The air in the room seemed to freeze.
Otto could hear his own frantic heartbeat, like that of a cornered animal in its death throes.
What did it mean to become a slave? To lose his freedom, to lose his dignity, to become a tool to be manipulated by others. But at this moment, did he have any other choice?
Russell's sharp gaze silently scrutinized the young man on the verge of collapse before him. As someone with the Divine Protection of Appraisal, he could see things that ordinary people could not. In Otto, he saw not only the destitution of a bankrupt merchant but also a certain latent value. Otto was like a jewel covered in mud, needing only the right polishing to reveal its brilliance. This quality, in the right environment, could potentially create unexpected value for him.
"...Mr. Russell, I... I don't have the money..."
After a long while, Otto finally squeezed out a sentence, his voice so soft it was barely audible. The words drained all his strength, leaving him with a sense of unprecedented despair.
Why... why did it turn out like this?!
In a flash, memories of his childhood played out in his mind like a revolving lantern. His early years, unable to distinguish human voices due to the influence of his Divine Protection of Soul Language, living in a world of chaotic noise. His family had thought he was a "fool." His parents had spent everything they had on famous doctors from all over, and his older brother had patiently taught him to express his thoughts through writing. He remembered the first time he handed the notebook filled with his thoughts to his parents, and the sight of his mother holding him, tears streaming down her face.
At the age of ten, the world had suddenly opened its doors to Otto. The once-meaningless noises suddenly transformed into clear, distinguishable human voices and birdsong. It was as if a long, dark night had finally met the dawn, and a vibrant, colorful world bloomed before his eyes.
However, this joy was quickly cut short by his brother's stern warning: "You must never let outsiders know that you can talk to animals."
His brother's warning still echoed in his ears. But his younger brother had still witnessed him talking to birds and had proclaimed it loudly in front of his friends. That night, Otto had summoned a sky full of fireflies to prove his ability, only to be met with ridicule and ostracism, earning him the nickname "Firefly Bastard."
From then on, Otto swore never to use his Divine Protection of Soul Language again. It wasn't until he was fifteen that he was forced to leave his hometown after offending the town mayor's daughter. All alone, he had stumbled into the life of a merchant, working desperately to save money just to achieve his dream of opening a small shop.
Four years of dreaming, four years of toiling, four years of scrimping and saving, had all led to—
"Then, from this day forward, you are my contract slave." A cold, triumphant smile hung on Russell's lips. He took a parchment contract from a gold-trimmed drawer and slapped it down in front of Otto with a thud.
"Sign it."
"I..." Otto's fingertips trembled so much he could barely hold the offered quill. The nib hovered over the parchment, and a drop of ink slowly gathered, finally falling with a plop onto the large words "Slave Contract," blooming into a glaring black stain.
"Mr. Russell... c-could you give me a few more days?" Otto's voice was hoarse as he made his final struggle. "My goods... if I sell them, I'll definitely be able to pay you back..."
"Heh—" Russell let out a cold laugh, his fingers drumming impatiently on the desk. "How many times have you said that? You said the same thing a week ago."
"I... I can work to pay off the debt..." Otto's voice grew smaller and smaller.
"Stop wasting time..." Russell leaned forward, his shadow enveloping Otto. "Do you think you still have a choice? A debt of 3000 holy gold coins... you couldn't pay it back even if we sold you."
Otto was speechless, his hand holding the quill trembling. In the instant before the pen touched the paper, he suddenly thought of his mother back home. That kind woman who had always believed her son would make something of himself. If she knew her son's current situation... No, she would never know. From this day forward, the name Otto Suwen, along with his freedom, would become a thing of the past.
The moment the nib touched the parchment, Otto suddenly felt a strange sense of calm. Perhaps this was his destiny. From the moment he was born and nearly drowned in his bathtub, from the way mosquitos always seemed to favor him, from the misfortune he encountered every time he did business... perhaps his life was always meant to be this way.
"Hurry up and sign!" Russell looked down at Otto, tapping impatiently on the desk.
