Ur and his sister, in her snake form, tilted their heads in unison. The bald dwarf who had taken Ur’s sister as collateral for their debt, Lugola, was taken away by the knights. Ur hoped that in the process, their debt might also disappear.
“No, that’s not possible.”
However, the golden-haired girl shook her head with a smile.
“Why not?”
“Because your sister’s ownership belongs to us.”
“To you?”
“[Golden Phoenix]. My father’s guild.”
Just when Ur thought the person in charge here had disappeared, the higher-up appeared.
“Lugola did as he pleased, but the contract he and your father signed is legitimate. Her ownership now belongs to Golden Phoenix.”
She handed over a piece of paper. It was extraordinarily old, with several spells inscribed on it.
“What’s this?”
“A [Blood Contract]. It stipulates that your sister is collateral for your father’s debt.”
This type of magical tool activates when both parties agree to the contract terms, and if the contract is violated, severe penalties are imposed.
“Severe penalties?”
“In this case, the contractor’s life. In other words, yours.”
“Is Nii-chan going to die?”
“Am I going to die?”
Ur had no memory of signing such a contract. The name on it was his father’s. The golden-haired girl pointed to a clause on the contract.
“If the contractor dies, the penalties don’t become void, but instead, they transfer to their relatives. In this case, you.”
“Got it. Damn it, deadbeat dad.”
“He’s already dead. And the debt wasn’t repaid in time. Do you have ten gold coins on you now? If so, there’s no problem.”
“…I have a magic stone from a giant boar and some fallen items… though they’re to be split with another collaborator.”
“The magic stone of that size is worth far less than ten gold coins. At most, it’s worth one silver coin, maybe twenty copper coins.”
In short, the debt repayment was incomplete, and Akane must be completely transferred to Golden Phoenix. If that didn’t happen, Ur would die. He had no choice but to accept this… He didn’t want to die. The problem was what to do next.
“Then let me buy back my sister.”
“I have no reason to agree to that.”
The girl coldly declared.
“Maybe you don’t realize it, but her value is immeasurable even from my perspective. Normally, a price couldn’t even be set. Now that we have her, we can’t let her go.”
“That’s human trafficking.”
“Sadly, your sister has no human rights. The laws set by the [Temple] do not protect her. This transaction between our guild and your father was a legitimate one over ownership.”
As much as Ur wanted to call it heartless, he couldn’t complain too much because his father had put his daughter up as collateral in the first place. What should he do now—
“But didn’t Ur-sama make a separate promise aside from the contract?”
As he was thinking, a beautiful voice like a bell rang out. Ur turned around.
“You… Shizuku.”
“Yes, it’s Shizuku.”
The silver-haired girl, Shizuku, was standing there with a smile.
“Who are you?”
“I’m Shizuku, I helped Ur-sama in the labyrinth.”
“I’m Akane!”
“Nice to meet you, Akane-sama.”
For some reason, an introduction began. Despite Akane’s peculiar appearance, Shizuku didn’t show any particular surprise. It was a relief that she wasn’t making a fuss, but why had she come?
“I apologize for overhearing your conversation earlier.”
Shizuku turned to the golden-haired girl and began to speak with her hands together.
“Ur-sama ventured into the labyrinth to fulfill the condition to reclaim his sister.”
“Condition?”
“He was promised that if he conquered the labyrinth, he could negotiate for Akane-sama’s return.”
Shizuku’s words were not wrong. During their return journey, Ur had briefly explained his reasons for entering the labyrinth (though he didn’t mention the spirit possession part).
However, the promise was nearly a threat, and it was highly dubious if it would be honored after completion. Unaware of this, Shizuku confidently spoke, making Ur quite nervous.
“Hmm…”
Surprisingly, the golden-haired girl appeared to be considering it. Shizuku continued.
“Of course, it was a verbal promise made without your knowledge, but a promise is a promise. Ur-sama worked very hard for it.”
“Worked hard… you say.”
“Yes, very hard!”
Shizuku strongly emphasized. Indeed, Ur had risked his life, but it was still embarrassing.
“Returning Akane-sama might be difficult, but could you make some concessions?”
“…What to do.”
