That Time a Shut-in for 300 Years Continued to Make Antiques , but All of It Turned out to Be Cheat-Level Magic Tools - Chapter 16

After breakfast, Mr. Edson and Miss Mei left the inn. I thought I would clean the room, but…

“Hey, come over here.”

I was called by the master. The mistress was also there, sporting an ominously meaningful smile. I had a bad feeling about it, but I had no choice but to obey when called.

“Steal something valuable from that guy Edson’s room.”

“…Huh? What do you mean?”

“You’re really slow, aren’t you? Don’t you understand that even a beast would know this!”

“Listen carefully, okay? From what you overheard yesterday, those guys are making a killing with something called magical tools. Can you believe it? We work all day at the inn and earn next to nothing. The room rates are cheap. That’s why you should steal from these rich sinners.”

I couldn’t comprehend what these two were saying.

“A bag full of gold coins would be nice, but some magical tools that could be sold for gold are fine too. Go to the room and steal them.”

“But, but…”

“There are no buts or scarecrows! You just do as you’re told!”

“…There might not be anything. If it’s that important, they might have taken it with them when they left the room.”

“Then you sneak in at night and steal it.”

What are they thinking… Stealing from the guests is a serious crime.

“No, I can’t do that. Stealing is a crime!”

“What are you talking about now? Eavesdropping is also a crime, you know?”

Regarding that, I actually haven’t done it.

“Basically, you saying stealing is a crime is wrong. Even a beast-smelling slave like you is worth a lot. Why do you think we were able to buy you with a large sum of money?”

“…What?”

“That’s because we had some extra income when we bought you. A somewhat affluent merchant stayed here.”

Now I understood. This couple had previously stolen from guests. They were the type of people who could easily do such a thing.

“Well! If you understand, hurry up and steal something valuable!”

Eventually, I went to the room where the two were staying. The inn managed the keys, so it was easy to open the door.

I entered and looked around the room. I hoped there was nothing there. After all, I had been helped by the child named Edson…

But, I found it. A leather bag filled with gold coins was on the bed. A piece of parchment also lay there, with today’s plans to sell the magical tools written on it.

If I stole and handed them over, the master and mistress might be pleased. They might even provide me with meals for a while.

My hand reached for the leather bag—but, but!

“—How did it go?”

The master was waiting outside the room, questioning me with probing eyes.

“…There was nothing.”

I lied. Because I couldn’t do it after all. I’m a slave, not a thief!

“Hmph, is that so?”

“Ah!”

Then, the master entered the room and came out holding the leather bag.

“What’s this?”

“…That belongs to a guest here.”

“I’m not asking you that! Why did you lie to me! A slave dares to lie!”

“The collar didn’t react!”

“What?”

“This collar reacts with severe pain if I disobey the master’s orders. But there is one command it does not respond to: the command to commit a crime!”

“…So what? Are you saying that even a slave can’t be forced to commit a crime?”

“…”

I didn’t answer. But my silence was the answer.

“Hmph, I see. It seems you need some discipline. Come here!”

“No, please stop!”

While my hair was being pulled, I was taken downstairs. The mistress was also there.

“It seems you hesitated after all.”

“Yeah, this one saw a leather bag full of gold coins and still lied, saying there was nothing.”

“Really? Gold coins? That’s interesting!”

“Yes, and the parchment even said they were going to sell those magical tools today. They’re going to bring in a significant amount of money. Hehe, we might as well steal that too. But first, we need to discipline this beast!”

“Really, you shouldn’t overdo it. After all, a slave is also an asset.”

“Ha, I know. Come on!”

I was forcibly taken downstairs by the master. It had happened before. Yes, to that discipline room—

◇◆◇

“The contract is completed then. I hope for a long and fruitful association.”

“Thank you, we appreciate your business.”

The next day, Mei and I visited Friends Commerce again. We were now finalizing the contract to supply Friends Commerce with interdimensional storage bags, Magic Bags.

If it were a cash payment on the same day, such a certificate would not be necessary, but with a price of 500 gold coins per piece, immediate payment was challenging. Therefore, we set a deadline and agreed to pay by that date, handing over the goods in advance. That’s why we were signing the contract.

“Dad, I’m back, oh! That kid from yesterday!”

“You fool!”

“Ow ow ow!”

Right after we signed the contract with Friends Commerce, the boy who was on duty in the store yesterday came back. It seemed he had been out on an errand, but as soon as he saw me and blurted out his first words, his father immediately struck him.

“Lord Edson and Lady Mei have graciously forgiven your rude behavior yesterday and even signed a contract to supply us with valuable magical tools! Now, come over here and apologize quickly!”

“Ow, okay, okay…”

Then he stood in front of us and bowed his head. It wasn’t a huge deal, so I quickly forgave him.

“It’s amazing that such incredible magical tools actually exist.”

“There’s still a lot you don’t know about the world. Study hard.”

“Okay, I will.”

The son of Friends scratched the back of his head while showing a rueful face. Having the humility to admit mistakes, he would likely grow from this.

“Hmm?”

Suddenly, the magical tool I had tucked away reacted. Excuse me, I said, and then put on the Appraisal Glasses, Search Lens.

This device could sync with other magical tools, but now it was linked to an observation bug I had left in the room. This was just a precaution, as the item I left in the room was a decoy—

“By the way, Lord Edson.”

“You don’t need to add ‘lord’ with me.”

“Is that so? Then, Edson-san. Are you considering changing that inn?”

“Hmm? Why do you ask?”

As I asked, looking through the glasses to check the room.

“Well, at that inn, not long ago, a merchant who stayed there had his belongings, mainly money and precious metals, stolen. Plus, the innkeepers bought a slave afterward, which is suspicious.”

“Hmm, is that so? But if that’s the case, weren’t the innkeepers arrested? Did they at least undergo an investigation?”

“No, theft charges generally apply only in cases of high value unless caught in the act. So, even if you complain after the theft, there’s not much you can do.”

…Has that law still not changed? It was supposed to have been addressed as problematic 300 years ago, disregarding the victimization of anyone but the wealthy, mainly the nobility…

Nevertheless, this conversation made things clear. The scene visible through the glasses confirmed it.

“Well, now that we’ve wrapped up our discussion, I’d like to take my leave, but may I ask one more thing?”

“Of course, if I know the answer.”

“Could you recommend a reliable slave trader in town?”

“Eh?”

Friends looked surprised, his expression freezing.

“Is something wrong?”

“Oh, no. I just didn’t expect you to be interested in slaves.”

“Yes, well, I need, or rather, I need a competent slave.”

Seeing my sincere expression, Friends’ facial muscles relaxed.

“I see, there must be some circumstances. Understood. Please visit a slave trader named Janis. He’s a trustworthy person among slave traders. It’s a by-invitation-only shop, so I’ll write you a letter of introduction. However, the price will be quite steep.”

“Ah, that helps, thank you.”

“No problem, if you’re short on funds, you can use the contract we just signed as collateral for a credit purchase.”

That’s helpful. I have enough money for a while, but it’s good to have options in case of emergencies.

Well then, it’s time to visit the slave trader Janis that I was referred to—