[Hanako] Chapter 10: Work Plans

[Throndir]

"Hmph... Yes, that's right." Aldric said. Ensuring he was obnoxious about it, he then flashed his eyes in anger towards you, but continued.

"We're planning to have a meeting in Elstergen tomorrow, so I would prefer if I can mail these to you instead. That would be fine, right?"

Aldric Bluff 1d20+10 : 6 + 10, total 16

Burkhardt Sense Motive 1d20+5 : 12 + 5, total 17

[Throndir]

"Surely I can come by after or before your meeting... I have a few of the soldiers here in the city as well in holding that I can bring over. Yes?"

"I'll need time to go through each of these profiles, Burkhardt. Not to mention I've been thinking of funneling more of my current resources from here in Elstergen into Flensberg, so I will be planning to reduce the number I buy. I'll go through these profiles carefully, and check my current roster to compare if any of them I would need. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll buy any from briefly glancing at them. But I will send a courier to get these to you if I do make a purchase."

Aldric Bluff 1d20+10 : 8 + 10, total 18

Burkhardt Sense Motive 1d20+5 : 4 + 5, total 9

[Throndir]

Burkhardt sighed.

"Very well then... Well, I'll be expecting word from you tomorrow. If you do make purchases, please be sure to send them to me as early in the day as possible. I have a meeting with another client later."

Aldric nodded as Burkhardt stood up to collect the signed papers; the one of the Isikawan and the Valkyrie. Both signed by Aldric. Aldric grinned as he noted Burkhardt's sour expression.

"Fear not Burkhardt! These exotic goods you sold me will get some use."

Burkhardt laughed in response nodding in understanding.

"I understand 'old friend'. But I suppose this was the reason why you called me that when I arrived here. Reducing business with you will lose out a good client... You purchased a lot over the years. But business is booming since our new overlords." He shrugs. "I suppose you want me to look for truly unique specimens, rather than soldiers?"

Aldric nodded.

"Only a few, I can't very well afford to buy everything with the new ventures I plan. But yes, spread the word to other merchants that I'm looking for less, and probably wouldn't be interested in buying... If they think they have something absolutely irresistible, then sure, of course."

Burkhardt nodded as he finished packing his briefcase.

"Very well, have a few of your soldiers help with the Isikawan and the unconscious Valkyrie." Burkhardt explained.



Soon enough a couple of your soldiers followed the man outside, moving the covers off the wagon, it revealed two cages. One of the cages had an unconscious girl that had white hair, while the other was an Isikawan. Both weren't wearing much. You noted that the one who was likely a 'valkyrie', was rather short, and young-looking. If you were to guess she looked like a child. Burkhardt explained that each of them had possessions as well, which was included in the price for each.

The enslavement ritual didn't take very long, much like the contractual magic you prepared before, Burkhardt took some blood from Aldric with a needle, then had Aldric sign each of the contracts. After binding that to the collars, the process was complete.

Afterwards Burkhardt and Aldric bid their farewells to each other, and soon enough Klein Company had two more under their care.

Both of them in collars, with the Valkyrie still unconscious, and a large chest filled with their belongings. The Isikawan girl had been glaring at Aldric for the entire time, though Aldric did his best to ignore her.

"You pig. You're not touching me."


"Or her."

When she spoke, your translation ability triggered, but the rest in attendance, except for Minette couldn't understand her. Aldric shrugged then glanced towards you.

[Asta]

Presuming Burkhardt was safely away, Hanako stretched and then popped her own collar off with a satisfied grunt. "Hnnnn~ That's better. I don't think I'll ever get used to having to wear these in unpleasant company."

Before speaking to the collared and disgruntled Isikawan woman Hanako went around and freed the others that had participated in the ruse. Afterwards she walked over to the captive woman and looked her over curiously. "Wow... Everyone says I look like an Isikawan, but now that I've actually met one I can understand why. Oh, but where are my manners?"

She placed her hands on the front of her thighs and bowed in greeting. "Nice to meet you, I'm Hanako Okita."

She straightened up and put a hand to her chin in thought. "If I take that off you and explain the situation here, do you promise not to try and fight me or escape?"

[Throndir]

The Isikawan girl stared in shock as you first disabled your collar. She blinked her eyes in confusion, and quickly stared towards Aldric who didn't seem pertrebed at all. As you went from person to person disabling their collars too, the Isikawan girl was even more surprised.

"What- Aren't you-" Eventually you stood in front of her and introduced yourself.

"You can... take the collar off?" She asked, her eyes wide. She glanced at you then back to Aldric and finally back to you again.

She spoke slower and more calmly this time.

"My name is Akiyama Nene." She announced as she looked at you directly. You noticed that she had a Japanese-like name, with her last name being used first, before her first.

"Who are you...?" She asked, her eyes still staring at you.

"You're an Isikawan? Yet you speak for this Refedorian noble..?" She glanced warily at Aldric.

[Asta]

"Japanese" Hanako said, "Though I guess our cultures probably share some similarities."

She looked back at Aldric, who probably could only understand half the conversation. She wasn't sure exactly how the translation worked. "He's a paid actor, not a noble. More or less I run things here, though it was a situation kind of forced on me. Nobody here wants to hurt you, and as soon as you reassure me that you aren't going to start a fight I'll take that collar off. Though I really wouldn't recommend trying to leave, you'll just end up getting recaptured and sold off to someone."

Hanako put her hands in her pockets and put her weight all on one foot, a casual posture indicating she wasn't a threat. "I can explain better, but it would be best if we got back inside."

[Throndir]

Aldric nodded at your explanation, understanding your words, but wasn't able to understand Nene. When you began explaining the situation, hope started to fill her eyes.

She nodded her head when you finished explaining. "If what you say is true, then please accept my apologies." Nene said as she bowed with her arms to her side at a 45 degree angle towards both you and Aldric. Finally her eyes roamed back up, catching yours.

"If you can remove my collar, that would be much appreciated." Nene said, holding on to that hope she had started to feel.

"Japanese? I've never heard of that before... The way you unbound the collars, is that some sort of magic of your people? You know my language at least... But yes, lets go inside... Having a paid actor working as a noble in country ruled by demons is probably no small feat."

She said as her eyes went over to the unconscious Valkyrie who was still heavily sedated. When Burkhardt left them in your care, his men had simply left her on the ground for your soldiers to take care of.

"It'll still be a couple of hours until she awakes, they usually heavily sedate her, as she can be formidable when awake..."

[Asta]

"No worries, given the situation it's a reasonable reaction." Hanako said waving away the apology. "I can explain the situation a little better later on, but let's get you out of the collar first."

With that, she did the usual and concentrated on the collar a moment to release it.

"That should take care of that. There aren't many people here who can speak Isikawan, but Minette is pretty fluent so she can show you around and get you situated. I think we still have some free beds, probably." she turned to the soldiers that were there and instructed them to take the valkyrie inside carefully and find her a private room to rest in. Hanako elected not to remove the collar on her neck at the moment, considering the remark about the girl being "formidable". Speaking to her would have to come later when she was awake.

She turned back to Nene, and gave a short bow by way of apology. "Sorry that we'll have to get more acquainted later today Akiyama-san, but I made a promise to someone yesterday and if I don't hurry I'm gonna be late. Minette, if you could please show her around that would be great." she said with a smile.

When the conversation is concluded, Hanako is going to rush off to the garden to meet Trudy.