The golden-haired girl fell silent, contemplating while staring at them. Finally, she whispered while looking at Akane.
“One thousand gold coins.”
“…Sorry, what?”
Ur couldn’t comprehend the number she stated and asked again.
“One thousand gold coins. The purchase price for negotiating your sister’s return, as promised.”
“Am I that expensive?”
Akane casually evaluated herself, but Ur was stunned.
One thousand gold coins? How many gold coins is that?
“It’s not an unreasonable amount. Forcibly putting a price on her, it comes to that.”
The girl said they had already made a significant concession. Ur was speechless.
One thousand gold coins.
It’s not an amount that can be easily gathered. In fact, not even [Citizens] or [Priests] of the highest rank could earn that much in a lifetime.
“Just for reference…”
“Go on.”
“If my sister becomes yours, what will happen to her?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“What will happen?”
Ur asked again, and she shrugged.
“She’ll be studied and her powers obtained. It’s a rare opportunity to gain the mysterious power of a spirit. Every possible measure will be taken.”
She implied that no mercy would be shown.
“Ugh…”
Ur looked at Akane, who clung to him despite growling beside him. She was his last remaining kin after their dad died. He couldn’t bear to lose her.
“So, what do we do now?” — No, what he had to do was already decided.
“…I’ll pay that amount.”
“How are you going to manage that?”
He pressed on. Ur took a deep breath and made up his mind.
“Become an adventurer and earn a thousand gold coins.”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
Adventurers.
One of the most renowned professions in this world. Since the unprecedented disaster of the “Labyrinth Emergence” six hundred years ago, adventurers have been humanity’s marvels, defeating monsters and primarily making a living by conquering their nests, the labyrinths.
Their work extends beyond just labyrinth delving. While rewards vary, those recognized by the “Grand Alliance” and granted “Gold Rank” by the “Adventurer Guild” receive substantial rewards and rights.
Even completing a single quest could earn more gold than a “Citizen” or even a “Priest” might in a lifetime. Visits to “Production Cities,” possession rights to “Sacred Relics” bestowed by “Spirits,” audience with the greatest warriors and messengers of the great gods, the “Seven Heavens,” and more — there was almost nothing they couldn’t do.
Anyone aspiring to be an adventurer aims for the highest rank, the “Gold Rank” — the pinnacle of adventurer status.
~ Excerpt from “True Tales! The World of Adventurers”
“If the book is right, becoming a Gold Rank adventurer will let me buy back Akane.”
“That’s a nice plan. If it’s possible.”
Ur proposed, showcasing knowledge from a book their father had found somewhere. The golden-haired girl had a blunt response.
“Becoming Gold Rank. Absolutely earning a thousand gold coins. So, wait on investigating my sister.”
“People burdened with debt often use words like ‘absolute’ lightly, but it’s not cheap, you know? Those words—”
Without resorting to shouting or violence like that foolish director, the girl calmly said. But each of those words weighed heavily on Ur’s shoulders.
“You’re just a ‘Nameless One.’ You have no special skills or talents. I don’t trust your claim to become Gold Rank.”
“…”
“There needs to be collateral. Your father traded his daughter for money. What will you trade?”
She knew Ur had nothing to offer.
A wandering “Nameless,” an incompetent “Nameless,” a child with no power. Nothing. Except this life. Therefore,
“…I’ll wager my life.”
“────Hey! Hold on!! Time out!!”
Akane raised her voice, but Ur ignored her. He felt bad for his sister, but this time, ignoring her was unavoidable.
“────Huh? Just so you know, that’s no joke.”
“I understand. You probably have a blood contract. You can use it.”
Ur knew how foolish he sounded as he continued the conversation.
“Give me time with my life as collateral. By then, I’ll have become Gold Rank and bought back my sister.”
“Phew… Hmmm…”
Approaching, she looked into his eyes from below. Ur felt cold sweat running down his back as he met her golden gaze that seemed to pierce everything. There was a power in those eyes that didn’t seem fitting for a girl of the same age.
Seconds passed, maybe minutes. During that time, Ur never once looked away from her eyes. And then,
“────Alright, I’ll give it some thought.”
“A little?”
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