Ardis, Rona, come on!

　About two months had passed since the Harvest Festival.

　Life in the village has settled down, and Ardis has resumed his mercenary work again.
　Nevertheless, his main purpose is a journey to find clues to return to his former world, and accepting requests and killing demons are just a side note.

　But just as she was about to go out with Rona as usual, there was someone who stopped her.
　The two of them are Filia and Liana.

　When they lived in the forest of Caucasus, Aldis made it a condition that they had to be able to defeat a raktor (a giant snake) together.
　Since moving to the village, he and Nere have been training together, and in addition to that, they have gained experience in hunting as well as patrolling the area around the village, which they have finally cleared.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　The only way to do this is to reluctantly allow them to accompany you, but as a last stand, Aldis adds a new condition.
　It is not the same for both of them at the same time, but one by one they are allowed to accompany each other.
　They had never tried to leave each other for a moment since they met, calling themselves "Filia and her friends" and "Liana and her friends," and insisting that they were inseparable from each other, but they did not expect the twins to accept that.

　However, Ardis's plans were easily disrupted.

　Three months after coming to the village.
　When they were told the terms of their arrival, the twins looked at each other and began to discuss who would travel with Ardis first.
　As a result, it was decided that Filia would be the first companion, and right now, in the town of the Albarn Kingdom, Filia was the one who was waving to Aldis and Rona and urging them to come quickly.

I didn't expect you to accept it so readily. ......

　Aldis murmurs with mild regret at the twins' unexpected reaction.

'That's how much they're growing up. It's been years since Al took care of them, so shouldn't you be honestly happy about that?

　His golden partner peered at Aldis from underneath his feet, whispering in a hushed voice so that others wouldn't hear.

'Al is forever treating Filia and Liana like children too much.

I'm not treating them like children: ......

'Well, let me ask you, what did you do when Al was the same age as Filia and her friends?　Did you live a life of luxury, protected by adults?

......

　When Rona pointed it out to him, Aldis, who remembered when he was fourteen or five, fell silent without a sound.

'The first way out is not good. You promised to take him outside when he was able to defeat Lactor, but when Filia and the others showed that much ability, he said, 'I can't take you both out together. You can't take them both together, it's a requirement that you take them one by one.　Don't think it's unfair to make additional conditions after the fact, me.

......

　Aldis was forced into silence in the face of further pursuit.

　This time, it was Rona who stood by the twins and directly opposed Aldis's refusal to allow them to go with them.
　Aldis was stunned by her partner's sudden betrayal, but it was quickly decided that Filia would accompany them, and in the end, the two of them, including Rona, were forced to leave the village as one.

You know, Ardis. Are you going to stay in this town today?

　As she returns, Filia, who may have gotten tired of Aldis's slow progress, hugs Aldis's left arm and asks him a question.

'...... Right. We've been in the field for a while now, and today we're going to get a good night's sleep in bed.

'Yes!　I love a good place to eat!　Hey, Rona.

Yeah, I'm with you on that one. Let's stay at a decent place, even if it costs a little more, Al.

'Well, I'm not worried about the cost of lodging: ....... The problem is that when you get a decent place to stay, you're going to get a decent meal.

　The Kingdom of Albarn, where Aldis and the others are located, was currently in the middle of a civil war.
　Normally it would not be appropriate to bring Filia, but there is a reason why we can't say that.

　It was because Aldis's face was known by the church's heresy recognition.
　Of course, being recognized as a heretic does not mean that you will be captured and punished under the law of the state.
　This is because heresy recognition is a declaration without any legal basis, issued by a church that does not have the authority to rule.

　But even so, it is a proclamation by a church that has followers and influence all over the continent.
　There is a high probability that harm will be directed at places that have nothing to do with the country or lord.
　No, rather, considering the treatment of the twins, it would be clearer than the fire that they would suffer actual harm.

　You'll be able to cover your face with a hood and wear a robe that covers your entire body if you're alone, but that's not possible with Rona's conspicuous golden body.
　It's not that I'm not concerned about Filia's safety if I left Rona out of my companion's group, so I couldn't even take a nap.

The civil war has shredded the logistics, and the security system is not functioning properly. The security system is not functioning well," he said. You'll probably get better food than the preserved food, but don't hold your breath.

