Chapter 104: Gathering cooperators and up in the sky

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

「……Yes?」

That is the very first thing Leticia said upon hearing the story. It seems that she couldn’t grasp the situation so I decided to give her a brief summary.

「Changing the law is difficult and will probably take a long time. So we will try to build an ideal slave trade by ourselves.」

「Eh? No, ehm, what about the audience with his Majesty?」

「We had one.」

「Had one…?」

Leticia’s face twitched a bit when I said that.

「Since changing the law would be difficult I got rights on the slave trade.」

「I don’t think it something you can get that easily though…」

For some reason, with every reply of mine, Leticia’s expressions showed more and more signs of exhaustion.

Well, Leticia probably has a lot on her plate as well. Looking after the kids is probably difficult.

Thinking so, I decided to bring them some meat later.

「…And, what are you planning to do from now on?」

Leticia raised a question. WIth a stiff expression on her face, she appeared somewhat worried.

Feeling apologetic I lower my head.

「There is something I’d like to ask of you…」

I say, putting my hands together, to which Leticia blinked a couple of times and burst into a laugh.

「…If you ask me so frantically I won’t be able to refuse.」

After laughing, she looked at me a bit uneasily with an upturned gaze.

「But, putting me aside, what about the children……」

「I’ll hire them as well. It solves the problem, right?」

It’s something that I’ve been originally considering, so I reply without hesitation. Then, Leticia’s eyes turned round from surprise.

「Eh!? That sort of thing, really……? Is there a job even children can perform?」

「I’ll think of something.」

After such a reply Leticia had a serious look for a while, but eventually broke into a smile and made a deep bow.

「…Please treat us well.」

Thus I successfully managed to increase the number of cooperators.

「Well then, please let me ask about the wages.」

「…Ah, yes. You are right.」

Leticia is a shrewd person.

——————————

That night, I temporarily returned to Heavenly Castle.

Torraine’s delicious cooking felt strangely nostalgic, so I ended up eating until I was stuffed. Even though not that much time has passed, how curious.

「Yes, it was delicious. Thanks for the feast.」

「I’m glad if it could satisfy you.」

When I thanked her with a smile, a reply came with an even better smile. Heavenly Country is a tranquil place after all. I almost want to say that everyone should learn how nice it is.

While I thought so, Ayla chuckled and tilted her head.

「This castle is really calming after all. Peaceful and quiet, with all the kind people here…… Truly a different world from the ground.」

「Haha indeed. Karluk Kingdom’s streets looked interesting, but it wasn’t much of sightseeing.」

As I replied with a dry laugh, Mea, who listened with interest, asked.

「What was it like?」

Humming for a bit to that abrupt question I then try to somehow explain my impression of Karluk Kingdom.

「Hmmm… Well. Buildings were very luxurious and the streets looked fascinating. However, the exterior of the country and what was hidden beneath its surface were completely different. Privileged class, poor masses, and slaves. Some may even call it a scary place.」

Being told so, Mea made a small nod and began to hum as if thinking of something.

A few seconds have passed. Then, Ayla, who kept silent until now, spoke up.

「…Taiki-sama. Earlier you mentioned engaging in a slave trade…」

「Eh?」

Mea’s eyes went wide as she froze up when Ayla blurted out the actual issue at hand.

With a stiffened expression she looked my way. Rant, who helped to set the table, was the same. Torraine and Schnee were busy with cooking, but if they heard this they probably would’ve had the same reaction.

Conscious of those gazes, I carefully chose my words.

「If we can’t get rid of the system known as slavery, then, I thought, we should change their treatment…… For starters, I thought we can make a store and improve slave contracts.」

Saying that I let out a dry laugh to which Mea and others only stared blankly at me, blinking in puzzlement.