Episode 382
Leone clapped her hands and shouted, "You became a director two days after being admitted! Is this the first time in the history of the labor camp? As expected of you!"
She deliberately raised her voice so that everyone in the dining hall could hear.
I glanced at my forearm. When I first arrived, the blue armband had been fastened around Ailak's arm. Now it was on mine. Ever since I put it on, people's eyes had followed me like a magnet every time I moved through the living quarters, and nothing had changed.
It was mealtime, but instead of focusing on their food, they kept stealing glances at my armband and whispering among themselves. Almost none of the looks directed at me were favorable. Most of them seemed unable to understand why someone from a lesser race had become the director.
"What authority does the director have?"
"You can think of it as having authority over the entire living block. There is basic personnel management, coordination and negotiations with other blocks, and you even receive a separate stipend. Well, it is nothing compared to what you earn outside," Leone replied.
"Then can I move to a different room?"
No matter how accustomed I was to sleeping rough, there was no reason to sleep in an animal cage when there were perfectly good buildings.
Leone smiled slightly as she replied, "Of course. In the first place, there's a separate room for the director. You will stay there now."
"There is no point in moving just me," I said. "See to it that everyone currently staying outside is given a room indoors."
Leone hummed. "Lesser races vary in size and habits, so the assignments will need careful management. Leave it to me."
If this had truly been the fairy Michael, I probably would have felt deeply grateful. Now, with the woman leading the Colorless faction stepping forward so easily to run errands for me, I had no idea how to respond. Ultimately, I gave a reluctant nod.
At that moment, one of the men eating nearby jumped to his feet to protest. "W-wait a minute. That sounds a bit difficult for us."
"Difficult?" I echoed.
"Letting lesser races into the building."
"Why? If you don't want to share rooms, don't worry. I have no intention of letting them stay in the same room as you," I said.
The situation inconvenienced not only the seven races, but the lesser races as well. Even so, while the accommodations were shabby, they were far from cramped. Many rooms clearly sat empty. There was no proper bedding or furniture, but it was still better than staying outside.
"That isn't the problem. Do you know how loudly the orcs snore? What about the rock tribe grinding their teeth all night?"
"That's right. In addition, some of the lizardmen are nocturnal. Do you know how bad it is for the heart to see their eyes glinting in the darkness?"
At first, I assumed the man was talking nonsense, but his expression was quite serious.
Indeed, the orcs' snoring is unbearable. Back when I worked as a mercenary, earplugs were essential during joint missions with them.
I could just ignore it and proceed, but dissatisfaction suppressed by force would only intensify. Sooner or later, it was bound to explode. Fortunately, I already knew a simple solution.
"I will divide the building into east and west," I declared.
"What does that mean?"
"You will stay in the east, and the lesser races will stay in the west. Use the dining hall as the dividing point and keep the spaces separate. This way, you won't bump into each other," I explained.
"Um."
"If that is the case..."
At my words, they nodded in agreement.
I rose from my seat and looked around the dining hall. "If you have any complaints, please feel free to voice them. If the problem can be solved through a little compromise and consideration, I will think of a solution. However, keep in mind that I don't have time to listen to nonsense that lacks reason or logic."
The people around me looked at me in surprise before nodding again.
Before speaking as a director, I spoke as a member of this block and raised my first suggestion. "Now then, who is the chef here?"
***
The head chef in charge of the kitchen was the same person who had handed canned food to Michael and me last time. His name was Head, though he hardly looked like a chef.
As I watched him quietly, he let out a deep sigh. "So what are you saying? You want me to make the meals taste better?"
I tried to phrase it as politely as possible, but he interpreted it cynically. Still, it was true.
I nodded. "That's right."
"Fuck. Really," Head cursed under his breath.
I frowned.
"Ah, it wasn't directed at you. I just can't help laughing at myself." Head chuckled as he looked around the kitchen. "Isn't it pathetic? I've been reduced to serving scraps to members of the lesser races and calling it food. I can't believe I was once the Golden Palace's chef. It wasn't always like this. However, do you think I can produce anything worth calling cooking in a place with no proper tools or ingredients?"
"I heard you can request tools and ingredients from the guards," I remarked.
"Of course, that's true." Head let out another chuckle, his mouth twisting in a sarcastic sneer. "But that takes a lot of points. For the idiots rotting away in the labor camp, food isn't that important. No matter what, no one would waste their points on procuring ingredients."
"I will," I interjected.
"You? You will? In order to secure fresh ingredients, you'd need to spend at least several dozen points every month," Head noted.
I sighed and shook my head. "A few dozen points?"
Head shrugged, as if he had expected that reaction. "Do you understand now? Then you'd be better off sticking to canned food. As the director, you can at least get slightly fresher cans—"
"I will invest 100 points every month," I interrupted.
"What?"
"I may contribute more during the first month. As you said, you need tools too." I glanced at Head's dazed expression and continued, "I believe that food is the most valuable of all necessities. If we are content with merely filling our stomachs with nutrients, then how are we any different from beasts?"
"That is the mentality of a gourmet," he remarked.
"You flatter me. Still, only one thing matters right now. Do you have the skills to make proper use of fresh ingredients?"
Head's expression hardened at the question. "I may be in this state, but I was once the Golden Palace's head chef."
"Then I am looking forward to it. I'll get the tools tomorrow and the ingredients within the week."
"Are you crazy?" Head finally blurted out. "Do you know how much you can do with 100 points in this labor camp? You can procure the supplies for subjugation missions and even purchase goods from outside. Things like tobacco and alcohol. Depending on the negotiations, I've heard it's even possible to get permission to leave the camp. It isn't my place to say this, but buying ingredients isn't cost-effective."
