Chapter 299: Suspicious Consultation

Thanks to being introduced to a really good shop at the end, it turned out to be a thoroughly satisfying trip.

I had enjoyed myself even before heading to the eastern district, but this shop was a cut above the rest.

“One Aura Bird each, alright? How will you take them home?”

“I’d like a birdcage. Should I purchase one separately?”

“It’s not separate. I just asked because they won’t escape even without a cage.”

“Huh? They won’t escape?”

“Yes. You put your finger near the Aura Bird’s beak. It will peck at you, but if you share your magic with it, it will recognize you as its master.”

The method of training is very fantasy-like.

But I don’t know how to release magic, so I can’t make them recognize me as their master.

“Sheila-san, I can’t share my magic, so please give magic to both birds.”

“Is that alright?”

“Of course.”

Sheila-san shared her magic with each Aura Bird.

The two birds happily flew onto her shoulders, chirping as if singing joyfully. They were incredibly cute.

“That should do it. Do you want to take the birdcages too?”

“Yes. I’ll take them home myself.”

“Understood. Then come this way.”

I was guided to the back of the shop to collect the cages.

But Chris-san didn’t fetch the cages. Instead, she turned toward me and poked my chest with her index finger.

“Before the cages, I have a consultation. Will you listen?”

“A… consultation? W-what is it?”

Alone in the dim backyard with Chris-san, her presence was intoxicating. Her proximity made me flustered.

“What I want to consult you about… is regarding slaves.”

“S-slaves?”

“I want this kept strictly between us. I lead an organization called ‘DMR’ that actively frees slaves.”

“An organization that frees slaves…?”

“Yes. They raid and forcibly liberate slaves. They’re quite unpopular in the kingdom.”

I was surprised to learn that slaves existed, but even more surprised that Chris-san was the leader of a liberation group.

From an outsider’s perspective, it might seem like a good organization, but the fact that they are disliked suggests they use force to free the slaves.

“I see… does that mean you want me to join the organization?”

“Of course not. You seem very weak. What I want you to do is provide a safe haven for the freed slaves. From what I’ve researched, you’ve built a village in a remote area, right?”

I had only recently met Chris-san, and barely introduced myself.

Yet she knew about my village, which was a little unsettling.

“Yes… that’s right, but… how do you know?”

“With the amount of goods you’ve gathered, and being the leader of DMR… I have my hand in shops on both the east and west sides. And this is a trade city. I can easily gather information if I want.”

She said this with the widest smile since we met, like an evil mastermind, which made me shiver slightly.

“So that’s it… you knew I was running a village-like place, and that’s why you proposed this.”

“Exactly. Of course, you may refuse. As long as you keep this confidential, nothing will happen if you decline.”

Hmm… what should I do?

I have a motto of accepting whatever comes. If these people lived in slavery, I would want to actively welcome them.

But since they were forcibly freed, I worry that if anyone discovers the village is sheltering them, it might be dangerous.

I want to consult with Sheila-san before making any decision.

“I do want to accept them. But given the risk, I can’t give an immediate answer. I can consult with those living there, right?”

“…Hmm, alright. I didn’t want you to consult the princess, but fine. Just don’t consult anyone else, okay? If the three of you can’t decide together, it’s better to refuse.”

“Understood. I’ll consult them and reply as soon as possible. Should I send a letter?”

“Send it to the store ‘Neelmart’ in the royal capital. From there, it will reach me.”

“Understood. I will send the reply to Neelmart.”

“Yes. I expect a good answer.”

After saying this, Chris-san handed me the birdcages.

Although my heart was still pounding from the intense discussion, Sheila-san and Velvet-san were playing with the Aura Birds, so they didn’t notice my slightly awkward behavior.

Meanwhile, only Barnett-san seemed to glare at Chris-san, noticing something behind the scenes.

Chris-san noticed his glare and returned it. Their standoff resembled a snake facing a mongoose… a little frightening.