Volume 6 - CH 2

Chapter 2 – Uneasiness

The journey from the Royal Capital to the Margrave territory was just approaching the halfway point.

The group could see the mountains standing on the north side of the highway. The iron ore and Mithril from the northern mountains can be used to produce weapons, armor, and ornaments. Because of this, so many skilled craftsmen who are good at metal processing set up shops in the territory of Saltgar that it is said that the sound of metal clashing never stopped from there.

Eto and his group arrived at Saltgar before sunset and immediately entered the inn secured by the Knights who arrived in advance. After having supper, Kohaku and Sorano visited Eto and Amou, who were relaxing in their room. There seems to be something they wanted to talk about the kidnapped victim.

“After being kidnapped and forcefully made into slave, they have to wait in the Royal Capital which is far from their home after they’re saved. That’s why they’re happy to go home at first. But, as we gradually approached the Margrave territory, the atmosphere of the women seemed to get darker.”

It seems Kohaku was particularly worried about the condition of the female victims.

“They don’t know if their family or close friends could accept them even if they returned. So, they become uneasy.”

Sorano also explained the state of mind of those victims that she felt.

“I know this isn’t a problem we can solve, but I just hope we can change their mood even a little. Or else, some people might get sick.”

When Kohaku said that, Sorano nodded deeply.

Of the eighteen people traveling with their group, fifteen were young women. And young female slaves can sell according to the needs of the buyers, from becoming a servant of a wealthy family to a prostitute who sells themselves in brothels.

Originally, their slave contracts should have been severely restricted depending on the amount of debt or crimes they did, but because the Acting Lord and senior judge had colluded with the slave trader, the information on their contracts could be freely rewritten by the slave traders. In other words, they become good products that are easy to sell for slave traders.

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Even if a slave wanted to prove their innocence at the place where he or she was sold, the probability of the owner who purchased the slave will bother to investigate and confirm the truth is extremely low. Besides, the court documents related to the slave contract are, in fact, an official one issued in the Margrave territory. Thus, even if the owner really decides to investigate it, they will only conclude that the slave was lying.

The female victims were indeed rescued before they were sold, so they were not in the worst situation. However, even if they return to their home and explain the situation to their family and close friends, none of them has the confidence to say that their family will accept them. Some may even leave when they hear that their friend had become a slave. And they might also bring trouble to their family if their situation becomes a rumor in the neighborhood. For that reason, thinking about the future, Eto fully understand the uneasiness of the victims.

After discussing ways to get rid of the women’s uneasiness, Eto went alone to the knights’ room and asked about the treatment of women who become victims of a crime. And according to the knights, normally, they will just be sent back to their home as it is, and there won’t be any special action done. The reason for that seems to be because although the Knights’ job was indeed to protect the Kingdom and crack down on crime, it is difficult if they also have to support the victims.

Eto also asked what would the Knights do with the explanation to the victims’ family and what kind of compensation would be given to the victim if the Acting Lord was found to be involved in the case. He also requested the knights to consider helping those victims as soon as possible.

When Eto returned to the room, Kohaku and Sorano were still there.

“I don’t think the Knights’ order alone can handle the future of the victims. I’ve also made a suggestion, but if I am asked if it is the job of the Knights, I, too, think it isn’t.”

Eto talked about what he heard in the Knights’ room.

“Then, what should we do?” Kohaku asked with a serious expression.

“I think there is no choice but to create some kind of mechanism to support the victims. And the one who made it has to be someone who understands the circumstances of the victims and knows the Knights’ order very well.”

“That’s us!”

“Un. Looks like we’re going to stay in the Margrave for a while.”

The female victims of the kidnapping incident fortunately trust Eto’s group, who participated in the rescue operation. Thus, there seems to be something that only they could do this time.

If they can help the victims, whom they are linked by fate with, to be able to live the way they used to, Eto think it might be a good idea to stay in the Margrave for a while. Being able to work anywhere as long as there is a guild and a client is the advantage of the job called Adventurer, after all.

Besides, they also have a big purpose, which is to free Sorano from being a criminal slave. They might be able to find a breakthrough by staying in the Margrave territory where the people involved in the case are gathered.

“How do you intend to create the mechanism to support them?” Sorano asked.

“Un, I’ll be using the title of 『Hero of the Kingdom』. I would like to talk to relevant parties about the need for protection and support for the victims, and eventually create a system that will be assisted by the government. And even if that is not possible to realize, the compensation for the kidnapped victims has to be collected from the Margrave.”

“That is if we could do that, but…”

Kohaku said with a worried face.

“It is undoubtedly difficult to move the Margrave, but if even the current us can’t do it, who can? That’s why I want to do it. Although an adventurer’s job is not easy, it could help people in trouble, that’s why I chose this job. And now, those girls need someone to support them.”

“I think so too.”

As Kohaku said that, Eto looked at Amou and Sorano. The two also nod strongly and show their consent.

Of course, it doesn’t mean Eto has a clear vision to support those kidnapped victims. Therefore, he thought even small things are fine, they can start with what they can do.

“Yosh! Let’s move according to that purpose. And now, as we continue our journey, is there anything we can do to help them change their mood?”

Then, the four of them exchanged their opinions until late at night.