Chapter 372 – The Cotton Field
The village chief’s house and the cotton wool warehouse are located at opposite ends with the village in the middle. To reach the warehouse, you have to go through it, unless you go around the village.
There is time to spare, so let’s check the route first rather than rushing to arson today.
Today, we decided to pass through the center of the village, which is the fastest route from the village chief’s house to the warehouse.
A ball of light floated in the air, illuminating the surroundings brightly. It felt like it was day instead of night.
“Hmm…”
Natalya looked at me as if she felt my gaze on the artifact.
“Why are you like that? Did you get something on my face?”
“No, is that artifact made of magic stones?”
In response to my question, Natalya held up an artifact.
“Oh, is this? Yes. I know it was made by processing magic stones from monsters called wisp.”
“Wisp?”
“Yes, it’s a debt monster that sometimes appears near the graveyard.”
“Uhm…”
It reminded me of something in a book I had read before.
Did they say that magic stones come out of the bodies of monsters who can use magic? He said that the magic stone was the reason monsters who did not believe in God could use magic.
“Can anyone operate just by pouring in mana?”
“Yes. Of course, in order to maintain the light, you need to supply a certain amount of mana, so you have to stay focused.”
“Is the intensity of the light different depending on the amount of magical power?”
“Yes. Would you like to try it?”
“… Later.”
She says it’s not that difficult, but it’s Natalia who controls dozens of skeletons at the same time.
I know very well that each and every one of those skeletons requires more concentration than manipulating marionette puppets.
Perhaps even if I received that artifact, I wouldn’t be able to handle it that easily. Perhaps it will twinkle like a broken light bulb.
As I was thinking about that, my gaze shifted to Roin. To be precise, it was Roin’s hand. On the back of his hand was a half-glove with a yellow magic stone embedded in it.
The magic stone embedded in the glove is a magic stone extracted from the wand that was stolen from Seirwin in the past. According to my memory, it must have been a magic stone that caused lightning.
Perhaps noticing the look in my eyes, Roin came over and whispered into his ear.
“Isn’t it a bit shady?”
“Hmm? That’s true, but isn’t it because it’s night?”
“The streets haven’t slept yet.”
“What?”
“Hey, look at that house, they’re looking at us through the crack in the door.”
I glanced at the place where Roin pointed with his chin. The old wooden door was slightly open, and someone’s eyes shone through the gap. The door closed quietly, probably noticing that their eyes met.
“The house over there is also hiding in the window and watching us.”
This time, he moved his gaze to the place Roin pointed out. The guy who was watching us from behind the window disappeared under the window as soon as our eyes met.
It was only after hearing the story of the old man that he could find out the identity of the strange presence felt in the house. Village guys, hiding in the house, watching us as we walk.
I was fed up with the unpleasant feeling of being voyeurized all over my body.
“What? Those cubs…”
“Well. One thing’s for sure, isn’t it that they’re watching us closely?”
“Is it because of the artifact I used?”
“Hmm…”
As Natalya said, the possibility that the light of the artifact was bright cannot be denied. However, because of that, would you hide in the house and steal people?
“I didn’t think it would stand out this far.”
“Shall I turn it off?”
“No, I hate stepping on horse manure. Anyway, today is a pre-inspection and a walk, so let’s just wear it.”
What would I do if I stole my things? Ignored and walked
After walking a little further, a round clearing appeared. It was the central square, the center of the town, and the place where the guards barracks were located.
“It’s about halfway there.”
The lights in the barracks were off. The guards said they were on vigil to escort me, so the rest must be sleeping.
Even after passing through the central square, the atmosphere of the village remains the same. Occasionally, we made eye contact with the guys hiding in the darkness inside the house and spying on us.
I walked all the way here ignoring it, but I still can’t stand the displeasure.
“Ugh, I feel bad.”
“I know. They see us all over the place.”
Roin nodded at my murmur.
“Hey!”
“Evil! Did you call?”
