Emancipation Of A Slave.

“First off, you know that our Leoria Kingdom has a position called Guild Director-General, right?”

“Yeah, I know. It’s the official in charge of all the guilds in this country, isn’t it?”

“Precisely. Right now, the seat of Guild Director-General in our nation has remained vacant for a long time.”

The previous Director-General was apparently a former S-Rank adventurer, but stepped down after old age began hindering their duties.

Since then, the position had been vacant for roughly three years.

“To become Director-General, one must demonstrate appropriate strength and achievements. With this recent incident, you have more than fulfilled that requirement, Vim.”

“It didn’t have to be me. Couldn’t you have just promoted the Guildmaster or someone?”

Vim had heard that even the current Guildmaster of the royal capital’s central branch was quite an exceptional adventurer back in his active days.

“He lacks sufficient achievements. In his active days, he capped out at A-Rank. He is certainly competent, though.”

“Your Majesty… were you targeting this all along?”

“Oh? Whatever do you mean?”

His Majesty wore a wry grin.

“Hah…”

Vim let out a soft sigh.

His Majesty had almost certainly intended this from the very start—ever since the moment he certified Vim as an S-Rank adventurer.

“I really can’t win against you, Your Majesty.”

“Is that so? To me, you are by far the more terrifying one, Vim.”

“What was the story behind Hana’s emancipation?”

In the audience chamber, His Majesty had declared the annulment of Hana’s slave status.

“I suppose I must explain that as well.”

His Majesty took a sip of the tea in his cup.

“As you know, our nation operates on meritocracy. Just last month, we enacted a new law stating that even those who have fallen into slavery can be freed if they achieve a certain level of results. Miss Hana meets those conditions more than enough.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. That’s great news, Hana.”

“Yes, thank you so very much.”

Hana bowed deeply.

“No, it’s still too early to celebrate.”

“That’s true.”

This was likely a compromise proposal.

His Majesty had been pushing to abolish slavery entirely.

However, many among the nobility and wealthy clans strongly opposed abolishing the slave system.

As a middle ground with those factions, they created a system where anyone meeting specific conditions would be freed from slavery.

“Besides, I was not the one who passed this bill.”

“Huh? Then who did?”

“Erin.”

His Majesty shifted his gaze to Princess Erin, sitting beside him.

“Was that so? Thank you, Erin.”

“N-No, I simply wanted to be of help to you, Lord Vim… Besides, in the end, it was only possible with Father’s backing.”

Erin said, looking down slightly.

“Even so, it is fair to say we passed this bill thanks to Erin’s persuasion.”

“Thank you, Father.”

“Well, in any case, Miss Hana is free now. Though knowing Vim, I doubt he ever used the Slave Seal to force her compliance anyway.”

It felt as though His Majesty could see through everything.

As expected of a nation’s king.

“Yes, Lord Vim has never once used the effect of the Slave Seal on me. Precisely because I have watched him up close all this time, I decided I wanted to follow him.”

“Thanks.”

With those words, Vim patted Hana gently on the head—completely unaware of the intense stares being directed at him.

“Well then, we should be heading back soon.”

“Right. I will set things up so you can handle basic Director-General duties from home as usual.”

“That helps a lot. Excuse us, then.”

Leaving the royal palace, Vim and his party returned to their mansion.