Chapter 146 - Beastmen

Rafatalia: “Ah, Naofumi-sama”

I stop by the Slave Dealer’s tent, and Rafatalia greets me.

Slave Dealer: “My, My. Is it not the Hero of the Shield?”

Naofumi: “You. You did something unnecessary for my slaves. I am quite troubled, you know.”

Slave Dealer: “Now then, what could you be talking about?”

The Slave dealer forces a laugh.

If I try to push this point too hard, I will get sucked into his pace. I guess I’ll drop it.

Naofumi: “Anyways, I came across a large amount of monster eggs, so I would like to cancel my order.”

Slave Dealer: “I thought you would say that, so I took the liberty of cancelling it for you. Yes.”

Naofumi: “You…”

Calm down… Calm down…

Slave Dealer: “Would you like another Filo Rial? I don’t believe there was one in the eggs you had.”

Naofumi: “So you already checked them!”

I’m reaching my limit here.

I hate feeling like I’m dancing on the palm of his hand.

Slave Dealer: “I think it would be more entertaining for you to find out when they hatch. Yes”

My head hurts.

This happens every time I see this person.

It’s annoying, so I’ll just finish my business here and leave.

Naofumi: “Then, did you find any more slaves from that village?”

Rafatalia: “Well…”

Rafatalia’s expression becomes dark.

Slave Dealer: “I apologize, but we have yet to find any more.”

Naofumi: “I see…”

Slave Dealer: “I even spread around the Hero of the Shield’s name, and no one came forward. I don’t think I will be able to find any more within the confines of Melromark.”

Naofumi: “Fumu…”

Though we have been able to find quite a few children, I guess not too many people survived the wave in the first place.

I have found 15 already… (Note: remember, 3 of the 18 were outsiders)

Slave Dealer: “It may be beneficial to increase the search range. Yes.”

Naofumi: “Can you do that?”

Slave Dealer: “If the Hero of the Shield asks for it, I have no choice but to oblige.”

This sounds fishy. The Slave dealer extends his hand to me as if asking for money.

Naofumi: “After that is… Do you have any skilled Demi-Human slaves that would be of use to me?”

Having someone skilled at compounding, construction or black smithery may help the growth of the village.

The only one there who can make intermediate-advanced medicine is me.

There are a few that have shown interest in the subject but progress has been slow.

Slave Dealer: “Then the Tanuki girl you have with you may be considered quite skillful.”

I look at Rafatalia.

Now that I think about it, I haven’t actually taught her anything… The most I’ve had her do is tan leather.

Well, she is quite clumsy in most aspects besides fighting.

Rafatalia: “Were you just thinking something relatively rude?”

Naofumi: “Not really…”

Slave Dealer: “Let’s see… Well, the Lemo Race is quite good with their hands. They’re also relatively docile.”

Naofumi: “Hmm…”

Slave Dealer: “You’ve probably never seen one before, though. Yes.”

Naofumi: “Are they rare?”

Slave Dealer: “They’re not rare in other countries, but as they are considered Beastmen, their numbers in Melromark are few. Yes.”

I see…

Are they closer to animals than other Demi-humans? Now that I think about it, all of the Demi-humans I’ve seen so far have been quite humanoid.

Naofumi: “Do you have any here?”

Slave Dealer: “Yes, you may be in luck. I have one in stock.”

Naofumi: “Let me see.”

The Slave Dealer leads me into the depths of the tent.

“Here it is.”

I look at the cage I have been led to.

In it is a child cowering in fear under a blanket.

It’s dark, so I can’t really see anything.

Naofumi: “Fumu…”

Slave Dealer: “Present it.”

At the Slave Dealer’s command, a muscular man appears, and opens the cage. He takes away its blanket.

Lemo Kid: “S-stop it!”

Naofumi: “…”

I look at the Lemo Child.

To describe it briefly, it looked like a mole. It’s a werewolf-like fusion between a human and a mole.

It looks like the Lemo are a race of mole-people.

Its stature is quite short. Its height only comes up to my waist. Is it because it is a child?

Slave Dealer: “It is of a race who’s eyes are weak to light. You may be able to use it for nighttime patrols.”

Lemo Kid: “awawa….”

The Lemo Child huddles into a corner of the cage, whilst trembling.

Rafatalia has a worried expression.

Naofumi: “Rafatalia.”

Rafatalia: “Yes?”

Naofumi: “You understand that I’m no philanthropist, right?”

Rafatalia: “Y-yeah, I realize that.”

Even so, it’s a race that is skilled in craftsmanship…

but…

Naofumi: “Hey, do a lot of people in this country persecute Demi-Human slaves?”

Many of the Demi-human children slaves had remnants of scars left by whips all over their bodies.

Slave Dealer: “A while ago, this country was at war with Demi-Humans, there’s no helping it. Yes.”

Naofumi: “So people are still taking out their anger from that time on these races?”

Slave Dealer: “Well, it’s war. Many people lost their families to the Demi-humans, and this country’s military campaigns brought an influx of cheap Demi-Human slaves. Yes. There was no easier way for those people to get revenge on Demi-Humans as a whole.”

This country’s darkness runs deep.

I wonder what the nobles think of me, who is making a Demi-Human village.

Slave Dealer: “Though slavery is legal in this country, mistreatment of slaves is punishable by law. Yes.”

