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Chapter 40: Rumors of the Commercial City, Miralda

 

I continued talking with Drake. Before I knew it, it was already time for dinner. There was a knock on our door, accompanied by Kinu and Shinku’s voices.

Drake and I joined the two ladies and headed down to the bar on the first floor.

The dinner was simple. Salad, roasted great boar, heated mushroom and onion soup, and dessert. But it was delicious, just as the guard said.

While eating, I overheard the conversation of the adventurers drinking at the table next to us.

「Are you sure it’s true? They haven’t found out the true identity yet, right?」

「It’s true! There are already rumors spreading in the city. It will probably be tomorrow.」

Tomorrow? Rumors? What are they talking about?

「Kinu, Shinku, did you hear any rumors when you went into town?」

「No, it was my first time in town…」

「Nn. I have no idea what they are talking about.」

「Hmm, I see. At times like this, you have no choice but to ask directly, but I’m not very good at striking up a conversation with strangers…」

「Shall I do it then, bro? I will have to buy them a drink to get them to talk, though. Is that okay with you?」

「Sure, go ahead.」

「Wish me luck!」

After saying that, Drake left his seat and approached the adventurers’ table, where in a few minutes he had blended into their circle.

「He’s amazing.」

「Nn. He got along the best with other adventurers in Recuria.」

「Really? I guess he has a talent for it.」

Drake returned about 10 minutes later.

「Bro, I’ve understood the situation!

It seems that there is a guy who has been raiding slave trader hideouts and freeing slaves since around last week.

However, no one has ever seen him, and the story is that all the slave traders who were attacked were knocked unconscious.」

「Slave traders, huh. Miralda has them too, I guess.

Rather, what kind of skill does this guy have to remain hidden for so long… So then, what is going down tomorrow?」

「It seems that there are 3 slave traders in this city, and the rumors say that the ones that haven’t been attacked yet will be attacked tomorrow night!

Also, it seems that he doesn’t free criminal slaves, only kidnapped elves, dwarves, demi-humans and beastfolks. So in a sense he’s treated like a hero!」

「I see. Thank you for gathering the information!」

「Absolutely, if it’s something like this, please tell me anytime!」

「Sure! Also, can we gather in my room after everyone has finished eating?

There’s something on my mind and I’d like to hear everyone’s opinions.」

Everyone agreed. After finishing our meal, we gathered in our room and resumed the conversation.

「To start with, this country basically does not prohibit the sale of slaves.

But that’s only for criminal slaves. From what we heard earlier, this means that the slave traders are doing illegal business, but there’s no way the nobles who rule this city don’t know about it.

It’s safe to assume that the nobility is receiving slush funds.」

Furthermore, if it had gone on for long enough to become a rumor in the city, it gives credibility to the fact that the nobles are overlooking the black market of the slave traders.

I need to confirm things with the party, just in case.

「So, there are two things I want to confirm with everyone.」

「Aun. There’s probably no need to confirm. Everyone here feels the same as Aun.」Kinu.

「Yes. As I said before, you don’t need my confirmation or approval.」Shinku.

「Me too! I already know what you want to say, bro.」

The three of them said simultaneously. To be honest, I was surprised… How fortunate I am to have these three.

「I see. Well then, I’ll just tell everyone how I feel…

Honestly, I can’t think of anything other than “disgust”’ towards the slave traders who kidnap and turn innocent people into slaves, and towards the bloody nobles who allow it.」

I took a deep breath and continued talking.

「However, I don’t know what is the reason for why the people in the city are turning a blind eye to all this, but knowing that there is a guy out there who is fighting this all by himself… gets my heart thumping with excitement.」

I… want to help that guy and the freed slaves.

「Nn. As expected of Aun.」

「Bro, you just can’t overlook someone in need.」

「Please feel free to order me. I will do it perfectly.」

「So, Aun, what is our plan?」

「First, let’s collect accurate information tonight itself.

This would probably be difficult, but I want to make contact with the guy who is freeing the slaves. If that’s not possible, we will support him from the shadows tomorrow.

However, what I’m worried about is that the slave traders may also have this information, and also the whereabouts of the freed slaves…」

Shinku raised her hand.

「I will search for the whereabouts of the freed slaves.」

「Nn. I will help look in another place to help Shinku.」

「Alright. Don’t overdo it you two. I will go to the slave traders and find out if they’re really conducting illegal business.」

「In that case, I will search for the freed slaves from the sky! If I find something, I’ll contact via telepathy!」

「Okay, then let’s move out.」

After our roles were decided, the three of them left the inn.

「Now then, let’s change into the Adventurer equipment from Ars so that I don’t stand out, and then go inquire about the location of the undestroyed slave traders.」