“Ivan! Get a hold of yourself!”

I called out to him as I rushed over, but Ivan lay motionless on the ground.

Nearby, a thin, rapier-like sword stained with blood had been dropped.

“Damn it.”

Clicking my tongue, I quickly used Appraisal on Ivan.

====

Name: Ivan

Species: Bearkin

Occupation: Hunter

Status: Enslaved, Near Death

Stats:

• HP: 1
• MP: 109
• Strength: 355
• Endurance: 374
• Agility: 276
• Dexterity: 108
• Mental Power: 87
• Magic Power: 67
• Luck: 45

====

Shit, he's on the verge of death!

“You’re not dying on me!”

I hurriedly cast healing magic on him, but he didn’t regain consciousness right away. However, checking his status again, his HP had increased. That should mean he’s okay, but…

“W-What… who the hell are you people!?”

The pale-faced man, who had been sitting on the ground, pointed at us while shouting.

“A-Are you also of the same filthy breed as those beasts!?”

At the sound of his outburst, the fox with five split tails suddenly flinched. Though still in pain, it seemed to recall something as it turned its glare toward the man. Then, as if to shield Ivan, it stepped between him and the man.

“Hiiiii!!”

The man, who had been so high and mighty just moments ago, let out a pitiful shriek and scrambled backward. Looking closely, he seemed to be clutching his left arm. Had that fox injured him?

And speaking of which, I don’t see Phonia anywhere. Could this fox actually be…?

====

Name: Phonia

Species: Youko (Mystic Fox)

Description: A highly rare beast-type monster in the form of a fox. They excel at disguising themselves as humans and can even speak. Some have been known to integrate into human society.

The number of tails they possess causes their strength to rise exponentially.

Youko with only a single tail are sometimes mistaken for mere fox demi-humans.

Status: Enslaved

Stats:

• HP: 4,987
• MP: 10,287
• Strength: 5,098
• Endurance: 3,876
• Agility: 7,534
• Dexterity: 9,843
• Mental Power: 8,309
• Magic Power: 8,943
• Luck: 233

====

Yeah… there’s no mistake. But hold on a second.

Phonia really is a Youko?!

And her stats are insanely high!?

Now that I think about it, when we first met, I did notice that she had multiple tails. But there was no way I would have guessed she was actually a monster! Nir has three tails too, and this is another world—I never really thought much about tail numbers!

“Lord Mellow…! What in the world happened here!?”

“That’s exactly what we’d like to know.”

There were a lot of things to question, but right now wasn’t the time. The situation before me was simple: Ivan was on the brink of death, the man was injured, and Phonia was defying her enslavement collar to protect Ivan.

“Right… Even though they’re slaves, isn’t it a crime to harm or kill them without reason?”

A slave’s master was responsible for their care. There was no justification for harming them needlessly. And Ivan had nearly died. Just from looking at the situation…

“Did you do this to Ivan?”

With near certainty, I questioned the man.

Given that the fox was Phonia, it was unlikely that she had attacked Ivan.

“I don’t care who you people are! More importantly, do something about that monster of a fox! I never imagined that filthy foxkin was actually a monster…!”

Rather than answering, the man just started barking out his own demands. What, did he think he could order us around?

“These people are adventurers who accepted the designated request issued by Lord Mellow,” the butler interjected.

“What…?”

Upon hearing that, the man seemed to regain a bit of his composure. He turned to us and began sizing us up from head to toe.

“A request…? Ah, that one. Well, in that case, this works out perfectly.”

At first, he seemed confused, but then realization dawned on him.

“These two are no longer needed. Dispose of them.”

“…Huh?”

What the hell did he just say?

Did he just tell us to dispose of his own slaves?

“Did you not hear me? I said get rid of this trash that sickens me just by existing.”

“Trash…?”

I couldn’t comprehend his words.

Even if they were slaves, they were still living beings with wills of their own. And he wanted to throw them away like garbage? Isn’t that a crime?

“How absurd… A tool meant to relieve stress turning into a cause of stress—such a thing is worse than garbage, nothing but a nuisance.”

I didn’t know if this man was an exception, but I was starting to think I’d never understand nobility.

But if he wanted them disposed of, that actually worked in our favor.

“Aren’t slave owners legally obligated to provide food, clothing, and shelter for their slaves?”

“Hmph. Do you really think a marquis family could ever be held accountable for something like that?”

“…I see.”

I bit back my irritation.

So in the end, they just silenced everything with power.

“Make sure to retrieve their collars as well.”

“Yeah, I got it.”

Not wanting to breathe the same air as this repulsive man for even a second longer, I decided to let it go. There were things I still wanted to ask, but right now, Ivan was barely clinging to life. I also had no idea what was going on with Phonia.

It was time to leave.

“Phonia, calm down. Ivan’s not dead yet.”

I approached Phonia, who was still baring her fangs, and spoke softly so that the man wouldn’t hear.

Even in her beast form, she still seemed to retain her rationality. At my words, she immediately settled down.

“Kuun…”

She finally seemed to notice our presence.

Her eyes widened, and she let out a weak whimper, her ears and tails drooping helplessly.