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Main Scenario: Slave Traders.

The clear condition for this scenario was incredibly straightforward.

It was simply about exterminating a group of slave traders who were hiding in the shadows of the empire and engaging in human trafficking.

As simple as it was, it wasn’t a scenario without tactical combat.

This scenario existed to boost the player’s reputation, much like the main scenario of the Sigurd family, and it wasn’t necessary to clear it for the game to progress.

However, since the slave traders were parasitic on the empire’s dark underbelly, leaving them unchecked would allow their influence to grow, eventually turning them into a massive organization that would be difficult to exterminate.

Moreover, there was an event where they could kidnap your carefully nurtured companion characters with a certain probability, forcing players to clear the scenario reluctantly.

It wasn’t mandatory, but it was one of those events that felt like a forced obligation.

Every Tactical Combat player would always mention this when explaining the slave scenario.

Gilbert, having just left the restaurant, looked at Seraphina, who was still fuming, and fell into deep thought. The slave trader scenario usually occurred around the mid-point of the main scenario, but this time it seemed to have happened a bit earlier.

Of course, he wasn’t shaken, as he had already learned through past experiences that not everything would flow like the game. He was just trying to recall where the slave traders had hidden.

He had cleared the slave trader achievements before, as he was obsessed with achievement hunting. Achievements weren’t always tied to righteous or good actions.

There were achievements that required playing with a more malevolent approach, and Gilbert, of course, had achieved them all.

Back then, he played with the simple mindset that it was just a game.

The thought that there was such a disturbing route was just an added bonus.

But now, in reality, it didn’t feel as pleasant.

An organization that engages in human trafficking couldn’t possibly be normal, right?

Moreover, Tactical Combat was an adult game. It was filled with cruelty and explicit sexual content, so playing through the slave trader route wasn’t exactly enjoyable. He just mechanically rushed through to achieve the achievements and move on to the next playthrough.

Still, he was grateful for that experience. Even if only half of the in-game information matched, it would save him a lot of trouble in hunting them down.

The problem, however, was how to unravel that information.

This was what Gilbert was pondering.

The slave trader group, Slaves, had close ties with the power structure since they operated within the empire. To satisfy the perverse desires of nobles, they would kidnap anyone without discrimination.

When Gilbert played the slave trader route, he kidnapped all sorts of people to achieve the Slave Hunter achievement. He didn’t hesitate to do crazy things to complete all achievements in one playthrough.

Back then, he thought it was just a game, but he still frowned multiple times. By the later stages of the route, he even wondered about the mental state of the game developers who designed such a route.

Regardless, their information was highly classified, so even if he requested it from an ordinary information guild, it would be hard to get accurate details.

As usual, these shady organizations operated in a decentralized manner, and digging into them would only yield low-level pawns.

Unless he entrusted the task to a high-level information organization like the Wild Rose, it was practically impossible to get useful information.

This was why Gilbert was troubled. He knew the information, but the key was how to present it.

If he revealed too much at once, it would inevitably raise suspicions. It would be strange if Gilbert, who shouldn’t know such details, suddenly brought them up.

Unable to find a good solution, he decided to visit the Wild Rose of Obitus soon. Only an information guild of that caliber could retrieve information on Slaves.

“Priest.”

“Speak.”

“I don’t think the open slave system is bad. After all, slavery isn’t illegal in the empire.”

Infractus was one of the places that still practiced slavery. Depending on the severity of the crime, criminals were often demoted to slaves.

Beyond that, buying and selling slaves within the empire’s legal framework was entirely permitted.

However, what they strictly prohibited was the sale of slaves through human trafficking.

Even in a place where the class system was alive, indiscriminate slave trading was considered a societal evil under the current empire’s policies.

Thus, for Seraphina, who deeply cared for the empire, slave traders who engaged in human trafficking were cancerous entities that had to be eradicated.

“But these scum have gone too far. They dare to conduct human trafficking right under my nose. This is nothing short of mocking me.”

“Your words are just.”

“Gilbert. My priest and the empire’s loyal servant.”

Gilbert immediately stood up and knelt.

Seraphina was no longer just Gilbert’s priest.

The moment she called Gilbert the empire’s loyal servant, she became Seraphina Lector Infractus, the First Princess of the Infractus Empire.

“By the command of Seraphina Lector Infractus, the First Princess of the Empire.”

“I swear to carry out any order, even at the cost of my life, as the empire’s loyal servant.”

