Chapter 309: Policy

From the next day, we decided to have Leticia-san actually try working.

There were four options: helping with farming, assisting at the inn, working in the orchard, and construction-related labor.

Just like with the Dark Elves, I briefly considered letting her choose freely based on preference. But I didn’t know what kind of environment they had grown up in. Questions such as whether it would be better to have everyone work together, or whether physical labor suited them better than work requiring thought, should be decided by Leticia-san, who knew them well.

“Haa… so that means the four job trials are done, right?”

“Yes. For the people we’ll be accepting, we’re thinking of assigning them to one of those jobs. What do you think, Leticia-san?”

“Well now… I reckon women should work in farming, and men in construction. Just being beastkin makes some folks treat us badly, so working at the inn is a no-go. Male beastkin are often strong and used to heavy labor, so construction suits them best. As for female beastkin, many aren’t tall enough for orchards, so farming seems like the best fit overall.”

I see.

It was a precise assessment that matched their traits well.

Construction always needs manpower due to ongoing building projects, and farming can never have too many workers.

It seemed safe to fully rely on Leticia-san’s judgment.

“Then we’ll assign everyone accordingly. …By the way, about the inspection result—how did it go? Is this place acceptable as a destination?”

“Of course it is. It’s more than acceptable. Once I report back to Rudark, I think they’ll come right over. Please take care of us, Sato-san.”

“I’m glad to hear it. We’ll be looking forward to them arriving.”

We bowed to each other, and with that, Leticia-san’s inspection ended.

She stayed one more night, then returned to Rudark the next morning.

We gave her a boxed gift of inari sushi for the journey, so she should have enjoyed the trip back as well.

All that was left for us was to prepare for the incoming former slaves.

We looked forward to the new companions while getting everything ready.

Just four days after Leticia-san returned to Rudark, a group appeared in the morning, walking from the direction of the royal capital.

There was no doubt—they were the former slave beastkin.

More than anything, Leticia-san was walking at the very front, and her excited smile was extremely cute.

Still, they had arrived much earlier than expected. We had assumed it would be closer to autumn, so preparations weren’t fully complete.

She did say she’d come right after reporting back, but even considering the distance, this was surprisingly fast.

“Leticia-san, that was quite quick. Did you get permission from Chris-san?”

“Yes. Lady Christina wasn’t in Rudark at the time, she was elsewhere, so we were able to come early. …Was it too soon for you?”

“We’re not fully prepared for a welcome ceremony, but it’s no problem starting today.”

“There’s no need for a welcome ceremony. We are the ones being accepted. Please take care of us starting today.”

She bowed deeply, and the beastkin behind her followed suit.

Something about Leticia-san’s wording made it sound like she herself was also moving in, not just acting as an escort.

It might just be the way she speaks as a representative, but I decided to confirm it anyway.

“Likewise, we look forward to working with you. …By the way, I was wondering—are you also relocating, Leticia-san?”

“That was the plan when I came. I already have Lady Christina’s permission… but was that a problem?”

“No, not at all. We welcome everyone here. I was just worried because you had a big role in the inspection and it might cause issues with Chris-san.”

After all, pulling someone like that away could easily damage relationships.

I wanted to be sure.

“Lady Christina wouldn’t be affected whether I’m there or not. I was originally a former slave she rescued six years ago. I had nowhere to go, so she kindly allowed me to work nearby. I want to help her, but I can’t keep relying on her forever.”

“So that’s how it is… Chris-san really is amazing.”

“Yes. To us, she is nothing less than a hero.”

I still didn’t fully understand what “slave” meant in this world.

But if it was anything like what existed in Earth’s history, then someone who saved them from it would truly be a hero without exaggeration.

It almost felt like we were taking away someone important from such a person, and that made me a little uneasy.

But if Leticia-san says it’s fine… then maybe it is.

Even during just those four days of inspection, I could tell she was extremely capable.

We’d discuss this properly with Chris-san when the time came.

For now, I should focus on welcoming the people who had arrived.