Once they finish loading the carriage, they all climb in the carriage. Ren gets in, followed by Liza. Maylene, "sorry Liza, could you hold the baby while I help Maya?". Liza, "sure, I'd love to". Maylene hands the baby to her. His eyes are darting all over the place, as if wondering what's going on.
Maylene plops Maya into the back of the carriage and gets on herself. She sits down on the seat opposite Ren and Liza, and then gestures for Maya to sit beside her. Maya looks at where her mother is gesturing to but then turns around. She lifts her arms up high, gesturing for Ren to pick her up, causing the women to swoon. Maylene, "oh my!". Liza, "how cute!".
Ren, eh??????? Why? What am I meant to do? Ren looks at the two women but they have eyes full of expectation, refusing isn't an option. Ren picks of Maya and plops her on his lap. Maya immediately buries her face in his chest and hugs him, trying to wrap around him as much as she can with her small arms.
The women squeal in response, "kyaaa". Liza, "too cute!". Maylene, "she's so precious. Are you sure you don't want to take her?". Ren, in a bit of a raised voice from exasperation, "didn't we already go through this?". Maylene, "I grateful you think about my daughter's future, but after spending last night with you, I'm certain you'd make her happy, even as a mistress".
Ren, ...there's too many things for me to say about that sentence! AHHHH...the ridiculous question threw me off but sitting right next to me is my girlfriend and another woman just said she slept with me! Ren, feeling an impending doom, slowly turns to face Liza, fearing the wrath that will no doubt rain upon him...but what he finds is Liza with a neutral expression. She's eagerly listening to the conversation.
They lock eyes and tilt their heads. Ren, Hm? Liza, Hm?...OH!, she forms a smile "you want my opinion! You're turning out even better the more I get to know you. Let's see...it's trouble if they don't repay you, but you don't want to shackle her future...how about we let her decide when she comes of age? If she wants it, you can welcome her as a wife or mistress". Maylene, "AH! That's perfect!". Ren, how? How is this even an option. I don't get it!
Liza, "that settles the law. I was honestly worried when I found out you were leaving even though you had saviour's dues. One night definitely isn't enough to fulfil it. Now that there's a promise in place and a witness, everything is sorted. However, I'd spend one more night with Ren just in case she might decline in the future". Maylene, I won't tell her about this morning.
Ren's face is completely blank, what just happened? Just...wha? How? I mean, my girlfriend just agreed for me to sleep with another woman! They were going on about the law and whatnot but this world's sense of values is completely different from mine! Mali gets on the seat at the front of the carriage, "the horse is ready. Everyone ready to set-off?". Liza, "oh, yes, we are". Maylene, "everything's ready". Mali, "then off we go".
Ren looks Liza in the eyes, "Liza, I have no idea about this world's sense of values. Therefore, I'll leave the relationship decisions up to you". Liza tilts her head, "HM? Okay, if that's what you want". Liza faces Maylene, "on behalf of Ren, I accept the earlier proposal". Maylene has a beaming smile, "great. How about an affair?". Ren and Liza in unison, "no".
Maylene hangs her head, dejected, "I thought that was my chance". Liza, "an affair is a fine line. You have a son, so I assume you petitioned to be a nobles wife. You'd need his permission as you're being brought into the nobility, not born into it". Maylene, dejectedly, "it's as you say". Ren, so THAT'S the problem?
With the rocking of the carriage, the baby starts getting restless. Maylene, "I'll take him". After taking the baby from Liza, Maylene does some checks on him, "he seems fine. He's probably hungry. I didn't get to give him much earlier because of last night", and this morning.
Maylene pulls down her dress and takes out one of her breasts to start breastfeeding. Ren looks away awkwardly, I know that it's a natural thing, but it's just instinct to look away...and peak glances. Liza, "AH! You're fast, I couldn't see anything", the baby already suckling. Maylene, "sorry. You wanted to see for future reference? I'll show you next time". Liza, "please do".
Ren gets a coughing fit after hearing that, choking on his own spit from sharply gasping, baby talk already? Liza, "what happened, you ok?". Ren, "I'm *cough* fine". Maylene is looking at Ren, his earlier words running through her mind, damn, doesn't seem like an affair is an option. I doubt he is of a higher status than my fiancé, so I definitely need permission...wait a second, "what did you mean by 'this world's sense of values'?".
Liza, "he's a hero from a different world. He was brought here by a God to defeat the Demon King". Mali interrupts from the driver seat, "WHAT? I THOUGHT YOU HAD MEMORY LOSS!". Ren, "sorry, I didn't think anyone would believe me". Mali, "damn, I should have pushed harder before he knew anything".
Maylene, "now it makes sense. If it wasn't so dangerous, I'd ask you to take me and Maya in a heartbeat. An affair would be perfect, even without permission", the missed opportunity of a lifetime. If he had the means to support us, I marry him this instant despite the risks from angering the nobles.
Ren hangs his head in exasperation as Maylene hangs her head in dejection, damn. I could've have a hero's babies. I may already be pregnant, but I'll have to make the most of it later. No pulling out allowed.
During the ride, Ren decides to ask a question, "since I don't know anything of this world. Could you explain what you guys were talking about earlier? Something to do with the law and stuff. 'Saviour's Dues' or something".
Liza, "oh, that. It's a law, similar to another called Saviour's Right. It states that anyone who is directly saved from a Demon attack is to repay their saviour either physically or monetarily. For physically, satisfying the saviour for a week. Or 1,000 yero for monetarily. So, most women chose the former, that's why it was established in the first place, a way to increase birth rates. If you are unable to do either of those, or refuse, the saved will become a slave for a year. There's no point to purposely choose that option unless a man saves a man, or a woman isn't interested in women".
