Episode 142
"...E-excuse me."
"Yes?"
"If I... if I really stay here and work... will you really provide food and shelter?"
After I declared that the slaves should choose one of two options—either find their freedom and leave, or work with me—there was quite an uproar for a while.
"How... how can I trust you!!"
"That's right! We were deceived by such sweet words and ended up like this... do you think we'll be fooled twice?"
"P-please let us go... my family is waiting for me in my hometown... please..."
The most common type during the uproar was the group looking at me with suspicious eyes, saying they couldn't trust me.
No, actually, there was no need to call them a "group."
Most of the slaves, fallen into doubt and distrust, were shouting like that.
"...A-attack him!"
"Really...? But..."
The atmosphere, having become as dangerous as it could get, finally reached its peak when a few strong slaves grouped together and tried to attack me on the platform.
- Thwack thwack!!
"Ugh, ugh..."
"Damn, too strong...?"
But thanks to the Moonlight family's assassins who intervened at that moment, it ended more quickly than expected.
No matter how much the slaves had some insight into combat, they couldn't compare to assassins who had dedicated their entire lives to assassination and combat.
By the way, those guys are really amazing too.
To jump in to protect me, an unidentified human wearing a robe of deception whose appearance isn't even visible, just with one command from Serena.
"I'll say it again, you may leave this place right now."
I, feeling a slight envy, spoke calmly to the slaves who had started to panic, fallen into despair and powerlessness from being defeated by the assassins.
"No sanctions or violence will be carried out, so please rest assured."
Only after saying that and actually sending a few groups outside was I able to completely calm the slaves.
"Have all those who wish to leave departed? I'll say it again, you may leave at any time."
When I gave that announcement, which I don't know how many times I've said to the now-calmed slaves, only then did they start to use their heads.
"If you really provide food and shelter... I want to stay."
Finally, from among the group where only whispers had been heard for a while, a small child stepped forward.
"Providing food and shelter is a given, and we will also pay you wages."
"W-wages?"
"Yes, receiving wages for work is only natural."
As I spoke with a smile to the little wolf beast-person who had courageously stepped forward first, she started to look dazed.
"But, my master said that."
"Master?"
"Yes, my former master who sent me to the slave market... said that just being fed and given shelter was a blessed life..."
At the wolf beast-person's trembling words, the slaves watching the situation from behind nodded their heads.
Seeing that, it seems these slaves were quite accustomed to such treatment.
"You will be given wages for the hours you work, and naturally, rest time and vacations will also be given."
To them, I said with a smile.
I wonder why it's so exciting when I'm just letting them enjoy what they couldn't enjoy before—the things that should be natural.
Well, anyway, I'm enjoying it and it's good for them too, so I guess it's fine.
"And, if you don't like the work, you can quit and leave at any time."
With such thoughts, I dropped another bombshell statement.
"I-I want to do it."
Then, the wolf beast-person started speaking with an urgent expression.
"I want to do it. I want to. Please let me work."
"Yes, then please sign here."
If you look at this scene alone, it's undoubtedly a scam contract, but naturally, this contract is not a scam contract.
Like I did with the Class A commoner students before, this is a contract to protect their rights.
"I-I want to sign too!"
"Me too!"
"P-please... I don't have food to feed my children. Please let me work too."
As the wolf beast-person who finished signing sat in the waiting area with a dazed expression, the remaining slaves started clamoring all at once.
Who would have thought that people who suffered terrible treatment, abuse, and torture in the slave market would want to stay so desperately.
Honestly, I thought half would leave, but it's quite unexpected. No, perhaps those who were going to leave already left earlier, and only those with nowhere to go remained.
'...Well, that's actually good. It's not like I'm short on money.'
Thanks to that, I was momentarily flustered, but thinking about it, it seems to have turned out well.
I just left a hint to Aish about the underground mine, so the Cloud Kingdom will flourish a bit faster than planned.
In other words, my wealth, having secured exclusive trading rights with Aish who will become the real power of the Cloud Kingdom, will only increase, not decrease.
So since things have turned out this way, taking in all the slaves here isn't a bad choice.
I had already established a large foundation and was struggling with Cania about expanding personnel, and isn't this exactly the kind of talent coming in—people who know best what's needed for "welfare"?
".........."
"...Hmm?"
While thinking such thoughts with a satisfied smile, suddenly everything around became quiet.
Wondering what was happening, I looked around and saw that people had already finished signing the contracts and were gathered sitting where I had pointed.
"Hah."
But not everyone chose to stay.
The tiger tribe and dragon tribe known for their strong egos, and the elves who for some reason had dissatisfied expressions, had already left their seats and disappeared somewhere.
Even so, seeing that the number of remaining slaves is quite large, it was indeed good that I succeeded in this slave market mission.
"Everyone, from now on, you will be working at the welfare foundation I established."
With such thoughts, I began to speak with a calm expression.
"You will be helping and treating people in similar situations to yourselves, and working to create a better world."
At those words, the slaves started to look dumbfounded.
Well, that's true—this is somewhat different from the work they've been doing until now. So they'll need a lot of time to adapt, and they'll experience many trials and errors.
But I'm not too worried.
