Starting a Reversal in Life From the Time of Release

24 – Two Slaves (3)

“Excuse us.”

“Please, come in…”

Seo Haneul and Lee Yeoreum.

The two of them first bowed their heads at the entrance, then slowly stepped into the living room.

The long, square cases on their shoulders or the gift boxes they held in their hands subtly caught the eye.

“Welcome.”

Mari, who was sitting in the living room, reached out her hand gently.

She and Mr. Seo Haneul, who had locked eyes with her, hesitated for a moment before he slowly reached out his hand.

“I’m Seo Haneul. I’m not sure if I can say it’s nice to meet you…”

“Of course, you can. I’m glad to meet you too.”

As Mari grasped Mr. Seo Haneul’s hand and smiled, his tense expression also softened.

Thanks to this, Lee Yeoreum, who had been silently watching, finally extended her hand and interjected.

“Please, have a seat for now.”

Mari guided the two to the living room table and then moved to the kitchen.

To prepare a cup of tea in advance.

“For now, have a cup of tea.”

When Mari personally placed four cups of tea on a tray, the two sitting side by side bowed their heads slightly.

They maintained silence as they sipped the served tea, seeming to want to take a moment before addressing the main topic.

However, they couldn’t keep their mouths shut forever, and eventually the heavy silence was broken.

“I heard that Miss Nam Bora caused quite a trouble. As someone on the same team, I have no words. I’m sorry.”

“I’m sorry too. That girl Nam Bora is just so insane.”

After apologizing, they both bowed politely, and their sincerity was evident in their gestures.

Even the tone in which they spoke of their faults was sincere.

Thanks to this, Mari, who had been quietly listening, seemed to brighten up a bit, and it didn’t look too bad.

“It’s okay. It’s not your fault. Please lift your heads.”

After comforting them, Mari then turned her attention to the two individuals.

The sense of guilt still lingered in their expressions.

“Oh, and take this. It may seem trivial compared to what Nam Bora did…”

Lee Yeoreum picked up the box she had placed beside her and swiftly handed it over to Mari.

At first glance, it looked like a box of underwear, but it had a strangely luxurious feel to it.

It was understandable, considering that the brand name “Gangnam Artifact” was prominently engraved on the surface of the box.

“What is this?”

Naturally, Mari, who didn’t know the brand name, could only tilt her head in confusion.

It was to be expected since she came from a different world.

Lee Yeoreum didn’t know this, but she was aware that Mari had come from North Korea.

Her lack of surprise was also due to this fact.

“It’s an artifact that enhances mana efficiency. It’s in the form of a necklace, so it’s not too inconvenient.”

“You’re giving me something like that? It seems excessive.”

When Mari cast a suspicious glance, Iyeoreum firmly nodded.

“It’s worth more than money. Didn’t that crazy woman attack you from behind? Thankfully, Yoo Sihu intervened; otherwise, it could have been a big problem. So, please accept it.”

As I stood there silently listening, I couldn’t help but think that Iyeoreum was exceptionally articulate.

It was astonishing.

Seoha-neul, who was standing beside me, also seemed to wonder if she had always been like this as she raised her eyebrows.

Suddenly, she snapped back to attention and quickly extended the long case towards Mari.

“I prepared a sword. I heard you use a sword…”

“Yes, that’s true, but… Has that rumor spread too far?”

“Yes? Oh… Yes. Many people use the Association training room, and when those people talk, rumors spread quickly.”

“I see…”

Seoha-neul added with a flustered expression, and Mari nodded as if she understood.

“Can I take a look at it first?”

“Yes, of course.”

Seoha-neul gestured for Mari to open it quickly, and Mari reached out and took the white case.

Then, she placed the case on her lap and opened the lid.

Inside the case lay a sword with a scabbard, resting on a soft cushion.

“Oh…”

Mari carefully examined the sword while holding the scabbard and then drew the blade without hesitation.

Just by looking at the sword’s craftsmanship and color, one could tell that it was not an ordinary item.

Mari let out a sound of awe, likely due to that.

“This is no ordinary sword. It must be quite valuable, right?”

“It’s nothing special.”

Seoha-neul smiled modestly, but Mari and I were convinced that it was anything but ordinary.

To acquire an item like this, it would cost at least 1.5 billion won.

The materials used for the sword and scabbard, the decorations, the finishing quality—all of them pointed to a high estimate.

Just by looking at the creamy, ivory-like color of the blade, you could roughly estimate its value.

As a hunter and a market-goer, I had seen many expensive artifacts, so I knew.

Of course, it was expensive, so I couldn’t afford it even if I had the appetite for it.

Nowadays, it’s not too burdensome since my situation has improved, but back then, it was only a sigh.

“Can I really accept it?”

“Yes. Please accept it. It would put my mind at ease.”

“Then… thank you. I’ll make good use of it.”

