Chapter 42

The Kingdom of Eldorado is essentially a poor country. More accurately, it is poor overall because wealth is monopolized by a few powerful individuals.

However, the capital, Dren, still has a certain level of vitality and is sufficient for sightseeing. Shu and Iris, who had acquired a substantial amount of money, were wandering around the capital, indulging in street food.

"There seem to be a lot of lamb dishes around here."

"That's because a considerable number of sheep are raised. Also, sheep's wool is in demand for clothing. It seems that the wool obtained in the Kingdom of Eldorado is exported to the Great Empire of Subarokia."

"In return, the Kingdom of Eldorado imports expensive magical artifacts."

"That's why the gap between the rich and the poor widens."

Sheep's wool is a primary industry and is cheaply traded. On the other hand, the production of magical artifacts is a secondary industry, and each item is expensive.

The Great Empire of Subarokia exports expensive magical artifacts, while the Kingdom of Eldorado exports cheap wool and food. Money flows to the Great Empire of Subarokia, and the gap between the rich and the poor widens.

Furthermore, the gap between the rich and the poor is also large within the Kingdom of Eldorado.

People in rural areas who engage in food production and sheep farming are not only heavily taxed by the nobility but also underpaid by merchants. Due to their lack of education, they don't even realize they are being exploited. Additionally, since they have lived in such an environment from birth, they consider a harsh life to be normal.

They don't know that their current lives are unjustly exploited.

"Wasn't it true that salt and pepper are imported from the south?"

"Yes, but because they are distributed through the Great Empire of Subarokia, they are very expensive."

"That's why the food is bland. In this regard, the Holy Grinia is better."

"That country likes the word 'equality.'"

The Demon God religion values compassion, respect, and wisdom.

It teaches serving others and receiving service in return, with wealth shared among all. This is the ideal. However, not all of these ideals are reflected in politics. In the Holy Grinia, even vassal states can enjoy a certain level of wealth.

Those in higher positions manage those in lower positions correctly.

That's the kind of country it is.

On the other hand, the Great Empire of Subarokia is a complete capitalist society. The strong remain strong, and the weak are exploited. By knocking others down and increasing one's own value, one can gain freedom. Therefore, the Great Empire of Subarokia and its vassal states have a slave system, and their overall ethical standards are loose.

In other words, it's a country that is kind to the strong.

"Ah, by the way, I need to buy some books later."

"Why?"

"If I don't study the local script, it will be inconvenient. The Kingdom of Eldorado has a low literacy rate, so you can live without knowing how to read. But if we go to the capital of the Great Empire of Subarokia, it won't be that easy."

"Right, in that case, we need to learn the imperial language too..."

"Right. The language of the Holy Grinia is understood in the Kingdom of Eldorado, but it won't be understood as we get closer to the capital."

Shu can understand and speak any language through telepathy, but Iris cannot. The imperial language and the language of the Holy Grinia are different, so she needs to learn them to avoid trouble later.

The Kingdom of Eldorado, being adjacent to a vassal state of the Holy Grinia, understands both languages. It would be best to learn them now.

"In that case, let's go to a store! A large trading company's branch might sell books."

"Okay, let's go there. To the first district?"

"Yes."

The two decided on their destination and headed to the first district. This first district, also known as the noble district, is not off-limits to commoners. However, it is filled with high-end stores that are out of reach for the average person.

Additionally, there are many guards. If you do something suspicious, you'll be caught immediately.

In a sense, it's a safe place.

However, considering the corruption of the security forces, it can't be called truly safe.

"Still... the quality drops sharply in the third district and below."

"The citizens don't seem very lively either."

"It feels more like they're just surviving rather than living."

The capital, Dren, is divided into the first, second, third, and fourth districts, centered around the royal castle. The entire capital is surrounded by a fortress to protect against the threat of monsters, and the city was designed with these districts in mind.

The first district, where the nobility and the wealthy live, is a beautiful area. The second district, just outside, is where those who serve the wealthy live. The residents of the second district can lead a decent life. However, the third and fourth districts are suddenly much poorer.

The third district is home to those who make a living through manual labor, and the fourth district is 80% slums. If you enter carelessly, you might be kidnapped and sold as a slave.

Incidentally, the tavern where the Black Cats are based is in the second district.

"The third district has mercenary guilds, so it's quite rough."

"But it's a place where I can eat a lot of cheap food, which is great for me with my high magic power."

"I agree."

Unlike the Holy Grinia, the Great Empire of Subarokia and its vassal states allow civilian magic knights to operate. As a result, it's not uncommon for magic knights to form guilds or mercenary groups. Famous mercenary groups can even be hired by nobles. The third district is where these groups are based.

Naturally, the area reflects this.

Meat is cheap to help build strength and recover magic power, and weapons, armor, and other necessities for combat are in high demand.

It's inevitable that the area has a somewhat rough atmosphere.

