Chapter 141 - Thorns
"Um, excuse me."
"Yeah?"
"Is it... really okay to stay here and work? Will you really feed us and give us a place to sleep?"
When I declared that the slaves could either seek their freedom or work with me, chaos erupted for a moment.
"How can we trust you?!"
"Yeah! We ended up like this because we fell for sweet talk before... You think we'll fall for it twice?"
"P-please let us go... My family is waiting back home... Please..."
The most common reaction amid the uproar was distrustful glares aimed at me, insisting they couldn't believe it. Actually, it wasn't even a group—it was most of the slaves, drowning in suspicion and doubt, shouting as much.
"...At-attack him!"
"For real...? But..."
The atmosphere, already as hostile as it could get, reached its peak when a few strong slaves banded together to attack me on the platform.
- Pa-ba-bak!!
"Ugh, urk..."
"Damn, he's too strong...?"
But the Moonlight family's assassins intervened at that moment, resolving it faster than expected. No matter how skilled the slaves were in combat, they couldn't compare to lifelong assassins dedicated to killing and battle.
Those guys are impressive too. They jumped in to protect me—an enigmatic figure barely visible under the Deception Robe—at Serena's single command.
"To repeat: you can leave this place right now."
Feeling a twinge of envy, I calmly addressed the slaves, who were plunging into despair and helplessness after losing to the assassins, panicking.
"No sanctions or violence will be imposed, so rest assured."
Only after saying that and actually letting a few groups leave did I fully calm the slaves.
"Have those who want to leave all gone? Again, you're free to go anytime."
I gave my umpteenth announcement to the now-settled slaves, and finally, they started thinking it over.
"If you really feed and house us... I'll stay."
After a long murmur from the crowd, a little one finally stepped forward.
"Feeding and housing you is a given, and we'll pay wages too."
"W-wages?"
"Yes. It's only natural to get paid for work."
Smiling at the brave little wolf beastkin who stepped up first, she stared blankly.
"But my master said..."
"Your master?"
"Yes, the previous owner who sold me at the slave market... He said just being fed and housed was a blessed life..."
The wolf beastkin's trembling words drew nods from the slaves watching behind her. From that, it seemed these slaves were quite accustomed to such treatment.
"You'll get paid for every hour worked, and of course, you'll have rest time and vacations."
Smiling at them, I continued. They had lived without the basics; now I was just giving them what was normal. Why were they so thrilled?
Well, whatever—it made me happy, and it was good for them, so fine by me.
"And if you don't like the work, you can quit and leave anytime."
With that thought, I dropped another bombshell.
"I-I'll do it."
The wolf beastkin spoke up urgently.
"I'll do it. I want to. Please let me work."
"Yes, then sign here."
Seen in isolation, it looked like a scam contract, but naturally, this was no scam. Like with the Class A commoner students last time, it protected their rights.
"M-me too! I want to sign!"
"Me as well!"
"P-please, we have no food for the kids. Let me work too."
As the wolf beastkin finished signing with a dazed expression and sat in the waiting area, the other slaves erupted in clamor.
People who endured horrific treatment, abuse, and torture at the slave market were this desperate to stay. Honestly, I thought half would leave—quite unexpected.
Or maybe those who could leave already did, leaving only the ones with nowhere to go.
...Well, even better. I'm not short on cash.
I was briefly flustered, but it actually worked out great. I'd just given Aisi a hint about the underground mine, so the Cloud Kingdom would revive sooner than planned. That meant my exclusive trade rights with Aisi, the kingdom's rising power, would only grow my wealth, never shrink.
So, with things as they were, taking in all these slaves wasn't a bad choice. I'd already founded a massive foundation and was racking my brain with Kania over staffing. Now, experts who knew exactly what 'welfare' required were joining.
".........."
"...Hm?"
As I smiled contentedly with those thoughts, silence suddenly fell around me. Wondering what was up, I looked around to see everyone had signed and gathered where I pointed.
"Ha."
Not everyone stayed, though. The fox and dragonkin known for strong egos, and the elves with dissatisfied looks, had already left.
