“Everything is ok then?” The hero asked when he entered the room. He glanced over everyone, his eyes lingering on Mia a bit, causing her to recoil. He smiled softly “She’s way too thin, we have to get her something to eat soon.”

“Yes John we will get to that in a moment, but first.” Athena held out the contract towards him, which he took “I have taken the liberty of negotiating the contract, while her magic has to be remained sealed until the Demon Lord is slain you have complete ownership of her.”

Mia was honestly amazed how this woman could lie to this man so brazenly, while not letting it show on her face.

John read the contract over “Even though she has so much mage potential… “He looked towards Mia with pity “Are we sure we can’t let her learn magic?”

“I’m sorry John… If she uses magic, there is a risk of her going feral and returning to the Demon Lord’s side.”

John frowned “How am I going to have her be my companion then…” he mumbled

You think of that now?! Mia strained to keep a straight face. In my village I had zero fighting experience! It was peaceful until you guys came and dragged me here and made me go through all this… and now you want me to fight some Demon Lord I am pretty sure doesn’t even exist!

Mia calmed herself, feeling her stoic face break. She noticed that she wasn’t the only one who was straining, as the princess seemed to be having issues of her own.

“A-about that my hero… Her dexterity is to be expected from a beast, as I am already skilled with magic perhaps, we could train her as a rouge?” She asked, a strained smile on her face that reminded Mia of a similar smile the slave merchant makes himself when dealing with unruly nobles he can’t refuse… a face he has been making for awhile now… If their hair color matched, they could be father and daughter.

“Might be a waste, I feel bad for her… so much potential.” He sighed “Alright, its better than some random knight.” He then slammed the contract down on a nearby box “So I just sign here, right? With my blood?”

Mia’s face strained, she was in disbelief this oaf really came to such a place to, not only get a slave with zero combat experience, but did so with zero knowledge of how slave purchasing worked. She was starting to think his stupidity alone wasn’t worth the free meal…

“Sir! You do not sign them with blood… here…” The merchant piped up, handing the hero a feather dipped in ink “Just sign your name here and the contract is complete.” The merchant stressed the end of his sentence, putting more emphasis on the contract being complete after signing.

The hero then signed “Bit anticlimactic…” He then signed without putting anymore of a fuss. “So do I keep this or?” He asked, holding the contract.

The merchant nodded “It is for the best you hold onto that. The princess has already paid… the slave will now follow your orders.”

Because the princess, my actual owner, told me to.

John grinned, walking over and placing his hand ontop of Mia’s head with a simple pat, something that caused Mia’s entire body to recoil “Well Mia, I hope this is the start of a beautiful relationship, lets get you out of here.”

Mia didn’t respond, instead she snuck a glance towards the princess who seemed to have a worried expression before huffing and heading out of building first.

John waited for a response from Mia, then laughed awkwardly when he didn’t get one. He stood up and faced away from her “They never open up at the start… and she’s the expressionless type so…” He trailed off mumbling to himself, almost giggling in anticipation for something by the end of it.

At this point Mia gave up, she hoped this was an elaborate roleplay between a couple. Wouldn’t be the first time she has seen it but with the way the merchant was acting towards the supposed princess… just focus on the food… just focus on the food… she repeated in her mind.

“Ah, sir hero…” The merchant, raising a hand to get John’s attention.

“Oh, right, sorry.” John cleared his throat. “Follow behind me Mia.”

The two left the slave shop, and exited out onto a busy open stone road, the central road in the capitol. The stone road filled with carriages and people going about their day was the main road that lead from the gates of the city, through the lower quarters that was populated by commoners, through the major shopping districts, followed by the nobles district, and then the grand castle at the center of the capitol.

Right next to the castle, imbedding itself in the heart of the nobles district sat a grand cathedral, which was the heart of central religion of Eldaha. A religion Mia did not know much about herself, besides that that they were directly involved in what ever nonsense lead to her village being attacked several years ago and her subsequent slavery.

“Well you got your toy John, please let us be off before too many people start staring.” Athena stood next to a parked open carriage, being helped into the it by an old butler.

“She isn’t a toy, she is a valuable companion and important to my destiny.” Turning his head to look at Mia he gave a slight frown “Better get her some clothes first…” He said, looking at her dirty slave rags and ushering her into the carriage where he took his seat opposite of the princess.

Not her first time in a noble’s carriage, especially after her fall from being considered valuable goods into something seen as trash just barely worth being kept alive, Mia elected to stand instead of sit. Despite noticing John pat the seat next to him she was aware of the glare Athena was giving her.

“Come on, it’s dangerous to stand like that, take a seat.” John continued to pat on the open seat next to him.

“Her clothes and body are filthy, its bad enough you had her stuffed in here with us. The cushions will be tainted by her filth.” Athena sternly said.

“They are just cushions; you can get them cleaned up after.” John sighed “I don’t want her getting hurt if we hit something.” He then turned to Mia, gave one hard pat on the seat next to him “Now come Mia, sit. This is an order.”

Mia’s expression strained, she sneaked a glace at Athena, who very much did not want her to sit and dirty her precious carriage. Well, she isn’t giving me an order… Giving up, she sat next to the hero who smiled in satisfaction. Athena, however, gave Mia a look full of hate that Mia interpretated as ‘you’ll regret this later’

The rest of the ride went smoothly enough, stopping first at a bathhouse in the commoners district to get Mia clean, then at a clothing store where John at first wanted to get Mia a bunch of dresses that ‘fit her character’ but after being reminded of what he had planned for the future with Mia (and the lack of dresses for beastman and their tails) He settled for a set of simple clothes. Simple shirts and shorts that allowed easy modifications for the girl and her needs.

Lastly, and what Mia was looking forward to, was the food. They stopped at a restaurant that was on the edge of the commoner’s district and nobles district, and after the princess’s swift negotiations, got a private room that allowed Mia to be seated and eat with them. After a short wait a steaming bowl of beef stew was presented to Mia, who ate carefully so she wouldn’t attract too much attention to herself.

“So Mia, I’m pretty sure you have picked up on this, it was said a few times but…” John started, putting his own stew on hold as he spoke.

Shut up, let me eat.

“I am this kingdom’s summoned hero! Summoned to put a stop to the evil’s of the Demon Lord.” He said, striking a pose with his fist raised up in the air.

Don’t care, you are being lied to. Don’t drag me into this anymore then I already am. “Cool.” Mia said between bites as she quickened her pace.

“Which you should be doing instead of wasting your time with this beastman.” The princess huffed, unlike the others with their stew, she was gracefully munching on a salad.

“I told you Athena, I have a plan. “He nodded “Now we just need to level her up, I’m still level 10, so she can catch up quickly.”

Athena put her fork down “I will choose to trust your judgement if it means you will cooperate with us and save this kingdom. We are already this far into this and frankly the only reason why I agreed was because you happened to be right about the girl’s stats.” She then pointed to Mia “But if she is proving too much trouble then its worth then she will go back to the trader.”

Just return me after I’m done eating… Mia quickened her pace once again.

John looked down, mumbled something then nodded towards Athena.

“She will also undergo some training with one of the knights I had previously hired to accompany you before she even sets foot in a dungeon with us.” Athena said before resuming her meal.

John nodded “Yes, I agree that no experience at all will get us killed. It’s for the best.”

Mia leaned back in her chair, she had finished eating her first decent meal in months. She watched the other two talk amongst themselves as she basked in the feeling of a full stomach. So, he is actually a hero? This wasn’t some weird noble roleplay, and I am going to be thrust into combat with this man and this princess?

Mia sighed, as strange as it sounded to herself, she was starting to miss her cage.