The women I set free are obsessed with me

[Mirabelle, the Abandoned Witch]

Mirabelle was exactly as her status window described her.

Born in a nameless small village, she was an ordinary girl living peacefully in the small inn run by her parents.

With her cute appearance and bubbly personality, it was no surprise that she stole the hearts of the village boys, becoming their first love.

As time passed by slowly, outsiders came to the village one day.

A paladin and a priest who had gotten separated from their group while hunting demonic beasts and lost their way. By some divine mercy—or just dumb luck—their wandering steps led them to Mirabelle's village as they were on the verge of dying from exhaustion.

The clergy ended up staying at Mirabelle's family inn.

However, devout believers see what others can't see, and feel what others can't feel. Be it demonic energy, malevolent curses, or even…

The unmistakable aura of a witch.

Sure enough, the clergy sensed a witch's aura in the inn. The only difference was that it wasn't Mirabelle's. She was still an ordinary girl, not yet awakened as a witch.

What they sensed belonged to Mirabelle's mother. The power of a witch is inherited exclusively through the maternal line, so if Mirabelle was a witch, her mother undoubtedly was one too.

The night their identity was discovered, they made their escape in the dead of night. Mirabelle, clueless about what was happening, fled hand-in-hand with her parents.

But the clergy had contacted nearby towns, and the net was closing in. Realizing not all of them could escape, Mirabelle's mother chose to sacrifice herself.

She would buy time so that at least the other two could escape.

The plan succeeded.

But Mirabelle's mother was burned at the stake in front of a massive crowd.

Up to this point, it's a pretty tear-jerking story.

The problem came after.

The man who hadn't known his wife and daughter were witches sold Mirabelle into slavery, claiming it was revenge for being deceived his whole life.

I remember people giving him and the game developers a lot of shit for that. How could a father sell his own daughter, they said.

Anyway.

A witch who lost her mother overnight and was abandoned by her father to become a slave.

Mirabelle, the Abandoned Witch.

That was Mirabelle's story in a nutshell.

"This youthful, snow-white skin. The soft hair, as dark as the night sky in stark contrast. We're looking for someone to save this poor girl abandoned by her own father. Oh, and of course, she's a virgin."

The auctioneer described Mirabelle's features, adding that final detail. Slaves with sad stories tend to resonate with some of the more sensitive noble ladies.

In other words, they were desperately trying to sell her for a higher price.

"Then, the starting bid is 50 gold."

50 gold.

It would be a cheap price if people knew about Mirabelle's magical talent, but no one here knew that. The price was based solely on her appearance.

Putting up a slave whose only value is her looks for 50 gold? That was a scam if I've ever seen one. They were clearly trying to make a quick buck.

"60 gold."

"65 gold."

"I'll bid 75 gold."

But contrary to my thoughts, the bidding price kept rising according to the auctioneer's plan.

So that's how you make money, huh? I should use this trick later. Learned something new.

"I bid 200 gold."

Suddenly, someone offered a much higher amount than the others.

It was a middle-aged nobleman with rolls of fat. The way he looked at the fragile Mirabelle was like a man choosing a prostitute in a brothel.

His eyes glistened with a deep dark desire.

"I will bid 230 gold."

Another person countered.

A noblewoman in a luxurious dress, hiding her face behind a fan. She was full of maternal love, having fallen for the auctioneer's emotional manipulation strategy.

The pig and mommy were sending daggers to each other.

"How dare you view this poor girl as a sexual object? Aren't you ashamed? Just give up quietly. I'll give her a happy life in my mansion."

"What nonsense. A woman is always happiest when she's under a man. I bid 300 gold."

"3-330."

"400."

The pig called out a price eight times the minimum bid. It was enough money for a family of four commoners to live on for years, and he was throwing it away on a mere slave.

What a person, unable to control their desires, throwing money around without a care. Ugh, how pathetic, truly pathetic.

…

Hey, that's totally me, isn't it?

I'm reminded of my past self, blowing tens of thousands of won on gacha just to get one waifu. At least this is reality and I can touch her, while before it was only pieces of data…

Ughhh, fuck. Stop the reality check!

Let's end the self-loathing there.

The auction was nearing its end. The noblewoman chewed on her fan. She was giving up. After all, motherly instincts alone aren't enough reason to invest such a sum.

