「I heard it from the guards, Takeru-dono, seems to have made a big achievement right away.」
「No, it was by chance.」
Earl Danaban gave words of praise directly to me after coming back to the town. I'm happier to drink the coffee than hearing his words of appreciation.
Louise was also invited, but she declined because she wanted to take out meat and skin from the corpse in large quantities as much as possible.
Nobody can stop Louise when it come to dismantling the meat and skin.
「I heard that mysterious magic was used, but is this small ball a weapon?」
「It's a firecracker and a torpedo. The fireworks are using gunpowder though it was intended as toy for children」
Earl Danaban is brimming with curiosity.
The other day, he isn't interested in fireworks, i heard that it was possible to use it effectively in actual combat, the power and sound were confirmed.
「To make it a children's toy, though it seems to be a little stimulating, it can be use as weapon to daunt the enemy. I like the point that it is usable even without magical power」
「Is that so? it might be better to sell it as weapons」
The western-like noble doesn't know the idea that it is Chinese custom to use firecrackers for celebrate in flashy way.
I made fireworks because i thought to use gunpowder in a peaceful way, but after all it may only be made as a weapon in this chaotic age.
「Umu, and the reward to Takeru-dono, unfortunately at this moment......」
The earl said that the Caravan of the slave traders has serious damages, the master has also died and it seems to have been dissolved.
The remaining servants who stayed return home and part from the wagon with the money from their remaining funds.
The problem is 13 of the survived slave is in the cargo.
There isn't a merchant that handles slave in the town of Est.
Therefore as a substitute for the charges that brought trouble into the town, they use the slaves as payment to Earl Danaban.
Even if they pushed it to him, the Earl doesn't want any slaves.
「Ah, I see. This means i can have the slaves as a reward. Just in the right timing, I actually need manpower to establish the firm!」
Indeed the earl's thought and i are aligned.
Though i certainly want money, but i want to have people to work in the business first.
It is a godsend proposal,
「Eh?」
「Oh?」
The Earl look strange. Did i say a strange thing?
Lyle-sensei, what does this mean?
「Takeru-dono, A slave is mostly a person who are in debt and ruined itself. No merchants will use them as a firm staffs.」
「Is that so?」
「The slave may become vicious enough and will become a thief, the person would ruin their livelihood. Someone must always monitor them, those who are working without hitting them with a stick is considered a poor labor force.」
I didn't understand it at all, Sensei smiled that gives the feeling that it can't be help.
The slaves might not work proactively, I don't seem to be suitable for a merchant. At most, it can be said that i am more suited as an assistant worker.
Recalling the faces of the slaves who resigned from being a a person, I cannot have a narrow view.
I think i have been cornered in a desperate situation. If they're treated well, they're likely to become something useful.
「If it's good with Takeru-dono, then you may take the slaves as a reward. But, hearing from the talk, the slaves doesn't seem to be in good quality.....」
Earl Danaban wanted to say if that was really ok and exchanged glances with Lyle-sensei for an instant.
「Yes, workers are necessary anyway, even if the slaves are inferior if it's Takeru-dono you may be able to use them like employees. 」
because Lyl-sensei gave a reassuring smile 「Then, it's no problem. I gave my permission to the earl.
hmm, I've thought about this before, I must be trusted in all aspect
If the intelligent Lyle-sensei and i are together, then it can't be help.
●
The open space near the vicinity of the plaza is where the Sawatari Firm planned construction is located.
Lyle-sensei and i stand there beside our wagon.
13 petite slaves who wore tattered clothes are lined up with chains on their feet, i can barely say that those are clothes because it was so ragged.
They are now property of the Sawatari Firm.
They slaves that are bound by chains are slightly crouching down with a dead expression, they are too pitiful. When i said i'll rather free the slaves, i was stopped by Lyle-sensei who said i must not do it.
