Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 159

"Ahaha... You're right. I was surprised too when I heard this from Chris. Allow me to explain the details."

"Hmm..."

I gave a wry smile and began explaining what I had heard from Chris.

About the probably organized movement in Zubera, gathering children to be released as slaves, and information being suppressed until recently.

And how missing this opportunity could disrupt our business plans. I conveyed everything carefully.

"150 certainly seems like a lot, but there's the possibility of disrupting our business plans. And when considering the future, I believe we shouldn't miss this opportunity. Father, could I ask for your approval?"

"...I see, I understand the details. But purchasing all 150 is too conspicuous. Wouldn't 50 to 60 be sufficient?"

After hearing my explanation, Father wore a dubious expression.

The point about being too conspicuous is also a concern for me.

As a premise, in the Empire where we live, 'slavery' is basically prohibited.

So, I thought about how we could proceed with this project without violating Imperial law.

The method is: first, have the Christina Trading Company purchase the 'slaves.'

Then, the Baldia family lends money to everyone who arrives as 'slaves,' and they go through the process of buying back their status from the Christina Trading Company.

By following this procedure, they would go from being slaves to 'commoners (territory residents) with debt to Baldia,' allowing us to justify this domestically and internationally.

If I were to put it stiffly: 'Baldia territory cannot accept slaves in accordance with Imperial law. Therefore, we have proposed providing loans to those who are slaves, allowing them to buy back their status. Those who accept this become residents of Baldia territory and are ordered to repay the funds borrowed from the Baldia family.' Something like that.

We also plan to document important procedures in detail for emergencies.

Furthermore, regarding this matter, Father secretly conveyed the details to His Majesty the Emperor in the capital and obtained special approval—we've already laid the groundwork.

However, at that time, considering other houses, His Majesty also cautioned Father to 'not be too conspicuous.'

From that perspective, 150 slaves would indeed likely be conspicuous.

Even going through the Christina Trading Company, transporting them from Balst alone would be a fairly large-scale operation.

Nevertheless, I believe we shouldn't miss this opportunity, and I looked straight at Father, who wore a dubious expression.

"I understand your concerns, Father. But we don't know when the next opportunity will come. Additionally, bringing in a half-hearted number of slave children could allow both Balst and Zubera to sniff out our movements. I think we should take a gamble here...!!"

After hearing my emphatic words, Father crossed his arms, closed his eyes as if in thought.

Then, after a short pause, he spoke deliberately with a stern expression.

"Fuh... 'In for a penny, in for a pound,' huh... I understand. If you're that adamant, I'll approve the purchase."

"...!! Father, thank you!!"

The moment I heard Father's words, my tense expression relaxed, and I beamed brightly.

Seeing my smile, Father's demeanor softened slightly, but he maintained his stern expression and said, tightening his resolve.

"However, we need to discuss the method of transportation, including Chris."

"In that case, Chris and the others are waiting in another room. Shall I call them?"

"Is that so? Then let's call Chris and continue the discussion."

After nodding at Father's words, I stood up from the sofa and went outside the office to call Chris and the others.

There, Diana was waiting.

"Ah, Diana, could you show Chris and the others waiting in the reception room to the office? I'd like to discuss things with them."

"Understood. I'll bring them immediately."

"Yes, thank you. Also, please prepare tea for everyone."

Diana acknowledged my words with a bow and headed to the reception room.

After making my request to her, I returned to the office, sat in the same spot as before, and turned my gaze to Father.

"I've just asked Diana to call Chris and the others, so they should be here soon."

"I see... Even so, suddenly accepting 150 people... You're going to be busy for a while."

Father maintained his stern expression, but his eyes held a hint of concern.

I sent him a gaze full of motivation, as if to dispel that concern.

"Yes... but I think that also makes it more worthwhile. And if this plan succeeds, Baldia territory should be able to grow by leaps and bounds. I'll see it through."

After testing this business plan with the slave children, once we've identified and corrected any issues, we plan to have the children of the territory residents participate as well.

There's also the option of having the residents' children participate from the start, but we won't do that this time.

There are various reasons, but the main one is that the residents' children are also an important labor force in the territory.

Saying children are labor might sound a bit harsh.

But in this world, there's no 'electricity,' so all work is basically done manually.

From agriculture like olive cultivation and wheat farming that the residents work hard on, to caring for livestock—everything is primarily human-powered.

Of course, there are devices and tools to increase work efficiency, but the power source is human.

In this situation, adults alone are naturally insufficient, so as children grow older, they inevitably help with their parents' work.

Considering the current situation, even if it leads to future benefits, taking away the working time of the residents' children would cause dissatisfaction and could potentially affect territory management itself.

That's why prioritizing making the slave children capable of using magic to perform various tasks more efficiently is the first step.

Then, even if some of the residents' children are absent, there will be no problems with territory management.

Ultimately, I want to develop this business plan into something like 'compulsory education' in Baldia territory.

By implementing measures that greatly improve the quality of all residents, Baldia should be able to grow dramatically in the future.

Hearing my words, Father showed a slightly pleased demeanor, but the concern in his eyes didn't disappear, and he spoke gently, as if admonishing me.

"Hmm... 'That's the spirit,' I suppose. But be careful. No matter what you do, there will always be enemies. You can't live without enemies. On the contrary, the more virtuous your way of life, the more enemies you'll have. When enemies appear before you, be sure to consult with me or those you can rely on. Understand?"

Finishing his words, Father looked straight into my eyes with an expression more stern and serious than usual, yet with a gentle gaze.

Feeling the warm, kind sentiment from my caring father, I replied.

"...Yes, understood."

"Good then... Just don't do anything reckless like you did in Renarute."

Father said no more.

Until Chris and the others arrived, a quiet time passed between Father and me.

But at this moment, a certain question arose in my mind.

Did Father mean the magic I showed in the exhibition match when he said 'reckless like you did in Renarute'?

Or did he mean secretly going to the castle town with Fara and the others?

I have many possibilities, so it bothered me... but surely if I asked now, I'd be scolded, right?

In the end, I didn't ask Father my question and kept it to myself.