Chapter 6: 1.2

Although we might not be able to immediately return to the relationship we once had, I hoped that eventually we’d even be able to have a match again.

“Alright, then I’m gonna go out for a bit.”

“!! Are you, going somewhere?”

“Yeah, I’ll be back quickly,” I quickly replied when I saw Aine’s expression looking somewhat lonely.

Since she would likely not like it if I pointed that to her, I left the room after simply saying that.

I planned to go to the place of the slave merchant and pay for the remainder of the money to buy her.

…And then, there was one more thing I’d like to confirm.

If this guy was the one who put the collar on her… let’s first try asking him if he knows how to release it. Calm down, me. Killing is surely not gonna be a good idea, alright.

…Because surely, I wouldn’t be able to forgive the one who’d done that to her. Admonishing myself, I left the inn, leaving Aine behind.

After dropping by the ‘adventurer’s guild,’ I went to visit the slave merchant.

Basically, I had them make it an installment for the high paying requests that I’d completed.

When reaching an S-rank, you’d be able to have such flexibility.

Originally, the ranks of adventurers had ranged from E to A, with A being the highest. And then a higher rank, the S rank, was added a few years ago—currently, there were only a few of them active in this country. And as a result of being one of them, my face was quite well known even in town.

The slave merchant was a man I’d never met before, but he knew about me the second time I met him. …Probably, he’d gotten the information from one of his customers.

I was not that tall and had a little long-ish black hair; giving off such a feel of someone you could find anywhere, but as an adventurer, it seemed to stand out instead. I used to get mistaken for a girl when I was a kid, but not so much anymore—still, I’d been told that I was androgynous, though.

I didn’t even come on strong to the slave merchant, who were addressing me humbly.

Simply as a customer, I paid for the slave I’d just purchased and asked about her collar in a natural way.

According to the slave merchant, he’d merely bought Aine as well—and at that time, she was already wearing the ‘Sexualification Collar.’

I didn’t know much about slaves, but that collar seemed to be pretty rare and expensive. Not many people were able to create tools with magical effects, even if they were ‘mages.’

Although there were people who could make simple tools to make slaves obey orders, when it came to adding further magical effects, they were limited, he said.

He said the quickest way was to have the person who created it release it, but he didn’t seem to know whether that was even possible or not.

In other words, there was no progress so far. As for whoever put the collar on Aine, I’d probably have to ask her myself about it.

The fact that Aine knew the name of the collar, meant that she must also know the person who put it on. …The slave merchant came from the Empire, so no doubt they’d be from the Empire, though.

“…But, it doesn’t look like Aine would wanna go immediately, though.”

That was what I was worried about. Even not asking about the collar to her directly was because I didn’t want to make her remember anything unpleasant.

As expected, I also couldn’t propose going to the Empire just immediately after our reunion.

I wanted to immediately make her free, though… Actually, I’d have to repeat ‘that’ again if I didn’t set her free.

“…”

Having almost recalled it, I involuntarily held down my eyes and sighed.

…Her bashful sight, and the pleading look on her face; all very adorable.

Even though Aine must be in great hardship, I ended up thinking such a thing.

“For now, let’s go back.”

The purchasing of Aine had ended peacefully. And now, although she’d still be under the position of a slave, she’d be able to more freely under me.

Regarding the daily ‘heat,’ she’d just have to put up with my felp for a while.

As I was heading towards the inn, I spotted a bakery on the way. I remembered how she’d deliciously eat the bread that my mother often made. Not that it was ‘baiting with food,’ but I wanted to at least try to cheer her up somehow.

And as for me, I also got a lot of things to talk about with Aine anyway. After buying some for me and some for her, I headed to the inn.

Thinking: If her taste hasn’t changed, Aine should prefer sweet bread; as I walked back to the front of the room, I could hear some voice coming from the inside.

“…? Ai—”

“Nn, no… Lu, nois… nh.”

“—”

Instantly, I stopped moving on the spot; because I knew right away that this was something I shouldn’t be listening to. Quietly backing away from the front of the room, I let out a small breath.

“Weird.”

Weird. Aine’s heat should’ve been taken care of earlier somehow.

