We leave the mansion together with Chianelas and proceed towards the gate while pa.s.sing through the beautiful garden.

　　Arriving there, we could see a special, rectangle carriage waiting in front of the entrance.

　　Oh, I have already seen such a huge carriage before.

　　Once Chianelas approaches the carriage from behind, its back door opens automatically.

　　A wooden ramp extends to the ground from the carriage’s lower part.

　　“I’d like us to travel there in this carriage. Please, everyone, get in as well.” (Chianelas)

　　After showing his characteristic smile, Chianelas walks up the ramp and enters our ride.

　　“It sure is a big carriage.” (Rebecca)

　　“We will board it, too.” (Shuuya)

　　“Nn.” (Eva)

　　“Yes.” (Viine)

　　We follow Chianelas in the carriage.

　　Sofa chairs are lined up side-by-side inside.

　　Right in the middle, there is a small table and a cabinet.

　　The ceiling has crystal light sources.

　　In front, there’s a square window with a wooden frame, and the back of the coachmen handling the reins could be seen through it.

　　Well, I must say it’s a luxurious carriage.

　　That’s probably how a Rolls-Royce for VIPs feels.

　　“Now, now, please take a seat, everybody. We are going to head to my slave company.” (Chianelas)

　　“Y-Yeah.” (Shuuya)

　　I sit down on the sofa while looking around.

　　Everyone else also settles down in the sofas covered with reddish-brown leather.

　　Eva waits at the entrance of the carriage because of her wheelchair, and it looks like she won’t head deeper.

　　Once we are all seated while feeling nervous, Chianelas bangs on the front part of the carriage.

　　At that moment, the carriage begins to move.

　　It might be because the road is paved, but…

　　The carriage doesn’t jolt as much as I had expected.

　　It might actually be a real high-cla.s.s coach, though.

　　As I’m harboring such thoughts about our current ride, Chianelas addresses me.

　　“Shuuya-san, what kind of slave are you looking for?” (Chianelas)

　　What kind of slave, huh?

　　Well, I guess I can tell him as it’s nothing more than a wish.

　　“They should be experienced in the deeper parts of the labyrinth… and if possible, it would be great for them to be strong and beautiful.” (Shuuya)

　　“Talking about deeper parts, do you mean the 11th floor said to be the lowest at the present time?” (Chianelas)

　　When Chianelas hears my words, one of his golden eyebrows twitches, and he asks me for confirmation.

　　As expected, the 11th floor would be unreasonable, I think.

　　For the time being, I will simply hear him out, though.

　　“…It’d be great if such slaves existed.” (Shuuya)

　　“If it’s about the role of a porter to simply carry the luggage there, it will be best to use several slaves.” (Chianelas)

　　He affirms readily.

　　They exist? Albeit only for the sake of transporting luggage.

　　I suppose it will be alright as long as the crystal room, the transfer room, remains safe.

　　Chianelas keeps on talking, obviously enjoying my amazed reactions.

　　“…However, when it comes to combat slaves that can fight the monsters appearing on the 11th floor, there are none, of course. After all, such slaves are highly sought after personnel even for the six top clans.” (Chianelas)

　　“Well, that makes sense.” (Shuuya)

　　“Yes. But there are several average veteran adventurers, who have experience down to the 8th floor, among the high-cla.s.s combat slaves owned by me… and, I have gathered quite a number of slaves that can be considered strong though having little labyrinth experience.” (Chianelas)

　　Combat slaves possessing experience down to the 8th floor, huh?

　　That would be ideal. I’m also curious about the guys that seem strong while having little experience.

　　“That makes me look forward to your slaves.” (Shuuya)

　　“That’s most fortuitous. As a matter of fact, the other day, right after I parted with you, Shuuya-san, I got my hands on usable combat slaves after pulling various strings. I was also able to prepare a person befitting for the Underground Auction.” (Chianelas)

　　For real? You’re a genuine go-getter, it seems.

　　Nevertheless, you’ve got thick chest hair even though it’s not visible right now.

　　“…Up to such a standard? I’m now really expectant. Let's hope I fancy some of them” (Shuuya)

　　I say while looking at Chianelas with admiration.

　　“Yes.” (Chianelas)

　　Chianelas smiles while br.i.m.m.i.n.g with confidence, seemingly the backbone of slave traders.

　　Around an hour pa.s.ses as we continue a conversation between the merchant and his valued customer. Then the carriage comes to a halt, stopping our chatter.

　　The coach's rear is lifted, and the door opens. Next, the ramp extends towards the ground like a red carpet.

　　I wonder whether it’s early afternoon? The carriage seems to be on the main street.

　　Even from inside, one could see many people coming and going.

　　“We’ve arrived. Let’s get off.” (Chianelas)

　　“Yes.” (Shuuya)

　　Everybody exits the carriage using the ramp.

　　“The building made out of red bricks in front of us houses my company, 【Unicorn Slave Trade】.” (Chianelas)

　　Chianelas suddenly spreads an arm, giving a light introduction.

