Chapter 315 - 315. The Chairman's Request, and Its Requester
A cool breeze, carrying a hint of chill, brushed against my heated skin. It felt pleasant against my flushed body. Yet, the sun high in the sky was blindingly bright, giving me the illusion that it was melting my very flesh. I never imagined a day would come when I'd resent the sun for being too intense—probably from too much sex.
"Master."
I turned at the familiar voice. There stood Fam, with Mami and Samueim flanking her.
"Where are Nefy and Lini?"
Fam shook her head gently.
"No. Nefy said she was going for a walk with Lini."
"Is that so?"
An odd pairing. Nefy, mostly quiet, and Lini, so energetic. I couldn't quite picture their conversation flowing smoothly. Maybe the 'walk' was just an excuse, and they'd already returned to their room.
"Master, though..."
She said, and as she brought her nose closer, her brows twitched sharply upward. Instinctively, I leapt backward.
"W-wait, it's a misunderstanding! I was just begging Avea to keep being Fam's teacher, that's all—!"
"Avea will train me regardless. Unlike you, Master!"
Fam cut me off sharply, silencing my flustered excuses. She puffed her cheeks in annoyance, and I awkwardly covered with a cough.
"A-actually, perfect timing. I'm about to visit the Chairman. Want to come along?"
At my invitation, Fam lowered her dog ears slightly, looking troubled.
"I'm sorry. I have somewhere I need to go..."
"To see Chi-chi?"
I pressed, but she shook her head again.
"Actually, Momo said she'd introduce Sam to the perfect marriage partner."
I glanced at Mami beside her. Without a word, she nodded firmly.
"Samueim is the same age as Fam, right? Isn't it too early?"
Physically, Samueim was far more developed than Fam, with curves in all the right places. As I tried to observe her more closely, Fam stepped in, blocking my view.
"That's not true. Sam and I are at an age where marriage isn't strange."
Fam said, and Mami nodded deeply once more. Whether it was due to being dog-eared folk or just the norm in this world, marriage seemed to happen much earlier here than in my original world. Still reeling from the cultural shock, Mami placed her hands on her hips and proudly thrust out her small chest.
"... I can do it too."
"Is that so? At what age can you even start?"
"... Elves at twelve. Other races aren't set."
"I see... So who exactly is this 'perfect' marriage partner for Samueim?"
"... It's a secret."
"It's not a secret! I'm not forcing anything, but Samueim is technically my slave. Besides..."
I almost continued, then stopped. She was a slave as punishment. To free her from that status required official consensus in Migul's town—a conversation not meant for Samueim's ears.
Still, if it was someone Mami knew, it was probably someone from the nobility here. That would mean the partner was likely human. Were there no prejudices or issues with taking a different race as a wife? Even if the person had no bias, society might not accept it.
Worried, I patted her head gently.
"Make sure you listen to Samueim's own feelings too, okay?"
"... That's fine. We're Moo-tribe."
Mami nodded, stating some logic I didn't quite grasp. They walked off toward the town center. Watching their small backs grow distant, I worried they might get harassed, but Fam and Mami both had more strength than they appeared. It was lonely that Fam couldn't come, but being too overprotective probably wasn't good either.
The Chairman's room was as garishly luxurious as ever, gold decorations gleaming obnoxiously. Behind an expensive-looking wooden desk sat a bearded man, arms crossed, sitting back. His gaze, scanning me like livestock, was unpleasant, and the intimidation from the large men flanking him was intense. Today, the man who had escorted me here also stood behind me, blocking the exit. I was completely cornered. I regretted coming alone, but there was no turning back now.
"This is alcohol made by the Earth Dragon Clan."
Without greeting, the Chairman abruptly began. After we saved the Kingdom of the Earth Dragons and established relations, their high-quality liquor had started circulating in Heilong through the Mateo Trading Company and the Chairman.
"I want to increase the trade volume. I've offered money, but they won't agree."
