The Skill Collector

A carriage approached me from the other side as I relaxed and walked down the street.

With a two-headed carriage, the carriage carriage is not heavily fronted. There are men and women in their twenties in your seats. There is a little boy sitting on the carrier.

This line, it's probably family.

I load a lot of stuff, but the majority of it looks like household tools.

"Traveler... isn't it? You're a businessman out of that big bag you're carrying?

The carriage stopped a little in front of me, and a man of the seemingly good man spoke to me.

"Yes. I'm touring the city and the village. Are you all moving?"

When I asked, they looked at each other in the audience and laughed lonely.

Again, is there a reason?

Getting rid of where you were born and raised in this time and age with your family is a fairly prepared behavior.

"Yeah, we were born and raised in the whole family, we left the village, we moved."

"Even if there's something in it?

It's rude to go deep into the situation of someone else in red on such occasions, but it's something you can easily talk about because you're the person you'll never see again.

I want to know beforehand if there are demons, bandit raids or some kind of trouble. There are many travelers and pedestrians who think so.

"Well, that's right. Our family can no longer live in the village. It was a very peaceful and lovely village."

The young couple glances and smiles, turning to the boy.

The adults' faces are slightly distressed.

Should I think that the child has driven the village out or made it difficult to stay?

It doesn't look like this family is going to commit a crime. Let's not pry any further.

"Is the pedestrian stopping by the village ahead?

"Yes, I plan to,"

"Really? You're traveling alone… you may not be welcome, but don't worry too much"

I said something strange.

What does it mean that solo travel is not welcome?

"What does that mean?"

"No, don't really care. Because if you're a pedestrian, I think you'll accept it. Okay, now."

You didn't want me to touch you any more, or the waving carriage moves out of you.

I smile back at the boy who waves innocently, but there was an earlier word on his head.

I'm very curious about what you were saying.

I was rarely on foot on this aspect of the continent, so I was oblivious to information, and I can't even predict what he wanted to say.

I wasn't supposed to stop by the village and run at full speed to the city ahead...... why don't you reschedule and go.

As we plug into the branch, we continue along the path of those who remained.

I couldn't go wrong looking because it was a carriage with all that big stuff on it.

It is unexpectedly maintained on the road leading to the village.

Large stones have been removed and there is little irregularity on the ground.

Obviously people's hands are on it. Is it a large village?

As soon as I get into this country, I take out the map I got and look through it.

There is no mention of this road or village on the map. I bought as detailed a map as possible with a small village written on it as well.

"Is it a new village, or something"

He said, "If you believe the word of your Lord, the village where you were born and raised." It should be a village there for at least twenty years.

I don't think it's going to be a mess because of how they are, but let's not let them get distracted.

After a while I saw a stone wall in my sight.

High and long walls. The cut rocks are carefully connected together to create them.

It's a fine wall that surrounds the village. Normally, it is arranged by piercing the whole thickness or about a wooden fence.

The gates are also made robust with both metal reinforced wooden openings.

"Should we consider there to be a lot of demonic raids? There's also a line called wealthy."

Either way, it's a village you might expect.

The gatekeeping men are hardening their gear with spears and leather armor.

Hello, what can I do for you in this village?

I am wary, but calm.

You have a built up body. It is also a muscular way of repeatedly training the martial arts rather than farming.

Village gatekeepers are usually alternately handled by villagers, but these people may be doing it exclusively.

"I'm a pedestrian. I was hoping we could do business in this village."

"Oh, a merchant? I'll be waiting a long time. I'm calling the village chief."

It is not uncommon for the village chief to give permission to enter the village directly. I'm free to wait, so can we even chat and pull out information?

"Okay. But that's a fine wall and gate. Are there many external enemies?

"I don't think it's any different from the other villages. But the villagers worked together to build this wall just in case. All our villages are full of hard work and hard work. It's been less than thirty years since we've been able to do this, but it's going to be fine."

I'm proud of the gatekeeper who talks.

Did the villagers do such a splendid wall in total? If it's true, it's a big deal.

A view of the village everywhere if you observe beyond the open gates. If I were to make a difference compared to the others, where the atmosphere is good and lively?

Those who work in the fields, craftsmen who repair walls, and prestigious clerks who are in store-like shops all smile and work.

At first glance it is a village like an ideal home, but I looked unexpectedly at it when I discovered that only one village was different from the others.

I checked all the villagers within sight, no doubt.

The people in this village...

"Thank you for waiting. Welcome to the village of the incompetent."

A village-manage-like man with mildly smiling gray hair and a moustache mouthed the village's name as if he had read my surprise.

Yes, the inhabitants of the village I just confirmed are incompetent. I mean, I don't own a single skill.

"Is this the village of the incompetent?"

All this time, I make a slightly surprising voice without activating 'acting'.

"Again, you didn't seem to know. Because the only people who know my village and stop by are the incompetents."

I see. I understood the meaning of the words I had spoken with the man who was now your man.

You thought there was no way I was incompetent traveling alone.

"Do you turn back discriminated against like the rest of us?

The tone is soft but I feel a strong will in my eyes.

"No. If it's not bothering you, I'd like to do business with you."

Originally, there is no prejudice against the incompetent.

Now I have enough respect for my late incompetent friend.

