Slime Reincarnation

Chapter 92: Let’s Quickly Handle the First Rescue

"T-This is the royal capital at last! In a Dango-style way, it’s TTO!"

"I don’t really understand what you’re trying to say."

I glanced sideways at Irina, who was cutely tilting her head, and looked at the towering outer walls.

Finally, after a long journey, we had reached the royal capital.

...We were still waiting in front of the great gate called the Royal Capital Barlon Gate for formalities.

Even the noble-only gate had three carriages lined up.

"As expected of the royal capital Barlon. Even the noble gate has waiting procedures."

I leaned out the carriage window.

I may have looked a bit suspicious with just my face poking out, but I was basically in full robe mode.

At that moment, the Chicks all swarmed the Coluna Frontier Count house carriage at once.

『B-Boss! We’ve been waiting! To Mami-chan at Mamma Miya’s shop!』

『Rina-chan, the dark elf! Rina-chan!』

First in Rank Leopard and Second in Rank Crusader leaped onto the roof of the carriage, tears glistening as they pleaded with me.

Déjà vu.

『Boss! Sister Henri from the orphanage! Sister Henri!』

『The former Baroness Harknar! Duke Teraelo’s subordinate is collecting debts!』

Third in Rank Cromwell and Fourth in Rank Centurion were also shedding tears.

That’s why it’s déjà vu.

『"Poporo Restaurant"’s sisters...』

『Alie-chan is going to collapse!』

Fifth in Rank Vickers and Sixth in Rank Carden were also shedding tears. Déjà vu, indeed.

『Maring-chan! Maring-chan!』

Even Sixth in Rank Callor wasn’t changing.

『Boss, the captain of the royal guard unit, Krelia Spelcio, is a very capable person. However, a large faction is secretly working to pull her down, and public security has deteriorated dramatically in some districts of the capital. I will report the location and other information I have gathered at tonight’s briefing.』

Eighth in Rank Kurecia. This one is real. Why is she Eighth in Rank? I should file a request with Chick Captain to change the ranking.

"Yeah, I’m counting on you. I trust you."

『Haha!』

Kurecia is seriously reliable.

Ninth in Rank Tiger and Tenth in Rank Sentinel were watching from the side. They were calm because they didn’t have capital information.

Besides the Ten Generals on the carriage roof, their subordinates had gathered too, enthusiastically pushing me to rescue each general’s target.

『『『Piyo piyo pee (Save Mami-chan!)』』』

『『『Pipi piyo (It’s Rina-chan first!)』』』

『『『Piyo pee (Sister Henri is super kind!)』』』

『『『Pipi piyo (The former Baroness Harknar is super kind too!)』』』

『『『Piyo piyo (Poporo Restaurant’s croquettes are super delicious!)』』』

『『『Piyo yo yo (The Saintess who bullies Alie-chan deserves heavenly punishment~)』』』

『『『Piyo (Maring-chan’s injury is worrying~)』』』

Hmm... The reasons they want me to save people are getting increasingly strange.

By the way, Kurecia’s subordinates are not pleading with me. It seems they think I, as Boss, should decide what to take priority on.

"I see. I’ll handle as many as I can from here on out, starting with the ones I can reach immediately."

『We also ask you to save Princess Cassina! Okay!』

Chick Captain is also pushing. How am I supposed to rescue the princess?

Anyway, I calmed the Chicks down.

Umm... Is there anything I can do today?

"Yabe-dono, the turn has come, so shall we enter?"

Lord Fenberg said that.

Finally, the carriage passed through the royal capital’s gate.

"Uwah~ This is the royal capital, huh."

I naturally let a country bumpkin’s impression slip out.

Compared to the towns we’ve passed so far, the buildings here feel more refined.

"Lord Fenberg, what are your plans for the capital?"

I confirmed our schedule ahead.

After all, Chick Captain’s rescue requests were piled high.

"We have a separate residence for the Coluna Frontier Count house in the capital, so we’ll stay there. You’ll finally be freed from inn living."

Lord Fenberg explained with a smile. As expected of the Coluna house. They have a separate residence in the capital.

"That is indeed very generous."

The carriage slowly advanced down the main street.

"Irina. The Lubengel Count residence... or, I mean, where exactly is your real house?"

"My real house... Fueh!? Y-You’re going now!?"

"N-No... I’m not going right now."

"The Lubengel Count’s residence is close to ours. If necessary, I can send a messenger ahead to arrange a carriage."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

I thanked Lord Fenberg for his consideration for now.

