Volume 7 - CH 23

In the square in the corner of the commercial district, the rescued demon slaves were gathered.

After that, I kicked Herman and Neg out of the crumbling warehouse, got all the slaves out of their cages, and brought them here for the time being.

Since I’ve set up a barrier to get rid of people, there’s no need to worry about being seen by onlookers or guards. I can finally catch my breath.

There were many who were weakened, but they all seemed to be in good health.

The slaves trapped on the mezzanine floor were actually small children. They were slightly injured and hungry, but that was it. If they were too rough, they won’t sell.

Nozuro was the most seriously injured, but even so, it wouldn’t have been enough to kill him. A martial artist, he’s a tough guy. He said he would help me, but since his fever didn’t subside even after i healed his injuries, I’m letting him rest for the time being.

But… to be honest, I really wanted him to lend a hand.

“Haa…”

I’m very tired.

Even when I tried to take them out of the cage, I had a hard time getting the frightened and crying kids because they were all children. How long would it have taken if Rurumu hadn’t called around?

However, Rurumu didn’t look very happy even though she was able to save her companions.

Maybe there’s a lot going on that I can’t comprehend… Maybe it’s because I went a little too far.

“Seika-sama…”

At that time, Yuki’s face appeared from above.

“What? Yuki”

“…Why did you hand over the bill to that person?”

The voice was clearly dissatisfied.

“Also, write the face value as you were told. There shouldn’t have been a shred of reason for Seika-sama to pay that person. On the contrary, the stolen goods were recovered. It would have been nice to have been…”

“If Herman goes bankrupt, who will pay for the warehouse I destroyed?”

“Yeah… no, haaa…”

Yuki let out a voice that sounded like a mixture of exasperation and confusion.

“In the first place, why was the warehouse destroyed? There wasn’t a need to do that…?”

“ I didn’t think it would happen, but if an explosion were to occur, I would be far from recapturing the slaves.”

However, thanks to that, it became clear that the fake sun was also effective against Astrals.

I’d like to try it on a normal monster next time. It’s supposed to be much closer to beasts than Astral or Youkai, so it’s unclear what will happen…

Yuki said in amazement to me who was lost in thought.

“You paid a lot of money for the trial of the empty death.”

“That’s not all. As long as I don’t know how much the lord knows about me, it’s bad for Herman to disappear. On the other hand, if I keep him in poverty and let him live, he might start a business that doesn’t care about how he behaves. ?”

“Umm……”

“Besides, I was quite impressed with how determined he was.”

I didn’t think that in that situation he would give me the same amount as the original estimate. I thought he was going to say that it would be fine for free.

He must have slurped a lot of mud up until now. He is indeed a spirited merchant.

I wrote down the amount exactly as i was told.

“Well, maybe that’s also a loss. It would have been a good bill.”

“Ummmm… but Yuki thinks it was a waste.”

“Regardless of the amount, I really needed to hand over the bill. It can’t be helped.”

“…?”

Yuki makes a strange face.

“It was dark at that place and they probably didn’t realize it, but I think it’s about time that Herman noticed.”

Fiona’s seal stamped on the bill.

“I don’t think he’ll make an enemy of someone who carries around a handprint with the seal of the imperial family.”

I’m sure he’ll take good care of me afterward.

“… shouldn’t we have at least done something about that vengeful guy?”

“Are you talking about Neg? That’s rather bad. Buying too much of Herman’s resentment.”

“no……”

“I was able to get rid of all the vengeful spirits following him, so it’s enough.

Saying that, I walked over to one of the demon girls.

“Hiiiii…!”

When the girl noticed me, she backed away frightened.

Upon closer inspection, it appears to be the first slave I saw in that warehouse.

Regardless of the frightened girl, I pick up the collar of slavery that is attached to the white neck with my fingers.

“Stay still for a while.”

Just in case, thanks to the barrier, the collar doesn’t show any effect.

However, perhaps because of that, I had no idea how to remove it.

“There are no seams.”

I sigh and mutter.

“It can’t be helped, should I break it?”

《Gold Aspect――――The art of gold erosion》

Gallium’s sludge created by the spell erodes the metal of the collar.

Discovered by an alchemist from the Frank Kingdom, this metal is liquid at room temperature, and has the unusual property of crumbling other metals it touches.

In just three breaths, the slave’s collar broke in two.

It seems to be a valuable magic tool, so it was a bit of a waste, but it can’t be helped.

“Ah… the collar…”

“Next, put out your hand.”

I tell the girl that I will remove her handcuffs in the same way.

“Do you understand what I want to do? If you do, please tell everyone to come over here. If I approach them, they will cry again.”

“Huh, yes… um.”

The divine demon girl who was about to run away from me suddenly stops her feet and looks back.

“thank you……”

She had a faint smile on her face.

*********

“Good grief……”

After finally removing the collars and handcuffs for 15 people, I took a deep breath.

At first, the slaves were frightened, but later they got used to it and even thanked me.

Even demons have cute children.

However, we can’t just relax here forever.

This group stands out too much. Since I handed over the bill to Herman, there shouldn’t be a problem if the guards reprimand me, but I still wanted to avoid it as much as possible.

I need to find us somewhere to stay.

At that time, I was thinking about what to do.

“Seika”

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind me.

When I turned around, there was Rurumu wearing her cloak. The collar of slavery is still attached to her neck.

I notice.

“Oh, come to think of it, all the slaves were seventeen. I forgot about you and Nozuro.”

Even though I said that jokingly, Rurumu didn’t answer and just stood there with a brooding expression.

Seeing that, I add something strangely.

“I’ll tell you, I will tell you now, but please forgive me for your grudges.And you guys must have had a hard time, but I’ve had it hard too. Amiyu almost hit me… Oh yeah, I have to tell those kids that I’m safe…”

“Hey, Seika. Can you answer just one question?”

“…? What?”

I frowned at her.

Rurumu took a deep breath and asked me.

“I want you to tell me your family name.”

“What is that? I didn’t hide it, so I don’t mind.”

A little overwhelmed, I answer.

“I’m Lamprog. My name is Seika Lamprog.”

“――――!!”

Rurumu’s eyes widened as if holding her breath.

I’m finally starting to get suspicious and ask.

“No, what happened earlier?”

“…Melosa’s husband also had a family name. I only heard about it once…”

“Well, if you call yourself born in the nobility, you should at least use your family name.”

“That man is Gilbert――――”

Then Rurumu said.

“――――He called himself Gilbert Lamprog.”

“……huh?”

“Oh… I finally found you. I found you… the child of Melosa…”

Rurumu muttered as if she was overwhelmed with emotion.

I say, interrupting it.

“Wait, I can’t see the story. What is that…”

At that time, Rurumu kneeled politely.

The shrine maiden with her face down solemnly told me as I stood still.

“Please come to our land――――”

I don’t believe in the existence of destiny.

Determinism was long ago denied by ancient Greek philosophy.

But… the words that were told to me were such that I couldn’t help but feel it.

“―――― Your Majesty the Demon King.”

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This concludes Volume Seven.

Next is volume eight.