01x03 - Contracts and Oaths

[bunniefuu]

Go home.

I'm not sure

how you ended up here but

this place isn't fit

for a child like you.

[breathes shakily]

[wind whooshing]

EPISODE 3

CONTRACTS AND OATHS

I'm the owner

of this trading company.

My name's Mulan.

This man is Mr. Iruma Takumi.

He's currently

in the market for a sl*ve.

Um.

Pleasure to meet you.

Though I should

probably mention

that he's expressed

a great deal of reluctance

regarding the idea

of a sl*ve contract.

Is that true?

Back in the land

where I come from,

contracting people into sl*very

wasn't really a thing.

Is that right?

Well, as you've gathered,

the contract binds the sl*ve

to their master's service.

But it does something else too.

-What's that?

-[MULAN] You see,

here in the great

Kingdom of Barcula at least,

the rights of sl*ves

are protected.

[TAKUMI]

She gave me the rundown

of the sl*ve contracts.

And the basic gist

of it was this

The owner pledges to honor

the sl*ve's basic rights.

Providing food,

clothing and shelter.

It's forbidden for either party

to cause lethal harm

to the other.

The sl*ve's duties are confined

to what's in the contract.

And they're banned from

sharing information of any kind

about their owner with others.

As it turned out,

it was a lot different from

what I imagined it would be.

[MULAN]

Now, allow me to describe

the common types of contracts

and their circumstances.

Those who must become sl*ves

due to debt

will be contracted

until such a time

as they can repay

their financial obligations.

Meanwhile, criminals may

enter into contracts

as a means to reform

and secure

an honest way of life.

The unfortunate souls

who were prisoners of w*r,

can accept a contract

-to earn a place to live.

-[chain clinking]

Most common of all

are those who've been captured

by thieves or bandits

and illegally

forced into sl*very.

Saddening, isn't it?

I believe the most

preferable outcome

would be for Mr. Takumi

to have a w*r sl*ve,

seeing as they can't be freed

without

their master's permission.

There any particular reason?

-Uh.

-Mr. Takumi here

is a remarkable producer

with skill and talent

that others can only

hope to mimic in their dreams!

Enough from you.

Your thoughts, Mr. Takumi?

Yes, he's right,

I am a producer.

So, I prefer to focus

on my work as much as possible.

And fulfilling quests

from the adventurer's guild.

Well, it uh, makes it difficult

to handle my daily affairs.

I'm living in a mansion

at the moment.

And I want someone

to help manage it

and handle

all of the housework.

I also have many skills

that should be

kept confidential.

So, I can't promise you

that trouble won't find me.

Also,

I have to gather materials

in rather dangerous places,

I'm sure.

So in addition

to protecting me.

They must know how to fight,

and accompany me

during such harvests.

A house manager

and a skilled fighter as well.

Sounds to me like

you're in need of two sl*ves.

[knocking on door]

[MARIA] Um.

Sorry to intrude!

[door opens]

[door shuts]

I'm Maria!

Maria was kidnapped by bandits

at a young age

and has no family.

She's been trained in reading,

writing, mathematics,

and general housekeeping.

Maria, this is Mr. Takumi.

He's looking for someone

who can manage a mansion.

That's me!

So, uh,

the first floor has

a living room,

dining room, and kitchen.

The second floor has

four bedrooms and a bathroom.

Do you think

that's too much of a burden?

Uh.

Not at all,

I should be able to handle

that many rooms all by myself!

I'm glad to hear it.

What is it?

Nothing. This is just

hard to understand.

Considering how cute you are,

why hasn't someone

snapped you up by now?

Didyou say I'm cute?

I'm sorry,

that was really inappropriate!

Okay.

Listen

I can only do

general housekeeping!

[TAKUMI] Right.

That's what I want.

I can't do anything else!

Got it.

Really.

Forgive my rudeness.

But I

can't sleep with you!

[Maria moaning]

I can't sleep with you!

