Sakyo and Garm make their way to the castle's meeting room to meet Reika. Having finally heard the prospect of news regarding the slave trader's shady business, they rush as fast as they can. Sakyo leads the way as Garm struggles to keep up.
[Garm] Please slow down, Master. I am not used to running with this "protest-nick" leg.
Once they reach the doors, they take a moment to compose themselves before entering.
[Reika] Finally, you're both here. Sit down, there's a lot to talk about.
Sakyo immediately sits down, but gets up once again to dissuade Garm from sitting on the floor behind him. Once they are both seated in chairs, Reika hands them a large stack of papers.
[Reika] As you can see, this is everything I was able to gather regarding that slave trader and his business.
[Sakyo] Mm hm (Nope, I can't read any of this. I guess my translation skill only works on spoken words, not writing. I'll have to relearn how to read and write. Maybe I can ask to join Rex's lessons.)
[Garm] Lady Reika, I apologize, but I do not know how to read this.
[Reika] Oh, sorry. I guess I didn't think about that. Well, these documents basically cover this traders expense records and taxes from his documented business. Everything seemed to be in order at first, but then I came across a few deductions that didn't match the descriptions you two gave me.
She selects a few papers out of the pile unlike the others. Not documents, but posters with monstrous creatures depicted on them.
[Sakyo] What are these?
[Reika] Mission requests from guilds all around the kingdom. Monster exterminations that just happen to align with the locations of small villages that were destroyed throughout recent years. After reviewing the timelines for the completion of these missions, we noticed that they correspond with the approximate times that each group of slaves were acquired on the documents.
[Sakyo] So this guy has been taking advantage of these disasters to kidnap and enslave innocent villagers that had recently lost their homes.
[Garm] And based on the scale of these attacks, it is unlikely that he was working alone.
[Reika] Exactly, and that's not all. We were able to track down a few suspicious expenses to an unregistered business located west of the capital. It seems he was making certain purchases before each village was attacked.
[Garm] You mean, he was likely purchasing previously captured monsters to attack these villages?
[Reika] Yes, some of the monsters on these mission requests match the descriptions you both gave of the ones he had caged. The royal knights are currently seizing his shop in the outskirts as we speak, and we'll be able to extract more information out of him soon. Hopefully, we'll be able to shut down this illegal operation soon.
[Sakyo] Do you think we'll be able to get the enslaved villagers to safety?
[Reika] Yes, we can get them back here, but there are going to be a few complications.
A somber look spreads across her face before she continues.
[Reika] These villagers were all branded with a slave crest. If we just let them go after freeing them, they'll simply be captured again.
[Sakyo] Why? Can't we just remove the slave crest?
[Reika] I'm afraid not. A slave crest is a branding of the soul. Once someone is branded with one, it's impossible to remove it.
At hearing this revelation, Garm's ears droop to the side.
[Reika] If they're captured and sold, they'll be bound to a master until either of their deaths. We won't be able to let the villagers go after freeing them, not to mention...
[Garm] Their homes have been destroyed by the monster attacks, so they will have nowhere to return to.
[Reika] Exactly, and we can't keep them supported in the castle forever. I don't know how we'll deal with them after this whole thing is over.
Silence takes over the room, no one can muster a single word in the heavy atmosphere.
[Sakyo] Then, what if we make a new village for everyone?
[Reika] That wouldn't work. They'd still be at risk of another attack, especially if this business is only a part of a bigger operation.
[Sakyo] But what about a hidden village? One that wouldn't be put on any public maps.
[Reika] I suppose that could work, but there's also the chance that they are found and enslaved all over again. Without a master, they'd just be walking around with targets branded on their backs for slave traders.
Sakyo fails to come up with a solution for this problem, but Garm perks up with an idea of his own.
[Garm] Then have them become Master's slaves.
[Sakyo/Reika] What?!
Neither mother nor son can fully process the outrageous suggestion being made.
[Garm] If Master becomes the master of these enslaved villagers before they are relocated, then they will not have to worry about being enslaved by anyone else.
Despite the absurdity of the matter, Reika seems to ponder the suggestion for a bit.
[Reika] Actually, that could work. Sakyo could take place as an acting chief for the village.
[Sakyo] (Seriously?! They're gonna put the lives of so many people in my hands?! A six-year-old?!)
