I am Chris, son of the Hosa Earl. Our house makes its living in the Rainana Kingdom through the slave trade. It's a rather shady business, but it's legal in Rainana, and more than that, I pride myself on the fact that it's a necessary occupation for this country.
However, there was something that worried me about the future, and I was racking my brains about it every day. That was Absolute Ark, the eldest son of the Ark House. My house is a noble family under the Ark House, and I’ve visited the Ark House and met him several times, but I just can't shake this feeling of aversion.
Due to the nature of our work, our house visited various territories to do business. Among those territories were houses also under the Ark House, and I’d actively strike up conversations and try to get along with children of the same age. I consider myself confident in my communication skills, but Absolute Ark was the one person I just couldn’t seem to get along with.
I even consulted my father and asked if I could be excused from visiting the Ark House.
"Chris. Do you know what the most important thing in the slave trade is?"
"To cultivate an eye for talent, right? You've told me many times."
"I understand how you feel about Absolute Ark, but take a closer look. He's amazing, you know? He'll surely become a great man in the future."
That’s all he said, and he wouldn't take me seriously.
I understand it in my mind, but my instincts just can't stand Absolute Ark. I secretly asked the other sons and daughters under the Ark House if they felt the same way, and I was relieved to find that everyone felt the same.
Good. My eye for talent wasn't wrong. It was my father who was wrong.
I was thinking that when the incident happened.
At Prince Michael's 10th birthday party, after greeting my father and the upper nobles, I separated from the adults and headed to the floor for the sons and daughters only.
Since I know a lot of people, I get along well with the sons and daughters who are also under the Ark House, and I was having a good time as the center of attention.
"Hey, why are those from your filthy houses here at this auspicious occasion?"
The sons of upper-class nobles called out to us, forming a circle around us, and those under the Ark House were isolated in the center.
Crap, we're surrounded. I, being the highest-ranking, took the initiative to speak up.
"We are also nobles of the Rainana Kingdom. Is there any problem with participating in the party?"
"That's true, but if there are nobles who make a living from such filthy occupations, the dignity of this party will be lowered, you know? Right, everyone?"
Laughter erupted from those surrounding us.
My pride stung, and before I knew it, I tried to walk towards the son of the upper-class noble, but I couldn't. Some people stepped in between, and I was pinned down.
"Hey, you guys, teach this guy his place."
With both arms restrained, I was lynched by those surrounding me.
"Chris?!"
"Don't move!"
Lady Cruel of the Cruel Viscount House and some others tried to stop them, but they were stopped. The opponents were upper-class nobles, and we could imagine what would happen if we, of lower status, did anything. I was punched and kicked repeatedly, and I lost all sensation.
(Damn it! Why do I have to go through this…)
I was about to lose consciousness when I suddenly became alert. An incredible pressure was directed at us.
"...What are you doing?"
When I looked towards the voice, the source of this pressure was Absolute Ark.
(Amazing. He's only 10 years old and he's already exerting this much pressure.)
The crowd parted to avoid Absolute Ark, and he stood between the upper-class nobles and us. Looking at his back as he seemed to protect us, Absolute Ark looked very large.
"I'll say it again. They are under the Ark House, but what did you do to them? Depending on your answer, I won't forgive you."
His voice was quiet but filled with anger, and the pressure being released increased further.
The upper-class nobles who were surrounding us couldn't withstand the pressure and ran away. Seeing the nobles running away, Absolute Ark turned to face us. This time, the pressure was released on us, and I knew that Absolute Ark's anger was directed at us. I immediately fell to my knees.
"A… Absolute Ark-sama, thank you for saving us… And I am sorry for sullying the name of the Ark House…"
Absolute Ark moved.
(Crap, I'm going to be killed.)
I closed my eyes tightly as if waiting for that moment, but the moment Absolute Ark's hand was placed on my shoulder, I knew that my injuries were healing.
(This is healing magic?! I heard he has considerable talent with magic and swords, but to think he can use healing magic as well…)
"You are Chris of the Hosa Earl House, weren't you? You were in a terrible state."
He spoke to me, but I wondered if he was angry. The pressure was still being released.