"They have their own lives. It's not good to disrupt their current system just to increase production, or become too dependent on a single industry for commerce."
At my reply, the Chairman's thick brows twitched upward.
"Even a country that was nearly destroyed by monsters?"
"That's their decision to make. It's not my place to interfere."
The Chairman's eyes sharpened, piercing me with a glare. Simultaneously, a killing intent so intense it raised goosebumps radiated from his bodyguards. If he wanted to increase trade with the Kingdom of the Earth Dragons, why not negotiate directly? I didn't understand why he was pressuring me—especially since I had no authority to decide. But if I said that, the Chairman might interpret it as my approval and storm the kingdom himself. I stayed silent, waiting as time slowly passed.
"Accommodation during your stay in this town, and one of my daughter's slaves."
From killing intent to bribery. I felt disgusted, but kept my expression neutral.
"Hey, I'll return the lodging fee if that's all. And don't just hand over a slave like that—I'd be troubled. Let me be clear: no matter what condition you offer, I won't mediate for you."
"The alcohol trade is over. What I just mentioned is the reward for the 'request' I'm about to make."
Still as forceful as ever. The killing intent from the men on both sides faded, but the heavy, oppressive atmosphere in the room remained. I wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
"Tell me the request. But I don't want the slave."
Right after I answered, the door behind me opened. I turned to see a cat-eared girl standing there. She didn't enter, just stood at the doorway, sucking her finger, silently watching us. She stared at me, frozen like she was paralyzed.
"Hey. Do you think I'm a lolicon?"
I turned back to the Chairman, who for the first time twisted his lips into a vulgar grin.
"Aren't you?"
"No... Well, that's within my range, but she's way too young!"
"Shizuka chose her. If you don't like it, I can give you another. Even a dirty brat like her can attract customers, so I don't care."
"..."
I looked back at the cat-eared girl. She still stared at me, unblinking. It was fear, and caution. Her hair was unkempt, and she was so thin from malnutrition that her eyes looked huge. What she wore was less clothing and more ragged cloth, clearly too cold. Her bare arms were stained with soot, covered in numerous bruises that looked like they came from beatings, and fresh scratch marks.
"Hey. What about your parents?"
"She worked at a shop until a week ago. She ran off with a man."
The Chairman answered flatly, instead of the girl. Lini's mother had also sold her daughter and vanished. What was the Chairman's policy in running this pleasure district? The working conditions were clearly terrible. The words nearly escaped my throat, but I swallowed them, afraid of provoking him again.
"Her name?"
I asked the girl.
"Are you asking for the parent's name or hers? Which one?"
Ignoring the Chairman's interjection, I waited patiently for the girl's reaction. But she remained frozen, eyes wide, not moving a muscle, like a doll.
I let out a deep sigh and turned back to the Chairman.
"... So, what's the request?"
"Meet someone."
"Just meet? Not monster extermination or anything?"
My previous request had been exterminating monsters destroying their managed farm. That was how I met the Earth Dragon Clan.
"That's all I was asked. But the person wants to avoid attention. You'll go to a place outside the town."
"Just meeting someone comes with lodging and even a slave? Who exactly is this person?"
"I'm contractually forbidden to say. We'll provide a guide to the location. You can't bring companions. You go alone."
"..."
I stared hard at the Chairman. Anyone who asked this man to arrange a meeting had to be some shady character. Politely declining, settling the lodging fee, and leaving quickly was the right choice. But if I refused, what would happen to the cat-eared girl standing at the entrance? The words 'customers will come' echoed in my mind. The Chairman was threatening me—leaving her behind would lead to a bitter outcome.
"... Fine. I'll meet them."
At my words, the Chairman's lips curled upward in a satisfied grin.
"Don't worry. We'll send her to your lodging. And I'll inform your companions of the situation."
The Chairman nodded contentedly, then leaned back deeply into his chair.
