Vol 2: Chapter 21

The slave merchant was being interrogated at the guard garrison. Since there was a detention center established together with the garrison, the criminal was temporarily held there. A sentence will be passed after a hearing. Fair hearing, lawyers, and appeals do not exist in this world. Criminal charges against high-ranking individuals such as nobles are handled differently. In which case, the Holy King and other nobles will judge.

The interrogation room was small, with only a small chair and a small window. The ground was bare.

The fat slave merchant was startled when I entered the interrogation room.

D-Do you know what will happen if you get violent with me!?

Calm down. No one is going to hurt you.the guard captain said.

The guard captain was a tanned man. He became favorable to me after a series of slave business crushing.

As long as you answer our questions honestly that is.

The slave merchant trembled following the guard captains intimidation.

The guard captain stepped back near the wall saying, Hes all yours. I moved to stand in front of the slave merchant. A clerk with a piece of paper on a wooden board was on standby.

Then, I have some questions to ask

We run a Human Resource Center in accordance with the law. Well, my tongue slipped and I used the word slave, but that was just a mistake. And my lack of manners towards the noble lady was inevitable because you gave the name of a company that didnt exist.

I groaned in my heart.

(Its the same testimonial as the other slave merchants Its almost the exact same as the Earl told me Hmm? Wait)

Suddenly, I remembered a series of events.

The Earl gave ready consent when the young lady brought up slave business crushing. At that time, I chalked it up to him being an over-doting father, but thinking carefully, isnt it quite strange?

(Im sure the Earl knows which ones are real human resource centers and which ones use them as a front. Even if the necessary evils of human resource centers are destroyed one by one, it would have little effect on the economy and the society of the holy city.)

Rather, there is also the danger that the young lady would be resented in return and attacked by the people related to the business. The Earl himself knows it best because that was the kind of situation I saved him from.

(The list of Human Resource Centers that was prepared by the Earl. The same testimonies by the slave merchants in the interrogation All this leads to one thing.)

A hypothesis formed in my mind. One that fit well with what was happening now.

The guard captain shouted, Answer only what you are asked!, but I stopped him by raising my hand.

Well then, Ill ask you another question. Is that okay?

Hmph. What am I supposed to answer to a kid?

When did you start this business?

What?

He seemed to be completely taken by surprise. I found out on that day that a puzzled-looking, fat ossan is not cute at all.

When did you start doing this business?

Well, uhits been 15 years now.

15 years in the Holy City?

Thats right.

Does your company have any advantages over your competitors?

Id like to say that human resources centers is the same job, but we have big connections with nobles. The amount we handle is huge.he said, laughing proudly.

Do you do the same business again even if you get punished?

Thats well, my skill is like that

Slave Master ?

Thats right. But this job isnt illegal, you know?

I know. Then, this is my last question.I said.How much did you get paid from Earl Sillys?

?!!!

And I also found out that an astonished ossan is not very cute either.

On the other hand, I also confirmed that my hypothesis was likely to be correct.

After finishing the interrogation, I went straight to Zerry-sans place. She was searching for information about Lark and Lulusha on her own.

Zerry-san is one of the few people who knows about me and Lark. Getting drunk is her one flaw, though. She usually sleeps in the morning, and just as I expected, she was sleeping today as well. After waking her up, she gave me her report; even the adventurers guild did not seem to have information on 5-star skills and higher. Well, even Earl Sillys cant find any information. Is there no choice but to search patiently?

Speaking of

Zerry-san stays in a private room of an inn. Its a small room, but she said before that, I dont need a big room because Im only gonna sleep in it, and yet, why do I see alcohol bottles lying around?

Can you send a letter by specifying an adventurer party?

Ah, is it Silver Balance?

You guessed right.

Thats because you dont know anyone else, bocchan.

That is true, but It feels like Im being told that I have no friends.

Zerry-san used the water I produced to wash her face. Doesnt the saying go,if a cat washes its face, rain is coming? Well, its certainly cloudy today.

You can send letters, but sending letters across borders is very cumbersome and expensive.

I suppose it would be

However, you know how guilds transport luggages between other guilds, so if you send it via that the certainty will increase.

I see.

According to Zerry-san, necessary documents may be transported between guilds, and delivery and escort quests may be issued depending on the transfer of the guild staff.

As for the rewards, its extremely cheap! And in the case you were designated and refused it, youll be downgraded in the guild. You have to take it. Even high-ranking adventurers cant go against this. Gah, recalling it just makes me angry. Its already noon, I need another drink.

If you become a useless drunkard, Ill just forsake you, you know?

Ah-Ahahah, I am just joking, bocchan. I am actually called Hardworking Zerry in the guild, ya know?

Not only did I shoulder Zerry-sans debt, but also provided her pocket money.

This 20-years-old full-fledged adult is currying favor with a 14-years-old. If left alone, this person will become much more helpless.

By the way, I heard a nickname called Drunkard Zerry.

Hohoho, Im gonna tear the guy who said that limb from limb! Lets go, bocchan! Tell me who said that!

I am the one who said that. Are you going to tear me limb from limb?

Bocchan That was just a joke. A cute Zerry joke, ya know? Ehehehe

Her transition from cracking her knuckles to rubbing her palms together, like a shady merchant trying to butter you up, was real smooth. This person is beyond the point of saving.

Keep your jokes to a limit, okayyy? In any case, I cant write a letter if I dont know where Silver Balance is, huh?

Did you suddenly miss them?

Y-Yeah, I guess.

It was because I spoke to the Halfling-san at the banquet yesterday. I wonder what you are doing right now, Mimino-san I also think that I can explain the circumstances for why I left so suddenly at that time.

Bocchan.

Hmm?

How long are you planning to work for the Earl?

Where did that come from?

I just feel discomposed for some reason. I wonder if something happened to you?

What a sharp intuition.

I hesitated a little, but decided to tell Zerry-san about everything that happened yesterday.

Please be careful, bocchan. The scariest thing in this world is not a dragon nor a Mithril-rank adventurer.Zerry-san said, after listening to my explanation.

Eh?

Guys who hold authority are the scariest.

I was taken aback.

Indeed. The Dark Fang Mercenaries were messed up by Crysta, a mithril-rank adventurer, but Raikira-san waited for an opportunity and took him down. However, it was the ones with authority who were pulling the strings from the shadows.

The Earl is also one such person, but there are guys who are more powerful than him. Just be careful. They might even set you up to be the culprit, ya know?

No way

For example, if suspicions fell on Lady Eva, the Earl wouldnt hesitate to frame you, right?

It would be even more easy for the Earl, since he has the Magic Eye of Inquiry.

Yeah.

Its exactly as Zerry-san says. Perhaps I have trusted the Earl too much because I could trust the young lady.

I will keep that in mind.

Yeap. Now this.

Zerry-san held out her hand. But there was nothing there.

Hmm?

Ehehehe Bocchan.

Zerry-san was looking at me with a sly look. She was asking me for living expenses. So I handed out a few silver coins. Zerry-san is helpless, but I am also helpless for always giving her money.

Well, then Im off.

After finishing lunch elsewhere, I walked towards the mansion. I have a lot of things I must ask the Earl. I cant let down my guard at the moment.