Different World Business Symbol

MTL: uniquegasuki
Editor/ Proofreader: (not proofread)

Lora has been caught. Haruto hurries to use his ability to hear the hidden meaning behind her words.
「No, that is……」 (Lora: It is true that I’ve shoplifted, but this matter is unrelated…… however, if speak up, they would treat it as a confession…… ah, there is no way I can object…….)

The fact that she has shoplifted really does seem to be true. Even if she didn’t steal the wallet, it does not change the fact that she had committed a crime. Even though she might have done so for the sake of survival, the law is still a law. Haruto can’t help Lora. Besides, he only met Lora a few days ago. He has no sense of duty to save her.

Haruto was about to walk away, but the imagine of Lora’s smiling face occupied his mind.
If he were to abandon Lora “what would happen to her?”, he thought. Of course, she would become a slave. Although Lora is dirty, she has a good face. She would probably be sold to a brothel or a rich old man. And then, Lora would……
While thinking this, Haruto took action before he himself realized it.

「Please, wait a moment.」 (Haruto)
Haruto called out to the policeman that was holding onto Lora.
「What, do you know this person…… are you an acquaintance of their’s?」 (policeman)
While being agitated, Haruto spoke up.
「Yes, I am somewhat of an acquaintance of that child. Did something happen?」 (Haruto)
Upon Haruto’s question, the policeman gave him a reply.

「This brat stole a wallet. It is useless to cover for this person as it is a fact.」 (policeman)
「Like I was saying, I didn’t steal the wallet!! Please, believe me, Haruto-san. Do I look like someone who would do such a thing!!」 (Lora: It’s true, I didn’t steal the wallet. Well, I can’t deny that I have shoplifted……)
Indeed, Lora does seem to be innocent. Regardless, Haruto was planning on saving her even if she was lying.

「However, this child is claiming she didn’t steal it…… is there any proof that she did commit the crime?」 (Haruto)
「Ah, this child was also carrying a wallet with money in it; therefore, I’m certain that was also stolen. And, this person has a history of shoplifting.」 (policeman: 2nd-cla.s.s citizens are well known to be criminals and pickpockets.)

(That is merely circ.u.mstantial evidence!!)

Haruto thought things over. The problem is she has a history of stealing, thus, it is no surprise that they doubt her. Haruto was once falsely accused of being a peeping-tom by a dishonest person. From this experience, he learned that some people are just that sort of person.

「However, that is not definite evidence and that is not a solid enough case……」 (Haruto)
「If we ignore criminals, the public order will only worsen. This person will be dropped to a 3rd-cla.s.s citizen and that is final.」 (policeman)

Now then, what will he do…… Haruto has no connections within the police department. At this rate, Lora is going to be sent to the slave market. While Haruto was agonizing over things, a man from the slave market appeared.
「What is wrong? Why all the fuss……」 (???)
With his sharp eyes, the man observes the surroundings. The policeman hurried to speak to the man.

「Oh, Wujek-san. About that……」 (policeman)
The policeman explained the circ.u.mstance to the man named, Wujek.
「I see so this person is your acquaintance, huh?」 (Wujek)

Wujek pointed to Lora. His manner of speech was straightforward, thus, Haruto judge that there was no need to speak politely to this person.
「Ah, Haruto・Asuma, was it?」 (Wujek)
「I am, Wujek・Malthus (ユージェック・マルサス). I manage this slave trading firm. I have heard the circ.u.mstances. Why don’t we have a little chat? Ah, you over there; you may leave.」 (Wujek)
The policeman saluted and then left.

「Now then, as for the 3rd-cla.s.s citizen kid. Will you try to run away; you do realize that we will be discussing your punishment, yes? It would be bad if you did try to run away, though.」 (Wujek)
Lora begins to tremble. This is her only chance to run away.
「Now then, the two of you, follow me inside.」 (Wujek)
Both Haruto and Lora enter the slave market without saying a word.

「Now, have a sit over there.」 (Wujek)
Wujek pointed towards two chairs. One chair is for Haruto while the other chair is for himself. Both Haruto and Wujek sit down. Wujek then spreads out his elbows on the table.

「To be blunt, I can’t help this young girl. Nowadays, the public order in Clarice has become corrupted. They no longer have the strength to manage the matter and as such, suspicious arrests have been allowed.」 (Wujek: The number of 2nd-cla.s.s citizens are decreasing, isn’t that a good thing?)
Although Haruto clearly heard that, he did not back down.

