123 Episode 123: The scent of freedom to prepare for the parade.txt (1/2)

The preparations for the parade were steadily progressing.

Since the equipment of the Knights was basically made in another world, the online auction was a bit reduced. I didn't put out too many new items, selling items that I had on hand.

Well, the main reason is that I simply don't have the time.

Most of the equipment for the knights' squadron went to the Grand Master. I only asked Mr. Bill to do the decorations.

Also, since we're planning to run a high quality fabric store, I made some of the equipment out of high quality cloth.

The race insignia is finished for all of us and we are almost ready to go.

One thing: ”....... I've got something important to do. I have a few things I need to get done before the parade.

I cut him off while we were eating.

For this parade, all of our members will be in attendance except Orica and me.

Deanna, Marina, and Rebecca, of course, but Elepippi and Etowah, as well as Aeon and Shamash, will also be participating in the parade.

We are proceeding with the plan to have Shero, our advisor, join us at a bluff.

Orica can't ride a horse, and she doesn't look too much like a knight, so I'll pass. I'm not a knight either, I'm just an owner and patron, so I'm going to pass.

The main characters in this parade were female knights.

I had to do something in order to put on the parade.

Today's lunch members are me, Deanna, Marina, Aeon, Orica and Shamash-san. Orica and Shamash, and Rebecca and Shero. It's the usual lunch after training.

What's that?　Will you be decorating your horse after all, sir?

'I thought the horses needed decorations, too. Dragons are all cheating.

'Come to think of it, I was going to ride a horse too, but you could also ride a golem. Yeah.

No, I'm not talking about the ride.

Well, the idea of riding a golem certainly wasn't a bad one, and the idea of putting armor on a horse was certainly an idea. I've been pouting in favor of decorating the dragons in my schedule, though.

I'm sure it's all about the parade, though. ...... It's a parade, and I felt I had to do something before that.

Everyone nods their heads.

Don't you understand? You don't get it.

I'm breaking my contract. You're throwing a parade to get your lady knights recognized as an independent vocation and half of them are wearing the slave crest.

Eh, .......

Marina turns a straight face.

'Is that a ...... instruction, Lord which ......?'

Ah. Marina finds her identity in being a slave, you know.

But that's not good enough.

But that's not good enough for me, because I bought her as a slave.

I'm overdue for that now.

”Orders, Marina. This parade needs to go ahead. It's a bit of an exaggeration, but it might help dispel some of the prejudice against the Turks in this town: ...... It's an opportunity. I want to do whatever I can to help.

So is there ......? ......

He didn't seem to like it, but he seemed to have gotten the nut out of it, for the most part.

This parade is something special. Elves, humans, demons, Turks and Canaanites will be holding a parade hosted by the imperial city as the same knightly force.

I'm sure that this will mean a lot to them. It will be a small but great step ...... I have a feeling it will be such a great step.

I'm sure that Milk Pearl, who knows the sour and sweet sides of this country, also said that it will have a big impact on the people of this country.

It's all right, Marina. We just need to sign up again after the parade is over.

Deanna advises a visibly depressed Marina.

'Oh, that's right too!

Marina looks up.

Well, it's true, but re-signing up, I guess: .......

'Oh yeah. Only at the parade.

Let's just ride it for now.

We'll decide then whether or not to actually re-sign the contract again.

To put it bluntly, both Deanna and Marina are already close to a formality of a slave contract. The same goes for the contract with Shamash-san.

If you have more than a certain level of trust, you don't need a slave contract.

This contract is for people who can treat a slave as a slave, right?

I can't do it, apparently.

◇◆◆◆◆.

The day after Deanna, Marina and Mr. Shamash terminated their slave contracts.

'I am anxious, anxious. I am still more heartbroken than ever.

Marina, who had terminated her slave contract, grabbed on to me more than she needed to, barely leaving me.

'It's okay. It's not like I'm going to change anything by terminating my contract.

'And yet ....... You say that, but there is no connection with the Lord. I want a connection. Some other form of, you know, a contractual one.

Clinging to my arm, I say something like that.

I've never felt that kind of connection, even though I was under a slave contract, but maybe Marina felt something. Maybe it's something like the difference between people from another world and people from Earth?

There's a connection: ....... Oh, that's right. Here.

I showed Marina the shiny orange ring. A slightly simpler, similar ring shines on Marina's finger as well.

It's a ring that is a proof of connection ...... clan members.

'...... And yes. If you successfully complete the parade, I'll buy Marina a necklace or ring. The first spirit stone, I used it when I fought the bear. In return.

Really?

Really.

Marina groans and rubs her cheek against my arm happily.

I don't need to tell you that I was actually going to get it ready earlier, but I forgot about it because of all the things that happened. ......

An amethyst ring or necklace.

I'm sure I had some amethysts at home that I got from my black company days, so I'll have to ask Mr. Bill to make them into rings again.

Rebecca still takes good care of the ring I gave her, and I'm sure Marina would be happy with a ring. Deanna might be jealous, though.

...... Uh, do you want to make one for Deanna as well?

Yeah, I'll make one for you, too. I'll make one for you too.

◇◆◆◆◆◆◇.

That evening.

I was sitting on the couch, drinking tea and thinking about the future, when Deanna came in after her bath and sat beside me.

We quietly sipped the tea that Orica had brewed and relaxed.

''It's rare for the master to stay at the mansion until this time.

The parade is coming up, and there's a lot to think about with the store and all that.

'He's been a bit busy lately. You're not pushing yourself too hard, are you?

I'm not sure if I'm busy or what.

Actually, there's a lot to do. Whether the parade succeeds or fails, I want to think about my next move, and I've already rented the shop, so I'm busy preparing for it.

Well, we've already rented the shop, so we're in a bit of a bind.

No, I'm enjoying this. It's a fulfillment I never felt in Japan.

'That would be nice, though: ......

And we sip our tea again in silence.

The tea cakes are rice crackers. You can buy similar ones at Elishe, but the soy sauce flavored ones are only available in Japan.

'...... Master, please hold on a moment.'