A New Subordinate

When we set out from Kassad, our caravan had numbered over ten wagons. Coming back, it was down to two.

But really, this was closer to the right scale for us.

It had been a good experience, but I doubted I'd ever lead something that large again.

Honestly, the lack of coordination had been exhausting.

Running a storefront and selling goods suited me better.

The midday air had grown quite warm, a sign that winter's end was near.

Our mules were in good form, their strides smooth and even.

"It's cramped…"

"This is one of the larger wagons, two mules pulling it, but the bed's packed with iron ore."

"I know that."

Iron ore took up most of the wagon's interior, with four people squeezed awkwardly into the gaps.

It was cramped enough that the driver's seat looked more comfortable.

"It won't take too long, so bear with it."

"I'm going to ache all over by the time we stop."

With that, Finn balled up some cloth for a pillow and curled into herself.

Being small had its advantages. She just about fit.

Elza, on the other hand, was large in various ways, so sitting anywhere but the driver's seat would have been a challenge.

When we found a watering spot, we stopped to rest while the mules drank.

Finn and Alexia practically leaped out of the wagon and stretched their limbs.

"What do you think about salt? I really think it's a stable earner."

"Not a bad idea, but I'd like something more to go with it."

During the break, I ended up discussing future products with the merchant I'd hired.

Running a shop versus buying goods and hawking them on the road: our perspectives and the products we handled differed.

It turned into a worthwhile conversation.

We finished our meal while gnawing on hard bread, then resumed our journey.

Eventually we left imperial territory and finally returned to the kingdom.

The air even felt different, somehow.

Arriving at Kassad, we passed through the city walls.

We'd only had to deal with a few monsters along the way, so arriving ahead of schedule was a stroke of luck.

I had them follow me to the shop's warehouse, where we unloaded the crates of iron ore.

"Call on me again anytime. Getting paid just to haul cargo is a nice deal."

After I handed over his payment, the young merchant said his piece and departed.

Transportation was indispensable to people's lives.

Perhaps in the future, businesses specializing purely in shipping would emerge.

Especially now that I understood just how important maritime transport was.

Merchants only wanted to carry things that turned a profit.

Not that Yohane's trading company could manage something like that anyway.

Hauling capacity translated directly into revenue, which meant owning and maintaining multiple wagons.

One wagon was already enough to make me sigh. Several would sink the shop in maintenance costs alone.

"Stack these in the warehouse until we ship them to Alsarm."

"Okay!"

Azu answered brightly and began stowing crates with practiced efficiency.

Elza pitched in to help.

Alexia and Finn seemed a bit sluggish in their movements.

Probably because they'd been stuck in that cramped space with no room to stretch. I felt bad about that.

"That's it for today. Everyone take it easy. Orleans, let's go get your daily necessities sorted."

"…? I have everything I need in my bag, as I mentioned."

"A change of clothes and the bare minimum, right? Employee benefits are this company's selling point. At least for starters, I'm buying you everything you need to live properly."

"Is that so?"

Orleans looked puzzled and turned to Azu and the others, who were heading back to the house.

"Come to think of it, that's right. Everything I needed was already there from day one."

"I was a bit put off that there was even underwear."

"Even though I came with nothing but the clothes on my back, I ended up better off than before I was a slave."

"Pretty much everything's provided. And being able to use it all freely is a huge help."

They each chimed in.

Maybe the underwear thing was a bit much.

It might have been a little insensitive toward young women.

Then again, if I hadn't prepared it, they'd probably have said something about that too.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

All you can do is take it on the chin.

"I'll come with you then. Let me take a bath and change first, so wait for me."

Alexia said this and headed inside.

Having a second opinion would be helpful.

Azu looked like she wanted to come along, but I told her that one person was enough and that resting was part of the job. She reluctantly backed off.

She'd been working the whole trip. She must be exhausted.

While Orleans and I waited, Alexia returned shortly after.

She'd changed out of her battle dress into a knit dress.

The scent of soap tickled my nose.

"Let's go, then."

The three of us headed for the shopping district.

Consumables I could source from my own shop.

We bought several days' worth of clothes, towels, and other items, asking Orleans her preferences along the way.

They say women love shopping, and Alexia was certainly in her element.

Orleans had become a full-on dress-up doll.

"This is too fine for someone like me…"

"It's fine, it's fine. Master's treating you, and you're going to be worked to the bone anyway. Might as well get some investment upfront."

"Well, I can't exactly deny that. I'm mainly hoping you'll help with the administrative work, Orleans."

"Which means I finally get a reprieve."

So that's why she was so enthusiastic. She could offload paperwork onto Orleans.

Extending some goodwill made sense under the circumstances.

Orleans's features were well-proportioned despite her lack of expression, and she was still growing.

Everything looked good on her.

She didn't ask for any accessories.

She demurred, saying she still had the ones I'd given her before, and I respected that.

I left the underwear selection entirely to Alexia. If I got involved there, who knows what the other women would say.

Next we bought work supplies.

She'd continue staying at the inn for housing.

That meant furniture was already provided, so we didn't need any.

I carried the bags with both hands. They weren't heavy, but they were bulky.

"Sir… please, let me carry those."

"This much is nothing."

Still, all that walking around had tired me out.

We stopped at a cafe for a break.

"Think this is enough?"

"If anything's missing, we can buy it later. Come to think of it, I haven't discussed your compensation yet."

"Being needed is enough for me."

"That won't do. Proper compensation is a must. After deducting lodging expenses, how does this sound?"

I showed her an amount comparable to what I paid my other employees.

A bit high for someone her age, but cheap considering her abilities.

"… Very well. If I save it, it might come in handy someday."

"Good. Looking forward to working with you."

"Likewise. Thank you for having me."

And with that, Orleans and I formalized our arrangement.