What did you say?

　The two of them did not expect to be refused, given Taiki's soft demeanor and good-natured behavior.

　They decided that they would not be forced to pass themselves off without a good cause.

''Well the slave trade will be profitable. But isn't it unnecessary any more? Even without the slave trade, Lord Taiki has overwhelming military strength and a flying island, right? Whatever business you're in, you'll make far more money than we will.

　And now he attacked in a way that questioned Taiki's self-respect for his own vessel and national power. However, Taiki easily shook his head from side to side.

''No, no, I'm not that interested in money. As I said from the beginning, what we want is to improve the treatment of slaves. This is all. So, until there are only slaves with the contract we want, we will continue the slave trade.

　The blood drained from the faces of Inicida and her vizier after being assured of that. It was exactly the situation where they lent their eaves and the main house was taken, and it was obvious that the economy of the Karruk Kingdom would be rattled if things continued as they were now.

　That's why the Prime Minister, who was in a hurry, shouted in a cold sweat.

You're not going to be able to find a way to get the best out of the situation. The name of....

　Taiki laughed and waved one hand at the vizier who was trying to slow down Taiki's decision while slumbering.

''No, no, I have no intention of doing that at all. With the location of the Karruk Kingdom, it will definitely be a successful economic powerhouse in other trades as well. It will be fine.''

　It was said in a light tone, and there were no longer any words for Inicida or the Prime Minister.

　And in the hall where a momentary silence had fallen, Taiki opened his mouth with a look of remembrance.

''Oh, and we didn't save those former slaves who were attacking the nobles, did we? It just so happens that those people followed me.

What? This is ridiculous! This one is working on solid eyewitness accounts! Let's get the falsehoods out of the way!

　Inishida kicked her chair and stood up, yelling at her. Taiki gave a drawn out smile, pulling back a bit at the situation.

'Ha... no, actually, there was a slave person in that place that we were dealing with. If that slave was harmed, and that too by the Knights who were acting under the direction of King Karruk himself, we would have to make a serious move, wouldn't we? So they protected their slaves with a minimum of self-defense to avoid a real war.

...what?

　At Taiki's line, Inicida's eyes widened and froze, turning to look at the vizier.

　Then, the Prime Minister's voice flipped over as his complexion turned white.

''Wait, I'd like you to wait a moment! Wow, from what we've heard, such information is...!

Hmm? Did you guys get a complete picture of who was there in the middle of all that mess? It would be great if that were the case... and by the way, I'm embarrassed to say that we have more than a hundred people in that place, and we've only been able to identify a few of them...

　When Taiki aloofly mentioned such things while smiling shyly, Inicida bit her lower lip in frustration.

　While looking at the situation apologetically, Taiki continues to say more.

''By the way, for some reason, the people who followed along with me at that time, after checking with the Reginion Chamber of Commerce, turned out to be slaves without masters. All of them are after being sold in the slave trade of the Karruk Kingdom.

'Oh, oh! Then those people are...!

'Yes. These are the slaves who have been removed from the hands of the Kingdom of Karruk.

　Inicida looked up, her voice bouncing, but she was shocked by Taiki's words.

''Nah, why would that be?!''

　Taiki gives a dry laugh at the shouting Inicida.

'For example, if you sell a weapon, and the person who bought it dies, who owns the weapon? Well, in Japan, an item without an owner would become the property of the person who picked it up or the country, but that's not the case with humans. By the way, when I checked here, there is no sentence in the laws of the Karruk Kingdom that says a slave without a master becomes the property of the Karruk Kingdom, but...

　Taiki, who cannot see slaves as objects, gave such an explanation to Inicida and the others, who only see slaves as objects.

　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'm sure it's not a bad idea.

''So, apparently some of those former slaves wanted to work in our store, and now they are working as clerks for the time being. You may not be convinced, but can you put an end to this one?

　After being told that, Inicida sat down in a chair and let out a deep breath.

I've lost all interest in even trying to negotiate.

　Taiki turned his observant eyes to Inishida who uttered that with an exhausted look.



　When I asked that, Inicida snorted and cursed.

'Don't be silly! There are hundreds of good quality slaves who have not yet been given away! The people you're selling to are the same royalty and nobility of other countries as before!

　Inishida had done some research on the highest level slaves and knew they couldn't do things the same way.

　But Taiki let out a shallow breath with sad eyes and opened his mouth.

''Without saying so.......If you agree with the idea of changing the treatment of slaves from now on, we will be willing to cooperate with you as well. It can be in the form of an alliance, or we can trade with you as commercial collaborators.

　Taiki spoke softly, as if to admonish her, but Inishida hit the chair's armrest with her fist and glared back.

''........Let's not have you make fun of me. You said it just now, didn't you? You said earlier that our country is the best place to do business. We know that very well. From now on, we will make the most of it and earn even more money than we do now. I will make the most of it and earn even more money than I do now, so much so that you won't have any room to get in.

　Perhaps out of defiance, Inicida clearly refused Taiki's offer. Normally, the Prime Minister's face was filled with joy at the offer of the best possible terms, but the moment Inishida refused the offer, his face turned pale.

　It was an offer of alliance from a great power on five-minute terms. To refuse it is not surprising that the refusal of this offer may be considered as a hostile consciousness.

　While the Prime Minister's shoulders were trembling and his breathing was becoming hyperventilating, Taiki narrowed his eyes, exhaled, and looked up at Inishida.



　When I checked again, Inicida sniffed and let one hand fall in a flutter.

'Of course. You've made a lot of good arguments, but our country is ahead of you in the slave trade. You can sell your special and expensive slaves, and we can buy and sell a large number of cheap slaves who are free to live or die. The rest are the spoils of war from crushing prisoners of war and bandits after the war. Many of the slaves are broken, but some are bargains and children of the nobility.

　The vizier standing next to him let out a short scream and shuddered as Inicida made an agitated statement to the contrary.

　Looking at the figure beside him, Taiki let out a sigh and cowered his shoulders.

　Thus, the negotiations between the Karruk Kingdom and the Celestial Kingdom were broken up. Taiki returned to the sky, and Inicida immediately instructed him to stir up the knights and get the slaves.