「Is it okay? Children are the lowest kind of slaves.」
「No matter how look at it, isn't this too much?」
「I wouldn't say it's too much. Though it hasn't been confirm yet, but i bet these 13 people here are all girls.」(TN: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°
You might say how do you know something like that. It's because Lyle-sensei is a person who understand anything, however.
「 You have to understand. Even if their thin, if they're men and be fed well, they'll gain weight and be able to endure hard labors.」
「If it's an adult man, it is possible to use it as labor work force, if it's a young woman the can be an assistant worker, furthermore if they have excellent figure it is possible to sell her to some nobles.」
「However, such skinny dirty girl won't be something useful as a common slave. Raising them would be unprofitable so the slave traders might sell them to the mine」
I understand his explanation when she mentioned the mine, Lyle-sensei eloquently said the reason.
「Does the mines even uses girls?」
「In the tunnel there small holes where only a child can fit. The children would work day and night, they're in demand since they won't be unusable immediately. 」
Lyle-sensei knitted her well shaped brows unpleasantly,. If they're no longer usable that means that's the end and they die. Without human rights, the slaves are treated like a thing, it's painful to have miserable fate.
It's too terrible to use the child until the end. The people in this world consciously ignore it because slavery isn't something considered as wrong. I may not be able to live in this severe world if i won't be practical.
「Takeru-dono, you said before that you'll free these children. Have you thought what would happen if you free them no in this place?」
「Well, errr......」
「There is no work that they can do in this town. they may become homeless beggars and if won't be able to endure the hunger they'll steal food making them as criminals which lower than a slave.」
「I'm sorry, i haven't thought of that.」
I see, that might be the reason the Earl handed me the slaves.
If the slaves are irresponsibly released, the work of the guards would just increased and no one will be happy.
「Because you said that you'll receive them, please take responsibility, okay? Is is the responsibility of the master to assign work to the slave ad not let them starve. The master is Takeru-dono.」
「I understand, i will fulfill my responsibility with utmost effort.」
When i assured him with my promise, Lyle-sensei finally smiles and handed me a lot of leather collar.
「I felt a little bit embarrassed when Earl Danaban forced the slaves to you. The slave collars are for authentication service. If you put this to everyone's neck, it'll be a substitute for identification card for the time being and they'll be recognized as slaves of the Sawatari firm.
it's said that a slave who isn't a citizen has to wear hand chains, a foot chain or a collar with the authentication that proves that their owner is in the town.
If they're wearing collar then they can live safely in the town.
It's ironic to say, a slave who has an identification is safer in the town than a homeless freeman that can be kicked out of the city.
「Mr. Takeru Sawatari is your master from now on, the chains on your ankle will now be removed and the collar will be attached to each one of you.」
When Lyle-sensei shouts the chains of the slaves has been removed by magic
They remained silent when i went around and attach the brand new leather slave-collar successively to everyone.
Everyone kept silent like a robot and move while they are ordered to, has they been educated that way?
They're wearing cloth on their hair (or i should say a piece of cloth), i can't recognized the original color because it's dirty but they're all grayish.
As for all these children their eyes and the expression on their faces has died.
Everyone has a worn out appearance, should i buy more new clothes? I look into my wallet and my face became bitter.
It's okay, i'll just earn the money again.
One person has her clothes torn into pieces by the monsters and that child was walking almost half-naked while dragging her cloth.
Because it was too much, i'll temporarily make you wear a cloth made from gray ratman (That has water and fire resistance). (TN: Not sure.)
Now then, what should we do now? To us who were lost in thought in front of 13 slave girls, Louise came over.
「Oh,Takeru is here. I was able to get amazing amount of meat and skin, it's carried by the wagon.....」
Louise stopped and kept silent. After she glances at the slave girls, she came in front of me and faces me silently.
What's this, Please stop this pressure of silence. Are you angry about taking slaves without asking you?
「Louise, i accepted the slaves. These children, all of them became the staff my company.」
「Hmm. let's buy a big pot, shall we?」
After Louise said so with a serious look, she floats a smile like she was able to recall something interesting.
