Chapter 44

After receiving the soybeans from the Miles Trading Company, Noein returned to the capital of Noein and immediately began their cultivation.

The location was an experimental field created behind Noein's mansion. Since he only had superficial knowledge about soybeans from books, he had prepared this experimental field in advance to try and cultivate them through trial and error.

"…So far, it seems they are growing well in this soil."

"Is that so? If Edgar also sees it that way, I'm glad."

It had been about two weeks since the cultivation began. Now, Noein was having the growth of the soybeans inspected by Edgar, who was in charge of agriculture in the domain.

When it came to agriculture, Edgar had far more practical knowledge and experience than Noein. Even though the soybeans were an unfamiliar crop from a distant region, Edgar's expertise would be useful for the cultivation experiment.

With this in mind, Noein occasionally had Edgar check the experimental field.

"…I believe it will take about three to four months until harvest, right?"

"Yes, that's right. If we start now, the harvest will be around summer. The cultivation method should be similar to other beans, so I plan to have Edgar check on them from time to time."

"If you don't mind, I'll take care of it."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

If oil production in the domain becomes possible, many dreams could come true, but for now, Noein could only diligently take care of the soybeans to increase their numbers. He put this project on the back burner for the moment.

Just then, Pence arrived.

"Lord Noein, I apologize for interrupting your meeting."

"It's fine. I was just finishing up… Did the slave traders from the Miles Trading Company arrive?"

"Yes, I came to inform you. They are waiting at the village entrance."

"Thank you. I'll head there immediately."

Noein had been informed that the slave traders from the Miles Trading Company would arrive in the capital of Noein within the next two to three days. They had finally arrived.

Noein had already communicated with the slave traders about the number and type of slaves needed for various purposes. Since many of his vassals could not leave the capital of Noein, he had arranged for the traders to bring a certain number of slaves to the domain.

When he arrived at the village entrance, he saw two large carriages, presumably carrying the slaves, parked there. At the front, the head of the trading company, whom Noein had met once in Retvik for a meeting, was waiting.

"Lord Alquvist, it's a pleasure to meet you today."

"Thank you for your trouble. I appreciate you coming all the way to this rural village."

"Not at all. Delivering slaves to where they are needed is our job… In the future, I hope you will consider our trading company for your slave purchases."

The head of the trading company said this with a suspicious smile and rubbing his hands together, a fitting expression for the head of a slave trading company.

"Have you gathered slaves that meet our requirements?"

"Yes, indeed. We have brought a large number of high-quality slaves. You can choose the ones you need."

"Thank you. Then, please come to the square."

Led by Lord Noein, the slave traders' group made their way to the square of the capital of Noein.

...

In the square of the capital of Noein, which had been temporarily turned into a slave market, the slaves were lined up after being unloaded from the carriages.

In the Kingdom of Roadberg, about 20% of the population were slaves. People became slaves due to unpaid taxes, debt, fleeing, criminal punishment, or being sold by their families to reduce the number of mouths to feed. Slaves were a common presence in the kingdom, and the local residents did not show disgust at the sight of humans being displayed as "commodities." Instead, the unusual sight of outsiders crowding the square created a festive atmosphere.

The main buyers of slaves today were Noein and his vassals. Additionally, the carpenter Dmitri was buying slaves for physical labor, and some farmers with large families and extensive farmland were buying agricultural slaves to help with the work.

"This is a former farmer who fled from the conflict zone in the western part of the kingdom. He is still in his 20s, has a strong body, and is familiar with farm work."

"This is a girl from a tenant farmer's family. She has been trained in both field work and household chores, so she will be useful in various ways."

The employees of the slave trading company were explaining the slaves to the vassals and local residents as they walked around the lined-up slaves.

The number of slaves brought this time was in the dozens, and the buyers would choose the slaves that suited their needs from among them.

Meanwhile, local residents who did not plan to buy slaves were also walking around the square with interest.

Some were even encouraging the slaves, saying, "Hey, you should try to sell yourself to be bought" or "This lord is kind to slaves. You'll definitely be happier if you're bought here."

The local residents were in a position where they could easily become slaves themselves. They probably had thoughts about the actual slaves they saw.

"…There seem to be many young and healthy slaves."

While choosing slaves with the head of the trading company, Noein muttered this.

Most slaves who had been slaves for a long time were usually thin, and many became slaves due to aging and inability to work or pay taxes.

From this perspective, the slaves brought by the head of the trading company seemed to be mostly young and newly enslaved.

"Recently, conflicts have been ongoing both in the west and the east, leading to economic deterioration and many young people becoming slaves… Even those who would not normally become slaves are falling into slavery, which is truly sad."

"Indeed, that is the case. However, isn't this a good opportunity for you?"

"Indeed, as a slave trader, I have no shortage of high-quality goods to sell… However, in the long run, the worsening situation within the kingdom is a cause for concern. I am also a citizen of the kingdom."

Hearing the head of the trading company's more principled views than expected, Noein revised his opinion of him internally.

Despite his suspicious expressions and gestures, the head of the trading company was a legitimate merchant who conducted business based on the kingdom's laws and fulfilled his obligations such as registering the company and paying taxes.

That was probably why he was the head of the largest slave trading company in the Keonitz barony, and why Benedict had introduced him to Noein as a trustworthy slave trader.

Noein privately reflected that he should not judge people solely based on the negative connotations of "slave trader."

"By the way, Lord, have you found any slaves that meet your requirements?"

"Yes, I think so…"

When asked by the head of the trading company, Noein proceeded with the main task of the day, which was to choose slaves.

The lord's farmland was larger than that of the vassals and local residents, and there were more facilities that required workers, such as the water mill and the bathhouse. He needed several strong slaves.

He selected slaves who seemed physically and mentally suitable and asked the head of the trading company:

"I need someone to lead these labor slaves. Do you have anyone suitable?"

"There is one person who would be suitable… but he is a beastman. Is that acceptable?"

The head of the trading company glanced at Matilda, who was standing beside Noein, as he asked.

"Yes, that's fine. I have no objection to having a beastman by my side."

"That's good to hear. Please follow me."

The head of the trading company led Noein to a large tiger man.

"Here, this is the lord of this village. Greet him."

"My name is Zadrek, Lord."

The tiger man introduced himself, knelt on both knees, and bowed with his hands clasped in front of his chest, showing the proper slave's greeting.

While the tiger man was performing the greeting, the head of the trading company explained:

"This slave was born into the chief's family in a tiger man's village. He would be suitable as a leader of the slaves. He is strong and has a good mind, so I guarantee he will be useful."

"Then, I'll take him as well."

In this way, Noein decided to purchase over 15 labor slaves. This was to manage the farmland and facilities, provide labor for the Rostio Mountains, and prepare for the upcoming oil production.

The cost would be in the hundreds of thousands of rebo, but considering the expected benefits from their work, it was a good investment. Moreover, with so many slaves at Noein's disposal, the local residents would be freed from the burden of corvée labor.

"Lastly, I would like to introduce a slave capable of knowledge work."

"You have one available? I would appreciate it if you could."

With the expansion of the Alquvist domain, Anna, who was in charge of finance and administration, was already very busy. Noein wanted to add someone who could read, write, and calculate, but such people were hard to find, so he decided to use a knowledgeable slave.

The head of the trading company had said that he could not guarantee the availability of such slaves, and he had not mentioned this until the end, so Noein thought they might not have been available. However, it seemed he had been saving this as a special item for Noein.

The slave, described as a special item for Noein, was not in the square but in one of the carriages.

"Here he is."

The person there was a blue-haired girl.