Chapter 4: Why does Onee-san seem weird.
The heavy flap of the slavemaster's tent door, swung closed behind them, the damp air clinging to Hitoshi's skin as the Scarlet eyed lady led him out by the hand. Behind him, The gruff orc had waved them off with a toothy grin, bidding farewell with a grating voice.
"Pleasure doing business with ya," he called, his lips curling upwards. "And just to be clear, this fine establishment doesn't offer refunds!. " The Slavemaster felt satisfied after having managed to sell one of his slaves today, at least now he could spurge a bit of the profit to fill his obese stomach, just the thought of the mugs of aile he would get to chug down his slimy throat, left him feeling joyful.
Hitoshi on the other hand felt as if his stomach had suddenly become tied in several knots after hearing the Orcs words.
He really didn't want to know what would happen if this scary Onee-san got angry at him for being useless like his father always was.
His bruises and ragged appearance were a constant reminder of his low worth even here, wherever here was anyway.
His gaze flicked to the Beautiful yet scary Onee-san beside him, who offered no response to the slavemaster's parting jab. Instead, her crimson eyes remained focused ahead, her hand firmly wrapped around his thin arm as she led him forward.
The boy's legs wobbled as they walked through the wide open streets of what could only be described as a chaotic nightmare. Though he hadn't eaten and was really plagued by a panging hunger, Hitoshi didn't dare to voice any complaints, instead choosing to endure the pain like he'd always done in his life, as if he was truly used to it. Most would be surprised but when they thought of how his wicked father had treated him all his life, it stood to reason that Hitoshi had gone hungry on several occasions, sometimes even for a few days if his father was extremely moody.
Not wanting to focus on his slightly aching abdomen, Hitoshi was far more focused on his surroundings.
Seemingly wide-eyed, in that brief moment, Hitoshi took in the bizarre world around him, his breath catching in his throat. Strange creatures roamed around the streets and walk ways around him freely, each one more unbelievable than the last.
A towering troll with skin like cracked stone lumbered past on the other side of the street, its shoulders reaching the height of an average door.
He turned back to face Infront of him, only for him to see two lamia companions, who looked like humans but looking like a serpent from the waist down yet strikingly beautiful from the waist up, hissing softly as they both chatted with each other.
No matter where he looked, there were all sorts of fairytale like creatures before his eyes, he even saw two young goblins cackling as they chased after a skeletal ghoulish flaming cat that darted between their spindly legs.
Is this a dream? Or maybe a nightmare? Hitoshi thought, his head swiveling in every direction.
Unbeknownst to him, the pale-skinned maid observed his stunned expression with quiet amusement. A smile tugged at her lips, thinking to herself that this must've been his first time outside after being a slave for so long. Her gaze lingered on him as though savoring an unknown delight.
Suddenly, a system notification blinked before his eyes:
«[+10 Affinity Points]»
Startled, Hitoshi snapped his head toward her, wondering if he had caught her staring or maybe it might've been his imagination. The woman on the other hand couldn't help but smile slightly, as if finding his reactions even more amusing.
To his surprise, Another system message appeared:
«[+10 Affinity Points]»
Hitoshi's face paled, and a nervous shiver crept down his spine. His mind raced with wild possibilities.
' Is she already too tired to wait anymore and just wants to eat me up right now?!!!'
He flinched involuntarily, silently praying to whatever gods might be listening that she wouldn't develop a sudden appetite, even if she did, at least not for him!.
The maid's lips curved further into that unsettling smile the more flustered he seemed but, she said nothing.
«[+10 Affinity Points]»
---
Before long, they reached an impressive carriage parked at the end of the road. Unlike the dilapidated surroundings, the vehicle was sleek and polished, its dark wood shimmering under the faint light of enchanted lanterns. Two skeletal horses, their hollow eyes glowing with eerie blue flames, stood rigidly at the front, bound by thick silver reins.
Hitoshi's jaw dropped.
"S-Skeleton horses?" he whispered under his breath, his voice trembling.
The maid came to a stop beside the carriage and performed a graceful curtsy toward the coachman. The figure atop the driver's seat was clad in full-bodied silver armor, every inch gleaming without a single scratch or dent. Not an inch of flesh was visible; only two ominous green flames flickered within the slits of the helmet.
