I Got Caught Hunting Powerful Monsters in Secret Even Though I’m Just a Commoner, Which Led to Beautiful Girls From Noble and Royal Families to Come After Me - 25

Chapter 25: The Smell of an Incident

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The Next Day, at the Guest Room of Fibel Family

Since today was our day off, I arrived at the Fibel family’s residence early in the morning with my little sister. 

Rina and Elena-sama were training at the arena when I received a summon from Keltz-sama. It seemed he wanted to talk about the commotion surrounding the Red Dragon incident. 

“My apologies.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. There was nothing you could do about it, after all. In fact, I have to applaud you instead. You did well.”

“I don’t think I’ve done anything worth praising for.”

“I’ve heard about it from my daughter. You were the one that defeated the Red Dragon, right? Furthermore, with just one single blow. Didn’t you, Kanato-kun?”

“….Yes.”

“Fufufu~ Your achievement in defeating the Red Dragon is far more valuable than the musk deer I lost.”

“The deer musk Keltz-sama lost…?”

“Oh? I didn’t tell you? The one burned to crisp by the dragon was the top quality musk deer raised by my company. It’s a very valuable ingredient for perfumes that the royal family love so dearly.”

“…….Those musk deers must be very valuable then. Keltz-sama, do you really not mind losing it?”

Indeed. The client that submitted the quest was the royal family itself. Those must deer would definitely fetch an astronomical price in the market….

However, Keltz-sama wasn’t even the least fazed. His mood seemed to brighten even. 

“When the supply of a very sought-after commodity decreases, its price will naturally increase. The loss from the death of those musk deer will be compensated by future sales.” 

Keltz-sama said with a smirk. 

“I see. Keltz-sama truly has a penchant for business.”

I replied, slightly taken aback at how smart Keltz-sama was. 

Upon hearing my response, Keltz-sama stood up. He looked satisfied. 

“Kanato-kun, I have other important matters to attend to. Feel free to make yourself at home.”

No… Telling me that will only make me more self-conscious instead… 

In any case, I need to look after Rina and Elene-sama all day today. I need to keep myself together!

I thought to myself when Keltz-sama, who was about to leave the room, suddenly turned back. 

“Fate won’t leave the strong one alone.”

“…..”

X　X　X

Keltz Side, At a Construction Site Near the Royal Palace

The footsteps of robust men carrying heavy loads kicked up dust into the air. Some men were cutting stones, some were transporting the stones, some were giving orders and so on. At least 200 people were working at this construction site. 

Although the work was backbreaking, but everyone had a bright expression on their faces, as if each one of them were working toward one shared goal. 

Keltz arrived at the construction site on a huge carriage filled with hundreds of freshly harvested giant honey coconuts from the southern country. 

There, a familiar blonde man welcomed Keltz. 

“Keltz-sama~ We’ve been waiting for you!~”

“Well, Albert. It seems you’re working hard, huh?”

The one greeting Ketlz energetically was Jeff’s father, Albert. 

Albert gave a signal to the site supervisor and the supervisor immediately shouted. 

‘Everyone! Stop working and gather over here!”

The men who had been working hard all temporarily stopped their job and gathered to where Keltz was. 

They greeted Keltz-sama with a proud smile on their faces. 

“”GOOD MORNING!!””

Impressed by their enthusiasm, Keltz nodded approvingly before he spoke. 

“Hm. What an energetic greeting. Everyone, I’ve come here today to thank all of you for the hard work you’ve all been doing. I’ve brought fresh honey coconuts from the southern kingdom as a token of my appreciation.”

“Ho-Honey coconuts from the southern kingdom?!?!”

The moment everyone heard ‘honey coconut from the southern kingdom’, their eyes widened from surprise. 

“Honey coconuts from the southern kingdom… They are luxury foods that only nobles and wealthy merchants can afford to get….”

“To think Keltz-sama would be so generous to cursed slaves like ourselves…”

“Not to mention Keltz-sama himself is coming all the way here to watch us, lowly folk work…”

“I think I’m going to cry.”

“I’m so glad I became a slave for Keltz-sama’s company. To think someone like me, who is worth less than dirt, would be blessed with such generous treatment….”

Seeing the slaves shedding tears from the touching gestures, Keltz smiled. 

“Everyone, each and every one of you is an indispensable part of Fibel Company. Each of you possess free will and with that will, you’ve agreed to undertake the honorable task of constructing the expansion of the royal palace.”

Keltz paused, putting strength into his gaze before he continued. 

“Those who prove themselves with great results will be rewarded with higher wages and bonuses! So! Everyone, please work hard to create something truly magnificent that will leave the royal family in awe!”

“””YES, SIR!!”””

Everyone’s roar echoed across the construction site. 

Keltz then cast a spell to cut the tops of all honey coconuts he had brought to make it easier for everyone to drink from. He then used ice magic stone to cool the coconut down before handing more than 200 honey coconuts to the slave workers. 

“Drink them while they’re still cold.”

The slave bowed their heads before they started drinking. 

Seemingly satisfied watching the scene unfolding, Albert whispered to Keltz in a voice low enough so the men around them wouldn’t be able to hear him. 

“That was wonderful, Keltz-sama.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Albert. If I was alone, I wouldn’t be able to come up with this method. You are truly clever beyond doubt.”

Praised by Keltz, Albert smiled happily before then, he narrowed his eyes. 

“I’m not smart. It’s those ignorant nobles who are stupid. They treath slaves like objects and exploit the slaves to death. Treating the slaves with respect will never cross their mind. Truth be told, Keltz-sama is truly wise for willing to accept my approach.”

“No, there’s no need for modesty here. The idea of paying slaves a salary wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t from you. Moreover, giving additional bonuses based on performance is something that nobles like me probably couldn’t come up with even if I spend my whole life wrecking my brain.”

“Ahahaha~”

“Thanks to you, the productivity of my slaves is 30 times higher compared to those slaves working under other companies or noble families. This fact has been proven based on results on site.”

“Ufufufu~ Even with additional expenses for salaries and bonuses, we’re still able to receive more profit in return. However, even if other nobles came to be aware of this fact, they would never implement this system because of their pride. After all, those guys are no better than beasts.”

“Albert.”

“Yes?”

“Is there any news about that organization?”

With the quick change of topic, Albert gestured for Keltz to follow him. 

The two of them kept walking until they arrived at a more secluded spot. 

There, Albert finally opened his mouth to speak. 

“I haven’t heard any good rumors from them. In fact, there’s a possibility that they might launch an attack at the upcoming royal party.”

“Hm… That’s not good.”

“How about if we put our bet on my son’s beloved Kanato? I’m sure he will be able to work it out.”

“Yes. Let’s do that.”

“Just imagining an excellent commoner like him shining in the palace gets me all excited~ After all, he’s someone who’s much more capable than all of us~”

Albert narrowed his eyes and lifted the corners of his mouth into a smile. Seeing that, Keltz came to a decision. 

“I’ll be going to see the second princess now.”

“To deliver the perfume, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I wish you the best of luck, Keltz-sama.”

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T/N: Treating slaves like a normal human is considered as an unthinkable feat in this kingdom… The nobles are inhuman…. ୧(๑•̀ᗝ•́)૭