"Hmm... I see, is that so? I will tell you everything I know, but I'm not sure it will satisfy you, you know?" Ratina-san replied after listening to my question.
She sat on her chair while resting her chin on her hand and then told me everything she knew about what I had asked.
——
First, what you asked earlier was about Chyvera, right? That city indeed serves as the capital of Nakuso, as you already knew.
The city has become the center of trade routes and the main destination for anyone wishing to visit Nakuso; most of them come to Chyvera.
Aside from its large size and central position, there are many places within the city that can please the eyes.
For example, a lake with extremely clear water accompanied by breezes from the mountains.
There are also several local specialties, events such as magic and comedy performances, and many other things that attract tourists.
They all consider the city of Chyvera to be proof that Nakuso is a free nation that can guarantee happiness for anyone who lives there.
But without their knowledge, more than half of the world's illegal trade centers are concentrated in Chyvera as well as many other cities in Nakuso, just like here in Bissura.
Many children and women are forcibly kidnapped and turned into forced labor, even becoming playthings for those in power.
Young men are also forced to work and serve wealthy nobles who wish to have many workers or members for their guard units.
Cruel, isn't it? That is why I truly feel happy when your hero party wants to try to eliminate that trade from this continent.
The anti-royalist group that hates the royal family has long been known for attempting to overthrow the current government.
They say the royal family seems blind to the slave trade, and because of that they believe the palace may have connections to the illegal trade—those bastards!
Ahem, forgive me, I cannot hold back my emotions when discussing them.
In my opinion, they should be willing to cooperate with you, but perhaps you will have to agree to several conditions they may present.
The current leader, Barbara, who was chosen several months ago, has never discussed that trade and behaves as if both her eyes are already blind.
Her actions truly reflect her personality; she is a harsh person and dislikes children who meet her when she tours the city.
The citizens feel afraid whenever Barbara visits the city, yet she does not feel that she is unworthy of sitting on the royal throne.
Because she was the one who won the battle against several previous candidates for the throne, nothing can be done to remove her from that position.
Unless… if the situation in Chyvera becomes more heated and the citizens gather to protest, perhaps that stubborn head of hers might soften and change her will.
Even so, there are still several good people who are quite well known in the palace, such as Prince Gazim and his younger sister, Princess Marchina. Both of them are greatly loved by the people.
They are the children of the previous king, who currently serves only as a royal advisor. Perhaps one of his children will take his position when his health declines.
From what I have heard, the former king does not like the methods used by Barbara, but if he breaks the rules he will be branded a traitor.
Under those rules, a chosen leader cannot be overthrown by only one or two parties, but rather by the will of the citizens of Chyvera—what kind of leader they desire to guide them.
I do not know much more about the two of them, but I do not believe they are people interested in slavery because the citizens already love them deeply, and so do I.
They are the ones who have kept Nakuso standing until now. The Prince created an agricultural system that allows farmers to obtain greater yields than before.
The Princess also built free educational facilities for those living below the poverty line, meaning the schools are open to anyone who wishes to learn there.
Seeing what the two of them have done for all of us, how could we not hope that one of them would become the leader?
Fortunately, Barbara still has no intention of destroying the two of them.
Barbara possesses a special force under her direct command, and that force continues to guard her, making it difficult for assassins to target her life.
She also has a wife who is a Dark elf. From what we have seen, her wife is very close to Barbara; she always teases her whenever Barbara speaks with female merchants.
Not rarely, those merchants are also attacked by her wife's subordinates. The two of them are truly too arrogant and prideful, aren't they?
Secondly, regarding the anti-royalist group, they have their headquarters in the house of a noble named Vanda, who is also involved in the group.
They are constantly urged by many parties to seize leadership, yet there is nothing they can do at the moment.
The citizens are too afraid to voice their opinions in protests, because many of them have been threatened with losing their jobs or being killed by Barbara's special forces.
There is no courage left within them after such threats; they prefer to remain silent in their homes and allow Barbara to continue making them suffer.
Even so, if they truly wished to be free and live more happily, they should simply take the risk and protest, shouldn't they?
Because of that, when the four of you eventually arrive there and cooperate with that group, you must spread the rumor that one of the two hero parties in this world is currently in Chyvera to restore the city to what it should be.
