“So, various things happened, and she’s living in my home.” I gave a brief explanation.

Actually, it was probably too brief? Well, there wasn’t much to say. I came home last night and she was already there. She confessed her love for me and now she won’t leave. His mouth was open.

“Ah… prince?”

He shook his head. “Nothing! I mean… if she’s not causing any trouble, then it is fine. My only request is that you take her to the Slave guild and have a more powerful slave mark.”

“A more powerful mark?”

“Mm.. slave marks have various levels. For very dangerous criminals, such a mark exists. When it comes to someone like a demon lord, this will be sufficient. As far as her face, she remained covered during most of the event. I doubt few people would associate the demon lord with your slave. It will probably be fine.”

“Okay, in that case, while we’re at it, is it possible to receive my money for Faeyna?”

He chuckled. “Having financial troubles, are we?”

“Ah… well, I am a bit short on money, so it would really help.”

The Prince sighed, “Alas, I cannot give it to you.”

“Could I ask why?”

“Aren’t you planning on reenslaving Faeyna?”

“You even know that much?”

“Well, I know that Faeyna has spent the last month at your mansion and that she’d be safest as your slave so no one snatched her away.”

“That’s true, but you did remove the mark…”

“It’s not that I don’t think you deserve compensation. It’s the slave laws, alright?” The prince explained. “Slaves can be freed if someone is willing to spend their value and the slave themselves approve. That is essentially what happened when I freed Faeyna.”

“Right, what of it?” I asked, feeling an exception coming along.

“I didn’t pay you the gold yet, so technically, this transaction hasn’t finished.”

“So, then, let’s finish it…”

“Naturally, if that was allowed, then couldn’t a master and slave easily con others? People like my sister would see an abused slave and then pay to free them, only for them to slip right back into slavery! That’s why a law was created, if a slave agrees to leave their master and the agreement is fulfilled, that slave cannot be reenslaved to that Master.”

“!?”

“it’s not an unreasonable law. It protects a slave from their Master’s retaliation for being willing to leave them, and as I said, it removes con-jobs or slaves suddenly changing their minds and wasting a generous person’s goodwill. We can still go through with it and you can have the coin, but…”

“But… I wouldn’t be able to keep Faeyna as a slave, and there would always be a risk that she would be snatched off the street or kidnapped.” I finished his thought, “So, it was something like this after all.”

I had thought that I might not see that 3000 gold ever since I woke up, but fortunately, the explanation was one I could tolerate.

“Although, the kingdom’s also quite poor, isn’t it?”

“Gah!” The Prince let out a strangled sound and then sighed. “Is it that obvious? Normally, subjugating a demon lord should involve a cash prize too, but after the destruction of the Capitol and various other issues, we’re definitely struggling this month. I’m trying to resolve it.”

“Isn’t this kind of a big issue involving the kingdom? Shouldn’t you at least speak to the King?”

That word caused the Prince to wince. Naturally, I was curious about that reaction. He let out another sigh.

“Well, since I’ve made you my brother, I suppose I might as well tell you the truth. Rather, this was the other reason I was hoping to talk with you. I’m in need of your help.”

“What for?”

“You see, my father, the King… he’s gone missing!”