Following Fitts-senpai's advice, we search for a slave.
A slave that's about 5 (if they're younger than that, there's a good chance they wouldn't understand us),
a dwarf (it's better that they're dexterous so that if it comes down to it, they'll be able to use the carving method), and a cute little girl (my personal preference).
"A girl? Their gender doesn't matter to me, but Shishou, aren't you getting our objectives mixed up?"
"Rudeus-kun..."
As we piled up the criteria one by one, once we got to the final criterion, they looked at me with eyes of criticism.
"Huuhhh?"
Since we were all guys here, I had thought that they'd have been on-board instead, but... Well, it seems like they aren't the type. If it was Elinalise, then she might have approved. If it was her, she might be suggesting we find cute little boys instead. Lately her interest in shota has been awakening after all.
"But still, if we buy a 5 year old then we shouldn't expect too much regarding education. They might not even understand our words. If it turns out that they can only speak the Beast God Language, then we wouldn't be able to teach them magic after all."
"I can speak the Beast God Language, so if that's the case then I can teach them."
"What! You can speak the Beast God Language, Shishou? As expected of you..."
"Huu, well that's how it is."
At Zanoba's praise, I start to feel proud and I hold out my chest. Though I look like this, I'm multilingual.
I've also taught a 5 year old before. Speaking of which, I wonder if Sylphy is doing well.
Even without seeing Elinalise and Fitts-senpai, you could say that elves are really to my taste, or that they had the type of face that Japanese of the fantasy generation preferred. Elves brought to mind something like a slim and beautiful man and woman pair. If I remember correctly, Sylphy was roughly my age, so she might be 15 right now. She's probably become considerably beautiful. According to Paul, she could use magic, and on top of that, she has green hair. Since I'd probably hear rumours of her right away, I'd probably be able to find her immediately. I haven't heard a single rumour though... I wonder where she is right now.
"Anyway, since we've already decided on the criteria, let's go ask a sales assistant."
I head to place where 『Help Office』 is written. The man at the reception had a completely clean-shaven head, and when combined with his beard, was quite a macho man. Though he looked at Fitts-senpai and I with suspicious looks, when he saw Zanoba he accepted it and nodded.
"Um, excuse me, we're actually..."
The macho man ignored my words, and spoke to Zanoba who was behind me.
"Yo, welcome Onii-san. What is it that you're looking for? A warrior for a guard? Right now we have guys that can teach the sword as well, you know. We also have some magicians, but it'd probably be better to head to the Magic University for that. Or could it be that you're looking for THOSE? No, no, I shouldn't say it. You don't seem all that popular after all. We've got a real voluptuous one in her 20s you know. She was recently a whore so THAT would be perfect as well. Of course they aren't diseaAGAAAAAH!"
The macho man then ate Zanoba's Iron Claw, and was raised into the air.
"Don't ignore Shishou. Yakking on and on like that, I'll pull out that noisy tongue of yours and rip off your jaw, you know."
"H-, hey! What are you doing!?"
The guards around had immediately moved to capture Zanoba, but he was undisturbed. Conversely, with just a shake he sent them flying. Mmn well, he's quite high powered.
The muscular guards are being swung around by a skinny otaku-looking guy. It's surreal. So this is the power of a miko, huh? Oops, this isn't the time to be standing here watching.
"NO! Zanoba, stop this! HOUSE!"
"Yes!"
At my voice, Zanoba released his grip. In the face of the suddenly motionless Zanoba, the guards stop moving as well. I face the guards and bow my head.
"I'm truly sorry. He just got a little excited."
"No, it's fine... Just don't act too violently, alright? We'll draw our swords the next time."
They easily let us off. Though there was a little fear in their eyes, they decided that they hadn't seen anything this time. It wouldn't be good even if they poked their noses in further.
What surprised me was that the moment Zanoba was caught, Fitts-senpai had prepared his stance before I did. It was an extremely fast and decisive movement. As expected of the princess's guard. You could also say that I was just cowardly though. Anyway, it seems that there isn't anyone particularly vigilant here, uh? After all, using adventurer terms, the guards around here were only C rank, or at best B rank. Well whatever. I'll continue speaking to him.
"We're looking for a dwarf around the age of 5."
I speak to the macho man again.
"Around 5...?"
While cowering, he looked over the list in his hand. Flipping through the pages, he squints his eyes.
"There aren't many dwarves in the first place here and on top of that a 5 year old..."
So the criteria really were too strict? The dwarves basically live on the Milis Continent after all. Even with all the kidnapping going on, the dwarf slaves basically don't end up here.
"As long as it’s a race that's good with crafting, even if they aren't a dwarf it won't be a problem. We definitely wouldn't complain if they were young though..."
"Oh, there is one."
The man tapped a part of the list with his finger.
"A dwarf girl of 6 years old. Because of her parent's debts, the whole family were sold into slavery. Her health is a little on the bad side though. It might be because of malnutrition. Well, she'll probably be back to normal if you feed her. She can't speak the Human Language, and though it's natural for a 6 year old, she can't read either."
"I see. What happened to her parents?"
"Both her parents have been sold."
It's something I heard in a tavern during my days as an adventurer, but amongst the dwarves exist a social class who believe that they can live with nothing but the mountains. It'd be fine to leave the Milis Continent and work in the Dragon King Mountain Range, but occasionally there'd be idiots who guessed wrong and headed too far north, and without re-entering the mountains were unable to make a living. They'd even get their families wrapped up; truly useless fathers.
"For now, let's just meet them."