And yet, inside the room right now, she’s masturbating. Perhaps, it might be that I was inadequate.

No, but her heat certainly should’ve settled down…

For now, let’s make happy loud footsteps on the way back to the room.

Thus, I backed away from the door; and put it into action. Thud thud—as I was returning back while making such an unnatural sound, I could also hear the sounds of panicked movement coming from the room.

Just in case, I knocked on the door.

“Aine, It’s me… I just got back.”

“Com, c-come, come in.”

…Hearing a very obviously flustered reply, I entered the room.

With a slightly flushed face, Aine was staring at the window, not at me. Wanting to freshen up the mood, I showed the sack in my hand to Aine, and said: “Err, I bought some bread, want some?”

“…I-I’ll have some. It’s also been a while since I’ve had real bread.”

I handed the bread to the honest Aine, and decided to have my now completely late lunch.

And then, after finishing our meal, Aine and I just stayed in our room. I originally came to the royal capital because of a job, and it wasn’t like I’d decided to take it either.

In the end, because of her, I’d ended up withdrawing money from the adventurer’s guild only.

As I remained seated on the chair, she moved to the bed again. …Now then, how should I go about this?

In fact, after a long time of not seeing each other like this, I had no idea what to talk about. And there was also the ‘act’ from earlier, making it just so awkward.

In the past, at times like this, Aine’s cheerful personality would’ve made it easier to talk, but as expected, I wouldn’t be a man to put my hope in that.

“Umm—”

“Did you, come here for adventurer’s job?”

“Ah, yeah. That’s right, though.”

Just as I was about to start talking, Aine started talking.

“I see… Even in the Empire, an S-rank adventurer is treated like a hero, you know? And to think you became one, I’m just surprised.”

“Haha, well… I didn’t think I’d make it that far either. Maybe it’s because of my training with you?”

“…There’s no way you can make it that far with that, right? It’s because of your ability, and effort.”

“…I’m happy hearing you say that, but I’m the person I am today because of you, Aine. If not, I surely wouldn’t be an adventurer right now. I didn’t even get the chance to hold a sword after all.”

“Well, I just kind of knew you had the talent. Now that I got it right, it makes it like I’ve got a discerning eye, doesn’t it?”

Finally, Aine showed me a little smile.

I answered that also with a smile. …Honestly, I never thought that she’d give me a direct complement like this. So, I, too, brought up something about her.

“So, you became a knight, right? Aine.”

“…Yeah, not for that long, but I think I was pretty well evaluated.”

“Oh, I see. But still, I’d never have thought you’d become a knight of another country, you know?”

“I mean, I’ve also had stuff going on. In case you’re wondering, I also did take the Kingdom’s knight exam.”

“Ah, I see now. Maybe, the treatment was better in the Empire?”

“The treatment is the worst.,” Aine said, pointing at her neck.

I was at a loss for words. Seeing me like that, she let out a chuckle and said: “I’m just joking. Umm… you know, for your help, I’m really thankful for it.” She then gave me a smile. However, different from earlier, I could tell she was forcing it.

—To be honest, I’d been careful with my words; because I didn’t want to say anything that could hurt Aine in anyway—

But, yeah… I’ll tell her what I must tell her.

I got up from my seat and walked to Aine’s side. With a puzzled expression, Aine was looking at me.

“Lunois…?”

“Aine, I could become strong because of you. I became strong, for you.”

“…? —Huh, fueeh!? Wha, wha-wha-what are you saying!?” Aine raised her voice in a flustered fashion. I didn’t think I’d said something that crazy.

Because I, wanting to become stronger to surpass Aine, became stronger to compete with her. Taking Aine’s hand, I said: “Right now, I’m an S-rank adventurer. However, that is merely the indicator of the adventurer’s guild. But, if it could reassure you, I’ll exaggerate even if I have to. I, will protect you. That’s why, just rest assure—”

“O-okay, I get it. Fo-for now… my hand, can you, let go?”

“Ah, s-sorry!”

I got so heated with my feelings that I was spontaneously grabbing her hand.

Different from the past; both me and her were not kids anymore—she’d probably not like it to be thoughtlessly touched.

