From Slave to Employee

"Master, why is there a voice coming from that small box?" Shira pointed naively at the phone.

"It's okay, don't call me master again. Sir Melvin or Boss Melvin is fine."

Shira lowered her head. "Sorry Mas-- I mean sir but..." She was hesitant to speak and judging from her eyes, it was probably from fear.

"Go ahead, speak your thoughts."

"You shouldn't have bought me."

"Why is that?"

"Lord Dernis, the noble from earlier. When you bought me I overheard he's gonna deal with the dirt of the bottom ranks."

Melvin was annoyed with the misunderstanding. He couldn't believe he was lumped in as a noble of this world. He'd like to get as little attention as possible. "Huh? This is getting too out of hand."

She explained. "Lord Dernis was urged by other lower branches nobles to humiliate you so that they can bring the shame of what you did to Lord Herges a while ago to you alone."

Shira held up her hand and performed the gesture from earlier. "This sign is used by slaves to identify themselves. So doing this sign is acknowledging you are no different from a slave." Since some slaves could blend in with the common folks, they were given this hand sign so they could identify themselves, knowing their positions. It originated from the Silian culture.

Melvin winced. No wonder why the other aristocrats laughed at him. But he sighed it out for now. "Well fine, who cares."

Rederick punched his palm. "Forgive me Mr. President, but nobody disrespects you like that. If I see him, I might not hesitate to shoot."

Shira continued. Her face became sullen. "Forgive me, but he threatened me, so what I translated to him was different. I said, "he acknowledges his place and even begs to give his slaves as an apology." I was forced to speak it so that the other nobles can hear it and humiliate you."

It made Celine and Rederick angry. "Who the hell they think is a slave?" It was referring to them.

"These people are getting on my nerves," Celine said.

Melvin already had an idea since that guy whispered on her causing her to shiver from fear. So what she translated was modified.

Shira was begging for forgiveness. "Master, I mean Sir, please forgive me."

"Don't worry, it's not your fault. You were just threatened aren't you?"

Shira couldn't believe it. She just humiliated him. When slaves even did something like this, they would get beaten by their masters. His previous master once struck her with a rod since she did a mistake during her research with the magical beasts in the forest. "Sir, who are you really? You refused to get called as a Master and even wanted to call your name. A slave calling her master's name is an insult to your side and you are even willing to forgive me. What's more, you broke the magic quill and set me free. I'm not sure if you are joking or not."

Melvin smiled. He rubbed her green hair. "Don't worry, I'm not. I meant what I said so cheer up. And it's just not gonna be you who's gonna be free. Every slave there is."

Shira's eyes widened. "You're joking again aren't you? Slavery has been an essential component of society. Our society would crumble without this system."

"I know a society that can live without one. Well, then I think we need to find somewhere where we can eat." Melvin walked away with the others. Shira was left alone standing on her own. She was in a daze from confusion. "Who the hell are these people?"

"Shira, you're gonna get left behind."

Shira nodded and jogged to them. They entered a tavern, it was an inn that served some food. It was afternoon by then. The waiter came by their table and they were given a menu but they couldn't understand the writings on it.

They asked Shira about it.

"This one is a Berin boar meat, they are plump and tasty. This is a premium meal that most nobles buy. But a meal can cost about half a gold coin."

Melvin smiled. "Alright, four orders then."

Shira told the waiter about their order. She then left while taking the menu. After waiting for 20 minutes, the waiter arrived with their full meals.

They then began eating. Rederick was sated. "Mr. President, this is good."

"Hmm, it's just decent. The marinated pork soup in Forklow city is miles away to this," Celine added.

Melvin gestured at the untouched meal. "Come on Shira, take your meal."

"Eh? This, this is for me?"

"Of course."

"No, no, I'm just a slave. Scraps are fine for me." Shira was flustered.

Melvin sighed. "You're still going at it. If you're not gonna eat it, how can you do your job properly? This is an order you know."

"But it's half a gold." Shira sighed. She gave a hesitant nod, grabbed the wooden spoon, and ate it. Her consumption was fast. It was that tasty.

Melvin noticed that the meat's flavor was noticeably good but it lacked the spices and condiments. This could be a masterpiece if given to the modern chiefs.

Celine was looking at her. "Shira, why would those lords buy you in the first place?"

"I was entrusted by my previous master to go study Vogius on the southern mountain. But he got killed after kidnapping the newborn Vogius and I managed to flee alone. My young master was affiliated with the lower branch nobles and they would definitely kill me if they managed to buy me."

"What are Vogius?" Rederick said.

Melvin grabbed the clay cup and drink the water in it.

"Vogius are winged beasts that resembled a lion. They are the strongest creature of the forest as they are also called the King of the wild. I expected the newborn Vogius to be in your area. I needed to return it so that its mother won't rampage the nearest settlement."

