I had to start with what I could handle and build up from there or things would get out of control and I’d end up buried in debt. It was a future all too easy to imagine.

“I see. In that case, leave it to me.”

“Will do.”

“Would you prefer eggs? Or would you rather purchase adult monsters? The eggs would be cheaper, by the way.”

“Eggs should be fine for now.”

“Understood. Yes sir.”

The slave trader walked off toward the tent where he conducted the monster side of his business. I opened up the slave curse settings. Oh? Looking carefully, I noticed you could set work-related rules, too. I’d have to think about what work I’d have them doing later. Looking out of the tent, I could see the sun beginning to set.

“Rishia, I have a job for you.”

“Huh? What job is that?”

“I want you—along with Raphtalia and Filo—to help raise the slaves and monsters I just bought.”

“Umm, okay.”

“And I want you to take the lead.”

A jack-of-all-trades and master of none like Rishia would excel at a leadership position once she’d gotten used to analyzing the situation. Raphtalia and Filo would probably tag along as protection, but I wasn’t planning on just creating a bunch of high-level slaves that didn’t know how to fight. There was value in simply experiencing battle, so I’d gradually move Raphtalia and Filo away from the front lines. It was the perfect chance to have Rishia experience a strength of her own that couldn’t be measured by levels.

“Of course, you’ll still be continuing your Hengen Muso Style training with the old lady.”

“Okay! I’ll do my besht!”

There she went again with the weird pronunciation! Jeez . . . This girl was hopeless.

“I’ve selected some eggs that should satisfy the Shield Hero’s requirements. Yes sir.”

The slave trader returned with several eggs in hand.

“You have my thanks. Now then . . .”

Hmm . . . I guess there was no avoiding it.

“First things first . . .”

I looked back at the slave trader, who was rubbing his hands together, and made an announcement.

“I’m going to cook us a meal.”

I used the Spirit Tortoise meat that Filo had brought to prepare and serve several dishes in the tent. There was your standard grilled meat, as well as a soup and a stew. Having been made using Spirit Tortoise meat, the dishes tasted a bit strange.

“Oh! This is good!”

“What is this?! It’s better than my mom’s cooking!”

“Yeah, what is this?!”

“Mr. Naofumi is an excellent cook.”

“Yup! I love Master’s cooking!”

The slaves were all getting along and devouring their food.

“This is superb! The Shield Hero’s cooking is simply delectable! Yes sir!”

During the commotion of getting everything ready, the slave trader and his assistant had slipped in with the slaves and were helping themselves to the food. I couldn’t let it get to me. It wasn’t my intention to feed them, but they had provided the space, after all, so I decided to let it go.