kingdom."

Warenhyde... kind of a jumbled na, but I’ll ignore it.

"The Barbaroi Kingdom has three major ducal houses and, separately, four major marquis houses."

That’s a lot! The "three great" and "four great" thing is pretty cliché!

Also, in novels it’s easy to tell duke and marquis apart in writing, but when spoken they both sound like "koushaku," right? I wonder if nobles can tell from the tone of voice.

Well, anyone who mixes up top-class noble ranks probably couldn’t survive in noble society anyway.

"Besides them, there are nobles from counts downward. If Lord Yabe plans to travel within the Barbaroi Kingdom in the future, I recomnd paying close attention to the reputation of the noble who governs each town. Unfortunately, eccentric or tyrannical people are not uncommon among the nobility."

As expected of the classic nobles!

From now on, the intelligence activities of Hiyoko and the others will be vital!

"By the way, this town of Solenari, as ntioned earlier, is under the rule of Margrave Fenberg von Coruna. Position-wise, a margrave is between a marquis and a count, but Margrave Coruna is treated almost on par with a marquis. The western frontier where we are has powerful monsters inhabiting the deep forests beyond the village of Caso, making developnt extrely difficult. The long years of achievent by the Coruna family in gradually developing that vast undeveloped land and increasing the number of towns earned them the title of Margrave, and they are now respected by other nobles. Their power and wealth are now widely known throughout the kingdom."

Margrave Coruna... sounds like quite a formidable person.

I’m a bit curious to et him, but causing trouble would be bad... Well, whatever happens, happens.

"Geographically, heading east from Solenari leads to the fortress city of Felbane where Margrave Coruna resides. Further east, passing through several towns, you reach the territory governed by Count Talbani, and beyond that lies the royal capital, Baron."

So to reach the royal capital, I’d have to pass through Margrave Coruna’s territory and Count Talbani’s territory... There’s no reason for to head to the capital right now.

"It’s probably better if I don’t speak too much about factional information between nobles. It might end up being biased."

Nise said while shaking his head.

I was planning to filter that kind of information myself anyway. It’s nice that he stopped himself beforehand. I’m sure he would answer if I asked, though.

Now then, since the has cald down, I should start thinking about the future.