"F-Fifty thousand gold! Is that even possible?"
In a grand mansion in Kalia, the capital of the Traul Kingdom, Count Bryan, the owner of the estate, jumped up in shock.
"My my, is your daughter not the apple of your eye? Count, is money more important than your child?"
"How could that be?! She's my one and only daughter. I-It's just… I do not have the funds currently, that's all."
"The owner of the Dawn Travel Company doesn't even have fifty thousand gold… What a ridiculous lie."
"I-It's not a lie. I've invested in a recent venture, so I am short on money at the moment. It's the truth. Please wait until this business is finished and I will somehow gather the money you desire."
The subject of their negotiation was a woman with silky red hair flowing to her hips and provocative red eyes, Narsha Bryan, who stood a step back from the sofa and observed the situation.
In front of her sat her parents, whom she was reunited with after two long years.
Her mother was unable to hold back her tears, and her father offered comfort even as he pressed on with the negotiation.
Two years had passed since bandits had ambushed her carriage, kidnapping and selling her into slavery. Both parents now looked noticeably thin, likely from worrying about their daughter and neglecting their own meals.
Narsha's heart ached a little.
"I am in need of the money, immediately. If the payment cannot be made, this negotiation is over."
On the opposing side was a man so heartless that not even a drop of blood would come out if pricked with a needle, negotiating with parents who had lost their child.
Her master.
Also known as Karami, the Slave Reaper.
Even for the only daughter of a count, fifty thousand gold was an astronomical sum. The entire Bryan Family Mansion might barely fetch that price if sold. How could they possibly prepare such a fortune with no prior notice?
Narsha knew.
That man had no intention of returning her to her family. This was merely a vile show, toying with people's emotions for his own amusement.
Because that's the kind of person he is.
"Then I suppose our business is concluded."
It seemed the negotiation had reached its end while she was lost in thought, and the final exchanges were taking place.
If they parted here, she would never see her parents again until the day she died.
Perhaps her parents knew this too.
Her father rushed over and embraced Narsha. His arms tightened around her, sobbing uncontrollably as if he would never let go again.
Her master didn't interfere.
It was his final act of mercy.
"Hic."
Narsha buried her face in her father's chest, not holding back her tears.
…Thank goodness.
For she had no tears to begin with. What she held back instead of tears was a smile.
Thank goodness I don't have to go back.
Thank the heavens I don't have to return to this suffocating prison.
How stifling had it been staying at the mansion? During her two years living as a slave, Narsha had realized something—the outside world, with its boundless freedom, suited her nature perfectly.
And.
That the place she belonged was not by her family's side, but by her master's.
Ahh, Mother, Father. I'm sorry. My body and heart were tamed by this man long ago. I can no longer imagine a life without him.
Please don't forgive this unworthy daughter who sighs in relief, oblivious to her parents' feelings.
Holding back her unheard apology, Narsha gently patted Count Bryan's back, fulfilling her final duty as a daughter.
"I'm so glad, truly glad. I'm so relieved you're healthy, Narsha."
"Glad? But I have to leave again. Thank you for giving birth to me and raising me, Father."
"What do you mean leave? Where are you going? This is your home."
"Of course, I must follow my master. I'm not a noble lady anymore, but a lowly slave."
"What are you talking about?"
"Pardon?"
Narsha looked up, puzzled by their mismatched conversation.
Had her father lost his mind from the shock? But no, her father was blinking with a genuinely confused expression.
Beside him, her mother was beaming with a smile she had never seen before, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief as if witnessing a touching scene.
…Something was off. As Narsha looked around, she finally realized what was amiss.
Her master, who had been sitting on the sofa until just now, was nowhere to be seen.
"F-Father, where did Master go?"
"Master? You don't need to call him that anymore. You are no longer that scoundrel's slave."
"I'm not a slave? But, surely the negotiation failed because there wasn't enough money…"
"That man asked for our family heirloom instead of money. It's certainly precious, but how could it compare to my one and only daughter? I told him to take it and get out."
The negotiation hadn't failed.
It wasn't a lie. The slave shackles binding her soul had disappeared.
She was no longer his slave.
Trembling, Narsha turned her head. Outside the window in the distance, the man who had been her master was leaving the mansion with lively steps.
Their eyes briefly met. He smiled lightly and waved, his lips clearly mouthing the words.
—Farewell, Narsha. Take care of yourself.
Her face turned deathly pale. Oblivious to her feelings, the Count looked at his daughter's pallid complexion with pity, as if she were a tragic heroine.
"Oh my, it seems you've suffered greatly. Don't worry anymore. After all you've been through, you can finally relax… Huh? Narsha?"
She violently pushed away the Count's embrace and clung to the window.
"N-No! You can't! Master, don't abandon me! Master? Karami, you fucking bastard! You promised we'd be together forever!"
"N-Narsha! Calm down! What are you doing?! Narsha's mental state isn't good. Quickly, call a doctor and take Narsha to her room to calm her down!"
Narsha screamed, pounding on the window, but was eventually dragged away by servants who treated her as a pitiful victim.
Her desperate voice didn't reach Karami. All he could hear was the sound of his own humming.
"Woohoo~"
Karami departed the estate with light steps, playfully tossing the jewel like a ball. He smiled with satisfaction as a window materialized before him.
[Liberation of Narsha Bryan, Daughter of Count Bryan, Complete]
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Narsha Bryan, heir to the Dawn Travel Company. Two years ago, she left the city for a trade with another merchant group, but their caravan was attacked by bandits.
Half the caravan was destroyed, most of the party killed, and Narsha, owing to her high status and outstanding beauty, survived only to become a lowly slave.
Narsha, once a noble lady and the future head of a merchant group, fell into a life of prostitution, forced to sell her body to the point where her mind was nearly broken. However, she met a certain man who saved her, and safely returned home.
Though the story began as a tragedy, it ended as a comedy, and Narsha decided to cherish this journey as an unforgettable, special memory.
To the extent that she was grateful for becoming a slave.
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Narsha Bryan's [Liberation Rate] is 100%.
Reward: 5,000 points have been awarded.
You have acquired the item, Crimson Jewel.
Additional Reward: The effect of the skill [Master of Negotiation] has increased.