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(6/20)
Chapter 27 – Marquis’s Guidance End and Slave Contracts
After the women finished shopping at the jewelry store, they felt a little tired and decided to take a break at the donut shop.
“I now understand what Wataru-dono meant when he said that the country would definitely protect the orphanage if they saw this ship.”
The Marquis spoke to me over a cup of tea. I was a little apprehensive, but it’s full of cultures from different worlds, so I’m sure it’s valuable.
“There are many mysterious things here.”
“That’s right, Wataru-dono. Isn’t Mage-dono from a different world?”
“Well, I don’t know. He doesn’t like to be questioned.”
Actually, what I said is not a lie, so they won’t find out, will they?
“Well, maybe there is no mistake, but I doubt if he would answer me if I asked him.”
I wouldn’t have the courage to tell someone that I’m from another world, no matter how obvious it is.
“Yes, I think so.”
“You’re going to dock this ship in the city of Cagliari, aren’t you? Why not dock in Lucca?”
“We said we would dock in the city where the orphanage was built, so I guess we will dock in the city of Cagliari.”
“Hmm, I should have forced some land for that.”
It’s a murmur that sounds like something a vicious land grabber would do.
“Mage-sama doesn’t like to cause trouble for others, so I don’t think he’ll be happy if you force someone to prepare the land for him.”
Or rather, it’s a little disadvantage. First of all, I’m being asked to do charity work, and I’m building an orphanage, but if I increase the number of unhappy people, they’ll get mad at me.
Speaking of which, I need to spend more money. I’d like to spend it in a roundabout way, but charity is tied up, and I’d have to think of something to spend it all on.
“I see…”
The Marquis thinks of something. I want to believe that he’s not thinking of something sinister.
“Hey, Wataru-san, can I ask you something?”
The Marquis’ wife spoke to me. What is it? I’m nervous.
“Yes, what is it?”
“I was wondering, why do you have three Slimes with you?”
Is she biting into them?
“It’s simple; we like Slimes. I know it’s hard for people to understand, but they’re cute.”
“Really? Cute? I don’t know, but I think so.”
If the high-ranking people understood it, it would create a boom. As expected, in this situation, there is no way for me to start proselytizing to the lady.
If the Crown Prince always had slime on his head… or something, it would be a fad, but I’d probably be arrested for proselytizing.
After the break, we continued the tour. The mini-golf was enjoyed by the guests, but the zipline and bouldering were not allowed because of the danger.
Even if we said it was safe, the escorts couldn’t let them try it unless they could prove it, right?
As for skating, the skates were considered a deadly weapon, but we demonstrated, and they understood that there was no problem. However, the Marquis was not allowed to participate because it would be dangerous if he fell. Such overprotection.
We went to the captain’s office and ended the meeting with the mage and the marquis. The original plan was to end the meeting quickly and easily, but it was too much to do from the side.
“Mage-dono, thank you for your help during the war.”
“No.”
Is “no” a reasonable answer to this conversation? I thought it would be confusing to expand the vocabulary too much, but too little was also a problem.
“Thank you for helping to build the orphanage.”
“No, thank you for showing me your ship. If there’s anything I can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“Thank you very much. …I apologize, but I will take my leave now.”
The meeting ends with a subtle lack of commitment. I felt a chill as I watched from the sidelines. It was a good thing the Marquis didn’t ask any questions. At worst, the plan was to ignore him by pretending the mage was grumpy, but I’m glad I didn’t have the chance to do that.
“U-umu. If there is another opportunity.”
Marina-san bowed and left. Thank you for your hard work.
“Wataru-dono. Was Mage-dono in a bad mood?”
“No, that’s normal.”
“Is that so?”
The Marquis makes a strange face. Did he find out something?
“Yes, he’s like that, so don’t worry about it.”
“Well, I found out that he is an unusual person.”
“Haha, I see. Oh, shall we have dinner soon?”
Let’s change the subject, even if it’s by force. Anyway, when the guests arrive, it’s 150 Central Park. I don’t know how to entertain the big shots. If I take them to the most luxurious place, it should work.
We take a walk in Central Park before arriving at the restaurant. I’m surprised that a leisurely stroll in the park is so highly regarded.
