𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏𝟏: 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
Even after the collapse of the Lintrite Kingdom, Gladstone continued to reside in Galangran, committed to the relief of the stranded people.
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“I’ve been well paid as a bureaucrat of Lintrite and led a comfortable life. The king died, the country disappeared, and to just say goodbye seems a bit too irresponsible.”
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Along with about 500 lower-ranking soldiers who agreed with him, he established a sphere of influence within the old royal capital. In his mansion there, he protected the slaves he bought.
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“Well, I guess the slave traders and others probably think I’m one of the various mafia bosses.”
“I get that, but it’s surprising you had so much money.”
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While nodding in agreement, I throw out a question.
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Feeding 500 soldiers naturally requires food for 500 people. Of course, there are many other necessary living supplies, not just food. Even if you say you’ll buy from neighboring satellite cities, it would cost a considerable amount of money.
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I wondered if Gladstone had such financial power.
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“Strategist Lionel, do you remember my position?”
“Chief Accountant. . . . . . So, possibly…”
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I’ve got it.
Was there a hidden fortune of the kingdom?
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“Indeed, you’re sharp. There was money stored secretly for times of crisis.”
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For decades.
That was Gladstone’s source of funds.
It’s a secret that should normally be taken to the grave, but he thought, if not used now, when would it be used?
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“It’s embezzlement of public funds, though.”
“There’s probably no one left to blame, so isn’t it okay?”
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I chuckle.
No wonder the Lintrite Kingdom collapsed when people capable of such decisions couldn’t rise above middle rank.
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Ah, but then again.
If he had climbed the ranks and been at the core of the kingdom, he might have been killed for admonishing the Foolish King Morrison.
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The escape of General Kytes seemed miraculous.
That’s because the daughters of [Hope] played a significant role.
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Now, the five of them are driving a carriage with a cage.
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They’re carrying slaves. The women and children caught as slaves are dressed in almost nothing, not even given shoes.
It’s harder to let them out of the cage and make them walk.
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Therefore, the only ones walking are Gladstone and I.
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The four caged carriages and eight horses are treated as spoils of war from Gladstone’s camp. Also, we’ve taken all the money from the merchants and the swords from the guards.
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Even though we’ve done all this, Gladstone is inevitably viewed as an enemy by other camps.
Because he survived.
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In the end, if you’re going to make enemies, it’s better to have more weapons and money. It’s the principle of ‘might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb’.
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“I’d like to ask again. Strategist Lionel, members of [Hope]. I want to clear the darkness of this city and make it at least livable for people. Could you lend me your strength?”
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Gladstone bows to us who were led to the base.
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“That city where people can live, it’s not a place where humans are bought and sold, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll cooperate. It’s irregular, but consider it a request to the adventurer clan [Hope]. However, being a request, there will be a price.”
“That’s also natural. Let’s exchange contracts.”
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At Gladstone’s words, I nod and call Salieri and Meg.
Since it’s a request that doesn’t go through the Adventurer’s Guild, it’s better to have multiple people check the contents of the contract.
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The reason for the selection is whether they have reached adulthood (counting eighteen).
The remaining three are still children.
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“The two of you work out the details of the contract with me. I want Asuka and the others to walk around and check the defense situation.”
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Asuka, Miliaria, and Meisha each understand in their own way, and the three of them depart.
It’s more important than the contract.
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By dawn at the earliest, the first report of the slave market attack will run, and speculation about who carried it out will fly.
Then someone who sells the information that Gladstone is the only survivor and the attackers left with him will appear.
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Like the landlord of the inn where we stayed, for example.
Getting carried away, they might blabber.
And then they get killed by people who don’t want to pass that information to other factions.
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If they’re smart, they’d limit the information they give to something like, “I didn’t see anything, but a suspicious group of six stayed and seemed to have disappeared in the middle of the night.”
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Anyway, there will be attacks against the Gladstone faction, no matter what.
It’s just a matter of whether it’s fast or slow.
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Therefore, preparations for interception are necessary. And urgently.
Those three will know how to fight and defend. It’s not just for fun or folly that they’ve seen the strategies I can come up with.
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I want Salieri and Meg to gain experience in contracts and negotiations, and Asuka, Miliaria, and Meisha to gain experience in preparing for defensive battles.
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“Nelnel, are you thinking about retirement?”
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Salieri tilts her head in a small way.
It’s a somewhat worried face.
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“No, I just want to reduce my work.”
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So, I decided to respond with a grin.
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