「That seems doubtful, 「It’s alright, I understand your complaint.」 (Haruto/ Wujek)
Wujek interrupts Haruto and then broadly grins.
「At this rate, you will cause an uproar later. That would be troublesome; so, therefore, I will make you a deal.」 (Wujek: I can’t have yet another group causing a ruckus, now can I……)
Wujek takes a short pause and breathes.

「In short, you saw your acquaintance, this young girl, suffer injustice and couldn’t bear to watch. So, how about I will sell her to you for a special price. Let us for…… 2.5 million.」 (Wujek)
「Ah! The market price for a child is 1 million. Is that price not a ripoff?」 (Lora)

Lora shouted out. She wasn’t kidding either, that is 2.5 times the market price.

「That isn’t so. You have quite a lovely face and your hair is pretty. There are plenty of those types who would love to buy a budding child such as yourself.」 (Wujek)
Lora indeed does have a delicate face. However, there is no way she would be happy being told she could be sold for a high price.

Wujek turned to look at Haruto.
「Legally speaking, you would have to go through an auction; however, I am making you a special offer. Surely you have no objections as there is no chance of losing by even a single Doraria.」 (Wujek: I made my offer; anyhow, I don’t have a problem with selling as is.)
Haruto was troubled. There is no grantee that the final bidding price will be any cheaper. And, Haruto had never partic.i.p.ated in a slave market auction. Perhaps he might be able to buy her that way, but it could possibly be better to buy her now.

「Fine. This should be enough.」 (Haruto)
Haruto takes out 25 gold coins, surprising Wujek.
「Oh may, I was going to suggest paying by installments but cash is good too.」 (Wujek)
Wujek received the gold coins and then he took out a doc.u.ment.

「Sign here.」 (Wujek)
Haruto and Lora signed the contract.
「Now, this business is settled. The brat is yours to do with as you please.」 (Wujek)
After saying so, Wujek vanished into the back room. Haruto and Lora exited the slave trading company.

As soon as they left the place, Lora spoke out.
「Why did you save me?」 (Lora)
「Just because, it would have left a bad aftertaste.」 (Haruto)
「You’re too kind……」 (Lora)
「That isn’t so. A stranger doesn’t help without a reason. It should be a lot easier to talk to you now.」 (Haruto)

Lora showed an expression that implied she doesn’t understand. No one would hand over 2.5 million for someone they just met. That is the reality.

「Reguardless, thank you very much. By the way, what will I be doing?」 (Lora)
「For the time being, we need to get 2.5 million worth of work done or I will be in trouble. So, what are you able to do?」 (Haruto)

Being asked by Haruto, Lora seemed slightly worried as she replied
「I used to help out my mother, so I am able to do basic house work.」 (Lora)
Unfortunately, Haruto is currently staying at an inn and his meals are restaurant bought. And therefore, he has no need for household skills.

「I’m presently staying at an inn…… so is there anything else?」 (Haruto)
When Haruto asked her, Lora’s cheek then became slightly flushed.
「Well, I can…… serve you at night……」 (Lora)
Haruto looked at Lora with cold eyes.
「Ah! What’s with that look!!」 (Lora)
「Uhh well, do you realize what you are saying? Did you plan on giving me night service with that scrawny body of yours? Sorry but, I prefer a woman with a voluptuous body, big b.r.e.a.s.t.s and b.u.t.t. Ah! Was that perhaps a joke? Ah, ops. Sorry, it was my misunderstanding.」 (Haruto)

With a reddened face, Lora retorted to Haruto over and over.
「Haven’t you said enough! Certainly, I’m only 12 and my body is malnourished with hardly and meat, but I will grow up to have a nice body. How could you pa.s.s it off as a joke! Surely, my grat.i.tude is a joke; how dare you call my trust a joke!!」 (Lora)

It seems that Lora had let her guard down around Haruto. However, there was still something Haruto had to say to her. Haruto definitely had to tell her this by all means.
「Thanks, but there is one thing I must tell you. You stink.」 (Haruto)
「Waa!!!」 (Lora)

Lora received a shock. She tried sniffing her clothes.
「sniff, sniff. I don’t smell anything.」 (Lora)
「I’m not surprised. You’ve been like that for so long that your nose can’t smell the difference. You need a bath, a bath.」 (Haruto)

When Haruto told her so, Lora showed a troubled expression.
「With me being this dirty, they won’t allow me in the bath house……」 (Lora)
「It seems so, I don’t think management would allow me in either. Ah, the bath house is a fantastic place…… how unfortunate. Well whatever, let us return to Sylph’s pavilion for now. I’ll ask for some hot water and we can see where to go from there.」 (Haruto)
Haruto and Lora headed for the inn.