I can't sleep with you!

[TAKUMI] What, no!

You've got it all wrong!

I don't want that!

Are you okay with me

just handling housekeeping?

[gasps]

Of course, I am!

Even though

you can't sleep with me?

That's right!

I'm a gentleman!

Well, then

seems like you're in agreement.

So, how about we get

started on that contract?

Great!

As long as Maria agrees.

Yes!

Thank you for having me!

All right, as for the other one

you're looking for.

I'm sorry to say

we don't have

any w*r sl*ves at this time.

Excuse me,

but what about Sofia?

I don't remember

asking for your input.

Yes, but

[MULAN] Return to your room

and ready your belongings.

Yes, ma'am.

[door opens]

[door shuts]

[TAKUMI]

So, you have someone?

Yes.

Though she does have problems.

[TAKUMI] Problems?

Now, I'm kinda curious.

We'll contact you

the moment we find someone

-who fits your criteria.

-I would like to meet her,

if it's okay.

Huh?

[TAKUMI]

Maybe this is due to

my Intuition skill?

Something's telling me

I can't take no for an answer.

And there's Maria's expression.

I've gotta meet her.

I have to follow my instincts.

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

[TAKUMI]

Oh.

[gasps]

[MULAN] Sofia was captured

during the w*r,

about 50 years ago,

between the Kingdom of Triaria

and the Kingdom of Yughur.

Fifty years?

[MULAN] The Kingdom of Yughur

was a nation of elves.

And for many reasons,

she hasn't been able to form

a contract with anyone.

But, why not?

Sofia has a hideous scar

on her left ear.

And her right hand and left leg

have impaired movement.

Although,

that hasn't stopped her

from causing issues.

In addition to all that,

she somehow managed to lose

the use of the elemental magic

and sprite magic

that elves possess.

It's likely

she has a curse placed on her.

You see?

These are all fatal flaws

for a main combatant.

[TAKUMI]

Mulan,

is it possible for me

to speak with her for a bit?

[sighs]

Of course.

Mulan!

You'll be fine,

but don't be rude, you hear me?

[footsteps receding]

Huh!

[door shuts]

-Hi, my name is Takumi.

-Hmm.

Look, Mulan already

told you everything.

So, you should know

I won't be of any use to you.

-[TAKUMI] Please, excuse me.

-[gasps]

Let go, what are you doing?

[TAKUMI]

I'm not a fan of peeking

at others' statuses, but

[gasps]

Holy crap!

She's so freakin' strong!

If I can dispel the curse

and heal her injured limbs,

she'll be unstoppable!

[knocking on door]

[door opens]

[MULAN] Mr. Takumi.

So, what are we thinking?

[TAKUMI]

Yes!

I'll form a contract

with her, too.

But why, didn't you hear

what she said before?

I did,

but that won't be a problem.

I'll fix it.

[gasps]

Mr. Takumi!

Are you suggesting

you can rectify the curse

that has plagued her

for over 50 years?

-I am!

-[exhales]

[TAKUMI]

Almost there.

I'm close to the level I need.

[chuckles]

My! What an interesting

turn of events!

Well, if that's the case,

then I'll happily leave

Sofia in your capable hands!

-Mulan, no!

-Uh?

Sorry, I don't want you to feel

forced to form a contract.

Especially, if you despise me.

Hmm.

[SOFIA]

Please.

The wishes of a sl*ve

are of no consequence.

[Takumi chuckles softly]

[paper rustles]

You're all set.

The paperwork has been

fully ex*cuted.

[door opens]

[MARIA] [pants]

Pardon me, but,

I want to express my gratitude!

Huh?

[MARIA]

I'm so happy Sofia

will be coming along with me.

Thank you!

[MULAN]

Now, the final step.

The casting of a magic spell

that will affirm the contract.

All parties are now bound

and must honor

and uphold the agreement.

♪

♪

The ceremony is complete.

Thank you, Master.