It looks like you could take a leisurely stroll in a castle garden or something, but they say you can’t be distracted just because you’re in a castle. I would hate to be distracted in my own home. However, this place is also the ship of a mysterious mage.
We enter the restaurant and order a meal. We eat the dishes with a glass of wine. Whenever a dish is served that they have never had before, everyone is happy, so they are very excited. I was relieved to hear that they liked the taste of the food.
The ice cream, in particular, seemed to have won the hearts of the madams, and when I told them that I had registered with the Merchant’s Guild, they asked the official to get the recipe for them when they returned to the castle. We also registered for a lot of other things. Once the Castle is opened, we’ll make a lot more money.
After dinner, we went to the bar as promised. The Rising Tide Bar is the one I think they would like, but it’s hard because of the number of people there. Let’s go to the big Solarium Bar.
I enter the Solarium Bar and ask for cocktails for the ladies and for the Marquis and the Commander, I ask mainly for the kinds of drinks that are sold in the liquor store. Whiskey, brandy, gin, vodka, rum, and a variety of other drinks.
Hmm, it seems like all the drinks I choose from the store are strong drinks. My head starts to spin, so I switch to a weaker cocktail.
The Marquis and the Commander are seriously enjoying their drinks. They are also seriously discussing the evaluation of the drinks. The difference in taste depends on the number of years it was aged, where it was made, the taste of the aroma, the taste of the flavor… it’s so serious that I can’t help but withdraw.
When I asked them why they were so serious about their evaluation, they told me that they were thinking of buying liquor as a gift, and since they could only take five bottles home, they were very serious about their selection.
And since each person is limited to five bottles, he asks if it is okay if his wife and cousin buy some as well. This is just like a housewife taking her relatives to the supermarket to buy a bargain package per person.
Mauro-san told me that as long as we kept to the limit of five bottles per person, there was no problem. They were overjoyed to have more alcohol to take home.
I feel like I’ll go out of business if I drink anymore, so I call it a night and go to my room. I show the Marquis the Royal Loft Suite and explain how to use the room.
I recommend the Jacuzzi on the balcony. I end the session by showing him how to order room service and return to my room.
“Whew, I left most of the work to Camille-san and the others, but I’m exhausted.”
“Fufu, you can’t have Master’s restlessness when Marina is acting as Mage-sama. The Marquis had his doubts, too, so try to calm down.”
I was fidgeting, wasn’t I? When I feel uncomfortable, I can’t help but move in an unnatural way.
“Yes, but I think that once the Castle is moved to the city of Cagliari, the mage will most likely not have a chance to meet with people.”
If I tell them that the mage has returned to seclusion because the Castle has been opened, they won’t think of forcing a meeting with him. If they do meet, it will be when it is necessary for the mage to visit them.
………………
In the morning, I greet the Marquis in the main dining room.
“Good morning, Marquis-sama. You don’t seem to be feeling well. Are you all right?”
I suspect he has a hangover, but it would be inconvenient if it were for any other reason.
“Oh, good morning, Wataru-dono. I just had a little too much to drink. I really enjoyed the bath and the room service.”
I guess he was hungover after all. The fact that he was not in a state of exhaustion suggests that he was either a strong drinker or restrained himself.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
The Marquis and the Commander and the Commander’s wife, who looked a little under the weather, had a light breakfast, but the rest of the party enjoyed the dessert.
“Marquis-sama, could you tell us what your plans are for today?”
Camille-san asks the Marquis what his plans are for today. From my point of view, I feel good so far, so I hope he’ll leave early before anything happens.
“Hmm, I have to get back before lunch. I’d like to do some shopping on board. Now I just need confirmation that you can’t use deadly force on board.”
“Understood, sir. I will take you shopping. To confirm that there is no deadly force on board, you will be thrown overboard.”
“Yes. I hear that. I’ll bring someone with me who can swim, so there will be no problem.”
“Understood. Wataru-san, can I ask you to rescue the person who fell overboard?”
“Yes, I understand. Then let’s confirm it before the Marquis and the others leave.”
Camille-san, Mauro-san, and Donatella-san will lead the Marquis and the others to go shopping. We go our separate ways to prepare for the rescue.
