If they don't get back up, the empire would simply attack the Sea of Trees to gain more supply of slaves because they don't see demi-humans as people. Or, the sense of values that strength reigns supreme and only the "weak" are excluded. The purpose of Arutena being transported to another city is also to replace previous slaves.
Just then, a boy around 10 years old with dog ears and tail tripped on some debris and fell down loudly, all the debris contained in his cart also fell out. The inumimi*Dog eared* boy was crouching down enduring the pain of his foot, the empire soldiers of the watch had a dangerous look, he began to approach with a club in hand. It's obvious what he plans on doing.
And, the ally of justice couldn't remain silent about something about to happen right in front of him.
[Oi! Stop....]
Kouki, tries to run out while raising a loud voice to stop the empire soldier. However, he was stopped by the event that happened in the next moment.
Pashu~!
At the same time as the subtle sound was heard through the air, the empire soldier toppled down like a brick and dove onto the debris.
Gosha! an indescribably miserable sound was heard, the empire soldier who was approaching the inumimi boy didn't move an inch. Apparently he fainted somehow. Afterwards the empire soldiers co-worker came rushing in a hurry, after seeing his condition, he shook his head with an amazed expression and carried him away somewhere. Leaving behind the inumimi boy.
The inumimi boy, just looked with a blank surprised expression for a while as he didn't understand what just happened, He then quickly rakes up all the fallen debris that fell out and resumed his job as if nothing happened.
Kouki who was going to begin running was stunned and baffled. Then, Hajime's voice ranged out.
[Though i don't care if you thrust your neck into something troublesome, at least prevent it from troubling us?]
[N....was that you just now Nagumo-kun?]
Hajime shrugs his shoulder towards Kouki's question. Actually, the empire soldier stumbled and fell because of the needle that was shot out from his artificial arm. Apart from having been helped earlier by me, Kouki, frowned at the word "troublesome". Apparently, i've seemed to flip on his justice switch.
[What is troublesome. ....Is it bad to help? Even you helped me]
[If anything, stopping you from making a scene is the correct choice. If you went and stopped him more empire soldiers would have shown up and it would have become a riot. We came here to look for a person. Not to cause extra commotion. Can you not cause an unnecessary uproar, if you're going to cause one at least do it away from us so it won't be a nuisance]
While giving an indifferent answer while waving his hand, Kouki heats up and sends their purpose of finding Shia's dad into the corner of his mind, He began to appeal for the sense of values of his ethics and justice.
[You, as your watching the demi-humans, do you think of it as nothing at all! Look, now, at this time, they are suffering!]
[Haa~, hey Yaegashi*Shizuku*, quickly do something about this fool whos lost sight of our purpose. I'm leaving it in your care]
Hajime also, Myuu was helped before. If a child suffers in front of his presence, he feels nothing at all*In case you guys are confused, this is because he got to know Myuu, so she wasn’t a “random” child*. Be an adult....do something about it yourself, think what you want.
However, even after the original purpose was said, i can't work on the emancipation of slaves, so i left it to Yaegashi because its troublesome to play with Kouki.
Shizuku, though a sigh was let out....ahead of that, Kouki raised his voice in anger. Apparently, he seems to not like that Hajime had relied on Shizuku for this incident.
[Shizuku has nothing to do with this! Right now, im talking with you! You value Shia, so why are you deserting these demi-humans!]
As Kouki's voice became loud, people in the surroundings began to pay attention. Some of the remote empire soldiers and watchdogs began to glance towards Hajime frequently.
Since Hajime is an outsider and is looking for Cam who is currently hostile with the empire, he didn't want to stir up anymore unnecessary trouble with the authorities. Therefore, he rolled his eyes abruptly towards Kouki.
[.....Amanogawa*Kouki*. I'll say it one more time for you who has bad memory. Alright? i don't want to hear your repetitious complaining, and i don't plan on having a debate on ethics or sense of justice. I don't recognize you as companions, so i don't intend to get along with you. After all you asked for "permission" and "followed" along. Therefore, don't rush in by yourself,
its unsightful. If you make too much noise.....should I crush your limbs and send you back to the Kingdom?]
