New Labor Force
“Incredible……” Grating’s eyes were wide with disbelief at what he was witnessing.
-Krrraaagh!
“Ah, how noisy. Where should I aim to get the pelts intact? The head, I suppose.” Albert drew his sword with leisurely ease.
Grating could tell at a glance that the blade was far inferior to the one he himself had wielded—an ordinary sword anyone could buy at a common forge. Yet—
“Stay still now. Wouldn’t want to ruin the fur by thrashing around.”
With a single swing, Albert severed the thick neck of a Red Bear, thicker than any log Grating had ever failed to cut. The sight was staggering.
‘How…… That sword is much……’
Back in his old territory, Grating had watched knights hunt Red Bears. It took at least five knights working together to bring one down. And yet—
Swish!
The very monster knights fled from on sight was utterly powerless before Albert’s blade. Grating could hardly believe this was the same fearsome creature he had once known.
“He’s strong……”
The words slipped out unbidden. An overwhelming power that brushed aside every threat with contempt. That strength inspired both awe and reverence. Against his better judgment, Grating found himself admiring the one man he should never respect.
After dispatching the remaining Red Bears, Albert learned why the group had come this far.
“Refugees fleeing the lord’s tyranny?”
“……Yes……”
It was a common story. Not every noble or lord in this world was as considerate of commoners as Elena. The ruling class shared the same mindset—arrogant, convinced they belonged to a superior race, treating commoners as little more than livestock. If they couldn’t pay their taxes, they were reduced to something barely distinguishable from slaves.
The ills of aristocratic society, I see.
According to my data, those who cannot endure the heavy taxes are sold into slavery……
‘Slavery is banned by kingdom law.’
Then what happens if they cannot pay……?
‘They’re forced to repay with their bodies. Probably thrown into the mines for hard labor.’
Money or flesh—either way, they paid. Even if slavery was technically illegal, these people had been treated no differently.
Human rights in this world……
‘Don’t exist.’
Commoners had no rights here. Even if they did, nobles never honored them. Power always trumped rights.
‘It would be nice if rights stood above power, but here it’s the other way around.’
So even with laws on the books, commoners remained unprotected. When power ranked higher than rights, the law naturally served power first.
Whether here or there, reality is a cesspool.
“Then we heard the rumors.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes. That the Legrian Territory was looking for people…… and that refugees were always welcome.”
It was the very rumor Albert had Richel spread. It had traveled well.
It spread quite effectively.
‘She does good work.’
That much was true. The Legrian Territory had always been short on labor. Elena herself had mentioned wanting more residents, and this was perfect timing.
“Good. Let’s head to the territory for now.”
“Understood.”
Albert led the group toward the territory. At the entrance, Aiden stood watching their approach.
“You’ve returned.”
“Yeah.”
“And behind you……”
“Refugees.”
“I see.”
Aiden’s sharp gaze swept over the newcomers. They flinched, trembling visibly. It was an understandable reaction—no one could stay calm when faced with that face and those muscles. Grating instinctively sensed danger and reached for his sword hilt.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Aiden, captain of the Legrian Territory guard.”
“……”
“……”
The same stunned reaction every first-timer had. Aiden merely shrugged his massive pectorals, as if used to it.
“Follow me, then. Aiden, they’ve had a long journey—take them to the clearing and prepare simple food and water.”
“Understood.”
“You, come with me.”
“B-But!”
Grating’s eyes darted anxiously, unwilling to leave the others behind. Albert sighed.
“Anyone watching would think I’m about to eat them. Whatever you’re imagining won’t happen, so stop worrying.”
“……Truly?”
“Of course. They’re our precious la…… labor force. We wouldn’t mistreat them.”
“Did you just start to say ‘slaves’ and correct yourself?”
“You misheard. Anyway, stop overthinking and hurry up.”
“……Understood.”
Grating decided to trust Albert for now. With that kind of power, the man had no need for petty tricks. He had no choice but to believe. Following behind Albert’s broad back, Grating missed the smile on the man’s face.
Albert, that smile is far too wicked……
‘New labor is always welcome.’
Albert wore the smile of a ruthless corporate chairman who had just secured fresh manpower.
In the end, Elena decided to accept the refugees. They had fled their lord’s oppression, traveling so far on nothing but a rumor. She couldn’t turn her back on such desperation.
“The Count Trepal family.”
That was the name of the house ruling the territory the refugees had escaped. The nanny, pouring tea, spoke up as if recalling something.
“I’ve heard of the Trepal family.”
“Nanny, you know them?”
“Not in detail, but……”
The nanny searched her memories.
“Lady Ella once mentioned in passing that they were greedy and covetous—nobles she had no desire to associate with.”
“Mother said that……”
“You must be careful. Now that you’ve taken them in, they may attempt something.”
“It’s fine.”
Albert sipped the warm tea the nanny had prepared to soothe the stomach, answering as if it were nothing.
“If they act up, I’ll just beat them down.”
It was an arrogant, overbearing statement. The other side was a prestigious count family with a long history of service to the kingdom and considerable influence. Yet Albert spoke of beating them as casually as one might swat a fly. Still—
‘If it’s Big Brother saying it……’
‘If it’s the young master, he really might do it.’
