86 - I Became a Guy Who Got Caught Up in the Summoning of a Hero

### Swept into the Hero Summoning – Chapter 86: North Rabbit - Web Novel Archive --- **To Solve the Problem!** Starting the day after, Demina began exhibiting an almost excessive enthusiasm towards me. It seemed as if she had reverted to a similar behavior from when she once blatantly tried to seduce me. Despite this, it wasn’t something I disliked. Indeed, it was very welcome. A long-awaited situation I could only hope for. The issue, however, was the timing. It was becoming constant and sometimes a bit inconvenient. I had already pointed this out once, but Demina managed to rationalize it as the tribe’s natural way of expressing affection, skillfully turning it into her own sort of mental triumph. I found myself thinking that it couldn’t be helped, and assumed it would lose its intensity eventually, so I continued with my work. The immediate challenge was the two types of waste left after the festival. "Hah, this is troublesome in its own way, isn’t it?" Firstly, there was literal ‘waste’, and overseeing its disposal could be assigned to the slaves. However, each slave in my territory had designated tasks of their own. I had no intention of disrupting the harmonious rhythm of the land, like a large organic creature named ‘territory’, by forcibly redirecting slave labor. "We need to set priorities. Plus, some patrols should be in order..." The genuine problem, deemed the 'second waste,' was indeed the greatest issue the territory faced. It began as a seemingly insignificant matter—an 'incident of missing beastmen children'—which gradually escalated into a major disruption. Initially, with the keen sense and assistance of the canine tribe, known for their sharp olfactory abilities, we managed to find the missing beastmen child. However, it turned out to be a kidnapping, and the details uncovered through the interrogation of the captured criminal were shocking. They were planning the enslavement of beastmen. I suspect a criminal organization, motivated by profit, orchestrated these acts, given the intricate planning involved. The rationale behind targeting young beastmen was that even if they went berserk, they posed no significant threat. The plan had been to kidnap them around this age, sell them to either perverse nobles with peculiar tastes or hold them till they matured. Upon reaching maturity, they’d either kill them or purchase drugs from me to prevent the grown beastmen from rampaging. The development of drugs was known worldwide, and the growing demand for beastmen, previously unacknowledged even as slaves, was recognized, sparking operations. "Simply by not distributing the drugs, the issue could be resolved..." Yet, it seemed likely they’d pursue acquiring them by any means necessary. Human effort has consistently shone, regardless of darkness or purity, invariably leading to outcomes, most of which resulted in beings other than humans being sacrificed. The fact that dwarves and elves were already drifting around the continent as slaves was proof enough, with numerous other similar races being similarly captured and enslaved annually. Though my territory had never admitted full-blooded members of those races as slaves—only 'halves' so far—merchants from elsewhere were frequently spotted traveling with such slaves. "The demon's moon might have been a shield for the beastmen..." Upon reflection, the rampaging phenomenon could be explained in that manner. It might be a stretch, but regardless of the cause, solutions were needed. "In the end, is thorough inspection the only option?" At present, I had requested the canine tribe to respond decisively to any disappearance case, but a more permanent solution was necessary. Meanwhile, the waste produced by humans was another issue. "They just rake in money and leave the trash behind..." A stern approach might be effective, like exile upon being caught dumping waste illegally, but that alone seemed insufficient. My brainstorm included leveraging my authority as lord to impose compulsory work on them, necessitating the establishment of various organizations to implement this, but merely thinking about it was mentally exhausting. "Governance is difficult... I lack manpower. Hands..." As I pondered how to find good people to help, it was at that moment. "My Lord, you have visitors." Vincent entered the room after knocking. On asking who it was, he informed me that the Hamern siblings had arrived. "Hamern, huh... Maybe I’ll inquire of them?" Vincent tilted his head slightly in confusion at my musing, but upon my instruction to lead them in, he led the way. Entering the reception room where the Hamern siblings were, I rose and greeted them with a smile. "Have you been well? It seems like it's been a while since our last transaction." "I heard you were unwell. Due to my detachment, I only received the news now." After a single transaction, Baron Rubins had become quite courteous towards me, and his sister, Tain, likewise bowed respectfully, delivering a ladylike greeting. "It's been a long time, Viscount Ingrad. I’m glad to see you looking healthy again." "It was never serious enough to warrant concern." Despite my words, my maid and Vincent shot me a glare but I brushed it off and, sitting at the head of the table, posed my inquiry to the siblings. "What brings you here today?" "Ah, thanks to our recent dealings, the situation in our territory has greatly improved. Moreover, due to the passage being adjacent to our land, we’ve benefited from increased traffic and came to express thanks as well as deliver something." "Something to deliver?" Upon hearing my question, Rubins retrieved an item from inside his jacket. Looking closely, it was a brooch. I was curious. "In consideration of the climate, we prepared a brooch with a body temperature maintenance spell as a gift." "Oh... Such items exist, do they?" Rubins nodded as if it were obvious. With curious interest, I picked up the brooch he offered and examined it closely. Just holding it in my hand brought about a subtle, yet noticeable change in sensation. "This is fascinating. I suppose it should be worn right here?" Fastening