Ren, what the hell? That's messed up...I think? How much is one thousand yero? Maylene, "I had a feeling we weren't on the same page earlier. No wonder". Ren, "sorry, I honestly had no idea what you were talking about. Another question, does this law apply to all?".
Maylene, "babies and children are exempt, of course, until they become teenagers. That's when they'd start their year of slavery, or they can also build up the money by then. There is also the option of tending to their saviour's physical needs once they become an adult. However, the mothers tend to offer themselves instead, taking advantage when they can. Case and point", as she points to herself.
Ren looks at Maylene, and she gives a beaming smile in response. Ren is a bit exasperated, so she saw it as a chance to get me and Maya together in the future, "ok, I understand why you put yourself out there...even if I could've been given money in the future". Liza, "other than children as exemptions...just not those from other countries. Nobles will have enough to pay...and of course royalty are exempt as all authority is in their name".
Ren, "good to know. Is there anything in particular I should know? About slaves or the law or...anything". Liza, "for slaves, there are four types: convict, debt, war, and the saved. The saved are the ones we mentioned earlier; quite rare nowadays as saviours can only be regular citizens and off-duty soldiers, no on-duty ones".
Maylene chimes in for the next one, "convict slaves are criminals who have cast aside their humanity to commit crimes. Criminals can be turned into slaves by the ones who catch them or the one who suffered because of their crimes, the latter having preference. Since they chose to break the law, they aren't protected by it. They become the property of either of these two for life. If neither of these two want the slave, they are either put to hard labour to repay their debt to society for 10 years or executed. They can also choose to be sold as a slave for 15 years if they don't want to be executed".
Liza continues after Maylene, "debt slaves are as their names imply. They sell themselves to repay their debt. They establish clear conditions they will fulfil until their debt is repaid. Depending on what they're willing to do, their can get through their debt faster. War slaves are prisoners of war. They are enslaved for life by the one who catches them, or if a wounded is picked up after a battle, it's up to the King on what to do with them. And just so you know, criminal and war slaves are distinguished by their collar having a red strip on the outside. The others have it on the inside".
Ren breathes a sigh of relief, "It isn't as bad as I thought. I thought that you could just kidnap anyone and make them a slave". Liza and Maylene furrow their brows. Maylene, "kidnapping is a crime, so they'd become a criminal slave for it. All slaves are managed by representatives of the royal family. Anyone caught with an unregistered slave is severely punished".
Ren, "slavery was made illegal in my world a long time ago, so I was really worried. Here, it's just your own fault; and even then, the only permanent ones are convict and war slaves. I'm a bit worried about the circumstances on how they become a slave, but I don't know anything about the other races or crimes here so I can't form a define opinion on anything yet. I'm just relieved that nobody can be made a slave at random".
Liza and Maylene breathe a sigh of relief this time. Ren is a bit puzzled at their relief. Liza speaks up upon noticing this, "your remark made us think you were disappointed that this was the extent of the slaves we have". Ren, "oh, that was a sigh of relief, not disappointment. My bad".
Maylene, "you really worried me for a second. Society would fall apart if anyone could be made a slave at any time". Liza, "I was scared that my impatience might have blinded me, and my heart sank to my stomach".
Ren, "I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Hm, what else to ask… Oh, manners! They're pretty important in my country, but I've been refraining from doing anything here in case I stood out for being weird, like I did when I first met Mali". Mali, who was eavesdropping, oh…that's why.
Liza, "manners...hm. They pretty much only exist when dealing with one's employer to show respect for employing them". Ren, "...and?". Liza and Maylene exchange glances, "and?". Ren, "hm? Like bowing for apologies or meeting someone of high status? Those have to exist…right?".
Liza, "em...bowing is sometimes used by employees, mainly maids. But that's because people have that image of them doing that, not because they have to. Something that originated from another world hero in the past. If you're meeting with someone of high status, that means you have earned that right to do so. You're an individual of value. Only bow your head if you make some sort of irredeemable mistake or are immensely grateful. Otherwise, words are enough".
Ren, "...seriously? So, what if I meet royalty or something?". Liza, "as I said, you've earned the right to be there. Don't bow, or it would be considered an insult to them. They wanted or permitted for you to be in their presence after all. Bowing in that situation makes it seem that they, or those they trust, were a bad judge of character. However, commoners have to show politeness to nobles outside of these circumstances, such as a noble wondering outside of the noble district for some reason". Ren senses a darkness in her last words, "oh...I see. Thanks for telling me", IT'S SO DIFFERENT! I'll need to keep that constantly in mind.
Liza and Maylene went on to explain some of the laws and customs of their country. This goes on into the sunset until the baby started getting hungry again. Liza sat beside Maylene as she instructs her on handling a baby when breastfeeding.
Ren adverts his eyes again and tries to get lost in his thoughts, nothing was too far out of the norm. The typical no murder, stealing, kidnapping, etc. Boring ones like pay your taxes. The men needing to enlist is the only one I'm worried about.
Once the baby was finished being fed, Ren decided to ask what was on his mind, "so what do I do about the enlisting?". Liza, "there are certain exemptions from that, you don't need to worry about that". Ren, "really? I'd rather not be forced to fight on the front lines. I haven't even trained in magic yet". Liza, "don't worry. You can take all the time you need to train". Ren, "that's a relief". Maylene, the church doesn't recognise heroes who claim to be sent by God. So there's only one other way to be exempt. It seems like you've got yourself one hell of a girlfriend, Ren.