Hey y’all

no, as far as I know, he doesn't have any slave. He is the slave (parents) for his familiar tho (≧∀≦)

Yes he bought two families, 5 hunters (3 of which are siblings). The buying slave idea is actually very very systematic in the story. It was explained how one becomes a slave and how they can get back. There's also laws that protect said slave (magic contract and stuff) and they have to receive salary aside from the salary they need to pay their debt (it's the reason why they become slaves). Mukohda was very very generous with them, he made sure to use the families different skills (like the farmers, baking, cooking, house cleaning and helping with his business of shampoo, the hunters as guards and made sure they learn how to read and write and do basic math. He also made sure they use proper hygiene and bought them clothes and shoes.) It was to the point where these servants he bought was grateful that mukohda choose them. If I remember corrently one of the family went in debt because their youngest daughter was super sick that they have to buy holy water but that's expensive. When Mukohda bought them the first thing he did is feeding the kid Sui's potion + dragon heart elixir ヾ(❀╹◡╹)ﾉ~

In short it wasn't a stereotypical slaves that get hurts and stuff (although originally Mukohda want to buy female slaves like those stuff he saw on mangas like maids. But there was no available female slaves and also pretty and handsome slaves usually get to choose where they wanna work but I'm not 100% sure about this part since it's been a long time since I read that particular volume)

I’m starting to think now that the word slave in Japan doesn’t have as much power as it does in the US commonly like saying you’re a wage slave. I’ve seen this concept in some stories I have been able to accept. I don’t mean to bother, but can you be more specific about how you become enslaved and how protected are you by laws?

Well I don't remember the exact details so I could be wrong but there are many ways on how one becomes a slave in the story. For example the dwarf hunter Mukohda bought is a drunkard, he and his team got into a debt and the only way for him to pay is by selling his weapon, he refused so he got caught by the slave seller (I totally forgot what they call that but it's equivalent to government jail). So it's mostly just about getting into debt and not being able to pay for it. The way to protect the slaves and the person who bought the slaves is through magical contract, if one breaks the contract you can actually see it in their body. They will get a full sleeve black tattoo kinda in their arms that they won't be able to hide so it will show to everyone that this person broke the contract and they will get punish or smthg not sure. So basically they put everything the slaves and the buyer agreed to in the magical contract. And yes the slaves also have a say to it. Another is when one family gets into debt and become a slaves (like those Mukohda bought) they give this families 2 months or smthg and advertise them to be bought all together (to avoid getting the kids separated from their family) if after 2 months they haven't been bought, they will be sold one by one. So in Mukohda case he bought 2 families because according to his friend (I forgot the name but he's the merchant he saved who sell leathers stuff) it's better to buy family as they will less likely to betray and have a high chance to stay/be loyal and become an employee after paying their debt. There's also no sex slave there, slaves is just basically getting into debt so the government helps you find a job. This whole system is much simpler and not really scary compared to other slaves stuff probably cause of the theme itself. If you read the story there's a very few scene where it's a bit gruesome/sad but it's mostly glossover or not explained in a very detailed scene probably to avoid overshadowing the "chill vibe" of the novel.

You had me untill you started talking about the family piece (눈_눈)〣

Thanks for the lengthy explanation :))

I garner from your explanation that it's more like a system of unpaid labourers in jail for parole.

Well can be yes or no. They get paid, tho not mention how it is but I'm guessing it's like 40:60 where 40 goes to the master who bought them (because they technically bought their debt) then 60 goes to the "slave" or could be different but the gist is they are similar to "modern slaves" -workers who has insurance to pay hence they don't get their salary as whole (╯°Д °)╯╧╧

Anyways I'm just gonna say the novel so good frfr

Nah I trust its good, just wanted to clarify.
Cool shit.
I hate the 'abused female slave(s) come to desperately love me because I saved them' bullshit