['Slave' is never said; it's never been said in relation to Yuan, even when Yuan admitted to being familiar with the braid. It's only ever been said regarding Kratos's current position. And yet the method Yuan chooses to explain, in a roundabout way, tells Kratos far more than a straight-forward remark.

[Kratos hesitates. He can't imagine most masters being as kind as Yuan is.]

Is there enough time to go to another smith?

[He doesn't wish to cause Yuan trouble for his sake.]