73 - Episode 71 Scout

He came to the slum to scout for orphans in order to train them to become spiritists. Now they are talking inside and outside the shabby shack. The silence is long and I am beginning to feel uneasy.

"How do I know you're safe?"

That's a good question. And it's a very hard question.

"Hmm. I guess you'll just have to trust me. What do you believe when you see it?　Power?　Money?　I don't think you have a good reputation because people don't like your personality."

It's very sad to hear myself say that.

"Show me power and money."

"Okay, I'll show you. First, money. Don't worry about the money, because there are many other things that are worth more than this.

He took out a jumble of money and laid out the gold, silver, and other treasures he had acquired in the labyrinth. Showing off money to a child is a very embarrassing thing to do. But money is strong.

"Next is power."

It's hard to get around too fancy. ....... I guess we can show them what we can do if we just den the fire dragon, but I don't think they'll be scared to come out.

（Sylphy. Can you float me a little?)

"Okay."

"Can you see it?　I'm floating a little right now, but I can fly."

"Oh, so I can fly, too?"

I think I've captured a child's heart. It's fascinating to be able to fly.

"I don't know about that. It depends on what kind of spirit you contract with. If you want to fly, you'll need the help of a wind spirit, but with the kind of spirit you can contract, you'll probably only be able to float for a little while.

"Then you're useless!"

For a moment his curiosity outweighed his caution, but then his caution seemed to return when he realized the reality. It's not easy.

"It's not that they can't fly, but they can attack, and that's good enough for an adventurer."

".................."

Again the long silence. Am I a bad persuader?

"I have a sister. I'm not leaving her."

"I know. I'll take care of it all together, don't worry."

I'd like to discuss this face to face.

"How the hell do you know that?"

Huh?　Did I put you on further alert?　It's getting more and more complicated. Why am I doing this?　...... Oh, it's Gilmas's fault for making fun of the necromancers. It's funny how the thought of Gilmas's face motivates me.

"You said you had the genie check me out. I know you have a sister and she can be a genie, so it's not a problem.

"Okay. Give me a minute to talk to my sister. And don't come near her.

Okay. Take your time.

（Bell and the others will be bored, so go play. I'll summon you when I have something to do.)

I call out to Bell and his friends, who were floundering around. They flew away like, "Yes! They must have been really bored.

"Yuta. The siblings seem to be having trouble. I'm afraid to believe them and it's hard to stay here forever. It's like that. They're most afraid of being cheated and sold off somewhere. But with the money and treasures Yuta showed them, they say they're not like the small-time crooks who sell themselves for a pittance."

I wish I could create an aura that would make the kids trust me in one shot, but alas, I can't. I can tell them that I don't do human trafficking, but they won't believe me.

（I can't help it. No matter what I say, the question remains. The rest is up to them.)

"Right. And I'm blocking traffic to anyone who tries to come this way, is that okay with you?"

I didn't know you did that. But I don't want to get in trouble here, so I nodded my head. After waiting for a while, a question came in.

Hey. Hey, brother! Hey brother, would you be able to eat a full meal if I followed you?　Me and my sister, too."

"I'm not going to skimp on food expenses, and I promise you I'll have a full meal every day."

".................. okay. I'll go with you. But if you pick on my sister, I won't let you get away with it."

"It's okay. I'm not into picking on kids."

Gilmas wants to bully you to no end, though. I guess I'm a surprisingly stubborn person. I didn't realize that in Japan.

My brother came out of the hut with a fearful look on his face, as if he was convinced or decided that there was nothing he could do if he stayed in the slum. He was a ...... beastman. I didn't ask him what race he was.

He looks subtly cute, as if he is trying to intimidate me as much as he can. His hair is gray, and he is small and skinny. Of course, they are not in an environment where they can get proper nutrition.

"What am I supposed to do?"

There's one more person I'm going to invite, so go get your stuff together. We're leaving now."

"Okay."

The boy went back inside the hut and came out holding hands with his sister with a small tattered bag. Brother and sister. They look so much alike. The younger sister looks intimidated or frightened.

"Don't you have anything else to carry?　I can carry anything, so if you need something big, you can bring it."

I don't have anything to take with me, so I'll be fine.

"Okay. The rest can be found at ...... My name is Yuta Morizono. What are your names?

I'm Marco. My sister is Kikka.

"Okay. Marco. Kikka. Nice to meet you. You can call me ...... master."

For some reason, I wanted to be called "master. I'm taking you as my apprentice, so it can't be wrong.

"Okay."

"Well, Sylphie. Please show me the way to the next one.

"I know there's something there. Is it a spirit?　I've felt it many times before in the city, but I didn't recognize anyone but me, Kikka, and one other person."

I'm glad you're talking to me, but I wish you'd let your guard down a little. I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. It's sad that I haven't even heard my sister's voice.

