Author's Note: Sorry have been a bit busy. anyways nothing much to say other than the MC is still hated by the proofreader. I'm wondering if that's a good or bad thing hmm. Aaron also seems to have started a ship of Elden X Michael. Also no one seems to care about font or size huh.

Still not BL...

As always reviews,ratings,Recommendations,Corrections,Questions and comments are greatly appreciated

Volume 2-Chapter 4:Lucky

Volume 2-4

“So what now?” The king of Kovolava who had summoned the heroes, sat in his study.

“They've decided to take a week long break after the ogre on level 20.” Markusy said while crouched on one knee. The king pushed the chair back and stood up,turning towards the window behind him.

“Have they figured it out?” asked the king while rubbing his chin.

“About the levels and XP?” Markusy shook his head “I don't believe they have, your majesty.”

“Hmm... Good. Good” The king continued to nod.

“Then you convinced him Mark?”

Markusy stood up. Being called by his nickname that only those close enough called him, Markusy knew the king was now speaking to him as the old friends they were.

“Well I didn't really need to, sir. All he needed was a little push. He has a strong sense of justice.”

The king nodded as Markusy continued.

“But is this really the right thing to do?” Making all the xp go to him.”

The king looked at Markusy

“Rather than having a group of low-leveled heroes, I’d prefer one peerless warrior.” Markusy seemed unsure “Besides we’re running out of time. We need only level up one sword instead of getting 30 little daggers.”

“I think I understand, your majesty.”

The king smiled. “ It also seems my daughter has taken a fancy to him. If his fame rises enough it’ll shut up all the other nobles who want their sons to be her fiance.”

“What!? to make someone without any lineage into a king!” argued Markusy.

“Relax. His looks are on par with any noble son. All houses were at one point normal as well. And I have no plans on making him king. I plan to live until I’m 60 ya’know. Most likely my daughter’s son will end up as king.”

The king's eyes looked out the window imagining the future.

“With him, the Demons will pay.”

Δ

“Achoo!” Elden sneezed and wiped his nose.

“You ok?” asked Michael next to him.

“Yeah I’m fine.”

They stood in the middle of the bazaar. Hundreds of markets and stalls each with it’s own vendors trying to sell more than the vendor next to them. From clothes,spices,herbs etc. Most anything could be bought here. Each student had been given a percentage of the loot earned plus a little something from the kingdom.

The treasure chest found by Paul in the hidden room was shared up between Paul and some classmates who helped him carry it.

“Are you sure we can’t go with Paul and the rest to that restaurant?” asked Michael

Paul ,boasting of his riches, had invited the entire class to an expensive dinner known to be visited by nobles and the wealthy. Currently everyone except Elden and Michael were enjoying the extravagant dinner.

“You can go, if you want.” said Elden as he browsed the stalls. He himself had been eating extravagant dinners nearly every day. He looked down at his coin pouch. Taking great care in avoiding Michael's stare.

He had been given more than a little compared to everyone else. He was sure he had just as much money as Paul who had found the treasure chest. It’s not like he hid this fact from his classmates out of guilt. He had earned this himself with sweat and blood. Nothing wrong with him getting more money. He was doing much of the work afterall.

“No... I’ll stay with you. I wouldn’t feel welcomed over there.” said Michael as they walked through stalls. The both of them didn’t want for much. They had everything they needed provided to them. The best armor and swords. They were each provided with one health potion. Health potions were humongously expensive. It took the income of an entire year from a middle ranked noble family. In conclusion, Michael and Elden had bought nothing so far.

Michael was playing with the single gold coin between his fingers when he was bumped into. He ignored it and continued to play with the gold coin, only this time his gold coin was missing.

“My gold coin—”

Reacting quickly enough Eden tripped the would be thief and held him down to the floor, accompanied with a quickdraw, cold metal steel was placed next to the thief’s throat.

“Ahg, Let go of me!” The thief struggled as Michael caught up to Elden. Elden turned the thief right-side up, sword aimed at his throat. The thief’s age was about a high school freshman’s age.

