Chapter 6: Let’s Rescue the Caravan!

Chapter 6: Let’s Rescue the Caravan!

Wont you join me in a monster hunt?

I was suddenly asked this question by Louise-nee-san (24 years old, single) on whom I could rely on as my guard.

Right after the establishment of the Sawatari Company, I was in a deadlock.

Lets open the company~~ making such an impressive declaration, the earl, Donovan, granted me a vacant lot in Ests business district, near the citys plaza. I was thankful for that, but.

Now that I think about it, I ran out of funds after buying the prairie schooner.

However, the horse was borrowed from Rod family.

Despite that, one could say I was in the red to some extent.

I carried the iron-made goods I had been entrusted with from Losgows mine to Est, so I earned some money, but, it was just peanuts.

Apart from launching the company, we had to erect its building and hire workers as well.

As expected, not even Lyle-sensei, whos familiar with a companys structure, knows how to manage it.

Possessing the knowledge and being able to execute it are two different things, you see. Such was Senseis remark.

I too had fully realized that since my arrival in this world.

Later, I had my own plans, but, despite coming to this place for shopping after going to the trouble, it really pained me, since I was unable to take the initiative.

I managed to sell all of my soaps (selling price: 1 silver coin each) and detergents (selling price: 1 fragmentary copper coin each), like hot cakes, thanks to their rarity and cheapness, but, because my profit wasnt great, it was still not enough.

As for the bombs, they were a product bound by the exclusivity agreement between me and the Royal Family of Silesia, so I couldnt sell them to other merchants or commoners.

I also considered implementing products containing gunpowder for common use, but they were still at the experimental stage.

Being at the end of my rope, I thought about giving up and returning to Losgow for the time being, but just then, Louise suggested this.

Shouldnt it be fine for you to make profits by doing monster subjugation requests? I usually take up escort jobs, so I can make money anytime.

Uwa, Louise-onee-san, youre too generous.

To think she would offer me a suggestion like this with such a favorable condition.

In exchange, Ill take the monsters meat and pelts.

Uwaa, the usual Louise is back.

Most likely, she only wants to eat their internal organs, rather than protect me.

Still, Im thankful for her suggestion.

Rather than thinking about this and that, its better to work for now.

I, together with Louise-onee-san and Lyle-sensei, made a party of three and went to the Adventurers Guild. As we arrived, the situation turned boisterous and hectic.

Youre, are you by any chance adventurers!? This is an urgent request, but, will you please accept it?

The moment we entered the guild, a middle-aged staff member came to us with a serious look and earnest request.

It looks like, a caravan of merchants was attacked by monsters near this city. Right now, there is a garrison heading there, but, we also have received a request for aid. The reward will be the one given by the feudal lord-sama, so please!

Okay, okay, well go there!

Louise, whos usually known for making swift decisions and taking quick actions, decided to go.

We dont know how numerous the monsters are, however, since the garrison is heading there too, shouldnt it be fine?

Ive heard about this city being a peaceful place, but, monsters will appear even here?

Well, isnt it a good chance for us to demand gratitude from the earl?

Lets consider it in a positive way.

Scene Change

This is the worst. It looks like the caravan lured a herd of monsters here while running away.

Taking a glance at the battle in front of him, to which we were heading toward, Lyle-sensei said this while being disgusted.

About 3 km outside the city, a battle between the garrison and monsters unfolded.

More than 50 humanoid monsters were surrounding the caravan.

The small green monsters were goblins, whereas, the big, ashen ones, ogres?

They were all monsters with which I was familiar from an RPG.

I knew what they were from my knowledge, however, my legs froze when I saw the monsters holding weapons, just like humans, and attacking while killing their enemy.

Against them, there were a little less than 10 people holding their spears. It was clear they were outnumbered.

Originally, they should have retreated to this citys bulwark, but there was probably a reason for why they hadnt done so.

What the caravan was carrying with them, were, as I feared, slaves.

Being tied in a row with chains, the slaves were neither able to fully run away nor put up any resistance. With no means to escape, they would die from getting attacked.

Some had their heads had been split open by the rustic clubs held by ogres.

Others, had their chest pierced through by goblins short swords.

Having no equipment on them, the slaves immediately fell down.

So, finally, the time has come for me to use this? I mustered my courage and clutched my iron sword.

This was a sword I wouldnt let go of, even if I were to gasp while struggling for my life.

The time has come! Ill show you the real might of my fully mastered Hokushin Ittou-ryuu! (from my correspondence course)

Thats wrong, Takeru. Use the gunpowder, which emits that strange sound, and throw it at them! Sensei, Ill leave casting magic to you.

A gunpowder which emits strange sound wai, does she mean those firecrackers that Ive been testing recently?

Louise, who instructed me, held a small, portable bow in her hands and easily shot down goblins nearby.

What a fast and accurate headshot!

It was hard to make a choice in this life-or-death situation. It felt as though I was in a manga involving disaster medicine.

