Chapter 5: Corrupt Guildmaster Helps an Orphan

That day, I was on my way home from a meeting with my fellow Guildmasters.

　Just as the carriage heading back to the guild was approaching the forest.

　Frederica, who is sitting in front of me, suddenly says.

“There’s a demon up ahead.”

　A pair of wolf ears stood up from Frederica’s head.

　She is a Fenrir, and her sense of smell and hearing far surpasses that of humans.

　That’s why she was the first to notice the demon’s presence.

“I’ll have a look”

“Wait.”

　I activated my “appraising eye” and read the surrounding information.

　It seems that in addition to the demon, there is a human child that is being attacked.

“I’m going out for a bit. Follow me.”

“Master, where are we going?”

　I put my foot on the window of the carriage and jumped out at once.

“[Inherent Time Acceleration]”

　The S-class appraising eye, the Eye of the Time Lord.

　It’s the most powerful appraisal eye that can even see through the flow of time.

　But reading information on objects is only one of the abilities these eyes have.

[Inherent Time Acceleration] Simply put, it is the ability to accelerate one’s movements.

　It is not a body-enhancement technique, but purely an ability to improve one’s speed, which places a large physical burden on the body.

　I super-accelerated and rushed to the scene.

“Gaaaahhhh!”

　A huge bear is attacking a child.

　The bear’s huge, tree-like arms tried to tear the child apart.

　But it came up empty.

“Eh ……?　Wh, wa?”

　I held the child in my arms and stayed at a distance from the bear.

　With the super speed of my body’s time acceleration, I was able to save the child before the enemy attacked.

“Gloaaaaaah!”

　The bear monster was angry because its meal was taken, and tried to attack me.

　But the bear fell apart like a dice steak.

“That’s Master, he was the first to notice the child’s danger and rush to the scene.”

　Frederica catches up with me and brushes away the blood-soaked knife.

“I just wanted the meat and materials of this [Reddish brown bear]. I knew if I waited too long, someone else might get it.”

“Now, …… young lady, are you hurt?”

　The child, if I looked closely, was still an innocent little girl.

　The girl fainted when she saw Frederica.

The poor thing must have fainted from the terror of being attacked by a monster.

“You look like you’ve got a lot of blood on you.”

“I apologize for my appearance in front of my Master. I will go and change my clothes now.”

“No need. I’ll go back to the house anyway. Go get the carriage ready.”

“You’re taking her home?”

“Look.”

　In the forest, there was an overturned carriage.

　The horse was dead and there was no sign of the guardian.

　There were iron bars on the back of the cart.

　Now it is crushed by a bear attack.

　And it’s wearing a slave collar.

“I see, so it’s most likely a slaver’s wagon and its merchandise.”

“That’s right. If you find something, the merchant will give you a large reward.”

“So you’re going to take the wagon to the merchant’s town?”

“Nonsense! Look how skinny the kid is, she hasn’t eaten for days. The first thing we need to do is get her back to the house, bathe her, feed her, make sure she gets plenty of rest, and then send her to the merchant. The one in better condition will get more money as a reward. …… What’s wrong?　Why are you laughing?”

“I’m just impressed that you’re such a vicious guildmaster.”

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　I returned to the mansion and ordered the servants to bathe the girl and dress her in clean clothes.

　Later, in the dining room.

“She has a huge appetite, doesn’t she?”

　On the table, there was a pile of empty plates.

“Is it okay for me to eat the food for free?”

“I’ll get the money from the merchant, so no problem. Don’t hesitate to eat. There’s even dessert.”

And suddenly, the girl started crying.

“Frederica, why is this girl crying?”

“It’s probably the first time someone has ever been nice to her.”

“What?　I’m not trying to be nice to her.”

“Yes, yes. By the way, Master, I’ve found out one thing. It seems that this child is not a [product].”

　In Frederica’s hand, there was a piece of clothing that the girl had originally worn.

“As a result of my research, I found out that these clothes are the uniform of the Delphoy Orphanage in the city of Woz.”

“What?　An orphanage?　So this girl is an orphan from there?”

　The girl who was being carried as merchandise in the slaver’s carriage was a child from the orphanage.

“This smells fishy.”

“What can I do for you, Master?　By all accounts, this girl is a nuisance. I think it’s best to leave it behind.”

　I ignored Frederica and went to the girl.

“What’s your name?”

“…… [Yui].”

“Yui. Answer me honestly. Is the orphanage you were in a human trafficking …… bad people who sell your friends to people you don’t know?”

Bikun.　And Yui stiffened up hard and shivered, wobbling …….

“Well, looks like my prediction was correct.”

“Annie. Milda. I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. ……”

“I’m guessing that’s the name of your friend who was sold.”

　Fredrika took out a handkerchief and wiped Yui’s tears.

“Do you want to go back to that orphanage?”

　She slumps down again and bites her lip tightly.

　I grab Yui by the shoulders and look her straight in the eyes.

“Crying won’t change anything. If you want to move the future even a little bit toward the direction you want, choose.”

“Choose….?”

“Yes. Do you want to go back to the orphanage and be sold off as a commodity? Or you fight and get your freedom.”

“I can’t go to ……, you know. Delphoy-san knows a lot of bad people. I’m gonna get caught.”

　Fredrica crouched down and patted Yui’s head.

“Don’t worry, Act-sama in front of you is (laughs) an unparalleled villain in terms of evil.”

“Did you just make fun of me?”

“No, sir.”

　Fredrika said, patting Yui’s head.

“With the help of Master Act, we can make you and all your friends happy.”

“…… Really?”

“Yes. Master is the most powerful …… and merciless villain of all. Choose now. Being sold or fight.”

　Yui looks up at us, tears welling up in her eyes, and tells us to go back.

“…… Please!　Please save us all!”

　When asked if she wanted being sold or fight , Yui said that she wanted us to help her friends.

　You have compassion for others, not just for yourself, huh?

“Frederica. We’re going to the Delphoy Orphanage.”

“You’re going to save them, aren’t you?”

“Don’t get me wrong. I just want this girl.”

“Feeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!?”

　Yui’s face turns red and she gets flustered.

“She has a talent to rise above others. It would be a loss to the world to let it rot.”

“As expected of a master, you’ve got a talent for womanizing, you’re a brilliant villain.”

　I patted Yui’s head and said.

“I’ll take care of it. I’ll fix everything.”

“…… Why are you helping me?　Can you help me?　Are you…..God?”

“Don’t be silly. I’m just a common villain who gets what he wants at any cost.”

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