“Y-your feelings, Lunois, umm… I understand, I get the message. If that’s how you feel then, umm… yep.”

Aine seemed to want to say something with a blushed face, but her voice was so quiet it almost disappeared. Considering what I saw earlier—don’t tell me.

“…By chance, are you in heat? Your face is red and all.”

“! I-I’m not!! Anyway, I… believe in you. That’s all!”

And Aine quickly pulled the cover over her head and hid herself. I felt like… she had cheered up a bit.

In the end, I didn’t manage to bring up the collar, but I guess I can just go about it little by little.

Thus, for a little while, I watched over her tucked under the cover.

＊＊＊

For Aine Crossint, there was not a single shred of hope left. After all, the path she had chosen had been a mistake, and she in fact had ended up being reduced to the status of a slave.

Even if she were to become a slave, Aine had intended to take a resolute attitude—though, Aine’s heart was on the verge of breaking in reality. No, you could say it was broken.

It was because, her body, through the effect of the ‘Sexualification Collar’ that she had been forced to wear, would be made into ‘heat,’ leaving her with no choice but to live as a slave.

In that case, death might be a better option—as she was thinking such, the place she was brought to was the royal capital. She had mixed feelings about the possibility of being able to meet Lunois, but she also absolutely didn’t want to be seen in her current state.

Even though of her feelings of rather to be sold as a slave to some stranger than meeting him… Lunois was there.

Despite not having seen each other for several years, she recognized him right away. She wanted to hide herself, but couldn’t… The only feeling she had was helplessness, but the next moment, he saw Lunois pointing his sword at the slave merchant’s neck. …That alone was enough for Aine to know that he had grown even more without her knowledge—for this reason, she felt so pathetic.

She ended up thinking that if Lunois saw the current her, he would surely come to help her; even supposing that he didn’t have the power to help her, he would likely put the effort to.

Hating herself, Aine had been trying to keep her distance from Lunois one way or another. And yet—

“Right now, I’m an S-rank adventurer. However, that is merely the indicator of the adventurer’s guild. But, if it could reassure you, I’ll exaggerate even if I have to. I, will protect you.”

—While wrapping herself under the cover, she ended up remembering his words earlier.

I wonder since when… did Lunois become a man who can say such cool things, she thought.

Even though he should’ve just ignored someone like her; someone who had been degraded into a slave.

However, Aine was agonizing under the cover, trying not to be found out that she was remembering Lunois’ words.

Uwh, sa-saying things like that, to someone like me…!

You are reading story I, An S-Rank Adventurer, Will Buy And Protect My Enslaved Childhood Friend” to “I, An S-Rank Adventurer at novel35.com

It was also understandable for her to be like this.

After all, Aine liked Lunois.

In those days when they had always been training sword together, she had started to feel that way at some point. Aine was agonizing alone, feeling even more embarrassed that she had masturbated while remembering the ‘act’ with Lunois.

Isn’t that basically already like a ‘confession’… Even though I’m a slave now…! B-but, to feel happy is…!

Surely, Aine and Lunois were both oblivious to such subtle differences in their thoughts.

For a short while, Aine wasn’t able to turn her face towards Lunois; just couldn’t do anything but wait for the time to pass.

＊＊＊

After that, Aine and I were talking about trivial things.

The details about how I became an adventurer, and the details how she became a knight—all the while trying not to touch on the ‘Sexualification Collar’ too much.

Of course I wanted to ask, but it’d be important to find the right timing.

And as we were spending our time like this, Aine spoke as if she had just noticed something. “…Speaking of which, there’s only a bed.”

Although that was exactly what she’d been using all this time now, It’d be a bit too small for two people to sleep in.

If it would come to this, I should’ve chosen a room with two beds, but it was impossible for me to have predicted this.

Other rooms were full anyway, and if we were to move to another inn, we probably should’ve done it a little earlier—But, not that it was a big problem.

“You can go use the bed.”

“And what about you…?”

“I’m fine with the chair and all.”

“That’s not good. It won’t even help you with fatigue, no?”

“Ahaha, that’s not true. I’ve gotten used to an adventurer’s life by the way… I can rest quite well even with sitting on a chair. I can even sleep while standing, you know?”