At his core, Russell was a realist. When it came to money, he was a shrewd calculator, concerned only with how to maximize his profits. More importantly, he possessed the Divine Protection of Appraisal, allowing him to judge the quality and condition of items with extreme accuracy. Although he couldn't see Otto's specific talents at the moment, he was certain that this gray-haired young man held astonishing potential. He had to make Otto his property as soon as possible. In short, this was a deal he absolutely could not lose.
Otto's face was a mask of despair. His hand trembled as the quill slowly descended—
"Wait a minute."
With a clear, commanding voice, the wooden door was pushed open with a bang. Sunlight poured in from the entrance, outlining a tall, upright figure.
The newcomer was Natsuki Subaru.
"Who are you?" Russell narrowed his eyes.
"I'm just a concerned citizen passing by," Natsuki Subaru said as he leisurely walked into the room, his gaze shifting between Otto and the contract in his hand. "But seeing such an interesting transaction, I couldn't help but want to stick my nose in."
"Huh? You...?" Otto stared in shock at the black-haired boy who had suddenly appeared. The quill in his hand fell with a clatter onto the contract, splashing another ink stain.
"How did you get in here?" Seeing Subaru appear before him, Russell's brow furrowed in confusion. By all rights, his guards should have been outside. How could they have let a stranger in?
"Walked in, of course," Natsuki Subaru answered calmly. With his current strength, sneaking into a place like this without a sound was laughably easy.
"Well... Sir, please do not interfere with a legitimate business transaction." Realizing the newcomer might not have good intentions, Russell squeezed out a false smile and continued, "This young man is merely fulfilling his contractual obligations to repay a debt he owes me."
"Oh? How much?" Natsuki Subaru raised an eyebrow.
"Well..." Hearing this, Russell was first taken aback, then smugly held up three fingers. "Otto owes our guild a full 3000 holy gold coins. With interest, it should be 3050 holy gold coins now."
"Only 3050 holy gold coins..." Natsuki Subaru nodded thoughtfully, then pulled a bulging money pouch from his coat. "There are 3100 holy gold coins here. That should be enough for the principal and interest."
After becoming Emilia's knight, Roswaal had given him a considerable amount for expenses. Since it was Roswaal's money anyway, using it in a place like this was more than appropriate, and he didn't feel the slightest bit of pain spending it.
Thump.
The heavy money pouch was casually tossed onto the table by Natsuki Subaru, landing with a heart-stopping thud.
Russell's expression instantly froze. A merchant's keen intuition told him that the black-haired youth before him was no ordinary person. He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Wait! You... who are you exactly? I am Russell, the chairman of the capital's merchant guild. Forgive my bluntness, but for you to barge in like this is quite rude."
"Natsuki Subaru." Subaru looked directly at Russell and stated his name simply. "Do me a favor... this man is my friend."
Although his words were spoken lightly, a sharp aura instantly filled the entire room. It was a pressure honed from surviving the White Whale Subjugation and facing a Sin Archbishop head-on. It sent a chill down Russell's back, and even his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.
"Na... Natsuki Subaru? That name sounds familiar..." Otto lifted his head in a daze, looking at Subaru, his green eyes filled with disbelief. "Fr... Friend? Do we know each other?"
"Well, we do now, don't we?" Natsuki Subaru said, looking down at Otto.
"Wait!" Just then, Russell's eyes suddenly went wide. His body shot up as he stared at Natsuki Subaru with an expression of utter disbelief. "You... you mean... you're that hero of the kingdom, the one who slew the White Whale and repelled the Sin Archbishop, Sir Knight Natsuki Subaru?!"
This exclamation made the Otto beside him snap out of his stupor as well. He looked up, his gray-green eyes filled with shock. "The... The kingdom's hero?"
"Hero, huh... I'm still not used to hearing that." Natsuki Subaru glanced with some resignation at the two men's starkly different reactions. Russell's shock had quickly been replaced by awe, while Otto still wore a look of disbelief. This reaction... it seems my reputation is even more exaggerated than I thought.
