Chapter 380 – The Cotton Field
The most fundamental reason why the slaves do not rebel against the village chief and follow the instructions is because of the kidnapped children.
Then, where did the children of slaves disappear?
Considering the number of slaves in this village, it would be more than one or two missing children.
They told the slaves that they were threatening to take the child hostage, so at least they didn’t kill it.
The story of not dying is, of course, the story of being alive. And a living human must constantly consume food. Is he the only one He needs to be cleaned periodically so as not to get sick, and the temperature must be maintained.
Humans continuously consume various resources during their lifetime. It is not for nothing that humans die is the best eco-friendly.
In any case, it would be burdensome to keep it far away for such various management. That is, there is a high probability that it is not far away.
If you don’t know it well, you might be able to find out where the children were kidnapped by looking for traces of periodic movement of food, clothing, and firewood.
This is easier than finding traces of the bribes the village chief must have given to the guards.
If you find the children like that, you will be able to ask why the village chief did such strange things without having to think hard about it. There’s solid evidence, so I won’t be able to get away with it like this time.
“Good. If so, let the conversation end here. You had a good breakfast.”
“I’m glad you liked it. Hopefully, if you have any further questions, please let me know.”
When I got up from my seat first, the village chief gave me an unlucky smile. It’s as if he’s won, and he’s an elated, unlucky demeanor.
I left the village chief’s unfortunate face behind and headed straight to my room. Natalya and Roin also followed me.
As soon as I entered the room, I sat down on the bed and told the two of them everything I had just thought about.
“Um, so you’re trying to find the missing children?”
“Huh. If we don’t solve this problem, we won’t be able to play the little ‘prank’ requested by the lord.”
“Village… Exactly, is there a facility that can confine a large number of people in a place that is out of the eyes or hands of slaves, but at the same time, in a close location that is easy to manage?”
“Um…”
Hearing Roin’s murmur, he shut her mouth.
Come to think of it, I had never even heard of such a facility in this town. If I didn’t see it, what about other people, such as villagers?
“Slaves, of course, wouldn’t know, and questioning the residents…”
Thinking it was impossible, I shut my mouth.
According to the testimony of the slave, the villagers were blindly following the instructions of the village chief. Since they were equal to the number of village chiefs, there was no way they would do anything that would harm the village chief.
“But when I think about it, it’s strange.”
“What about it?”
“I mean the villagers. According to what the slave said, most of the villagers were following the chief’s instructions.”
“Yes.”
“Why are these guys following the village chief’s instructions?”
“Uh…”
“Hmm…”
Natalia pursed her lips at my question, unable to answer. Roin was also lost in thought with his arms crossed.
“Your neighbor is falsely accused and sold into slavery, and you don’t protest? Could it be your job next time?”
“Come to think of it, that’s definitely strange.”
Everything has a reason. The slave said he didn’t know why, but there must be a reason why the villagers followed the village chief’s instructions.
The reason why the villagers follow the village chief’s instructions… Or what is the reason to follow?
Humans basically act for their own benefit. A good example of this is the guards who are paid by the village chief to move.
He works for money It’s a delightfully simple reason.
Roin twitched his lips as if he had come to a similar conclusion.
“Money or something… ?”
“There’s no reason as sure as money, but it probably isn’t. No matter how much money the village chief has, he probably won’t be rich enough to take care of all the villagers. What else can the village chief give the villagers other than money?”
Nothing comes to mind except money. If it’s not enough money, what kind of method did he use to be indifferent to his neighbor’s cousin being taken as a slave?
No matter how much I think about it, the answer doesn’t come out. Roin frowned as if he had a similar appearance.
“I don’t think there is anything the village chief can do.”
“Hmm…”
People act to gain advantage. However, it does not appear that the villagers have any benefit from following the village chief’s instructions.
Moving even though it is not profitable? No, it can’t be. Such a person does not exist in the world.
Let’s think differently. The reason he moves even though he has nothing to gain… ?
People are sensitive to gains, but they are also sensitive to losses.
“How about avoiding disadvantages rather than receiving something from the village chief?”
“Disadvantage? Which?”
“Hmm… For example, in order not to be seen by the guards… ? If you get out of sight of the guards, you might get caught and become a slave.”
“Um…”
Roin, who heard my opinion, stroked his chin. It’s an attitude that seems like he’s not too keen on it.
To be honest, I don’t think it’s a very credible opinion even if I said it with my own mouth.
“I don’t think this is.”
“Huh. If the guards wielded unreasonable power, I think the villagers would have gathered in groups and resisted.”
No matter how strong the power of the guards is, the number of villagers is close to ten times. If the residents had gathered and submitted something like a protest to the city, the guards wouldn’t have committed such atrocities.
The guards are able to commit the atrocities of framing and enslaving some villagers because more than half of the villagers support them.
Why do they support the village chief and the guards while their neighbors are being taken as slaves? Next could be yourself… ?
Besides that, what kind of disadvantages can the village chief and the guards give to the villagers?
“Hanseong-sama, Hanseong-sama.”
“Huh? Why?”
I came to my senses at the sudden call from Natalia.
“I don’t think it’s a hypothesis that villagers follow the village chief to avoid disadvantage.”
I thought it was the first time Natalya had denied my opinion in such a clear voice, so I shut him up.
At the same time, I felt the need to hear detailed opinions.
“… Why do you think so?”
“The atmosphere of the villagers. Everyone was working with a smile as if they were having fun.”
“Ah…”
Hearing Natalya’s story, he slaps her palm.
Come to think of it, the atmosphere of the village was very bright. If he had been forcibly following the village chief’s instructions to avoid disadvantages, would he have been able to smile like that?
“In other words, they are following the village chief purely because they enjoy themselves, not for prudent reasons such as profit or loss… ?”
Are they crazy… ?
“I don’t think that kind of smile can come out unless you voluntarily and happily follow it.”
I crossed my arms at Natalia’s words. The brain gets complicated.
“Ouch… Then why the hell do the villagers happily follow the directions of the village chief and the guards? The neighbors are being framed and taken as slaves?”
Roin also made a sick sound while sitting on the bed, as if her head was complicated.
“Um… What if the slave lied to us simply to get out of the way? As the village chief said, this village is truly a peaceful place, but if we are mistaken… ?”
I do not fully believe the testimony of the slave. However, I can’t completely trust the village chief’s words. There is a loophole in each argument on both sides.
“The village chief’s words sound plausible, but I don’t understand why the villagers are leaving the village. Do you think you would do the risky thing of abandoning your entire economic base and moving to the city with the families you need to support? Not just one or two, but about half of the villagers?”
“That is true, but the claim of slaves is similar. Why would the chief spend his own money and take risks to enslave the villagers… ?”
Roin’s thoughts also have some truth.
The social position of the village head, the accumulated wealth. What on earth would he do to enslave half of the town’s inhabitants, even to the point of risking losing it all?
Roin and I were both lost in our thoughts, and Natalya noticed and interjected.
“Hanseong-nim, I think the testimony of the slave is more plausible than that of the chief.”
“At what point?”
“The numbers are different.”
“Number?”
“What I don’t understand from the testimony of the slave who came to us yesterday is the behavior of one of the village chiefs. However, according to the village chief’s testimony, about half of the villagers have to do something that is not convincing with common sense. One person acting strangely and fifty people acting strangely. Which of the two do you think is more realistic?”
