Chapter 424 – Shaving the Beard, Picking Up a Middle School Girl (2)

“Hmmmmmm.”

The invigorating melody of an early morning hum.

– Square.

With a razor, I meticulously shaved each strand of stubble on my chin. As my body has grown, my hormones have changed, and now I definitely have more facial hair than before.

‘It’s not too noticeable, though.’

Heavenly Demon and Sword Saint of the bygone era. I don’t want to resemble those peculiar old men. Above all, I’m still young.

Looking at my clean chin reflected in the mirror, I ran my hand over it once and nodded with satisfaction.

“Done.”

After washing my face in the morning, I exited the building and set foot on my land. In the square amidst the ruins, the slaves I had picked up a couple of weeks ago were gathered.

“Alright.”

I casually folded my hands and sat down on a suitable rock.

As long as I reign as a king, I am considered a symbol of fear in this area.

Despite providing food and not assigning them work, the slaves’ gaze remained cautious.

Understandably so. From their perspective, I was the new master who had effortlessly killed the very merchants they had been so frightened of.

Although it was a brief period, I was content if they regained some color in their faces after eating and sleeping. Trust could be earned later.

“Have you gathered them all?”

Gu-seul, dressed in a suit, yawned and sauntered over. The eyes of the rather elegant-looking slaves, compared to me, shifted toward Gu-seul.

“Is the secretary showing up later than the king?”
“…A young geezer.”

Just look at that. Nonetheless, since Gu-seul had been helpful in the past, I decided to let it slide.

It was Gu-seul who had immediately tended to the slaves due to our lack of manpower.

“They weren’t there.”
“What, who?”
“The black child.”

Gu-seul, standing next to me, whispered in a voice only I could hear. When mentioning the black child, it referred to the one from that time.

“Did they run away?”

“Seems so. Are you going to catch it?”
“Leave it be for now. It’ll survive on its own.”

The dark-skinned child… I decided to name them Kkamdungi.

Kkamdungi barely ate anything for two weeks and never exchanged a word with me. One could guess how they lived by their sunken cheeks and the emaciated state of their arms and legs. If they couldn’t accept help, it would be impossible to save them.

“They probably thought they found a kind person, only to be betrayed more than once or twice.”

Gu-seul was right. That’s why Kkamdungi ran away.

“…Isn’t that nickname, Kkamdungi, somewhat inappropriate?”
“What’s wrong with Kkamdungi? It’s cute. Anyway, it’s too wasteful to spend time on them alone.”

I raised my hand and clapped a few times.

– Clap clap.

As the attention gathered, the slaves shuddered. Among them, I saw the boy I had spoken to and a wooden sculpture of a woman with a voluptuous body on the platform.

I raised my voice and shouted so that the slaves behind me could hear.

“Pay attention.”

The slaves, catching their breath.

“I don’t know how or why you all became slaves.”

Gu-seul, standing beside me, translated into the languages of each country to ensure there were no communication errors. Most of them were Chinese, but there were a few who spoke Korean, and some seemed to have come from Europe.

It would be nice to have a translation device, but it’s impossible given our current situation. We have no money, and our credit is lacking.

First of all, I announced my position as a king and simultaneously informed them about the circumstances in this area.

The territory of the Flower’s eighth petal stretches across parts of Europe and reaches Guangdong Province in southern China.

This area, which once boasted the highest population density in China, was left in ruins due to the outbreak of gates and dungeons. The factories crumbled, leaving nothing behind.

‘But there are ample resources and dungeons that can be developed.’

This place lies within the sphere of influence of the Flower, while also faintly overlapping with the territory of the World Tree. Although power struggles are common, skirmishes have ceased since I assumed direct control. Both the World Tree and the Flower, which once coveted this land, have now withdrawn their grasp.

I was the one who stepped forward to aid the impoverished people of this region, and I was also their king.

“Although you, the unfortunate slaves, might wish to return to your hometowns immediately, it is not possible.”

Not only do we lack the means to allocate manpower to those who have briefly stayed here as slaves, but there is also no reason to do so.

Those who were once enslaved understood their predicament.

“However,”

I clasped my hands together and scanned the gathered crowd with my eyes. Gu-seul paused momentarily at the weight of my voice before translating my words.

“If any of you wish to return to your hometowns right now, you are free to leave this place.”

Yet, we cannot provide any support.

I can grant you that much choice.

“However, it is safe to assume that there is no chance of returning unharmed to your homeland in China now that the nation has collapsed.”

Upon hearing my proposal to liberate them from slavery, the beaming faces of these individuals swiftly grew rigid. Even the complexions of those who appeared ready to flee at any moment turned ashen.

Please send us back to our hometowns.
None dared to utter such brazen words.

Observing their hesitance and anxiety, I spoke again.

“If you wish to stay, I shall provide you with work.”

Shelter and sustenance will be offered. Acceleration of urban planning is necessary.

My words, spreading among the hundred-plus slaves, overwhelmed those present.

“There will be no unjust treatment. Once cities are established and order takes root on the continent, I shall ensure your safe return to your homeland.”

Motivation.
It was imperative that I undertake this task personally.

No need to infuse magic to gain control of the situation.
Those days of concern had passed.

Naturally, my words carried weight.
It wasn’t difficult to envelop those who had stumbled once.

Though not swayed, there were slaves who understood my words.
As Gu-seul gave an order to another subordinate, she led the slaves and vanished.

“Was it necessary for you to step in personally?”
“The effect is different.”

Had I not spoken directly, there would have been those who would have fled.
The moment one or two escaped, the slaves’ flight would have accelerated.