"Well, at least in the third district, there seem to be fewer people committing crimes in broad daylight, which is good."

"The fourth district is different, though."

"I have no intention of going there. It doesn't sound fun."

"I agree."

There's no intention to enter the fourth district, which is dirty, has bad food, and where one can easily get involved in crime. Since their inn is in the third district, they will be involved with the third, second, and first districts. There's no reason to go to the fourth district, which is outside the city.

"Ah, Mr. Shu. There's a mysterious magical artifact over there!"

"What's that? The seedling is dancing...? And growing?"

"It looks like some kind of show."

"Let's take a look."

"Yay!"

"Are you a child?"

The acrobatics performed on the main street often use magic and are quite entertaining. They decided to watch as much as possible within the time they had.

They didn't head to the first district, their destination, until much later.

◆◆◆

At that time, in a small restaurant in the second district, five men were having a meal. On the round table were stews, roasted meat, bread, and alcohol, with a few empty plates.

"Phew... We ate quite a bit."

"What do you mean 'quite a bit'? Marcel, you eat too little. Eat more. That's why you never grow taller."

"What? What did you say, Gears?"

Marcel, who had put down his fork, glared at Gears. However, he was very small, so his glare lacked impact. Gears just laughed and drank more alcohol.

"Hey, hey, stop fighting. We're on a mission, remember?"

"Stopping them is pointless, Captain Donpa. They always fight like this."

"Still, Bar... but..."

"Let them be."

"Rise... well, okay."

Donpa sighed as he watched the two fight. Bar and Rise, on the other hand, looked very entertained.

These five men were the personal guard of the second prince, Linvold. Donpa was the captain of the guard and led his squad on missions.

Their mission was to recruit new women for Linvold. Officially, it was a form of taxation, but in reality, it was kidnapping. They had come to the second district to find beautiful women to satisfy Linvold. They weren't stupid enough to kidnap in the first district.

If they accidentally kidnapped a noble's daughter, Linvold's reputation would be ruined. This would make it almost impossible for him to inherit the throne, and their own prospects for advancement would be dashed.

"By the way, Captain."

"What is it, Bar?"

"We haven't found any good women today. What should we do?"

"...The second district knows about us. They might be hiding on purpose."

"Ah, I see."

Bar nodded in understanding.

This wasn't the first time they had conducted this "emergency recruitment" for the second prince. Donpa's squad had gone into the city multiple times to kidnap women. Their faces were well-known, and when they came, the beautiful women would hide.

Even the restaurant's signboard girl was hiding in the back.

Of course, Donpa and his men didn't know this.

"What should we do, Captain? Linvold-sama said to bring back about ten women. This is tough. Should we go to the third or fourth district?"

"Rise's suggestion is reasonable."

"But are there any beautiful women in the third district or below?"

"Maybe, but probably not."

Rise averted his eyes as he answered Bar's question.

The third and fourth districts were mostly home to rough and poor people. They didn't take care of their appearance, and beautiful women were rare. The second district, where people could lead a decent life, had a better chance of having beautiful women.

"Hey, hey. Marcel and Gears, shut up. We need to get back to work. We'll be in trouble if we're late and Linvold-sama gets angry."

"Tch... Remember this, Gears."

"You'll forget by tomorrow."

Donpa stood up, and Bar and Rise followed. Marcel and Gears slowly stood up, still glaring at each other.

The restaurant owner approached them.

"Um, the bill..."

"What? Oh, well, here you go."

Donpa reached into his pocket and threw a few coins at the owner. The owner was surprised and dropped some coins. He quickly picked them up and counted the money.

Meanwhile, Donpa and his men gathered their belongings.

"Alright, let's get back to work, guys."

The four nodded and headed for the door. The owner, who had finished counting the money, called out to them.

"Wait! The bill isn't enough—"

"What?"

"Ah!"

Gears activated his magic armor, and the scimitar he deployed was pointed at the owner. The owner, seeing the sudden appearance of the weapon, trembled in fear.

"N-nothing..."

"Alright, alright. See you."

They paid with a random amount of money from their pockets, without paying the proper amount. This was the kind of behavior one would expect from the royal guard.

However, this was the current state of the Kingdom of Eldorado.

Corruption and violence were rampant.

Donpa and his men looked around after leaving the restaurant.

"Well, as Rise said, let's go to the third district?"

"The chances are low, but it's better than searching here."

Bar's response was echoed by the other three, and the plan was decided.

They headed towards the third district. At that moment, they noticed two people walking from a considerable distance.

Both had black hair, which shimmered beautifully in the sunlight.

From their build, it was clear that one was a man and the other a woman.

Donpa saw this as an opportunity.

"Guys, we're lucky."

Unaware that these two were the worst Medusa and witch in history, Donpa and his men smiled lecherously, completely unaware of the terrifying future that awaited them.