One day near the end of the April, Sajesu.Basutoral returned alone to Boil Manor while holding a cheap lunch under his arm. He practiced using magic a number of times this afternoon and after that thought of killing some time practicing with the spear. Recently his life has been fulfilling and everyday is so enjoyable he can't help it. He's been secretly calculating it but his debt should be paid off after they enter the dungeon next time. All of his income after belongs to him. If it continues at his current pace then he should be able to save up a considerable amount in two months. He'll be able to buy his beloved Cathy, Catherine.Enforu he left behind in his home town of Rockfall Village and then release her from slavery.
I've already eaten after all, let's get a wood practice spear and head to the vacant lot at the edge of town. Later his spear teacher Gwine should show her face as well. In her past life, she was a high school girl 10 years younger than Saji but in their current lives she's the same age and his senior as an adventurer. She's also his teacher that teaches him the spear. Though that can be said, in terms of skill with the spear his employer Al, the noble Toris, and his combat slave the former soldier Zulu are a bit above her in skill with the sword as well.
Recently, it's something the noble who's employing me, Al often said, "Remain conscious over the increases to body level" but I've somehow come to understand it. At first it was my limit just being able to nervously follow after everyone but recently I've become able to progressively take part in combat so you could say it's proof of that.
Thinking that Saji (in any case, let's put some guts into the afternoon training right now and give it our best) returned to the inn but Saji noticed the foreign noble Bernadette beckoning him against the railing leading to the rooms upstairs.
The place he was called out to was the room of the front line pillar of the {Slaughterers} Zenom and Ralpha's room. If their leader Al is ever absent they always seem to gather in this room. Since it's a family room and slightly larger with a bit more room is probably one of the reasons for that as well.
Other than Zenom, Toris was in the room. Including Bel and Saji that's four people. The other occupant of the room that is Zenom's adopted daughter Ral and Gwine, and of course the leader Al nor his girlfriend Miduchi are nowhere to be found. They're probably still eating.
"What's going on?"
When Saji asked that an unexpected answer came back.
"Faruergaz and Hirosukol's party, they ended up being absorbed by {Sun.Ray}."
(Ah, so they ended up being able to enter a first-rate party as well, that's great.)
From Saji's point of view they're his benefactors. It was somewhat close to forcibly but it was thanks to them that he was released from the serf ranking. I guess because the circumstances of their meeting wasn't very good, Hirosukol seems to have some kind of feelings towards Al, their relations don't seem to be very good though.
"It hurts that {Sun.Ray} managed to take the reincarnated people.."
"Even if you say something like that...I can't bring myself to like those two. They said that Ralpha and Gwine were being cheated? Not to mention right in front of me. You all heard it too right."
(Ah, that's right. They said they were just being deceived and used, was it...Even if they didn't know the details that was considerably harsh. Well, even if I was being deceived I'm completely satisfied being allowed in the {Slaughterers}. If it wasn't here then there's no way to make this much money..)
Just like that the remaining four reincarnated people joined us. It seems that Ral and Gwine pulled Al and Miduchi out while they were still in the middle of eating.
After that it came down to a discussion over how to pull out those those two but a visitor came. When Saji went out to deal with them it was a messenger from {Verdure.Brotherhood}.
Also, Zenom-san is unnatural as well. Consequently Ral isn't a suitable choice either. And if it were Gwine or Zenom-san then rather than {Sun.Ray}, I can't imagine {Gehenna.Flare} would just ignore them. Maruso and Zulu wouldn't work unless Al-san sells them first and there's no guarantee that {Sun.Ray} would be the ones to buy them. Most likely all of the top teams would be scrambling for them and it would already be no good. Prior to that I can't imagine they would agree to it either."
Before long all of the other members had stopped eating and were listening in. Obviously they already knew about the details that were being reported but it's because Al's facial color wasn't very good.
"That leaves three people remaining. Bel, Miduchi-san, and myself. If we think about combat in the worst case then Miduchi-san is suitable but since Bel and I were the ones who brought it up we should volunteer for it. Thanks to you both Bel and I have gotten quite skilled at using magic and can brag about having a considerably level of combat ability so I think we can pull through most situations. If it takes the shape of us fighting and breaking up then we should be able to naturally leave without being suspected is also one of the reasons."