We left the main road, entering a narrow path barely distinguishable from an animal trail. The ground was covered with withered weeds, but on closer inspection, it was just wide enough for a single cart. We rode on horseback. The scenery offered nothing but dense, gloomy trees all around. Looking up, only patches of clear sky peeked through the treetops. No conversation—only the sound of hooves echoed. With no choice, I blankly stared at the horse's rear in front of me, swaying with each step. The guide ahead was clearly a man of immense physical strength, even through his clothes. I tried speaking once, but he only shot me a fierce, beast-like glare and refused to open his mouth. Since then, silence had reigned.
The sun, once high overhead, now clearly tilted, and the dappled sunlight began to take on a golden hue. Suddenly, the view opened up. It was a farm carved out of the forest. Tall grass grew in neat rows along the ridges. This was probably one of the Chairman's farms. The plants were unfamiliar, but from what I'd heard, they weren't narcotics—rather, ingredients for contraceptives and treatments for sexually transmitted diseases.
In such a remote place, who could they possibly be introducing me to? With no idea, we advanced, and in the center of the farm, we saw an area enclosed by a tall wooden fence. As we approached, the heavy gate slowly creaked open from within. The moment we stepped onto the grounds, a sharp, oppressive pressure stabbed at my entire body. At the center of the enclosure, a massive reptile lay with its head resting on the ground, wings folded at rest. Sensing intruders, the monstrous form slowly lifted its neck. Hot breath blasted from its nostrils with a low growl. A body three times, no, more than three times a human's size. Hard, scale-covered skin, and bat-like, membranous wings. It was a 'dragon' in every sense.
"Hey! It's a monster!"
Driven by instinctive fear, I hastily pulled the reins, trying to turn my horse. My mount whinnied, rearing and threatening to bolt. But the guide quickly reached out, grabbed my horse's reins, and stopped it.
"Don't panic! That's not a monster!"
"It sure looks like one! What's the meaning of this!"
"Calm down. That's a Phantom Beast Wyvern. It's the requestor's mount."
"... What?"
At the man's words, I stopped trying to flee and looked up at the Wyvern again. Up close, its massive form was overwhelming. It had shown caution at our arrival, but no longer radiated the intent to devour us. Its clear, sapphire-like eyes calmly looked down on us. It felt different from the mindless killing intent of the monsters I'd fought. But just by appearance, there was no way to distinguish it from a monster. Hesitating whether to draw my weapon, my hand frozen on the hilt, the guide dismounted as if nothing had happened. A man who looked like a farmhand ran over and smoothly took the reins.
"Never seen one? Phantom Beasts are beings with high intelligence, just like us. Some can even speak with humans."
"... Are dragons Phantom Beasts too?"
I recalled seeing a dragon flying high above during the ship journey from Flucht to Heilong. Was that one too?
"That could have been a monster, or a Phantom Beast. It's like wolves. There are monster wolves born in dungeons, and natural wolves that live as animals. Especially in the mountainous regions south of Flucht, Phantom Beasts like this live."
Contrary to his earlier silence, the man kindly explained. Was he mocking my ignorance, or just talkative from the tension of seeing the Wyvern? In any case, someone who arrived on a Wyvern—was the requestor from the south of town, or from far away? I couldn't think of any such important acquaintance, nor any reason for being summoned. Urged by the guide to dismount, I stepped onto the ground with caution. Now closer to the Wyvern, I could feel its breathing vibrate in my gut. Within the wooden fence, three simple buildings surrounded the central plaza where the Wyvern stood. All were wooden huts, plain and flimsy—so fragile that a single flap of the Wyvern's wings might blow them away. The man pointed with his chin at the largest of the three.
"The requestor is waiting inside. Go."
"You're not coming with me? This is someone who rides something like that. What if I'm attacked?"
"No need to worry. Hurry up!"
I was pushed forward toward the hut. The Wyvern's eyes followed my every move.