“Sleep while standing… you’ve gotten really tough before I knew it, huh.”

Aine seemed impressed, yet dumbfoundead.

The three years since I’d become an adventurer—a short but seemingly long period of time, had made me stronger.

I often slept in the forest, and I’d even spent the night in a monster’s den.

Perhaps because I’d gotten used to such a life that I could, of course, get my body to rest in bed, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t get rest if I didn’t..

Rather, Aine probably hadn’t had a chance to sleep in a bed for a while. Considering this, I wanted to get her to get some proper rast for today. However, “but still, no. I mean I, umm… can also sleep without a bed anyway.”

“It’s not the time to compete, really. You can just take it easy and sleep.”

“!! I’m not trying to compete. I mean, it’s really making me feel bad…”

It seemed that Aine was feeling awkward with me. Even if I told her not to mind it, she’d likely still mind it. …Nonetheless, I had no intention of letting Aine sleep in a chair or on the floor. Because, really, sleeping in a chair was not a problem for me.

As I was thinking how to persuade her, “…I-in that case, err… it can’t be helped, and only if you don’t hate it, though…”

“Hmm, you got any ideas?”

“Wa-wanna sleep together?” Suddenly, Aine brought up something like that. It must be the conclusion she reached after much brooding—I could tell by the look on Aine’s face.

As expected, the bed would be too small for the two of us to sleep in, and from the way she was acting, she probably didn’t feel so comfortable about it either.

“Nuh-uh, you don’t have to force yourself too—”

“I-I’m not forcing myself or anything!”

“You don’t have to be concerned about someone like me, you know.”

“!! aren’t you the one being so concerned!? Even though I already said I’m fine with it.”

“That is…”

I was suddenly lost for words.

Certainly, I was concerned about Aine as well—that was also the case for her.

With a sudden look of realization, Aine averted her gaze and, in a muttered voice with her face looking down, said: “I-I’m sorry. I’ve said too much… I’m not even in a position where I can say such a thing, aren’t I?”

Once again, Aine ended up self-deprecating herself—in order to shorten the distance between her and me, it seemed I would have to first revise my thinking.

“…I got it. Let’s sleep together.”

“…Eh? Err, really?”

“Aren’t you the one who proposed it? Or maybe I really should just sleep in the—”

“Th-that’s not what I meant!! …W-we should’ve just gone with that from the start.”

Quickly averting her gaze, Aine pouted her lips. It had been a while since I’d seen her showing this kind of sulking gesture—seeing her like this, I felt relieved.

It might have been the first time Aine and I’d slept together in a bed since we really were kids. She should’ve been a year older than me, but I was now taller than her.

She used to be bigger than me, though…; thinking such a thing made me all kinds of nostalgic.

Then, as time passed and it was getting late into the night, I took off my equipment, changed into a shirt and pants, and sat down on the bed.

Aine moved to the end of the bed to make room for me.

And I went to lie down, facing the table. As expected, if I laid on my back, our bodies would be touching each other.

I knew it’s gonna be too small for two people to sleep in—on the contrary, I feel like I’d get exhausted. But, since this is the compromise I’ve reached with Aine, it’s already too late to reverse it now…

As I was having such thoughts, I heard the sound of her moving on the bed with a creak.

Softly, a blanket was draped over my body; Aine’s hand was also tenderly resting on it.

“…Aine?”

“This way, you can move in closer now, right?”

“You don’t have to force—”

“I don’t. I‘ve said it already; if it’s you, it’s fine,” Aine said, huddling closer to me.

I couldn’t see her face, but right now she didn’t seem to hate it.

Certainly, I might be the one who was being overly concerned. I felt a greater feeling of not wanting to make her remember anything unpleasant; to her, who had ended up becoming a slave.

For this reason, I still hadn’t been able to ask her something I must ask. That’s why, let’s ask her about that first thing tomorrow., having decided to do so, I closed my eyes.

“Lunois.”

“Nn, what’s wrong?”

“…Nope, it’s nothing. Good night.”

“Yeah, good night.”

