Chapter 66 Liberating the Slaves and...
Everyone went straight to bed when we got back to the mansion.
Mitama and the girls were slightly taken aback when they saw Sefi-san's passionate welcome hug to me, but I didn't see nothin'! Not, I couldn't do that. The highest degree of dogeza was unveiled that day.
And the next day, guided by Futsuno-san and Mitama, we visited the aforementioned slave trader.
We would bring attention to ourselves if we were all walking there, so I took everyone there with Hakumai-Gou (High Speed Nobusada Cart). I drew attentions too like so, but I just regarded that I'd lose if I minded it.
Futsuno-san discussed something with the black clothed men at the entrance, afterward we three were let in. The enslaved people were taken to a different room to wait there.
We're apparently brought into the room of this company's owner, and the lone woman inside is hers truly. Her name is Kirishna. She looks like a more adult version of Futsuno-san, with a mature attractive lady scent on her. She's got three fox tails on the loose. When I was rudely wondering if they increased with age, Mitama elbowed me for some reason. Apparently, I was looking moonstruck there. Even though that's not the case at all, I don't get it.
"Ane-yan, sorry to bother you when you're busy. We've got no one else to rely on due to a certain circumstance."
"Fufufu, I don't mind. By the way, who would that cute boy over there be?"
Humm, wonder why her eyes don't seem to be laughing. If I had to say, feels like she's evaluating me? She's not doing it openly, but I just feel like that's what she did.
"He's my husband, and Mitama's too soon." <TLN: 'Husband' here can also be interpreted as master.>
Bufuoo. That's indeed the case, but aren't you being too fast here Futsuno-san!? Look, even Mitama's eyes are wide open. I haven't said anything to Mitama yet.
"Ufufufu, is that right. Then, he will stay here for a bit later. So, what's the occasion?"
Huuh, when was it decided I'm gonna stay again.
"Err, allow me. Nice to meet you, I'm Nobusada an adventurer. To tell you the truth, Futsuno-san and Mitama got dragged into a trouble recently. At that time, the ownership of enslaved people who were captured by the bandit gang got transferred to me after the gang was destroyed. Since they were forced into slavery through villainous schemes, I would love to liberate them if possible. When I asked Futsuno-san if she knew someone trustworthy, she brought me here."
After I told her all that, her expressions became quite softer compared to before.
"I have to thank you for saving these two. Thank you so much."
She deeply lowered her head. But then she continues her words while staring at me.
"However, you're really quite a kind one. Even though you would've got yourself a handsome sum if you just sold those slaves."
It's not like I don't get that. However, I'm also on the side who was abducted without consent. Even if I'm enjoying the life in another world so far, getting taken away against your will is not a nice feeling to have.
Ah, by the way, I'm not thinking of trying to liberate all slaves by force either. I only know about this country regarding this topic, but there's not a lot of prisons here. Instead, those who have committed crimes would be forced into slavery. Besides, situations where parents sold themselves to protect their children when circumstances force them to has happened in the olden days of Japan too. It's not nice emotionally speaking, it's also true that there are lives saved by it.
But, I would extend my help as much as possible if someone close to me is in a similar predicament. I won't become an altruist, but I will do what I can.
"It's not like I'm having trouble monetary-wise. This is simply a choice I've made. A fortune made by selling everyone would have a bad aftertaste. Oh excuse me, it's absolutely not my intention to look down on slave traders. I simply give priority to what I personally feel."
Hearing me, Kirishna-san giggled and smiled. Even I know I'm just trying to act cool. I mean, I've got quite a fortune from the stuff I seized from the idiotic brat.
"Fufu, well all right then. I can take care of liberating the slaves. Why don't we get to it now."
Ah, Kirishna-san herself will personally do the work huh.
We went to the room where the slaves were waiting and were done with it in a jiff. She just put her hand on the grayed out slave crests and chanted a spell, then the crest disappeared with a glass-breaking sound. Apparently, the crest would have regained its color if I, as their temporary master, made a proper contract. Liberating them was this simple because it was just a temp contract, said Kirishna-san.
I bade farewell to everyone who was going back to their hometown, and gave them money I had split yesterday. Everyone thanked me in tears, 『To even give us money on top of saving us』. There's no need to thank me that much okay? I only did it to slightly lessen my guilty consciences.
Lastly Kurei-san, apparently she's going to continue as an adventurer. Her equipment right now is good enough, and the money I gave her should suffice to live off for a while. She would learn from this failure to steadily complete quests, she said. She promised to lend us a hand if we ever need her, so I'll remember to do so when we're in trouble.
After all the procedures were done, Kirishna-san asked only me to stay here. Mitama and Futsuno-san complied to her, and went back ahead of me. Now then, wonder what is this about?
"Now then, it's finally just us two. There's something I need to ask you. What do you plan to do with those kids?"
"Eh?"
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
Unlike just before, she's letting out quite a dangerous air. Is this her true self?
"It seems like the two are quite smitten with you. Even though beastfolks should be an existence of contempt to general humans. Just what are you scheming?"
"Scheming nothing. My wish would be for everyone to live happily together as a family I guess?"
"Why did it change to question after saying that. Phew, now I feel like an idiot worrying about it seriously."
Looks like she thought I, a general human, was tricking the two? Of course it's not true. Or rather, I'm still 『General Human?』 even now, wonder how it'll turn out.
"Please give your daughters to me, mother-in-law-san! I will bring them happiness for sure!! Should I have said that instead?"
"Ah geez, talking to you really tires me out. There's nothing more I can do since those kids have made their choice. Listen okay? If you make those kids cry, I'll chase you to the end of the world, and to those things hanging on your groins..."
She turned and glared at me, and then.
"I'll wrench them!" zui!
"Break them!!" zuizui!
"And tear them off!!!" DOOOOOON!!
You're close, your face's too close! And you're scaring me.
Ooh, my groins shriveled before I knew it. Kirishna-san is essentially an S huh. I shall engrave it on my mind.
"And also, I don't know if those kids have talked to you about this, but just so you know. Those two are of noble lineage among beastfolks. Keep it in mind that some people might come after them with that goal in mind."
"Thank you for your warning. I will give it my all to protect the two."
"Then it's fine. You can come visit here anytime you need to consult me something. Ah, make sure to bring along the two, or at least either of them here. They're my cute nieces after all."
Aah yeah, you just want to spoil your niece don't you. I've had a niece separated by death myself, so I know the feelings. Feels like I can get along well with Kirishna-san.
"Yes, I'll drop by here regularly regardless. I quite understand how you want to spoil the two myself."
"Fufufu, looks like us two will get along just fine."
I exchanged a stiff handshake with Kirishna-san.
And thus, I was able to pay my respects to my mother-in-law(?). I'll have her show me the two in various dresses later.
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