Published: August 2, 2025
Today, two chapters are posted simultaneously.
This is the second chapter.
“Now, we will gather the candidate slaves, so please wait a moment. Also, this book contains the basics of the slave law and important points on handling slaves. It’s a service for first-time users, so please feel free to take it.”
After the candidate selection was complete, Mr. Moulton placed a book down and left the room.
Once the door was fully closed, the atmosphere in the room suddenly relaxed.
“Phew… good work, everyone.”
Starting with Mr. Serge, everyone exchanged words of thanks for their hard work.
“Still, that was quite the crowd.”
“Orest, you know… he’s not a bad guy at heart.”
“A thoroughly troublesome man.”
“The nerve to act so freely in front of us all is impressive, to say the least.”
“The shopkeeper was the center of attention, but I was being watched the whole time too.”
That’s why Mr. Fay was so unusually quiet...
“I never expected to be investigated that thoroughly. Did the rest of you get the same treatment?”
“I wasn’t exactly investigated, but I think we’ve all experienced something similar. Like the story about slaves who accepted sexual relations. I was told that once... and of all times, right in front of Elise, my wife.”
“I was told that in front of not just my wife, but my daughter too. After that, especially Miyabi’s cold, scrutinizing gaze was unbearable...”
“That bad habit of his—randomly prying into people and observing their reactions. Maybe that’s why his ability to read people is so sharp, or maybe he developed that habit because he already had a keen eye for people... His father, the previous head of the association, seemed troubled by this and often shed tears.
As I mentioned before, there's no doubt he’s talented. And the worst part is, with that talent, he carefully gauges how far he can push someone without truly angering them.”
It seems that person reads people well. Even doing such things, he maintains job satisfaction and, if necessary, follows up carefully afterward, never pushing customers to a point of irremediable anger.
If I did the same... I can’t believe I’d manage such a delicate balance in human relations.
I doubt I’d succeed. The only outcome I can see is the shop collapsing.
“Don’t worry. I can’t manage it either.”
“His is just a waste of talent. There’s no need to imitate him, and you definitely shouldn’t.”
The phrase “there’s a fine line between genius and madness” suddenly came to mind.
“Well then, since we have the chance, shall we take a short break?”
“Yes, that sounds good.”
“Shall we order some drinks?”
Mr. Pioro rang the bell installed in the room and asked the attendant woman for drinks.
Since I had the chance, I decided to read the book I had just received.
...First, the basics of the slave law and how to handle slaves.
Contrary to the impression the word ‘slave’ might give, the slave laws in this world actually respect human rights.
Slaves lose the freedom to choose their professions, but the buyer can impose certain conditions.
They are guaranteed clothing, food, and shelter, have the right to receive treatment when sick or injured, and are entitled to adequate rest.
As I had studied beforehand, these are no different from the rights of regular employees.
What caught my attention next was the “old slave law” that was in effect before the current slave law was enacted in a certain country.
Also, the history leading from the old slave law to the present one.
...Quite fascinating.
The old slave law rightly carries an image of ignoring human rights and allowing inhumane acts.
It originated from a new law enacted in a now-defunct country.
The slave system and related regulations existed before, but treatment varied depending on the land.
The unification and severe worsening of treatment came with the introduction of the “unemployment tax.”
At that time, that country, coincidentally like Japan, had established a “duty of labor” as a national obligation.