Chapter 44 - Episode 43: Slave Trading
Noein, having received the soybeans from the Miles Company, returned to the territorial capital, Noeina, and immediately began their cultivation.
The location was an experimental field created behind Noein's manor. Since they possessed only superficial knowledge of soybeans read from books, they had prepared an experimental field in advance to cultivate them through trial and error.
"...For now, it seems they are growing without any problems, even in the soil of this land."
"I see. I'm glad it looks that way to you too, Edgar."
About two weeks had passed since cultivation began. Currently, Noein was having Edgar, the person in charge of agriculture within the territory, check the growth progress of the soybeans.
Regarding agriculture, Edgar possessed far more practical knowledge and experience than Noein. Even if it was an unknown crop native to a distant region, Edgar's expertise would be useful for the cultivation experiments.
Thinking this, Noein occasionally had Edgar check the state of the experimental field like this.
"Until harvest, if I recall... it was about three to four months?"
"That's right. Starting from now, the harvest should be right around summer. The way to grow them should be similar to other beans, so I think I'll have you look at them occasionally from here on, Edgar."
"If I am sufficient, please leave it to me."
"Thank you. I'm counting on you."
If oil production in their own territory became a reality, various dreams would expand, but for now, they had no choice but to provide steady care to increase the number of soybeans. Noein tucked this endeavor into a corner of their mind for the time being.
Just then, Pence arrived.
"Noein-sama, excuse me for interrupting your discussion."
"It's fine. We just finished... could it be that the party from the slave guild has arrived?"
"Yes, that is why I have come to inform you. They are currently waiting at the village entrance."
"Thank you. I'll head there immediately."
Notice had arrived in advance that the slave traders, whom they had asked the Miles Company to mediate, would come to the territorial capital, Noeina, within the next two or three days. It seemed they had finally arrived.
Noein had contacted the slave guild in advance and informed them of what kind of slaves were needed and approximately how many. Since there were many retainers who wished to purchase slaves but could not easily leave Noeina, they had the guild come to them on the condition that a certain number of slaves would be purchased.
When they headed to the village entrance, two large carriages, presumably carrying slaves, were parked there. At the front, the man who was the guild master, whom Noein had met once in Retovik for a meeting, was waiting.
"Baronet Arqvist. It is a pleasure to be with you today."
"Thank you for your hard work. To come all the way to such a rural village."
"No, no, it is our job to deliver slaves to the places where they are needed... I hope that in the future, when purchasing slaves, you will certainly favor our guild."
The guild master said this while rubbing his hands together and wearing a suspicious smile. It was an expression that truly befitted the head of a slave guild.
"Have you gathered slaves that meet our requests?"
"Yes, indeed. I have brought only high-quality slaves, and in ample numbers. I hope you will choose as many as you require."
"I appreciate that. Then, please come to the plaza immediately."
Guided personally by the lord, Noein, the party from the slave guild made their way to the plaza of the territorial capital, Noeina.
.....
In the plaza of Noeina, which had become a temporary slave market, the slaves unloaded from the carriages were lined up.
In the Kingdom of Roadberg, about twenty percent of the population held slave status. The reasons for falling into slavery were varied: selling oneself due to unpaid taxes or debts, fugitives or criminals being made slaves as punishment, or being sold to slave traders by family members to reduce the number of mouths to feed.
Because slaves were a very common presence in this country, no territorial residents showed disgust even when seeing humans lined up as "merchandise." Rather, faced with the rare situation of the plaza being crowded with people from outside the territory, it had become an atmosphere like a small festival.
Those purchasing slaves this time were primarily Noein and the retainers. Additionally, the carpenter Dmitri was reportedly buying slaves for manual labor, and some farmers with large families and wide farmlands were also reportedly buying serfs to help.
"This one is a former farmer who escaped from the conflict zone in the western part of the kingdom; they are still in their twenties, have a sturdy body, and are accustomed to farm work."
"This one is a daughter from a tenant farming background. She has been reasonably trained in both field work and housework, so she will be useful in various ways."
The employees of the slave guild responded to the retainers and residents who were looking around at the lined-up slaves, providing explanations of the merchandise.
The slaves brought this time numbered in the dozens. From here, the buyers would choose slaves suited to their respective purposes.
On the other hand, residents who had no plans to buy slaves were also walking around the plaza with interest.
