Anastasia's Kararagi Merchant Path

Anastasia's Kararagi Merchant Path (アナスタシアのカララギ商人道) is a shop exclusive limited edition short story.

Summary
A young Anastasia Hoshin was talking with a man in a suit, and wanted to dress up in such beautiful clothes as the ones she saw around her. The man took her to a shop and brought her a pretty kimono. She was also offered a job as she had the drive to become successful, and buy lots of pretty clothes.

After some months passed, Anastasia had won the respect of her boss and was a very hard worker. One day an individual had come to visit her, who claimed to be the head of a mercenary group. That individual was a demi-human known as Ricardo Welkin, he was waiting in the tavern area, and wanted to speak to Anastasia.

Anastasia asked him what was wrong, as she was quite busy working in the shop, but the demi-human wasn't able to quite say why he had called her over. However, Anastasia gave him a very gentle smile and then went to greet the others. Ricardo was a slave, his neck was chained by an iron collar marking his status in society. And even though Anastasia spoke coldly to him, Ricardo had a hunch, that one day, Anastasia would be the one to remove the iron collar around his neck.

Months later, Ricardo returned to the city. Anastasia seemed to have run into some issues with the Chamber of Commerce in the city. Ricardo pledged he would help Anastasia fix this by going along with her to the Chamber of Commerce, which was located in the east of the city. They set off together to try and pay off Anastasia's debt. By this time, Anastasia had already become extremely influential in the city.

Anastasia and Ricardo arrived at the Chamber of Commerce, where the leader addressed her as the "famous Anastasia Hoshin". They went up to his office, where the leader asked Ricardo what intentions he had with Anastasia, as he knew about how Ricardo had met her at the tavern. Although Ricardo tried to protest it, the leader insinuated that Ricardo was interested in Anastasia out of being a lolicon. Anastasia told him not to get the wrong idea.

After that, they were led to the main room which the Chamber of Commerce took place in. The leader continued to denounce Ricardo as a lolicon in front of the entire chamber, despite Ricardo and Anastasia's protests. This enraged Anastasia, making her demand them to leave him alone. She then demanded for them to remove his collar, which denoted his status as a slave. The Chamber of Commerce replied saying that she already had a large debt of 48 silver coins, and 32 copper coins. Removing Ricardo's collar would cost far more and would greatly damage her credit. However, Anastasia recalled the man who had once offered her her first job and continued with confidence, stating that she wanted Ricardo's collar removed so that he would regain his freedom and be happier. Anastasia had saved up for this moment, she took out a bag with 200 silver coins and 100 copper coins. Enough to pay both her debt and free Ricardo.

After a few minutes of discussing Anastasia's offer the Chamber of Commerce agreed. Having been freed from his fetters as a slave, Ricardo pledged his allegiance to Anastasia. The leader continued to defame both Anastasia and Ricardo, however, Anastasia just looked back and smiled sarcastically back at him as she left.

Characters

 * Anastasia Hoshin
 * Chuden
 * Ricardo Welkin