Chapter 62

On Raid Street, at Keith's shop.

Inside the shop, Alice was playing the harp and singing as usual.

The Emperor, seated in the best spot, was listening intently.

Sometimes he stared straight ahead, and other times he closed his eyes, swaying his body to the rhythm. The Emperor was thoroughly enjoying Alice's performance.

Behind the Emperor, Cruise and I stood guard.

I used Apophis.

To accommodate Alice's insistence on only performing in the shop and not at private residences, the Emperor had come to Keith's shop incognito.

Naturally, there were quite a few customers around.

Unless something extraordinary happened, no one could harm the Emperor with me present.

However, there was a significant chance that some inconsiderate people might ruin the Emperor's enjoyment.

To prevent that, I used Apophis to take measures.

Medicine and poison are a fine line apart.

Most medicines are merely weakened poisons.

I used Apophis to make all the customers in the shop fall asleep.

To avoid snoring, I paralyzed them to a certain extent, depriving them of their freedom of movement.

Everyone who came here was just a customer, and not a single one could resist Apophis's poison—nor did they show any intention of resisting, and they all fell asleep.

As a result, the Emperor's concert proceeded peacefully and quietly.

Still, I kept a watchful eye on the surroundings as a precaution.

I caught Cruise's gaze, who was also standing guard.

—Impressive, indeed.

He moved only his lips, speaking silently.

It was a simple phrase, but I understood it from the shape of his lips.

He noticed.

Eunuchs are people whose job is to serve the nobility.

Unlike ordinary servants, eunuchs, having been castrated, can only serve as eunuchs, and as a result, they specialize in the skills needed to make the nobility comfortable.

Cruise, among them, was even more outstanding, having served as a eunuch to the "Emperor."

The Emperor, who has far more power than any noble, is served by Cruise, who is even more skilled in these skills.

If Cruise says "impressive," then this act of making the Emperor enjoy himself is correct.

I continued to use Apophis to maintain the Emperor's listening environment.

☆

During the intermission, Alice retreated backstage.

I had just released the sleep and paralysis on all the customers, so the shop was filled with applause.

Most of the customers had puzzled looks on their faces, but they still clapped along with the crowd.

"Right, Noah."

"What is it?"

"I hear the war with the Saei tribe in the south has come to a temporary halt."

"The Saei tribe, you say."

I wondered why he brought up this topic now.

The Empire is a nation of warriors, and wars or the suppression of rebellions are always happening somewhere along the borders.

Recently, in the south, there had been a conflict with the Saei tribe, a clan living in the forest that refused to submit to the Empire.

"The Emperor is rewarding those who have contributed. I've been told that a man named Jerry Eisen has particularly distinguished himself."

"Jerry... really?"

That thief from the gang.

I had captured him and sent him to the military as a form of punishment, but he had unexpectedly risen to prominence quickly.

"After losing a local battle, this Jerry gathered the remaining soldiers and pushed back the enemy. It was a truly heroic effort."

"Is that so?"

"According to him, Noah, he wants to repay your kindness."

"My kindness?"

"He says you gave him a second chance at a new life, one filled with hope. You are like a father to him."

"Father..."

I muttered, half-heartedly.

I have no ill feelings toward Jerry, but it feels strange to be called a father by a man like him.

Besides, he is probably twice my age.

"Indeed, Noah."

The Emperor said with a pleased expression.

"A former thief has become a useful soldier. Moreover, he has shown leadership by rallying the troops and moving them like his own limbs."

That's right.

He was originally the leader of a thief gang, so I knew he had the ability to lead soldiers.

"You discovered this man and placed him where he belongs. You are as impressive as ever, Noah."

"People are treasures, and possibilities, Your Majesty."

"Indeed, this is the moment when possibilities bear fruit."

The Emperor smiled happily.

"Keep up the good work."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

☆

After the performance, the Emperor said he wanted to see more of the city, so I accompanied him as a guard.

We left Raid Street and arrived at Horse Street.

The most bustling street in the capital.

With a large square, it is the site of many events such as military parades and grand festivals, and it is always lively.

"Hmm? What is that? Some kind of merchandise?"

The Emperor showed interest in a stall in the center of the square.

At first glance, it looked like a regular stall, but the merchandise was unusual.

There were only large burlap bags, with their mouths tied shut, lined up in a simple display.

"That is a slave trader, Your Majesty."

"Slaves?"

"Yes, a legitimate, licensed slave trader."

As I said this, I approached the merchant.

I glanced back to confirm that the Emperor and Cruise were following, then asked the merchant.

"What is the origin of these slaves?"

"They are newly arrived Saei tribe slaves, Your Majesty. Yes, they are."

"We won the war against the Saei tribe."

I feigned ignorance but engaged in the usual conversation for such occasions.

The Empire is always at war somewhere, and the existence of military service as a form of punishment is for this very reason.

The Empire has always been victorious, and with each victory, it has gained a large number of prisoners.

Most of these prisoners end up with licensed slave traders.

Slaves of low status are stuffed into burlap bags and sold in bulk, literally by the bag.

"I see, so this is how slaves are bought and sold."

From behind, the Emperor commented, sounding interested.

I turned and bowed slightly to the Emperor.

"Yes, sir. Would you like to buy a few?"

"How much is one bag?"

"Ten Reen per bag, Your Majesty."

The merchant answered with a sales smile.

"Is that cheap? Or expensive?"

When the Emperor asked further, I responded.

"Ten Reen, that would be for the type with an absolute obedience spell."

"Spell?"

"Yes, when the bag is opened, the first person seen becomes the master, and the slave will absolutely obey any command."

"Like a chick, I see."

"The bag has that connotation."

"I see."

The Emperor looked at the burlap bags with great interest.

He might even buy one.

The absolute obedience spell makes it safe, but as a precaution, I touched the bag to check for any hidden weapons.

"Hmm?"

"What is it, Noah?"

"What is it, sir?"

"This bag..."

I stared at the bag, still touching it.

It was definitely not a mistake.

I took out ten Reen from my pocket and threw it to the merchant.

"I'll take this one."

"Thank you, sir."

"What is this, Noah?"

"Please wait a moment."

I untied the rope that bound the bag, and a woman appeared inside.

She had messy hair and wore a ragged slave's outfit.

It was a common appearance, but what I was looking at was not that.

What I saw was my status.

――――――――――――

Name: Noah Ararat

Minister of Justice

Gender: Male

Level: 15/∞

HP C+D Fire E+A

MP E+D Water C+S

Strength C+A Wind E+F

Stamina D+E Earth E+D

Intelligence E+D Light E+C

Spirit E+D Darkness E+C

Speed E+E

Dexterity E+D

Luck E+D

――――――――――――

The moment I touched the girl in the bag, my MP's "+" increased by one level.

This couldn't happen with just any slave.

She was undoubtedly "someone."

To confirm this, I paid the merchant and bought her, then opened the bag to activate the absolute obedience spell.

Then I asked her.

"What is your name? Who are you?"

The girl frowned and tried to close her mouth like a clam, but the absolute obedience spell took effect.

"Rou Peiyu. I am the daughter of the Saei tribe chief—what?"

She was surprised that she answered against her will, and so were we.

"The chief's daughter... You were hiding among them?"

"Amazing! You saw through it, Noah!"

"Indeed, impressive."

Both the Emperor and Cruise were surprised.