"Yes! I apologize for showing you such an unsightly sight. There were many upper-class nobles among them, so I couldn't resist, and as a result, it escalated. All responsibility lies with me. Please forgive the punishment of the others!"
After my apology and plea, Lady Cruel and the others followed up for me. Then, Absolute Ark's voice was released.
"I understand the situation. However, this incident is the fault of not only Chris, but all of you. Do you know why? Chris, answer as the representative."
It seemed that my plea didn't reach him. I answered the question in a trembling voice.
"I-Is it because they looked down on us because we are lower nobles?"
"That's also true, but you should have known in advance that we have a bad reputation. Even so, why did you diligently gather in this place? You should have known that you would be targeted when only you were there without any upper-class nobles."
That's certainly true. But I didn't think that we were being treated as such enemies. I was about to cry when I said.
"Then what am I supposed to do!"
We, with our low peerage, cannot go against those of higher status. But, Absolute Ark said as if blowing away such thoughts.
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
For a moment, we didn't understand what he was saying, but we soon understood. Absolute Ark repeated the words.
"This incident happened because you were of lower status and the opponents were of higher status, as Chris said earlier. Then what if I was there? I wouldn't have let them do as they pleased like they did just now."
That's right. We all disliked Absolute Ark. We caused a commotion because we acted to avoid Absolute Ark.
"Now, as I said, you are all responsible for this incident. Therefore, I will give you a penalty."
For a moment, I was prepared to die, but it was something unexpected.
"In the future, when you enter events or the academy, try to stay where I can see you as much as possible. I will take that as the penalty for this time."
I was shocked. It was virtually no punishment. Not only that, but he indirectly said that he would protect us in the future. We misunderstood Absolute Ark. To think he was such a magnanimous person. I was ashamed of the disrespectful thoughts I had about Absolute Ark. Tears welled up.
An escort came and Absolute Ark went back, but even after he left, my tears didn't stop.
After the party, I returned to the mansion and told my father what happened today.
My father listened to my story to the end without saying anything, and then told me.
"I know you hated Absolute Ark. But think back. Did Absolute Ark do anything to you?"
I shook my head. Certainly, I don't remember receiving any violence or slander from Absolute Ark. The conversations were also dry, but now that I think about it, they were normal.
My father says again.
"This story is confidential. Don't tell anyone else. Actually, Absolute Ark's impressions of others are worsened by his own skill. That's why I told you to cultivate an eye for talent many times. I wanted you to judge Absolute Ark's personality without being swayed by his skill."
I was shocked by the unknown fact.
"What?! How could you not tell me that such a skill exists!"
If I had known about the skill, my response to Absolute Ark might have changed, so I couldn't help but say it.
"Cool your head, Chris. Details of individual skills are a matter of privacy. Even more so if they are upper-class nobles."
"I understand. But if that's the case, then Absolute Ark's surroundings!"
"It will be difficult to make friends, let alone allies. That's why we, the heads of the family, were informed about the skill in advance, and we told you children to look at Absolute Ark with his personality. I've especially told you this many times. You are the most popular among the same generation of subordinates. I was hoping that your perspective on Absolute Ark would change even a little through you."
I was devastated to hear those words. I had a feeling of aversion to Absolute Ark and made my friends of the same age agree with that idea. I was the one who made Absolute Ark alone.
My tears didn't stop. He, who was strong and had a hint of kindness, had no allies.
How much hardship did I make him walk?
My father stroked my back and said.
"You abandoned Absolute Ark, but Absolute Ark did not abandon you. How will Chris repay him in the future?"
My mind was made up. I will never let him, who seemed arrogant like those upper-class nobles but had a hint of kindness, be alone again.
"I will never abandon Absolute Ark again. I will fill Absolute Ark's surroundings with allies. That is my responsibility to Absolute Ark."
Hearing that, my father nodded happily.
(First of all, let's find allies who have the same idea. Lady Cruel of the Cruel Viscount House, who is smart, might have the same idea.)
And so Chris started to move.
Chris Hosa
10 years old
Skill
・Slave Contract V4… Can enslave the other party who has completed the mutual contract.
Status
Level: 10
Physical Ability: 15
Magical Power: 40
Brain Power: 60
Acquired Magic
Fire
Techniques
Strong communication skills
