Chapter 9 - II -

 

Well, Mister Ricardo told me he still had to prepare my uniform to work there, so he asked me to come back sometime later.  And so, as usual, I was left with nothing else to do.  Again.  Hmm…maybe I should check on the identification papers if those are already done?

 

I started my way back towards the headquarters of the Arles militia.

 

“…”

 

While on the road, I heard some loud noises as I was getting near a blind turn.  And then, I noticed that the bystanders around me either went towards the direction of the noise, or those who could see what’s happening had their heads turned to the spot where it was happening.  Well, it’s not like I had some interest in that kind of commotion.  And nothing would happen if I went out of my way just to watch it.  So, even if I’m setting a flag here, I’d just go on my way, and ignore it.

 

“Kyaa!”

 

“Stop him!”

 

“Hey watch out!”

 

“!!!”

 

It was too late when I turned around to check on what’s happening.  I felt someone collide, well, not towards me, but at the parked carriage behind me.  The sound of the thud was so loud, it’s horrible to hear!

 

“Oh god, is he dead?” I blurted out.  I saw a boy lying down unconscious on the road behind me.  

 

Well, he’s still breathing…

 

His head had a slight concussion in which some blood was coming out.  Seemed like he hit his head quite hard on the sturdy body of the parked carriage.  And also, his dirty clothes identified he was a slave.  A lot of bystanders had arrived and surrounded the accident scene.  Some of the militia were having difficulties in keeping them back…

 

“…”

 

Well, I can’t ignore this boy, ain’t I?

 

Back on Earth, I was trained in the administering of first aid, since I was a teacher.  I guess now’s the time to use what I learned from the Red Cross then?

 

“Hey!  Don’t move him!” I shouted to the man, perhaps the carriage driver, who was about to pull the unconscious boy to the side.  He immediately obliged.  I went to beside the boy and checked his breathing patterns.  

 

Well, he seems fine to me, but I can’t be sure.

 

“Anyone got an ice compress?  Or anything cold plus a piece of cloth?” I asked the crowd.  Fortunately, someone was kind enough to chant ice magic, and I quickly wrapped it on the cloth.  Careful and gentle, I put it over the concussion.

 

“…”

 

The boy felt the cold sensation; he moved and his facial expression turned sour.  At least he’s responding to me, huh?

 

“Hey boy, you okay?  Can you wake up?” I asked.

 

The boy then opened his eyes and stared blankly at me.

 

“Oh good; at least you’re conscious now!” I sighed in relief, “Got anything painful in your head?”

 

He silently nodded.  But maybe due to reflex, he quickly backed away from me when he realized he’s talking to me.  That kind of hurt, boy.  I know my face is ugly, but at least you could show a little gratitude…

 

Ah, nevermind.  Of course, it’s a slave, so I didn’t have to expect much.  Well, I guess my job’s done here.  Seemed like the slave boy was fine now…

 

“Hey!  Don’t cause any further embarrassment for me, you stupid slave!”

 

…or not.

 

 

I thought the commotion would end there, but I guess I was wrong.  For out among the crowds came a beautiful young woman with a whip on her hands.  She wore a nice, elegant dress, showing that she’s someone of high upbringing.  And she went for the slave boy and yanked his arm.

 

“What are you doing trying to run from me?” the lady began hitting the poor slave who tried his best to make himself small to avoid the lashes.

 

“…”

 

The slave cried out in pain.  It was terrible to hear, but I couldn’t help it.  Honestly, I didn’t think I should interfere with them.  I mean, this was a different world, and of course, my values here didn’t apply.

 

But hey, for someone who’s just injured himself, I think this is too much…

 

The crowd slowly dispersed, all the while the beautiful lady was hitting the slave.  This kind of scene must’ve been a daily occurrence for them to be that indifferent.  After all, slaves were accorded no rights, both here and in my old world…

 

Haa…I guess some systems will persist, no matter where you are.

 

“…”

 

I should go on my way and pick up those identification papers.

 

“…”

 

Damn it.