I don't understand the behaviors of Louise-neesan every time. The pot will be used for what? Well, Because Louise says so, there might be some meaning in it.
There are no more explanation and i decided to buy a large pot. After that, i'll help carry the meat and skin into the wagon.
Behind the caravan, a great number of slave girls follow too. Even without being connected by chain, the slave girls doesn't run away.
It is natural. Because there's nowhere else to go.
●
When I returned to the battle site a short while ago, it was more miserable in miserable state than the time it was of full of corpses.
The guards has finished the of burials of the dead merchants.
The skin of the Ogre and the green goblins are lined up in a row, it's a strange scene.
It was placed beautifully without waste, the dismantlement skill of Louise is top class.
Next to that a mountain of meat and internal organs of the goblin and ogres are piled up.
I recall the anatomy of the frog and i felt sick.
I felt sicker by the fact that those were the greened-skinned and human-shape monster which has been beautifully placed been there. (TN: Fuck english) Some are being dried by hanging it on the branch of the tree, does such disgusting skin being sold? What can it turn to if a merchant buy it?
Well, I use the fat to produce the materials for the soap. The use of the monster skin is a mystery.
「I negotiated with the guards, the weapons of the monsters and the clib that they used will be given unto us.」
The club was from a large tree which the Ogres has swung around, it seems like it would be use as a firewood. The guards didn't say they wanted the Ogre meat.
Making lye from the ashes of the firewood after burning using it on making the soap, nothing will be wasted. As expected of Louise-neesan (TN: The neesan here is anego) I wish to know better.
「I'll immediately boil it's internal organs in the large pot.」
Yeah yeah, I already expected that. Monsters internal organs are Louise's favorite dish.
The Pot is fixed carefully below the large club of the Ogre that's currently on fire. The slave girls are boredly looking at it.
「If the didn't get any order the slaves won't move.」
Lyle-sensei whispered me an advice. I want you to stop breathing in my ear because it feels strange,
but i actually want you to do more. Sensei's fine smell is so good. It's a complicated feelings. Sensei is staring at me with a exasperated expression on his face. I see, i have to order the salves.
「Everyone! For the time being look for dry dry grasses and woodchips which can be burned around here because it's dangerous don't go to the area where my eyes can't reach.」
A tree doesn't grow on a wasteland, but if you look closely there are small woodchip that can be used for burning. While i'm leading the slave girls to look for wood chips i remember the first time i met Louise.
Because of the crazy dogs i had some resistance on eating internal organs of the monsters. It can't be helped in order to live in this different world.
When i picked up woodchips and came back the soup from the internal organs of the Ogre and goblins has finished.
Though it's simple dish from monster meat, internal organs and salt the smell is quite appetizing.
however, the monster's internal organ might ruin your stomach.
When i said so, Louise said「I 'll lend you a detoxification potion」.
The potion was poured into the large pot and said 「with this, it's alright.」 A splendid dish.
I asked Lyle-sensei and he said 「There is no poison on the goblin's meat」, so i have no choice but to believe the wide knowledge of Sensei.
Anyway, lets eat. Because the wooden plate aren't enough for the 13 slave girls, they are taking turn in eating. Of course I'm at the end.
I'm reluctant on eating the humanoid monster meat, but the slave girls doesn't seem to mind. They seem happy eating the internal organs while taking turns.
I wonder if they were hungry. I looked at the child who is waiting in good manner while drool is falling sliding down.
It's already night when all the members has finished eating.
According to Louise, if the dried meat and skin are left there's a chance that it might be eaten by a beast. Since someone needs to watch it, i'll sleep around the open fire tonight.
Around the pot, the faces of the slave girls was illuminated by the bonfire, i think the tension has faded. It's likely that they have become accustomed to their new surroundings and calmed down.
Because it's a good opportunity i talk to everyone.
The Sawatari Firm that makes Soap and gunpowder to sell. I want everyone to assist me in making and selling soap. I'll teach them the work from scratch, it won't be so difficult. The food, clothing and shelter are also guaranteed.
