Chapter 13 (1/2)

The bandit’s hideout was an underground cave with a wide entrance in the gra.s.slands. Despite being a cave, it had a decent living room along with properly set up candles illuminating it. It looked too good for being hurriedly made by bandits, so most likely this must have been some historical grotto which they appropriated for their own use.

In the deepest parts of the cave. There was a sealed off with iron bars and a guard holding a machete room, where their goods were held — that is, the cell inside which they held the caught humans.

“L-lady Rēko, just ahead is the cell. Please do as you like.” The terrified bandit’s boss was leading the way.

“Okay, from here forward it’ll only be me and the Evil Dragon Lord. You guys obediently wait here.”

“Yes, of course. That’s why, please. Please just hand us over to the nearest guard. I beg you, anything but purging us with blood, please—”

“— If even one of you runs, I won’t let you off.”

“N-naturally! Hey, you all got it, didn’t you?! Don’t even try to run! If you do, the Evil Dragon Lord will curse your very soul and leave you wis.h.i.+ng for death! In comparison to that, living in jail is much better!”

After the bandits simultaneously nodded in agreement, they returned to the s.p.a.cious room and each and every one of them sat down seizstyle waiting. Not to speak of running, n.o.body even flinched a little.

“Those guys, they’re not even worth killing. Is that right, Evil Dragon Lord?”

“That’s right.”

In the comfort of the underground cave I half-heartedly gave a response, while recalling the peacefulness of the mountain cavern I once lived in.

Advancing with Rēko along the pa.s.sage we were led to, we came right before the cell.

Looking inside, the prisoners differed from young-looking novice adventurers, to merchants with their whole families. Everyone had a haggard appearance and was looking over here with fear in their eyes.

I don’t really know how to interpret the expression Rēko showed at that time.

It felt like a gourmet that satiated his hunger, was looking at an inferior food cart while laughing and ridiculing “Don’t tell me you’re calling THIS food”. As if saying “One can’t call those things genuine slaves”. For the time being, from that expression one can tell that there’s no one among them possessing the necessary slave qualities that Rēko was looking for.

Well, duh. If even one more person like that existed in this world, I’d have cried.

“I had some small expectations, yet after all they’re like this? It seems a person possessing those top-notch qualities won’t be found that easily. All of them can be at best third-rate slaves. No, they’re not even qualified for that.”

Everyone from inside the cave was looking anxiously at lamenting Rēko. They’ve probably misunderstood, that a slave trader came to evaluate the goods. After all, finding a fault to lower the price is a basic way of haggling. In Rēko’s case, she’s no doubt not looking for a fault, but was genuinely disappointed.

Rēko effortlessly, with a push, spread the iron bars apart. Wouldn’t it have been better to get a key just now? I thought silently.

“I p.r.o.nounce you disqualified. You’re not worthy to be slaves, to say nothing of being Evil Dragon Lord’s kin. You can go somewhere else.”

A commotion went through the cell. They probably have no idea what she’s saying. Even I usually can’t understand more than half of what she’s saying.

“Umm… Are you a merchant?” A woman holding a baby in her arms timidly asked Rēko.

“No. I’m the Evil Dragon Lord’s kin. Now go.”

Is that explanation supposed to do?

Without any other choice, I walked in front of Rēko and clarified.