"There are spirits everywhere. All you need to know is that you have the makings of a genie."

Maybe. I don't know, but Sylphy nodded her head, so I guess so. I followed Shilfi and we arrived at a shack about five minutes away.

This is Sara's house. Is it Sara's sister who invites you?"

"Hmm?　Do you know him?"

"Yes. They sometimes share their food with me and help me out."

Heh. You're a good kid for living in a place like this and having to do so much yourself. I could never do that.

"Marco, what's wrong?"

I heard voices and a girl came out. She looks at me and freaks out. That's pretty hurtful. Blonde hair, skinny. I don't think this is the time to be sharing your food with strangers.

But like Marco and Kikka... their clothes may be tattered... but they still look clean. Maybe it's because of the cleaning magic, but it's really great cleaning magic.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Yuta Morizono. I'm here to recruit you to become a spiritualist, how about it?"

"Are you a spiritualist? I don't understand.

"Hmm. Well, what can I say, it's a profession with the worst reputation. I'm so frustrated that I've come to recruit you to help me look up to you. I can guarantee you a full meal every day.

"I don't know what to tell you, but, you know, ........."

It must be difficult for you to hear something like this out of the blue. So this is where the long explanation begins. Hmm?　Sara is looking at Marco and Kikka.

"Oh, um. Are you taking Marco and Kikka with you?"

"Yeah. Marco and Kikka are my apprentices now."

"If ....... I'll go with you."　

That's a sudden turn of events. But I kind of understand why. He's worried about Marco and Kikka... so he's coming with us.　　

"I haven't heard the explanation. Are you okay?"

"Are Marco and Kikka satisfied with this?"

"Yes."

"If Marco and Kikka, who are very cautious, decide to go with us. You trust them. Marco. Kikka. Can I ask why you decided to go with them?"

"Sis Sara. I'm not exactly a believer. I just have money and I know that if I stay here I'll get sick and die, so I decided to go with you."

...... was judged more severely than I had imagined. When someone tells you in front of you that they don't trust you, it damages your heart even if you agree that it's natural because you're suspicious.

"Yes. It's true that we will eventually reach a point where we can't do this on our own. ......I understand, I'll go with you."

I get the feeling that this girl is following Marco and the others because she's more worried about them than herself. That's dangerous. Well, okay. Saves me the trouble of trying to convince him.

"Okay. Okay, um, it's Sara, right? Sara. You're my apprentice now. And you will call me master."

"Yes, sir."

"Well, go pack your things. I have a magic bag, it's big, so if you want to take something with you, just let me know and I'll carry it."

"No problem."

Sarah entered the house and came out with a small bag. She said it was okay. You have too little luggage.

"Do you three want to say hello to someone?"

Sara and Marco shake their heads. Kikka is hidden behind Marco, out of sight. Is it okay if I don't say hello to anyone? As we walk away, we talk to them and learn that the three of them were floating in the slum because they refused to commit crimes.

When I asked them how they were living, they told me that they were getting food from soup kitchens or leftovers from the inn or something. They told me that there was no reason to commit a crime when they could manage to survive. It hurts my ears because I would have taken the easy way out.

Next up is ...... I'll have to buy some things for these kids since they don't have as much stuff as I thought they would. I'll have to talk to Marie and go to the grocery store first.

**

"Excuse me. Is Marie home?"

The clerk who helped me with my shopping the other day was there, so I called out to her, and she remembered me and immediately went to call me.

"Yuta-san. Everything is going well.

Marie greeted me with a big smile. I'm glad things are going well. Now it will be easier to talk about the labyrinth.

"That's good to hear. I have something else I need to talk to you about.

"Is it Yuta's story? I'd be very interested in hearing it. I'll show you to the reception room.

A profitable story?　Profitable, right?　That's the look on your face. Don't pull my hand. I have to ask you to take care of Sarah and the others first.

"Wait a minute. But first, I need a favor. I've taken these three as my apprentices and I need a few things. Three sets of clothes and underwear each. Dishes for them. I don't have anything else, so if there is anything they need, please help them choose. Can you send someone to the store to help them choose while we talk?"

"Okay. I'll leave it to you."

Marie gestured with one hand, and the clerk appeared. I have a feeling that the training of the employees in this store is not right.

"Sara. Marco. Kikka. I'll get you everything you need right here. It's for your use, so you'll have to speak up for yourselves."

I think he kind of nodded. I'm worried. I'll talk to the clerk.

"Clerk. These children are not used to shopping, so please take care of them. Please help them choose the things they need for their daily lives."

I understand. I'll leave it to you."

I was about to thank her when Marie took me into the reception room. She couldn't wait. Now, this is a big story. I'm a little worried about how she'll react.