When we returned to the mansion inn in East A District, Anju was arguing with Clarice.
“I want to take Pero too!”
“We haven’t discussed anything yet. It would be cruel to take her suddenly.”
Tamer Bauer and the cat beastkin Pero looked troubled. I asked Anju,
“Um, you want to take her starting today?”
“Yes, if I don’t go soon, I’ll be too late.”
“We talked about it, but I haven’t told them anything yet!”
The plan was for Pero to get accustomed to her current environment, then confirm with her if she was ready to go to school, and then do a visit. Taking her as an attendant immediately was not good.
“I’ll introduce you properly at school first.”
“Anju, you only think about yourself. Even if Pero is a slave, it’s not okay to drag her around like that.”
“…Pero, aren’t you going?”
In response to Anju’s question, Pero hid behind me.
“She’s still afraid of many things. Perhaps she’s not even used to a world beyond beastkin yet.”
“…Is that so?”
“Pushy people are disliked, you know? Go on, go to school now.”
Ah, she looks dejected. I can’t afford to make Pero dislike me, though it’s a bit late to realize that now.
“…Okay.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll think carefully about Pero’s school once things settle down,” Clarice said, stroking Anju’s head.
“Apologize to Pero properly. Say you’re sorry for pulling her.”
“…Sorry for pulling you.”
She bowed her head.
“…Mew.”
Did she forgive me?
“Then, I’ll go now. I’m going!”
Anju disappeared with instantaneous movement, looking lonely. Time is really tight. Hmm, is she lonely at school maybe…?
“Did I give Anju false hopes?”
“Perhaps, Anju just wanted to take care of her.”
“What, such a sense of responsibility?!”
If that’s the case, I wish she’d take care of the Southern Island Slaves.
“I think she likely saw that Derus was looking after the princess’s sisters, and Helen was looking after her former companions, and wanted to show that she could do the same.”
“And Pero, why her again… Ah, I see.”
Shikada!
“What’s all the commotion? Did Anju throw a tantrum?”
“Ah, Nina. Well, something like that.”
“The third floor has become vacant. They checked out.”
“So, we’re going to accommodate those nine people from the Salt Play… country?”
“I’m against that. They’ll definitely get arrogant.”
Right. Come to think of it, a dilapidated inn in Area E that looks like it could collapse if you hit it would be fine, even if I haven’t seen it.
“Um, what are the benefits?”
“We get an extra bath, and the view is simply better.”
“And Pero gets her own room, right?”
“I wonder if assigning individual rooms to slaves is a good idea, but well, it might be alright.”
“Would a private room be better for Pero?”
She’s clinging to my back, her tail drooping oddly.
“…Mew, I’m okay with Derus-sama’s room.”
“What? Derus, have you already…?”
“She’s ten years old! Don’t make me out to be that kind of devil!”
But in reality, she might be lonely alone.
“Bauer, naturally, a private room would be better for you.”
“Well, that’s true. I’d be happy, though.”
“We should cherish our elders.”
I’ve already set the stage for a contract.
“Hmm, then we’ll rent the third floor as well.”
“Yes, Nina might dislike it, but wouldn’t Helen’s companions also be happy with private rooms?”
“I’ll ask them. Including Helen.”
Nina left the room again. I spoke to Bauer for a moment.
“Um, Bauer, Pero is a ten-year-old girl. She’s a beastkin, but not a tame pet.”
“O-oh.”
“I might have asked you to bathe her, but please interact with her more like you would with a young girl.”
“…When I was young, my wife died in a dungeon.”
“Ah, no strange excuses, please. For now, please think a little more about how to interact with her.”
Her personal story is irrelevant.
“Um, Derus, shall I take her into my room?”
“Pero, what do you think?”
“…Mew, it smells like makeup.”
Kora!
“Huh? I can hear Helen’s cry.”
It’s audible all the way here from the hallway. What could it be? I went to check and found Helen completely prostrating herself.
“Please! Release Rui and the others from slavery as soon as possible!”
She’s desperate. It’s a bit much.
“However, it can only be done after we’ve defeated the Demon Lord at the very least.”
“I can’t stand to see it anymore! Four people crammed into one room!”
“If they’re slaves, it can’t be helped.”
“I don’t care if it’s my, my debt! Please, please!”
“…Considering their achievements so far, and simply looking at the Platinum Coin value… Hmm.”
Even Helen seems to be deliberating a bit.
“Um, excuse me, I came because it was noisy.”
“Derus, I’m sorry.”
“No, Helen, isn’t that the whim of a slave? May I strangle you?”
“Derus-sama! Master! I don’t care what happens to me, so please, Rui and the others!”
“No, no, I intend for them to work hard as a separate unit today as well.”
Okay, let me sort this out.
“If Helen contributes to defeating Shucco’s Demon Lord, the Beast Shooter, we’ll use her share of the Platinum Coins to free Rui and the others from slavery, right?”
“Yes! But! Buu-uu-uu-u-u-t! I can’t stand it anymore!”
She obviously likes them a lot. Coming here and reuniting, her emotions must have overflowed.
“And then, Rui and the others will earn money to buy Helen back.”
“Alright, Derus, I need time. Let’s have individual interviews with all four of them.”
“Eh? Nina? Understood, I’ll go along with it.”
“No, I’ll do it alone. In the meantime, Derus, why don’t you go to the Adventurer Guild?”
“Huh? What’s the task? Ah! The Guild Master? They should be coming to work soon.”
I should at least greet the General Guild Master of the Adventurer Guild.
“Clarice, what will you do?”
“I’ll… well, I’ll talk to Pero for now.”
“…I suppose I’ll go take care of the Kelpie.”
“Bauer, please do. Helen will probably take her with her later.”
“Then, for the morning, please handle those tasks individually.”
And so, I headed towards the East A District Adventurer Guild.
