Reincarnated as a... Completely Average Person?

Chapter 36 Collared, Shackled, Chained

[An offer?]

A common negotiating strategy means that two parties can only agree to an "offer" if both sides have something to give.

In the situation she was in she didn't have anything of "worth" to give Yooma.

Naturally, she was very suspicious.

"What kind of offer," she asked very plainly, trying to betray none of her emotions.

Yooma sighed "Look, I know it doesn't make sense, but you don't have to be so tense"

Apparently, her efforts to hide her emotions had failed

"I don't like to see woman and children be killed"

Kotori was shocked, she would've taken Yooma to be someone who had a blind adherence to the law instead of this old fashion value system

[So he does have a soft side]

"A girl as young as you shouldn't try and act so old" he added

For once Kotori was happy she looked so young. It apparently had allowed her to garner sympathy.

"I assume you are all aware of the decline of adventurers," Yooma said

Kotori nodded.

"Well, we need more"

"What do you mean," Kotori asked

"Look," Yooma said "We don't have enough adventurers the collapse of guilds means that the kingdom is desperate for young blood"

[Ahh that's the problem]

Kotori had realized what Yooma was alluding to. It seemed that although the kingdom now had control over adventurers it also was hard for them to hire them.

[Well, that's self-inflicted anyway]

It would make sense that with a lack of guilds, collectivization of dungeons, and lack of support structure for new adventurers the kingdom would have a hard time finding new ones.

[How are you supposed to find promising talent if you can't even develop it]

Kotori thought about a certain sport in her past life. It was a very expensive sport and the best teams would only hire those who had already proven themselves. The sport declined because they could find any new recruits.

Kotori nodded knowingly

[Talent development is very important indeed umu*]

*thinking sound use in Japanese light novels

Yooma walked over and quickly knocked on the door.

The door opened once again and two shapes barged in.

Shu and Umi who were once separated from Kotori now desperately ran to her side once again.

"A token of goodwill" Yooma said,

[wait is he balding?] Kotori thought in an unrelated manner

Despite his movement in the sewers Yooma actually looked quite old. Kotori who had been unable to get a look at Yooma earlier now saw the visage of a tired old vaguely Asian looking man. He was starting to look and sound like a used car salesman. It seemed despite his dislike of killing women and children the Faramouth kingdom really DID need new adventurers to fill out their rank and he was quite intent on getting them to join.

He really looks like an old Japanese salaryman. Although Yooma was a brave person on the battlefield it seemed he was also quite a timid person outside of it.