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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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Retrieving the money the slavers had extorted from their “guests” wasn’t difficult, so there was no need to wake the unconscious man.
Conveniently, this secret space, being the safest location, also housed a safe.
Even more conveniently, bags of coins lay beside it, ready for use.
I smashed the safe’s lock, stuffed the bags inside, and hefted it onto my shoulder.
It was considerably heavy.
Without mana enhancement, carrying this metal safe would have been unthinkable, but now, it felt like a sack of rice – no big deal.
With the safe on one shoulder and the slaver tucked under my other arm, I returned to the captives.
Their reaction was… enthusiastic.
“Hero! Are we free to go now?”
“Are we truly free?”
“That bastard will be punished, right?”
Most of their words weren’t expressions of gratitude, but I hadn’t expected any, so I didn’t mind.
Frankly, I was impressed they hadn’t devolved into chaos while I was gone.
However, their chattering made it impossible to speak.
I tossed the safe to the floor.
Thud!
The sound of metal and coins colliding resonated, capturing their attention and silencing them.
I gently deposited the slaver on the ground and addressed the now attentive audience.
“The slavers are no longer a threat, but there’s still work to be done. According to Itsiel Kingdom law, the assets of illegal slavers are to be distributed as reparations to the victims.”
I casually kicked open the safe, revealing the gold within, and surveyed them.
“We didn’t exactly apprehend these criminals legally. So, we can’t take this to court and resolve your grievances through official channels. Instead, we’ll distribute these assets according to the law.”
Technically, “assets” included all the slavers’ possessions, not just the contents of the safe, but I couldn’t do that right now.
Still, the gold in the safe alone amounted to about six coins per person – enough to satisfy them.
It was enough to live comfortably for several years.
“This is a unilateral decision, so you might have objections, but this is all we can offer. Does anyone have a different opinion?”
Perhaps my deliberately formal tone was effective, or perhaps they were simply compliant, but no one voiced any dissent.
I upended the safe, spilling the coins onto the floor, and began dividing them in front of everyone.
It was a long, tedious process, but they remained silent as I worked.
Some still seemed distrustful, some hopeful, and some simply watched with an unreadable gaze.
After dividing the coins into piles of ten, I had twenty-four pouches, each containing eight gold coins.
I wondered how much slaves were sold for, to amass such wealth, but looking at the captives, I understood.
They were attractive men and women, some even rare beastkin.
Finding and capturing them on demand must have commanded a high price.
“Please come forward one by one and collect your share.”
They took their pouches in an orderly fashion, no one rushing or showing greed.
I watched them with satisfaction and offered a farewell.
“I hope you all return safely to your homes, or wherever you wish to go. May you prosper, whatever you choose to do with this money.”
“Is… is that all?” one man asked.
“Is something lacking?” I replied.
“No, no! I just meant… can we really go home now? Of course, it’s more than enough!”
I’d expected some last-minute complaint, but it seemed he was just confirming.
“Of course. It’s late, so it would be safer to travel in the morning, but you are free. Your homes might be far, or the journey dangerous, but… that gold should be enough to resolve those issues.”
They weren’t branded or marked, and the slavers were dead.
There was no reason to detain them.
As long as they weren’t foolish enough to try and steal the entire hoard, they could hire adventurers or negotiate with merchants to get home.
My confirmation seemed to carry the weight of a legal judgment, as they all sighed in relief.
“The rest is up to your conscience. Having shared this suffering, I hope none of you will steal from each other. Lives are priceless, after all.”
Some tilted their heads, confused by my last statement, but the beastkin, who had been unusually perceptive, seemed to understand.
The variety of beastkin was fascinating.
Some looked almost entirely animal, some had the convenient anime-style ears and tails, and some had animalistic facial features.
It was a diverse group.
Their tendency to stick together was likely due to a shared distrust of humans.
They had flinched and remained wary even as they took the money from me.
They must have endured much hardship.
“Then, farewell. There are many corpses outside, so those with weak stomachs, be warned.”
“H-human! Wait!”
I couldn’t stay and babysit them all night, especially with my own schedule.
As I turned to leave, a beastkin called out.
He was a large, muscular, animalistic male – the kind that made you wonder how he was ever captured.
Perhaps the “boss” had intervened, or they had overwhelmed him with numbers.
It couldn’t have been easy.
I expected a complaint, but when I turned to face him, he spoke haltingly.
“Me Krul Pitali Bajaso. Friends… call Krul.”
“Despite the unfortunate circumstances, I’m glad we met and could help you regain your freedom, Krul Pitali Bajaso. I am Eldmia Egga. Did you have something to say?”
“No. Me want know human name who save. Me not used human words. Sorry if rude.”
His communication was surprisingly clear, despite his unfamiliarity with the language.
It was interesting to learn that beastkin were so isolated they weren’t fluent in the common tongue.
Knowledge gained!
“It’s alright. I don’t know any beastkin languages. Your meaning was clear, Krul Pitali Bajaso.”
“Benefactor. Call Krul. Touched by benefactor who ask nothing. Not all beastkin good, not all human bad. Me understand. Will repay debt. Take this.”
Humans rarely offered genuine thanks, even as a formality, yet this beastkin, who could barely speak the language, was insistent on repaying his debt.
It was touching.
I wondered what gift he would offer, and then he abruptly yanked out one of his fangs!
“Uh.”
I had thought his fangs, neither short nor small, must have been inconvenient for speaking, but I hadn’t imagined he could just… pull them out.
Who would anticipate that?
He meticulously cleaned the fang on his shirt until it squeaked, then cupped it in his hands and muttered something.
I watched, and Asirye approached, whispering in my ear.
“This one… not ordinary beastkin.”
Her voice was lower than usual, as if she didn’t want him to hear.
“Then?” I whispered back.
“Shaman. Like… tribe’s magic knight.”
“……Why captured?”
A magic knight shouldn’t be weak.
Even outnumbered, he should have been able to escape.
“Others held hostage. Shaman magic strong, but takes time. Beastkin, many shapes, but strong bond. Common occurrence. Help even unknown beastkin.”
Their sense of solidarity was remarkable.
If a magic knight could be captured to protect others, they must be incredibly kind and naive.
I was both impressed and slightly bewildered.
As I processed this, the scraping sound from Krul’s hands stopped, and he offered me the fang.
“Mark. Beastkin know this. Not treat badly. Beastkin raised human tribe, all help benefactor.”
“Thank… you, Krul. Unexpected gift.”
It was truly unexpected in many ways, but Krul simply nodded, a fang missing from his smile.
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[Bro just gave his fucking fang away??? huh?]
This world fucking crazy
Maybe they can grow back, like for sharks? Some werewolves might have unusually high passive ability of regeneration, or perhaps his special profession might help. “Shaman magic strong”, lol.