Among them, some were calling out to the slaves, saying, "Hey, you should pitch yourself so you get bought," or "The lord here is kind even to slaves. You'll definitely be happier if you're bought here."
The residents here were all people who, if they had taken one wrong step, might have fallen into slavery themselves. They likely felt something upon seeing those who had actually become slaves.
"...There seem to be quite a lot of slaves who are still young and healthy,"
Noein muttered while choosing slaves and being attended to directly by the guild master.
If one remained a slave for a long time, they usually became somewhat thin, and many fell into slavery after getting older and being unable to endure work or tax payments.
Considering such common sense, the slaves the guild master had brought looked like they were mostly youths who had only recently fallen into slavery.
"Recently, conflicts have continued in both the west and the east, so many are falling into slavery at a young age due to the deterioration of the economy... It is a sad thing, as even those who normally would not become slaves are falling."
"I thought as much. But isn't that an opportunity for you?"
"It is certainly as you say; as a slave trader, I have no trouble procuring high-quality merchandise... but looking at the long term, I do worry about the deterioration of the situation within the kingdom. I, too, am a citizen of the kingdom."
Hearing the guild master speak a more reasonable view than expected, Noein inwardly revised their evaluation of him.
Though the guild master had a suspicious expression and mannerisms, if they thought about it, he was a proper merchant who conducted buying and selling based on the laws of the kingdom and fulfilled obligations such as guild registration and tax payment.
That was likely why he served as the top of the largest slave guild in the Viscount Koenitz territory, and why Benedict had introduced him to Noein as a trustworthy slave trader.
Noein secretly reflected that they must not judge a person solely by the unpleasant ring of the term "slave trader."
"By the way, Excellency, are there any slaves who meet your eye?"
"Ah, yes..."
Asked by the guild master, Noein proceeded with the main subject of the day, choosing slaves.
The farmland owned by the lord was wide even compared to the farmland of the retainers and residents, and facilities requiring workers, such as the watermill and the bathhouse, had increased. They needed several slaves with physical strength.
After selecting slaves who seemed to have no problems physically or personality-wise, Noein asked the guild master.
"I want someone who can act as a leader for these labor slaves; is there anyone suitable?"
Matilda was decided as Noein's slave head, but she always accompanied Noein as an adjutant. It would be convenient in various ways if there were personnel among the labor slaves who could handle the direction of work. That was the reason for the question.
"In that case, there is one suitable person... but they are a beastman; would that be acceptable?"
The guild master asked while glancing at Matilda, who was waiting by Noein's side.
"Yes, there is no problem. As you can see, I have no resistance to keeping beastmen by my side."
"That is most fortunate. This way, please."
The person at the destination the guild master led them to was a large tiger-man.
"Now, this is the lord of this village. Greet them."
"I am called Zadrek, Lord."
The tiger-man who introduced himself showed the slave's greeting, dropping to both knees and bowing his head with his hands joined in front of his stomach.
While looking at that from the side, the guild master explained about him.
"This slave was born into the lineage of a chief in a tiger-man settlement. He should be well-suited as a leader for the slaves. He has strength and his head turns reasonably well, so I guarantee he will be useful."
"Then, we shall take him as well."
Thus, Noein decided to purchase a total of over 15 labor slaves. This purchase was in anticipation of the labor for farmland and facility management, labor in the Lestio mountains, and the oil production that would likely begin in the future.
The expenditure amounted to several hundred thousand Rebro, but considering the profits expected in the future through their work, it was cheap. Moreover, if Noein had this many slaves, the residents would be freed from the burden of corvée labor.
"Lastly, please allow me to introduce a slave capable of intellectual labor."
"You managed to get one. Please do."
With the expansion of the Arqvist territory, Anna, in charge of finance and administration, had already become busy. Therefore, Noein had wanted to supplement personnel capable of reading, writing, and calculation, but since such personnel were not easily found, Noein decided to employ an intellectual slave.
Since such slaves were rare, the guild master had said, "I cannot guarantee that I can definitely procure one," and since he had not brought up the matter for a while today, Noein had thought he had been unable to obtain one, but it seemed he had been saving it as a special treat to introduce at the end.
As it was a special item for Noein, they were guided to the slave who was being kept inside the carriage rather than in the plaza.
"Here we are."
The one there was a girl with blue hair.