I Quit Being a Court Magician Apprentice to Become a Magical Item Craftsman
We are all heading out. The ones who can’t fly are Rini and Bortis. He, being of the earth element, couldn’t fly. He left yesterday and decided to meet us at the town entrance. It seems he’s really fast on foot. Ekvar and Rini are riding on a wyvern.
Our destination is the town of Nasumu, in the kingdom of Nijestonia, located near the Wastent Republic.
The lord governing this area is opposed to slavery, but since it’s a national policy, it can’t be outright banned. However, kidnapping or tricking someone into slavery without a special reason is forbidden. While slavery through war, crime, or debt is allowed by the national guidelines, the treatment of slaves has improved significantly. As a result, uprisings have not spread here.
Slaves in this country are often tasked with agricultural work, prostitution, and carrying goods. They are sometimes used in place of regular servants. There are also jobs in forestry and the mountains.
The town, with its expansive farmland, feels peaceful, and one wouldn’t suspect there are uprisings happening elsewhere in the country. However, if you venture into the darker parts of the shopping district, you’ll find areas resembling slums. It’s best to stay away from these areas. Fights are common here, and as long as no one is severely injured, it’s not a crime.
The only time injuries become an issue is when a noble is involved or if a slave harms a common citizen.
After meeting up with Bortis, we were guided to the inn where we’re staying. The elf, Yustus, couldn’t catch up with Bortis as he was heading to inform the Chenkaslar , so he stayed here, watching and waiting to gather information.
After greetings, we first head towards a farm where elves are used as slaves.
We want to talk to the owner, but if they’re hiding something, they might dispose of the slaves easily. Even though it’s forbidden here, the original owner could dispose of the slave without facing consequences, as it wasn’t illegal in the past. It’s not something we can be sure of.
We observe the workers from a distance. Among the humans, there are male and female elves, but they all look lifeless. They seem to have no will, moving slowly and lethargically, yet they continue to work silently.
“…This is definitely an abnormal state.”
“……”
Belial seems to have noticed something, but says nothing. Bortis seems to have an idea but remains silent to avoid preconceived notions.
We decide to part ways with Yustus and Bortis for now and head to the Adventurer’s Guild.
On the way there, we overhear some gossip.
“I heard there was another big clash, more people are escaping here.”
“They say there’s a king of hell in Chenkaslar . They’re planning to attack? Stupid, they’re running out of soldiers.”
“They wanted to increase slaves through war, but what’s the point of that?”
“Is it true that some slaves were freed in a town to the east?”
It seems this country has been meddling with the defense city. There are rumors about the King of Hell guarding it, and if Nijestonia attacks next, the king won’t stay quiet. It’s unclear if these rumors are true, but it’s spreading.
The domestic situation seems unstable, and war seems out of the question now. Maybe they were trying to show off their military strength with a victory.
The Adventurer’s Guild here is larger and more impressive than the one in Lenant, and it seems to be bustling.
People are coming and going, removing and taking requests, new staff are joining. In the back, people are sitting around a map, discussing things, and some are looking for party members. There are even people with combat slaves.
“Master…! Over here!”
As I observe the flow of people, Sevyrino whispers and shows me a request slip.
Cha-cha, Boagrade, Bayabond’s leaves… Pierle Tonere’s stone…
“…Ekvar, can you speak with the person in charge here without anyone noticing? There’s a chance they’re making dangerous drugs.”
“…Understood. Wait here for a moment.”
Ekvar takes the request slip and heads toward the reception without asking for any further details.
He states that he wants to hear more about the request to receive it, and then whispers something privately.
A little later, we are escorted to a consultation room, where we meet a middle-aged man proudly displaying arm scars like medals, introducing himself as the guild master.
“About this request…”
Ekvar spreads out the request slip, and Sevyrino begins to explain.
“I’ll be straightforward. This material is used in dangerous drugs that are considered inhumane, and international bans have been placed on its production and use. Did you knowingly issue this request?”
“…!? No, this is an item artisan’s request from a neighboring town. They’ve been requesting these individually for a while, and because they haven’t gathered enough, some requests have piled up. Normally, they’d request two at a time. You mean to say it’s for dangerous drugs!?”
He starts panicking and looks over the request slip.
He seems to suspect something but doesn’t know exactly what kind of drug it’s for.