Marie put the sword into its sheath and bowed politely.

It felt as if Marie was a criminal.

Perhaps it meant that she liked the sword that Se Ha-neul had given her that much.

Of course, the necklace that Yeo-ryeom had given her this summer too.

“Did you use sapphire for this necklace?”

“Yes. It’s a gemstone that artisans in the market frequently use. They say it’s easy to add special effects.”

Only artisans can create artifacts.

Even if materials are gathered from hunters scattered all over, it’s just that.

Without people who have the temperament of an artisan, they are merely trinkets or disposable items.

That’s why the status of artifact artisans was high in each country.

Higher than politicians, perhaps even higher than the president.

The three women communicated their stories through the necklace.

The way they talked with each other seemed like they had been friends for ten years.

However, it was strange to see the two women being drawn to Marie.

Princess Marie had a different aura from the average person, but the two were also experienced A-class hunters.

They wouldn’t be easily drawn in like that.

But the fact that they behaved like that meant there was something to be gained.

“Um… If it’s okay, can you spare some time for me?”

In the midst of enjoying their conversation, Se Ha-neul spoke first.

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She had a somewhat desperate look in her eyes, making it difficult to refuse.

Moreover, Yeo-ryeom had the same look.

It seemed like they were coming to apologize to Marie, but it seemed like they were using the apology as an excuse.

Marie also read that gesture and asked with her eyes narrowed.

It’s subtly obvious, so it can’t be unknown.

“Me?”

“Yes. I really want to ask you for a favor.”

“Hmm… Is it something you can’t talk about right now?”

Instead of answering, Seo Haneul looked towards me.

It seems like it’s not something they can discuss in front of me.

And it looked like I couldn’t just send them out as I was the host of this place.

I thought I should set the stage.

“I’ll be back in a moment. Feel free to chat while I’m gone.”

As I moved towards the front door, both of them opened their mouths in surprise.

“Oh, no! We can talk later!”

“Um, um! So, you don’t have to leave…”

“Since we’ve already set up the space, it would be nice to finish the conversation. Don’t worry about me, just give me a call when it’s over. That’ll be fine.”

I didn’t know what they were going to talk about, but it didn’t seem like a big problem. Even if they tried something unexpected, I could figure out how to get out of it, and that would be enough.

So, after exchanging a brief glance with Mari, I turned around with a light smile.

She’s a grateful person.

Mari was very curious about what the two women were going to talk about, and she didn’t want to waste any time because of that. On the other hand, the two women seemed to be struggling to talk here. Because of that, I thought it might be postponed until tomorrow or a few days later, but Yoo Sihu left on his own.

Thanks to that, Mari felt a bit guilty, but she was able to speak with a much more relaxed mind now that Seo Haneul and Iyeoreum, who might be watching her, had disappeared.

“So… what’s the talk about? It seems quite heavy, judging by the fact that you can’t talk about it in front of Sihu…”

“…It’s heavy.”

Indeed. Seo Haneul repeated those words in her mind several times and let out a sigh.

But once the stage was set, it was difficult to say it out loud.

Iyeoreum had been silently watching her like a hawk, but now she was the first to speak.

“Make us your slaves.”

“…What?”

I had thought that we would eventually become slaves, but to become slaves right away?

Looking at this summer, which seemed to skip the middle course and burst into action, Seo Haneul clenched his tongue.

Sometimes, when he burst into action like this, he felt absurd and didn’t know how to handle it.

Marie, who had been listening quietly, was also at a loss due to the sudden request to become a slave.

If such a thing had happened in the Gallian Empire, she would have calmly asked for the reasons, but here was a society without a caste system.

Of course, the assumption was that it was official, but anyway.

“Slave… a slave.”

Marie kept the word “slave” in her mouth for a while.

After pausing for a moment, she could finally ask her question.

“Why, exactly?”

“Well, that’s… It’s just that…”

Seo Haneul was unsure of how to answer.

Entering forcefully was good, but he was not skilled at talking calmly.

Fortunately, during that time, Seo Haneul regained his composure and answered in place of Iyeoreum.

“We… we like Mr. Sihu, but we can’t confess because we have committed a sin.”

“Sihu?”

In a way, it could be interpreted as openly coveting your man.

Marie’s expression was far from pleasing.

“Yes. So we were planning to ask for forgiveness for our sins and then confess slowly.”

But there is already someone he is dating.

It was Marie Elizabeth, who was looking at Seo Haneul with an uncomfortable expression in front of his eyes.

Beautiful, charismatic, and firm.

Although he didn’t know her inner self, judging by her outward appearance, she was a woman who could only be seen as perfect.

“So we talked to each other…”

“You talked?”

Gulp. Seo Haneul swallowed dry saliva for a moment, closed his eyes tightly, and then opened his mouth.

With the determination to shout loudly once.

“Could you please let us use you as we please?”