第１１５３堀：買い物は信用の置けるところで (Part2)
"What are you doing, acting like a househusband? Leave that sort of thing to Kirue and the others. Anyway, which slave trader are you planning to visit?"
Labyris reads my thoughts with ease, telling me to stop escaping and face reality.
"Which one, you ask? Well, I’ll just head to someone I know for now."
"Someone you know? Do you even have acquaintances among the slave traders?"
"Yeah, the one who brought Ria to us. Asu. Though he still gives a bitter smile whenever someone calls him a slave trader."
"But Uncle Asu is safe, right?"
"He is safe."
If we’re prioritizing safety and peace of mind, then heading to Asu’s slave trading house is definitely the right move. Well, since the others have all passed Weed’s rigorous inspections to become official suppliers, one could argue they’re all safe, but...
"Well, that’s reasonable. It’s not like Yuki knows any other slave traders."
"Ah, I see. If you went to some random place, people would just try to curry favor with you, Brother."
"Being able to get to know Big Brother is a huge deal. That’s why Hiiro and the others get those kinds of offers all the time, too."
Exactly. The second reason, as Dressa and the others pointed out, is that there’s a risk I wouldn’t be able to find the slave I actually need because everyone would be too focused on their connection to me. Since the number two of the country that allows them to do business is visiting, they wouldn't just tell me to pick someone at random. They’d likely treat me like a VIP and try to force their "best stock" onto me. Even I can see that much. That’s precisely why going to a shop where I have a connection is the safer bet.
"But did you even tell Asu you were coming today?"
"No, if you act too formal, it ruins the mood. It’s better to just drop by like I’m going for a casual chat."
"But what will you do if you can't meet Asu?"
"I’ll just come back another time, or maybe just take a look at the slaves for now. Actually, I can buy a slave even if I don't meet him personally. I did want to ask him about the recent increase in the number of slaves, so I’ll be seeing him later anyway."
"Actually, that’s your real goal, isn't it?"
Labyris glares at me with narrowed eyes, but since I have no reason to hide it, I nod honestly.
"Yeah. I’ve heard the increase is due to border disputes between smaller nations, but I want to hear it from the source. The voices of the slave traders, or the slaves themselves."
It’s true that I want an assistant—a right-hand person. But in a way, that’s secondary to me. I need to know just how bad these border conflicts have become. If things go poorly, they could escalate into a troublesome, large-scale war. There are still plenty of gods and Dungeon Masters on the Rogari continent whose true colors I haven't verified yet.
"Besides, I haven't heard anything from the Rogari Dungeon Master crew. Not from Reye, nor from Irwin."
"Ahaha. Those two are more of the conservative or 'lone warrior' types, after all."
As Shera says, Reye—my fellow Dungeon Master and Deryu’s younger brother—only manages one dungeon, and Irwin, whom I met through the Five Swords under Heaven in Taiki’s country, is just a samurai. While they both manage their respective dungeons, they haven't exactly achieved any notable results as Dungeon Masters. I suppose this is a classic case of having cheat-level abilities not being enough on its own. But that’s not necessarily Reye or Irwin’s fault. It’s just a matter of aptitude.
"Anyway, that’s why I need information from that side as well."
"I get what you're saying, but it feels like you're intentionally making that your 'other' goal. Make sure you pick someone who can actually help with your work, Yuki."
"Yes. Brother, that is what’s most important."
"Reduce Big Brother's burden."
"I know, I know."
Well, it’s not like anyone told me I *had* to pick someone today, but I’m still completely at a loss. What kind of woman would I even consider "the one"? Honestly, it’s a question that makes me tilt my head in genuine confusion. After all, I already have a mountain of beautiful wives.
"What’s wrong?"
"Oh, it’s just... it’s a bit late to say this, but I don’t really know what kind of woman I should be looking for."
"Well, you’ll just have to meet a few and see. These things are best learned by doing."
"You’re right. People aren't just about the skills or talents you can see on the surface. If that were all there was to it, Steve and the other goblins wouldn't have become as strong as they are."
" " "No, that’s different." " "
For some reason, even this group completely denies Steve’s growth. Poor guy.
Asu. The merchant who brought—or rather, offered—Ria to me. Does everyone remember him? I didn't remember him at first, but I reread the story and managed to write down his name. Man, being able to reread is a wonderful thing.
And slaves, just like goblins, aren't defined by their status or skills. You can just memorize those. What matters is the drive!
Wait... did Steve even have any drive to begin with?