Volume 7, Chapter 33 – Negotiations

“Oh, Saint-sama! I am relieved to see you are safe. My heart sank when I heard you had headed toward the Defiled.”

The moment we met with Hilar-san, these were the first words out of his mouth.

“No. They are ordinary human beings, so it wasn’t particularly dangerous.”

“…I imagine that even the Defiled would never dare lay a finger on Saint-sama. However, for an ordinary citizen, it is a dangerous place where one risks being stripped of everything they own. I am truly glad you are safe.”

This… could he actually have been genuinely worried about me?

Furthermore, even if it really is such a dangerous area, aren’t the people of this town the ones who made it that way?

Swallowing those thoughts, I brought up the subject with Hilar-san.

“More importantly, I have a request. The sanitary conditions in that area were far too poor. I cleaned as much as I could with Cleansing Magic, but if there are other similar sectors, please allocate a proper budget to have them cleaned. If it’s left alone, a plague could break out in a place like that.”

“Oh, is that so? Then, I shall immediately make arrangements to burn it all down.”

“Eh?”

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“Eh?”

It’s hopeless. We really aren’t getting through to each other.

“No! If you do that, there will be deaths and injuries. Besides, do you intend to kill people who are already living such miserable lives?”

“Eh? But did you not tell me to clean it?”

“That’s not what I meant! How can you do something so cruel to fellow human beings…?”

What should I do? Somehow, just talking to him is making me feel sad.

“Saint-sama. May I speak?”

Perhaps unable to bear seeing me look downcast, Sara-san stepped in to help.

“Yes. Please.”

I managed to squeeze those words out.

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“Yes. Then, Emir Hilar. From this point onward, in place of Saint Fiene Argentata-sama, I, Sara Blackrainbow, First Princess of the Black Rainbow Empire, shall speak.”

“Eh?”

Hilar-san looked at me upon hearing this, so I nodded to show my consent.

“Understood. Princess, we shall hear what you have to say.”

“Yes. For certain reasons, I am currently accompanying Saint-sama on her journey, but I shall return to my home country in the not-too-distant future. At that time, I wish to take in the Luma—rather, the Defiled—who have become a nuisance in your country, into my own.”

“What? If you do such a thing, Impurity will be brought into your country! And after we have gone to such lengths to manage the Impurity here.”

“I do not mind. This too is guided by Saint-sama’s compassion. Surely this is also the will of God.”

“…Then, you will also cover the transportation costs?”

“I promise you that.”

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“I see… however, my country’s resources are hardly sufficient to support those who will be emigrating.”

“…Saint-sama, is this alright?”

“Yes?”

“He is asking you to cover the cost of supporting them.”

Shizuku-san offered a helping hand to me as I reflexively asked for clarification.

“As long as it is within the range of what I can afford.”

Hearing this, a broad smile spread across Hilar-san’s face.

“Hahaha. As expected of Saint-sama. To part with your own private fortune just to help such defiled creatures. I, Hilar, am deeply impressed.”

Good grief. He’s such an unapologetic piece of trash it’s almost refreshing.

“Then, Princess. Around when do you think you’ll be able to take them in?”

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“Let’s see. I need to return to my country and make preparations, so I cannot say for certain yet, but definitely within next year.”

“Is that so. Then, Saint-sama. As the cost to support those people, could I receive about 3,000 gold coins?”

“Before that, exactly how many people are there? And what will that money be used for?”

When she said that, Hilar-san gave a small click of his tongue.

“Let’s see. We’ll use it to provide food. I do not know the exact number. After all, those things breed on their own.”

Breed?! There are better ways to put that!

“I understand. Then, first I’ll go back to the Luma settlement we visited yesterday and ask how many people wish to leave. Can we discuss the rest after that?”

“Of course.”

Having somehow reached an agreement regarding the migration of the Luma, we made our way back to their residential sector once again.