When the armored coachman turned his head to glance at Hitoshi, the boy's heart nearly stopped. He flinched violently, expecting... well, something terrible. But then, just as before, a familiar notification appeared:
«[+10 Affinity Points]»
Hitoshi blinked in disbelief.
'Wait... him too?'
Glancing nervously at the maid and the silent coachman, he realized something strange. Despite all these notifications, no one had actually hurt him and instead seemed more tolerant with each new notification. Slowly, his panicked breathing steadied, and a warm sense of calm washed over him.
' Maybe these "Affinity Points" things aren't dangerous after all?' he thought, still wary but a little less terrified.
The maid gestured toward the carriage door, her crimson eyes glinting. "Inside," she commanded softly.
Swallowing hard, Hitoshi nodded and climbed into the luxurious carriage, the plush interior was on a whole other level than when compared to the grimy streets outside. The seats were upholstered in deep velvet, and faint magical runes pulsed along the wooden walls, seemingly maintaining a cool atmosphere within the carriage like a built in Air conditioner.
The maid followed him in, settling gracefully across from him. The door clicked shut, and with a jolt, the carriage began to move.
---
For a while, there was only silence between them. The continuous clatter of the carriages wheels and galloping skeleton horses, filled the space, mingling with the faint creak of wood.
Hitoshi sat stiffly, his gaze fixed on the floor, too nervous to meet the woman's piercing eyes.
The tension gnawed at him until he couldn't bear it any longer.
"Um..." he began hesitantly, his voice small. "Where are we going?"
The maid who seemed quiet all this while suddenly focused her gaze on him intently. a helpless frown emerging on her forehead.
" I don't recall ever giving you permission to speak." she pursed her lips, a bemused look on her face. " Though you might be free from that obscene Orc, don't forget the fact that your still a slave non the less.....as a slave, any form of disrespect towards one's superior would be met with serious punishment...."
" Since this is your first offense, I guess I can let you go just this once." He chuckled lightly yet the coldness within her Scarlet eyes were enough to cause ones skin to turn cold.
Hitoshi's heart sank, and he felt a pang of fear at her stern tone. "S-Sorry!" he stammered, bowing his head repeatedly. "I didn't mean to—uh—I mean, I won't do it again!"
The maid's frown softened slightly as she watched him panic, his sapphire blue eyes wide with genuine distress. Her lips quirked into a faint smile, amusement flickering in her gaze.
'How cute...' she thought to herself, feeling even more amused seeing Hitoshi's flustered appearance.
Hitoshi, who had been staring anxiously out the window to avoid further trouble, flinched in surprise when another notification popped up before his eyes:
«[+10 Affinity Points]»
He blinked, utterly bewildered.
' What did I do this time?.' he wondered yet he didn't dare to speak up anymore, instead he quickly turned his head towards the right carriage window in an attempt to avoid making eye contact with this scary Onee-san.
The maid on seeing this, simply leaned back, resting her elbow on the left window ledge, her eyes never leaving him. Though her expression remained composed, a strange warmth lingered in the air, a tension Hitoshi was too young and naive to fully understand.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, hoping the rest of the ride would pass without any more strange incidents.
---
Outside the carriage window, the chaotic streets began to fade into more orderly roads lined with tall, ancient trees. The air grew cooler, and the eerie sights of trolls and goblins gave way to an area filled with lots of vegetation, like a forest path.
_________________________________________
[AN: For those who may be confused, Onee-san is a type of Japanese honorific used to address an older woman while Swiveled simply means turning from left to right.]
Here's a more detailed explanation if you still don't get it, I hope this helps.
[1] Onee-san (お姉さん) is a Japanese term that literally means "older sister." However, it's used more broadly in Japanese culture:
1. As a respectful way to address or refer to any young woman who is slightly older than the speaker.
2. For an actual older sister.
3. In anime/manga culture, it's often used for a nurturing, sister-like female character.
[2] Swiveled is a verb meaning to turn or pivot around a central point. For example:
1. She swiveled in her chair to face the window.
2. The camera swiveled to follow the action.
It comes from the word "swivel," which refers to a coupling that allows something to rotate freely in a horizontal plane.