Chapter 126 \nAfter arriving at Amar and making plans for dinner with Sharle-san, I visited the Marida Companyās merchant ship.Ā \n
āMake yourself comfortable, customer.ā
āThank you.ā
I was guided to the upper deck. There, it was a little more than a one-room office with simple partitions to separate the room. We stopped in the section that seemed to be the reception space and fruit juice was served. I then talked to Bolroy-san in regards to my objective of coming here. I then asked for information on the pirates and the state of the cityās fleet.Ā
āDid you actually come all the way here from Barga to help crush the pirates? We really could use some help with them resuming their activities and all, but arenāt customers a landlubber? Do you have any experience in naval battles?ā
āThatās not important. First of all, please give me the information regarding the base and sizes of both the escort fleet and the pirates.ā
āBut thatās very importantā¦ā
The escort fleet of Amar wasnāt in any better condition than from what Iāve heard already. Not only was there a considerable decrease in their count due to the previous battle years ago, but the flagship hadnāt been decided either. The current fleet commander was a man named Reizen Drumo, the eldest son of the Viscount Drumo family. One of the two families with major influence in the city. Reizen was still in his twenties, and although he had promising talent, he still couldnāt get past his own childishness sometimes.
It was said that the recon team would return to the city by days end. The first fleet would depart to subjugate the pirates based on the information the recon team obtained.Ā \n
Next was the pirates. Amarās main maritime trade partner was the collection of islands that made up the Filtonia Islandsā Alliance. They could be reached with a two week voyage to the south. Along the route, there were several uninhabited islands that acted as relay points. These were what was said to be the territory of the pirate group Kaidou.
It was apparently known that their base was on one of the islands near the relay point. Many investigation teams had been sent, but other than the obvious obstructions from Kaidou, they couldnāt get through the reefs that stretched between the islands. Suffice to say that their missions hadnāt gone wellā¦
Kaidouā¦ It was the kind of small tree that bore beautiful pink flowers that also sometimes developed into a small apple-like fruitā¦Ā
After our conversation, Bolroy-san invited me to dinner, but I declined as I had made an appointment with Sharle-san. I promised him Iād accept his offer tomorrow though. As I walked toward the Seaside Lighthouse where Iād been booked a room, I started to devise my next move.Ā
There were several options I could takeā¦
Ā Join Ashley, and subdue the pirates Kaidou under her bannerā¦
Meet Ashley, confirm her fleet, and move along to provide assistance covertlyā¦
Or, go straight to the said island alone, find the pirates, and crush themā¦
The third option was a no go. There was just too many factors thatād go wrong, and if I wanted to maximize my strengthā¦ The second option would be my best betā¦. While I considered my options, I stopped to enjoy the sunset on the horizon. That was when I saw a mother and her child. They must have stopped to watch it as wellā¦\nāMama, sisterās ship didnāt return today eitherā¦ā
The damage caused by the Kaidou pirates was not limited to cargo and money. It also included people. I previously thought that the Kurtmerga Kingdom was a relatively peaceful one, aside from banditry and labyrinths. Basic human rights were protected in every city, despite the considerable gap between the rich and the poor. However, it wasnāt like this situation was spread around the world. After I talked with Malta-san and Bolroy-san, I came to know the origin of this country.
In the picture book that Ashley read before, it was said that this country was built by an adventurer with the help to help the oppressed. Then, how would he achieve that? Of course, by liberating slaves. The country was actually built with the help of those who wished it abolished. Therefore, there were no slaves within this kingdom. And there was no tendency to discriminate against other races, let alone enslave them.Ā
But it was no small effort in doing that for the king. How could he truly liberate these people? From a standpoint, how can one truly release someone from being a family member of a former slave? The answer laid with the present kingdom.Ā
With no slaves within the country, and human trafficking heavily prohibited, the country did not recognize the word slave. It did not teach it, and prohibited its use. With years of these, the concept of slavery itself had disappeared. Of course, it wasnāt perfect. There were still brothels where people sold their bodies. Sometimes against their will. However, the country still succeeded in erasing the word āslaveā from its peopleās minds.Ā
Even so, that only applied to this kingdom. THe Filtonia Islandsā Alliance held no such policy in regard to slavery. And some countries to the north enforced large scale slavery due to their harsh environment. And then, the pirates also kidnapped people from the ships they attacked. It was still unknown which route theyād take, and where these people would be sent. There was no doubt that taking slaves was one of their main goals.\n\nāHas Ashley Zephanel-sama already returned?ā
āNn? Ashley-sama is not here yet. She is always the slowest one. I believe she wonāt make it for dinner at this rate.ā
āI see. Thatās a shame.ā
That other gatekeeper came back, along with a stately mannered old man; Presumably a butler, who stood by the front door. Noticing my gaze, the old man slowly bent his hip and bowed his head.
āItās been confirmed. You can enter.ā
āThank you.ā
The butler kept his head bowed until I reached the front door.
āD-rank adventurer Schwartz here.ā
āWelcome. My name is Lester, Zephanel familyās head butler. Schwartz-sama, please, through here.ā