Freed Slaves Are Obsessed Episode 1

 “Oh, fifty thousand gold! Is that even reasonable?”

The capital of the Trowel Kingdom, in a grand mansion in Callia.

The owner, Count Brian, jumped up in horror.

“Well, well, isn’t she a daughter as precious as gold to you? Seems to me that money matters more to you than your own daughter, Count.”

“That’s absurd! She’s my only daughter. It’s just… I simply don’t have that kind of money right now.”

“The lord of the Dawn Trade Guild, Count Brian himself, without even ten thousand gold to his name? Quite a feeble lie.”

“It’s no lie. I’ve been investing heavily in a business venture recently, so my funds are tied up. Just give me until the end of this project. I’ll make sure to gather the money you’re asking for.”

The bargaining chip:

A woman with hair like a river of red silk flowing down to her hips and sultry red eyes.

Narsha Brian stood back, observing the scene unfolding.

In front of her were her parents, whom she was meeting for the first time in two years.

Her mother sobbed, unable to hold back her tears, while her father tried to calm her, continuing the negotiation.

It had been two years since she’d been abducted by assailants on a carriage trip, sold into slavery. Judging by their gaunt appearances, it seemed neither of her parents had been eating properly, likely lost in worry over their daughter.

Narsha’s heart ached a little.

“I need the money immediately. If you can’t pay, then the deal is off.”

And sitting across from them—

A man as cold as steel, negotiating heartlessly with two parents who had lost their daughter.

Her owner.

Known only as Karamir, the Slave Reaper.

Even as Count Brian’s only daughter, fifty thousand gold was an impossible ransom. Selling the family mansion might barely cover that sum. How could they possibly gather that kind of fortune in such a short time?

Narsha knew.

The man had no intention of sending her back to her family. This was merely a sick game, a performance to toy with people’s emotions for his own amusement.

That’s the kind of man he was.

“So, it seems our transaction ends here.”

Lost in thought, Narsha realized the negotiation had reached its conclusion. Final words were being exchanged.

If she parted ways with her parents here, she’d never see them again until the day she died.

Perhaps her parents felt the same.

Her father rushed over and embraced her tightly, his arms shaking as he wept, holding her like he’d never let go.

Her owner didn’t interfere.

It was the final mercy he would allow.

“Ah…”

Narsha buried her face in her father’s chest, making no effort to hold back her tears.

‘…Thank goodness.’

There were no tears to hold back in the first place. The feeling she suppressed wasn’t sorrow—it was relief.

She was grateful.

Grateful not to be returning to that stifling prison.

The mansion had always felt like a cage. In her two years of slavery, Narsha realized something: the boundless freedom of the outside world suited her far better.

And more than anything,

She knew her place wasn’t beside her family but by her master’s side.

‘Oh, Mother, Father. Forgive me. My body and soul were bound to this man long ago. A life without him… it’s unthinkable now.’

Unspoken words of apology echoed in her mind as she gently patted her father’s back, fulfilling the last duty she owed as his daughter.

“I’m so relieved. Truly, I am. I’m so glad you’re safe, Narsha.”

“Glad? I’ll be leaving again soon. Thank you for giving me life, for raising me, Father.”

“Leaving? What do you mean, leaving? This is your home.”

“Of course, to follow my master. I’m no noble lady—just a lowly slave.”

“What… what are you saying?”

“Pardon?”

Narsha looked up, bewildered by the discord in their conversation.

Was her father so shaken that he was no longer thinking clearly? Yet, his innocent expression was sincere as he blinked in genuine confusion.

Beside him, her mother looked on with a radiant smile she had never seen before, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief as if it were a touching scene.

Something felt off. Narsha glanced around and noticed something strange.

The master who had been sitting on the sofa just moments ago was nowhere to be found.

“F-Father, where… where is my master?”

“Master? You don’t need to call him that anymore. You’re no longer that scoundrel’s slave.”

“Not a slave? B-But you couldn’t pay… the negotiation was broken…”

“The man asked for a family heirloom instead of money. It was precious, to be sure, but how could a single gem compare to our one and only daughter? I told him to take it and get lost.”

The negotiation hadn’t broken down.

He wasn’t lying. The shackles of slavery that bound her soul were gone.

She was no longer his slave.

Narsha turned her head, trembling. In the distance, she saw her former master leaving the mansion with a light step.

He briefly looked back, meeting her gaze, and raised a hand in a casual wave. She could read his lips clearly.

“Take care, Narsha.”

Narsha’s face turned pale. Clueless about her feelings, her father gazed at her as if she were the tragic heroine of a drama.

“Oh dear, you must have suffered greatly. Don’t worry anymore. After all you’ve endured, you can finally… Wait, Narsha?”

Narsha, violently pushing her father away, dashed to the window.

“N-No! No! Master, don’t abandon me! Master? Karamir! You bastard! You promised to stay with me forever!”

“Narsha! Calm down! What’s going on?! Narsha doesn’t seem well. Bring a doctor and take her to her room to calm her down!”

Narsha banged on the window, shouting, but the servants, treating her like a tragic victim, dragged her away.

Her desperate cries didn’t reach Karamir’s ears. All he heard was the tune he was cheerfully humming to himself.

“Yoo-hoo~”

Skipping away lightly, tossing a gem like a ball in his hand, Karamir grinned as a message flashed before his eyes.

[Lady Narsha Brian of Count Brian’s estate—release completed.]

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Narsha Brian, heiress of the Dawn Trade Guild. Two years ago, she left the city on a trade mission with another guild, but the convoy was attacked by bandits.

The caravan was destroyed, and most of her companions were killed. Narsha survived only due to her high status and stunning beauty, but she was sold into wretched slavery.

Once a noble lady and future leader of the guild, Narsha was on the verge of losing her sanity, forced to endure a life of degradation. However, a certain man saved her, and she safely returned home.

While the story began in tragedy, its ending was a comedy. Narsha decided she would treasure this journey as an unforgettable memory.

As if she’d been fortunate to become a slave at all.

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Narsha Brian’s liberation score has reached 100%.

Reward: 5,000 points awarded.

You have received the Crimson Jewel item.

Additional Reward: The effect of the [Price of Negotiation] skill has been enhanced.