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Chapter 9: Signing a Contract with the Racehorse Girl.

On the way back, because Martina’s injured leg kept her from walking, Nora carried her the whole time.

Reiner, meanwhile, dragged a set of leather armor he had stripped from a goblin, intending to haul it to the Adventurers’ Guild and see if it would fetch any coin.

After walking an entire day, he finally spotted Melod City in the distance.

Reiner meant to take her for the slave branding first; finishing the quest and getting the reward came before anything else.

At that moment a stray thought drifted into his mind.

(When can we eat? I’m starving…)

Reiner glanced back at Martina and met her gaze.

He had not planned to starve her.

The problem was simply that the girl ate too much.

At every meal she needed at least 2 loaves of black bread.

Yet on this outing they had packed only 3 days of food in total.

It was noon now, and since morning none of them had eaten a single bite.

The stomachs of the 2 demi-humans kept rumbling.

Martina knew she ate a lot, so she felt a bit embarrassed to ask.

“Hang on a little longer; once we reach the city I’ll buy you something.”

Martina nodded without speaking.

Soon the three of them entered the city, and people crowded all around.

Martina’s inner voice kept floating into Reiner’s head.

(So many people… people everywhere… I’m such an idiot for coming; even if I want to run now, I can’t.)

Reiner shot her a look, then went to a bakery, bought a few loaves of black bread, and handed the cloth bag to Martina. “Eat.”

She blinked, stopped thinking too much, and tore into the bread.

During that time Reiner also sold the leather armor at the Adventurers’ Guild, but the battered junk fetched only 10 copper coins.

Reiner sighed and led the two of them toward the slave market.

Before they even got close, Martina seemed to sense something and began to struggle.

“W-Where are we going?”

“The slave market,” Reiner soothed her softly. “Relax, I won’t sell you; we’re only signing a contract.”

Nora turned and added, “Master would never lie to you, so don’t worry.”

Martina stayed silent, though her mind still raced.

The scene that greeted her inside the slave market filled her with fear.

Groups of demi-humans stood on platforms for nobles to choose from.

If a slave trader felt dissatisfied, a long whip would flay their flesh.

In one corner dozens of maggot-ridden demi-human corpses lay piled up.

Martina’s nerves were fragile, and she trembled all over.

Nora, stronger than she, felt no fear; instead she cursed the slavers in her heart.

“Don’t be scared; I won’t sell you.”

Martina still said nothing, praying silently.

(Mom, Dad, please protect me…)

Reiner grabbed a slaver at random, explained his purpose, and was led to the basement.

Martina sat on a chair, clutching Nora’s thigh and refusing to let go.

The slaver eyed her with great interest. “Where did you buy this slave? She looks good.

Her long, strong limbs make her perfect for farm work or training as a warrior.

That face is a budding beauty too; if she weren’t horse-type and were a bit shorter, some noble would pay a fortune.”

With that, the slaver flashed a lecherous grin.

Nora and Martina could not understand the human tongue.

The two girls looked uneasily at Reiner, suspicion rising.

Nora: (Is he really going to sell us? No… Master promised me; he keeps his word.)

Martina: (It’s over… he’s definitely selling me.)

“How about you name a price and sell her to me? If she’s a virgin I’ll pay even more.”

Reiner barked back, “Do your job; I’m not selling this slave.”

“5 gold coins!” Seeing Reiner frown, he hurriedly upped it. “8! I can’t go any higher!”

Reiner snorted softly.

A Legendary-grade demi-human would earn far more than 8 gold coins in time, and he was no short-sighted fool.

“Not for sale.”

The slaver sighed. “What a pity…”

Martina’s body was strong, so after the pact mark was applied she did not faint; she merely became extremely weak.

Before leaving Melod City, Reiner even bought a few loaves of white bread, hoping to win some goodwill.

It was already evening when they reached home.

Martina sat in a corner, quietly watching Reiner.

(He really didn’t sell me. So humans can be good or bad… No, it’s too early to tell; I need to watch him longer.)

With a slight smile, Reiner beckoned to the two beast-ear girls. “Come have dinner; afterward take a bath and I’ll treat your leg.”

He produced white bread and jam. Nora ran over at once and sat properly at the table.

Martina hobbled over, sniffed the bread and the jam, and said from the heart, “It smells wonderful!”

After Reiner spread a layer of jam on a slice, he handed it to Martina.

She took a tentative bite, found it delicious, and stuffed it into her mouth greedily.

When she finished she even licked the crumbs from her lips, tears welling up.

Her reaction matched Nora’s back then exactly, pitiful to watch.

In truth the taste of this white bread was only average.

“Stop crying. Make money and work hard, and I’ll see that you eat white bread at every meal.”

Martina and Nora nodded vigorously in unison.

At that moment the system’s voice rang out.

【Quest: Decide the demi-human girl’s fate – completed】

【You chose to take her as a slave.】

【Quest reward delivered.】

Reiner felt several heavy objects appear in his hand.

Looking down, he saw 3 Dyast gold coins stamped with a dragon emblem.

This quest reward was more generous than any before.

【Achievement unlocked: Lord of Beast-Ear Girls】

【Bonus: Demi-humans will find it easier to like and trust you.】

【You may view your current achievements at any time.】

Reiner scratched his chin.

The achievement looked pretty good.

If he ran into another beast-ear girl with good stats, he might subdue her even more easily.

【Quest updated: Clear the goblin nest entrenched in Dawn Forest】

【Quest reward: 10 gold coins】

Reiner froze for a moment.

A mission at that level should require the kingdom to send an army.

He was only a third-rate adventurer; how could he possibly handle it?

While Reiner cursed the system under his breath, Martina, right in front of him, pulled off the strip of linen wrapped around her body.

Her curves were breathtaking…

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