"It really... it really is you..." Russell's hands began to tremble uncontrollably. As a shrewd merchant, he knew better than anyone the weight the young man before him carried. This was the mighty warrior who had slain the Mabeast White Whale that had plagued the world for over four hundred years, and who had defeated the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop of Greed at the cost of his own life force to protect others. He was a legendary figure hailed by the entire kingdom as the "Light of the Kingdom." Let alone him, the chairman of a merchant guild, even the most prominent nobles in the capital wouldn't dare to offend him lightly.
That's right, that signature black hair... that aura of someone who has been through life and death... there's no mistaking it.
Thinking this, Russell sized up the Natsuki Subaru before him. Slightly messy black hair, plain clothes, but those deep, dark eyes—those were the eyes of someone who had truly returned from hell.
Russell unconsciously swallowed. The back of his shirt was already soaked in cold sweat. He hastily performed a standard bow, speaking with the utmost reverence, "S-Sir Natsuki Subaru! P-Pardon my blind eyes for not recognizing you at first!"
This guy's attitude changed way too fast. Merchants really are a pragmatic bunch. Natsuki Subaru's mouth twitched slightly, but he maintained a serious expression and said to Russell, "Now, can we discuss this transaction again?"
"Of-Of course! Sir Natsuki Subaru!" Russell waved his hands frantically, his face twitching with nervousness. "This is all a misunderstanding! If I had known this gentleman was your friend, this would never have happened..."
Otto was still in a state of shock, his voice trembling. "Sir Natsuki Subaru... we... do we know each other?"
How should I explain this? I can't just say that in another worldline, we were comrades who went through life and death together...
A thoughtful glint flashed in Subaru's eyes, and he then showed a gentle smile. "You could say... we've known each other in spirit for a long time. I've heard of you, Otto Suwen. A very talented merchant who just happens to be very unlucky."
"So that's it! Otto, you actually know a hero like Sir Natsuki Subaru, why didn't you say so sooner?!" Russell keenly seized the opportunity and immediately interjected, smiling sycophantically at Otto. "This debt is hereby canceled! Not only that, but our guild would be more than happy to provide you with a new, interest-free business loan..."
This guy changes his tune faster than he flips through a book. But this is for the best.
Natsuki Subaru suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at Russell's exaggerated performance and turned to the still-bewildered Otto. "How about it? Interested in a change of work environment? I happen to need a helper who understands business."
"Me? Wh-Why me? I'm just a failed merchant who's always down on his luck..." Otto looked at the invitation from Natsuki Subaru in disbelief, tears welling up in his eyes.
"Because I believe in your talent," Natsuki Subaru said seriously, recalling Otto's various performances in the original story. "You just lack an opportunity."
Seeing this, Russell immediately rushed over fawningly. "Sir Natsuki Subaru truly has a discerning eye! Although Otto's luck is a bit poor, his talent in business is indeed unparalleled!"
"Chairman Russell," Natsuki Subaru suddenly interrupted, his voice turning a few degrees colder. "I hope that after today, I will not hear anything more about Otto's debt problems."
"Of course! Of course!" Russell nodded repeatedly, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. "I guarantee it on the guild's name! Not only that, Mr. Otto, from now on, all your transactions with our guild will receive the most favorable prices."
Natsuki Subaru ignored the fawning Russell and turned to look directly into Otto's eyes. "Well? Otto, are you willing to accept my invitation?"
"Sir Natsuki Subaru..." Otto's voice was a little hoarse. He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Natsuki Subaru. "I don't know why you think so highly of a failure like me, but I swear on my name, Otto Suwen, that I will never betray your trust!"
If I remember correctly, in a certain "if" route, this was Otto's tragic ending. He never met me, wasn't captured by the Witch Cult, and ultimately, unable to repay his debts, was controlled by Russell and became a slave, losing his freedom. He was forced into underground work, became a "merchant of death," and lived like a walking corpse.
My appearance this time... has changed that ending.
__
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