第１９９掘：とりあえず会談 (Part2)
"Automatic purification functions are truly wonderful."
As I was reminiscing about my own home, a butler and a woman dressed in glittering attire emerged from the center of the maid formation.
"Welcome home, dear."
"Welcome back, Master."
They bowed their heads to Horst as they spoke.
"Thank you for the welcome. As you can see, I am unharmed."
"And these people are...?"
"Ah, let me introduce you. This is Yuki-dono, the representative of the garrison stationed in this city."
He turned back toward me. I felt an uncomfortable amount of attention focused on me—understandable, perhaps, but it didn't make it any less awkward.
"Nice to meet you. I am Yuki, a mercenary and the representative of the city's garrison."
"...A mercenary, you say?"
"We shall discuss that in due time."
Horst brushed aside his wife's question and guided us deeper into the estate. However, the wife and the butler clearly looked puzzled by his words. Well, that’s only natural, isn't it?
As we moved to head inside, the demi-human wives who had dismounted from their Marauders were stopped.
"My apologies, but we must ask that any slaves refrain from entering beyond this point."
The butler halted Riel and the others. Riel looked blankly at him, Tori appeared slightly irritated, and Kaya was visibly displeased. Naturally, the children who were blocked, as well as Shera, showed their discomfort on their faces. Firia looked like she was about to cry, while Labyris, perhaps having anticipated this, remained as indifferent as ever.
Just as I was wondering how to handle this, Jessica stepped forward and opened her mouth.
"I am Jessica, a Senior Knight and negotiator for the Zilba Empire’s mercenary unit, Captain Yuki’s squad. These individuals were hired at the express wish of our King; they are a unit under the direct jurisdiction of the Crown. There are no slaves among them. I understand the misunderstanding, but I must ask you to correct it."
"I—I am terribly sorry!! P—please, this way!"
The butler, looking thoroughly mortified, bowed his head to Tori and the others before guiding them inside.
"My apologies. The butler's blunder is the fault of his master—me. If there is to be a penalty, let it be mine."
"No, that response was only natural. However, even with a Senior Knight's declaration, there are few who can change their stance so quickly. You have a good butler."
"Thank you."
Horst sighed in relief. It is rare to find someone who can discard conventional wisdom so quickly. Usually, a servant would seek instructions from their master first, but it seemed this butler held no prejudice against demi-humans.
"We employ demi-humans quite normally here as well. However, the stubborn, high-ranking nobles keep going on about who is superior and who is inferior..."
"That is a story you hear everywhere."
"Indeed, it is."
I looked at the servers and maids, and sure enough, there were demi-human women mixed in among them. In fact, half of them were demi-human.
"Personally, since they possess traits superior to humans—like better hearing or greater strength—I would like to improve the standing of demi-humans, but it is quite difficult..."
"It certainly is."
I see. So that was why the butler reacted the way he did. It’s such a hassle, isn't it? All that talk of "dignity," "tradition," and "pride."
"It seems you are a man who understands, Yuki-dono. May I look forward to our upcoming discussion?"
"Who knows? I only do what I can."
"Hahaha!! That is true. I am the same. Well, it seems the others have already gone ahead, so I shall guide you. This way."
With that, we stepped deeper into the mansion. Now then, what kind of talk will we have? What will become of the city’s fate? What will become of Yuki and his group?
Well, it’s not like everything will just fall apart. Though, I do expect quite a few things will improve.