　The reason why they deliberately chose Albarn, which was in turmoil due to the civil war, as their destination was because the people of this land could not afford to be bothered by the Church's proclamation.
　At a time when their lives and livelihoods are threatened, few people can afford to mess with a mere mercenary, even if the church has declared them a heretic.

　Of course, there will still be people who will cause harm, but it doesn't matter if the whole world, the whole town, doesn't turn against them.
　Rather, more than once they were thanked for protecting villages and hamlets that were in dire straits due to the deteriorating security situation from beasts and wild thieves.
　Maybe some of the humans inside had noticed Aldis, but so far they hadn't made any waves.
　For them, it was the current state of the country of Albarn that was far from it.

'Well, there were refugees all over the town ....... I don't think we had enough food, though.

What is a refugee?

I'm talking about people who have been displaced by war or demon attacks or people who have run away from home.

Just like we were a few years ago?

　Rona rolls her eyes at Filia's unexpected words.

'Hmm ......?　Oh, if you ask me, I guess that's what I'd say.

　It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what's going on in the world.

"But in our case, we only left the forest to avoid trouble, so it's a completely different story than the refugees outside the town now.

　It is not only outside the town that is overflowing with refugees.
　Even when we are walking around the city, we can see many people huddled in the back alleys.
　They are probably refugees who were able to enter the city before the gates were closed.

　Nowadays, refugees don't rush inside the outer walls, as they are not allowed in unless they stick out their sleeves in their own way.
　At the same time, however, the morale of the soldiers guarding the gates must be on the decline.
　They didn't even bother to check their identities, and it was as if their passage was decided based on how much or how little bribes they received.
　That's why people like Aldis and Rona were able to enter the town without being blamed, but if this state of affairs continues without any disciplinary action being taken, the corruption will sooner or later cause serious damage to public safety.

　At the very least, it is sure to add to the rising cost of living and the disruption of distribution.
　Even if you walk down the main street, there are not many street vendors, and the prices of their products are high across the board.

"Wow, it's expensive!　Six large copper coins for a bag of apples?

　Rona was surprised to see the prices of the fruit sold at the stalls.
　As they walked along looking at the stalls in this way, Filia found a bustle of activity in the direction of travel and tugged on Aldis' arm.

''Ah, Aldis. There's a lot of people over there. Let's go!''

　There were more people than I expected to see as Filia pulled me toward the place.
　The town seems somewhat deserted, but in this corner of the town, the heat is on.
　A number of low platforms are lined up in a large space that used to be thought to be a vacant lot, on top of which people dressed in simple clothes are standing in a line.
　You can find a lot of people who are dressed in modest clothing on top of them.

What is this?

...... slave market.

　Frowning, Aldis answers Filia's question.

'A slave?'

　As Filia tilts her head back, a strange woman on a platform calls out to her.

'Hey, pretty lady over there. Would you like to buy me?　I can do the laundry, clean the house, and I'm a very good cook. I can cook western food, which is very rare around here. Since you're close in age, I can provide you with advice that only girls can provide.

　The woman who was smiling and appealing to him as such showed her confusion, as she didn't know what to do with the woman in question.

''Aren't you a mercenary by the looks of it?　Then buy me!　I'm an ex-mercenary, and I once hunted the Beast King. It's definitely useful as a fighting force, as a luggage carrier and as a material peeler.

　Furthermore, the middle-aged man standing next to him sold himself to me.

''I'm sorry, but I've got the food and the strength on time.''

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Well, yeah. Give us a shout if you change your mind.

　When Aldis returns the refusal to them instead of the bewildered Filia, the woman and the middle-aged man show a disappointed look on their faces, but easily withdraw from the situation.

''Oh, I'll wish you luck in finding a good employer.

"Angetoyo.

　Finally, Aldis sent a few words of encouragement and the middle-aged man gave a thumbs-up as he mouthed his thanks.

'I'm going now, Filia.'

　Aldis, who wanted to leave the place quickly, this time reversed and pulled Filia's hand away.

''Ah .......''

What's the matter with you?

　Following Filia's gaze as she noticed something, Aldis made a pained expression.

　The destination of their eyes was a single temporary hut.
　Hidden in a corner of the slave market, but a few figures came out of that hut that was unique.

