Published: March 21, 2026
Human trafficking.
It’s considered illegal in this world as well.
Long ago, the Beastmen apparently used to buy and sell Humans who came here as migrant workers as slaves.
And that was stopped by the third-generation hero who had been summoned from another world.
In this world, heroes have been summoned four times in the past, and those four heroes each had various influences on the continents.
Leaving aside the first and second heroes who had ties to the Elf race and the Demon Clan, the third and fourth heroes—who are relatively recent and thus better recorded—are associated with the Beastmen and Humans and appear in many historical accounts as heroic tales.
What the third-generation hero is especially famous for is his physical combat, swordsmanship, and the human trafficking incident.
He taught the Beastmen, who had higher physical ability than magic aptitude, physical techniques and swordsmanship, and completely ended the human trafficking that had continued until then.
He himself was Human, but apparently had a huge bear-like body and the bold temperament of a Beastman.
He also boasted exceptional charisma even among the line of heroes, and his popularity hasn’t waned to this day.
It was precisely because of him that the vile custom of human trafficking that had spread across the Beastmen continent was eradicated.
In honor of the third-generation hero, Beastmen children are first taught to use their strength for the weak.
That’s what the book in Reytis Castle’s library said.
Glancing at it, Crow bared his teeth and bristled in displeasure.
For the Beastmen, human trafficking is the most loathsome act and a desecration of the revered third-generation hero.
It’s no wonder Crow hadn’t noticed.
To begin with, the very idea that such a thing still existed among the Beastmen is unbelievable.
“...Well, the rumor has its variations: some say it’s a nasty joke someone spread because contest winners kept disappearing; others say it’s because organs were sold off. The information seems confused,” Zeal said.
By “sold off,” did he mean organ trafficking...?
Given that it’s a handsome men and beautiful women contest, human trafficking seems more plausible.
I’ll keep it in mind for now.
“...Anyway, I’ll let you know. This is within his reach,” Crow said, his eyes darkly shining.
There’s only one person he would look at like that—the person Gram, who is supposed to be the target of his sister’s revenge.
Indeed, Uruk, where Gram is guild master, isn’t that far from Mari.
If human trafficking or organ trafficking is true, then someone capable of information control must be backing it.
Gram was once prime minister, so he’d be well-versed in that kind of thing.
It’s entirely possible.
“Akira, I’m counting on you for that matter,” Crow said.
He looked up at my voice, and his sharp, dark eyes pierced me like that day.
I felt my mouth go dry in an instant and lowered my chin slightly.
That “matter” referred to what he said when he invited Crow to the festival—the reason he helped us.
I still haven’t arrived at an answer about that.
Crow knows that and is pressing me.
The fact he called me by name instead of his usual way showed how serious he was.
But it’s not something I can answer casually, so I wasn’t trying to stall.
Perhaps seeing even a slight reaction and understanding I was seriously troubled, Crow seemed satisfied and left the alley.
Left behind, Mr. Zeal frowned at me with concern.
“...I can tell from the atmosphere this isn’t something I can advise you on, but don’t overtax yourself,” he said.
Apparently Crow hadn’t told Zeal anything either.
I forced a smile.
“You’d be the last to lecture me about working yourself to death, Mr. Zeal.”
Whether Commander Saran was involved or not, I didn’t expect someone who had completely left the castle and become a stranger to still track us down this far.
And I can’t believe the heroes snuck out of Reytis Castle without his groundwork.
There must have been his behind-the-scenes maneuvering.