The next day.
"It’s a beautiful day... Perhaps it’s just because I haven't stepped outside in a while, but the sun feels almost dazzling."
Reinhardt shielded his eyes as we walked the short distance from the mansion’s entrance to the carriage. Watching him enjoy the midday sun while simultaneously looking a bit bothered by it made me realize just how busy he usually was.
"Are you truly sure about this, Reinhardt-san?" I asked. "I'm very grateful, but I feel bad that you’re spending your precious day off just to accompany me."
"It’s quite alright. To tell the truth, I've found it harder to settle down on my days off lately. When Elia was here, we’d spend our time playing together or I’d teach her things. But now that she’s at the Academy, I find myself with nothing to do. I usually end up working just to fill the time."
"Reinhardt-san, we really are two of a kind in that regard, aren't we?"
"You’re right... Hearing you say that makes me feel like I understand your perspective a little better."
It seemed Elia’s departure for school had left quite a void. Before she left, everyone was worried about whether she would be okay, but it was starting to look like the parents were the ones we should have been concerned about.
I wanted to stop him before he became a full-blown workaholic, but for now, I was just happy for the company. Still, one thing nagged at me.
"By the way, is the shop we’re going to dangerous?"
"No, no, it isn't dangerous," Reinhardt replied. "It’s just that letting you go there alone is... how should I put it? A bit unseemly. Even though I was the one who recommended it."
"The shop itself is perfectly legitimate," Pioro added. "It’s just the man in charge is a bit, well... unique."
Today, I wasn't just joined by Reinhardt, but also Serge and Pioro. Fei was also coming along as my bodyguard. Our destination was the Moulton Slave Company. When we were discussing my plans the previous night, we decided the construction work would continue in the afternoon, so I mentioned visiting the slave trader in the morning.
As soon as I brought it up, the three men insisted quite strongly on coming along. I told them I’d be fine with Fei, but apparently, that wasn't the issue.
According to Serge, who had first mentioned the place, he had only provided the information to Caulm as a "safe option if I ever decided to use one," rather than a direct recommendation. They seemed to find it difficult to articulate exactly what bothered them.
"Is there a problem with the representative?" I asked.
"That’s the thing," Pioro said. "You don't have to worry about him cheating you. He’s serious about his work and is a reliable business partner. At least, as far as business goes."
"He took over the shop from his father only a few years ago, but he has mastered the trade," Serge explained. "He follows his father’s methods while improving what can be improved. He is an excellent manager. In particular—perhaps due to his profession—he has an eye for reading people that surpasses our own. In that single regard, he might even rival a Guild Master."
The image of the formidable old woman who ran the Gimul Commerce Guild crossed my mind.
"He sounds like a very capable person."
"He is," Pioro agreed. "But because he’s so capable, it makes him... well..."
"I suppose you could say that geniuses are often difficult for ordinary people to understand," Serge said. "Simply put, he’s an eccentric."
"To add to that, his words and actions are suspicious," Reinhardt muttered. "And I’d rather not let him meet Elia if I can help it."
Not let him meet Elia? Suspicious behavior? My mind briefly went to a dark place regarding his preferences, but I shook the thought away. It was rude to jump to such conclusions about someone I hadn't even met.
"Pardon me, everyone."
The coachman’s voice broke through our conversation, informing us that our destination was near. As I prepared to get out, the carriage slowed down and passed through a large, imposing gate.
"This is it...?"
It was unfair to compare it to the Ducal House, but in terms of the scale of the grounds and the building itself, it looked exactly like a bright, beautiful noble's mansion. When we stepped off the carriage, an employee dressed like a professional butler immediately approached us.
At the same time, the three adults didn't even try to hide their discomfort.
"Well, well, if it isn't His Grace the Duke. And Serge-sama of the Morgan Company, along with Pioro-sama of the Saionji Company. Welcome to my humble establishment."
"It’s been a while, Oresto," Reinhardt said neutrally.
"Why is the chairman himself standing out front?" Pioro barked. "Don't you have work to do?"
"That’s quite harsh. Of course, I am performing my duties as chairman, but surely it is also important to stay well-acquainted with the operations of every department, is it not?"
The man deflected the sharp remark with ease, maintaining a breezy, detached attitude. He was the head of the company, but he was much younger than I had imagined—likely not even in his late twenties.