I'll work hard

so that you'll keep me

for many long years.

No, it's fine!

-[Takumi chuckles softly]

-Thank you, Master.

I'll make sure I do the same.

Well, um,

thank you both for joining me.

But really,

it's okay.

You don't have to be

so polite, you know.

Oh, uh, right!

-Got it. Sorry about that.

-[MULAN] Looks like

you two

have found a good master.

Good luck,

both of you.

[TAKUMI]

Finally home

[gasps]

[MAPLE] Yay!

Master's home!

-[Takumi groans]

-Master, you okay?

[SOFIA] Stand back!

I'll deal with this monster!

[TAKUMI] Wait! Stand down!

It's not a monster!

She's my pet, Maple!

Maple,

they'll be living with us now.

This is Sofia and Maria.

[MAPLE]

Living with us?

So, you have a k*ller Spider

as a pet?

♪

This room is available,

if you'd like.

[MARIA]

It's a nice room.

[TAKUMI]

Maria, take the one next door.

What? You mean

we get to have our own rooms?

Mm-hmm.

We couldn't!

That's far too much!

[TAKUMI]

No, really.

This mansion has so many rooms,

it'd be nice

if they got some more use!

We're also lucky enough

to have a large bath!

Once you're done unpacking,

you can use it

whenever you like!

We can use the bath?

Then you should

go bathe first, Master.

Mm, I haven't really considered

when I wanted

to take one just yet.

Plus, I've equipped it

with a magical device

that constantly keeps it clean,

so please don't worry.

No matter who goes first,

it stays fresh.

Hmm.

[MARIA] Oh, yeah!

This is so nice!

You're so lucky.

If I'm being perfectly honest,

I didn't think Madame Mulan

would ever let you leave.

In 50 years,

she hasn't contracted you

out until now,

no matter how much money

she was offered.

ButMulan must have seen

something in this master.

[chuckles]

I'm glad,

he seems like a kind person!

Hm?

Do you not think so?

It's hard to know

who he really is.

I caught a glance

at the contract Mulan prepared.

[SOFIA] Most of our master's

history records

were left blank,

down to his birthplace

and lineage.

[MARIA]

They were blank?

[SOFIA] If he's unwilling

to divulge those details,

either

there's a special exception,

or that information

is compromising.

♪

[SOFIA]

What is our master up to?

[insects chirping]

♪

What?

Is that

Yeah!

It's dinner!

[whimpering]

Maria?

What's wrong?

[MARIA] [whimpering]

This

This was supposed to be my job!

And yet, here it is!

Already prepared

and ready to eat!

Now I'm just as useful

as a toilet in an apron!

No!

Less useful than that, even!

[water trickles]

Look, I was just trying to make

your first day easy, here!

You can take care of dinner

and more starting tomorrow.

'Kay?

Please let me start

with the cleanup

after we're done eating,

I'm begging you!

Yes, you got a deal!

For now, let's eat!

You're allowing us

to sit at the table

with you for meals?

That isn't usually done.

It doesn't matter.

I don't want us to do

everything separate

just because you're serving me.

I understand

you might be hesitant,

but I'd be happy

if we ate together.

I see.

If that's how

you truly feel, Master.

Speaking of tradition,

I'm not really

used to being called "Master,"

so can you just

use my name, please?

Is that an official order, sir?

Oh, no, it's not a major decree

or anything like that.

It's just a request!

Mister Takumi, it is!

Yeah!

Now, let's eat dinner!

[MARIA] Right!

Thank you, sir!

[SOFIA]

Hm.

PAPEK TRADING COMPANY

[PAPEK] Here are the items

you requested.

They're packed and ready!

I've done my best

to wrap them securely,

but still, please handle them

with care on your way home.

I understand.

Thank you very much!

[birds chirping]

[indistinct chatter]

Hm?

Uh. Wait a minute.

Is that a church?

[door opens]

I never noticed it

before today.