「Well you see,」 (Haruto)
While Haruto explained the circ.u.mstance, Hannah showed a perplexed expression.

「In short, you saw a young girl become a slave and couldn’t stand it so you bought her…… you’re a soft-hearted person. Hot water was it. I will go have it prepared.」 (Hannah)
Saying so, Hannah went to prepare hot water.
「Haruto-san…… I noticed a major problem……」 (Lora)
「What?」 (Haruto)

Upon Haruto’s questioning, Lora showed a serious expression as she replied.
「I have no change of clothes……」 (Lora)
Haruto intuitively thought about it as it wasn’t anything worth mauling over.
「You can just wear my clothes.」 (Haruto)
「I see, but that would only transfer my stench to your clothes!」 (Lora)
「Who would let that happen, you fool.」 (Haruto)

After saying so, they headed to his room. Lora stops in front of Haruto’s room.
「Is it alright for me to enter your room, won’t I dirty it?」 (Lora)
Saying this, she protested to entering. As it was a fact, there were no objections. Alone; Haruto fetched a change of clothes, a towel and the bottle of soap. He then handed them to Lora.

「This is soap. It is similar to bubble-berry. Give yourself a good wash down, okay.」 (Haruto)
「This is soap……」 (Lora)
Lora sees soap for the first time. She sniffs it.
「The hot water is ready!!」 (Hannah)
Hannah’s voice echoes through the halls.
「Now, hurry off.」 (Haruto)
「Y-yes.」 (Lora)

Lora goes to the courtyard. Haruto descended the stair and then he saw Hannah.
「About your lodging fee, I will omit Lora’s portion as she is a slave. What sort of inn would this be if such a claim was demanded?」 (Hannah)
Hannah made a wry smile.

「Ah, thanks for not charging me twice for the same room.」 (Haruto)
Haruto was relieved to hear this. Now all he has to worry about is the food expense that has now doubled.
「How is it that you were able to simply buy a slave; are you actually a wealthy person? Owning a slave is normally out of the income range of an average citizen, you know.」 (Hannah)
「That isn’t so. Thanks to this, I’m nearly coinless.」 (Haruto)
「I see. Since you are a good person, you won’t be hearing any complaints from me.」 (Hannah)

While Hannah was talking, Lora had returned from bathing.
「It seems Lora has finished so I will be leaving for lunch now.」 (Haruto)
「Ah, understood. Do you want hot water tonight also, I can have some prepared?」 (Hannah)
「Yes, please. Now then, I’m off.」 (Haruto)
Haruto bids his farewell to Hannah and takes Lora with him to have lunch.

「Haruto-san…… these are too baggy.」 (Lora)
「That is because you’re small, it can’t be helped.」 (Haruto)

At Undine, Haruto ordered two servings of fish meunière. A short while later, Marceau brought their order.
「Haruto-san!! May I eating this?」 (Lora)
「Ah, yes, eat up!」 (Haruto)
While looking overjoyed, Lora begins to eat. She shows good table manners.

「Hey, okyaku-san. Who is that girl?」 (Marceau)
「Well, she is……」 (Haruto)
Haruto explained the circ.u.mstances to Marceau. Marceau has a shocked expression.
「Okyaku-san…… is that not being too soft-hearted?」 (Marceau)
「Well, I just have to earn back that 2.5 million……」 (Haruto)
While Haruto was talking with Marceau, the sound of tableware being placed down is heard. Lora had finished eating.

「You eat way too fast…… did you even properly taste your food?」 (Haruto)
「Mmmu! Although it has been a long time since I had a decent meal, I remembered to properly chew my food. This is the most delicious thing I have eaten in the last 3 years.」 (Lora)
「Should I accept that as you praising my cooking? Umm, yeah, that’s quite heavy……」 (Marceau)
Because the mood had become delicate, Haruto hurried to finished his meal and then left the shop.

