Kingdom

[Taiki POV]

「Come to think of it, Taiki-sama. Where did you get the meat we used for this dish? There are no cattle or other livestock, right?」

「... Eh? Do you want to know? I think sometimes it's better that you don't know, though.」

When I answer that, Ayla thought about it curiously.

「I don't really get it, but is it an act equivalent to peeking into the abyss of sorcery? If that is the secret arts of Taiki-sama, then it is regrettable…. 」

Maybe because she felt a little better after we made a meal and ate together, Ayla had returned to her normal behavior. Although she's still making a look of regret now, she doesn't seem to be depressed.

However, I think the manufacturing process of the meat should not be shown. I even received a shock when I first saw that facility.

After all, within the huge water tank, a small meat is gradually growing bigger while producing bubbles with 'putsu putsu'.

The meat rotates within the water tank and when it is big enough to be caught inside the net, there is a mechanism that will collect it, while it bounces in the swaying net.

By the way, the water tanks for chicken, pork, beef, and fish were separated and they were all lined up side by side in one room.

I haven't entered that room yet, I felt grossed out after seeing that from the screen. I'm just thankful because the meat is being delivered to the refrigerator automatically.

「Which reminds me, let's go back to the monitor room to see where we are at now.」

「Ah, ye, yes. Thank you.」

Saying that, Ayla quickly moved the dishes to the sink. Maybe because she got used to it, she's washing the dishes without being perplexed.

「You're already washing the dishes perfectly, aren't you?」

「Ah, is that true?」

「Yeah, you've learned well. In this case, soon it will be possible for you to cook alone.」

Laughing with Ayla who looks delighted, we went towards the elevator and moved to the operation room.

When I observe the scenery from the screen, I saw a forest at the south side. When I look at the surroundings, it seemed that we had already reached the forest that spreads in the surrounding of Reelabras Mountain range.

We certainly reached the mountain very quickly, thanks to the speed of 100 kilometer per hour.

「Or rather, I wonder if the territory of the Blau Empire is surprisingly small? I've only seen the imperial capital after all.」

「It's because the Blau Empire territory is horizontally long. In addition, no one have ever crossed that Reelabras Mountain range until now.」

「In other words, the Imperial capital is located close to the mountain range. That's too close.」

However, if they place the capital in the middle of the land, is the empire not facing to the sea or the river?

「Is the sea and river development not in progress?」

「The sea is... you know, there are many dangerous monsters comparable to dragons that live under the sea. As for the river..」

「Is there a river in the empire?」

Normally, a civilization is something that develops near the river. There were also a pattern similar to the Mayan civilization, but I think it's rare.

However, Ayla gave an unexpected answer.

「As you know, Guardian is inhabiting the big river. So, a city can prosper in a place where smaller rivers extend, in which the guardian can not enter. Even the empire is not an exception, the empire is located at a safe distance from the big river that flows at the east.」

Hearing such a story, I nod and said 'I see'. The existence of monsters seem to have a great impact to this world.

Well, they would be living far away from the river if there is a large typhoon every day,

「A dragon for example, if the people can't beat it, they have no choice but to flee.」

Ayla shook her head from side to side as she mutter that in a small voice.

「They could repeI it if the monster is not a legendary rank and if they're lucky, they can even kill it. However, they don't do it generally because there are too many sacrifices. I think Taiki-sama doesn't have that kind of trouble though, right?」

I laughed feeling hopeless after hearing that. Her misunderstanding seems to have gone deeper.

When I was laughing vaguely without knowing what to answer, something appeared at the east screen.

It seems to be a horse and two carriages.

「I wonder what's happening?」

When I look at it while magnifying the view, it seemed that the horse and carriages were chasing something near the side of the forest.

I zoomed in closer, the appearance of a man on a horse becomes clear. A man wearing an armor was sitting on the horse.

「… and he's chasing a person with a tail?!」

I reflexively raised my voice after seeing the one who is being chased by the horse. Ayla nods while looking sadly at the screen.

「That person who has a thin tail and ears seems to be a cat beastman. Beastmen will sell at a good price, so they are being hunted as slaves…..」

「Slave hunting? What, they will become a slave if they get caught?」

When I repeatedly asked questions in my surprised state, Ayla opened her mouth with a complex expression.

「This place is near the border. The empire, the kingdom or the chivalric order are rarely dispatched here. I don't know if those people are slave merchants or a group of bandits, but I believe that it will be over once that beastman gets caught ... 」

Ayla looked at me sadly after saying that.

「…. This is not something I have the right to ask from you, but, Taiki-sama, could you please help that beastman? Please …」

Ayla bowed deeply while saying that. Ayla was also being chased when I first saw her, so maybe she felt some sort of connection after seeing the beastman being hunted.

I would've help that beastman myself. While she's asking for such unnecessary request, I nodded.

「A1.」

When I call out his name, a gentleman who's proud of his big frame raises his face.

「It's your turn.」