“Your order is simple: complete annihilation of the scum. Let your sword be blind and deaf, a sword of judgment alone.”

“Sir Gilbert Lionheart, I shall carry out the First Princess’s command.”

**[Main Scenario: Slave Traders has begun.]**

The moment Gilbert bowed his head to receive Seraphina’s command, the main scenario began.

***

After finishing their covert mission and returning, Gilbert headed to Obitus the next morning to carry out her orders. There was no set deadline, but the longer he delayed after the main scenario started, the faster their influence would grow.

With the princess’s support, Gilbert arrived in Obitus via the Warp Gate.

Obitus in the early morning wasn’t much different from when he had last visited. Even though at least half a year had passed, the pace of development in this era was slower compared to modern times, so it wasn’t surprising.

Gilbert left the Warp Gate management office and headed straight for the back alleys. He could feel the eyes of pickpockets eyeing his pockets, but none dared to approach.

Though half a year had passed, the rumors from his last visit had spread. In a place like this, being unaware of the rumors could cost you your life.

Arriving at the Wild Rose as before, he was quickly able to meet with the manager.

“Well, if it isn’t Lord Gilbert?”

Having met a few times before, the manager welcomed Gilbert warmly. Gilbert had previously provided information that led to successful operations, earning the manager’s high regard.

Within the Wild Rose Guild, Gilbert’s information was always treated as top-tier, reflecting his elevated status.

“A request, Manager.”

“Of course. What do you need this time?”

Used to Gilbert’s blunt demeanor, the manager asked about his visit without hesitation. Having dealt with many lunatics, the manager found Gilbert’s straightforwardness refreshing.

“Information on the human trafficking slave traders hiding in the empire.”

“Human trafficking slave traders… That’ll cost quite a bit.”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Still as decisive as ever. The upfront fee is 30 gold.”

30 gold just for the upfront fee? That’s ridiculously expensive.

It showed how hard it was to get information on Slaves, but for Gilbert, who already had a rough idea, it felt like a waste of money.

However, trying to save a few coins by revealing too much could get him tangled up with them. In a situation that was already fully underway, he didn’t want to take such reckless risks.

Gilbert tossed a pouch to the manager.

From its weight, it seemed to contain 30 gold, but the manager meticulously counted it. Information guilds couldn’t afford to be careless, as it would damage their credibility.

Of course, there were also the occasional lunatics who tried to scam information guilds.

“Confirmed. We’ll deliver the information as soon as possible.”

“Is there anything you can confirm right now?”

“Well, the human trafficking slave traders hiding in the empire are quite numerous. But from what we’ve gathered, they’re all connected under one large organization.”

“Their name?”

“Slaves. They’re likely the slave trader group you’re looking for.”

“Slaves… Got it. Get me as much information as possible. If you can find their leader’s location, even better.”

“It might take some time. Slaves operate in a decentralized manner, so if they sense they’re being tracked, they’ll cut ties and flee immediately.”

“I’m not interested in that. I’ve entrusted the Wild Rose with this task, and I only need the information you provide.”

“Any concerns? You needn’t worry about that. By the way, Lord Gilbert.”

The manager, who had been chuckling, showed Gilbert something. It was a familiar-looking deck of cards.

“We’ve got a good item in stock… Interested?”

Perhaps seeking a rematch, the manager asked if Gilbert wanted to play Swat.

Gilbert hadn’t come with the intention of playing Swat, but he was very curious about the item.

“A good item?”

“Tears of the Moon, a rare mineral. Even more precious than the Dragon Fruit you took last time.”

Tears of the Moon!

Gilbert’s eyes lit up at the mention of Tears of the Moon.

Tears of the Moon was a substance with exceptional mana sensitivity. Though its uses weren’t widely known yet, its value would skyrocket once its applications were discovered.

There were even rumors that it could contain souls due to its high mana sensitivity. The fact that such a mineral was in the Obitus branch was astonishing.

“I didn’t bring my deck this time either.”

“Same as before, I’ll lend you my deck. Shall I take that as your agreement to participate?”

“Didn’t I say? I’ve never lost.”

“I’ll give you your first defeat.”

And so, Gilbert and the manager’s Swat rematch was abruptly set.

***

The winner of the Swat rematch was once again Gilbert.

Who do you think you’re dealing with? A Korean duelist who’s good at everything.

Gilbert, overjoyed, took the Tears of the Moon and returned to the Demia Empire Academy.

 

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