♪

[TAKUMI]

Lady Nolyn.

Thank you so much.

Your blessings have saved me!

I've got a question, though.

From what I've heard,

the Holy Empire of Sidonia

controls

the religious doctrine

in this country.

So why'd you badmouth Sidonia

and call it "problematic?"

-[NOLYN] Because they don't

worship me. -Huh?!

Hello there!

Been a while!

Lady Nolyn?

[whimpering]

How the heck?

You prayed to me,

so I answered nice and quick!

[TAKUMI]

How about that?

Now, I'll answer your question

nice and quick, too.

I have nothing

to do with Sidonia

and their Church

of Divine Light.

[gasps]

[TAKUMI] According to her

nice and quick explanation,

there are two religions

in this world

the Church of Creation,

and the Church of Divine Light.

-[bell tolls]

-The Church of Creation

has worshiped Lady Nolyn

from its inception.

The Church of Divine Light

was created later,

along with its God

that doesn't exist.

After its founding,

the Holy Empire of Sidonia

used forceful means

to rapidly spread the influence

of the Church of Divine Light.

They outwardly opposed

the Church of Creation,

but Lady Nolyn felt that

the Sidonian Empire's crusade

was a petty human affair,

and she refused to interfere.

So.

Sidonia was able to activate

their otherworlder

summoning spell

without intervention,

which was how my soul

was accidentally

dragged into this world, right?

Hey, come on!

I gave you my super blessing,

didn't I?

But it's time you know.

While there is a part

of my blessing

that will last forever.

There is another part

that will fade away.

The one that helped you grow,

and meet people with ease

before your world

began to expand.

Huh?

In other words.

It seems

your beginner's tutorial

has nearly run its course.

You'll find yourself

hitting walls

where they didn't exist,

and you might

start encountering

those with ill intentions,

people who would hurt you.

[TAKUMI]

Ah, yep.

Everything did feel

too perfect,

what with all the nice people

I've met and places I've been.

I guess

it was all thanks to her.

♪

Everything is up to you now.

Your destiny.

[TAKUMI] Sounds like

the ball's in my court.

Whatever happens

is based on my decisions.

Better focus up.

[exhales]

THE HOLY EMPIRE OF SIDONIA,

ONE YEAR LATER

[thunder rumbling]

What have you got?

How do the heroes

we've summoned fare?

[MUSUDAN] Only time will tell,

it would seem.

The three are currently

training with Sir Homer

and Sir Packard.

[WALBARR]

It was quite an undertaking

to summon these heroes.

To make it worth our while,

we'll need to see progress.

After they were summoned here.

They were hesitant,

rather confused, and defensive.

But after meeting

Lady Elizabeth,

their devotion to

the Empire's cause is strong.

Hmm.

[screams]

Go harder, Sir Akira!

That's simply not enough!

[Packard grunts]

Sir Yamato!

If you fight like that,

you won't last long in battle!

[scoffs] You can do

better than that, son.

[grunts]

[JUDGE]

Match Point!

♪

[MALE VOICE 1]

Our favorite to win,

Yamato

just lost to a first-year.

[MALE VOICE 2]

Oh, yeah, he's finished.

[echoing]

[growls]

I'll show you.

I'm not done yet!

[PACKARD]

That's the zeal of a real hero!

[HOMER]

Now, your turn, Lady Akane.

[AKANE] I'll pass.

I don't really like violence.

[ELIZABETH]

This is not violence for sport.

[footsteps approaching]

It's what must be done

to save our world.

[AKIRA]

Don't worry, Akane.

'Cause no matter what,

I will protect you!

You have a reliable

ally in him.

[AKANE]

She's dangerous.

I don't trust her.

-[door opens]

-[TAKUMI] Guess who's home

[thuds]

[MAPLE]

Welcome home, Master!

[MARIA]

Mister Takumi!

Are-are you okay?

Yeah.

I'm just great.

[chuckles]

Into Item Box!