I explained it to the children clearly. I observe the faces of the slave girls.
They remained silent, i felt uneasy if they were really listening. I want them to say something so i urged them to say if there's some thing that they didn't understand .
「A, um......... I'm, Slave trader」
The child with a noticeably big eyes raises her hand. Even if her face is slightly dirty, he amber eyes shines brilliantly.
「No, The slave trader......... You, I think i'll be on the side that's gonna sell.」
I thought they had a question, but it's cruel for the slave girl to say that she's a slave trader. My tsukkomi is terrible.
「err...... That's not it, I was a daughter of a riche merchant before becoming a slave. 」
The child who has a big amber eyes seems to falter in speaking. But i somehow understand that faltering feeling.
During summer vacation, i play game and confine myself for a long time and when i get out to the convenience store to 「warm up」your voice will be hoarse and unusual.
You won't be able to speak much since you didn't speak for a long time. If a person doesn't talk for a long time, they'll forget how to talk
「is that so, you have experience of business」
「Our shop, it was attacked by a burglar.........It goes bankrupt, whole family was sold. 」
Wow, that's a heavy situation that i didn't know.
「Is that so.......?」
「Master, if it's business, I can calculate.」
A grateful offer. i don't know how much she know, but i'm still grateful to it.
「You say that you'll help me in accounting?」
「Yes......」
The slave merchant-chan seems exhausted and sat down, when i thought that she's finish talking..
Others raise their hand one after another, each one of them told their circumstances before they became slave.
Bankruptcy, collapse , cheated, betrayed, they were sold and family break up.
Everyone are so tragic, it's too much, It became impossible for me to say anything.
As for the personal history of the 13 people, one is a daughter of merchants, two are daughter of soldiers, one daughter of miner, one daughter of a florist, one daughter of a baker, one daughter of prostitute and six daughter of beggars. I was astonished by the ratio of the beggar. About half are poor beggars.
Lyle-sensei said that it's true that the beggars will irresponsibly abandon them. During the story of the soldier's daughters, i was surprised at Louise, who's listening in silence changed her expression and began asking questions.
She's always calm so it's unusual for her to be emotional with her voice shaking. She seems to be interested because it is a female soldier.
Their parents were soldier in the Imperial capital and for some reason they were dragged in a factional quarrels and punished by a crime which is no one's fault and the whole family has been dropped to slaves. There are really a lot of tragic stories.
Louise hers the story of the two daughters with a bitter face, after she finished listening to them she said 「I'll take over the two」.
It was already been decided by Louise before even asking me as their master.
Though it was okay, Louise doesn't have much interest in slavery. Why are you suddenly so interested, I hope that you'll tell me, she became irritated and repeated herself once again.
「I'll train the two people to be warriors, but do you mind?」
「Of course, i don't mind.」
After i gave my permission, Louise exaggeratedly grant the two children a sword.
In a manner that is like a warrior, the two of the received the word by their trembling hands from Louise while they kneel down.
Lyle-sensei who quietly listen to Louise patiently said 「Then shall i teach Pharmacology to this child of the florist?」
「Sensei will be in charge of that child?」
「Yes, memorizing and collecting wild grass and distinguishing between medical herb. Maybe this child has an aptitude to it. 」
Lyle -sensei stagnantly said as he quietly stares at the child of the florist.
「Worrying about something?」
「No, but the wild grasses and medical her would not sell as high as the soap, there should be variety of goods i engage i business.」
If we leave the hunting to Louise, there should be a little danger in walking to the fields.
I'm actually interested too in collecting medical herb. Well, have work to do.
I also have to make soap and Saltpeter, the supply can't keep up in this neighborhood.
「Then i'll teach the other children various ways of how to make soap 」
There are plenty of soap materials, how much suited are the goblin and ogre fat for the soap, it will be an experiment again.
Thus, the Activity of Sawatari company started in the town of Est.
●
Thanks for translating! I wonder when will the MC develops guns.
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