Timing it right after they finished eating, I approached a woman inside the cage.

“Hello. May I speak with you for a moment?”

“Y-yes. Thank you very much for the delicious food.”

It’s not something to bow in apology over, but seeing her express such gratitude so openly shows just how terrible her life must have been until now… I can only imagine.

“You mentioned monsters were rampaging?”

“Yes, up until recently, our village was peaceful, but lately monsters have suddenly started pouring into the village. And all of them are intermediate-class monsters. We resisted as best we could, but that too…”

Monsters suddenly becoming more active, huh? I have a guess, so I should dig a bit deeper.

“By the way, where exactly is your village?”

I pulled out a map with place names and landmarks, and asked her to show me.

The place she pointed to with her finger was—near the mountain where the old man known as the Incompetent lived.

So it really was. Thanks to his daily monster hunting, intermediate-class monsters never descended from the mountain. But now that there’s no one to keep them in check, the monsters have started to run rampant.

That mountain is in a crucial location, connected to a monster-infested region. The man known as the Incompetent had unwittingly played the role of gatekeeper.

As a result, it seems there were many who had been saved by him. Realizing that made me happier than anything.

Next time, not exactly as his replacement, but when I go on a monster-slaying trip, I’ll bring this story as a token and visit his grave.

Upon hearing more details, I learned that just when the village was on the verge of destruction from the monster attacks, the feudal lord and the slave trader showed up and unreasonably demanded they pay their taxes earlier than usual. Since they would all be punished if they failed, the women offered themselves voluntarily.

It all sounds a little too convenient. The feudal lord and the merchant are definitely in cahoots, but without evidence, there’s nothing that can be done.

I want to help them. Even if only indirectly, they’re villagers he had been protecting. As a friend, I can’t just stand by and let them suffer. Call it hypocrisy if you want, but I want to do something.

First, I wanted information on the other party, so I checked the slave trader’s skills: “Greed,” “Lust,” and “Avarice” were visible. What a terrible combination.

Unlike the priest, he didn’t possess any skills to control them. I don’t believe skills define everything, but with that combination and level, if someone can live a proper life, they’re no longer human.

I’ve once seen the skills of a notorious criminal who was publicly executed, and this guy’s were similar in type and level. It wouldn’t be surprising if he were already committing crimes without a second thought.

However, this is all still speculation. There’s a chance he’s skirting the edge of legality while technically obeying the law.

Let’s give it a try, just to test him.

“Man, I’m stuffed. After eating food this good, these guys shouldn’t have any regrets as humans. They’ll work hard as slaves! Gwahahaha!”

He laughed uproariously, his flabby cheeks shaking.

If I were younger, I might have already punched him without a word. That’s how unpleasant he is.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. By the way, if you don’t mind, would you like to take a look at some of my wares while we relax after the meal? As a fellow merchant, I’d love to hear your candid opinion.”

“Oh, absolutely. I’ve been curious about what kind of business you’re in.”

With the relaxed atmosphere after the meal, he readily agreed to my proposal.

I pulled two magical tools from the backpack I had placed on the ground and laid them on the table.

“Are these accessories and magic tools?”

“This necklace is also a magic tool. When worn around the neck, it interferes with ‘Appraisal.’ It’s recommended for those who wish to conceal their skills.”

“Oho! This is a very fine item! By the way, how much is it?”

Hooked, just as I thought. A slave trader with multiple skills tied to greed would definitely want something like this.

This item is likely to be highly desired. While not many people can activate the Appraisal skill, there are many who wish to conceal their own skills. Not only those in power, but also adventurers, merchants, and clergy—regardless of occupation—are expected to want it.

“This is quite expensive. Let’s just say it surpasses the price of all the slaves here combined.”

“T-That much?”

“...This is just between us. Please don’t tell anyone. This fine item is a Great Relic.”

As I whispered that, his eyes widened to the point they looked like they might fall out.

He stared intently at the magical tool, then looked at me, and finally turned to his bodyguard slave, deep in thought.

“This is a Great Relic, you say. But do you have any proof it’s genuine?”

“Of course. It’s natural to be skeptical. I can’t reveal the source, but when selling this item, I plan to have someone with the Appraisal skill accompany me.”

“I see. If examined with a skill, the truth will be revealed.”

Seeing my confident response, his doubt toward the necklace seemed to fade, and he began examining it more keenly than before.

Incidentally, this item and the other one I brought were sourced from the automaton Ariaria.

Apparently, they were on the verge of running out of money due to the cost of raising monsters, so when I proposed buying them, the deal was immediately made.

I had considered the possibility of them becoming enemies depending on why that duo was raising monsters, but after hearing their reasons, I decided to leave them be.

Seraphine simply said, “Aren’t monsters cute?” treating them like pets.

Ariaria said, “It feels like an instinct that was input into me. I was created for the purpose of raising monsters.”

There’s no guarantee they weren’t lying, but making an enemy out of Ariaria isn’t wise, so for now, I chose to believe them—at least on the surface.

“Now then, would you like to see the other item as well? This one is also a Great Relic.”

“By all means, please!”

His greasy face was gleaming with a clearly desire-filled expression.

It’s fine to be excited, but I wish he wouldn’t get so close and breathe heavily on me.

“Now, about this item. At first glance, it looks like an ordinary tube that fits neatly in the palm of your hand, but in fact… it can capture and store the scenery in front of it.”

“I-I see?”

He seemed to try to be impressed but clearly didn’t grasp it fully.

Even the bodyguard eavesdropping behind us had a puzzled look.

“Rather than explaining it, it’s faster to show you. Pressing this protrusion will display the scene I recorded in town.”

I took the magical tool, pointed the end toward the table, and pressed the protrusion. A light emitted from the tube, projecting a street scene onto the table’s surface.

There was Sumire, blushing as the device was aimed at her in the inn, and Cheily striking a pose. Then it moved outside, displaying the townscape.

“T-This is! What a marvelous magical tool! This is also for sale, isn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s three times the price of the previous item, though.”

“I see. Well, that’s only natural.”

He looked disappointed at the price, but also impressed.

He seemed to understand the value of the item. Though he didn’t touch it, he brought his face close and couldn’t take his eyes off it.

“So, I deal in Great Relics found deep within ruins and unexplored areas. What do you think?”

“A true feast for the eyes. I can only express my gratitude for being allowed to see such items. Hey, give him our shop’s map.”

One of the bodyguards, following the slave merchant’s order, brought a piece of paper from the cart.

It was a simple map of the capital with a red circle marking a location. This must be his shop.

“If you ever need slaves, please do visit our store. It must be fate that brought us together—I’ll give you a special deal.”

He groveled with rubbing hands. He must’ve judged that I had money.

As a merchant, he’d instantly recognize the value of my magical tools.

Desperate to form a connection with me, he hadn’t stopped talking since then. At some point, he offered me expensive liquor, and I kept drinking it without resistance.

“What a drinker you are! Come, have another!”

I’d already had at least ten cups, but the liquor was good. Easy to drink and strong.

After another ten or so cups, I began to feel sleepy, so I declined and went to rest in a corner of the break area.

“We’ll wake you when the rain stops, so rest easy.”

“Much appreciated.”

I leaned back against my pack and closed my eyes.