第１４９０堀：奴隷さんたちの後ろはどうですか (Part1)
Chapter 1490: How are things behind the slaves?
Side: Kirika
"Sorry to bother you while you're busy."
The Master offers these words of appreciation. I feel a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth, but I suppress it firmly, bowing my head instead.
"Not at all, Master. If it is your command, there is no problem whatsoever. Besides, the remnants of the Dark Guild that scattered from Irinau haven't been making any significant moves, so I’ve actually been a bit idle."
In truth, to say I have enough hands on deck would be a lie, but it is also a fact that gathering intelligence doesn't always require a massive workforce. Since the Dark Guild members our intelligence division is prioritizing haven't made a move, I do indeed have subordinates currently standing by in a state of inactivity.
"I appreciate you saying that. Just make sure you’re rotating shifts for rest. A bit rich coming from me, I know, since I’m the one dumping sudden work on you."
"Yes. I understand that adequate rest leads to efficient work, so I am fine. Now, regarding the auction?"
If I let the Master continue down this path, we’ll just end up talking about our own fatigue, so I decide to bring up the main topic myself.
After all, the invitations for the auction have already been sent out to the allied nations of Lady Lowel. It wouldn't be right to spend too much time on us.
"Right. The allies, and even some non-allied nations, have already begun arriving in the town of Wean. And the sellers of the slaves are arriving, too. Have you gathered information on that side?"
"Yes. As you are aware, the auction organizers have submitted documentation regarding the sellers. I have cross-referenced that with our own data."
I transmit the data as I speak. It is frustrating that there are still parts we haven't been able to verify, but since there is simply no way to investigate them, I decide to be honest.
"There are some who have yet to arrive, so those sections remain blank. I have noted where there are discrepancies."
"Thanks. ...Out of 36 sellers and 215 slaves scheduled for sale, 28 sellers and 182 slaves have arrived in town so far. So, nearly 20 percent haven't shown up yet?"
"Yes. Considering the nature of travel, it wouldn't be strange for something to have happened along the way, so it is difficult to pursue."
"Yeah, that’s the trouble. Especially since they aren't allies, but non-allied nations."
It would be out of place for us to comment on the safety of their journey. More importantly, since they are non-allied nations, I doubt they have the infrastructure to ensure such security. Merchants in those regions must protect themselves and their goods on their own. Whatever happens is their own responsibility.
"For now, let's just pray that those who haven't arrived yet make it safely. Now, what about the ones who are already here...? They’re clean, according to the data."
"Yes. They are clean."
In this context, "clean" means whether or not they have ties to the Dark Guild. As of now, not only the sellers—the slave traders—but all auction-related personnel have been cleared.
"Well, that’s not exactly surprising. Even if they’re illegal, there’s no inherent need to be involved with the Dark Guild."
"Indeed. They likely 'laundered' them before bringing them to a place like this."
To "launder" means to wash away the traces of a crime.
"What do you mean by 'laundered'?"
However, Lady Orelia and the others seem not to grasp the meaning, tilting their heads in confusion.
"I sort of get the nuance that it’s about making sure there’s no trail, but..."
"Could we ask for an explanation?"
Lady Hovis and Lady Yayui ask. But is it really appropriate to take the time for an explanation? Just as I am thinking this...
"Well, consider this training for the newcomers. Kirika, can you handle it?"
"Yes, certainly. I shall explain it simply. As Lady Hovis suggested, 'laundering' is a metaphorical expression for hiding or erasing the traces of a crime. In this case, it refers to the slaves."
"Traces of a crime regarding slaves, you say?"
"In this instance, since the Alliance is participating, it would naturally draw frowns if they were to conduct illegal slave trading openly. Is that clear so far?"
"I see. Even if it’s legal in non-allied nations, we in the Alliance don't look kindly on people who were enslaved through things like slave hunts. We might even end up buying our own citizens, heaven forbid."
I can tell from Lady Hovis's response, and the fact that Lady Yayui is nodding, that they understand.
"Exactly. The Alliance is sensitive to the movement of people. We don't mind if someone falls into slavery legally—say, due to bankruptcy—but we do not like those who were enslaved illegally, such as through banditry. There is a possibility they were taken from our own lands."
"So, it’s like having your own property stolen and then seeing it put up for sale?"
"Precisely. That is why we prefer legality. Even the buyers would be in a difficult position if another nation demanded the slaves back later. The sellers understand this, so they 'launder' the goods to make it impossible to identify them as stolen property."
"Specifically, how do they do that?"
"The specifics are quite intricate, so I will omit the details, but they interpose other merchants."
"Other merchants?"
"Yes. It is quite simple. The person who actually committed the theft rarely sells directly to the end buyer. They sell to a shop, and the person who buys it there has no idea it was stolen. Even if the original victim insists it is their property, the merchant has already purchased it; they cannot simply give it away for free, and the victim cannot prove it is theirs. To get it back, the victim would have to pay for it or provide decisive evidence—which, of course, rarely exists. So, buying it back is the most likely outcome. That is what 'laundering' means."
I take a breath and look around at Orelia and the others. No one seems to have any further questions.
"In this case, it’s about slaves, but the logic remains: the side that acquired the slaves sells them through a slave trader. The party that receives them claims ignorance, saying they just paid a commission or handled the transaction, so they can't just let them go. Even if it’s illegal, they can claim they didn't know. They just bought them, after all."
The Master adds his own explanation.
Well, to be precise, they have likely passed the slaves through two or three different slave traders. That is how they erase the evidence that they are illegal slaves.