Summoned and Unwanted

588 The fish keeper and linguist

*Inside the carriage*

Vincent looked around him to check on the five slaves.

The female lizardman was sitting in the middle of the deer woman and the male lizardman. The two of them were attentive to any changes the female lizardman could experience. Beside Vincent was the orc and on him was the mermaid trembling on his lap.

“Mermaid, you can relax now. You are safe, and no one will lay their hands on you ever again. As you heard from my conversation with the deer woman, I come from another world, yet I am saving you instead of being evil, as everyone says.” Vincent said in hopes of comforting the mermaid.

The mermaid’s eyes suddenly regained life. She moved her body and looked at Vincent. “Is... is it the truth?”

“Yes. Like the man who turned people into merfolk, I, too, come from the same world as him. In fact, want to visit the merfolk kingdom one day.” Vincent smiled warmly and continued, “I could use a guide if you are up to the task.”

The mermaid stared at Vincent, and her body stopped trembling as if she didn’t dislike the idea her new owner was from another world. However, her facial expression showed despair for some reason.

“Does your expression mean you are afraid I am from another world, and the people say I am an evil monster set out to destroy the world?” Vincent looked at the others and asked, “Do you fear the idea I am from another world?”

The orc and two lizardmen shook their heads. The deer woman smiled as if she was pleased with Vincent’s presence, and the mermaid didn’t show a negative or positive response, yet she didn’t look afraid.

.....

[Sigh. Vincent, did you forget what we learned about the merfolk? They do not accept merfolk who are slaves because they consider them untrustworthy, among other things.]

Vincent realized he had made a mistake. “Ahem. How insensitive of me. I forgot about the slave tattoo around your neck. Even though my wives could cure you one day, removing your powerful slave curse is another thing.

“The only means I have is to make you my retainer...”

“I want to become your retainer.” The deer woman interrupted Vincent while he was mentioning the offer of making her his retainer.

[Huh? I didn’t expect this development. But we can make her our retainer with the loyalty system.]

-I forgot about the loyalty system. Yes, I remember the option to make a max loyally person into a high retainer, or something like that.-

[We do not know if it will be able to remove the slave curse, but it is better than nothing.]

“Can I know the reason why? Even though the slave curse could be removed, the mark of the retainer will make others hunt you if it is discovered.” Vincent said. He hoped the deer woman would think about the risks.

“I don’t care about being hunted. I suffered enough to know death is better than being a slave. I also want to be the first of my people to gather around the savior, the beacon to gather my people and build safe heaven.” The deer woman responded.

Both Vincent and Kazumi blankly looked at the deer woman for a couple of seconds. They could understand the first part, but to become a beacon and gather many beastmen would spell their doom like what happened to Kevin. Not to mention the deer woman said to build safe heaven as if building a hidden village was possible for Vincent currently.

The mermaid felt more courageous after watching and hearing the deer woman saying whatever she wanted to Vincent, and he never became angry or ordered her to shut up. She now realized no horrible noble would allow her to sit on them and even make sure she was comfortable.

The mermaid looked at Vincent, and her lips trembled. Her determination to question Vincent grew, and her fright in men, or at least Vincent, waned.

“I... will I be safe... can I live without human legs on your property?... will I not be forced to do that?...” She asked nervously.

[We can always build a small pond. Well, although not as large as Lucas had on his property. We do not have much space with all the buildings we are adding in our little village, haha.]

-Yeah. Didn’t Lucas mention having a mermaid taking care of the fish? We could do the same.-

[Nice idea.]

“Although as a slave or as a retainer, you will end up living on my property, the people are kind, and they can become your friend pretty quickly. The environment shouldn’t be too different from living in a different home.”

“Additionally, since you do not have legs, I can dig a hole in the garden and ask my water mage woman to fill the pond with clean water. We can also bring freshwater fish for you to take care of. You can think of it as a job while building your desired water ecosystem.”

The mermaid couldn’t believe what her ears heard. Her lips revealed a faint smile for the first time, and her previous dull and lifeless gaze now showed life and hope. The mermaid looked like a person who wanted to live another day.

‘It looks like she likes the idea. I can feel the fins of her tail move for the first time. I think she loves the idea.’ Vincent believed.

“Hurg. Arga.” The orc grunted.

“The orc is saying how he can’t speak our language, but he can understand a little. He also mentioned wanting to serve you in any way he can. His body is strong when it gets healed.” The deer woman said.

Vincent and Kazumi became dumbfounded the deer woman could understand the orc’s words. After believing wolves could only understand other wolves, they believed the deer woman could only understand deer. However, to their amazement, the deer woman could also understand the orc language.

“How many more languages do you know?” Vincent curiously asked. Kazumi nodded with great curiosity.

“Most of the orc words, but those of this continent like our companion in the carriage. However, I do not know the language of the green muscular orcs from the northern continent.”

“I can also speak and understand most of the lizardmen’s words, most of the intelligent goblin words, a little of the cefeye words, and proficient in the deer language.”

After the deer woman revealed her capabilities as if she was in a job interview, her face showed an apologetic expression. “I spent most of my life wandering from one place to another, and learning their language became my hobby. But I am sorry. I was captured before learning more.”

[Incredible, we found a precious gem!]

“Haha.” Vincent laughed. He caused the slaves worry the deer woman said something she shouldn’t. They were still not used to kindness.

“Fantastic. I am astonished to have someone knowledgeable in many languages join us.”

“Does that mean I can serve you and become a retainer? I will follow and be loyal to you for all my life.”

“Most certainly. You can be a translater and a teacher.” Vincent looked at the orc and continued, “Teaching him to speak our language can be your first job since everyone you will soon meet knows how to talk our language.”

The deer woman became delighted when her skills were acknowledged, and she received her first job. The deer woman smiled warmly. She gave the impression of a person who had found meaning in life.

[A fish keeper and a translater. A fine addition, but wouldn’t our mansion become full soon at this rate?]

-...- Vincent didn’t know how to respond. The desire to save the five slaves made him overlook the most important factor. Did they have enough space for the new arrivals? Is there enough space to dig a hole and turn it into a pool?

‘I hope Maid Xu will remain calm and do not stare daggers at me. Sometimes that woman frightened me with the way she looks at me just because I give her work to do.’ Vincent pondered.

Vincent overlooked how Maid Xu was a mansion manager and a head maid. At least her job as a head maid was becoming easier the more the maids became proficient in their job.

*The girls only walk group*

Five beautiful women and a cute little blue fox walked the high-class streets of nobility. Three wore a maid outfit, and two wore the noble academy’s uniform, yet the five interacted with each other as if there was no boundary between classes.

At first, they walked casually without any care in the world, but after they finally entered a street with people passing by, they could immediately feel many gazes landing on them.

The five and little fox had overlooked how eye-catching they were. Not to mention how the five beauties were walking without a man discouraging other men from trying to approach and flirt with them.

Lilith felt anxious. She started to understand how dependent on Vincent she had become.

‘Lilith. You need to toughen up. You are a Duchess, and it will do your job to support Vincent during a noble meeting.’ Lilith thought to try mustering her courage.

After passing two streets, two men wearing luxurious clothing approached them.

“Hey, hot girls. How about we invite you all to a drink?” One of the men said.

Lupa frowned. “Go away, humans! My mate is the only mate I drink with!” she said angrily.

“Why are you angry, beast maid? You should come with us for a drink to relax.” The other man said with a slightly raised voice. It was obvious he was holding his anger back.