“Slaves should be treated as slaves.”

It’s better to not impose limitations on status.
Subduing and forcing compliance is undoubtedly easy.
However, one who seeks to erase the distinction between humans and wooden beings cannot handle slaves.

“There will be repercussions. We must uphold what needs protecting from the very beginning.”

I no longer pay attention to the work that had been in progress.
Everything needed to be uprooted, and anxiety eradicated.

This extreme approach would inevitably bring side effects, but I had no intention of backing down. When one has power, it must be used.

“My part is done. Handle the rest on your own.”

I lifted my rear from the rock, warming up and preparing to move.

“Where are you going?”

Gu-seul, who had caught up with me, laughed ominously.

“Off to find the dark-skinned one?”

She had an uncanny knack for figuring things out.

“You said you were busy.”
“…”
“Hehehe. You said you’d let them fend for themselves, but you’re worried, aren’t you? You must be worried. I knew you would—”

Annoyed, I pinched her. Particularly that spot in the center of her chest.

“-Ah! Ow! Let go! I’m going to fall!”

Why did I feel a sadistic pleasure every time we bickered? Perhaps it was because I had endured so much during my academy days.

This must be what they mean by giving as good as you get. I thought as I watched Gu-seul, gripping one side of her chest while wiping away tears.

She certainly had a sharp tongue.

* * * * * * * * *

“Look at that.”

I didn’t think she’d get very far. This thought hauntingly proves true.

“She couldn’t even eat properly. There’s no way she’d have the strength to run.”

With the gate bursting open and the dungeon emerging, demons sporadically leap out onto the road. Even if one doesn’t encounter a demon by chance, they’d likely meet a slave trader or a hunter. Hunters aren’t much different from slave traders; the security in this area is so poor that women often suffer cruel treatment.

This is why slaves had long ago given up on trying to return to their hometowns.

*Pant, pant, pant!*

Watching the person being chased by several goblins, I released my grip.

*Ugh!*

Attempting to cross the bridge, an unknown barrier stood in the way. A bus obstructed the center, and wooden shields prevented passage. In a panic, the young man grabbed an empty bus window, attempting to leap over, only to slice his hand on the shattered glass.

*Crash.*

The fallen figure glanced back with quivering eyes. Monstrous creatures pursued him. Resolute, he endured the pain, reaching for the bus window once more.

If the injury worsened, death loomed.

“Screech!”

He brandished his sword at the encroaching goblins. Empowered with magic, the elongated blade cleaved through bone and flesh, halting mere inches from the dark-skinned individual.

“Huh?”
“What?!”

One, then two. As he felled the creatures one by one, the dark-skinned man, poised to leap over the bus, tensed and observed attentively.

Though conversation with him had been futile, the young man sheathed his sword, a gesture of non-aggression, and approached.

As I drew nearer, the wounds became more visible, along with the slender arms and legs.

The world must be in a terrible state for a child like this to have reached such a dire condition.

“…”

The boy, who had been warily watching me with his back against the bus, collapsed to the ground, seemingly out of strength. His labored breathing was on the verge of giving out. I looked at the child lying at my feet and knelt down.

“Are you alright? Kid?”

I tossed the question and grasped his hand. Pale blood seeped out.

Gently applying my healing power to the wound, I stroked the injured area. The skin quickly began to mend. For now, I should take him back with me.

After cradling the unconscious child in my arms, I patted him on the back.

* * * * * * * * *

I understand the emotions one feels when cornered. Endure, bear it, and hold on.

When you come to the realization that gritting your teeth accomplishes nothing, your heart shatters abruptly.

Facing such a person, letting down your guard and showing kindness proves to be quite the challenging task. One misstep, and they might resort to extreme measures. In some cases, it might have been better to simply leave them be.

– *Squeak*.

I opened the door and took my seat. The chair next to the small table had become my spot.

“…”

Their eyes remained cautious, ever watchful. It would be nice if we could at least exchange a few words.

I warmed the porridge with magic before asking,

“How are you feeling?”

There must have been a valid reason for their desperate attempt to escape.

Their body had fully recovered; it was only natural since they used their powers. However, nutritional issues and their emaciated frame still required attention.

Nearly a month had passed since then. The figure, still wrapped in a blanket, appeared to have no intention of speaking.

“Nothing will improve if you stay like that.”

Gu-seul took out an apple she had left for when she felt bored and skillfully peeled it with a knife.

“What’s the matter?”

She persistently spoke even when there was no response.

“…I have to go.”

At the sound of the faint whisper, I almost dropped the knife I was holding. I feigned composure and continued the conversation.

“Where?”

“…Village.”

“What village? Is it nearby?”

– Dori Dori.

Since they were taken as slaves, the village was probably already gone or in ruins. Was there someone they needed to see?

-……

I thought it seemed fitting that there was no response. But as the conversation began, I felt a little more at ease.

I didn’t know what had driven this child to this point.

“Is it far?”

– Dori Dori.

Among the slaves, they were a five-star slave—SSR. If nurtured, they would prove their worth someday.

The notion that there wasn’t any room to allocate manpower earlier doesn’t hold true here.
I said as I put the peeled apple in my mouth.

“I’ll take you.”
“…!”

Of course, if there’s something to return to, I intend to send them back.

“Do you know the way?”

He nodded and pulled out a crumpled map from his pocket.
It appeared to be a map of China from our village. Who knows where he managed to steal it from?

On the contrary, it’s a good sign.
It was evidence of his cleverness.

“Guide me. What’s your name?”
“….”

I casually tried to find out his name, but he didn’t respond.
He was quite a difficult person to approach.