A bit of admiration appeared in Al's eyes but he quickly changed back to being expressionless.
"The summer of last year, just before Miduchi-san joined us, {Sun.Ray} lost two members of their forces. Even though Faruergaz and the others, those six joined them but I'm sure they won't be capable of much on the 5th or 6th floors. That's why, we think that they'll end up splitting into two parties and entering the dungeon again. Well, a first party that is active centering around the 6th floor and a second party that at best makes it to the 4th floor. And also, it seems that {Sun.Ray} has had quite a bit of attachment to the 6th floor when they enter the dungeon recently. Although, I'm sure they just want to go to the 7th floor beyond that. That's why even though they have 20 people right now but if someone who has experience on the 7th floor like Bel or I were to leave we think it's very possible they would call out to us right away."
"What if they don't call out to you?"
"If it comes to that then there's no helping it, we'll just have to lower our heads and return. It's necessary to go over the plan once more but most likely I don't think that will end up the case."
"It seems you have confidence."
"Of course. In regards to just this portion, I think that there's no doubt they'll call out to us. Also, other than the newcomer Saji, if any of us were to join {Sun.Ray} it's only obvious but we'd be put in the first part I'm sure. I think there would be a lot of chances to be near the side of the leaders, the Rindobels."
"And, you're going to sneak in, gather evidence, and then expose that right in front of them?"
"Yes. That time I think will be the best timing in a room on the 4th or 5th floor when it's difficult for anyone to intrude."
"Got it. That goes smoothly. After that Faruergaz and the others find out about it as well. But, I wonder if they would really come to us with just that? Wouldn't things just end up several members including the leaders of {Sun.Ray} being driven out? During that time, you or Bel a reliable member in the dungeon is still a part of {Sun.Ray}?"
Al said that rejected the idea everyone came up with.
"I understand. Well then, we'll add one more plan that we thought of previously together with Bel and Zenom-san. After infiltrating them, it will be only obvious to go to the 6th floor right. That time, we'll bring them to the 7th floor. Obviously, we'll support them there with all our power. Since they're a top team as well if I accompany them and we take our time recovering mana and moving forward a bit at a time then it shouldn't be all that difficult to go to the 7th floor."
"And?"
"We'll lure them into an ogre mage room on the 7th floor. If we use paralyiss poison on the ogres along the way then this shouldn't be all that difficult. During that occasion if we have them misrecognize the true strength of the ogres then I think that would be even better. Then, since there's always around 10 ogres in the ogre mage room they should easily fall into a crisis. There Al-san and the others who were on standby nearby would gallantly appear and save them. It would be fine as long as we show off the appeal of our combat strength in full.
I'm sure, right about now they're seeing and finding out various things in the world for this first time. It's not a dormitory system like the knight group where as long as you seriously study and train you automatically receive food and money. I'm sure they're understanding that about now. At the same time the appreciation of money as well."
Saji is probably halfway saying it to himself. Everyone thought that but they just nodded in agreement.
"Well, since there's also things like {Magic.Items} as expected I doubt it reaches the leaders of other top teams but even then it should be much higher than the normal members."
Zenom said with his arms crossed.
"Wai..Is there no one here that seeks after romance? Like bonds and stuff.."
Ralpha said as if she was shocked but her face was laughing. It seems that her remarks just a moment ago were just raising a problem and not her own assertion. Hearing that, Saji was a bit embarrassed for replying seriously himself.
"Probably..the fact that they're former "Japanese people" I'm sure, is the only thing that can't be bought with money. Though even that can't be said for everyone unconditionally. If you were to say something extreme then how much could you sell the relationships between Japanese people for? that sort of thing works as well. I don't think it would be strange for there to be people that sell others for 1 gold coin."