“Don’t you know. Stealing is wrong.” Elden said

“Maybe it is but I’ve got mouths to feed.” The young thief looked at Elden

“Having a reason doesn’t make it right.” he replied

“What the fuck would a noble pampered pup like you know!” The young man spit at Elden—Elden easily dodged it— and the sword inched closer to the thief’s neck.

“This pampered pup has a sword at your throat.” warned Elden

“Ha! I bet you’ve never seen a dead body.”

Elden lifted up his sword and prepared to swing down

“Whoa lighten up Elden!” Michael interjected

“I was just gonna give him a small scare.” Elden lifted up the thief easily, intending to take him to the authorities.

“Hey Elden just let him go man. The guy was just trying to feed his sisters and brothers.” Michael argued as he stepped in front of Elden.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Elden—”

“Michael,” Eden interrupted Michael “ I’ve known hunger. My father used to train me for days without any food. I’ve known desire and hunger! but I’ve never broken the law. My father made that very clear.”

Michael sighed unable to argue “Ok then do it as a favor to me Elden.” Elden stared at Michael for half a second and said “Fine.”

“Keep the gold coin and go.” Michael told the now released thief.

The thief tried to say something and looked at Elden. He then nodded and left.

Michael stared at the thief who ran and disappeared into the bazaar in less than three seconds. Turning around Michael noticed Elden had already started walking away; he hurried up to his friend.

They walked into a small plaza where Elden bought two skewers with meat.Eating them both at the same time—Michael stuttered—and Elden finished them quickly.

Realising he had given his only funds away,Michael cursed himself.

“Boohoo.” Michael pretended to cry. Elden raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

“I have no money to feed myself. Boo hoo.” Michael continued his act.

“Well you did give it to him...” Elden remarked.

Michael continued his play until Elden sighed and bought another skewer of roasted meat. He then stuck his arm out intending to hand it over to Michael.

“Here.”

Michael sniffled as he grabbed the meat on a stick.

While the both of them were continuing this scene people began to step on top of a small wooden stage placed near the center of the plaza. The people lined up were chained and dressed in rags.

“Step right up Ladies and gentlemen. I've got cheap slaves here just eager to meet their new masters!” Said a slave merchant as he began to sell his merchandise.

People began to crowd around , eager to catch a glimpse of the slaves.

Dramatically, Elden slowly turned his head. His eyes opened wide with the scene of injustice displayed so openly. He began to strut towards the stage— His arm on his sword's pommel; ready to draw—but as he began to draw his sword,his hand was stopped.

“What’d you think you’re doing?” Asked Michael holding down Elden’s hand which was grabbing ThunderCrack’s pommel.

“Slavery is wrong.” Said Elden

“Yeah it is. So what were you about to do?” Asked Michael as he stared at Elden.

“I was going to stop it.” Answered Elden

“You can't just start cutting people down, Elden”

“I wasn't going to. The sword was just for intimidation.”

“You can't do that.” Argued Michael.

“Slavery is wrong! Michael!”

“It's wrong to us,yes,but not to them!” Michael matched Elden’s raised voice.

“Then let me show them the error of their ways.”

“and what!? Were you going to enforce your superior views?I don’t think you understand. This isn’t our world.” Michael pushed back Elden. “You think you’re above them?”

“I am above them!”

“Ohohoho there it is! you think you’re superior to all of us!?” Michael kept pushing Elden back until they entered a small alleyway; away from the people’s eyes and ears.

“You know that’s not what I meant.” Elden lowered his head and voice.

“And what did you mean?” Michael lowered his voice as well.

“Slavery is wrong.” Elden repeated.

“You sound like a broken record...Look you want to stop slavery yeah?” asked Michael.

“Ofcourse.”

“Then you start at the top. Talk to the king, you know?”

Elden sighed.

“We cool?” asked Michael

“Yeah. we’re cool.”

“Kewl.” Michael responded

They walked back into the plaza. The slave merchant’s line-up of merchandise seemed to be of rather low quality. They were in a sense; bargain slaves. All the slaves being shown were either drunkards or criminals of sorts. They were being sold for a couple of silvers to shady looking people. The slaves here had no rights. They were no different from cows or pigs. If you sliced the neck of your own slave; the patrolling guards would just ask you not to do it on the street.

