episode_0038

City Center.

The Domain of the Rulers.

“It’s spacious.”

Here, palace-like buildings were built at a distance from each other.

“The rulers each have their own domain or separate area to reside in, and even the slaves in their residences have different personalities depending on the ruler.”

Sesilia said.

The rulers each have their own domain and live like kings there. That’s why there weren’t many people in the central area, unlike the ordinary streets. Probably because they didn’t want to attract the rulers’ attention for no reason.

But I have nothing to worry about.

I am a clone of Cardepion.

I walked slowly, observing my surroundings.

“How many rulers are there in total?”

“Well… I’m sorry. I am a slave, so I don’t know about such matters.”

“It’s fine if you don’t know.”

I roughly scanned the area with my eyes.

There were over dozens of huge palace buildings like Cardepion’s.

If we include the large mansions and those who live in houses of any size, we can roughly estimate the number of rulers.

At least 30 or more.

Maybe around 100.

The city is home to tens of thousands of people, so if we assume 0.1%, there might be dozens of rulers.

It seems impossible with just Elven power.

It would be difficult to block even one.

Of course, Shaela managed to neutralize Cardepion in one powerful strike, but facing dozens of them would be challenging.

There are probably several stronger rulers as well.

If possible, we should avoid fighting in the city.

Above all.

“What is that place over there?”

I looked towards the city center.

There was a huge 10-story circular pyramid tower that was much larger than the rulers’ palaces.

“That is where the owner of the city resides.”

“The owner?”

“The being who made it possible for this city to exist. Without them, the rulers would have fought among themselves without mixing.”

“Does it mean overwhelmingly powerful?”

“I haven’t seen it myself, so I don’t know, but they say even the rulers bow down to the owner of the city.”

Even the rulers bow down.

How strong could that being be?

And who is the one who created such an abnormal city?

Is it like a deity, like Shaela?

One thing is certain now.

Even Shaela would be overwhelmed here.

I need to be more careful.

“That is Cardepion’s palace over there!”

Sesilia pointed ahead.

Luxurious fences and gates.

Majestic palace and spacious gardens.

Numerous outbuildings nearby.

This is Cardepion’s residence.

I have arrived at my own home now.

From now on, I can gather information as a clone here and prepare in advance for any news of slave hunters and village invasions.

“Let’s go in.”

“Yes! I will lead you inside.”

Sesilia.

And the two Elven clones following her entered the palace.

“Welcome, master.”

“We have been waiting for you, master.”

“We will prepare the hot bath.”

“What would you like for today’s meal?”

“How many for the midnight feast-”

Cardepion’s palace.

As soon as Sesilia and I entered, numerous slaves approached with smiles.

“Step back.”

“Yes.”

“Please call us anytime if you need anything.”

I didn’t bother to engage in conversation.

I have no intention of enjoying pleasure with the slaves like Cardepion.

Sesilia also said there was no need to pretend to be Cardepion. The slaves here are educated not to question the owner. Even if they have doubts, they can’t do anything about it.

Unconventional, but it helps me.

I entered the palace without hesitation.

“This is the bed where Cardepion usually rests.”

“There are many fascinating things here.”

The first place I headed to was Cardepion’s room.

I carefully examined the luxurious items in the room, leaving the elf statue in the corner.

1. A huge and plush bed.

Big enough for five people to sleep comfortably, it looked so soft that I wanted to dive into it.

2. A massive screen floating in front of the bed.

A magical item that allows you to watch videos. When I searched for something, all I found was a series of adult videos, so I quickly closed it.

3. Dozens of buttons embedded in artworks.

With just one button, you can call a slave, prepare a meal, or get anything else you desire.

4. Magical interior modification device.

I briefly touched it out of curiosity, and the room transformed into a prison scene.

…It seems like I’ve played around with various scenarios using this.

5. A circular device installed in the corner.

A magical teleportation device.

With this, you can easily teleport to any area in the city you want to go.

Each item was awe-inspiring.

Do all masters live this kind of life?

The scale is so different that my own home made by the main body feels shabby.

It’s not just this room.

In the palace, there were astonishing things installed as if they were a matter of course, such as a dining hall, underground prison, greenhouse, garden, slave training center, massage room, and so on.

Above all.

“Master! Would you like to take a bath? I will serve you diligently.”

Such words from Cecilia.

She must have considered this kind of behavior as natural.

What are these masters really like…

“Never mind. I don’t need that kind of thing.”

“Yes.”

“You must be tired, so take a rest for now.”

“Can I rest by your side?”

“Do as you please. Having you by my side might be helpful when planning our next move.”

“Oh… Thank you!!”

Cecilia showed excessive loyalty.

I wonder if he’s really treating me as his master without any other thoughts, judging by his actions.

In that case, I should make good use of him.

“Cecilia, I have a question for you.”

“Yes! Please ask me anything.”

I asked for some information.

About the slave association.

What slave hunters do, how slaves are sold, and so on.

I studied about this city.

*

I organized everything carefully.

The slave association oversees slave hunting, education, and sales. In other words, if you want information about slave hunters, you have to visit the slave association.

“Then I should stop by the association.”

“Yes.”

Swish.

I got up.

I had a good idea of what kind of place the city was.

It’s a place where they turn the weak into slaves, groom them as tools, and sell them as goods.

