Chapter 109
Strong Resolve
Translator : PolterGlast
When we stepped outside, Ginia and Aoi were
waiting for us with worried expressions. In the end, we didn't let the two of
them inside, and considering it wasn't a place meant for them to see, it was
likely for the best.
"Graham-san, are those three women... the ones
you purchased?"
"Yeah, that's right. They are quite debilitated, so I
want to get them to the inn immediately. Will you two help me?"
"Of course I'll help! Should I lend them a
shoulder?"
"............I-I am, okay..."
Aoi stood
next to them and tried to offer her shoulder, perhaps out of a sense of feeling
sorry, but the woman showed no sign of
accepting the help. The other two, aside from the beastman I was carrying, were
also extremely weak. However, even if Aoi tried to assist them now, they
likely wouldn't accept her shoulder either.
"...In that case, could you two return to the inn ahead
of us? It would be a huge help if you bought some easy-to-digest food and
water. Also, some blankets."
"Ah, understood! We'll head back to the inn first and
get everything ready for immediate treatment!"
"Roger! I'll go back with Ginia and
prepare!"
"Sorry. I'm counting on you two."
"Leave it to us! We're heading back now!"
Ginia and Aoi
told us so, then hurried back to the inn to prepare. The Guild Master, Max,
and I slowly made our way out of the Black Market, keeping a close eye
on the condition of the three women, and somehow managed to return to the inn
where we were staying.
"This is the inn we are currently staying at. We're going
inside, so please follow me."
"...R-Really... is it okay...?"
"Of course it is. The two from earlier should have
prepared things, so first, please eat something. After that, I want you to take
a shower."
"...U-Understood. ............T-Thank you so, so
much."
The woman who appeared to be the eldest was shedding tears,
and seeing those tears made my heart ache. The dark-skinned woman, who could
barely walk, seemed unable to speak and simply bowed her head to me repeatedly.
I knew from seeing the slave trader's shop earlier that
their 'normal' was far from normal. Wanting the three of them to rest as soon
as possible, and to get the beastman girl sleeping in my arms to a room
quickly, I walked briskly toward Ginia and Aoi.
"Graham-san, welcome back! We are ready!"
"Yeah. Is it okay if I leave the rest to you two?"
"Of course! Food, then a bath, then sleep, right? Since
all three seem to be women, please leave the rest to me and Aoi-chan!"
"Leave it to me! We'll handle the treatment
perfectly!"
"Yeah, I'm counting on you. Once all three are asleep,
call me. I will use Healing Magic."
"Understood! We'll take care of them now!"
I woke the beastman girl sleeping in my arms and tried to
hand her over to Ginia, but... she grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go.
It was a weak grip, but it held a strong will, and I hesitated to pull her
away.
"...It's alright. These two women are allies. I want
you to trust me."
"........................Ye, yeah."
"Good girl. I'll come to check on you once you've
recovered some energy. Until then... please rest easy."
After I smiled at the beastman girl, who gave a small nod,
she went into Ginia's arms without further resistance. While being
carried on Ginia's back, the girl stared at me anxiously until they left
the room. I continued waving at her, then entrusted the other two women to Ginia
and Aoi as well, and returned to my own room for a moment.
I felt suddenly exhausted, even more so than after the Exchange
Match. I let out a heavy sigh and leaned back against a chair. The Guild
Master, who had returned to the room with me, also looked tired, his face
grimmer than usual.
"I've seen places where slaves are sold several times
before, but that slave trader this time was shocking. I recommended it, but I
didn't think it would be that terrible."
"Johann's place is the absolute bottom tier,
even for the Black Market. Perhaps... a different shop would have been
better?"
"No, that shop was fine. Including the negotiations,
you really helped us out."
"No,
no. I haven't done anything. ...I met Johann
for the first time in a long while, and I realized just how hideous he truly
was. Although I wasn't quite as terrible as him, I was cut from the same cloth,
so seeing him gave me a lot to reflect on."
I could feel a strong sense of regret from Max's
eyes. Even when interacting with Johann, he was openly disgusted.
Leaving the Unbearable God Cult must have allowed him to view things
objectively for the first time.
"It might not be my place to say as a mere Guild
Master, but I can say that Max, you are a completely different
person from Johann. As long as you possess the capacity to feel disgust
toward him."
"I feel the same as the Guild Master. You are
different, Max."
"............Thank you. I have renewed my strong
resolve to see my activities as the Grey Volunteers through to the end. From
now on, I will strive to expand our reach to
include the issue of slavery as well."
"Yeah. I'm rooting for you from the bottom of my
heart."
With the Guild Master's encouragement, the light
returned to Max's eyes. Looking at Max... it really makes you
think that you never know what life holds. Though, my life has changed
drastically as well.
"Graham-san, are you stopping at purchasing just
those three slaves?"
"Yeah. I intend to limit it to just the three of them
this time. The current me cannot take responsibility for any more than that.
...However, I have made a strong resolve to eventually destroy the slave
system."
That was how shocking this incident was. I am a smaller
person than everyone thinks, and I can only do what is within my power... but
inside my heart, I swore to destroy the slave system.
However, what I must do right now is care for the three I
purchased this time. We waited quietly in the room for Ginia and Aoi
to finish their treatment.
-----
Thank you for my Patrons !!
[Platinum]
-
[Gold]
B random
DavidA
Nepheos
ShitaiNoKootoRyuu
[Silver]
Creris
Frédéric Bertrand-Hudon
Matthew Fraser
Xavier O'Donoghue
Anton Lim
aviel zaken
Ctdela
Curious Panda
nick nasca
openope
rads
SD Fox
Read Advanced Chapters only on my Patreon
-----