　　That building has one floor and extends widely to the sides with its brick walls, covering a large area.

　　An Art Deco style with bilateral symmetry.

　　Even at the entrance, a great number of sculptures as exquisite pieces of art are lined up.

　　It feels like a western-styled house where some high-ranking n.o.ble lives.

　　“I will lead you around then.” (Chianelas)

　　Saying so, Chianelas bows to us and walks towards his company.

　　We hurriedly follow him.

　　“Nn, it’s easy to enter with the floor being paved.” (Eva)

　　Advancing her wheelchair, Eva appreciated while pa.s.sing through the entranceway.

　　If I’m not mistaken, the floor uses stones similar to concrete.

　　It’s a gentle slope, or in other words, barrier-free.

　　I wonder whether it’s been simply built with impediment removal by chance, but it’s still wonderful, enabling Eva to move her wheels smoothly.

　　“It’s slightly different from other places as it has a slope for convenience.”

　　“Nn.”

　　Eva nods in agreement.

　　As expected, you won’t find such an entranceway elsewhere.

　　Once we ascend the gentle, stone ramp, a big entrance door greets us.

　　That entrance door has already been widely opened for us.

　　Once Chianelas approaches the door, a group of servants appears from within in succession to receive Chianelas.

　　“Welcome home, master.”

　　“”Welcome home.””

　　“Aye. It’s the important clients I mentioned before, so make sure to not be rude to them. We will go to the hall where the slaves are waiting.” (Chianelas)

　　“—Yes, master!”

　　Exhibiting a behavior befitting for a slave trader in order to show his pride, Chianelas enters the brick architecture while accompanied by the servants.

　　Instead of Chianelas, who disappeared inside, a single person—apparently the representative of the servants—stands in front of us.

　　He is a middle-aged man with a splendidly arranged swept-back hairstyle for his silver hair and a refined face that has all hair except for a goatee shaved off neatly.

　　“Well then, everyone, please come this way.”

　　The stylish servant greets us politely, turns on his heels, and advances through the hallway.

　　His conduct is crying “The Butler” all over.

　　The place we are led to isn't a common guest room but a big hall, seemingly remodeled.

　　The slaves we are looking for are all here, as it’s apparently the place where they are living.

　　Judging from their appearances… it’s a mix of various races.

　　Big rooms separated by cage-like iron bars have been set up at various places in the hall, and all kinds of things have been provided to them inside.

　　Since they are surrounded by iron bars, it’s easy to see their activities.

　　Despite the restrictions, they seem to have everything they need for living.

　　Compared to poor people surviving on the streets like beggars, it’s a lifestyle that makes one believe that the lives of the slaves here are much better… the combat slaves have been simply locked up in the iron-barred s.p.a.ces, visibly living without any discomfort.

　　Once we enter that hall, the eyes of the slaves all at once focus on us.

　　“The ones given private rooms here are high-cla.s.s combat slaves.”

　　The servant explains to us from the side.

　　Private rooms, eh? They are inside cages, but the livingware is certainly luxurious.

　　“Moros, you did well. Return to your post.” (Chianelas)

　　Chianelas approaches while giving his instruction to the silver-haired servant.

　　“Yes, master—” (Moros)

　　So that servant is called Moros-san, huh?

　　Moros-san moves swiftly behind Chianelas, joining the row of the other servants.

　　“Now that we all have gathered in one place, wait a moment, please… you guys!” (Chianelas)

　　“Yes.”

　　Chianelas lowers his head towards us once, raises it, claps his hands towards the servants waiting on him in the rear, and starts to give out directions.

　　The ordered servants spread out to all the rooms located inside the hall as loud voices ordering the slaves become audible all over.

　　And then the high-cla.s.s slaves are gathered where we are.

　　…So these are high-cla.s.s slaves?

　　The one that draws my attention first is a mixed breed of human and snake.

　　Its lower half is completely that of a thick snake, and despite being one, its scales are beautiful to look at.

　　Its upper body is relatively close to the shape of a human woman, with scale skin patterns extending all over her torso from below.

　　The shapes and colors of those scales are well-balanced, making her look a bit stylish.

　　Since she has three characteristic b.r.e.a.s.t.s, my eyes are reflexively lured to them.

　　A special bra bikini is supporting the three b.o.o.bs.

　　…In the end, I cannot help paying attention to the yet unknown b.o.o.bs as president of the b.o.o.b Romanticism a.s.sociation.

　　Which reminds me, I saw the same race on a slave market once before.

　　The hue and scale shapes of this one here are different, though.

　　Next is… that giant beastman.

　　Since she’s fully covered in wide Asian-styled clothes, I can’t really make out anything below, but the muscles, which are faintly visible at the ends of her legs and arms, are somewhat bulky.

　　One could also say that she has thick bones.

　　The girly face of a tiger beastman has a unique intensity, its body build making it obvious that she’s a warrior type.