 

“Hey excuse me!” I knew I shouldn’t be doing this; after all, I just wanted to live peacefully.  And I’m neither an ally of justice.  But well, you know, I had my values.  Though I may accept some compromise, this kind of inhumane treatment was something I couldn’t take to ignore.

 

“What do you want?” the lady hissed at me.

 

“Err…I don’t think that slave of yours can be useful for now.” I explained, carefully choosing my words so as not to offend her, “He hit his head on the carriage over there and was unconscious for quite some time.”

 

“And so?  That’s his fault for running away from me, his master!”

 

Of course, anyone will run away from you if you’re like that.

 

“What do you want with this slave, anyway?” she stared at me, obviously taking a good look, “Well, aren’t you a commoner?  How dare you talk to me as if you know everything!”

 

Well, it’s not that I know everything.  I’m a teacher, of course, I know what I say most of the time.  But I guess I shouldn’t say that, lest I annoyed her even more.

 

“I just know some information on injuries.” I replied, “I’d recommend that you let him rest for a while and check for symptoms of injuries like—”

 

“Are you dictating me, a baroness, of what to do?”

 

“Err…I’m just suggesting, you know.”  God, I said the word ‘recommend’ clearly, right?  Why do nobles so hard to deal with?  It’s not like they’re really useful, or anything!  “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I apologize for my brazen behavior and thus, would go on my way.”

 

“Hey wait!  Are you serious?” she was starting another commotion by screaming, “You’re turning your back to me?  Aren’t you the most disrespectful?”

 

Blahblahblah!  Oh god…here comes the usual arrogance of the nobility.  Should I dash away from here?  The gathering crowds were a perfect obstacle for her pursuing guards, if she had any.

 

I was about to break into a run when someone else entered the scene.

 

“I’m sorry, Baroness Welt, looks like my man here has caused you trouble.”

 

Huh?  What?  

 

I faced the new arrival.  He was a young man of good stature.  His elegant, yet military-like dress had a ‘princely vibe’ unto it, and he was carrying a finely decorated sword to his side.

 

A typical ‘bishounen’ from a ‘shoujo manga’, if you ask me.

 

“Hmph!  Just because you’re the second prince of Nerfes doesn’t mean your men can’t go around spouting whatever they want!” the arrogant lady softened up upon recognizing the man she was talking to.

 

“I offer my heartfelt apologies.” the handsome dude bowed.  Secretly, he winked at me, which told me that everything’s alright.

 

“…”  I was dumbfounded.  What’s this new guy thinking by covering for me?

 

“Consequently, I’d like to purchase that slave from you, if you will, my lady.”

 

“Huh?  Why would you want him?  He’s useless!” the lady was taken aback.  She wouldn’t give up her rights to that slave easily.

 

“Would ten gold coins suffice?” he offered.

 

“20.”

 

I take my words back.  She’s just after the money.

 

“How about 15?”

 

“Then 18 gold coins!”

 

“Alright, 16 gold coins.” the princely dude haggled, “Take it or leave it.”

 

“Deal is closed then.” the lady shook hands with the handsome guy.  

 

Well, that solves it, I guess.  I needed to return to the militia headquarters, pick up my identification papers, and be back at the Palatial Gardens before the guards close it for sleeping time.

 

I let myself blend into the crowd.

 

 

While on the road towards the Holy Palatial Gardens, I heard someone following me.

 

“…”

 

Well, it’s a set of horse’s hooves.  It could be a carriage of some sort, or a lone rider going the same way as me.  Anyhow, I needed to step aside.  The road wasn’t the usual wide, concrete, and asphalt one back in my old world; it’s just a narrow dust path worn down by the passing carts, carriages, coaches, and horses over time.

 

“Oh, hey!  It’s the hero of Arles!”

 

Huh?  I turned around and saw a horse a few distances away from me.  But never mind the horse, it’s the rider—or riders—that I’m concerned about.

 

“Ah, it’s the ‘bishie’ prince.” I blurted out.

 

“Huh?  What do you mean by ‘beeshee’?” the princely dude from Arles came and stopped before me.  

 

“Well, what do you mean by that ‘hero of Arles’ stuff?” I countered.

