The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed

Lake Fortress was bustling like never before, thanks to the Seolwoonhoe traders who had brought a treasure trove of goods.

The items were far superior in quality and quantity compared to what Bipen had provided. The variety of products was astonishing.

The eyes of the villagers sparkled with curiosity, akin to children discovering a transforming robot after only knowing toy cars.

Of course, just as those fancy toys came at the expense of parents’ wallets, the same principle applied here. In this case, Yorn was the exasperated parent.

He cast a wary eye at me, clearly suspicious of the unfamiliar goods.

“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded.

“What do you mean? These are all for the benefit of the tribe. Do you have any idea how much effort I put into this?”

“Our tribe doesn’t need such things. Send them all back.”

“What is this, ‘we’d rather perish than open our gates’ nonsense? Should I get you some water-based paint? Easy to wash off, no permanent damage.”

“I don’t understand your gibberish. These goods will only weaken the discipline of the tribe.”

I had a pretty good idea of what Yorn was concerned about.

It wasn’t about money; it was the worry about the allure of these innovations. Once someone tasted convenience, they could never go back to their old ways.

That’s what he feared.

“That’s why my monitor is still 60hz,” I mused internally.

I could sympathize with Yorn’s sentiment.

“Don’t worry. I’ve considered everything. These goods are only slightly sturdier and a bit more convenient than what you’re used to. Nothing here will cause the issues you’re worried about.”

“...”

Yorn stared at me for a long moment before turning away with a reluctant nod.

Though he was rigid and traditional, his love for the tribe was unmatched. Seeing how happy the villagers were, he couldn’t bring himself to strongly oppose me.

“That’s exactly what I was counting on.”

“Slightly more convenient” is a dangerous concept.

People crave convenience—then more convenience, and eventually, extreme convenience. That’s human nature. The small crack I’d opened today would inevitably grow into a massive gap in the near future.

“Sir, I’ve brought the Terrapin you requested. Where should I plant it?”

A Seolwoonhoe merchant approached me, holding a palm-sized green sprite with a small sprout on its head, resembling a tuft of hair.

“Behind the tent over there, next to the potato field,” I instructed.

“Understood.”

The merchant disappeared in the direction I had pointed, carrying the sprite carefully.

“What is that?” Yorn asked, his curiosity piqued.

“That’s a Terrapin, an earth sprite. When planted in the ground, it helps nearby plants grow faster and healthier. You’ll be amazed by the results.”

The Terrapin was essential for cultivating farmland in Taosul. Despite its small size, its ability to foster plant growth had earned it the nickname “the fairy of crops.”

It was an incredibly expensive creature.

I’d made a significant investment to bring it here. Of course, it was the branch manager’s money, not mine.

“Well, I must go see the chief. I have something to present to him.”

“What exactly are you planning to show him? Nothing enters without my approval.”

“It’s the ring Zeke wore. Isn’t it Nosgard tradition to report the spoils of victory to the chief after a battle? Consider this a trophy of our triumph.”

“No matter how great your contribution, I cannot allow you to meet the chief alone. I will accompany you.”

“If you insist, feel free.”

+++++

Ashies and I stepped into Darka’s tent together.

The moment we entered, Darka’s face lit up with a wide smile.

“Oh, you’ve come! Where have you been wandering about lately? Haven’t seen hide nor hair of you! Come, sit by my side!”

“Haha, I didn’t realize you missed me so much, Chief. I’m touched. I won’t refuse.”

“Not you!!! Who told you to sit?”

“...”

Correction: It wasn’t “us” entering that brightened Darka’s face—it was Ashies.

Ashies naturally took the seat beside Darka, who, thanks to his ownership of the Luzelight, seemed unaffected by the cold.

“Yes, child. Come closer. Look at your pale face. Don’t wander around in this cold weather; stay by my side.”

This senile old man. The tone he reserved for Ashies was so warm it was almost sickening.

Despite my role as a stand-in for his son’s friend, and despite Yorn being a respected sub-chief, Darka treated Ashies—a complete outsider—as if she were his granddaughter.