"Wait and see."
"What does that—"
I cut him off. "I have my own plan, so don't meddle."
Head fell silent before nodding. From his perspective, the small details didn't matter as long as he could secure the ingredients.
I already had a plan. If it worked, the profits would be enormous. Even if it didn't, the losses would still be manageable.
I patted the puzzled chef on the back. "Then let's discuss the rest after the food arrives."
***
There were rest days even in places like this, though only one day per week.
On the first rest day in the labor camp, the other lesser races who had been dismantling the monsters finally returned.
The rock tribe member at the front froze when he saw the armband around my arm. "Lizardman, what is that?"
I briefly conveyed the situation. "I have been promoted."
"Promoted..."
"By the way, what happened to the corpses? What about the artifacts?"
"Fortunately, we managed to secure two."
Three monsters had been killed, but they obtained only two artifacts. Three would have been better, but it was still a good result.
I examined the artifacts Stonegan handed me. One was a worn yet finely crafted sword, while the other was a small ring. At first glance, it resembled an antique, but the faint mana radiating from it revealed that it was a magic tool. Only a professional appraiser could determine its ability.
I told Stonegan, "Good work."
"Yes... Right now, I just want to rest."
"Of course. You should."
Stonegan and other members of the lesser races headed toward their accommodations, only to stop in their tracks.
"Where did our rooms go?"
"I demolished them," I answered.
"What?"
"Starting today, you'll be staying in the building. I've marked rooms for you on the west side, so find your assigned room and settle in."
"What does that—"
"I will explain the details later," I interrupted.
I guided the still-dumbfounded members of the lesser races into their rooms before returning to my own room with the artifacts in hand.
The director's office was clearly separated from the other rooms. It was far larger than most of the shared quarters and even included private furniture, tea leaves, and simple refreshments. Most of them were shabby and cheap, but for a prisoner's room, it was still luxurious.
Also, I searched around just in case and found a hidden stash of artifacts, silver coins, and even gold coins. Ailak had clearly hidden them without reporting them.
How much did that bastard profit?
I couldn't help but feel admiration. At this point, wouldn't that guy want to commit more crimes to postpone his release from prison? After all, his life in the labor camp was practically that of a god.
In any case, the artifacts would go to Leone and be converted to points, and I would leave the gold coins where they were.
I set the artifacts on the table and considered the situation. According to Leone's assessment, a fairly large monster had appeared this time, which meant there was a strong chance that only smaller ones would surface for a while. Naturally, I could earn plenty of points by consistently hunting these lesser creatures. The problem was that it simply wasn't cost-effective for me to handle them personally.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened, revealing a dwarf. "Do you have a moment?"
I nodded. "Yes. I would appreciate it if you spoke more comfortably."
"Haha. Please don't joke. How could I treat Vulcan so comfortably?"
This dwarf is Potato... No, Topepo. He could be considered the main reason this foolish group from Block 107 managed to maintain acceptable average performance.
As a dwarf, his skill at crafting and repairing equipment was exceptional. I had heard that his temperament was notoriously difficult, to the point that even the former director had to be careful around him. Yet from the very first meeting, he had treated me with the utmost politeness. The reason was the will of Vulcanus that dwelled within the Black Dragon Fang.
—Kuhaha! This believer knows his place!
"What did you say to make this proud dwarf treat me with such respect?"
—I didn't say much! I just told him that by helping Vulcan, my incarnation, he can gain insights that would help him advance as a craftsman!
"Really?"
—Well, if he keeps handling it consistently, won't insights naturally follow?
It was likely because of this irresponsible nature that his believers had decided to betray him. Nevertheless, I was undeniably benefiting from his help, so I decided not to voice this.
"The repairs on the equipment you mentioned have been completed. You should be able to use it right away," Topepo said.
"Thank you for the hard work. This is a newly acquired artifact. Please take care of it as well."
"Of course."
Thanks to Topepo's active support, I could return weapons to the lesser races. Starting next week, the prisoners would officially start killing monsters. I had to admit that I had high expectations.
At this point, anyone would question why I was working so hard to correct the dormitory's bad habits and absurd routines. The reason was simple. I needed points to move freely around the labor camp, but I couldn't spend all my time killing monsters.
I just have to establish automated hunting. My plan was to set up a system that earned points even while I sat still. Once that was in place, I would go around this large labor camp to collect clues. From that perspective, every current expenditure was simply an upfront investment.
"How has the atmosphere in the accommodations building been these days?" I asked.
"Let's see... Honestly, I've mostly been stuck in the workshop, so I can't say for certain. But to be frank, it isn't good. Do you remember Jorette?"
I nodded. "Yes."
"I heard that he still can't let go of the director position and has been causing trouble." Topepo looked at me. "Should I give him a warning?"
"It's fine. You must be tired, so you can go."
After sending Topepo away, I paused to think.
Jorette's meddling was irritating, but dealing with it through force would be difficult. A clumsy punishment could easily become a catalyst for broader dissatisfaction. Some already resented the improved treatment of the lesser races, even if they didn't openly support Jorette. For the time being, I had no intention of giving them justification. I would wait and observe.
Then a knock sounded at the door once again.
Who is it?
It was Topepo, who had just left.
"Did you forget something?" I asked.
"No, it isn't that. A guest has arrived. Michael is currently away, so I had to deliver the message personally."
"A guest?" I repeated.
"Yes." Topepo looked slightly flustered. "The guest is from Block 106."