Volume 2: Prologue

"What's going on Mr. Arno? Why are all my clothes all over the ground? Why are you acting so suspicious?... And why are you wearing my underwear as a mask!?" Erika exclaimed.

I was sprawled out on the ground completely paralyzed. The situation looked a lot worse than it actually was. This whole thing was just one huge misunderstanding, but I may have let greed get the best of me.

It had been three days since Erika and I escaped from the labyrinth. We were still wandering around the wilderness completely penniless except for Erika’s goblin currency, which was worthless.

We desperately needed gear if I was going to train her to be a sorceress. Not to mention if she wanted real life experience, we're going to have to join an adventurer's guild.

Just a few moments before my current "ordeal" occurred, we were setting up camp for the night. I decided to leave Erika to gather some sticks for a fire. While she did that, I went off to scout the area.

Not too far from where we were set up, I discovered another group setting up their own camp. After watching for some time, I realized they were a caravan of nomadic traders from the kingdom of Southan.

This was perfect! While Erika was distracted, I could sell some of her useless junk from her oversized backpack. I knew she was dead set against me selling her stuff, but this would allow us to get the money we desperately needed. It would probably take her a bit to figure out that I sold her stuff. I'm sure she probably won't be happy when she finds out, but she'll get over it.

I ran back to our campsite to quickly grab some things to sell. Erika was still off collecting firewood. I pulled out a pile of clothing from her bag. Her goblin parents were tailors back home, judging from the craftsmanship on the garments, these were probably made from high quality materials. They should fetch a decent price.

I just had to cover my face. Since I'm an undead skeleton, I can't just walk up to people without them freaking out. I reached my hand into the pile of clothing and grabbed a random article to cover my face with. It was hard to make out what it was in the dark, but it was white and silky.

"This should do." I said while quickly throwing the garment over my head.

I picked up the pile of clothes and was about to rush back over to the caravan, when I heard a rustling. Suddenly, my body froze, unable to move. I lost balance and fell to the ground. The clothing flew from my arms scattering all over the place.

Erika stood above me. Her mouth wide open from the scene she was witnessing. The seal on her hand was glowing blue.

"What's happening to the seal thingy on my hand?" Erika asked.

"When a thrall disobeys its master, the master can activate their binding seal and paralyze the thrall as punishment." I explained, faced down in the dirt.

"Oh I see… I didn't realize you were a perv." She spoke in a serious tone.

"It's not what it looks like, let me explain..."

I quickly explained the entire situation.

She had a very unamused look on her face.

"So you were going to sell my things even though I specifically told you not to!?"

"Yes... I'm sorry... Are you angry?" I said.

"No, I'm not mad. I'm just disappointed."

She sounded like a parent scolding their kid.

With that, she crawled into her sleeping bag and didn't say a word for the rest of the night. I was still paralyzed and I’d probably be stuck like this all night. She obviously didn't know how to undo it and I doubt she'd listen to me right now...

This was pathetic. I was once the most fearsome sorcerer in all the land. Now I've resorted to being treated like a child by an idiot wannabe sorceress.