　A well-dressed man who looks like a merchant leads the way, and behind him are two armed people who look like guards.
　Further behind them are several men and women with rings around their wrists and ankles.
　All of them have the same darkened skin with grime, skinny bodies that probably haven't had a good meal, and eyes that have lost hope.
　Their faces, which are devoid of emotion, do not convey any sense of grief, despite their normally shame-ridden, stark nakedness.

　Prompted by a servant-like man who holds a set of chains connected to the collar, he climbs into a wagon parked in front of the hut.
　It was a monobito.

　If there was a slave market, of course the merchants who dealt in goods would come there too.
　Aldis frowned at first because he didn't want to show it to Filia.

''That's the Seitz Trading Company's merchants, right?

It's still a terrible place to be.

Yeah, I'm a bit of a slave and a bit of a property person to handle: ......

They say there's a constant stream of black rumors, but when you see something like that, you have to agree.

But I'm sure they're cheap.

So, at the end of the day, what customers want is cheap?

　Apparently it seems to be a business association with a bad reputation, and people who were watching the situation as well as Ardis were saying unpleasant words one after another.

''I don't ever want to be the only one in that place's care.

　You can even hear that from the slaves.
　In the meantime, the wagons carrying the people start to move.

　A wave of people cracked to clear its path.
　I must have been myself in the past. You will find that you will be able to get a good idea of what to expect when you see the wagon and the people on the back of it.

'Aldis......'

　Filia appealed to him with her pensive eyes.
　Aldis knew what Filia wanted, even if she didn't say it.

'No,'

　But just because I understand doesn't mean I can't do something about it.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right.

　The trade of property itself is legal within Albarn.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
　If they were to release them without a valid reason, Aldis would be charged with a crime on the contrary.
　It's too late for Aldis, who has already made enemies of the church and has no place to put himself throughout the continent, but that doesn't mean he can't get Filia involved.

　In addition, he or she hesitated to set a bad example of ignoring the law by force.
　Of course, Ardis herself has ignored the law many times in the past and pushed her way through.
　But this is the result of his own decisions, including the risks involved, in order to protect that which cannot be compromised, even if it is against the law and order.
　If you are going to ignore the law and push your way through, it is up to Filia to make that decision on her own.

Listen to me, Filia. Slaves and property are accepted in this country. The trade, and the way they were treated earlier, is not a compliment, but I can't condemn them to their faces.

　But in a country that is in a state of civil war, there are no laws or anything," Ardis admonished Filia, smiling inwardly.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. Therefore, if you want to save those people, you have to pay the owner a price that he or she is willing to pay. If Filia buys them, she can at least free them from the property owners. But releasing them would soon turn them back into property. We'll clothe them, feed them, shelter them, give them jobs. Not just one or two. There are probably dozens of people in this town alone who are treated in the same way as that one. Can you save all the people you see?　And you're going to offer that kind of help to all the people you see everywhere you go?　If you think you have the determination and strength to do so, then do what you want.

　Filia bite back tears at Aldis's shushing words.

'But ......, but Aldis helped me and Liana,'

'At that time, the merchants who owned Filia and the others had been wiped out by the raids of the wild thieves. That's why you don't belong to anyone anymore. If the merchant had survived, I wouldn't have been able to take you away from him without permission.

...... So you won't help those people like we did?

We can't save everything. I can't get my hands around that much. I can only hold Filia and Liana in my two hands.

　If Filia and Liana hadn't been twins in the first place, I'm sure they wouldn't be together like this now.
　They must have taken them to the town of Tria and ended up selling out at random.

......

　Filia's hand, which was gripping Aldis's sleeve, was squeezed.

　Maybe she thought that if she appealed to Aldis, he would do something about it.
　But that would always leave her with a soft spot for Aldis.

　When Filia began to cry voicelessly, Aldis took her into his bosom and gently held her.
　Rona, who had been listening to the whole thing in silence, peered at Aldis with a labored gaze.
　Aldis returns a wry smile at that and begins to think, a little heartbreakingly.

　Seitz Chamber of Commerce.
　From what people around me have been saying, it seems to be a trade association that has a bad reputation.
　If that's the case, Aldis squinted his eyes at the dust or two that might come out if he struck it.