𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧
Two days later.
Albero and his group’s carriage arrived at a small town in the Asgard territory.
From here, they would switch carriages, disguise themselves in different clothes, and head towards the village where the slave auction is held.
First, they would head to an inn to prepare.
On the way to the inn, Arnaud spoke to Kid, who seemed bored and was sitting lazily.
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“There’s a carriage arranged by Garnet-sama for transporting slaves. We will disguise as slave merchants.”
“Got it. So, I’m your assistant, huh? Should I practice massaging?”
“Your duty is to follow my orders. Understand this: many slave merchants come from outside the Asgard territory to the village where the auction is held. Don’t cause any trouble.”
“Alright, alright. I’m your subordinate. I’ll work as tirelessly as a horse, then.”
“Hmm. . . . . .”
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Arnaud gripped the reins tightly, speaking with evident strain.
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“Probably, many illegal slave merchants will gather. Damn. . . . . .It’s frustrating that we can’t arrest them.”
“Slavery, huh. . . . . .”
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In the Asgard kingdom, slavery is not illegal.
However, only two types of slaves are recognized: 『criminal slaves』 and 『work slaves』.
Criminal slaves are those who have committed crimes and become slaves as a punishment.
Work slaves are those who, out of desperation, sell themselves into slavery. There’s a fixed term for work slaves, and the amount they are paid differs according to the years. Most work slaves are children sold by families struggling to make ends meet. No one can force sexual acts upon work slaves.
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“Illegal slaves. . . . . .I hear there are many kids.”
“Yes. They are sold, including for sexual services. As toys for corrupt nobles and rich men!”
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Arnaud displayed an unprecedented angry expression.
Kid yawned largely.
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“Then, let’s remember their faces. When we defeat the demons, we’ll take down the illegal slave merchants at once.”
“. . . . . .Hm, that’s right.”
“Hey knight, it’s okay for us to hear all this from you. . . . . .But can someone like you, full of justice, endure an auction filled only with illegal slaves?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Should I say I lack confidence?”
“Haha, as long as you’re aware.”
“Don’t underestimate me. First, the demons, and then the illegal slave merchants.”
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The reins in Arnaud’s grip slightly loosened.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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Upon arriving at the inn, they took two rooms, one for men and one for women, and after placing their luggage, everyone gathered in the men’s room.
As the daughter of the butler, Ashe, was about to make tea for everyone, there was a knock at the door.
Arnaud asked through the door.
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“Tea delivery?”
“No, a bottle of wine and two ales.”
“. . . . . .Come in.”
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It was the password.
A man entered, bringing two large bags with him.
As soon as he placed the bags down, he started explaining.
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“This contains the clothes for the slaves. And this one is the outfit for the slave merchants. The carriage for the slave merchants is kept at the stable of this inn. Here you go.”
“Ah, thank you.”
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Arnaud took a bag with documents and checked its contents.
After verifying, he nodded to the man.
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“I’ve checked. Everything seems to be in order.”
“Yes. I will take the carriage you came with. I’ll also handle your luggage, so let’s meet up in this town once everything’s done.”
“Alright, understood. And thank you.”
“No problem. Then. . . . . .”
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The man silently left.
Albero and the others watched the exchange without a chance to interject.
Then, Ashe finally realized that the pot of water had completely cooled down.
Arnaud poured the tea and promptly began to explain.
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“What we just saw can only be described as Garnet-sama’s private troops. They are soldiers who have sworn loyalty to Garnet-sama. Well, they’re actually orphans from the orphanage funded by Garnet-sama.”
“I’ve heard about it. My grandmother, she invested her personal wealth to run an orphanage in the kingdom.”
“Exactly. And, more importantly. . . . . .the day is finally tomorrow. We’ll be storming the village where the slave auction is held.”
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Albero raised his hand to ask Arnaud a question.
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“Um, why is the slave auction held in such a remote village?”
“Simple. It’s hard to track. In small villages, all the residents are bought off, and slave auction venues are set up underground, like in the village assembly hall. Some even have caves where carriages can enter.”
“That’s. . . . . .unsettling.”
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Albero, having touched on the dark side of slavery, felt a sickening feeling.
Then, Arnaud pulled out some documents.
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“First, this is the slave trading permit. By having this, I become a slave merchant. Kid, you will be an employee at the slave store I run. Albero-kun, Lapis-kun, and Ashe-kun will be products of the slave store. There are also costumes, so please change into them tomorrow.”
“””Understood.”””
“Roger.”
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Everyone but Kid responded solemnly.
They all seemed tense as the day approaches.
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“Regarding the slave auction, Kid and I will do the talking. The three of you will remain strictly as 『merchandise』. Just behave. Also. . . . . .all slaves will have a 『summon-sealing』 collar. So be careful; you won’t be able to summon your summoned beasts.”
“S, Summon-sealing?”
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Summon-sealing.
As the name suggests, it’s a collar that seals the summoning of a summoned beast.
From what they learned in classes, it was used for torturing prisoners.
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“Don’t worry. They won’t harm the slaves, who are merchandise. It’s just to restrain slaves who might try to escape or cause a ruckus.”
“I, I get it. But I’m still anxious. . . . . .”
“Me too. . . . . .”
“What if we summon our beasts beforehand?”
“No good. If you do that, just putting on the summon-sealing collar would cause an explosion.”
“Eeek. . . . . .”
“Anyway, let’s follow the plan. . . . . .After breakfast tomorrow, change and we’ll depart. It’s about a two-hour carriage ride to the village where the auction venue is.”
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After discussing some finer details, Arnaud finished his explanation.
Arnaud then concluded.
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“That’s all for now. Don’t go out today; rest up for tomorrow. Have your meals in your room. That’s all!”
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That day, as Arnaud instructed, Albero and the others didn’t go out.
Ashe and Lapis also stayed in and didn’t go out. They seemed tense.
Kid, as usual, took a nap, and Arnaud was reading. Incidentally, the book Arnaud was reading was titled 『How to Become a Slave Merchant』.
With nothing to do, Albero just lay on his bed.
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“. . . . . .Tomorrow, huh.”
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The arrogant Demon Hubris.
Of the seven demons, six remain.
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