The fact that they were men and lowlives at that helped Elden relax. That was at least until the merchant took out the main attraction. She was dressed in an old dress that was a few sizes too small. It was probably meant for a little girl but it still somewhat fit her frail and thin body. Unlike the other slaves being sold who were dirty and grimy she had been wiped clean but the malnutrition made her look quite unappealing.

The asking price was 10 silvers but the price was easily raised as it started a bidding war. Elden watched as the asking price had been raised to a single gold coin. No one seemed to want to waste a gold coin on this girl except for that man. He seemed proud as his eyes licked her over.

“Damn it I gave my one gold coin away.” Michael was biting down on his fist in frustration. Elden turned to look at him

“I was joking...probably.” responded Michael.

Elden looked away.

I’m sorry

His vision fell on his coin pouch. He had more than enough money but coming back to his classmates with a slave. Not to mention the questions they’d ask him.The image of his father came to mind. He wasn’t going to be like his father. A hero would sweep in and save the damsel in distress.

He slightly crouched down while placing his right hand on the pommel of ThunderCrack; ready to explode forward. Then again maybe Michael had a point. Forcing his own laws on to the people of this world.Was that the right thing to do. He sighed.

“Fuck it.”

The merchant’s voice rose “ 1 gold coin! going once!Going twice—”

“I’ll pay 2 gold coins!” Elden interrupted as he lifted his hand.

“Tch,” The man who had almost won the bid for the girl clicked his tongue. Noticing Elden’s blonde shoulder long hair and green eyes, He gave up on bidding any higher.

What’s a fockin noble buying slaves outside of a slave house!?

The girl’s eyes were filled with relief but they were also wary. Suspicious of her new master. She knew looks didn’t define a person’s character.

The slave merchant handed Elden a deed after receiving his 2 gold coins. Unlike a slave house where a slave contract was established with magic, any slaves sold outside a slave house were not bound under magic.

The three of them—Michael,Elden and his newly bought slave— began to walk away from the plaza in silence.

“Uhm I’m Michael. I’m your master’s best friend.” He broke the silence and began to introduce himself to the girl. Michael had years of experience talking to girls. He had conquered many routes. One has to understand that Michael's experience was from games.

“It’s nice to meet you Mr.Michael. My...this one's name is Felka.” She seemed to remember something and took a slight bow towards Michael.

“It’s fine if you don’t refer to yourself in third person.” Michael suggested. Felka turned to look at Elden— who was walking ahead— seemingly trying to judge if he’d be ok with that. The slave handler had taught her that some masters didn’t mind if you refered to yourself in first person but most others preferred the slaves to not think that they are people and thus always made it punishable to speak as an I. Slaves were an it afterall.

Noticing her stare Michael turned to Eden

“Right!? Elden?”

“She is a person,after all.” he said as his back was facing them.

“See? I told you it’s fine.”

She nodded

“Ah right then. This grouchy guy A.K.A your master’s name is Elden. Elden Mitchell.” introduced Michael.

“Um it’s a pleasure to serve you master Mitchell.”

Elden continued to walk down the corridor of stalls,seemingly ignoring her. They stopped at a small stall that was selling bowls of vegetable soup. Elden ordered one and gave the wooden bowl and similarly wooden spoon over to Felka.

“You must be hungry.”

Elden didn't have to tell her twice before she began to eat. She ate in small quick movements as if someone were trying to take it from her.

Elden left Michael and Felka ,coming back as she was finishing up the soup. He handed her a simple white shirt with leather pants. The standard base wear for an adventurer.

“Nuuuuu!” Michael took away the clothes before Felka could react. “You have have no sense of fashion,Elden.”

To Elden ,Michael was anything but fashionable.

“We can do better… Plus I’m sure you have enough money.” Michael said as he looked at Elden. Michael grabbed Felka’s hand and started speeding up and led her away,while Elden followed.

Elden was unsure as to how Michael knew the location to a Tailor’s shop.