Red up to his ears, Climb glanced up at the old man.
It was a gentle, graceful smile.
“I understand. I will give you a bit of training. However—“
As Climb was about to express his thanks, the old man stopped him and continued.
“I have something that I would like to ask you. You did say that you are a soldier, correct? Actually, a few days ago I helped a certain lady…”
Having heard the whole story from the old man who introduced himself as Sebas, Climb felt an intense anger.
The fact that someone was abusing the liberation of slaves proclaimed by Renner in such a way, realizing that even now, nothing has changed since then, he could not hide his fury.
No, that wasn’t it. Climb shook his head.
The slave market was banned by the laws of the kingdom. However, even if it wasn’t slavery, it wasn’t rare to hear about people having to work in poor environments due to debt. There were plenty of those byways regarding that law. No, it was because of those byways that the law banning the slave market was able to be passed in the first place.
The law Renner had enacted was almost meaningless. Although that sad thought ran through his mind, he tossed it aside. What he had to think of now was Sebas’ situation.
Climb furrowed his brow.
It was an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position. Although investigating the girl’s work contract could allow them to retaliate, it was difficult to imagine that they would leave a weak spot like that in their preparations. If he appealed to the law, Sebas will definitely lose.
The reason their opponent did not opt to settle it legally was because they judged that doing it their way would be more profitable.
“Do you know anyone who can stop corruption or lend us aid?”
Climb knew of only one person, his master. He could say with confidence that there was no noble who was more pure and could be trusted than Renner.
However, he could not introduce her.
The ones who could do what they did would have various connections with powerful people. Without a doubt, the nobles they are friendly with will have significant authority. If the princess, who is part of the royalty faction, used her authority to order an investigation and rescue and it resulted in hurting the nobility faction, it could lead to a full scale conflict between the two groups.
Exercising power was not easy, especially in cases like the Kingdom where there was no guarantee that two large factions getting into a conflict would not lead to a civil war.
Renner could not cause the collapse of the Kingdom.
That was the reason why those topics came up in the discussion with Lakyus and her party. That was why Climb did not say anything. No, he could not say anything.
Interpreting something from Climb’s silence born from his troubles, Sebas muttered that he understood and told a shocking truth.
“…According to the girl, that place had many others besides her, regardless of gender.”
Impossible. Despite not being run by the slave trade organization, a brothel like that exists? Or… maybe that’s the brothel that they were talking about?
Climb spoke.
“If it was to only help them escape… I could ask my master. She possesses territory of her own so if they were to seek refuge there…”
“Is that possible? …And the girl could be sheltered as well?”
“…I apologize, Sebas-sama. I can’t tell you for certain without asking my master. But my master is benevolent, that person will approve without a doubt!”
“Hoh. If your master is that reliable… must be quite an amazing person indeed.”
At Sebas’ question, Climb nodded deeply. No one could be greater, he claimed.
“Though this regards a different matter, what happens if there is evidence that the brothel is involved in the slave trade and thus breaking the law? Will that be covered up as well?”
“Although that’s possible, if the evidence was given over to the appropriate hands… I want to believe that the Kingdom would not be so corrupt as to ignore it.”
“…I understand. Then allow me to ask you a different a question. Why do you wish to be strong?”
“Eh?”
At the sudden change in topic, Climb unwittingly made a strange noise.
“A moment ago, you asked me to teach you my technique. Though I determined that you are someone who can be trusted, I wish to know the reason behind why you seek strength.”
Climb narrowed his eyes and Sebas’ question.
Why did he want to be stronger?
Climb was an abandoned child who did not know the faces of his parents. Stories like his were not uncommon in the Kingdom. Dying in the mud wasn’t uncommon either.
Climb was also one of those whose fate was to die in the rain.
However— on that day, Climb met the sun. The existence that had been crawling in the dirt, in the darkness, was captivated by that light.
When he was young, he longed for her. And as he grew up, his feelings changed shape without hesitation.
—It was love.
He had to be rid of these feelings. The miracles that the wandering minstrels sang of would never happen in reality. Like how man cannot touch the sun, Climb’s wish would never be fulfilled. No, it must not be fulfilled.
The woman that Climb loved, her fate was to eventually be married to another. A princess could not be married to someone of an unknown birth like Climb, someone who was lower than a commoner.
If the king was to die and the first prince succeeded the throne, Renner would immediately have to marry a high-ranking noble. It was likely that such talks were already underway between the prince and the high nobility. She may even be sent away to a neighboring kingdom as a tool for a political marriage.
Rather, despite being at a marriageable age, the fact that Renner did not even have a fiancé, let alone marry, was what was strange.
To him, this moment in time was like gold. So much so that he would be willing to pay any price to be able to stop time. If he did not pour all of his time into his training, then he could enjoy that moment for even a tiny bit longer.
Climb was a simple, ordinary person with no talent. Even so, at the end of training, he had considerable skill when compared with the other soldiers. Then would it not be better to be satisfied and stop his training here so he can serve Renner by her side just a little while longer?