Episode 727 God’s Witness (5)
A Slave Trader from a Foreign Country.
It wasn’t uncommon, but it wasn’t always the case either.
In addition, Celia was originally a slave-free country.
As a slave trader, even entering the port is restricted.
Halfman continued.
– When you see him walking around confidently, it is clear that there is a company that supports him from behind. It must have been a slave business outside of Celia.
Slaves become money.
If you pick up a person with talent in swordsmanship or magic, make a slave, and raise him over a long period of time, the ransom will skyrocket.
As the main customers of the slave market are nobles, they can avoid even taxes, so the size is inevitable.
Ray pondered.
Celia is the key to brokerage trade.
If you keep it as an ally, it will be a reliable ally.
In order to do that, we need to reverse the relationship…
‘If we get rid of the slave traders led by the upper ranks, the royal family will have no choice but to praise Harpman’s achievements.’
If you can make room for it, that’s enough.
All that was left was to turn the place into a diplomatic venue and receive an apology and compensation from the past.
Having made up her mind, Ray opened her mouth.
“Halfman.”
– yes. please tell me
“Catch all those slave traders.”
Could it be because it was an unexpected order?
Halfman said with a puzzled face.
– If you carelessly touch it, the back of your stomach won’t stay still, right?
Even though they were at the top of the continent, it was better not to make things that would cause problems with other top companies unless it was a dire situation.
Ray shook his head at such halfman.
“You can’t openly allow the slave trade to take place in a slave-prohibition country. Sometimes, even if you risk losing money, there are things you have to do. Halfman.”
– Lord Dan….
As if he had been impressed by his one-day speech, only the half-man threw a respectful gaze.
Of course, it wasn’t a complete lie.
Deep down, it was also to arrange a place with Celia, but as long as I learned about the existence of slave traders, I couldn’t ignore the slave trade.
It is said that only the nameplate is left now, but isn’t he a saint himself?
It was only natural to do one or two good things from time to time.
Harpman, who was jotting down something on the parchment, opened his mouth with lingering eyes.
– It’s something you have to do even if you take damage. Certainly, until now, I was only moving for profit. I feel like my eyes have been opened thanks to Danju.
It is natural for merchants to pursue profit.
Halfman, who looked back on his life at the casually thrown words, bowed his head deeply.
– The tops are truly endless. Only this half will be more diligent.
It’s nice to see someone over 50 burning with enthusiasm.
“okay. I wish I could have realized it by now. And…”
He slowly took out the business.
“I’m going to make a branch in the Kingdom of Greyman.”
– Are you talking about the branch?
“huh.”
Ray summarized what had happened so far.
The decision to leave the Greyman family.
Until now, the Chosen People faction aristocrats have built a monopoly market and are holding on to the business.
As I explained that, Hafman stroked his beard as if he understood everything.
– indeed. So you’re saying that you’re going to block the monopoly with this merchant group and bring in the profits.
Hapman too.
If you pretend, you pretend.
As if the bizarre nickname of money ghost was not false, he could smell the smell of money amazingly well.
“that’s right. It would be better if the Royal Faction nobles took control of the capital.”
– That’s a good idea. If you invest a little money to build a new route, you won’t have to pay tolls to nobles. The opposition from the existing upper class will be strong, but if the royalist aristocrats support us, we will be able to break through.
Once an opinion was settled, he began to plan rapidly.
He usually has a bit of an idiotic feeling, but he is a guy who is really good at one thing.
“Can I leave that part to you?”
At that question, Harpman laughed haha.
– If you can’t do one of these things, it must be time to step down from the front line. Please leave it to us.
I really like the confident answer.
Lightly exchanging greetings, Ray concluded his communication with Hafman.
Now that the affairs within the Kingdom of Gleiman have been resolved, only the work of the Demonic Church remains.
“What happened to the bishop and priest?”
Wouldn’t it have calmed down by now?
Her shock to find out that the place she had been following was actually the culprit behind everything must have been overwhelming.
Who would have known that my heart, which I lived in resentment for the rest of my life, would have been a keepsake of my father’s earnestness.
A body that is neither alive nor dead.
They could no longer be called the living, and they could no longer be called the dead.
Being caught in the middle and unable to do this or that, it was very pitiful even to himself.
But what can I do?
Something that has no room to fix.
At least I don’t know if the body is alive, but now that the heart has died, it was medically corpse.
After being conflicted for a while, Ray soon made up his mind and packed his backpack.
* * *
An annex exclusively for VIPs in the Royal Castle of Gleiman.
Even at first glance, the luxurious building was clearly showing off its presence.
Upon entering, the attendants approached.
“I was waiting. I will take you to your new abode.”
After being severely scolded by the chief chamberlain for daring to let a distinguished guest stay outside the castle, they were constantly looking out for themselves.
Ray rejected their guidance.
