When I Infiltrated the Enemy Nation as a Slave, the Yandere Beauties There Started a Civil War Over Me - Chapter 10: Unfamiliar

Chapter 10: Unfamiliar

The day I went out to town with Cecifelia was quite productive.

I learned about the layout of the town’s facilities and buildings, the popularity of decorative items in this country, and the differences in values between myself and the people here due to the presence of a slave system.

The only downside was ending up in a lingerie shop with Cecifelia, but overall, in the long run, the benefits outweighed the negatives.

“Especially the tavern with the counter seating and the restaurant exclusive to nobles…”

The tavern could be a place to meet all sorts of people, though there’s still a lot of uncertainty about that. 

However, the restaurant for nobles is definitely valuable information. I need to find a way to overhear the nobles’ conversations or even speak with them directly if possible… but.

“The problem is money… Without money, I can’t get into any of these places…”

As the prince of the Sandrotheim Kingdom, I’ve trained hard to handle a sword with more than average skill, and I’ve studied diligently, not relying solely on the privileges of my upbringing. So, in that regard, I have some confidence.

“But I have no idea how a slave like me is supposed to earn money… or even if slaves are allowed to earn money in the first place.”

Even so, for the sake of the Sandrotheim Kingdom, I absolutely need to earn money… For now, my goal is to gather enough to have at least one meal at the nobles-only restaurant.

To figure out how much I need and to start earning money, I first need to get permission to leave the estate and head into town. So, I approached Cecifelia and asked for her permission.

“Miss Cecifelia, may I go into town for a bit?”

“Huh? Into town? That’s fine, but why?”

“I’ve really come to love the atmosphere of this town, and I’d like to see more of it.”

That was a lie.

It’s not that I dislike the town, but I still prefer the streets of Sandrotheim Kingdom over any other… Still, for the sake of my kingdom, I’ll say whatever I need to.

“I’m glad you liked it, Luke! But I’m a little busy with work right now, so I can’t go with you. Will you be okay on your own?”

Of course, I’ll be fine.

In fact, I specifically chose today because I knew she’d be too busy to join me.

“Yes, I’ll be fine.”

“Thanks! Just make sure you’re back before it gets dark, okay? I’d worry if you were out too late. And… if you go to a brothel, I’ll know later, alright?”

“I-I have no plans to visit any brothels, so don’t worry about that.”

“Okay, then! Have fun!”

Leaving Cecifelia behind as she waved to me, I left the Cecifelia duchy. I got into a carriage, which seemed to have been arranged for me to use, and headed back to the town I had visited with Cecifelia before.

—The first place I headed to upon arriving in town was the nobles-only restaurant.

I couldn’t go inside, but I could at least take a look at the menu displayed outside.

“Not all the dishes are listed here… but it looks like the lowest price is around 20,000 gold.”

Back when I was in the Sandrotheim Kingdom, that amount wouldn’t have bothered me at all, but things are different now. As a slave, earning 20,000 gold would likely require unimaginable effort.

“Even so… I’ll make it happen.”

Determined, I approached a nearby food stall and spoke to the owner, a man standing behind the counter.

“Excuse me, I’d like to work here. Is there anything I can help with?”

“Huh?”

The shopkeeper looked at me in confusion, furrowing his brows before saying,

“Sorry, but we don’t have any money to spare for a noble dressed as fine as you.”

Fine clothes… Ah, he’s talking about this gentleman’s suit.

I had given the jacket to the blonde woman before, but when I told Cecifelia about it, she said, “Wow! You look sexy without the jacket, but you need to wear it to look sharp! So don’t go without it!” She then gave me a new jacket of the same style, so now I’m back to wearing a proper gentleman’s outfit.

However, if I want to get a job, I need to clear up the shopkeeper’s misunderstanding.

“I’m not a noble, I’m a slave. So, whatever small amount you can pay would be fine—”

“A slave!? You’re telling me a slave is wearing fancy clothes like that!? I don’t have any money to give to some slave! Get lost!”

“…”

Hearing the shopkeeper spit out those words, I realized there was no point in talking to him any further. Quietly, I left.

I tried the same thing at several other shops afterward, but—

“Don’t be greedy, you’re just a slave!”

“Who said you could talk to me, slave!?”

“You’re a slave! Get lost!”

I was rejected by every shop, simply because I’m a slave. The frustration of working in such a competitive area must get to people, because the last shopkeeper in front of me went as far as to shove me hard. If I resisted, it would probably cause unnecessary trouble, so I let myself be pushed.

I was shoved out into the main street, stumbling and catching myself with my hands on the ground. 

It didn’t hurt—an attack from an amateur like that wouldn’t faze me. My training has been more than enough to prevent injuries from something like this.

“There’s no way I can let a country like this destroy Sandrotheim.”

For that reason, I need to push myself harder.

Just as I was gathering my strength to stand up—

“H-Hey, are you okay!?”

I heard a voice, and when I looked up, there was a woman with long, silky pink hair standing there… probably just a passerby on the main street.

I quickly stood up and stepped aside, replying politely.

“I’m sorry for blocking your way. Please, go ahead.”

“N-No, don’t worry about that! But you were pushed really hard just now, weren’t you!?”

“That’s true, but… did you see that?”

“Yes… I mean, no! This isn’t the time to be calm! You might be hurt somewhere, so let’s head over to that bench and check!”

“I appreciate your concern, but it was nothing serious. I’m completely fine, really.”

“I can’t just leave it like that! Please, come with me!”

I would have preferred to head to another shop right away, but I couldn’t ignore the kindness of this woman who was so worried about me.

“Alright.”

Following her suggestion, we both sat on a nearby bench. The woman with pink hair looked me over and said,

“At first glance, it doesn’t seem like you have any injuries or bleeding… but do you feel any discomfort under your clothes?”

“No, really, I’m fine.”

“I see… That’s a relief.”

The pink-haired woman let out a sigh of relief, clearly comforted.

…It seems there are a few kind people in this Elenorde Empire after all.

“Still, it’s awful for a shopkeeper to shove a customer like that.”

“Oh, no, I wasn’t there as a customer. I was asking if I could work for him.”

“Even so, to shove you just for that… I still think that’s terrible.”

Just for that, huh…

In that case, no matter how kind someone from the Elenorde Empire might seem, I’ll tell her the one thing that will peel away that kindness.

“It’s because I’m a slave. That’s just how it is.”

“…!”

The pink-haired woman looked shocked, her expression and voice full of surprise.

In a country like the Elenorde Empire, where the slave system is so normalized, most people wouldn’t know how to respond to that. They wouldn’t even feel that anything was wrong with it.

I was sure that once she realized this, the pink-haired woman’s attitude toward me would change completely—

“That is absolutely not true!”

“…?”

I was caught off guard as she said something completely unexpected. She continued:

“I apologize. From the way you were dressed and your manner, I had assumed you were a noble, not a slave… But regardless, before anything else, you are a person!”

“…!”

Of course, I would want to say the same to the slaves living in this empire. I’ve always believed that.

This woman has the elegance and dignity of a noble, both in her appearance and her speech. I never imagined there could be someone in this country’s nobility who shared those beliefs.

As I was thinking that, the pink-haired woman leaned in slightly, her violet eyes looking directly into mine.

“And… you are different from the other slaves. In my position, I’ve seen many slaves, but I couldn’t tell that you were one—not just because of your appearance or demeanor, but because I sensed something else, something unusual. Your eyes—they have a powerful resolve. It’s as if you’re carrying a burden far beyond what someone like me can comprehend. Please, tell me—who exactly are you?”