the brooch at a suitable spot on my chest, I could immediately feel the cool weather turning into a more temperate atmosphere. It was an interesting experience. "I gratefully accept your gift." "We’re just grateful that you’re pleased. By the way, your territory seems to be changing rapidly, doesn’t it?" Rubins remarked with a sense of awe and envy. Indeed, many transformations were underway. Trees were being felled, and structures like cabins and other various buildings were sprouting throughout the territory. Moreover, merchants, sensing that the beastmen would no longer be a threat, occasionally visited, offering considerable donations and requesting construction projects. Vincent and others did their part to turn away those whose requests were unreasonable, yet there was only so much time that could be wasted dealing with them. Thankfully, with the influx of mercenaries and settlers like Gertz and Rita, some magical energy had been used, but I couldn't quite understand what benefit they expected to glean from coming here. When Princess Liana sent someone, it mostly involved hiring mercenaries to be used as porters for her endeavors. “They seem to be making a substantial profit... so there were no complaints.” "Oh, by the way, I have a question." "What is it?" "I'm looking to hire some people. Where might I find capable individuals?" "Are you referring to people...? Hmm, at this particular time, Terra Khan City might be ideal as Academy graduates are probably pouring out." I needed to consider how well freshly graduated individuals from the Academy would perform in practice. Then Tain spoke while looking at me. "If it’s for management positions, hiring top-ranking Academy graduates could be more beneficial." "Why is that?" "The Business Department at the Academy often has many commoners. In contrast, the Knight and Mage Departments consist primarily of nobles or those with predefined career paths. Business graduates must find employment themselves upon graduation. Many end up with merchant guilds or various other organizations due to not finding placements in noble houses." "Ah, so around now, it’s a period where they’d be plentiful prospects—the 'pre-unemployed,' so to speak?" Using the term 'pre-unemployed' brought an awkward smile from Tain. Yet, it was valuable information. Additionally, I recently secured authorization through Princess Liana to use the teleportation gates. Although warned to use it in emergencies, I felt confident I could navigate the circumstances well with the proper explanation and perhaps a few incentives. "Thank you for the gift and advice. With your timely assistance, I’m relieved." Rubins expressed relief at my words. Later, I met with the merchant lord managed by the baron’s family and discussed various trade deals. It seemed likely that they had gifted the brooches in hopes of future business. Giving and receiving go hand in hand. Such is the nature of things. I took it in stride, as long as it meant profit for me. The exchange concluded amicably with the Hamern territory, allowing me to gain certain advantages by approving their requested trade items. Upon deciding to give work to idle mercenaries and, incidentally, clean up the territory, I visited the guild and was astonished by how packed it was with mercenaries. "A boom in business, or just lack of work for people?" I murmured, slightly puzzled. Once I approached the guild counter, an employee recognized me and hurriedly bowed. "My Lord, it’s an honor to see you!" The previously bustling guild hall fell silent. Some might have recognized me, but the considerable change in my appearance seemed to throw others off. "Is Gertz around? Or perhaps Rita?" "The Guild Master is currently in the capital on a task, but the Vice Guild Master is available..." The employee courteously opened the gate behind the counter for me. Upon entering the interior, I found Rita, a bit haggard from her duties, who promptly stood to greet me upon seeing me. "It’s been a while, my lord." "Ah, Rita. Have you been very busy?" "Mostly protection assignments. What brings you here today?" "I’m planning to issue a job opening across the territory—sort of a constant request, perhaps a quota system?" Rita tilted her head curiously as she offered me a seat. Sitting across, she asked me to elaborate on the task. I explained it involved 'trash collection,' offering one gold coin per filled sack and showed the sample sack I brought. "This size for one gold coin. What do you think?" "That’s awfully generous… While trash has indeed been on the rise lately… But with slaves at your disposal, why invest the money?" "Running mercenaries is more cost-effective than managing slaves." Rita seemed perplexed. Frankly, given the profitability each slave in the territory could generate, the time-to-profit efficiency was poor. Losing enormous sums to save one gold coin was untenable. I skipped delving into the details to avoid justifying further. After Rita pondered the offer, she consented and inquired about the specified period and disposal locations. I disclosed a temporary site I had in mind. "I heard there’s a waste incinerator in the capital. Is that available?" "The incinerator? If you mean that powered by magic stones, it’s available. Planning to purchase it?" "Allowing trash to pile up is detrimental to hygiene. It poses the risk of disease and is generally unfavorable for pest control. Moreover, heaps of trash in the forest are unsightly. So it’s only right to take proactive measures." "...I didn't expect you to be this considerate about the territory." "Well, I suppose that’s a compliment, right?" "Of course. When would you like the task to commence?" "I'm thinking about a week from now. The trash isn't decomposing yet, so we can afford that bit of time." Given that it was still mid-winter, there should be no major issues. This time frame would allow ample opportunity to source and install an incinerator. "The request will be open-ended, with no limit on repetitions, and one gold coin per sack, correct? The start date is set for a week from now... Is there anything else to add?" "Nothing else." Rita nodded, noting everything down diligently.