[gasps]

So, uh. I'm gonna hole up

in the workshop for a bit.

Don't wait, you three

have dinner without me!

-[MARIA] Understood, sir.

-I know what I just saw.

[SOFIA]

Magical wrapping paper.

What is Master hiding?

[birds chirping]

[whimpering]

-[door creaks open]

-[TAKUMI] Oh, man,

this is super gnarly.

[chuckles]

Gotta keep it going.

[clanking]

[groans]

[screams]

My freakin' arm!

Heal and Cure!

It hurts so much!

This is crazy, I know.

But hey, I can't stop now!

I've gotta level up my skill!

What Maria did

was so messed up.

-[door opens]

-Uh?

-[Sofia pants]

-Sofia?

[screams]

Leave Maria alone!

What's your plan?

Huh? Tell me!

Ifif anything

happens to her, I

I won't let

I'll

[TAKUMI]

Sofia?

Uh?

CONDITION: EXTREME EXHAUSTION

WOUNDED LEFT HAND (LIGHT WOUND)

[TAKUMI]

Extreme exhaustion?

For now.

I should at least

treat her left hand.

♪

It's just a minor wound,

but it's resistant to my spell!

I wonder, is this

because of the curse she's got?

♪

[breathes steadily]

I managed to heal it.

SKILL LIGHT MAGIC HAS LEVELED UP

Uh?

Heck, yeah!

Has she suffered from

extreme exhaustion before?

[MARIA] Yes.

For as long as I can remember,

sudden movements

or general excitement

have caused her

to become faint.

[TAKUMI]

If I had to guess,

it's a symptom of the curse

that's inflicted on her.

Now, Dispel.

♪

Go, Extra Heal.

♪

[whimpering]

♪

Well, she should be back

to her normal status

from before she was cursed.

[insects chirping]

[breathes shakily]

Sofia!

How do you feel?

Does anything hurt like before?

No.

Wait.

My body feels lighter.

Oh!

Thank goodness!

Hey, Maria.

What am I doing here?

Mister Takumi carried you

up to your bed!

Maria, run!

That man isn't

who you think he is,

not after what I saw.

Right? I couldn't imagine

serving anyone else,

he's a great person!

[SOFIA] What did you say?

Has he seduced you?

You don't feel it, huh?

Take a look.

[gasps]

[SOFIA]

It can't be!

[heart beating]

[SOFIA]

My magic, it's back?

Your curse is gone,

you're cured!

I'm truly happy for you!

[SOFIA]

I'm cured?

[insects chirping]

[TAKUMI] Hey! You okay

to be up and moving yet?

I've been cured.

Maria said

it was thanks to you.

Uh, yeah.

Please, let me explain.

I told her what was happening

in the workshop.

That in order

to dispel her curse

I needed to level

my light magic skill.

How the fluid in that bottle

was a compound

from the extracts of highly

poisonous Nenum herbs,

which I ordered from Papek.

And that, to level up fast,

I would cut myself

with the poisoned blade,

then Heal myself.

Ultimately, she was the reason

I was able to use Extra Heal.

After I cured

her extreme exhaustion,

that leveled me up

enough to use it.

What did you mean when you said

Maria "messed up?"

Oh!

Yeah, she thought

some of the medicinal herbs

I had organized were trash

and threw them all out.

For me,

you acted so recklessly.

Remember what I said?

I told you I'd take care of it.

♪

[gasps]

[gasps]

[whimpering]

[gasps]

Uh

Oh, no, please forgive me!

I was just trying to help!

Oh.

Hey, Sofia.

Today.

I, Sofia Sylphid

pledge myself,

for the rest of my life,

to my Master, Iruma Takumi.

[Takumi chuckles softly]

Once again,

thank you.

[SOFIA]

Yes, it's my pleasure.

♪

[NOLYN]

Good, good.

♪

[NOLYN]

And roughly one year later,

in the land of Mildgard