Atelier Tanaka Volume 4 Chapter 6 part1

Slave Sister

One day had passed since I had fought with Richard and fled the capital of Kalis.

This busamen had returned to his home in Dragon City.

I collapsed into my bed in the mayor's house the same night that I arrived and fell asleep almost immediately. I had been so busy over the last few weeks building my city then dealing with the nobility that my physical and mental exhaustion were at their peak. Before I realized it, a day had passed and the sun was already high in the sky.

"…."

The memories of what happened at Ester-chan's house came flooding back the moment I woke up.

After dealing with the usual underhanded tactics expected from members of the nobility, I officially earned my title as baron. Now, I turn my attention back to improving my town. I want to continue improving my Environmental Engineering Magic while Christina is away.

These were my thoughts as I lie in bed looking at the ceiling I created with Stone Wall.

"…."

Aren't I owed a short holiday?

Think about it. I've been working hard nonstop for the last several weeks and while I've been gone, everyone else was in vacation mode while I was stressing out about how to deal with the King and then Ester-chan's father. I'd be lying If I said I'm not at least a little bitter and I doubt anyone would complain if I took a couple days to myself.

All I want to do is spend a couple of days idling in my room doing nothing.

With this thought, I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep.

The warm rays of sunlight filtering in through the window felt nice. It wasn't too hot nor too cold; the perfect environment to sleep all day. I could hear the sound of a sparrow-like bird chirping away outside. It must be a beautiful day outside.

"…."

This is my holiday.

Resting is the logical way to spend it.

I should just spend all day in bed and forgot about the fact that I'm wasting time. For the second time, I settled into bed to sleep.

Then, as if the world was determined not to allow me my rest,

"Umm, T-Tanaksan, m-may I come in…?"

A knock on the door accompanied by Sophichan's voice.

Sophichan is calling out for my virginity.

"Ah, yes, I'll be ready in a minute. Can you wait?"

"Yes."

No man can sleep if a maid is calling for him. I hopped out of bed and got dressed before quickly straightening my sheets and comforter.

I made sure that everything was straightened in the room before taking a seat at my desk. I scattered a few sheets of paper with instructions for the Twilight Company on my desk and grabbed an inkwell and pen. I held the pen while trying to look as casual as possible.

I decided I'd look better with my legs crossed before calling out to Sophichan while deepening my voice.

"You may enter."

"P-Pardon me."

The door opened and Sophichan entered, glancing around the room as she did so.

Everything's fine. I made sure the room was perfect. The only problem I noticed was what was happening between my thighs. I made a critical error in judgement when deciding to cross my legs. The sensitive areas of my son were rubbing against the fabric of my underwear. Immediate changes need to be made before I reach critical meltdown.

'Umm, y-you have a guest."

"Who is it?"

"That is, well…a slave trader…."

"I see."

Just like Hegel/Richard, this person wishes to bring his business to Dragon City. My virgin heart almost can't handle the excitement. I hope he plans on bringing a tent similar to the one I visited in Kalis.

That was a great time.

Just thinking about it makes me excited.

"Thank you for telling me. I'd like to head down straight away, but there are other matters I need to attend to. Can I ask you to go down in my place, Sophisan? I'll be down shortly."

"Eh? Oh, o-o-of course! I understand!"

Her face stiffened slightly before nodding in agreement and rushing out of the room. When the sound of her footsteps were gone, I got out of my chair and took care of my important matters.

After my son was satisfied, I made my way to the drawing room.

***

The man waiting for me in the drawing room was someone that I recognized.

"Oh, if it isn't Oman-san." (TN: This character never appeared in the web novel and only appeared in earlier volumes of the light novel before I switched from translating the web novel to the light novel. You can read the last two chapters of the manga (chapters 21 and 22) in which he and another character not in the web novel (the thief Hard) appear if you wish to get a little more info about them. )

"It's been a while, Baron Tanaka."

A slave trader that I had a brief interaction with in the capital. This man was demonized by the self-proclaimed Great Thief, Hard based purely on a misunderstanding about how Oman obtained his slaves. His reputation was dragged through the mud before the matter was resolved and Hard helped clear his name. In the end, everything worked out.

"I'm sorry to have shown up with so little warning. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me."

"Please, don't mention it. I'm happy to see you."

"I had heard word that you managed to achieve the rank of baron and wished to meet with you as soon as my schedule allowed. Not long after, rumours of your magnificent city also reached my ears. It would be an understatement to say I'm impressed."

What else does Oman know?

It has only been four days since I was officially recognized as a baron and the carriage ride from the capital to Dragon City should take no less than five days. It's safe to assume that he hasn't heard about the events at the party and the subsequent dinner. It might be safe to take him at his word and assume he came here purely to see the new baron and his city.

"What business brings you here today?"

"I would like to setup a shop in your town. With your blessing of course."

"A shop?"

"Yes, but to be completely honest with you, when I set out from the capital, my only intention was to greet you and witness this rumoured city for myself. The moment the walls of your city came into view, I knew that I wouldn't be able to leave after only a simple greeting."

"I see."

"This town has a great future and I would lose all right to call myself a businessman if I didn't try to get in on the ground floor. Of course, bringing my business to your town would benefit us equally."

If I recall correctly, Oman is a member of the FitzClarence faction; the same faction that the Manson Group belongs to. Having two companies operating in my town with mutual interests doesn't sound bad. Unlike when Hegel first introduced himself to me, I'm familiar with Oman. Let's do it.

And the idea of having a shop filled with naked girls in cages doesn't sound so bad either.

"I hope our partnership will prove fruitful for the both of us."

"Are you sure? You made the decision so quickly."

"As I'm sure you're aware, both of us are members of the FitzClarence faction. If this weren't the case, I'd show a little more reluctance to the idea, but I will support anything that I believe will benefit Viscount FitzClarence."

"I'll do everything in my power to support the FitzClarence family."

"Thank you."

Both parties appear motivated, so we might as well strike while the iron is hot. I don't know when he'll learn about what happened between Richard and I, nor do I know how he'll react. We need to cement this partnership before he has a chance to change his mind.

"Let's go build you a shop."

"…e-eh? B-Build a shop?"

"Follow me. There a few quality areas in the noble district that I have in mind."

"B-Baron Tanaka, building a shop is u-umm…."

It's easier to just show him rather than try to explain with words.

***

Chapter end