Kain returned to the mansion, called out to Coran, and then went to bed. The next morning, while eating breakfast, he spoke to Coran, who was standing behind him.
"Coran, where is the slave trader? I need to turn the raiders from the Drintrl attack into criminal slaves, and I want to include transportation. I plan to stop by on my way back from the academy."
"Master Kain, if you're talking about a slave trader in this capital, the Sandaramar Trading Company, located a bit off the main street from the West Gate, is the best. There are other traders who handle a lot of slaves, but they are famous for the quality of their well-trained slaves."
"I see, thank you. I'll stop by on my way back from the academy."
"No, if you're going to the slave trader, I'll come to pick you up in a carriage. I know the location. It would be a disgrace to the House of Silford if the head of a noble family were to walk, especially alone, to a slave trader. Besides, there are not a few nobles who do not think well of you, given your good standing with the royal family. Please be careful."
Due to Coran's desperate persuasion, Kain decided to have him pick him up at the academy gate on the way back. After finishing his meal, Kain headed to the academy. He had originally planned to spend the weekend as a lord, but with the raid and embezzlement, he had to do his lord duties after school. The academy was the only place where he could take a break. It was about a fifteen-minute walk from the mansion, and he walked leisurely in the sunlight. When he entered the classroom, the two familiar faces were already seated.
"Good morning, Master Kain."
"Good morning, Kain-kun."
Theres, with her beautiful blonde hair cut to her shoulders and an angelic smile, and Silk, with her brown hair tied back in a ponytail and a lively smile, greeted him.
"Good morning, Theres, Silk."
He raised his hand to greet them.
"Master Kain, why don't we have tea together after school? You've been busy on weekends lately, and we haven't been able to spend time with you."
Kain shook his head at Theres's invitation.
"Sorry. I have to go to the slave trader after school today. Maybe we can have tea tomorrow or later."
Upon hearing 'slave trader,' Theres imagined Kain buying young girls or seductive women as slaves and hugging them.
"Master Kain! A-Are you going to buy young girls or seductive women!! Even though we are here!!"
Theres, her face turning red, accused Kain, grabbing his neck with both hands and shaking it forcefully. Kain finally understood what Coran had said.
"Wait a minute. Why do you assume I'm buying? Didn't you hear about the raid on the lord's mansion? We can't keep the raiders in the station's cells forever, so I plan to sell them as criminal slaves and have Drintrl pick them up. That's why I'm going to the slave trader."
Hearing Kain's words, Theres realized her actions were embarrassing, her face turned red, and she covered her face with her hands, almost crying. Seeing this, Silk was holding her stomach, laughing.
"Theres, you're overreacting."
"Kain-kun, it's your fault for saying things that can be misunderstood."
Theres pouted, her cheeks puffed out, but she looked cute even then.
"Even your angry side is cute, Theres."
Kain said what he was thinking out loud. Theres, hearing this, blushed, not from anger but from embarrassment.
"By the way, Kain-kun. Summer vacation is coming up soon. Do you have any plans? Are you going to stay in Drintrl?"
Silk, noticing Kain was looking at Theres, asked.
"For now, that's the plan. Drintrl is just getting started. I'll come back if something comes up... I plan to go to the Marveik territory with Theres again, but I'm worried, so I thought you might come with us. Last time, I was there to help, but I'm still worried."
Silk looked up at Kain, remembering the battle with the orc horde on their way to the capital. It had worked out last time, but there was no guarantee it would happen again. Kain wanted to ensure the safety of his fiancées.
"I can't say for sure right now, but I'll make sure you can go safely. Even if I can't go with you, we can meet up later."
In reality, Kain thought the safest way would be to fly to Marveik first and then return to the capital via teleportation, but as a noble, he had to spend money in the towns along the way, especially since the royal family and the duke's family would be passing through. He needed to spend a considerable amount of money.
Since the afternoon elective was in the magic tool department, Kain decided to make a magic tool for safety for Theres and Silk.
The class progressed, and it was time for the afternoon magic tool class. The magic tool class mainly explained theories and creation methods. Practical creation would be done in higher grades.
"---So, by engraving a spell on a magic stone while focusing on it and infusing it with magic power, the engraved spell can be activated."
"---That's it!!!"
Kain, who had been thinking about a way to protect the two, couldn't help but exclaim when the class explained exactly what he wanted to make.
"Kain-kun, what do you mean by 'that's it'?"
The magic tool class teacher, Ms. Selina, asked. Realizing everyone was looking at him, Kain quickly sat down.
"Sorry, I just thought of a magic tool I want to make based on what you just explained."
Kain bowed and sat down.
"Ah, I see. However, I've heard you tend to go a bit overboard. Try not to create something that will cause trouble for others."
"I understand. I'll be careful."
