“If you used your authority as a hero, that could probably work. However, I would personally prefer that you abide by the country’s rules.”

“Even if it means a long, drawn-out process that ends up getting them involuntary servitude instead of a death sentence?”

And for something that happened on Eclair’s father’s territory, their victims would be turning in their graves.

“I get what you’re saying. I agree that their actions are unforgivable, but even so . . .”

“You would think that the nobility in charge of the area where the crime happened would get to decide how it was dealt with.”

“They would . . . normally. We could indeed decide the punishment of their subordinates.”

“Execution, without question.”

There was no need to consult the queen.

“Why did so many slave hunters show up here in the first place? Death penalty or not, we need to make them talk—”

“About that . . . I needed to talk to the slaves, so this is the perfect chance. Everyone gather ’round!”

I went on to explain about how Lurolona slaves were being handled in Zeltoble.

“So in short . . . you’re saying that they were planning to capture the village slaves and sell them off in Zeltoble while the prices are high?!” Eclair was glaring at the slave hunters with an even more threatening look than before.

“No way . . . Does that mean that we can’t get everyone back?” Keel stared at me imploringly, with a look of worry in her eyes.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do whatever it takes to buy them back. The possibility of more of their kind showing up again is what we have to worry about.”

I guess problems like this came along with a sudden rise in prices. We had to figure out a way to put an end to the overvaluation of slaves from this village. I had a whole new set of annoyances to deal with now. In the meantime, I needed to prioritize toughening up the slaves. They still weren’t quite ready to class up.

“Bubba! If you’re going to compete in the coliseum, then let us compete, too!”

They must have been emboldened by their victory, because Keel and the other slaves who had shown a willingness to fight stepped forward.

“Hmm . . . We could have you compete, but it would be risky . . .”

That was a possibility. But taking them to Zeltoble and having someone figure out they were Lurolona slaves is what really worried me. If they ended up getting abducted in a crowded place like that, finding them would be difficult. Slaves could be tracked using the slave curse, but people weren’t stupid. They would probably overwrite the slave curses without hesitation.