Kays Translations

Chapter 35: Villainous Aristocrat Goes to Buy Slaves

In the capital, there is a large medical facility.

It's a hospital created and funded by Queen Freya, managed as her hobby.

Felsy, who was injured in the attack by Kito, is currently hospitalized here.

I visited the hospital to pay Felsy a visit.

"Oh... Kunou-kun, you're amazing!! To become a baron at just thirteen years old!!"

"Is it that impressive? Do you really think so?"

I had told Felsy about the events that happened at the royal castle yesterday.

Felsy was genuinely happy for me, as if my becoming a baron was her own accomplishment.

It made me happy too.

"Moreover, being granted a territory too!! Wendy would surely be amazed if she heard about this!!"

"Well, about that, I'm half happy and half surprised."

The reason I became a baron also serves as a deterrent against the Demon King's army.

To emphasize this to the fullest extent, I was granted a territory by Freya.

The territory, Draussen Territory, is a vast forest area adjacent to Dorana Territory, and beyond that lies the expansive sea.

The seafood that can be harvested from this sea is the real reward this time.

Freya said it's fine to start developing it after graduating from the academy, but that won't do.

For me, who wants to eat seafood right away, developing Draussen Territory is an urgent matter.

However, there's a slight problem.

"Looking at the map, Draussen Territory seems really huge, doesn't it?"

The forest area of Draussen Territory was originally a forest for harvesting timber.

However, after the kingdom started reforestation efforts to obtain higher quality timber, it became obsolete, turning into an almost untouched wilderness.

"To be honest, it's quite overwhelming."

"But Kunou-kun, you can surely figure something out, right?"

"Well, it's not impossible, but..."

Using the land-clearing functions of magical tanks and bikes, it wouldn't be difficult to create a habitable environment.

However, there's a severe lack of manpower.

While seafood is essential, considering that we're already targeted by the Demon King's army, it's necessary to utilize this land for agriculture or mass-produce weaponry to prepare for battle.

Setting up a fortress for when the war begins also sounds intriguing.

But if that happens, it will be quite challenging.

There's a limit to the area I can clear alone, and just thinking about how much time it would take...

I don't even want to imagine it.

"I really need more hands. Ideally, someone who won't talk about my magical tools to anyone."

My S-class classmates already know about my magical tools, but they've kept it a secret no matter what they're asked.

They're truly good people.

Surprisingly, Viola was also cooperative in keeping the information confidential.

However, that's exactly why I need to ensure my magical tools remain a secret. If they were exposed, I might have to change how I behave afterward.

Honestly, that sounds like a huge hassle.

Listening to my concerns, Felsy proposes her own solution.

"How about buying slaves?"

"Slaves... Ah!! I didn't think of that!!"

In this world, slavery is quite prevalent.

Gardanakia Kingdom is no exception; it's established by the kingdom's laws.

In fact, the kingdom is at the forefront of the institution of slavery.

Within the Gardanakia Kingdom, there exists a lineage of magic users known as the Subjugation Mages, who practice a bloodline magic called Enslavement Magic.

For generations, this lineage has been engaged in the slave trade, and the royal family has purportedly supervised them under the guise of protection.

Enslavement Magic grants absolute authority over slaves to the person it's cast upon, and depending on how it's used, it can lead to undesirable situations. 

However, the family practicing this magic recognizes it as a necessary measure to protect themselves. Surprisingly, there aren't many issues arising from it.

If I communicate this to Freya, could she introduce me to a slave trader?

"Hehe. Actually, I have a classmate who is the son of a nobleman with a slave trader mother."

"Oh, really? Please introduce me, then. Who is it?"

"The boy's name is—"

I was honestly surprised when I heard the name of that nobleman's son from Felsy.

Because that person was someone I knew.

"I never expected Leon-senpai to be a user of Enslavement Magic."

"Haha, I can't use it myself. I haven't been taught by my mother yet, and I probably won't be in the future."

I was visiting Leon-senpai, my neighbor in the dormitory at the academy.

According to Felsy, it seemed that Leon-senpai's mother was a renowned slave trader.

Well, thinking about it, it's not that strange.

Leon-senpai's family, Count Heiter, is a famous noble house that has risen to prominence by making immense profits through trade with other countries.

Given their background, it wouldn't be surprising if they were involved in slave trading.

However, I wondered why he hadn't learned Enslavement Magic yet.

As if reading my mind, Leon-senpai explained.

"Enslavement Magic is a difficult magic to handle. My cousins, who will eventually inherit my mother's family, are the only ones she has taught."

"Ah, I see. So, it's to prevent Enslavement Magic from spreading more than necessary."

My family is quite lax about this aspect, so I completely forgot about it.

That's right, bloodline magic, as the name suggests, is a secret skill that only those of a specific lineage can wield.

Actually, it's rather strange that someone like me, who isn't from the main lineage like the Viscount Andain family, is allowed to learn and use it.

Well, the Andains seem to be an eccentric family through generations, so there probably isn't a deep reason for allowing it.

"So, you want slaves?"

"Yes. I need manpower for developing my territory. Around ten people, to be specific."

"Just ten people for development? ...Well, I won't pry. My uncle runs a slave trading post affiliated with my mother's family in the capital. Should I take you there? Oh, it's quite expensive though. Do you have enough money?"

"I should be fine in that regard."

That's because I had money from selling convenient magical tools to the Queen, Camo—ahem, to Maria.

I had enough funds to build two or three small houses.

While contemplating these thoughts, I arrived at the slave trader's mansion in the capital, guided by Leon-senpai.

I had imagined a more gloomy and somber place given the term "slave trader," but surprisingly, the building was elegant and looked like an ordinary store.

"Welcome, Baron Knou von Draussen, sir."

We were greeted by a petite man in a black tuxedo, emitting a distinctly suspicious aura.

How does he know my name when we've just met?

I glanced at Leon-senpai, but he shook his head.

Apparently, Leon-senpai hadn't mentioned my name.

Oh, this is getting even more suspicious.

"Leon, it's been a while. Welcome."

"Y-Yeah, it has. But how do you know about Kunou-kun?"

"That's our little secret, yes. However, if I must say, many nobles and merchants are currently paying attention to Baron Draussen, yes."

His laughter, if you could call it that, was eerie and slightly unsettling.

I seriously doubted if this man was truly Leon-senpai's uncle.

"Please, this way, sir."

Following Leon-senpai's uncle, Maxwell, I stepped into the slave trading post.

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