“This material is believed to be used in creating Zombie Powder. It causes soul loss and allows the caster to control the victim at will.”
“Zombie Powder!? Such a dangerous thing!?”
Sevyrino nods slowly.
“We checked on the slaves, and there’s no doubt. Pierle Tonere stone is sprinkled with alcohol and powdered. Then, it’s mixed with certain herbs like Cha-cha, Boagrade, and the bodies of creatures like frogs or lizards. The powder is then spread in a cross pattern near the target’s feet, so it can be absorbed.”
The guild master listens carefully, swallowing nervously.
This country is already under scrutiny for slavery and kidnappings, and if such things were exposed to other countries, it would cause serious trouble.
“In a few days, the victim will fall into a state of suspended animation. When the soul’s Te Bonange flows out, it is captured, and the victim is then commanded. The body is revived using an antidote, and with regular doses, the transformation of the soul is prevented, allowing the body to function again while the consciousness remains suppressed. The antidote is made from Bayabond’s leaves, Ave’s branches, lemons, and other herbs, then powdered.”
Zombie Powder is a poison that causes a person to enter a suspended state and loses part of their soul. If the antidote is given, the person can be revived but remains without a will, unable to express emotions.
By capturing the Te Bonange, the person can be controlled at will.
The body can continue working under the influence of the antidote, making them like living corpses, more obedient than slaves.
However, their appearance is strange, and people would become suspicious in regular towns. Slaves, however, are a good cover since they aren’t scrutinized as much.
“…You seem to know a lot about this. It doesn’t seem like a misunderstanding, but this is not something we can resolve. I’ll report it to the lord and consult with a mage. As for the artisan, we’ll make sure to keep an eye on them.”
We act as if we haven’t realized the full extent of the situation, and the investigation continues. The lord will be contacted immediately, and it seems a mage will be coming over to help. The message will be sent by a divine bird.
Since the matter is serious, the mage will visit our inn in the evening or night.
For now, we return the request slip and leave the guild.
As we walk around the town, we observe the situation. Slaves wear collars and tags around their necks, identifying their owner. They don’t appear to be in rags, though their clothes are old and worn. They’re not starving, and seem to be given food.
There are others who likely have been affected by the Zombie Powder, working in heavy labor. Do their owners know about this condition?
“…I heard that it’s forbidden to enslave people against their will in this area. So, they’ve been made unable to refuse and sold for that purpose.”
Ekvar glares at a person who owns a slave with no will.
“To go that far… But why this town?”
“It seems they avoided areas where uprisings were happening. Slavery abolition groups are a danger to slave traders, so they avoided those areas. It might just be a process of elimination. Maybe the price is high here.”
They seem to be treated as mere goods.
I don’t like it…
Back at the inn, I meet up with Bortis and Yustus again. Rini stays behind, as it’s dangerous to go out alone in this town.
When I explain what we’ve discovered, Yustus looks pained.
“…Then… there’s almost no chance of restoring them to their original state…”
Even if they’re freed from slavery, in a zombified state, they will only live to follow orders.
He mutters, “Is it even right to call it life?”
“If it’s in the early stages, restoring the Te Bonange can cure them. After that, a special medicine called Nectar is needed.”
“That’s a mythical medicine, more unattainable than an elixir…!”
Yustus slams the cushion he’s sitting on.
“I have eight of them. What about Sevyrino?”
“I have three, but they’re national supplies…”
“As long as they’re replenished, you can use them.”
Ekvar gives permission, so that’s settled.
“…Um… you guys can make it, right?”
Yustus looks at us, wide-eyed in disbelief.
“Yes, we can. I’ve already prepared ten at home. But it requires a resting period, and we’re short on Gaokarena. How many will we need?”
Gaokarena seems to be in short supply, even in Egdormalm. Though the prince promised to help, it’s unlikely we can get it sent from the country.
As we continue to worry about the Gaokarena, the mage requested by the guild, accompanied by the guild master, rushes over in a hurried state.
His name is Derrick Elwood, and he asks to be called Derrick.
We explain the Zombie Powder, antidotes, and treatment methods.
Derrick didn’t know the recipe for Zombie Powder, but after hearing Sevyrino’s detailed explanation, he agrees. It was banned here long ago, and the manufacturing methods were discarded.
I wonder how the recipe leaked…?