[Kh.....]
[I said it a while ago, but i don't intend to interfere with you either. Therefore, while your still in range don't do anything that will trouble us. We came here to look for Cam. There is no time to be distracted on other things. .....And Shia is more important than other demi-humans to me]
Hajime, turned away from Kouki's glare, as if uninterested.
Slavery, its completely natural in this world. Though they're certainly receiving cruel treatment, it's "bad" to help a demi-human thats been enslaved in general. Because it counts as stealing another persons "possession".
"Still" it's probably necessary to think about it eventually. The resolution to fight against the empire itself to create a method of abolishing the slavery of the demi-humans. As it is, even if we help the slaves with force, there's a threat of retaliation and the demi-humans would be captured and treated more harshly than ever before.
Does he finally understand, if not..... Kouki stares at the back of Hajime and doesn't move. Still being urged by shizuku and them, he finally let it go reluctantly.
Kouki, though he's accompanying Hajime with permission, if what Hajime said about gods were true and others as strong as Nointo*White haired angel that Kaori is currently using as her body* will be appearing more often, then he has to obey, because it would be too difficult to obtain power otherwise.
To be able to obtain the Age of Gods magic by obeying Hajime was certainly the best choice. Therefore, he held back the ill feelings in his chest and became silent.
With the delicate atmosphere(only Kouki's group) they reached the adventurers guild at last.
There are tables put in the large space for miscellaneous things, and two counters. One counter for the procedures and receptionist, who was also a woman, while the other counter was a bar. There are fellows drinking in the daytime here and there, if there wasn't, i felt like tsukkomi-ing to help with its revival.
When Hajime set foot inside, due to his familiar encounters he understood. In other words, vulgar glances would be placed on Yue and them. Therefore, Hajime while moving towards the counter used "Pressure" as soon as he stepped in.
As expected of a military nation, even as they drank there was no one who fainted, they began to expose caution and sobered up all together.
The receptionist at the counter, there's no radiance from her as seen in the other towns. Only looking down on Hajime with an expression of no motivation. I get the feeling that i should state my business quickly.
[I want information. Recently, was there any demi-humans which caused a commotion here in the Imperial capital a few days ago?]
[.....]
To Hajime's question, the receptionist gives Hajime a suspicious look. This is because the content of the question was strange.
You only have to go to the slave association of the merchant guild if you wanted information of a slave, even then slaves cannot cause a commotion in the Imperial capital. That is because a slave's collar seals off most of the resistance. And, Hajime's question does not change, what he's asking is something impossible in the Imperial capital unless they weren't a slave.
Result, the receptionist pointed towards the bar counter, whether its a regular system or it became too troublesome to deal with.
[.....Such information can be heard there]
As Hajime looks towards the counter, he sees the figure of a man past middle age, polishing glass, apparently the bar also counted as a place for information gathering. The receptionist returned to doing what she was before, as if declaring that her work is done.
Hajime shrugs his shoulder and walks towards the bar counter.
There are dangerous glares appearing from the adventurers, Kouki and Ryutaro also react and glare back. Suzu seemed to be weak in these cases and shrinks back behind Shizuku. Holding the hem of Shizuku's clothes, she looked cute for a moment.
Hajime goes up to the counter and asks the same question to the bartender. However, the other party just kept polishing glass while disregarding it. Hajime's eyes narrowed.
Then,
[This here is a bar, Not a place for children to come and play around. I don't plan on having anything to do with people who can't drink. Leave quickly]
so he's looking for a drinking master*these 2 sentences are weird to me, i don't know what Tenpuremasuta is, though i understand its a refference to something*. Then I'll give him a drinking master! Hajime's tension began to increase. He's still just polishing glass to make it shiny, but he values his reputation. If you come here, and the liquor is drunk in great loads, he'll definitely be delighted.
Hajime, places money on the counter with an poker face while secretly being happy about being able to taste a fantasy game hero's feelings. From the darkness in the corner of his mind, a mini-Hajime asked, [You called?], peeping out.
[That's true. Master, I ask for the strongest and worst quality liquor you have in this shop]
[......If you vomit, i'll kick you out]