kscans

Chapter 147 - The Mateo Trading Company's Situation and Reeni's Future

The training was still going on. While watching them, I headed over to where Claire and Mercedes were. Shizuka and Reeni were near them as well.

I had told Mercedes about the Earth Dragon Race, but he wasn't very keen on doing business with them. But when I had them try the sparkling wine made by the Earth Dragons, they suddenly showed a great deal of enthusiasm. We had arranged to meet the Earth Dragons in Miglutt, so I decided to introduce them there.

"By the way, about Reeni..."

"We are honored that you would entrust her to us. It may only be until we reach Miglutt, but we will take good care of her nonetheless. However, what sort of person do you wish for her to become?"

Prompted by Mercedes, I looked at Reeni. She was sitting so close to Shizuka she was practically hiding behind her. It seemed she wasn't very fond of me.

"Reeni, what do you want to be?"

She looked troubled by my words. Shizuka whispered something in her ear.

"You don't have to say 'prostitute' or anything like that anymore."

Reeni's mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. I glared at Shizuka. I really wanted to punch her once. Why did Reeni get attached to a woman like this?

"What kind of work did your family do?"

"I've never seen my father. My mother was..."

Her mouth worked silently again. So, she was a prostitute. I know it's not right to laugh at her misfortune, but she might actually have a talent for comedy.

Still, what did a girl of her age in this world want to be when she grew up?

"My father was a merchant, so I wanted to help with his business. That's why I learned to read and write. But I was anxious because I didn't know who I would be married off to,"

Claire said.

"Adventurer, merchant, court official, knight, mercenary, farmer, artisan, housekeeper..."

It was no good. My imagination was too poor; I couldn't think of anything. Maybe it was none of my business, but like Claire, I wanted to have her educated so she would have choices when she found something she wanted to do.

"Mash... sama, are you an adventurer?"

Reeni asked.

"That's right, I'm an adventurer. And you can speak casually. Drop the '-sama'."

Hearing my answer, her eyes welled up with tears.

"Then, Reeni will become an adventurer too. Mash is weaker than Reeni, so I have to protect you or you'll die..."

"Guh... I can't argue with that, but I have strong big sisters with me, so I'll be fine."

Even a little kid was worried about me.

"Listen, that one practicing while flashing her panties and the priestess-looking one with the big boobs are especially strong. But the one you absolutely must not anger is that dog-eared big sister. Got it?"

After listening to my explanation, Reeni nodded with a deep bow.

"How about we take her to the church once to have her get a profession?"

I nodded at Mercedes's suggestion.

"Good idea. I'll ask Myra about it later. But it would be good for her to learn to read, write, and do arithmetic too."

"Understood. We shall educate her so that she may become a worthy wife to you, Master Mash."

"Hold on, I have no intention of adding her to my list of wives for the time being."

At those words, Mercedes's expression turned to one of surprise. Reeni's face looked like she was about to cry again.

"A-Am I going to be sold... again...?"

"No, that's not it. That's something you can decide for yourself when you're an adult."

"Master Mash, that puts us in a difficult position. We are taking her in because she has your favor. There are others at the trading company, older than her, whom we have in service. If that is not the case, we cannot differentiate between her and them,"

Mercedes said. For the Mateo Trading Company, Reeni had value precisely because I held a special affection for her, which was why they wanted to keep her close.

"Reeni's future is to be Mash's bride. I'll do my best not to be sold... for now."

"Hey, it must be tough to have your partner decided for you at your age. Don't worry about it too much. But if you really don't want to, you tell me first. Got it? In secret. And definitely don't say it in front of the dog-eared big sister swinging her sword over there."

I whispered in her ear, and she gave a small nod.

"Okay. I'll endure it, so it's fine."

That subtly hurtful phrasing was concerning. Was she only saying that because she was desperate not to be sold?

"It'll start feeling good eventually,"

Reeni added. I glared at Shizuka. She just shot me a V-sign with a huge, shameless grin. I wish she'd stop planting weird ideas in a child's head.

"By the way, I have something to discuss with you as well."

I nodded at his words. Mercedes cleared his throat and began to speak.

"First is information about the Crimson Brigade."

The ones who attacked Famu's village. They were a mercenary group, but also bandits who attacked small villages, plundering and engaging in human trafficking.

"It seems their base is located somewhere in the mountain range that stretches between the city of Miglutt and the old Imperial Capital... which is now the capital of the Demon Kingdom."

The Empire and the Demon Kingdom. A place that neither nation held dominion over. That was where Famu and the other dog-eared people lived. From here, that would be to the northeast, I suppose. I looked, but from this spot, I could only see the city walls.

"Have you ever heard of a place called Shamon Island?"

I shook my head. Mercedes explained that it was a city on a sandbar downstream from Heilon, just before the Demon Kingdom's sphere of influence.

Originally, it was a place cut off from the world, with numerous monasteries. However, with the fall of the old Imperial Capital, it became a refuge for displaced citizens and transformed into a city.

Now, it is the westernmost city of the Demon Kingdom, but the power of the monasteries remains strong, and with the rise of the merchant guilds, it has become a city that serves as a bridge between the Empire and the Demon Kingdom.

