第１１６１堀：奴隷と魔術 (Part1)
**Chapter 1161: Slaves and Sorcery**
**Side: Comet**
"Honestly, when I heard Yuki was buying slaves, I was incredibly surprised, but..."
"In the end, they’re just extra help, aren't they?"
Agil and I are leafing through research documents while discussing the "incident" from yesterday.
Yes, the slaves Yuki purchased.
While all three are certainly capable, they are firmly within the realm of ordinary people.
They are simply diligent, hardworking individuals who study earnestly; they possess no special skills whatsoever.
Yuki could certainly have bought slaves with more exotic talents, but those kinds of acquisitions usually come with hidden agendas. Avoiding that, I suppose, inevitably leads to this kind of safe, reliable type.
No, calling them "safe" might be rude.
They are putting in more effort than anyone else. That much is certain.
And that is precisely why Yuki chose to buy them.
"Honestly, Agil, what do you think of those three?"
"What do I think? In what sense? Their faces? Their figures? They’re all better than me, aren't they?"
"That’s not what I meant. If Yuki were the type to be swayed by such things, he’d have a house full of children by now. Oh, and you’d have been pregnant ages ago, Agil."
"I certainly wouldn't mind being pregnant, but we’ve strayed from the point. If it’s not about their charm as women, then I suppose the question is whether they’ll make the cut after their training?"
"Exactly. I’m completely clueless when it comes to that. It’s not like they’re exceptionally gifted; aside from their appearances, their performance is almost identical across the board."
It’s true—their levels are in the single digits, their stats are within a margin of error of five, and the only real differences are their looks and personalities.
Given only that information, I honestly have no idea who will remain.
I had hoped Agil might have some insight...
"I see. Well, my prediction is that 'they will all stay'."
"Oh? And why is that? What’s your reasoning?"
"Simple. I know about Aslin and the others, who were his first slaves."
"Aslin and the others? Ah, now that you mention it, they did say they were slaves at the start. That... oh, I see. He already has a track record of raising them to where they are now."
"Exactly."
Aslin and her group are known in Weed as the "First Nine," the talented women who contributed immensely to the founding of the nation.
Well, that is the truth, but it’s not as if they had that power or any special abilities from the very beginning.
They were nothing more than ordinary slaves.
People who were once just commoners "learned" and became the pillars of Weed.
It was Yuki who provided that knowledge and raised them.
It makes sense that Agil believes all three will stay.
Yes, he has the track record.
There is no reason they shouldn't be able to do it.
"Well, he said he wouldn't be granting skills at first, but if they show the will to work hard, knowing Yuki, he’ll surely grant them skills eventually."
"That’s true. No matter how you look at it, gaining experience and learning takes time, but for simple things like knowledge, it’s far better to just impart it through skill granting."
"My, you could do that too, Comet. But that skill-granting ability is truly incredible. It really shows just how much favor Luna has bestowed upon Dungeon Masters."
Agil is speaking without a hint of malice, simply and honestly praising the brilliance of the "Dungeon Master's power" and how favored he is by Luna, but...
"Well, even with such power, it’s useless if you don't know how to wield it."
"Oh, no, I didn't mean it that way. Sorry."
"I’m sorry too. It’s just, watching Yuki makes me realize how foolish I’ve been."
"That can't be helped. After all, Comet, you are a researcher at heart. You weren't the type to stand at the top and issue orders to an organization. Especially since national governance is something people are usually educated in thoroughly from a very young age."
"That’s exactly why changing the 'current system' is so incredibly difficult. But Yuki is doing it. Oh, excuse me. We were talking about the three new slaves."
I had steered the conversation into a dark place; I need to bring it back.
I thought I hadn't been dwelling on it, but it seems "that result" left a deeper mark on my heart than I realized.
Well, I knew it already—I lacked the aptitude to be a Dungeon Master, to be someone who stands at the top.
But, no, no. Let’s continue.
"Right. That’s why I think they’ll all stay. Above all, if they look like they’re about to stumble or fail, Yuki will definitely step in to help. He isn't cold-hearted enough to get them involved and then just toss them aside. And it would be a hassle to just throw them out and have to keep them under surveillance."
"True. Yuki wouldn't leave the risk of leaving them to their own devices. Unless they truly hate it or are completely useless, he’ll find a way."
"It really is a difficult situation. Though, I understand why it has to be this way."
"If it were just about 'Weed’s national politics,' he could leave it to the educated citizens of Weed by now. But the various nations, those who know the circumstances, and even we, his wives, cannot allow someone of unknown origin to get close to Yuki. Even if they are just ordinary people with no ties to anyone."
Yes, that is the crux of the problem.
We cannot simply leave a man who is now believed to hold the fate of the world in his hands to his own devices, and letting him die is out of the question.
His influence is immense.
That is why every nation has sent women to Yuki’s side by any means necessary.
After all, he is on such good terms with Luna-san that he even receives "sacred sake."
Considering that, Yuki’s existence is a rare commodity.
That is why we surround him with women, binding him to ensure no harm comes to him.
Because if a "man" were to enter that circle, the resulting power struggles would be a nightmare.
"And since Yuki understands that, he bought them quietly, but in his heart, he probably doesn't want to increase the number of women anymore. In more ways than one."
"Indeed, the nights must be quite exhausting."
"Well, we’re already waiting in an endless queue. But, I suppose that leaves more time for hobbies and work, so it’s fine. In a way, it’s a good balance. If it were just me and Yuki, I’m certain it would be that way every single day."
"Ahaha, Agil, you’re always so blunt about that."
"Of course I am. He is the best husband, after all. Do you think there’s any other man who could provide an environment like this?"
"I suppose there aren't many. Or rather, in terms of technical level, it’s almost impossible."
"Right? And on top of that, do you think there’s anyone else who would say they want this little researcher as their wife?"
"Eh? I’m sure there are, aren't there? Even from my perspective, Agil, you’re excellent."
"Why, thank you. But you see, there are very few who would say they want 'me' the way Yuki does. In the end, they just want the prestige of having a 'Magic Sword User'."
"Ah, that kind of thing."
"Exactly that kind of thing."
Well, those things are inevitable, aren't they?