Still, plenty remained—so yeah, nailing this slave market mission was the right call.
"From now on, you'll work at the welfare foundation I founded."
With that in mind, I began speaking calmly.
"You'll help, heal, and create a better world for people in situations like yours."
The slaves looked stunned. Well, it was far from what they'd done before. They'd need time to adjust, and there'd be trial and error.
But I wasn't worried. From the moment I said "a better world," some eyes lit up. Even if just a few now, once they understood their work, they'd all shine.
Then, they'd spread that light to others, like me.
"Details tomorrow when you start..."
"...No heavy labor?"
"I... I only know how to use a sword."
"I'm used to dirty work; doesn't seem fitting."
As I stepped down, anxious voices rose here and there. Plenty of slaves with rough backgrounds, it seemed.
"It's fine; I have plans."
Of course, I had jobs ready for them—like for Miho—so no worries.
Speaking of, what happened to Miho?
She should've contacted me by now. Nothing wrong, I hope?
"Excuse me."
A bit worried, I quietly stepped off the platform when someone poked my side.
"...What?"
Turning, I saw Serena's personal maid staring at me.
"Lady Serena urgently seeks you."
"...What? Why?"
"I don't know either."
Her loyal maid eyed me suspiciously, muttering.
"You look too frail for a fling. If only I'd seen your face..."
"So, where is she?"
"...Here, a letter she left."
A powerhouse who could take five assassins was reduced to messenger. It hit home again how much Serena cared.
Come to that café we went to last time, right now.
I'm lonely.
"...Then, handle the slaves."
"Understood."
I told her maid that, then hurried off. Serena was lonely? I had to fix that.
Meanwhile, at that moment.
"Hmm, how are you feeling? Better now?"
"...Ah, yes. Thanks to you."
In the café room, Ruby and Serena smiled at each other.
"Ah, gotta use the restroom."
Ruby suddenly stood, but...
"Perfect timing. I was heading there too."
Serena stood as well.
".........."
Silence fell between them.
"...Suddenly don't need to go anymore."
"Me too."
Still smiling, but in icy tones, they sat back down simultaneously.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"Ah, well..."
In the bright yet frigid atmosphere, Ruby asked, and Serena smiled back.
"Were you at the slave market today by any chance?"
"...Pardon?"
Ruby looked puzzled.
"What do you mean?"
"Just what I said. Weren't you at the slave market?"
Even as Serena pressed, Ruby sighed.
"Yes, I was."
"Really? I heard there was a huge commotion there today... Were you caught up in it?"
"...Let's say."
As Ruby admitted readily, Serena frowned.
"I see. Then you know what happened?"
"...One thing I'm curious about."
Serena opened her mouth again, but Ruby, sipping black tea, ignored her and asked.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just an investigation. I need to look into the slave market for personal reasons."
Serena picked up her coffee cup.
"So, sorry for the hassle, but cooperate, please."
Plop!
As Serena dropped sugar cubes into her coffee, Ruby's expression soured slightly.
"...Don't like sweets?"
Serena slyly asked.
"No, not really... I don't hate them."
"Then you like it bitter?"
"Pardon?"
"That black tea looks very bitter. No sugar or syrup from the color, and few drink it like that."
As Serena said something random, Ruby crossed her arms.
"And you seem to love sweets? Dumping five cubes at once."
"Yes, I do. My brain craves them from overwork."
Thus, they bloomed into an inexplicable topic.
"Truth be told, I'm not big on sweets. I prefer natural flavors over contrived ones."
'Secret candy boss, how far along?'
But.
Among the conversational flowers between them, Ruby's bore sharp thorns.
'Succeed here, and I'll overlook last time, make you a Demon King's executive. Grant your wish too.'
And those thorns aimed at Serena.
'...What?'
'.....?'
"...Grit."
Ruby ground her teeth unconsciously at the unexpected intruder.
"What's wrong? Waiting for something?"
"N-no, nothing."
Now thorns bloomed from Serena's flower, aimed at Ruby.
'I'm waiting too.'
The fate of the world hung on whose thorn pierced first, quietly drawing near.