 

“Hm, I guess you wouldn’t know since you suddenly disappeared.” the guy on the horse explained, “That girl you confronted back there is Baroness Gaia Welt.  She’s pretty infamous for her cruelty towards her slaves, but the townsfolk of Arles are afraid to do anything because her grandfather wields some influence on the court of the Duke of Savoy, which has the jurisdiction over Arles.”

 

Ah, as typical of the spoiled bigshots…

 

“And yes, you’re the first person ever in the entire duchy to stand up to her.”

 

Err…looks like I attracted some legitimate pain-in-the-ass.  Good thing I’m heading north once I saved enough money for a house.

 

“So yeah, the hushed whispers around the town refer to you as the ‘hero of Arles’.” the ‘bishounen’ informed me, “Good thing you’re someone that Sir Rilley knows.  He told me you came from the Holy Palatial Gardens, so I followed and caught up with you here.”

 

“I see…” I nodded.

 

“Ah, anyway, I brought over Senshee.”

 

“Senshee?” I turned my attention to the slave boy behind his back, “That slave boy’s Senshee?”

 

“Yes, apparently, that’s his name.” the guy shrugged, and then introduced himself, “Oh, and by the way, I’m Simon Hugh Reed, the second prince of the Kingdom of Nerfes.  Nice to meet you, err…”

 

“Kuro.” I proudly showed him my newly made identification papers.  So, this one’s a real prince indeed, huh?

 

“Right, Kuro.” he then offered me his hand for a shake, to which I obliged.

 

“By the way, Your Highness—”

 

“Nah, just call me Simon.”

 

“Oh…well, Sir Simon, I haven’t thanked you yet for covering for me earlier.” I bowed to show my sincere gratitude, “So yeah, thanks for helping me out.  You even had to shell out some money just to save me.”

 

“Ah, you’re welcome.” Simon smiled, “Just think of it as my sign of respect for what you did.  Not only did you bravely confront Baroness Welt, but you also saved the life of this boy.”

 

“Hmm…I’m just doing what I have to, according to my set of values.”

 

“You’re pretty humble too, if I may say.”

 

So yeah, now that I’d said my thanks, I thought it was time for me to proceed to my destination.  Although the sun in the sky never set on this land, I could tell by my feelings that I needed to return as soon as possible.

 

Or I’ll risk sleeping outside the Holy Palatial Gardens.

 

“Well then, Sir Simon, I guess I need to go on my way now.” I bid him farewell.

 

“Wait!” Sir Simon stopped me, “How about Senshee?”

 

“Err…aren’t you the one who bought him from that girl?” I’m having a terrible feeling about this, “It’s your money, so you get to keep him.”

 

“Huh?  Impossible!” he had a horrific expression on his face, “The Kingdom of Nerfes won’t allow slavery in its territory, so I can’t take in slaves.”

 

“Well, you may free him if you wish.”

 

“Don’t be unreasonable, I can’t just do that!” the second prince protested, “Senshee has a slave contract bounding him!”

 

“But can’t you just break it or something?  You bought him, after all.”

 

“No, I can’t do that!  Senshee has already decided to follow you!”

 

“What?”

 

“Don’t you know about a slave’s contract?”

 

“Well, I do have an idea.  But isn’t that a forced thing, something that this guy doesn’t have a say?”

 

“Ah, you’re talking about the ‘Forced’ slave contract.  Senshee’s former master, Baroness Welt, used it on him when she bought him from the slave market.” Sir Simon had an amused face, “This time, when Baroness Welt released Senshee from the contract, he voluntarily transferred his ownership to you, the one who saved him.  That’s called a ‘Voluntary’ slave contract…something that those who fell into debts would often use.”

 

Oh, now I get it.  So, I became the master of this guy Senshee…Which means I’m in really deep shit.

 

“So yeah, please take care of Senshee, Kuro.  I bid you farewell!” Sir Simon brought down the slave boy and then prodded his horse back to town.

 

Not only I stirred up unwanted trouble in Arles, but I also had a new mouth to feed.