Unlike others who blustered with empty boasts, Albert’s words carried weight.
“Ah, and that knight called Grating.”
“Cheese Gratin?”
“Eh?”
“Ah…… It just came to mind when you said Grating. Go on.”
“Ah, they say he’s a wandering knight, so……”
Elena glanced nervously at Albert. He simply shrugged.
“Don’t look at me like that. You’re the head of the Legrian family and the lord of this territory. You decide.”
Albert drew a clear line. Appointing knights was the exclusive right of the family head—something he had no intention of interfering with.
‘System, what do you think?’
I’ve analyzed him.
He’s not bad.
Currently he’s around D-rank hunter level, but he shows potential.
He has strong ambition and a clear desire for power.
Growth was possible. Depending on how he was trained, he could surpass S-rank—or hit a wall at A-rank.
‘Perfect timing.’
They needed knights anyway. Hunting Iron Ants was becoming tedious, and Albert wanted to delegate the task. A knight who could reliably supply Iron Ant antennae and shells.
‘He’s weak for now, but……’
If he was weak, they would simply make him strong. Talent didn’t matter. People misunderstood what it took to grow stronger. Strength required only two things: grit and a teacher.
‘Making someone strong isn’t hard. Just run them into the ground. Keep grinding them down and they’ll get stronger whether they like it or not. A few brushes with death and S-rank comes easy.’
Albert’s lips curled into a dark smile. The System spoke up.
Albert, I believe what you need isn’t a knight but a bus driver…?
What Albert needed wasn’t a knight to protect the territory. He needed a bus driver to farm Iron Ants. The need had never been greater.
Several days had passed since the refugees arrived. They adapted quickly to the Legrian Territory, thanks to the help of the existing residents. The locals had comforted and guided the anxious newcomers, helping them settle in. The refugees soon relaxed under their warm welcome.
“This place isn’t what the rumors said at all.”
“I thought the same.”
Word of the Legrian Territory had spread far. A fallen house, constantly plagued by monsters because of its proximity to Monster Land—a barren wasteland. Those who had left claimed they trembled every night in fear of monsters, that the walls were on the verge of collapse, and the houses ready to fall apart. They had fled because it wasn’t fit for human life. Yet—
‘It’s completely different?’
The sturdy walls looked capable of withstanding any monster threat. The houses were surprisingly comfortable. And that wasn’t all.
“I was shocked when they gave us houses for free.”
Not shabby huts, but solid, well-built homes that would be expensive anywhere else—handed over at no cost. Other territories charged entry fees, taxes, and relocation costs, but the Legrian Territory was different. Everything was free. Even—
“This faucet thing…… It’s really amazing!”
“Hot and cold water coming out like this. No need to go to the well.”
No one had ever seen faucets before. They required replacing a mana stone once a month, but the cost was cheap. At first they had wondered, ‘Why pay money for this?’ But once they tried it, there was no going back. Plus, no need to venture out in winter or gather firewood—it was economical in its own way. And—
“I never thought I’d get to use soap.”
“Elsewhere, one bar costs 100 gold, but here it’s only 10!”
“It’s incredible.”
“This soap smells so nice.”
Residents got a special discount on soap, allowing them to wash away years of grime. Their hearts felt lighter. Though not all anxiety had vanished, they could finally breathe easy.
“Still, I’m glad everyone’s been so kind.”
“You’re right. Usually outsiders get the cold shoulder……”
The hardest part of fleeing to a new place was the local prejudice. Most territories shunned outsiders, but the Legrian Territory was different.
“What are you talking about?”
One of the residents joined the conversation, treating the refugees warmly.
“Just this and that?”
“Like what?”
“Well, it’s nothing important, but…… In other territories, refugees like us get ostracized or bullied by the locals. It’s strange that the people here don’t do that……”
“We were just saying how easy it makes adapting.”
“Ah…… Well……”
The man scratched his cheek awkwardly. Who would dare bully or ostracize refugees?
‘They’re precious labor. How could we?’
Refugees were valuable manpower. When they first arrived, every resident had welcomed them with open arms.
‘Finally, more people!’
‘We were already short-handed on the farms!’
‘Building construction was exhausting.’
‘Now we can finally take shifts!’
No one would miss the chance to secure more labor. To escape their endless workload, the residents had to help the refugees settle in. Their unusual kindness stemmed from a desperate desire for rest from grueling labor.
‘We can’t be the only ones dying.’
United in purpose, they became water ghosts pulling others into their struggle.
“Big Brother.”
Elena found Albert at the training grounds, where he was grinding Grating into the dirt. She held out a letter.
“What’s this?”
“An invitation.”
“Invitation?”
Handing over the letter, Elena looked at him with a serious expression.
“I’m thinking of attending this social party. What should I do? Please help me.”
……Consulting Albert?
Have you lost your mind, human……?
(」°ロ°)」
Until that moment, Elena hadn’t realized she was seeking advice from the one person she should never consult. What awaited her was……
“Of course I’ll help! For my beloved little sister! I’ll personally coordinate your entire look for this social party!!”
Hell was waiting.