第１１５３堀：買い物は信用の置けるところで (Part1)
Chapter 1153: Shop Where You Can Trust
Side: Yuki
"Well then, time to go pick out a slave. Though, now that I've said it, I have no idea how to actually go about it."
My work was finished, and I had decided it was time to fulfill my promise to find a slave. Yet, as I pondered the task, I realized I didn't even know where one would go to purchase such a thing.
"Eh? Boss. When you say 'slave,' you mean a slave trader, right?"
Steve responded to my question as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Well, I suppose so. Do you remember which district in Weed handles slave trading?"
"Eh? Uh, I've set up patrol routes before, so... hold on a second."
"See, even Steve is like that. If we were to just wander into a slave trader's shop, it would cause quite an uproar."
"Ah, I see. Is the reason it's barely in our memories because we've been intentionally avoiding them?"
"Likely. We are, after all, key figures in Weed. We have a position to maintain. It would be a major problem if we were to go out and buy slaves ourselves."
"We do claim that everyone is equal in Weed, and we give work and education to those who were originally slaves, right? But that’s for 'general' slaves, isn't it? Is it really not okay to have a slave as a member of an adventurer team?"
"I suppose that would be acceptable, but we aren't exactly adventurers, are we?"
"Ah, that’s true too."
Exactly. We aren't adventurers, so buying a slave from a shop that caters to them feels fundamentally wrong. It’s like going to buy expensive sports gear when you have no interest in sports.
"But you need a slave, right? In that case, isn't it only natural? Someone who can handle the work you delegate is incredibly important, Boss."
"You’re of the same opinion, then?"
"Of course. Boss, you have paperwork even for us, right? If we can reduce the time spent waiting for that paperwork, the military’s movements will improve too. So, it’s better to leave the diplomacy to that slave, isn't it?"
"Well, I suppose you're right. I think so too. But it takes courage to step into a shop I've never visited before. Or rather, I need to find the place first."
"That’s true. And, well, it’s only natural to be concerned about the eyes of others. After all, Boss, you are the consort of Weed."
"Yeah, the slave trader I walk into is going to get quite lively. That in itself is a problem. My personal information would be leaked everywhere. Whether I buy a man or a woman."
"Eh? You aren't buying a woman?"
It seems he, too, is under the impression that if I’m buying a slave, it has to be a woman.
"Why is everyone so fixated on it being a woman?"
I asked, genuinely curious.
"No, no, what are you saying? If you were to buy a man at this point, rumors might start spreading that you’re going to be abandoned or something."
"Huh?"
"Look. On the surface, Seraria-ane-san is the top of Weed, right? If you were to go out and buy a male slave, people would assume you have 'other interests,' or that it was done under her orders."
"I don't have 'other interests.' Well, it is true that this is Seraria's order. But why would that lead to me being 'abandoned'?"
"Eh, are you serious? Have you forgotten that you’re evaluated as the 'pedestal for the ring'? Until now, Seraria-ane-san has maintained alliances with other countries by ensuring 'no other men are brought in besides the Boss.' If you were to bring in another man, people would only see you as having become useless to society."
Oh, I see. That’s one way to look at it. But why would me buying a male slave mean I’m being replaced?
"Isn't that plot a bit of a stretch?"
"It is, but rumors are born from random assumptions. Also, knowing you, Boss, you’d eventually release that right-hand person from their slave status, wouldn't you?"
"That’s true. A life belongs to the individual. If they fulfill their duties properly, it’s best to set them free."
"Haah... Boss, do you really think a man who knows the secrets of Weed can live truly freely?"
"Well, I’d place them under surveillance. But if the person themselves feels free, that should be enough."
"Instead of wasting personnel on surveillance, wouldn't it be easier to just buy a woman and keep her in your service, like always?"
"...So that's what it is."
"That’s what it is. Besides, Weed has been held together by 'female leaders' from the start. The only exception is you, the husband. Aside from us in the monster army, perhaps? Seraria-ane-san and the others have the pretext of having built Weed for the sake of the weak. Bringing a man into that is quite something, isn't it? More than that, do you think a man other than you could even survive being thrown into that environment? Everyone loves you, Boss, and that man would be treated as a mere business relationship and left to his own devices. Isn't that, in a way, terrible bullying?"
"True enough."
Indeed, if I brought another man in, the wives would surely be reserved. The new male slave would likely end up isolated...
"If I told them to, they’d get along with him, surely..."
"Would the male slave's mental state hold up? Well, if it’s an order, he’d try his best, but isn't that too cruel?"
"Hmm. Well, in that case, I could have him live elsewhere and commute to work, couldn't I?"
Just as I was suggesting this to Steve, the office door suddenly opened, and Dressa led a group of little ones inside. Ah, the guard members. Wait, weren't Dressa and Vilia supposed to be off today?
"You’re as oblivious as ever about these things. We’ve been saying you need someone who can do various things in your stead, and yet you say you wouldn't live together? How long do you think it’ll take for them to become competent like that?"
"That’s true. Well, if you take a lot of time, it’s not impossible, but..."
"It’s unrealistic. We can't have a slave that we have to be reserved around. Therefore—"
"We’ll look for a girl, Big Brother."
"Boys are no good. The one by Big Brother's side must be a girl."
"Yes. It’s obvious that Big Brother would be too kind to a male slave."
"That sort of thing is no good."
The beginning was understandable, but the latter half started to sound a bit strange.
"Haah. Judging by that look, you’re all fully intent on coming along, aren't you?"
"That’s only natural."
As Dressa answered clearly, Labyris and the others nodded in agreement. Well, I suppose that’s fine.
"So, what about you, Steve?"
"I’m not going. While you’re out picking a slave, I’ll be holed up in the office in your place, so please bring back someone who can work as soon as possible."
"It’s not like they’ll be useful by tomorrow, but I’ll pray there’s someone capable."
With that, I left the work to Steve and we headed outside. It was a beautiful day. The laundry would dry well. Should I have hung out the futons?