"Oh, you're a different person. You seem to be telling the truth, not the lie. What if they don't own the skills?

"I have some skills. See skill certificate"

I look at the skills that it says to hand over.

There it is called 'Listening Ear', 'Computation' and 'Health'. This is one of those skill cards that disguises your abilities.

"You're blessed with talent,"

"Luckily...... I'm sorry, that was rude."

"You don't have to apologize. Because the inhabitants of this village don't envy each other with or without skills."

That's what I said, the village chief nodding big time.

It doesn't make us despise ourselves, it's more like we're proud.

"If you don't mind, may I show you the village before business"

"Can you please"

I wanted to know more about this village, so I decided to let it sweeten me.

"It is the formation of the village that the incompetent, who have lost their place of residence, began to live side by side with each other. Just because you're incompetent, you're subject to discrimination, and you're pushed to do a hard job of not making a big difference in your ability."

The village chief, speaking as he circles the village, is frowning and shaking his head.

I guess there's something about the position of the incompetent.

Particularly in this country, the position of the incompetent is low, and there seems to have been a general who forcibly conscripted the incompetent a few decades ago to force them to fight on the harsh front.

"It is the pride of this village that there is no such discrimination. People are born with skills that determine their superiority and inferiority. But everyone who doesn't have the skills starts in the same place. conditions of reciprocity without discrimination or inequality. Don't you think it's very nice that the future changes depending on your efforts"

Shut up and nod in response to the inquiry.

I saw my friend's life, too, and there was something I thought.

I wonder if I really need the advantages and disadvantages of my skills.

"Efforts must be rewarded. Here you can be educated free of charge from an early age and choose your future according to your abilities. Even when parents farm, they are allowed to become artisans, and vice versa."

Most children in the world inherit traces of their parents. On rare occasions, some people jump out of their homes and follow different paths, but most follow the same path.

There is little freedom of choice of occupation, especially in villages. It's a tough world, especially for the incompetent.

I would say the way this village is done is ideal.

"I think it's a great idea. But I have a question."

"What is it"

"What if someone other than the incompetent visits to want to be a villager?

There must be some skill holders who share the idea of this village.

I'm attracted to something now, too.

"I'm sorry in that case, but I refuse. If even one person with the skills enters, there will be discrimination and distinction. Sad thing, though."

I can understand what you're trying to say.

This village is made up of no skill owners. Contrary to other villages and cities, owners may be discriminated against as foreign objects. Are you afraid of that?

So what happens if a child born in a village is not incompetent?

The village chief looked at me on the side only for a moment.

With calm eyes with no emotions whatsoever.

"In that case, unfortunately, you will be asked to move to another village or city. But don't worry. When people with no skills marry each other, children born with skills are rare."

"I see."

I know what I'm saying is true because I've looked into the incompetent.

But it is only rare and not certain. There is a chance that incompetent children will also have skill holders.

I guess the carriage family I met on my way to this city had a son who was capable.

We can't just kick the kids out. The family left the village behind.

Originally, if a skill owner is born, it's up to the family to celebrate, but it's ironic.

"This must remain the ideal of the incompetent. This is the last place the abused will reach."

I think it's a noble idea. The general public agrees.

But I can't praise you for thinking about that family.

But this is fine. Because there is no ideal place without perfect discipline and distortion that everyone envies.

"Do you think our thoughts are wrong?

"I'm just a merchant. You can't tell it's hard. However, if I may say one thing... We have villages that discriminate against the incompetent, so can we have villages that discriminate against the capable?"

"Is it discrimination? Right."

The mayor of the village, angry with my words, is arming up and thinking about it.

Wasn't that what you dare point out?

"Sorry, outsiders have passed"

"Don't apologize. I will inscribe it in my heart as a valuable feedback."

It was nice talking to the village chief.

Many who believe that they are doing the right thing are drunk with justice and do not allow objections without listening to the words of men.

If you said the same thing in front of other villagers, you wouldn't be equally convinced.

I can be flexible because I'm this village chief.

He then sold spices and entertainment tools in the village square and spent the night in the only inn in this village with the income he earned.

The next morning, the village chief dropped me off outside the village gate.

"If you don't mind, please stay again"

"Be sure. By the way, the mayor seems to be single, but he's planning on getting married."

I threw a question in the middle of a farewell greeting.

It is quite unusual for a village chief to be old and single one step ahead of him.

Especially rare when it comes to the position of village chief with status.

"Unfortunately, I don't have the edge. At this age, if you realize it."

Did you hide the slightest upset and make me laugh?

"Yeah, well, I forgot to give you one piece of advice. I heard rumors that a general who was abusing the incompetent and disposing of them as soldiers was lurking nearby. Be careful."

The village chief's eyes get thinner.

"Are you a general?"

"Yeah, he did disappear with his kid the day his only son turned ten."

"Really? Thank you for your advice."

I don't need to say any more, so I bow my head down small and leave the village behind.

Even though it's an incompetent village, the fact that the village chief has' cover-ups', 'appraisals', 'commands', 'intimidation' and 'swordsmanship' doesn't concern me, because I fear that the reason I'm excluding skill holders could wake up to a high level of 'appraisals'.

Whatever the past, if the incompetent need this village, that's fine.

The voice of the man calling me "father" from behind to the village chief made it slight, but I didn't look back.