The class resumed, but Kain's mind was already focused on the magic tool he wanted to give to Theres and Silk. After class, he quickly prepared to leave, said goodbye to Theres, Silk, and his classmates, and left the academy. Putting the magic tool out of his mind, he got into the carriage Coran was waiting in.
They left the noble district and headed towards the commoner district, turning into a side street near the West Gate. Coran informed him they had arrived, and Kain got out of the carriage. The slave trader's building was not in the bustling commercial area but in a less noticeable back alley. It was a three-story brick building with a sign that read 'Sandaramar Trading Company.' Coran opened the door, and Kain, not caring about his uniform, entered.
"Welcome."
As soon as Kain entered, an elderly man in a butler's uniform greeted him. Despite Kain being a child, he greeted him politely.
"Welcome, Lord Silford. Thank you for visiting our company. What brings you here today?"
Kain, surprised that the man knew his name, asked.
"How do you know my name?"
"In the capital, we pay close attention to information. There is no one else who has been ennobled at the age of five, saved the princesses from monsters, and was elevated to a viscount at the age of ten. ---Forgive me, I am the president of this company, Sandaramar. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Silford."
Kain was even more surprised to learn that the man he thought was the receptionist was actually the president.
"I was surprised to see you working the reception. I judge people and decide whether to sell them slaves. I don't sell to just anyone."
Kain agreed with this business method. If the buyer was cruel, the slaves would suffer. He was impressed that Coran had recommended this place.
"Lord Silford, please come to this reception room. Hey, someone, take over the reception."
Sandaramar, who had been replaced by a staff member, led Kain to a reception room. Kain sat on a sofa, and Sandaramar sat across from him.
"Actually, in the city of Drintrl, where I am the lord, we have captured dozens of criminals. I want to turn them into criminal slaves and have them taken away. That's why I'm here today."
"Criminal slaves... They have limited uses, so we can't offer a high price. Is that acceptable? Generally, a criminal slave is worth three large silver coins per person, provided they have all their limbs. Slaves without hands or feet have no takers."
"I agree. I also have four active A-rank adventurers. I can't go into details, but I want about fifty people taken away."
"That's a large number. We'll cover the transportation costs from Drintrl. For A-rank adventurers, we'll offer one gold coin per person. For the other criminal slaves, three large silver coins per person. Is that acceptable?"
"That's fine. I would appreciate it if you could take them as soon as possible. With so many people, it's taking a lot of manpower to guard them."
"Understood. We'll come to collect them within this week and bring the contract with us."
Kain and Sandaramar stood up and shook hands.
"Lord Silford, since you're here, why don't you take a look at some slaves? You probably don't get many opportunities to visit this company."
Kain wasn't planning to buy, but he was curious about slaves, given his knowledge from his previous life.
"Sure, I'll take a look."
Sandaramar led Kain to the slave living quarters. The room doors were locked with bars, allowing a view inside. There were beds lined up, and most of the human slaves were wearing clean clothes. The rooms were separated by gender, and the slaves seemed to be well-fed, with no signs of malnutrition or illness.
"Even though they look a bit gloomy, it seems they are well-cared for and not overly pessimistic."
"They are important commodities for us. We don't sell those who are in poor health. Trust is essential in this business. This floor mainly houses debt slaves, people who have failed in business or other ventures. We provide education for those who can't read, which has earned us the trust of our customers."
Going up the stairs, they reached a floor with only beastmen. There were dog, cat, and bear beastmen, among others.
"Most of these beastmen were sold by their villages during times of poor harvest. Criminal and war slaves are often sent to the mines, so there are no criminals here."
While listening, Kain used his presence detection and felt a presence that caught his attention from a door at the end of the hall.
"Mr. Sandaramar, I'd like to see the room at the end."
"---The end? I don't think there's any reason for you to see it, Lord Silford... The slaves there have been injured during transportation by monsters."
"Even so, I'd like to see them. Please show me."
Kain was led to the room where he felt the presence. Inside, two young beastwomen were sitting on the beds. They were about fifteen and ten years old, both with white hair down to their waists and white fox ears, making them look like sisters. However, the older one had no legs below the knees, and the younger one had only one arm. They were huddled together protectively, their faces showing a sense of despair. They glanced at Kain as he entered and then looked down.
"Who are these two?"
Kain asked, and Sandaramar, frowning slightly, began to explain.
"These two are sisters. In fox people's society, white foxes are said to bring misfortune. Because of this, they were sold to a slave trader. During transportation, they were attacked by monsters, and the trader used them as bait to escape. They were injured in the process. Later, our company's carriage happened to pass by, and the guard adventurers eliminated the monsters and rescued them. Despite their injuries, the older one has knowledge, so we have kept them here."
"---I want these two."
Kain, staring at the two, blurted out to Sandaramar.
Thank you for reading.
From next time, updates will be about three times a week.
Thank you for your continued support.
The next update is scheduled for December 15th at 18:00.