“no. I’m here to meet someone.”
As usual, he spoke with respect, but the attendants’ complexions rapidly darkened.
“I’m sorry. Please lower your voice.”
“I dare not handle it…”
They bowed their heads deeply.
There is no case in which aristocrats show respect to attendants.
This is especially true when it comes to the level of the duchy who rules the principality.
There is no direct conversation with the attendant, and most of the work is taken care of by the attendant, so there is no need to mix things up.
However, from the point of view of the attendants, he only accompanied him to the annex without an attendant, and using respect was considered nothing but bullying.
Ray, who noticed him, hurriedly changed his words.
“I just came to say hello, so you can leave.”
obvious underdog.
The attendants’ complexions brightened slightly.
“All right. If there is anything you want to do, please call me anytime.”
“We’re leaving.”
Although it was short, it was an honor to have a conversation with the king.
The attendants quietly withdrew.
I thought I was getting used to it by now.
He realized that he was still not accustomed to the status system.
Passing through the hallway that gives a glimpse of antiquity.
Standing in front of a huge door that could easily exceed three meters, he knocked softly.
No sound could be heard from inside.
At that, Ray knocked again.
“I know you’re inside.”
“…”
“It was a private room assigned to me anyway, so I’ll go in as I please.”
There was still no answer, but Ray took it as an affirmation and memorized the starting language.
“Unlock.”
Clap-!
When you open the door, a musty smell wafts from the dark interior.
Covering his nose, Ray looked around inside.
Inside a messy bedroom.
The floor was littered with broken teacups and spilled tea.
Curled up on the bed, staring at the table with unfocused eyes, she looked really dead for a moment.
Ray immediately pulled back the curtains and opened the window first.
As the dazzling sunlight came through the window, her disheveled appearance was clearly revealed.
Black shoes that reached the knees.
The robe was still damp from sweat, and the beautiful black hair was also lifeless and flowing in a random way.
oh my god.
From that day until now, I would have never washed.
After roughly cleaning the floor, Ray let out a sigh.
I thought I would come to my senses if it took this much time, but it seems that the shock has not gone away yet.
It wasn’t that I didn’t understand.
That must have been a big event for her.
Ray approached the bishop priest.
Rather than facing each other up close, I approached from a distance and pulled a chair at an angle looking at the same place and sat down.
He was silent for such a long time.
Until the sun rose in mid-heaven and submerged below the royal castle, and the scarlet sunset turned into a calm night view.
Ray just sat there, not saying anything.
The breeze coming in through the window tickled my hair.
The mournful cries of the insects seemed to somehow speak for her heart.
some time after that.
The parched priest’s lips opened slowly.
“Why… don’t you ask anything?”
He had been crying for so long that his voice was hoarse.
She didn’t look away from the table, eyes still unfocused.
Ray answered.
“You don’t have to force yourself to speak.”
“….”
The same silence as before.
The two haven’t said anything since.
They didn’t look back at each other, and they didn’t adjust their posture.
However, the air that swirled around the bedroom was definitely lighter than before.
Suddenly, the chirping of insects subsided.
By the time the mysterious blue moonlight gradually disappears.
The first sunlight of dawn, full of vitality, climbed through the window frame and soon reached the back of her hand.
Thanks to that, my skin, which had been chilled by the slightly chilly wind during the night, was warmed up little by little.
Pleasant sensation.
How long has it been since I smelled the fresh morning air like this?
Her mouth began to open again.
“…Maybe I’ll be good?”
His voice trembled.
fear anxiety.
nervousness and frustration.
Perhaps the thought that she might not be human now dominated her mind.
confusion of identity.
It felt like the whole thought I had since I was born was shaken.
Ray was able to understand her a little.
It’s understandable that it’s a complicated feeling.
It must feel like everything you’ve been up until now has been denied.
He quietly answered her question.
“It is there.”
“……?”
“Even if you are human. Even if you become undead, it won’t change the way you’ve lived until now. So…”
Ray sent a small amount of mana to clean her body.
My hair was full of vitality, and my skin, like white jade from before, was back.
Transformed, she was literally very beautiful.
To the extent that I can’t even think of it as a human being in any other sense.
Ray looked at her for the first time and said.
“Either way you are you.”
At most, a word from the man in front of me.
The simmering heart calmly cools down.
My head, which was full of anxiety, became more and more comfortable.
I am me.
It was just that, but after hearing it strangely, I feel that the emotions that oppressed my heart fade away like lies.
Father’s bitter end.
Even his own work, which was deceived and used like an idiot for over ten years.
I had no intention of ever forgetting it, but the pressure of something had gone.
When the dam that suppressed my heart collapsed, natural tears flowed out.
without ever uttering a voice.
She held her breath and wept silently.
Inside the bedroom, the now familiar stillness lingered once again.