Melvin spat the water from his drink. He then coughed hard. He then slammed the table with his fist. "Huh?!"

Rederick laughed aloud.

Celine then sighed. "Oh my god, you guys."

Shira was blinking in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"Uh, nothing. Anyway, just enjoy your food." Melvin and Rederick were having an awkward stare. They couldn't bring themselves to talk about it. But if the newborn was the size of a full grown lion, its parents would be gigantic.

More importantly, they already cooked and ate the newborn Vogius. Melvin was prepared for the consequence.

After they were done eating, they left the inn. 2 gold was what it took to pay their meals.

Their next plan was to contact the country which got isekaid with them. Celine held up her phone trying to get a connection. She tried to go on the third floor but could barely get a connection. She thought she needed to try a taller building.

She went close to the group in disappointment. "No luck."

"If you want to try a taller building, the capital has a tall tower called the bridge of the heavens." Shira said.

Melvin stroked his chin. That seemed to be a good option. "How far is the capital?"

"You can fetch a ride with a carriage they only charge 5 silvers per person. It might take a few days to get there."

Melvin smiled. "Thanks a lot Shira, you've been useful." He called out his subordinates. "Alright, let's move to the capital."

When they were about to go to fetch a ride. The sky has now darkened. The people around have lessened.

To their surprise, their paths got blocked by several men holding swords, halberds and mace. Lord Dernis showed himself. He glared at them with despise.

Dernis then spoke and it got translated by Shira. "We looked you up and we found out that you are not a noble or anyone who have a name. You lowly scum! You brought shame on the entire lower branch and you deserve to die brutally for that!" He was mad.

They were slowly being surrounded.

Celine raised her fists up, Rederick held up his double uzi with both hands. Melvin wanted to get serious as well. He grabbed the colt from his pockets. With this range, he could fire safely without getting hit by their melee weapons.

But he needed to be careful since he only had 7 rounds.

Dernis glared at Shira. "You as well slave. Once we deal with them, you're next."

Shira was worried. But she had no choice. She was the only mage here. She was capable of casting basic spells but it would take time. Her master and her subordinates don't have any bladed weapon. So this was up to her.

Even fighting the nobles was too much for her but for her new master she needed to show her worth.

She took a deep breath. "Master err... Sir, I think, I'll handle them."

"No need. The three of us can do it. You just stand back." Melvin said with confidence.

"Eh?" Shira was surprised.

"Everyone attack!" Dernis yelled.

The men charged with their weapons up. Rederick aimed his uzi at them and the bullets erupted. A thunderous sound ensued dwindling their numbers one by one. The bullets pierced their fleshes.

Melvin crouched. He aimed his colt and fired. Bang. Bang. They slowly fell.

While those that got close, Celine charged and struck their necks with her elbows. "Yah!" She deadlocked the opponents causing them to fall and convulse on the ground. She was able to display her muay thai abilities.

At some point, only the noble was left standing. He fell on his buttocks and his jaw fell. The loud noise of the guns caused him to lose focus. "Huh? What happened?"

His men bleed out on the ground. He could even feel their warm blood. "Eh!" He got grossed out. "Wh-who who are you people?!"

Dernis then stood up and ran. "Help!"

"Oh, he fleed." Melvin said.

"Looks like I used up my magazine on that one." Rederick reloaded another round of his weapon.

"We need to not waste our bullets unnecessarily until backup arrives." Melvin said.

Celin took a deep breath and stretched her arms. "I haven't had this work out for years."

Shira was moving slowly backward. Fear was seen on her eyes. "Wh-who are you people? What did you do?!" She stared at the corpses on the ground.

"Hmm? We kinda shot them. So I think we need to leave before we get found out it here." It was clear since there was no one around. But the noise from earlier might cause someone to investigate.

Shira refused to believe it. She aimed her staff at the gun with her face showing fear. "That thing. Is that enchanted by the demonic race? I'm sorry sir, but I can't serve someone who made a contract with the demonic race."

Melvin and Rederick stared at each other in silence. They then burst out laughing. "Demonic race? Don't make it a big deal. This thing just came to be because a man was trying out some black powders."

"Huh, black powder? Is that a demonic materials used by the shamans?"

"Boo." Rederick said.

Shira squealed slightly.

Both of them laughed.

"Come on you guys, don't scare her. In this world we are as ignorant as they are." Celine went to her. "Don't fret, we didn't make any pact with demons."

"Can I touch it for a second?" She pointed at his colt.

"Pardon us, we were just joking." Melvin showed his colt to him. Shira took a deep breath and let his finger run through it. She didn't detect any traces of magic or demonic power, thus she sighed in relief.