The Work for the Slaves

 

I assigned the slaves a quick job, and in the end I bought all of them, except those who had experience in four-letter arithmetic and commerce.

 

It was an expense of eight large gold coins.

 

“It’s about ten percent profit, is that good?  Didn’t it cost you a lot of money to get them here from Royal Capital, expenses and all? “

 

I ask, but Bell and Rango smile and nod their heads in agreement.

 

“It’s enough that you understand that. Besides, the escort is five gold coins for each adventurer, so we are making a profit.”

 

Hmm. I’m sure they’re paying for food, drink, lodging, and other expenses for the trip.

 

Well, if it’s good enough for both of us, it’s good enough.

 

“Thank you. Then, I guess the allocation of the slaves will be fine. But there are more than ten slaves to be hired by the Bell Rango Chamber of Commerce, so shall we set up store as soon as possible? “

 

“Yes, that’s right. For now, we have two people who have experience as peddlers, so we will split the wagons and expand our sales channels with three sets of people. The group of adventurers I hired to escort them will be returning to Royal Capital, so I will head to Royal Capital this time.”

 

“I see, Rango-san is responsible for the store this time.

 

“I’ll be educating the slaves and doing business in the village.”

 

Hmmm…Bell Rango’s business is starting to do well, isn’t it? After all, funds and manpower are important.

 

I nod at Bell and Rango, who are becoming more active, and I decide to go check on the people whose slaves I bought.

 

“Well then, I’m going to go make the Seat Village Knights.”

 

“Oh, I understand. I’ll talk to you later about stores and housing.”

 

“Okay.”

 

With that, I leave the lord’s mansion with Till, Camsin, and Arte and walk through the village.

 

Those with aptitude for magic were sent to Espada, and those who were knights, mercenaries, or adventurers were sent to Dee.

 

Those who were bards, dancers, and instrumentalists were sent to work at the tavern/theater to be built near the entrance of the village, and those who had farming experience were sent to help with the village farmland.

 

Incidentally, all the children under 10 years old have been sent to the home of a villager from a neighboring village. We ask them to help to educate us.

 

And then there are about 50 who remain. These people will be educated as the first super-strong continuous-fire mechanical archery unit in Baron Van’s Holy Seat Knights.

 

Fuhahaha.

 

With a big smile on my face, I went to the slaves gathered at the entrance of the village.

 

The slaves noticed my appearance and hurriedly straightened their posture to face me.

 

“Here you go. Now, as you have heard, you are all members of the Seat Order’s archery unit. First, you will learn how to use the basic equipment, the wall ballista. Does anyone have any questions? “

 

I called out to them, and one or two hands went up.

 

“Yes, the lady over there.”

 

I nominate a wild woman. Then the woman steps forward with a strong face. She is a red-headed woman with muscular and strong arms, though her exposed arms are slender and muscular. She looks cool, like a track and field girl.

 

“I have experience with bows, but there are many who have never touched a bow. What’s the reason for your selection? “

 

“Well, you are Borra, a former hunter. Good question. The selection criteria are firstly, experienced people, secondly, people with good eyesight, and thirdly, small people who are tough to fight with sword and armor. Therefore, I would like to make Mr. Borra and the other hunters of the village, the Incas, the captains of this unit.”

 

When I tell him this, Borra snorts with difficulty.

 

“…To be honest, the bows also need more strength than they look. Some girls are thin to look at, but those without strength may have a tough time.”

 

Oh, he’s a man who can express his opinion well. And what you are saying is right. You’ve found a good recruiter.

 

I nodded at Borra’s words and lifted the continuous-fire mechanical bow I had brought one with me to my chest.

 

“Indeed, you are right. So, Porte, the eleven-year-old village girl who seems to be the least powerful of the bunch. Let’s give it a try.”

 

Saying this, he nominated the smallest red-haired girl, Porte, and she came forward fearfully.

 

Porte, with freckled red hair, for some reason kneels in front of me and receives the mechanical bow.