After a brief explanation of Shamon Island, he turned his gaze to Famu, who was training.

Famu was holding the wooden sword I used to use, crossing blades with Fang. She was mimicking my kendo movements. Fang, using his werewolf power and speed, was running circles around her.

"It seems they used to sell their goods in this city and in Miglutt, but after a conflict with the One-Land family, one of Miglutt's Four Regent Families, it became difficult for them to operate within the Empire."

"The dog-eared family, right?"

Mercedes nodded at my question. The Crimson Brigade's plundering was something the One-Land family could not overlook. Upon learning of the plight of the dog-eared people living in the eastern mountains, they sent their army against the Crimson Brigade on their own, without consulting the other regent families.

However, the brigade avoided battle with the army and fled into the eastern mountain range. The army could not pursue them, as advancing further into that area would provoke the Demon Kingdom that lay beyond.

Instead, they declared that the brigade was forbidden from entering their territory, and any city that welcomed them would be considered to have committed a hostile act.

"So there are some good rulers out there."

"Do not forget that the principle behind a ruler's political actions is, for the most part, their own conscience."

Mercedes responded coolly to my comment. It reminded me of the saying, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' Was that from the time of the Crusades? Was that his personal creed? Or would he have praised the One-Land family if they had been a human lineage? It seemed there was a faction within the Empire that opposed the One-Land family's unilateral actions. The pressure from the Demon Kingdom has caused disarray among the border cities, and some are even in a state of war. Many cities need the power of mercenaries.

"In any case, having lost their field of activity within the Empire, they seem to have holed up in the northeastern mountains and moved their market to Shamon Island."

Attacking villages to sell their spoils for money and goods. The result was a life of hiding in the mountains. I couldn't live like that. Was that what they wanted? Was that why Famu's village was attacked?

"I see. Can we narrow down the location of their stronghold? I don't know how big the mountain range is, but searching for their base without any information would be a pain."

"I do not know the exact size, but the mountains stretch for hundreds of kilometers,"

Mercedes said with a smile. It wasn't just a pain. It was impossible.

"The One-Land family seems to have information about the location of their base. I believe I can provide you with more accurate information once we arrive in Miglutt."

"Got it. When we get to Miglutt, I'll ask Mo if she can get that information. I'd like you to continue your investigation in parallel."

"Leave it to me. However, what do you intend to do with that information? I must question your sanity."

Mercedes sighed. He probably wanted to stop me from starting something with the Crimson Brigade.

"The goddess told me to defeat the Demon Lord. This should be a piece of cake, right? Otherwise, it makes no sense that she summoned me."

I knew I wasn't being rational. But Famu had been thrown in a cell, rail-thin, not even allowed to wash herself. Even after she was rescued, she would cry alone. Eventually, she stopped crying in front of me. But as the days we spent together piled up, that fact weighed on me, quietly and heavily. Besides, the place they were occupying was where the dog-eared people lived. If left alone, other villages would be attacked. It wasn't like the dog-eared people chose to live in that place, but now, it was their home.

"...Perhaps so. But are you truly seeing her as she is now?"

"Now for the second matter."

I felt a quiet anger in Mercedes's words.

"Wh-what is it?"

"It is about my young lady. If she does not please you, please say so clearly."

I met Claire's eyes next to him. She gave a faint smile and looked down. I wished he wouldn't say such things in front of her, but it was the mission Mateo had given him to unite the two of us.

"She's ridiculously cute, and I'm very fond of her!"

"Then why do you not grant her your favor?!"

For once, Mercedes's voice was filled with excitement.

"W-well, I've thought about it a lot. I don't know if it'll be accepted, but..."

"Let us hear it. Please, speak."

"I think I'd like my first child to be with Famu, but she's still young. Besides, I have a mission given to me by the goddess."

"Are you concerned about an heir? We would never raise a child with our young lady to seize your inheritance. Furthermore, if a child is born, the trading company will take full responsibility for raising them. We will not trouble you in any way."

It was the same as with Yanan. That was what I didn't like, but I hesitated to say it to him. Mateo had sent Claire with that intention. I had been naive back then. Moreover, I owed them more than just gratitude for giving me the opportunity to guard their caravan and learn about this world in safety. For them, it was a strategy to tame and incorporate me. But for me, it had been a valuable experience.

"Could you wait on the matter of a child?"

"How long must we wait?"

"...About six years."

Mercedes looked up at the sky with a grim expression. The sun was getting stronger. The morning was coming to an end.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. So, is Claire not an option?"

When I asked, she shook her head.

"I have no complaints about whatever you ask of me, Mash."

Hearing Claire's reply, Mercedes sighed.

"Very well. However, mistakes are common in these matters."

Mercedes sent a meaningful glance toward Claire. I thought I saw her give a small nod. If they hadn't applied this unnecessary pressure, I would have taken Claire to bed long ago. Of course, I couldn't say such a thing, so I kept quiet.

"Let me add one more thing. The Mateo Trading Company's security is not particularly strong. If a skilled man such as yourself were to infiltrate, you might easily find your way into the young lady's room."

I could only nod as he pressed the point, as if to say, 'Understood?'