He even remembered her perfectly despite his frequent forgetfulness when it came to me. Every time we met, I had to remind him who I was. With Ashies, there was no such issue—she seemed permanently etched into his memory.

“Yorn, I think you should seriously consider stepping aside as chief,” I teased.

“...”

Yorn stayed silent, his expression unreadable.

“So, what brings you here today? Do you want to hear an old story from me?”

“Well, I did come to hear some stories, but today, I was hoping for something a little different.”

“Hey, you bastard! I was talking to the girl! Do you want me to smash that ugly face of yours?”

Picking a fight with me, huh? Did this old woman think I couldn’t take her?

I never back down from a fight unless it’s against the weak—children, women, or the elderly.

“Never mind,” I sighed, deciding to let it go just this once.

Instead, I pulled out the jeweled ring and handed it to Darka. Squinting, he leaned forward to inspect it.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the ring of Zeke, the Great Chieftain.”

Hearing that, Darka’s eyes, which had been narrow and sleepy, suddenly widened with interest.

“Zeke? That ignorant brat?”

“Yes. Our Miss Ashies defeated him and retrieved this ring from him.”

“...I see. So you took care of that Zeke fool.”

The usual cloudiness in Darka’s expression vanished, replaced by a stern, focused demeanor. His tone grew serious as he began speaking.

“Zeke was a disgrace to Nosgard. Unable to control his ambitions, he abandoned the honorable path of the Protector of the North.”

Darka held up the ring for us to see.

“Do you know what this ring is?”

“Zeke’s ring?” I ventured.

“No. This was once worn by members of the royal family. That brat must’ve picked it up somewhere. He probably used it to call himself the ruler of the north.”

“Is that so?”

“The fact that this ring has returned means he’s paid for his crimes. Well done!”

“Haha, I only did what was necessary.”

“Not you!!!”

Damn this old man.

“But this ring is only part of it,” Darka continued. “When the kingdom was attacked by the dragon, many treasures of the royal family were stolen—not just by humans, but by magical beasts as well!”

His fists clenched, trembling with anger. His eyes burned with fury.

“As the heir of the royal mage and the chief of Lake Fortress, I must ask this of you: hunt down the magical beasts and retrieve the treasures they stole. Will you help me?”

“With a request from the chief himself, how could I—”

“Not you!!!”

“...Miss Ashies, the chief is asking you. What do you want to do?”

Ashies responded in her usual slow tone.

“I’ll... do it.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Darka’s face lit up with joy as he rummaged through the fur carpet he sat on.

“Now, where is it... Ah, here it is.”

He pulled out a map and handed it to Ashies.

“This map shows the locations of the magical beasts that stole the treasures. Defeat them and bring back what they took.”

“Okay...”

Ashies accepted the map, and Darka’s expression softened, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

“Thank you. You’ve helped me move closer to fulfilling a duty that’s been passed down since my ancestors’ time...”

He closed his eyes and murmured as though he were ready to ascend to the heavens.

For a moment, there was silence.

“Huh?”

Darka’s eyes flew open, and he blinked, his gaze darting around the room with a bewildered expression.

“What’s this? Why is everyone gathered here? It’s too noisy.”

Having completed his role as chief, Darka had returned to his usual senile self.

“We’re here to talk to you, of course. Who else could manage such a gathering but someone like me?” I replied.

“And who are you, standing in my tent?”

“Don’t you remember me? I’m Karami, Baskal’s old friend.”

Darka furrowed his brow, repeating my name as if trying to recall it.

“Karami...? Oh, I think there was someone like that. But where’s Baskal? Why are you here without him?”

“Baskal went on a journey. He’s searching for a magnificent gift to bring back for you.”

“A gift? What nonsense. I don’t need any gifts. Tell him to stop wasting time and come back right now. Who leaves their mother behind and goes off alone? Leaving his mother behind...”

Darka’s voice trailed off, and for a moment, he seemed lost in a quiet, somber reflection.

There was a faint sense of loneliness about him.

“Don’t worry. He’ll come back on his own soon enough. In the meantime, I’ll keep you entertained.”

“Really?”

“Haha, of course. I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t even notice Baskal’s absence.”