Naofumi: “Those actions were illegal… You seem to be selling quite a few of such illegal slaves…”

Now that I think about it, this tent is quite well hidden, in a back alley…

Slave Dealer: “Don’t worry. I am conducting business quite legally. Yes.”

Legal…

The Slave Dealer looks proud as he says this, but something in my head is screaming bull sh*t.

If so, then why do you carry abused slaves in the first place…

Naofumi: “Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

I look at the wounds on the back of the Lemo kid.

…They look quite deep.

Naofumi: 「Zveit Heal」

I use healing magic, and the wounds slowly close.

But the wounds were quite severe. I can’t heal them completely.

Lemo Kid: “Eh?”

Naofumi: “Hey, you. I heard you are quite skillful.”

Lemo Kid: “…I don’t know.”

The Lemo slave hides its face as it says this.

It’s a better reply than claiming to do something that you can’t.

Naofumi: “If I taught you something, could you do it?”

Lemo Kid: “… if you order it, I would have to do it. So… don’t hit me…”

The Lemo slave sounds like it is about to cry. It curls itself into a tighter ball.

But as the rest of the cage is empty, it still stands out.

Rafatalia: “Fufu…”

Rafatalia looks at me and laughs a bit. What is she on about?

Slave Dealer: “Should I prepare the slave seal?”

Naofumi: “Yeah.”

And so we apply the slave seal to the Lemo child. I am already used to the process.

Slave Dealer: “Ah, I just remembered. Hero of the Shield.”

Naofumi: “What? I won’t cook you anything.”

Slave Dealer: “That’s unfortunate, but there is something I must warn you about.”

Naofumi: “Hm?”

Slave Dealer: “There seems to be a Mad Alchemist in this country who focuses on monster experimentation. Be careful.”

The Queen said the same thing. Is he really that dangerous?

Slave Dealer: “The Hero of the Shield’s monsters all seem to grow abnormally. You may get targeted soon.”

Naofumi: “Yes, Yes. Got it.”

I casually let it slide as I exit the Slave Dealer’s tent.

Lemo Kid: “I-it’s too bright…”

The Lemo Slave follows me while keeping both of its hands on its eyes.

Oh right. This race was weak to light.

Rafatalia casts some magic, and dims the light around the slave’s face.

Rafatalia: “Will this be alright?”

Lemo Kid: “Ah… Yes.”

Right, Rafatalia’s best magic was Light and Darkness. She could manipulate them to create illusions.

The Class Up let her use more types of magic, but that magic seems to remain her specialty.

A mole Beastman.

Perhaps we should get some sunglasses.

What sort of environment does this race usually live in?

But sunglasses…

As I walk through town, I see a stand selling spectacles.

Naofumi: “Hey.”

Glasses Vendor: “How can I help you?”

I address the person selling the specs.

Naofumi: “Do you have any glasses with darkened lenses? I’m looking for a pair.”

Glasses Vendor: “We have some.”

The Vendor takes out a sample and puts it on the table.

The lenses are definitely black… what are they made of? It doesn’t seem to be glass… Is it some part of a monster?

It seems to be made of ‘Black Fly Wings’. It’s a monster I’ve yet to meet.

I wonder where they live.

I understand it probably isn’t common. It’s probably in a cave, or in the mountains or somewhere else difficult to reach by carriage.

Glasses Vendor: “…That will be 80 Copper.”

It’s basic business to increase the price if someone shows interest.

Naofumi: “Hmm… I see. Then I guess we should give up for now.”

I give the glasses back to the vendor and head towards another merchant’s shop.

He should know my face.

However I make sure to conceal myself with the cloak.

Naofumi: “Do you happen to have any Black Fly Wing?”

Merchant: “Wha?”

Upon hearing my voice, the merchant seems a bit startled.

Perhaps he figured out my identity. He puts on a suspicious smile.

Naofumi: “Ah, remember the time with the balloons?”

(Note: It is implied that this merchant was the first victim of the balloons Naofumi kept under his robe)

Merchant: “I-I won’t treat you like that again!”

Naofumi: “Anyways, do you have any?”

Merchant: “I have some. I have some, so please stop pressuring me.”

Naofumi: “That depends on your actions.”

The merchant frantically brings out the requested goods.

Black Fly Wing

Quality: Poor

Naofumi: “It’s quality is poor. How does 10 Copper sound?”

Merchant: “…*sigh*. I understand.”

Naofumi: “But as compensation, I’ll give you some publicity. Rafatalia, take the kid and get a bit away.”

Rafatalia: “Understood.”

Merchant: “Eh? Eh?”

Rafatalia takes the Lumo Child’s hand and leads it away.

Merchant: “Eh!?”

The Merchant raises his voice.

I take off my robe, and he makes a startled sound.

Naofumi: “Thanks! You’ve really helped me a lot. I’ll continue to be a regular customer.”

I say it in quite a monotonous voice.

But the volume of my voice, and the fact that my face was visible causes the surrounding people to stop in their tracks.

Naofumi: “Well then, See ya.”

Merchant: “W-wait!”

I hear the sound of people crowding his shop as I walk away.

Crowd: “The Hero of the Shield is your regular!?”

Another Person: “If that man shopped here, I bet the items will bring luck! Please sell me something.”

Merchant: “U-um…”

The Merchant lets out a troubled voice as he deals with all the swarming customers.

Now then, I should find a safe place to put the robe back on.