Chapter 85
Light and Darkness
Translator : PolterGlast
What I saw beyond the
gate was an overwhelming number of people.
And yet, the cityscape
was beautiful, a sensation like seeing something I thought was impossible
coexisting right before my eyes.
"What an
overwhelming sight! The city is so beautiful!"
"There's a fine
for littering. There are also more soldiers on patrol compared to Biodasdal,
and the Royal Capital puts a lot of effort into maintaining public order."
"Huh. So it's the
most populated city in the country, but it's also a peaceful place."
"...No, that's a
little different."
The Guild Master
denied my words.
He didn't explain the
specifics, saying it would be faster to see for myself, and he immediately left
the city center and began to head west.
The number of people
didn't change much even after leaving the center, but the number of soldiers we
passed decreased as we headed west.
In proportion to that,
the number of people with shifty-looking faces began to increase.
"We're getting a
lot of glares! Hey, is it really okay to come over here?"
"This is a place
where anything can happen, but with Graham-san here, we'll be fine no matter
what."
"I'd rather you
didn't place so much trust in me... I can't go all out against people."
"What in the
world is up ahead—ah! W-what is that? That obviously suspicious place!"
Where Ginia pointed, a
crudely built wall towered, and barbed wire was strung up to prevent entry.
A super-suspicious
wall suddenly appeared in the midst of an area where the number of shady people
was increasing.
"Guild Master,
what in the world is this wall?"
"Beyond this
wall, a black market is held. It's a completely lawless zone, the dark side of
the Royal Capital."
"Even though the
city was so beautiful, a place like this exists..."
"I'm actually
kind of excited! I've never been to a black market before!"
I, of course, have
also never been to a black market, so like Aoi, I'm a little curious.
I can't even imagine
what kind of things are sold there.
"By the way, is
it possible to enter the black market?"
"You can. You
have to pay, but basically, anyone can get in."
"Whoa! A-are we
going in? I'm a little scared... Guild Master, what kind of things are sold at
a black market?"
"Basically,
everything is sold there. From things like weapons, armor, and magic items, to
brand-name clothes and jewels, all sold at a discount."
"Is that so. The
things they sell are surprisingly normal."
"Well, they're
either fakes or stolen goods, though."
They were surprisingly
normal products, and Ginia, who had seemed a little interested, contorted her
face at the Guild Master's last words.
"They also have
illegal drugs and treatments by unlicensed doctors... And, well, the main
attraction is the people."
"People? You mean
people are for sale?"
"Yeah. This is
the only place in the country where human trafficking takes place."
"That's too
scary! If you get caught, do you get sold?"
"No, it's decided
that only demi-humans can be sold. Their treatment is that of a slave, but they
are often bought as servants by nobles and aren't treated too harshly, so the
Royal Capital turns a blind eye."
What an incredible
world.
The idea of buying and
selling people had never entered my mind before.
"That's a lot to
take in. To think a place like this exists just a short distance away from that
beautiful area."
"Well, it's
undeniably one of the charms of the Royal Capital. And there's a reason I
showed you the black market. ...Graham-san, why don't you buy some people in
this black market? As staff for the orphanage you're going to open."
At the Guild Master's
outrageous, sudden statement, the three of us froze with our mouths agape.
I never thought...
that he would suggest I purchase a person.
"...N-n-no way,
that's not okay! It goes against human decency!"
"The ones being
sold are basically demi-humans with no relatives. If they aren't sold within a
certain period, they are disposed of. In that case, they'd be happier being
bought by you, Graham-san. You would never treat them cruelly."
"That may be so,
but... if there are people who buy, then that's seen as there being a
demand..."
"This has been
going on for hundreds of years; that's an issue that's far too late to address.
So, what did you think after hearing this, Graham-san?"
It's a very difficult
problem.
Emotionally, I'm with
Ginia, but I can also understand the Guild Master's reasoning.
Especially after
hearing that they are disposed of, it can also be seen as buying them to save
them.
"...Can we put
this on hold for now? I'll decide by the last day of our stay in the Royal Capital."
"Of course. Sorry
for bringing up such a heavy topic out of the blue. Well then, let's head back
and do some sightseeing in the Royal Capital."
"I'm not really
in the mood for sightseeing anymore...!"
"This, for better
or for worse, is the Royal Capital. It is precisely because there is a deep,
dark side that there are places that shine brightly. I didn't want you to
experience only the beautiful parts of the Royal Capital, which is why I showed
you the black market right away."
So this was the Guild
Master's way of thinking.
There is light because
there is darkness.
Perhaps the
glittering, brilliant city is able to exist because of the black market.
When I think of it
that way... it seems I'll have a lot to think about as we tour the city.
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