He was a clean-cut, handsome man, reminding me of a young CEO from a startup venture. As I was making this observation, his gaze shifted toward me.
"However, to have all of you visiting my shop together..." He paused, his eyes focusing on me. "Forgive my lack of manners. I am the chairman of this company, Oresto Moulton."
"Thank you for the greeting. I am Ryoma Takebayashi."
"Takebayashi-sama, then. I look forward to our acquaintance."
He didn't seem like the strange person I had been warned about. He was treating a child like me with perfect professionalism—though, perhaps treating a child the same as a Duke and two merchant lords was a sign of his eccentricity.
Oresto suggested we move to a private room for details. We called Fei over and headed inside.
The interior of the shop was just as luxurious as the outside, resembling a noble’s manor. However, the entrance hall was filled with chairs and counters, giving it the functional feel of a post office or a city hall. I spotted several other customers, and though they didn't look like wealthy nobles, the atmosphere was remarkably clean and professional.
"Are you surprised?" Oresto asked with a small smile.
"Yes. It doesn't look like a shop at all. When I heard 'slave trader,' I imagined a place that was... darker and more oppressive."
"Depending on the scale and location, such places do unfortunately exist. However, at the Moulton Company, we believe that slaves are human beings. As our 'merchandise,' it is in our best interest to keep them in peak health. We provide bright, clean rooms and nutritious meals, and we employ a dedicated physician to oversee their well-being."
To provide that level of care, they required a massive amount of space. This, he explained, was why the facility was as large as a mansion.
"Though, to be fair, there aren't many shops this luxurious. This was originally the estate of a noble; my father purchased it when it went up for sale and renovated it for our business."
"I see." My initial impression hadn't been far off, then.
"This way, please."
We were led to a private room with a simple rectangular table. There were enough seats for twice our number. Seeing how he naturally gestured for me to take the seat directly across from him, it was clear he already knew I was the primary client today. He must have been observing me carefully during the walk; his intuition was as sharp as the others had warned.
He rang a small bell on the desk and instructed a woman who appeared from an adjacent room to prepare drinks. Every movement was impeccably smooth.
"Now then, Takebayashi-sama. What sort of personnel are you looking for today?"
"Well..." I began by explaining that I ran a laundry shop and was looking for people to serve as security guards.
"For security, one needs both strength and a high degree of reliability," Oresto noted. "Finding someone who possesses both, especially for a long-term position..."
"I understand," I replied. "I could request help from the Adventurer Guild for the short term, but finding someone for a permanent role is difficult."
Adventurers with real talent usually made more money hunting monsters. While they might take a short-term contract, few wanted to be tied down long-term, and it wasn't every day you found a skilled veteran looking to retire.
"My priority is personality," I continued. "As for combat ability, the better they are, the better, but as long as they have a solid foundation, my head of security, Fei, can train them."
I wanted to evaluate their characters and then discuss the price. Caulm had told me that if I found someone truly exceptional, I should sign them on the spot, but given my specific requirements, I expected this to be a preliminary search.
"Prioritizing personality... in that case..."
Oresto stood up and pulled a bundle of documents from a shelf behind him, bringing them to the table with a few bookmarks already in place.
"Thank you for waiting. We compile all our personnel data into these files. Please start by looking through this list of combat-type skill holders."
It was a standard screening process—narrowing them down on paper before moving to interviews. The documents turned toward me were meticulously detailed, listing names, gender, race, and background, along with their specific skills and levels.
"You keep very detailed records," I remarked.
"A slave's value is determined by their capability and knowledge," Oresto explained. "By law, slaves are required to disclose their full information via their Status Boards. We use that data to set a fair price. Based on your needs, I would suggest these candidates. Their combat skills are around levels two to three, and they all have excellent personal evaluations."
"...The prices listed here vary quite a bit, even for people with similar skills."
"That reflects the difference between debt slaves—those who sold themselves to settle a financial obligation—and those who did not. When a debt slave is sold, their debt is liquidated, but we traders must pay the amount of that repayment ourselves."
"Ah, so the debt is essentially added to their market value. If you sold them for less than the debt, you’d be taking a loss."
"Exactly so."
The materials were clear, and Oresto’s explanations were helpful and polite. Despite this being my first time dealing with a slave trader, the process was moving along remarkably well.
I really had to wonder why Reinhardt and the others were so wary of him.