I was sorry for myself, as I couldve bought many more recovery vials, had I known this would happen.

Why, are you, helping us?

The child slave, which I nursed and gave the potion to drink asked me with a faint voice. My heart felt incredibly painful.

The childs sand-besmeared long hair was ruffled and its face was covered in mud. It was wearing a robe, which could barely be called clothes, roughly torn off by a monster. It looked as though the child was wrapped in a tattered cloth.

I cant tell its gender despite its thin, worn-out cloth, but, if I look closely, its young. Even among slaves, there are very young children.

Originally, a child at this age should be placed under its parents protection. What a pitiful child.

I dont know, but, I guess its because I felt I could save you.

I couldnt change the fact about it being a slave, so perhaps it would be cruel if I gave it false hope, just because of my simple sympathy.

Truth be told, I could buy more potions any time using my money, but, I couldnt buy a life.

However, I knew I couldnt help, even if I applied a modern persons sense of values.

Things turned out like this, because a humans life can be easily purchased in this world.

Good grief, theres no salvation in this fantasy world.

Which is what I hate about this world.

Scene Change

Takeru-dono, I heard about it from the garrison. It seems you greatly flourished during the battle with no hesitation.

No, no, I just happened to be there at the right time.

Once we returned back to the city, we received words of admiration directly from the earl, Donovan.

Rather than this praise, I was more glad about him letting me drink the coffee, but well

Louise had been invited as well, but she refused the invitation by saying she had to dismantle as many corpses as possible, so only me and Lyle-sensei visited the earls castle.

Nobody can stop Louise when shes dismantling corpses for meat and pelts.

Ive heard you use used some strange magic when fighting the monsters, but, was this small ball your weapon?

Its called a firecracker. Truth be told, I originally planned to use it as a toy for children, but well

Earl Donovan was brimming with curiosity.

Even though I brought him gunpowder products before, he didnt show any interest in them. The moment he had heard about these crackers being effective in a real battle, he checked their power by blasting one by himself.

It would be quite interesting to have these things made into toys for children, but, I think they would become a weapon strong enough to scare off the enemy. Even non-magical items have their good points.

I guess youre right. As expected, perhaps its better to sell them as a weapon.

In China, theres a custom of using firecrackers for showy celebrations, however, its probably not something nobilities from a western culture would be fond of.

Primarily, I had thought about using gunpowder for peaceful purposes, but, it looks like you can only use it as a weapon in these turbulent times.

Umu, and then, I wanted to discuss with Takeru-dono about your reward, but, things have become slightly complicated..

According to what the earl says, the caravan, which sustained losses in both goods and people, seemed to have dispersed as a result of their employer dying.

The remaining employees held a discussion and decided to leave all their broken carts behind. They took the remaining funds and money, and returned back to their hometown.

The problem was, they had a cargo of 13 slaves who had survived the attack.

Since there were no slave traders in Est, nobody would buy the slaves, even if they were sold out.

Therefore, as a form of compensation for causing trouble to the city, the employees forced the slaves, whom they couldnt monetize, onto Donovan.

Despite the earl having them forced onto him, its not like he wanted the slaves.

Ahh, I see. So in other words, you want to give me the slaves as a reward, right? Perfect timing. Actually, Im in need of hands for my newly opened company!

As expected of the earl who could understand my needs.

Certainly, I also want money, but workforce is what I need the most right now.

Didnt I receive a godsend offer?

Eh?

Ah?

The earl made a strange expression. Could it be that I said something odd?

Lyle-sensei, whats the meaning of this?

Slaves are, the majority of them are descendants of those who had drowned themselves in debt, so, theyre not suitable for becoming merchants of a trading company.

Is that so?

Even if the slaves arent malignant enough to become thieves, theyre nothing but people who are bound to be ruined. Normally, they would be watched and punished with a rod by someone, and wouldnt become useful unless they worked. They are considered an inferior labor force.

I guess, it cant be helped Sensei smiled, like wanting to say that to me, who was totally unaware of how things worked in this world. He explained it to me profoundly as if talking down at a kid.

Certainly, I remember those slaves expressions looking as though they had already given up on being humans. Perhaps, the peoples opinion here isnt necessarily wrong.

Still, that being the case, arent the slaves behaving like that because they were driven into a hopeless situation?

If its fine with Takeru-dono, Ill hand them over to you as this times reward, but, judging from what Ive heard, there are no good quality slaves..

Is it really okay with you? As if wanting to convey that, the earl exchanged a short look with Lyle-sensei.

Yes, whichever it is, we need laborers. Takeru-dono wont mind even if his laborers are inferior slaves. It maybe be that hell come up with a plan on how to raise them into workers.

Well then, Ill leave it up to you The earl gave his permission, as Lyle-sensei declared, with a smile, I would take responsibility.

Yes, Ive thought about this before, but.

As expected, by being sensible, I wont gain any trust.

Well, Im just a shadow when compared to Lyle-sensei, so I guess it cant be helped, right?