That way, perhaps you can restore the citizens' courage and make them enthusiastic once again.
Lastly… you asked about those two little girls? They are children from around here who have become close friends with Mona.
Look over there, they are laughing together with Mona-san along with your companion as well, right?
Because they are customers of this shop, I also have the right to allow and protect them as long as they wish, together with Mona as well.
At present, Mona lives on the second floor of this shop with me. I have the right to provide her with a proper life, though I do not expect to become her substitute parent.
But… as long as she feels happy with me, that is more than enough for me.
I have even come to regard that girl as family whom I must protect forever, a-ah… I ended up talking about myself.
In any case, fight on. I believe Nakuso will change in your hands. Perhaps the world will once again see the name of your hero party rise after several years.
The other hero party? Ah, you mean the one led by Kageya Kuro? Can they even be called heroes?
Their work is only centered in Necvalion, which is in Velmoria. Oh yes, you also come from there, don't you? I merely regard them as an ordinary adventurer party that only works for Necvalion.
From the rumors I have heard, they merely work under the orders of the current King of Necvalion.
——
Ah, that's true, they only carry out missions around or within Necvalion, right?
Honestly, the duty he was supposed to bear has instead become the responsibility of our party now. Perhaps the burden of the entire world rests on the four of us, doesn't it?
I never thought our status as four individuals was higher than I had previously imagined. Perhaps we are already like a treasure of Necvalion.
Surely the palace of Necvalion already knows about us and who the members are. Ahh… I want to know their expressions when they see that someone mistakenly summoned like me has become a hero who has traveled to many places.
Could he already be feeling irritated now? Or perhaps he has even ordered Kuro's party to go to another city? Well, I cannot wait to hear news about them again. If possible, I would like to meet them.
But there is no use, is there? The hatred I once held toward all royal families has completely vanished because Hime has erased it.
"Ratina-san, you really like Mona-san, don't you?" I asked her, who still had not taken her gaze away from Mona-san and Yuu-chan.
Her eyes widened slightly before returning to normal with a gentle expression.
"Of course, I love her very, very much," she replied.
I could only look at Ratina-san while smiling faintly. I hope they will continue to be safe after this.
Suddenly, Yuu-chan approached me while handing me a bright pink flower.
"Yukito-sama, look~! The color of this flower is very nice, isn't it? How about we buy a whole set and place it inside our horse carriage?" Yuu-chan asked while looking like she truly wanted it.
"Alright, just buy it. I think the flower will also improve the appearance of the interior of our horse carriage," I replied.
She immediately approached Mona-san again, who began preparing our order.
"Hero, I will buy that flower for you. As a guarantee that you will eliminate the slavery system from Nakuso—"
Well, I understood Ratina-san's intention in wanting to give it to me for free, but I'm sorry.
"It's alright, I will pay for it. I do not feel reluctant; at the very least, I also want to thank you for the information," I replied while handing her two gold coins.
She stared at the coins before taking them and giving me change of around fourteen silver coins and twenty bronze coins.
"Hah… I hope more people like you exist in this world," she said.
She really wishes to meet good people that much, huh? There are truly many people who have hopes like yours.
"Yuu-chan, are you finished with your business? It's time for us to go home, isn't it?" I said while walking toward her.
She nodded before approaching me, who was already at the doorway.
"Ratina-san, Mona-san, thank you for your help today. Ah, I forgot one more thing," how could I forget?
I walked back toward the two little girls, patting their heads, and I could feel how soft their furry ears were.
"As you said, that girl and I are heroes. The two of you should keep studying; I am sure that one day you will become famous," I said.
Their eyes immediately sparkled as if they had just heard something they had been waiting for all this time.
"Of course! If a hero says so, we will definitely do it."
"That's right, we will try our best to become great people like you," they said.
I smiled before leaving the shop together with Yuu-chan.
Plak.
Yuu-chan suddenly nudged my arm while giggling softly.
"Yukito-sama… You can be that kind even to little children, huh? It reminds me of Anna," she said.
Anna? Oh, that little girl… One of the first people who met Yuu-chan after she obtained a human form—how could I not remember her?
"Yes, you're right. Besides, am I not always kind to children and the elderly?" I replied.
"Hm~ Is that so?"
"Of course it is!" I replied.