 

Laughing at her exaggerated attitude and awesome nervousness, I stood next to Porte and put my hand on it.

 

“Yes, relax your shoulders. Let’s aim at the forest you can see by the street. That’s right. Hold here. Oh, it’s okay if it’s light. Then, pull the stick next to this box-like thing, and yeah, you’re set.”

 

Porte completes setting the mechanical bow while turning bright red, probably because everyone is paying attention to her.

 

I put my hand on Porte’s shoulder and supported her elbow from below to help her aim.

 

“Well then, let’s grip the lower stick sticking out. Squeeze it like you’re squeezing…”

 

Porte squeezed the trigger part of the grip, the mechanical bow made a sound like the clash of metal and wood, and the arrow was ejected.

 

The arrow was successfully fired on target, and the sound of the wind cutting through the air went into the forest.

 

“That was perfect!  You did good, Porte.”

 

Porte looked at me with a bright red face and replied, “Yes, yes! Porte looked at me with a bright red face and replied, “Yes!

 

She reverently returned the mechanical bow to me and went back to her original position.

 

I offered the mechanical bow to Borra, who was looking at me half-stunned.

 

“This is a state-of-the-art mechanical bow. Would you like to try shooting it? “

 

With that, Borra lifted the edge of her mouth and staggered over to me.

 

“Ha-ha-ha!  Ha-ha-ha!  This is great!  This is wonderful! “

 

A minute after I handed him the mechanical bow and taught him how to operate it, Borra was so excited that I thought he was a bit of a badass.

 

In a blink of an eye, he fired the remaining nine in rapid succession into the forest, marveling at their performance.

 

“Van-sama, you can fight even large magical beasts with this.”

 

I nodded to Borra, who was approaching me with a twinkle in her eyes, pulling back slightly.

 

“Yes, it is. But we have the Ballista for large magical beasts, so we should be fine.”

 

“Oh, really?  That Ballista is also called…! “

 

“Well, yes. Let’s go take a look. We can go up there.”

 

As I said this and led the way, I could hear the presence of a snickering Borra right behind me and the footsteps of others following a short-distance behind me.

 

Someone stop Borra. He’s going to attack us.

 

Inwardly frightened, I climbed to the top of the ramparts and turned around to stand next to Ballista.

 

“Well, this is the two-stranded Ballista…”

 

The moment I turn around, I see Borra in front of me, her eyes blazing, and I freeze.

 

Camsin and Till seized Borra from behind, as if they couldn’t see him. With Borra looking like a beast on a leash, I go back to introducing Ballista.

 

“…Now, this is the two-stranded Ballista. With this, I also killed the Green Forest Dragon.”

 

“Which, a dragon! “

 

“Even though it’s big, with a bow…? “You’ve got to be kidding me.

 

“You’ve got to be kidding…”

 

I hear such voices.

 

Laughing at that, I look for the petite girl.

 

“Oh, there she is. Porte-chan. Come over here.”

 

“Yes, yes! “

 

I called, and he came trotting toward me.

 

“This time it’s a little heavier than before. First, pull this stick. It’s designed to pull when you put weight on it, so just hang on to it.”

 

“Yes, yes!  Hmmm…! “

 

Porte-chan groans cutely. With a clank, the set was complete.

 

“Well then, since it’s the first shot, let’s use this metal arrow over here.”

 

I said and let the arrow set.

 

“Make sure no one else touches the arrows when you put them down. Porte-chan will fly away.”

 

When I warned her, Porte hurriedly set the arrows and came back.

 

“Yes. Then, I’ll take aim at the end and knock down this stick.”

 

Porte aimed at the forest in accordance with my instructions and pulled the stick.

 

The air vibrated, and at the same time a terrific wind noise rang out.

 

A moment later, the arrow reached the forest. Three or four thick trees are knocked down by the sound of the arrow’s impact, which can be heard from here.

 

It was a good thing I had strengthened my ballista and arrows.

 

All the first-timers are completely frozen.

 

“Uh-oh, uh-oh! “

 

but only Borra was cheering as her tension swept over the meter.