When Gwine said that, Saji remembered himself about one year ago. During that time he felt like he was at the peak of his life in his hometown of Rockfall village. He had to dig through his faded and forgotten memories, trying to wring them out as he failed a number of times and was finally able to make the thresher, which he was considerably praised over by his owner and the lord. He was in ecstasy over just 1 gold Shu and a pair of chickens. If it was me at that time then rather than something like Japanese who I had no familiarity with I'd have put priority on 1 gold coin I'm sure. Thinking that I smiled. Also, the one who abandoned the two people who released me from the slave ranking blinded by money was myself. In some meanings was it trying to defend myself? But, I can hold my chest out and say that my choice wasn't a mistake. Saji was happy enough that he could get defiant and think that.
................
The next morning, we went running as usual but soon after Saji was ordered to sing a song by Al. {British}. Since Saji idolized rock he didn't know any songs to sing at a time like this but since a song that you sing during field trips in elementary school was specified he was somehow able to sing it. All over the place there were parts of the lyrics he was worried about but everyone else followed with him. Since singing while running also works as training to increase lung capacity he wasn't against it. In the first place, in this town of Baldukk even if they act a bit audacious, Saji as a member of the {Slaughterers} no one would complain about it. Without even paying any mind to the trouble it causes in the early morning singing loudly was fun and even refreshing.
That night, Al gathered his three slaves and explained the outline of yesterday night. All three of them showed disapproval to changing owners even temporarily but in the end since Al ordered them they reluctantly obeyed.
For the time being as a first hand to play, Zuru and Maruso need to start going to places they don't normally go and complain about things. They'll make small complains about their jobs as slaves having increased recently.
However, there wasn't a feel that they were able to act very well. Since they weren't able to say even a single complaint towards their master. They're treated the same as normal combat slaves and when it comes to meals while it's just breakfast and dinner, they're allowed to eat however much of whatever they please so that is happiness. Even though that's the case they're still paid somewhat high wages as well. It's something they seized from another party but Zulu was provided with high class metal armor banded-mail and Maruso has an extremely high quality sword merchant Fuggusu produced broad sword. Both of those aren't the type of equipment just a mere combat slave would be allowed to use.
However, since it's an important job they were ordered by their master they couldn't slack off, the two of them could only say things they didn't actually think. A reasonable number of eyes caught sight of those two.
.....................
There was a chance in the dungeon to lower Al's reputation. Conveniently it was in this teleport room on the 5th floor. Furthermore, the other group was {Sun.Ray}. After Zenom exchanged looks with Ralpha she desperately twisted her head and so everyone other than Al would notice just as decided before-hand she put her left hand on her land knee and started talking about meaningless things. She started making fun of {Sun.Ray} over the low nutritional value of their cucumbers at a volume they couldn't hear. Bel and Miduchi noticed right away and reacted. Maruso put in a loyal retort. Just as expected, Al ended up snapping.
................
After returning from the dungeon, we went to sell the magic stones and Al declared that all of Saji's debt had been repaid. A smile appeared on Saji's face. In an unbelievably short period of time he was able to pay off a huge amount as 5,000,000 Z. Furthermore, since he was also properly handed his wages and the leftovers so in these four months the amount Saji obtained was over 6,000,000 Z. Since there was the charge for staying at a high class inn and the necessary things he had to buy there wasn't much remaining on hand but to Saji he was able to repay it in a shot period that exceeded his expectations.
While Saji was floating in good spirits, Ral found another good chance to pick a fight with some adventurers who came to sell magic stones. Ralpha said something to make fun of the amount the adventurers earned, hearing that Saji looked at the magic stone on top of the scale and it certainly was a cute magic stone. It was about the same size as the magic stones of the ogres we're always obtaining but the color was a lot darker.
(Ehe..Starting next month I'll be earning way more than something like that. Don't be arrogantly picking a fight with our Ral-san over something at that level. Ah!)
When he looked at Ral again she had her left hand on her left hip. It's the sign when she's standing up. Noticing that Saji tried to say something in a panic but they were thrown out of the story by the old man who runs it.
...............
During dinner that night Saji made a huge mistake. It wasn't the same as usual, they were in the middle of a party celebrating the repayment of Saji's debt, Al left his seat for a short while. Saji was completely engrossed in eating a delicious fish off the bone. He was scraping off the meat around the eyes with the slightly rough tongue of a Cat-people.
