Chapter 56 (1/2)

After returning to the capital, we collected our belongings from the mansion.

Earlier we paid a visit to the palace, but as I thought, Sain and the others had already left here.

Besides, I was in a hurry to get to Grayfield.

I repressed my impatience and put only what I needed in my backpack.

I intend to come back here again soon.

I have not used the mansion provided by the Queen to my satisfaction.

Well, if I make it back, that is.

Frau and Kaede were waiting for me at the entrance.

”I would have liked to have relaxed here a bit more.”

”Don't complain, Master has something to do.”

”You talk like you don't care, but your tail gives you away.”

”Don't look at my tail! I'm just so happy I don't have the strength to wag it!”

Kaede hurries to hide her tail.

True, it seems less energetic than usual.

I know how much they wanted to spend some more time here.

After all, I feel the same way.

”I feel bad for you two. If you want to stay, that's fine, you can stay.”

”You've gotta be kidding! Frau is your slave! I'll follow you even if you're mad at me!”

”I will go wherever my master goes. I will always be by your side.”

”Thank you...”

I feel a mixture of sorrow and joy.

I am very lucky to have met these girls.

I just want to get this over with and come back here with them as soon as possible.

When I left the mansion, members of The flaming axe gang were waiting.

There was also Baron Scotchell, his granddaughter, and the prince.

”Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?”

”The flaming axe gang and the Manyu Brigade are like brothers.”

”Exactly, nya. Doing something like that is pretty unfair, nya.”

”I shared my sake with you, you can't just do this.”

”You're always welcome here. Let's talk about the ruins when you get back, okay?”

”I will never forget everything you all did for me. I wish you all the best on your journey.”

”I could not award you a medal, but I swear to you that I will ensure that the name of the Manyu Brigade be engraved in the history of our country.”

My tear glands almost loosened at the farewell to the people I had met in this city.

Kaede grabbed my arm and smiled.

That was enough to convey what I wanted to say.

Yes, we will definitely come back here.

It is a promise.

We leave the capital of Grigit and cross the mountains.

Shortly thereafter we were able to reach Grayfield.

Grayfield is a country with a lot of history related to battlefields.

The reason is that it is on the border with the dark realm, which is ruled by the demon race.

On the other hand, it is also a country focused on tourism.

There are numerous ruins, local specialties, symbolic buildings, relics of past heroes, etc.

In fact, this country is a treasure trove of tourist attractions.

”So you plan to go deep into the country without stopping in the capital?”

I nodded in response to Kaede's question.

Sain and the others should be there.

I want to see them as soon as possible.

Panda, with Frau on his back, spins in front of me.

”Hey, you're making me dizzy. You're doing it on purpose.”

”Kyui?”

”There's no point in playing dumb - Frau knows exactly what you're doing!”

”Kyui!?”

Hahaha, watching Frau and Panda is a good distraction.

I try to be serious, but it's impossible with the two of them.

Their nonsense saves me from my dark thoughts.

”Is that even a small town?”

”I don't know.”

We can see a small group of buildings at the end of the road across the meadow.

We are going to stay there today.

Crank crank

A large carriage carries a cage in the back in the opposite direction.

The carriage passed by us.

In the cage there were a lot of people dressed in dirty rags watching us.

”That-that...”

”Yes... They're transporting slaves.”

There are two types of slaves.

Those that have committed crimes, and those that are used as merchandise.

Basically, criminals do not flow into the general market. They are forced to go to the mines and work.

And the other kind is the case of people who are in need of money and sell their family members.

In fact, this is the most common.

But in reality, there is a third type.

It's an open secret; there are ways to buy and sell kidnapped people behind the scenes.

Although every country is cracking down on this, it is only a façade.

The nobles' auctions are proof of this.

”Slaves nowadays are very different.”

In the departing carriage, Soara's figure could be seen.

Wait! Wait!

Stop that carriage!

”This kind of deal is impossible. You have to go to a slave market first.”