Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari - Chapter 146

Chapter 146: Beastmen

“Ah, Naofumi-sama” (Rafatalia)

I stop by the Slave Dealer’s tent, and Rafatalia greets me.

“My, My. Is it not the Hero of the Shield?” (Slave Dealer)

“Now then, what could you be talking about?” (Slave Dealer)

The Slave dealer forces a laugh.
If I try to push this point too hard, I will get sucked into his pace. I guess I’ll drop it.

“Anyways, I came across a large amount of monster eggs, so I would like to cancel my order.” (Naofumi)

“You…” (Naofumi)

Calm down… Calm down…

“Would you like another Filo Rial? I don’t believe there was one in the eggs you had.” (Slave Dealer)
“So you already checked them!” (Naofumi)

I’m reaching my limit here.
I hate feeling like I’m dancing on the palm of his hand.

“I think it would be more entertaining for you to find out when they hatch. Yes” (Slave Dealer)

My head hurts.

It’s annoying, so I’ll just finish my business here and leave.

“Then, did you find any more slaves from that village?” (Naofumi)
“Well…” (Rafatalia)

Rafatalia’s expression becomes dark.

“I apologize, but we have yet to find any more.” (Slave Dealer)

“I even spread around the Hero of the Shield’s name, and no one came forward. I don’t think I will be able to find any more within the confines of Melromark.” (Slave Dealer)
“Fumu…” (Naofumi)

Though we have been able to find quite a few children, I guess not too many people survived the wave in the first place.
I have found 15 already… (TL: remember, 3 of the 18 were outsiders)

“It may be beneficial to increase the search range. Yes.” (Slave Dealer)

“If the Hero of the Shield asks for it, I have no choice but to oblige.” (Slave Dealer)

This sounds fishy. The Slave dealer extends his hand to me as if asking for money.

“After that is… Do you have any skilled Demi-Human slaves that would be of use to me?” (Naofumi)

Having someone skilled at compounding, construction or black smithery may help the growth of the village.

There are a few that have shown interest in the subject but progress has been slow.

“Then the Tanuki girl you have with you may be considered quite skillful.” (Slave Dealer)

I look at Rafatalia.

Well, she is quite clumsy in most aspects besides fighting.

“Were you just thinking something relatively rude?” (Rafatalia)

“Let’s see… Well, the Lemo Race is quite good with their hands. They’re also relatively docile.” (Slave Dealer)

“You’ve probably never seen one before, though. Yes.” (Slave Dealer)

“They’re not rare in other countries, but as they are considered Beastmen, their numbers in Melromark are few. Yes.” (Slave Dealer)

I see…
Are they closer to animals than other Demi-humans? Now that I think about it, all of the Demi-humans I’ve seen so far have been quite humanoid.

“Do you have any here?” (Naofumi)

“Let me see.” (Naofumi)

The Slave Dealer leads me into the depths of the tent.

“Here it is.”

I look at the cage I have been led to.

It’s dark, so I can’t really see anything.

“Fumu…” (Naofumi)
“Present it.” (Slave Dealer)

At the Slave Dealer’s command, a muscular man appears, and opens the cage. He takes away its blanket.

“S-stop it!” (Lemo Kid)
“…” (Naofumi)

I look at the Lemo Child.

It looks like the Lemo are a race of mole-people.
Its stature is quite short. Its height only comes up to my waist. Is it because it is a child?

“It is of a race who’s eyes are weak to light. You may be able to use it for nighttime patrols.” (Slave Dealer)
“awawa….” (Lemo Kid)

The Lemo Child huddles into a corner of the cage, whilst trembling.
Rafatalia has a worried expression.

“Rafatalia.” (Naofumi)

“You understand that I’m no philanthropist, right?” (Naofumi)
“Y-yeah, I realize that.” (Rafatalia)

Even so, it’s a race that is skilled in craftsmanship…
but…

“Hey, do a lot of people in this country persecute Demi-Human slaves?” (Naofumi)

Many of the Demi-human children slaves had remnants of scars left by whips all over their bodies.

“A while ago, this country was at war with Demi-Humans, there’s no helping it. Yes.” (Slave Dealer)

“Well, it’s war. Many people lost their families to the Demi-humans, and this country’s military campaigns brought an influx of cheap Demi-Human slaves. Yes. There was no easier way for those people to get revenge on Demi-Humans as a whole.” (Slave Dealer)

This country’s darkness runs deep.
I wonder what the nobles think of me, who is making a Demi-Human village.

“Though slavery is legal in this country, mistreatment of slaves is punishable by law. Yes.” (Slave Dealer)
“Those actions were illegal… You seem to be selling quite a few of such illegal slaves…” (Naofumi)

Now that I think about it, this tent is quite well hidden, in a back alley…

“Don’t worry. I am conducting business quite legally. Yes.” (Slave Dealer)

Legal…

If so, then why do you carry abused slaves in the first place…

“Well, there’s nothing I can do about it.” (Naofumi)

I look at the wounds on the back of the Lemo kid.
…They look quite deep.