(De..Delicious! How delicious is this! For fish to be this good! I don't even know how many times I've been moved by this same thing since I came to Baldukk. Until I came here since I was further inland I hadn't eaten fish. I wonder if after all fish are best for Cat-people?)
It was then that an angry voice echoed through the store.
Miduchi stood up with her left hand at her hip and was yelling as she looked down at Ral. This time for sure, I need to say something that is helpful.
"U..Umm..Th..The two of you, sto..stop it! Pleeease~ stop it~!"
(Fumu, I think it was very good acting that approached the real thing. The feeling of panic should have come out as well. Even I can be useful at times. I've even become able to stab ogres with the spear on the 7th floor without flinching!)
Saji triumphantly returned to the inn and everyone rejected him. Additionally they also came to the conclusion that the leader Al is useless so they had to take into consideration that there might be obstacles in their plan from here on out and even reported that they were excluded from the plan.
There's nothing to do other than feel down.
I wonder if there's anything I can do to be useful?
I need to think of something. Saji twists his head just like the time with the thresher. However, he quickly remember. At the end of last year, shortly before they released him from being a slave the time when they went to the brothel and used condoms, what he thought of! Fortunately the {Slaughterers} have a holiday during Golden Week.
(It's just a bit but I have some money, as expected it won't be enough to buy Cathy until I enter the dungeon a number of times more. It should be fine if I use this money.)
Thinking that Saji started to twist his head over what he can do to what extend with his limited budget.
.................
Starting the next day it was just the contents but Saji immediately started making a prototype. However, it was extremely difficult to skillfully make minced meat, quite literally it takes backbreaking amounts of work. Things weren't going very well. While he was making it he felt like the color of the pork he bought ended up changing colors as well. And then, he remembered. There's no preservatives. Things like O-157 are dangerous.
When he tried asking the butcher he purchased the pork from and they said they didn't know of anything that sounds almost like magic like that. It depends on the season but raw meat only lasts at best~ one day. If two days pass then people with weak stomachs will get diarrhea. It seems that if you put it in a refrigerator and properly replace the ice then it'll last another few days. Taking into consideration the time it takes to purchase the meat and process it then if he can't do the work with a refrigerator then he'd like a bit more time. If this business doesn't go well then won't he'll just be of completely no use to everyone, additionally he remembered back to how his hobbies ended with how to make instruments as well.
While thinking that as Saji was dabbling and causing trouble for the butcher Miduchi passed by and asked him what he was doing. Such and such as he discussed the details, Miduchi put her hand to her jaw and thought about it.
"I don't know if it will be of reference for you Saji-san, but it's not as if I don't have something in mind on that. There's a variety of different mushrooms cultivated in my country. A lot of them are the same as ones from "Earth" but I think a lot of them also didn't exist as well. Among those there's a mushroom called Soruhoggu. It's a mushroom that is the source for a poison called Sorira but during the process of making that poison a white power comes out. It seems that corpses of mice lasted for a considerably long time without rotting after touching that powder. It could be possible that it's a preservative."
Hearing that Saji was so overjoyed he felt like he could jump up but there's no guarantee it's really a preservative so it's too soon to relax. However, it might be good to think of it as one step forward. While Saji was pleased he discussed various things with Miduchi. She might have pitied Saji from being excluded from the plan. She might have been moved by Saji's feelings of wanting to be useful to everyone. However, to Saji it didn't matter whichever it was.
Furthermore, since Saji was excluded from the plan for the time being he had to have meals alone or together with Al's slaves.
.................
That night, while Al was gone to the capital, this time Gwine picked a fight with Zulu.
"Zulu, stop using your hands and use the {chopsticks} or fork! I feel disgusted just watching. You already know how to use them right."
She pulled back her chair and if you look closely she has her left hand on her left knee. Hearing that Zenom and Maruso suddenly grabbed their knife and chopsticks.
"I was told to eat however I please by master. Gwine has no right to order m."