The slave association oversees such actions.

I am now planning to go there.

First, I need to prepare how to approach—

Knock, knock.

“Master, a guest has arrived at the association.”

Suddenly, a slave brought news at the door.

Like they say, speak of the devil.

They came to find me before I even went to them.

But why?

“It’s probably because of the recent elf incident. Cardepion went to the elf village at the request of the association. They probably came to report to you.”

Cecilia whispered.

It seems that the association members came to visit me in person because I am the master.

I was planning to find out more before meeting them…

But there’s no helping it.

“Prepare a meal.”

*

On the garden terrace, a luxurious table.

The sweet scent of flowers tickled my nose, and I noticed the gourmet dishes prepared by the slave.

Various meat dishes, each meticulously made with different seasonings and cuts, caught my eye.

I sat there quietly, waiting.

Thud.

I felt a presence nearby.

It must be the association member who has arrived.

I casually glanced around, quickly scanning the area.

Elegant style.

Beautifully dressed, with a well-groomed appearance.

At first glance, there seems to be a strong aura of a slave hunter.

Quite strong for a regular guild member.

No, if he was weak to begin with, he would have become a slave.

“It is an honor to meet you, Lord Kardelphion.”

In the meantime, a pink-haired woman approached dryly and knelt down.

“Please, have a seat.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

He made the guy sit in front of him.

After all, I am the superior.

I naturally led the flow of the conversation.

“Are you here to inquire about the Elven Village?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The woman replied dryly.

It was just a polite gesture.

However, there was a subtle sense of discomfort that could be felt through the plants.

It seems that Kardelphion doesn’t particularly like her.

But that’s not something to worry about.

What I want is to feed him false information and bring the matter to a close.

“I’ll tell you. I took care of the Elven Village. There was a strong guy who caused me to lose most of my slaves, but I managed to save two elves.”

“…Is that so.”

“Do you need more detailed information?”

“It’s sufficient.”

Swoosh.

The woman immediately stood up from her seat.

Seeing her trying to escape less than a minute after sitting down, it seems that she really doesn’t like me.

But not yet.

I have a lot of information I want to know.

Might as well find out about various things while we’re at it.

“Sit. I still have things to discuss.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m a little bored, so why don’t you tell me how the guild operates.”

“……Excuse me?”

For the first time, the woman showed an expression.

It was a somewhat bewildered face.

“Do you not want to?”

“No, no.”

The woman sat back down.

And after thinking about what to say, she slowly opened her mouth.

“Up north, there has been a large increase in high-level personnel in the Lava Zone.”

“The Lava Zone? Have there been waste materials there?”

“…I’m not sure if they are waste materials, but there are quite a few strong individuals who could become nobles, so other lords are trying to recruit them directly. As you know, slave hunters are always in short supply.”

I unexpectedly obtained information.

Waste materials appear not only in the Misty Forest, but also in other zones.

It means that many people are being wasted in various places on the 0th floor.

However, it’s unclear whether they are waste materials.

Could there be cases where they are not waste materials?

It’s a bit much to ask about this.

I’ll have to find out naturally later.

“Are there any other issues?”

“Um… A subordinate of a ruler in the southern city of Masu was sent to expand the exploration range of the Misty Forest on their own, causing recent friction with us, but Lord Agturks resolved it.”

“I see.”

This is also surprising information.

The southern city of Masu.

There also seemed to be hunting for slaves.

Judging by speculation, there are several cities on the 0th floor, each with its own territory, systematically hunting for slaves.

The scale has expanded, and my head hurts.

How many of these despicable cities and strong individuals are there in the 0th floor? What kind of place is the 0th floor that these strong individuals are thriving in?

Considering that most waste materials are on the lower floors, there must be more things I don’t know about…

Anyway, the important thing now is one thing.

There are many potential enemies to clash with, and they are strong.

If they see an elf, they will try to make them a slave by any means necessary.

If I can’t hide and survive somehow…

In the end, I will have to fight.

It’s so unreasonable.

I need more information.

I need to gather information on all the cities and hunters possible to stop them.

Therefore.

“I want to hear more details.”

“Yes?”

“I said I was bored. Tell me more about your story. Who knows, maybe I’ll be interested and help you out.”

“…Understood.”

The guild member seemed flustered, but she responded more smoothly than before.

I had a long conversation with the guild member.

As we continued our conversation, more detailed information began to flow than I had expected.

There was no doubt in the smooth conversation.

How many slave hunters are in the Misty Forest.

What types of slaves each ruler wants.

The average number of slaves captured per day.

Characteristics of slaves held by the guild.

At some point, he started telling me even the smallest details without me having to ask.

The conversation flowed smoothly.

He answered all my questions.

However.

“Kardepion.”

In the middle of listening to the story.

He called me with a serious face.

“Why is that?”

“You listen to the story better than I thought.”

“…I told you. I’m just bored.”

I thought it was going well.

But it wasn’t the friendly atmosphere from earlier.

He seemed determined, but with a slightly wavering gaze, he opened his mouth.

“Well then….”

Swiftly.

Raising it slightly sharply.

In that state, he spoke again.

“Do you know my name?”

“……..”

It was a somewhat random question, but the two eyes that met mine were filled with more tension than ever.

It was nothing special….

But it was a very difficult question.