When I stopped and called for the guards who were following me from behind, Rabbit Teeth came running in a hurry. He spoke in a low voice so that the residents hiding in the private house could not hear.
“Do you know that villagers are watching us from all over the place?”
“Yes? Uh, I didn’t know.”
“…”
Maybe I was a fool for expecting something from such an idiot. Still, in case you don’t know, let’s ask a little more.
“Of course, not all villagers are watching us. Still, it’s not like the number of guys peeking at us is on the small side. What the hell are these bastards up to? Why are you glancing at us?”
At my question, Rabbit Tooth crossed his arms, pondered a bit, then opened his mouth.
“Well, maybe not sure, but…”
“What?”
“Perhaps the guys spying on the sheriff are slaves bought by the chief.”
“Slave? Why are those bastards looking at us?”
“Don’t you know? Slaves are criminals. I’m sorry to say this, but… The fact that the sheriff’s wives are beautiful is probably the reason… It is not common for outsiders to visit the village, so why not watch it?”
“Hmm…”
Certainly, Natalya and Roin’s looks and body are outstanding, but they have a charm that makes you turn your head when you run into them on the street.
“Well, even if you understand that… Are you slaves? Not residents? Are you saying you let slaves live in private houses like that?”
“Yes. You know, isn’t it a bit hard work? The village needs labor, and in exchange for using their labor, the village chief provides the slaves with housing and jobs.”
“Providing a job means paying a daily wage?”
“Yes. It seems that they give less than the residents, but I know they give.”
I was a little taken aback by the rabbit-toothed answer.
“Really? Freeing the slaves like that and taking care of their wages? Giving you a house?”
“Uh, yes.”
“Slaves don’t run away?”
“Uh, I’m not sure. Perhaps you made some sort of contract or transaction with the village chief?”
“Hmm…”
Rabbit’s tooth’s answer is incomprehensible in many ways. To give slaves, who had been bought with money, free houses so that they could mingle with the common people like that?
Or, more than that, are there so many houses to provide for slaves?
Why don’t the slaves run away? Even though he has the status of a slave, he can live like a normal citizen?
I don’t know.
In fact, it’s something you don’t even need to know, but it seems inevitable that you’ll be curious.
“I’ll have to talk to the village chief later.”
As I stroked my chin, my eyes met the teeth of the rabbit still standing in front of me, dumbfounded.
“Oh, I was curious. Get off now.”
“Uh, ah… Yes.”
At my celebratory order, Rabbit Tooth withdrew with a bewildered expression. As before, I walked with Natalia and Roin next to me.
However, my question was still unresolved.
“I really don’t understand. Is it not enough to set the slaves free, so they provide a home?”
Is it because the village chief is a good person that he treats him unconventionally? Are criminals respected as human beings?
Is that why they provide these private houses and allow the slaves to live under the same conditions as the inhabitants?
Slaves are private property! But you’re giving them freedom? That such a good human being exists? That’s nonsense. Can not believe it!
“The gaze is unpleasant…”
Natalya, who was walking beside her, trembled with displeasure. I almost went to the place where the warehouse was, but still, the eyes looking here and there did not fall. Ron let out a small sigh.
“Oh, being pretty is a sin. How could a woman like me be so guilty?”
“You seem to be getting worse lately?”
“So, don’t you like it?”
“No, always the best.”
If there is no answer, you have to ask and hang on to find an answer. For curiosity about the slaves, let’s ask the village chief tomorrow and solve it, and let’s focus on the present work.
The flickering of torches could be seen in the distance. It must have belonged to the vigilante guarding the warehouse.
“Stop! Who are you!”
Just as expected. As soon as they reached the torchlight, the men appeared. Four men with long spears stood guard over us.
“It’s the first time I see your face…”
“Uh, I’m the sheriff.”
Even with the word sheriff, the vigilantes’ vigilance still doesn’t diminish. Again, the guys pointed at the spear.
“Sheriff?! Among the guards dispatched to our village, there is no such position! If you’re going to lie, make it a little more plausible!”
“Ouch, fuck.”