"Fueh!? Not today... I-I need to prepare myself!"

Irina’s face was turning red. I set her aside and thought about our schedule.

It’s already past noon, maybe around 3 p.m. The sun is still high. If I act today, I can do something.

"Crusader."

『Haha!』

I leaned out the carriage window on the main street and called Crusader.

"Is the slave trading house De Gado close from here?"

『Haha! It’s in the back, left from this main street!』

"Got it. Lord Fenberg, I’m sorry, but I need to buy a slave at De Gado."

"N-Now, out of the blue?"

"Yabe-sama?"

"What’s wrong?"

From Lord Fenberg, Luciana, and Flora came quick questions about what was suddenly happening.

Of course, because I said I wanted to suddenly buy a slave.

"According to Chick Captain’s information, many people are in extremely unfortunate situations. One of them is being sold at slave trading house De Gado, so I’ll buy her right away and take her with me, then figure out the rest later."

"Hmm, it’s about your information network. This is necessary. Slave trading houses sometimes require identity verification, so it would be faster if you ride over in this carriage. Please guide us."

"Thank you."

The slave trading house De Gado was ranked number three in size even in the capital.

Only I entered the shop. The others were waiting in the carriage outside.

"Welcome. What kind of slave are you looking for today?"

Without any extra greetings, the shop owner — presumably the man — spoke to me. The staff had already informed him that I had arrived in the Coluna Frontier Count house carriage.

"What kind of slaves does this place handle?"

I probed first. If I specified too clearly, I might be shown the feet of those being sold or refused.

"Combat slaves, household slaves, commercial slaves, play slaves... We handle everything comprehensively. I’m sure we’ll find the slave you’re looking for."

The shop owner explained confidently.

"Then could I see the play slaves?"

"Understood. I’ll show you."

We were guided to the back room.

I sat on the sofa provided. In front of me was a large glass window.

"From now on, I will guide you in groups of ten, three times. If you like any slave, please let me know."

The women were then brought out in front of the glass.

All of them were of fairly high level on average. From older women, young girls, plump figures, to slender ones — there were various types. They seemed capable of serving any kind of client.

However, the dark elf Rina Crusader had mentioned wasn’t among them.

"Hmm, they’re all quite high level. I’ve seen the full range of this shop’s capabilities."

"Thank you."

The shop owner bowed respectfully.

"How about it? Are there no more girl-type slaves?"

"Well... but the quality of play slaves we can confidently offer is only about this much..."

"Hmm, so there are slaves we can’t confidently offer for some reason?"

"Yes, that’s right..."

The shop owner averted his eyes slightly and affirmed.

"Then I’d like to see those too."

"No, I really can’t recommend them. For someone like Your Highness..."

"Ah, I’m not a noble. Just an adventurer."

"Is that so?"

He didn’t seem to fully believe the words, but he understood that I wasn’t a noble.

"There are special slaves that we can offer at a lower price than usual... Of course there’s a reason, so they’re offered cheaply."

"I want to see them."

"...Very well. This way."

We were guided to the building’s underground floor.

"As play slaves, there is only this girl."

The one being shown into the glass room was actually a prison cell.

Inside was a dark elf girl. More than "present," she looked like she had collapsed. Due to special circumstances, her price was low. The reason was obvious. Her left half of the face was gouged out, as if a bear had swiped her. Her eyes and ears were damaged, and it looked extremely painful. Her left shoulder was also injured, so it seemed she couldn’t move her left arm properly.

"Rina, can you hear me? Rina!"

The shop owner called out loudly.

"U... Yes..."

The girl slowly raised her upper body.

"This girl is named Rina, a dark elf. She has talent and could use magic, but she was attacked by monsters. Because of the after-effects, she can’t use magic properly, her left arm is injured, she can’t work as a household slave, and because of the scar on her face, her value as a play slave is low."

...However, Crusader’s girl really found Rina in this state. She’s quite skilled.

"How much?"

"Eh!? You’re buying her? Well, if this girl is what you want, five gold coins would work..."

I immediately took out five gold coins and handed them over.

"Really? Are you sure? If she can’t fulfill her abilities and you complain later, it will be troublesome..."

"It’s fine. I’ll handle the procedures immediately."

"...Understood. Rina, it’s good news. Your master has come for you."

"A-Ah... thank you..."

Rina cried and bowed three times with her fingers together.

It was heart-wrenching.

I didn’t have time to ask why Rina was here or why she was injured. That could wait. Right now I just wanted to take Rina home and let her rest.