When Lora exited the shop,
「Alright!」 (Lora)
She fired herself up and then turned to look at Haruto.
「Haruto-san!!」 (Lora)
「W-what is it?」 (Haruto)
Haruto instinctively took up his guard.
「It has been a long time since my stomach was this full. That being so, I will tell you about my past!!」 (Lora)
After declaring it, she began to speak.

「I see, I got the general idea. Nevertheless, it is quite the heavy burden.」 (Haruto)
Lora has had a hard life. If this was j.a.pan, her story could be made into a top doc.u.mentary.
「Why are you telling me this?」 (Haruto)
Upon Haruto’s response, Lora smiled and then said,
「You saved me, and I didn’t want to show dishonesty towards you. Anyhow, the past is already in the past. It wasn’t all terrible.」 (Lora)
If that is being dishonest, then it would not be honest of him to not also talk about his past. Haruto decided to tell her about his background.
「Then let me speak about myself. Truthfully, I am from another world.」 (Haruto)

When Haruto finished explaining his story, Lora’s jaw dropped.
「To be honest, I can’t believe it…… certainly, Haruto’s speech & actions are, and if I think about it, the soap does put everything into perspective. Is it alright if I as 2 questions? The first question, how is it you are able to speak another world’s language; is that not strange to you?」 (Lora)
Haruto himself doesn’t know the answer. But, he does know that a mysterious power is at work.
「Well, something in my mind is unconsciously translating the language for me. Oh, and I was able to understand the written language by being taught it once. Also, I am able to understand what a person is thinking behind the words they speak.」 (Haruto)

Lora showed a surprised expression when she heard this.
「The meaning behind a person’s words, do you mean to say that you know what I am thinking behind what I say? I would like you to try using it now, please.」 (Lora: Meat would be good, tonight.)
「Ah, you are thinking about meat.」 (Haruto)

Upon Haruto’s reply, Lora’s eyes sparkled.
「That is amazing!! You probably have a fairy’s blessing. Next time, try looking it up at the library.」 (Lora)
When Haruto heard the word “fairy’s blessing”, he tilted his head. He has never heard that term before.
「What is it?」 (Haruto)
「About that, I don’t quite know what it is myself except for that it’s something like a special ability. You were able to receive the fairy’s blessing because you are capable. By the way, I have a money-making blessing. I can smell the scent of profit.」 (Lora)
Haruto had gotten used to this unusual world and he wasn’t the less bit surprised to hear about fairies.

「My second question. Do you wish to return home?」 (Lora)
Being troubled, Haruto scratched his head and then thought about how he would answer the question.
「Ah, sorry. It is only natural that you would want to return. That was insensitive of me……」 (Lora)
Lora interpreted Haruto’s silence as him being anger at her.
「No, it is fine. I not mad. Certainly, one would wish to return if one could. But, I don’t really have a reason to return.」 (Haruto)
Hearing an unexpected answer, Lora’s eyes opened wide.

「Eh, What do you mean? But does that not mean you won’t be able to meet your mother or father, anymore?」 (Lora)
「Well you see…… both my parents die when I was 5 years old.」 (Haruto)
Lora showed a dumbfounded expression. It is no surprised as she was told this without warning. In Lora’s case, it was obvious that she became a beggar after her parents’ death, but Haruto’s confession was just too sudden.

「All 4 of my grandparents have pa.s.sed away from illness. I have no siblings nor any other family members. That is way, I have no reason to return.」 (Haruto)
For a while, the silence continued. The one to break the silence was Lora.

「Heavy,」 (Lora)
「It is nothing compared to your hardships. My parents pa.s.sed away when I was still a child, thus, I’m not particularly sad.」 (Haruto)
「No, no, is that not all the more reason why? The memories of my parents have remained in my heart. Does Haruto-san not have something like that? In my case, I still have a grandfather on my mother’s side……」 (Lora)
When did it become a contest about who’s story was more tragic? Eventually, it ended with both sides admitting each story had their fair share of hardships.

「Well, we both talked about our circ.u.mstances, so thanks for sharing Lora.」 (Haruto)
「Yes, likewise. I may be incompetent but please take care of me.」 (Lora)
The two of them shook hands. For here onwards, they end up relying on one another on countless occasions. This was the beginning of the moment that their story together began.

Expenses:

Lora (purchase price): 2.5 Million
Hot Water: 300
Food: 1,000

Remaining Balance: 850,600