Heavenly Castle

Chapter 95: The Hideout

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

The hideout was a part of the slums, located inside the building that looked pretty much like ruins.

A two-story building, made of stone and wood. Looking at the old, worn-out furniture there, it’s likely that it was previously a residence of someone quite prosperous.

Now it seems to have become the resistance’s hideout. The building had windows, but they were barricaded by planks, blocking the view. Normally it would be pitch dark here, but several oil lamps provided some degree of lighting.

「Well, truly a person that can be called an exemplary image of the nobles of old.」

「Truly so.」

「If everyone were like Taiki-sama then this country surely would’ve been much better.」

While they were saying that in unison, I sat on the chair with a forced smile.

Taken to a room deeper in the interior, I was sat on a chair surrounded by about ten resistance members.

It seems that the old man called Ray had a lot of say here, so we were instantly accepted.

「In other words, Taiki-sama said that even though their origins might be different, kings and nobles are still the same as us!」

「Ooh…」

「Such a thing……」

Richt kept talking on and on like in some kind of election speech, the contents were all about my glorification, so I felt nothing but embarrassment and discomfort.

「If a noble like Taiki-sama became our ally……」

「Yeah. Victory is as good as ours.」

I even heard such strange exchanges. What victory are they even talking about?

And while I kept silent, not sure how to reply, a middle-aged man stepped forward.

「……Taiki-sama. Please lend us your wisdom. What can we do to diminish the number of slaves? Well, it can’t be helped with those that became slaves for their crimes. However, those that belong to a country that lost a war and those from poor villages, that lack means to defend themselves are often forced into slavery. Isn’t that just too cruel?」

When he pleaded so, everyone’s eyes were once again on me.

Nonono, I have no idea how to answer such a serious question.

Is what I thought, but I couldn’t just say in front of everyone that I don’t know. Or rather, the mood didn’t allow for such an answer.

「…Good question…」

Pretending to calmly think I close my eyes. A lot of different matters kept swirling in my mind disorderly.

Attacking slave merchants and stealing slaves? No, such bandit-like actions won’t do any good.

Then how about stopping all wars in the world to prevent new war slaves from appearing? No, that’s just impossible.

「……How slaves, are being sold?」

First, war prisoners, debt slaves, criminal slaves, or official slaves, so to say.

Then there are those, who were dragged off against their will and forced into slavery, like for example what almost happened with Mea, an encounter with a slave hunter ending up in illegal slavery.

Those are in unlawful slavery, so freeing them should be fine, the problem is discerning who is so.

「……In this country, the slaves first get reviewed by the royalty.」

If we only have to get hold of one place, then we might be able to do something.

Thought so, I blurted out my conclusion without thinking.

「……Let’s meet up with the king of this country?」

Those words had enough power to pause the flow of time in that room.

「Ta-Taiki-sama?」

「An audience with the king?」

「Is that possible……?」

Bewildered whispers filled the room.

「Well, I just thought that conversation comes first…… If words don’t work, then some other means. Ah, it’s okay. I won’t ever speak about this place.」

When I told them so, everyone, though still confused, replied with nods.

Leaving the hideout, we, led by Richt, once again went outside the town.

Leticia was amazed to hear the details upon our return.

「……Meeting directly with the King? That’s another astounding idea…… Sorry, I’m not sure how to reply……」

Looking at confused Leticia I smile wryly and shake my head.

「I’ll just try. Most likely it will be useless in the end. After all, it’s the biggest industry of this country, I won’t be able to interject with my opinion in the first place.」

「……I think, that even trying would be difficult by itself.……」

Leticia says with an astonished look.