Zulu said as if he didn't care at all as he started grabbing the meat and vegetable stir fry with his left hand and carried it to his mouth, then he wiped his dirty fingers on the tablecloth. It seems it was unexpected for Zulu to be told off on that matter and he made a slightly annoyed expression.
"It's unrelated to Al-san. I'm saying that I feel disgusted from it!"
(I wonder what she'll say next? Huh? Somehow it's gotten a bit fun)
"Wha! When Al-san comes back I'll tell on you!"
(Is she a child! I heard that Gwine was older than me but..)
"Is that so, then feel free to do as you please. Though Al-san likes things that are refined. I wonder if he can endure the fact that his own slaves are eating in a vulgar way and causing the surrounding people to feel disgusted?"
(She says painful things)
"But I sympathized with Al-san's way of thinking and now I'm properly able to eat elegantly."
He decided to think like that.
..................
On a day off around the end of May, the {Slaughterers} decided to leave Al behind and go to the capital to have fun.
Embrace me even tighter! Even more!
"I was always watching! I was always listening! But, that one week when I couldn't see you I was worried. If I couldn't see you anymore, or hear your voice, what would I do.."
Cathy started sobbing while being embraced by Saji.
"The congratulatory holiday is two weeks. It's plenty right?"
Al said while making a vulgar smile as he grinned looking at Saji embrace Cathy. It seems that the members of the {Slaughterers} who were watching from a bit of distance away couldn't hide their surprise but no one was making this sort of vulgar smile. Gwine was completely crying at the situation and the women Miduchi, Bel, Ral, and Maruso had some light tears in their eyes for some reason after being moved. After looking at Al again Saji got a bad feeling from the vulgar smile on his employers face but he was so happy right now that even that sort of face felt loving.
Ah, Al hadn't forgotten about it. He had properly seen through everything and made preparations!
I'm grateful!
While he was thinking that a female elf with a kiseru,
"That'll be 1,782,000 Z."
said that. In a fluster he came to his senses but the only money on him is the 510,000 Z he just received.
"Hurry and go get it. Run!"
Hearing Al's order while still making a vulgar smile, Saji ran out as if he was being pulled and ran through the town of Baldukk in the twilight evening.
He rushed into his room in Boil Manor and after putting the 510,000 Z he just received into his container for money he started running back again. His grinning and smiling won't stop. He couldn't hold back that it wouldn't stop. It would be good if it's not a vulgar feeling smile like Al though...
When he returned to the house from just now and looked up. "Slave Store, Ronslail" was written. When he put his hand on the door about to open it, from inside he heard the voice of "That's horrible!" from inside. It seems it's Miduchi's voice. I wonder what in the world happened in the short period of time?
Thinking that Saji started to open the door.
"Che...Listen carefully. She arrived here around the end of April. Certainly I didn't tell anyone about that. Of course I won't deny the small feeling of wanting to surprise him as well."
What was that? Cathy has been here since April!?
The face that Saji thought was loving just now started to seem like a devil.
"But you know, think carefully about it. What do you think would have happened if I had told that to Basutoral at that time? He might have died in a hurry to earn money even just a bit faster you know?"
"U...I guess..That's.. true..as well?"
He could hear Miduchi's voice rapidly fade from the other side of the door.
He couldn't turn the handle the of the door.
If he had seen Cathy's face at that point in April he would have gotten quite a bit impatient.
Though Saji has grown quite a bit compared to the start, it's still no different from comparing the moon to a snapping turtle between him and the other members.
Saji's head didn't reach the point of thinking that Al hadn't paid any money and put it on a tab.
He took on that much risk and even paid close attention to my own feelings and safety.
"There's no guarantee that telling him everything would end up with good results after all."
The calm voice sounds like Toris.
Even Cathy should have been able to live safely during her time at the slave traders.
She even heard his voice..The song! During the days they're on the surface he was made to sing a song every morning while running and she heard that!
Around the time in winter when he joined the {Slaughterers} putting aside the route on top of the outer crater outside of the town, he said he gets bored of the road so he didn't have a fixed route. But before any noticed it had become a fixed route.
Saji twisted the door knob.