Estimated reading time: 5–6 minutes
Chapter 17
【Domingo’s POV】
One night, it happened.
My bedroom, unlike Master Eld’s in the main building, was separate.
Besides me, Otto and others sleep here too.
Otto and I always sleep and wake up in this separate building, and go on quests as adventurers during the day.
That night was unusually noisy outside.
I woke up wondering what was going on, and apparently there were intruders.
The slave guards were desperately searching for the intruders.
Well, it’s not really any of my concern.
If an intruder comes into this room, I’ll just beat them down.
Through my work as an adventurer, I’ve gained confidence in my abilities.
「Who’s there…!」
I sensed someone outside the window.
Then, the one who appeared outside the window was a lone intruder in strange clothes.
He was wrapped in a black suit, looking like some kind of pervert.
When he saw my face, he gestured “shhh” while coming inside.
It doesn’t seem he has any hostility towards me.
I wonder who he is…
He doesn’t look like a thief after money. If so, there’d be no point in targeting the slaves’ bedroom.
「Who are you…!」
I prepared myself for battle.
「Wait, I’m not an enemy…!」
「Ha…? You’re not an enemy…?」
Obviously suspicious looking, sneaking in through the window, yeah right.
But the man seemed to have something to say.
Well, I could take him down easily if needed. I guess I can lend an ear for a bit.
「I’m from the liberation army…!」
「Liberation army…?」
The man said that and showed me the insignia on his arm.
There was proof he was a member of the ‘Northeast Slave Liberation Army’.
The slave liberation army is a secret society formed by volunteers.
The details of the members are unknown, and their base of operations also unknown.
But their organization’s purpose is clear – to liberate slaves.
Apparently they sneak into estates at night, working to free slaves.
I see, so they’ve come here too.
「I’m here to free you. There’s no time. Show me your slave crest quickly.」
The man urged me to take my clothes off.
I don’t know what methods the slave liberation army uses, but they have a way to invalidate slave crests.
The slave liberation army opposes the slave system, and goes around freeing countless slaves like this.
There are many stories of slaves who regained their lives after being freed by them.
But—
「Ha…? Why would I do that?」
I flatly refuse.
「Ha…? That should be my line… I said I’d free you didn’t I? Didn’t you hear…?」
The liberation army man looks at me in disbelief.
「Oh, I understand that. But I refuse…!!!!」
「Wha, why…!?」
「Because Lord Eld is a wonderful master!」
「Huh…?」
「The benefits are good, full board and lodging. And we get paid properly. The adventurer work is rewarding, and we have reasonable freedom too. Safety is also guaranteed. It’s hard to find such a nice workplace, right?」
Even if I obeyed the liberation army and managed to escape, I probably wouldn’t find a decent job.
Runaway slaves don’t have ID, so they basically can’t get proper work.
Plus, if you run away you have to live while keeping watch for the Slave Management Committee’s search parties.
I don’t want that kind of cramped life, no thanks.
And if a runaway slave gets caught, a terrible fate awaits them.
So for me, swearing loyalty to Master Eld like this is a hundred times better, you see.
「Hey, are you sane…? You’re a slave! You’re being abused as a slave! Why don’t you run! I’m saying I’ll let you go!」
「No, I’m not being abused…」
「Huh…?」
「Lord Eld is kind…」
Guys like this are the most annoying. They don’t realize they’re just forcing their ideas on others.
「First of all, what are you guys gonna do after freeing slaves? You gonna take care of their lives after that?」
「Umm…well…」
「See, that’s self-serving. I just can’t trust you liberation army guys. Liberation army sounds nice, but what you’re doing is terrorism. I’m amazed you had the guts to show your face to me.」
「Tch…」
Realizing he couldn’t win me over, the liberation army man tried to escape out the window.
But I would never allow that.
As a slave of House Schmerzen, I can’t overlook an intruder.
「Oh no you don’t, wait there.」
「Let me go…!」
「You’re getting handed over to Lord Eld…!」
I pinned the liberation army man to the floor.
And with that, case closed.
For me who takes on quest monsters all the time, these weak-willed philosophers are child’s play.
I was commended for capturing the intruder.
As a reward, Master Eld bought me brand new equipment.
You really can’t find such a great master very often.
I had no desire whatsoever to leave this estate.
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