The man, certain of his victory, let an ugly smile creep across his face as he imagined the near future.

"Then I will bid 1,000 gold."

But what could you do?

I had a reason why I absolutely could not give up either.

All eyes suddenly turned to me, the new bidder, with an amount more than double the previous bid.

"S-Slave Reaper Karami?"

"I thought it was pitiful that she'd be sold to Dervali, but wouldn't that be a good death compared to this?"

"I suppose so. But still, it's better than dying."

Well, I'll have you know I've never killed anyone.

Please call me a gentleman, not Slave Reaper.

The eyes of the man who was certain of his victory trembled in bewilderment at this unexpected turn of events.

Could you really afford 1,000 gold for one slave?

While 1,000 gold might be enough to buy a decent noble's mansion, it was nothing to me.

If you bought the 10,000 won package, you got 1,000 gold plus some bonus items. In other words, 1,000 gold was worth less than 10,000 won to me!1

As I tried to fully rationalize how much I had spent through some miraculous calculations, the auctioneer continued.

"1,000 gold has been bid. Any higher offers?"

"…"

The man finally averted his gaze, and the auctioneer didn't even try to hide his smile at the amount that's reached twenty times the starting price.

"Then this auction ends here! Slave Reaper Karami wins with a bid of 1,000 gold!"

People were sending pitying glances towards the girl, and the more tender-hearted ones even cried. They glared at me as if ready to curse me out.

I'm telling you, I'm not a Grim Reaper.

***

The organizers handed over Mirabelle to me.

Usually, they'd make the slave wear a Collar of Servitude or brand them with a magical crest, but I didn't need either.

I could make a contract with the slave's soul using the system. I didn't know at first, but apparently this was magic. Thanks to that, I sometimes heard people ask, 'Were you a mage?'

It felt kind of good to be looked at with envy. It was something I never experienced when I was just a slave trader.

Afterward, I returned to the inn I had booked in advance, bringing Mirabelle with me. The innkeeper I met on the way in gave me a look that said, 'This human trash brought another slave', but I gracefully ignored it.

I flopped down on the bed as soon as we entered the room. Inns with soft beds were more expensive than others, but for someone who lived in the modern world like me, it was an absolute necessity.

I'll just pay a bit more.

"Today was quite productive."

Thanks to freeing Narsha in the best condition, I received a nice reward and also got the Crimson Jewel from the Count Bryan House.

Although I spent more money than expected, I managed to buy Mirabelle. Things couldn't have gone better.

…

Despite my attempt to lighten the mood, a chilly atmosphere still filled the room.

Mirabelle stood demurely, like an expressionless doll. Her vacant gaze fixed into the empty air, as if she had no attachment left to life.

Tch.

Well, I guess it couldn't be helped.

Her mom sacrificed herself for the family, but her dad sold her into slavery. She must feel that the world had forsaken her.

To save this poor girl from the world, the first thing I needed to do was break the ice and show her I was not dangerous.

I put on the warmest smile I could manage.

"Aren't your legs tired from standing so long? Please, sit down and make yourself comfortable."

I patted the spot next to me, but Mirabelle didn't move an inch. I awkwardly withdrew my hand.

"If you don't want to, you don't have to sit down."

"…"

I wasn't sure if this was a conversation or if I was just talking to myself, but her tightly sealed lips showed no sign of opening.

But I couldn't give up here. This was just the first step.

"Well then, let's at least introduce ourselves. My name is Karami. Everyone calls me Slave Reaper, but contrary to that nickname, I pride myself on living quite virtuously. So you don't need to be afraid. What's your name?"

"…Don't…have one."

Her first response. I asked for her name and she said she didn't have one, despite having lived her whole life as Mirabelle.

She was deliberately hiding it. Well, of course. That name was given by her father. She didn't want to use the name given by her father who sold her.

"Hmm, no name? That's troublesome."

"…"

"As a gentleman, I can't just call you Slave 1 or Slave 2. If you don't have a proper name, would it be alright if I give you one of my choosing?"

"…"

Mirabelle showed no reaction no matter what I said. Well then, I would have to force a reaction out of her.

"Hmm, what would suit you… Ah, I know. Mirabelle. How about Mirabelle?"

Well~ If you don't want to speak, then don't.

But your name is still Mirabelle, you know.