97人人模人人爽人人喊谢绝

We just crushed the sixth slave business and returned to the Earl’s mansion.

「We successfully took down another slave business today!」the young lady reported happily.

「I see. Good to hear that.」the Earl answered with the usual reply, smiling a little.

What was different from usual is that after this, I will have a once every 10 days “reporting session” with the Earl. The young lady was taken away by Sebas, the chief butler.

Only the Earl and I were left in the office.

The walls of the room were made of wood planks with beautiful grains. From those grains alone, you can guess each plank was costly even though it was a simple wall. I felt a certain pressure even though it was a simple room with no artistic decoration such as paintings and vases.

「Unfortunately, the search for the individual named Lulusha–」the Earl started, taking out the report as usual.

There wasn’t any notable information about the search for Lulusha-san and skill orbs with five or more stars. The Earl was bound by contract magic, so I don’t think he was lying.

After the Earl’s report was over, I told him that the name “Slave Business Crusher” was circulating around. However, the Earl just replied, “Is that so?” in a monotonous tone as ever.

「…Isn’t this a bit strange, Earl? If we go around destroying Human Resource Centers, this society will face problems.」

「That’s an interesting thing to say, Reiji-san. Do you have a clear grasp on everything about the Holy City?」

「It becomes apparent if you consider the economy of the city. Someone as wise as you, must have surely noticed.」

「I see that you have special knowledge, Reiji-san.」

「Please don’t dodge the question. What about the guard’s investigation on the slave merchants we arrested?」

The Earl handed me a report consisting of five pieces of paper, which he seems to have prepared beforehand. In this world, papers made from plants are in circulation, but the quality of the paper is non-uniform and the printing technology is not good enough, so it is all handwritten.

…The document reads “Forbidden to take outside the department” on the top right corner, though?

「I brought it out with the proper permission.」the Earl said, as though having anticipated my question.

A quick glance through the papers revealed that the heads of the resource centers gave the same testimony, as though agreed upon beforehand – such as「I knew that slave-like treatment was illegal, but this job is a necessary evil」,「I deeply apologize for calling human resources as slave」, and together with,「We didn’t know it was the young daughter of Earl Sillys.」

(…They had been allowed to operate until now because it is a necessary evil. However, since the word “slave” came out directly out of their mouths, we incapacitated them and called the guards.)

I unconsciously heaved a sigh.

Even if we went around crushing human resource services, as long as there is a need for people to “sell” themselves, another one will pop up. And those ones will be more cunning.

What the young lady and I are doing is just a waste of work. Maybe the Earl already knows all these and simply lets us do it so that the young lady can feel satisfied?

When I looked up from the documents, the Earl was staring at me intently.

Is he curious? No, this is more like he’s searching for something.

Since the Earl naturally has a pretty emotionless face, it was even more difficult to read him.

「Your Excellency. Are you perhaps just letting the young lady do as she plea–」

「Reiji-san. I will answer any questions regarding escorting, but won’t accept any personal questions.」

This person…

「If so, I would like to be present at the investigation of the slave merchant.」

「…No problem. I shall inform the guards.」

Oh, he gave me permission quite easily. Hmm…

And then I left the Earl’s office, feeling like I was missing something.

(Let’s contact Zerry-san.)

Zerry-san, who watches over from the shadows when we crush slave merchants, usually works as an adventurer. It’s been 4 years since we came to the Holy City, so she seems to know a few places where you can buy information.

…Let’s have her search information about Human Resource Centers.

***

The young lady’s schedule covers a wide variety of tasks, such as studying, private lessons, and slave business crushing, but today there was a different task.

It was an evening party. Not another event where she accompanies the Earl, but she herself was the main guest. She, who used to be an “accompaniment” of the Earl until the age of twelve, will be, from now on, a full-fledged noble in the noble society.

The “Sprouts and New Moon Banquet” sponsored by His Majesty the Holy King will be held with boys and girls of noble families who will turn 12 years old this year. In this world, where there are no school entrance or graduation ceremonies, for noble parents, the “Sprouts and New Moon Banquet” is the first and last big moment of their children. Affluent nobles order a dress to be made for this event from one year prior, and even a poor noble will rent a dress even if they have to take out a loan.

For daughters, it is a dress, but for sons, it is a treasured sword which hangs from the waist.

Despite being a gaudy, overly decorated weapon, it is a sword with a genuine blade and a genuine killing ability. By learning it, they will take the first step as an “adult.”

The air in the mansion was restless since morning.

「Wow…」

「How beautiful!」

The maids were encaptivated.

The young lady’s dress, which was tailored by a first-class seamstress and a first-class designer – who’s schedule was secured from two years ago itself – lay spread on the table.

Made of light red fabric, the dress’ base was the Third Silk produced in “High Elf Forest”, which is a territory under the direct control of the Geffert Kingdom of Keith Grand Federation.

The “High Elf Forest” is a large forest area that has “Third Forest” which produces skill orbs, and trades are only conducted on a very limited route.

Third Silk, which has a high concentration of mana, takes a really long time to colour, but Earl Sillys seems to have managed it somehow.

…Nobles sure are amazing.

The maids relayed those information to me even though I didn’t ask them.

「The young lady has finished her bath.」

「Then, let’s bring over the dress.」

「Yes, right away.」

The door opened slightly, and I caught a brief glimpse of Lady Eva. The young lady was dressed in a bathrobe. Her white skin was red after the bath, but her facial expression was stiff. Even the young lady gets nervous, huh…

「Reiji-san.」

「Oh, yes. What is it?」

The chief maid glared at me.

「From now on, the lady has to prepare for the banquet.」

「Yes. Of course I know.」

「Then?」

「…What do you mean?」

「Are you just going to stay and peep!? Please leave!」

And so, I hurriedly rushed out of the room.

That’s right. Even if I’m an escort, I can’t just look at the young lady changing clothes and putting on makeup.

In such cases, normally escorts have to be on standby outside the room, right?

…I guess, I’m also a little restless. Well, it is a banquet, so I’m interested in the kind of food they would serve.

When I walked out into the hallway, I ran into Maxim-san, who was wearing armor despite being within the premises, seeming to be on guard at all times since the assassination attempt on the Earl.

「Oh, Reiji. I have been looking for you.」