「Zveit Heal」(Naofumi)

I use healing magic, and the wounds slowly close.
But the wounds were quite severe. I can’t heal them completely.

“Eh?” (Lemo Kid)

“…I don’t know.” (Lemo Kid)

The Lemo slave hides its face as it says this.
It’s a better reply than claiming to do something that you can’t.

“If I taught you something, could you do it?” (Naofumi)
“… if you order it, I would have to do it. So… don’t hit me…” (Lemo Kid)

The Lemo slave sounds like it is about to cry. It curls itself into a tighter ball.
But as the rest of the cage is empty, it still stands out.

“Fufu…” (Rafatalia)

Rafatalia looks at me and laughs a bit. What is she on about?

“Should I prepare the slave seal?” (Slave Dealer)
“Yeah.” (Naofumi)

And so we apply the slave seal to the Lemo child. I am already used to the process.

“Ah, I just remembered. Hero of the Shield.” (Slave Dealer)

“That’s unfortunate, but there is something I must warn you about.” (Slave Dealer)

“There seems to be a Mad Alchemist in this country who focuses on monster experimentation. Be careful.” (Slave Dealer) (TL: O…nii..chan…Da…ddy…)

The Queen said the same thing. Is he really that dangerous?

“The Hero of the Shield’s monsters all seem to grow abnormally. You may get targeted soon.” (Slave Dealer)
“Yes, Yes. Got it.” (Naofumi)

I casually let it slide as I exit the Slave Dealer’s tent.

“I-it’s too bright…” (Lemo Kid)

The Lemo Slave follows me while keeping both of its hands on its eyes.

Rafatalia casts some magic, and dims the light around the slave’s face.

“Will this be alright?” (Rafatalia)
“Ah… Yes.” (Lemo Kid)

Right, Rafatalia’s best magic was Light and Darkness. She could manipulate them to create illusions.

A mole Beastman.

What sort of environment does this race usually live in?

As I walk through town, I see a stand selling spectacles.

“Hey.” (Naofumi)
“How can I help you?” (Glasses Vendor)

I address the person selling the specs.

“Do you have any glasses with darkened lenses? I’m looking for a pair.” (Naofumi)
“We have some.” (Glasses Vendor)

The Vendor takes out a sample and puts it on the table.

It seems to be made of ‘Black Fly Wings’. It’s a monster I’ve yet to meet.

I understand it probably isn’t common. It’s probably in a cave, or in the mountains or somewhere else difficult to reach by carriage.

“…That will be 80 Copper.” (Glasses Vendor)

It’s basic business to increase the price if someone shows interest.

“Hmm… I see. Then I guess we should give up for now.” (Naofumi)

I give the glasses back to the vendor and head towards another merchant’s shop.

However I make sure to conceal myself with the cloak.

“Do you happen to have any Black Fly Wing?” (Naofumi)
“Wha?” (Merchant)

Upon hearing my voice, the merchant seems a bit startled.
Perhaps he figured out my identity. He puts on a suspicious smile.

“Ah, remember the time with the balloons?” (Naofumi)

“I-I won’t treat you like that again!” (Merchant)

“I have some. I have some, so please stop pressuring me.” (Merchant)
“That depends on your actions.” (Naofumi)

The merchant frantically brings out the requested goods.

Black Fly Wing
Quality: Poor

“It’s quality is poor. How does 10 Copper sound?” (Naofumi)

“But as compensation, I’ll give you some publicity. Rafatalia, take the kid and get a bit away.” (Naofumi)

“Eh? Eh?” (Merchant)

Rafatalia takes the Lumo Child’s hand and leads it away.

“Eh!?” (Merchant)

The Merchant raises his voice.
I take off my robe, and he makes a startled sound.

“Thanks! You’ve really helped me a lot. I’ll continue to be a regular customer.” (Naofumi)

I say it in quite a monotonous voice.
But the volume of my voice, and the fact that my face was visible causes the surrounding people to stop in their tracks.

“Well then, See ya.” (Naofumi)
“W-wait!” (Merchant)

I hear the sound of people crowding his shop as I walk away.

“The Hero of the Shield is your regular!?” (Crowd)

“U-um…” (Merchant)

The Merchant lets out a troubled voice as he deals with all the swarming customers.
Now then, I should find a safe place to put the robe back on.

(TL: If you haven’t noticed yet, Lemo is an anagram of mole. If you can think of a better anagram of it, please present it. (The Japanese is Lu-Mo, rearranged to form Mo-Lu))