From the moment I said "to create a better world," some people's eyes started to shine.
Right now it's only a few, but if they continue working and understand what they're doing, won't everyone's eyes shine too?
At that time, they too will be able to give light to others like I do.
"For details, when you come to work tomorrow, we'll guide..."
"...Is there no work that requires strength?"
"I... I only know how to use a sword."
"I was someone who did dirty work, so I don't think I'd be suited for such work."
As I was thinking such thoughts and about to come down from the platform, voices filled with anxiety burst out from here and there.
It seems there are quite a few slaves who did... those kinds of work.
"It's alright. I have plans for everything."
Of course, there's no need to worry since I've already thought of work for such people, for example, people like Miho.
'By the way, what happened to Miho?'
I should be getting a contact by now, I hope nothing went wrong.
"...Excuse me."
Slightly worried, I quietly came down from the platform, when someone poked my side.
"...What?"
Wondering who it was, I turned my head to see Serena's personal maid staring straight at me.
"Lady Serena is looking for you urgently."
"...What? Why?"
"I don't know that either."
Her faithful maid started muttering while looking at me with half-closed eyes.
"For a bed partner, you look too weak. Just from seeing your face..."
"So, where is she?"
"...Here, there's a letter left by her."
Even though she's a maid, she's strong enough to handle about 5 average assassins, yet she's merely serving as a messenger.
I'm newly realizing how much Serena cares for me.
- Come to that cafe we went to last time right now.
"Hmm?"
I was flustered by the roughly scribbled handwriting so unlike her,
- I'm lonely.
"...Then, I'll leave the slaves' onboarding to you."
"Understood."
After seeing the following content, I said that to the exclusive maid and started moving quickly.
Serena being lonely—I need to make sure she's not lonely.
.
Meanwhile, at that time.
"Hmm, how is it? Are you feeling a bit better now?"
"...Ah, yes. Thanks to you."
Ruby and Serena, who were in the cafe's room, were looking at each other with smiles.
"Ah, I'll just go to the restroom for a moment."
In that situation, Ruby suddenly stood up from her seat and said.
"That's perfect. I was going to go to the restroom too."
Serena also stood up from her seat without backing down.
".........."
And, a brief silence flowed between the two.
"...Suddenly, the thought of going to the restroom completely disappeared."
"Me too."
Then, still smiling but with quite cold tones, the two spoke simultaneously and sat back down in their seats.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Ah, well, that is."
In that bright but chilly atmosphere, when Ruby asked a question, Serena answered with a smile.
"By any chance, were you at the slave market today?"
"...What?"
Ruby, hearing those words, asked with an expression saying she didn't understand.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Exactly what I said. By any chance, were you not at the slave market?"
When Serena persisted in asking despite that, Ruby finally answered with a sigh.
"Yes, I was."
"Really? I heard there was a big commotion at the slave market today... did you get caught up in that incident?"
"...Let's say that's the case."
When Ruby unexpectedly admitted it readily, Serena started to frown.
"I see? Then... you must also know what happened?"
"...Excuse me, I have a question."
Finally, when Serena opened her mouth again, Ruby, who was quietly drinking the black tea beside her, ignored her words and asked a question.
"Why are you asking about such things?"
"...It's just an investigation. I have a need to investigate the slave market matter for personal reasons."
Receiving that question, Serena picked up her coffee cup and answered.
"So, I know it's troublesome, but I'm asking for your cooperation."
- Plop!
As Serena put a sugar cube in her coffee while saying that, Ruby's expression slightly frowned.
"...I guess you don't like sweet things?"
Seeing that, Serena subtly asked a question.
"No, well... I don't dislike them..."
"Then do you like bitter things?"
"What?"
"That black tea is quite bitter black tea. Judging by the color, it seems you haven't put even a spoonful of sugar or syrup, and I rarely see people who drink it like that."
When Serena said something out of the blue, Ruby said while crossing her arms.
"Then you must really like sweet things? Putting in not one but 5 sugar cubes at once."
"Yes, I like sweet things. I use my brain a lot, so I crave sweets."
Like that, the two suddenly started having a conversation about an inexplicable topic.
"Actually, I'm not the type who particularly likes sweet things. Rather than such artificial tastes, I prefer to enjoy the natural taste."
'Secret Party Leader, have you arrived to some extent?'
But.
Among the flowers of conversation that bloomed between the two, Ruby's flower had sharp thorns growing on it.
'If you succeed in this mission well, I'll overlook the previous mistake and make you an executive of the Demon King's army. And I'll grant your wish too.'
And those were thorns directed at Serena.
- There is... a problem.
'...What?'
However, the tip of the thorns seemed blunter than expected.
- An interferer has appeared.
'.....?'
Because someone had cut off the tip of the thorns.
- Red hair wearing clothes, carrying lots of scrolls... a girl with a scar on her face.
"...Grr."
At the moment Ruby unknowingly gritted her teeth at the appearance of an unexpected interferer,
"Why is that? By any chance, are you waiting for something?"
"N-no. Nothing."
This time, thorns blooming from Serena's conversation flower were directed at Ruby.
'...I'm waiting too.'
The fate of the world, which would change depending on whose flower's thorns pierced the other first, was quietly approaching.