I heard later that the Marquis made a note of all the alcohol he drank last night and chose his drinks after serious consideration. That’s not the way a nobleman should behave. The madams also went shopping at the cosmetics store and were satisfied with their purchases.
The prohibition of deadly force was also invoked when two knights removed their armor, and one of them was lightly slashed and thrown into the sea. After several repeated attempts, a flick to the forehead that indicated an intention to attack was not good, but a playful flick to the forehead was safe.
“Umu, I don’t really understand the boundary line, but it certainly keeps people safe. But it is dangerous in a way when one careless move could get you kicked out of the ship.”
He was right. It’s normal to get frustrated and accidentally get out of control.
“We have lifeboats and life-saving equipment, so unless something really bad happens, we can save you.”
I didn’t know Camille-san had checked that much. Is it the vice captain’s knowledge?
Well, they agreed that as long as you don’t attack, you’ll be safe. The Marquis liked the Castle and promised to talk to the Crown Prince about it. As long as the navy guards the orphanage, we will be fine.
The inspection was finally over when we left the Marquis and his men in Lucca. Since the Marquis will speak to the Crown Prince, we can consider it a success. He will deliver the answer to the Merchant’s Guild in the city of Cagliari.
“Wataru-san, we’re going to check on the slaves.”
We just finished one job, and Camille-san and the others are already starting the next one. I think it’s okay to rest a little longer. I don’t like it when they work too hard like I’m slacking off, but I can’t say it out loud.
“I understand, thank you.”
………………
It’s been five days since the Marquis’ inspection, and Saverio-san has visited us several times, but I’m at peace because he doesn’t bother me when Alessia-san is around. I am worried that he sometimes tries to follow us as a subordinate and often asks where we are going next.
Camille-san reported that she had gathered some people, so we went to buy slaves. We plan to leave immediately after the purchase because there are quite a few people. When we entered the slave trading house, we were led into a room by a person who looked like the manager.
“Camille-san, you have already selected most of the people, haven’t you?”
“Yes, we have already discussed the job description and conditions, and if Wataru-san has no problems, we will sign the contract.”
“I don’t have a good eye for people, so I don’t think I can help it.”
I don’t have enough experience to see the good and the bad in people. I’m already satisfied with the contract.
“Wataru, you should just watch and see. There are some people you don’t like, even if you don’t have any reason to dislike them. It will only make you both unhappy, so you should at least see each other”.
Ah, Mauro-san is right. There are people you just can’t get along with.
“I understand. Please do.”
Then, one by one, people come in, have a light conversation, and leave. The scary-looking people are the guards. There are only humans and beastmen. No elves or anything?
There are some women I like, but the atmosphere isn’t one of asking for ecchi demands. Everyone’s introductions are over.
“Wataru-san, how did you like them?”
“There was no one in particular that I didn’t like. I don’t think it’s a problem.”
“The number of people has increased by five, so we have 45 people, and it costs 540 gold coins. The contract is for ten years, and there are no special contracts like sex slavery. Is that okay with you?”
“Ten years? Camille-san, I would appreciate it if they could work for a longer period of time, but why did you limit it to 10 years?”
If we release them after ten years, we have to go back and buy more slaves, and that’s a hassle, isn’t it?
“There are very few slaves who don’t want to be freed, and we decided that slaves who are driven to that point are not suitable for the orphanage or the Castle. It would be less inconvenient if we either freed them or paid them a salary and hired them when their term was up.
If they don’t want to work for us, we should let them go, and if they still want to work for us, we can hire them.
“I understand. Please take care of it.”
From there, the contract rush continued: 45 contracts were signed, and in turn, the Lutto transported them to the Fortress.
There were teachers, cooks, guards, staff, and, fortunately, some who had taken care of several children in rural villages. It is common for people to take care of a group of children while they work on a farm. At least it seems that when the children arrive, they won’t be in a situation where they don’t know what to do with them.
Available funds: 26 gold coins, 2 silver coins, 57 copper coins
Guild account: 0 platinum, 70 gold coins
Savings boat: 922 platinum coins
Pepper boat: 0
Charity spending: 81 platinum coins, 69 gold coins
Thanks for the chapter
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Thanks for the treat.
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Thanks for the chapter
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I think the NPC is learning a little by asking obvious questions from the pros. He might become the MC soon
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