[Reika] I'll have to talk to his majesty before anything is made official.
Just then, a knock is heard from the door. A maid enters, bowing slightly before delivering her news.
[Maid] Apologies for the intrusion, but Vice-Captain Hendrix has returned and has requested your presence.
[Reika] Bring him in here.
A few minutes pass before the Vice-Captain of the royal knights enters the meeting room. Once inside, a slight shock dons his face as he sees Sakyo and a therianthrope demi-human already sitting there.
[Hendrix] Captain, we have returned from our recent mission. We have detained the illegal slave trader and brought the captured slaves back. They were quite malnourished, so the knights are currently seeing that they receive food and water.
[Reika] Good work. Did you find anything that could lead us to his supplier?
[Hendrix] Negative, but the soldiers have not completed the search of his dwellings, so we hope to hear news by sundown.
[Reika] Alright, inform me of anything that comes in. We'll be launching a full-scale attack to shut down this illegal operation. Sakyo, I'd like you to remain here and continue with what we discussed earlier.
[Sakyo] No, I want to join the raid for this attack. I started this and I want to see it through to the end.
[Reika] Absolutely not, it's too dangerous.
Her response was immediate, no hesitation.
[Hendrix] Listen well, boy. You may have been allowed to join the knight's training, but we will not be responsible for your death. A child like you should have never been allowed in such a situation.
[Reika] That's enough, Hendrix.
At her command, Hendrix falls silent, distain still eminent in his gaze towards Sakyo.
[Reika] (sigh) Sakyo, I understand how you may feel, but this isn't the same as training with the knights. This is a real mission with dangers we don't know yet. I can't risk loosing you because of some reckless decision.
Despite wanting to refute her words, Sakyo can only hang his head in silence. She's right, it's too dangerous for a child to join something so important and dangerous. However, Garm is unable to stand silent behind everyone anymore.
[Garm] Lady Reika, with all due respect, I believe Master is qualified to join on this mission. I have observed the knight's training and Master has been able to keep pace with the other knights.
[Reika] That may be, but he doesn't have the same experience that they do. This isn't the same as simple training. I can't let my son expose himself to such danger.
[Garm] If that is your concern, please allow me to join this raid and assist him.
Before she can respond, another voice filled with anger and distain engulfs the room.
[Hendrix] Such insolence! We royal knights are not so incompetent that we would need the help of a demi human!
Even before such an insult, Garm keeps his composure, standing tall and without flinching. Reika, on the other hand, appears to have a growing rage towards her subordinates words.
[Reika] Hendrix...
[Garm] I am merely offering an alternative solution. I believe I posses the skills necessary to properly support my master in battle.
[Hendrix] So you dare to disregard the direct order of the knight's captain, a member of the royal family. Such insolence should be punishable by death.
[Reika] Hendrix.
With growing tensions, Reika's voice is laces with a hint of wrath.
[Garm] I fail to understand how offering my opinion is cause for death.
[Hendrix] Is that so? Then maybe you'd like to test your "skills" against me. Maybe cutting off those ears and that tail of yours would at least make you look somewhat more presentable.
Unsheathing his sword, Hendrix points it directly towards Garm, who does not flinch. Before Sakyo can jump in to defend him, a raging voice silences everyone.
[Reika] HENDRIX! I said, stand down.
Everyone falls silent at Reika's command, a fiery ambience filling the room. Hendrix freezes in place, dropping his sword as his entire body trembles under the immense pressure. Garm, who had not even flinched at the knight's vice-captain, now stands on high alert. His fur standing tall as a cold sweat drips down his jaw.
[Sakyo] (This heat, such pressure, it must be her skill, {Burning Presence}. It's supposed to be a passive skill, but maybe she can increase its intensity on command. No, it's not just the skill. This pressure is from her own strength. So, this is the strength of the royal knight's captain.)
After a few moments, the intense heat dissipates from the room. Hendrix sheaths his sword once more, but Garm stands protectively in front of Sakyo, his fur still standing from the sudden pressure.
[Reika] I've heard enough from everyone about this. Once we get information regarding this underground slave trading business, we will launch a raid within the following days.
She turns to her son, not with the protective eyes from before, but an even sharper determined gaze.
[Reika] Sakyo, if you truly wish to join in this mission, you'll need to prove yourself. If you want a battle, then I will be your opponent.