Episode 9: The Collar

 

"A coup d'état!?"

 

"Yeah. If you're interested, I'll explain it to you later."

 

To be honest, I don't really care about the crisis in the capital.

 

My goal is to become an adventurer and eradicate the monsters from this world. To achieve that, I ultimately have to defeat the Demon King. For that, I need to become stronger.

 

I can't afford to waste even a single second.

 

Even now, with my memories from my previous life, my goal in this life remains unchanged.

 

Some might think that this is just a game world. However, I have lived in this world for eighteen years since my rebirth.

 

The love from my parents was real, and the efforts I've made since I was a child are real too. My past life is just my homeland, and this current world is an undeniable reality for me.

 

I intend to use whatever I can without hesitation. From what I've observed with Milia, it seems that time flows according to the scenario I know. If that's the case, then by leveraging my knowledge from my past life, I can navigate more efficiently.

 

—Now that I've found a companion to fight alongside me, I'd like to take on a quest and go on an adventure immediately, but there are still a few things I need to prepare.

 

"Is there something wrong...?"

 

When I stared intently at Milia, she seemed embarrassed and shrank a little.

 

"No... I just realized that I need to buy a sword for you, Milia, and some clothes while we're at it."

 

Obviously, a swordsman can't fight monsters without a sword.

 

Additionally, Milia's current clothing is the same as what she wore when she was displayed as a slave. Even though it's been cleaned, it's still quite tattered. She looks rather shabby.

 

"Clothes too!? I don't mind what kind of clothes I wear..."

 

"No, it bothers me. You have a beautiful appearance, and it's a waste not to show it off."

 

"Be-Beautiful!? Me!?"

 

"Uh, yeah."

 

For some reason, Milia blushed bright red.

 

Really...? She didn't realize she was a beauty...?

 

Well, whatever.

 

"Also, I need to take this off."

 

I took out the key to the collar from my pocket, which I received when I bought Milia from the slave shop.

 

In this world, there are items with embedded magic called 'magic tools.' The collars worn by slaves are actually magic tools that enforce obedience to the master's commands and inflict pain if they resist.

 

"Y-You're going to take it off!?"

 

"Yeah. I don't like the idea of forcing someone to obey."

 

Usually, the collars of purchased slaves are never removed for their entire lives, but I removed Milia's without hesitation.