Thus, this marked the end of the first day of reuniting with my childhood friend whom I hadn’t seen for a long time. Feeling Aine’s warmth beside me, I was strangely able to fall asleep in no time at all.

Next morning—after finishing the breakfast provided by the inn, I decided to have a talk with Aine. The first thing after waking up was unlike yesterday; it felt awkward, but now it was normal.

Once again, I finally asked her about the ‘Sexualification Collar’ around her neck. “You know, about that collar…”

“…Yeah.”

Aine’s response was a bit gloomy, but fortunately, she seemed to be willing to walk about it. Then I continued on. “Just who put it on you?”

“Who… What are you gonna do from asking that?”

“If we follow the acquisition route of the person who put it on, we might just even be able to find out who made it.”

“…I mean, we don’t even know if it’s made recently, don’t we?”

“That may be true, but…”

I didn’t manage to get any leads from the slave merchant in the end—since it had turned out that way, the information from Aine would naturally be the most reliable.

Even though Aine was a little perturbed, “it was someone of the Empire who put it on. It was, just when I was being taken to jail.”

“I knew it…”

“But, don’t say we’re going to the Empire, okay…?” Aine said, as if anticipating my words.

Of course I didn’t expect she’d want to go—I could go there alone, but if I were to do that, then her ‘heat’ would be a problem.

It was because the effect of this would force it to happen, and it would have to be me, the current master, who could manage it.

It was almost like a curse, though perhaps it was a suitable thing for a sex slave…

“Of course, I’m not gonna force you to go. But, you don’t want to stay that way either, right?”

“I… don’t want to. But, if it’s you…” Aine said in a really faint voice. Her voice was getting quieter and quieter, to the point where I couldn’t hear her well.

“Nn, me and…?”

“—! I-it’s nothing! Anyway, I’m just saying we don’t have to be in such a rush!”

“No, but—”

“I’m saying it’s fine!”

Aine strongly insisted on me, and I nodded my head in agreement for the time being. Of course I didn’t entirely agree, but for now, I’d give her voice priority. However… I couldn’t let her keep on getting burdened forever. Let’s look for some solutions, including through the adventurer’s guild.

“That aside, don’t you have a job to do too…?”

“Nn? Yeah, I’m gonna ask about it today. And then, we’ve got to buy some clothes for you, too. The truth is, I wish I could’ve bought it yesterday, though…”

“Clothes for me…?”

“That one as a little too thin. Besides, it’s gonna be necessary from now on. I also have nothing but men’s clothes in my home. It’s just… I’m not familiar with women’s clothing, so I’d like to have you choose, but will it be better to ‘wait’?”

Hearing my question, Aine didn’t look like she was able to understand it at first. However—maybe she finally understood it—her face was getting redder and redder.

“I-I mean, I also don’t know when it’s gonna happen… waiting is, maybe not realistic.”

“I guess so. It’d be nice if it can be controlled or something, though.”

“Con-controlled…!?”

“I-I don’t mean it in a weird way. But, yeah… so it might be hard on you, but I guess it’s better to have you wait. I’ll be back as soon as I can; besides, you also don’t wanna be out with that collar on, right?”

Even from the appearance, anyone would end up able to tell that she was a slave.

And as an S-rank adventurer, my face was known to a certain extent, and if I were to be accompanied by a slave, I might stand out.

I wouldn’t care, but Aine probably would. However, Aine shook her head and said: “It’s not like I care if anyone thinks I’m a slave or not. I’m an actual slave after all.”

“Doesn’t matter if you’re a slave or not. But, are you gonna be okay?”

“If I wait, umm… It might be hard when it happens. If you don’t like accompanied by a slave, I wish you’d just leave me, though.”

“There’s just no way I’d hate to go together with you, Aine.”

“…!! I-I see. In that case, I wanna go with you.”

For some reason, Aine was looking down in embarrassment.

“Then, first let’s buy your clothes. After that, let’s go to the adventurer’s guild. I want you to tell me right away if it’s becoming hard for you.”

“Nn, alright.”

The things to do today had been decided—choosing clothes for Aine, and then about the job at the adventurer’s guild.

After finishing our preparations, Aine and I quickly left the inn.

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