by Hiro Ainana
General Erthal put his arm around my shoulder and led me away.
The drinking declaration was probably just to appease the noble in green. In reality, he seemed to be trying to get me away from any more potential trouble.
While we were at it, I decided to ask him a question.
“Is this Cannibal Snakes group very well-known?”
“They’re a criminal organization that brought drugs like demonic and corpse potions into Labyrinth City long ago,” the general responded.
I searched the map, but I didn’t see any organization by that name anywhere in the kingdom, including Labyrinth City Celivera.
“They tend to reemerge whenever the season of the demon lord draws near,” the general muttered seriously.
“Bringing down criminals who’ve used demonic potions is troublesome enough, but now there are corpse potions, too? Truly, it’s as if the city of Celivera is cursed.” The captain groaned.
“It makes sense, since you can get the ingredients in the labyrinth…”
The foxfolk officer got another punch for pointing out the unnecessary.
It was entirely possible that we’d be drinking through the night, so I used the Space Magic spell Telephone to let Arisa and the others know.
Still, though…
It was obvious that Sokell was trying to catch me in a kind of trap, but why would he go so far as to use some strange drug to make those men attack me?
Given his nature, it was possible that he attacked me to get revenge on Prince Sharorik’s behalf or even that he simply didn’t like me, but this seemed like a lot of effort just for that.
In the back of my mind, I remembered Princess Meetia saying that she was attacked by some well-dressed young hoodlums in masks.
If that was Sokell’s doing as well, then what was his goal?
Next, I remembered other facts like that Sokell used ogredrink potion to get close to the viceroy and his wife and that Princess Meetia’s Breath of Purification could have a similar effect, but I wasn’t sure what the connection was.
Nope, I have no idea.
I’d never been good at solving mysteries like these.
At any rate, I might have to come up with some kind of plan to keep myself safe.
“Oh-ho… So you’re treating us, Sir Pendragon? Even if I order some expensive sake?”
“Of course—go ahead. Order whatever you’d like.”
I smiled at the shameless foxfolk officer.
For now, although this wasn’t just to deal with Sokell, it would probably be best to start by getting closer with these three, since they rescued me from that predicament.
The four of us drank until dawn, resulting in me learning all kinds of labyrinth army information.
The foxfolk man kept ordering expensive drinks, but it meant that I learned about some quality brews, so that was fine with me.
New Proof
Satou here. I’ve heard that in the Showa era, businessmen devoted their whole lives to their company in hopes of getting promoted. In the Heisei era, however, it seems they prefer to prioritize their own lives over promotions.
“I’ll be back in a month or so. If you have any problems, just talk to General Erthal or any of the nobles I introduced you to last night.”
“Thank you very much. Travel safely.”
The next morning, I left the still-drunken labyrinth army trio at the bar and went to the airship landing area at the labyrinth army base to see off Viscount Siemmen.
After my new employee Miss Miteruna and I watched his airship vanish into the eastern sky, she drove us back to the mansion by carriage.
“Who are those children, young master?”
“Ah, I hired them to clean up the empty plots of land.”
It was still early in the morning, but the kids were already hard at work on our land, which had less weeds than before.
Looking at them reminded me of the homeless kids I’d seen in an alley last night while I was playing chase.
Maybe it was none of my business, but I at least wanted to make sure the people around me were happy.
(Mostly so that I could enjoy my carefree sightseeing journey, but still.)
“Miss Miteruna, are there any orphanages in this city?”
“Please just call me Miteruna, young master. If you speak to your servants so politely, there are some who would think less of you or even try to take advantage.”
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll just call you Miteruna, then.”
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be called “young master,” either, but she said that was the standard for servants.
“As far as orphanages go…”
According to Miteruna, Labyrinth City had one orphanage at the explorers’ guild and one for each major temple, for a total of eight.
However, as I’d seen the day before, the temple-affiliated orphanages took in only “good-looking” children, and the explorers’ guild orphanage took in only orphaned children of garnet explorers.
“There used to be a royal orphanage as well, but the director was found to be embezzling the kingdom-provided funds, so he was executed and the orphanage destroyed.”
Miteruna added that she had a friend who’d worked at that orphanage.
According to this friend, the embezzlement itself was a false charge, brought about because the director refused to pay a bribe demanded by a government official.
Of course, this official had already been dealt with by the noble in green, aka Counselor Poputema.
“So it should be possible to rebuild the orphanage, then.”
“…Yes.”
Miteruna hesitation before agreeing prompted me to asked her why.
“Well, the current viceroy does not seem to be too interested in welfare-related issues…”
She said it would be all but impossible to revive the public orphanage unless the viceroy was replaced or a highly influential noble pushed for it.
“Not yet, then, I suppose…,” I murmured, gazing at the map.
“You were out all night, and now you bring a woman home with you?!”
“Guilty.”
As soon as we arrived back at the house, Arisa and Mia charged over, looking like they’d been up all night.
They must have stayed up waiting for me, even though I told them I might not be back.
“This is the new head maid.”
“Huh? The one you mentioned yesterday?”
“Mrrr?”
I explained that we’d been seeing off Viscount Siemmen, then made my way inside.
“Welcome hooome?”
“Welcome back, sir!”
Tama and Pochi scampered over and clung to my legs.
As they were in the middle of rubbing up against me for head pats like usual, they noticed Miteruna and froze.
“Mew?!”
“Stranger danger, sir.”
The pair scurried behind me to hide.
“Don’t be rude to our guest, you two,” Liza scolded.
“Welcome home, master.”
“Master, your safe return is celebrated, I report.”
Once the whole group had gathered in the living room, I did a round of introductions.
“This is Miteruna, the head maid who’ll be in charge of the house.”
“A pleasure to meet you. Humble as I am, I will work my hardest to keep the house running smoothly. Thank you for having me.”
Noticing her ruler-straight back, the girls all adjusted their posture as well.
“I am the youngest elf of Bolenan Forest, Misanaria Bolenan, daughter of Lamisauya and Lilinatoa.”
“A-an elf?”
When Mia introduced herself, Miteruna gave a little utterance of surprise.
“I am Nana, I introduce. I belong to master, I declare.”
“Are you the lady of the house, then?” Miteruna asked.
“She is like family to me, but no, she’s not my wife or lover or anything,” I quickly responded, correcting this misunderstandin
g.
Mia pointed at herself and announced “Fiancée,” but fortunately Miteruna took it as a joke.
“Hello, I’m Lulu. I take care of cooking, cleaning, and such.”
“So you have another maid?”
“Ah, she’s like family, too, not a servant. Besides, I do some of the cooking as well.”
Miteruna inclined her head to Lulu. “My apologies, Mistress Lulu.”
“M-Mistress?!” Lulu quickly flailed her arms in front of her face, as if to wave off the title.
It was cute to see a different side of her.
“Tama.”
“Pochi’s Pochi, sir.”
“My name is Liza. We are master’s slaves, so if you have any jobs that need to be done, please call on us.”
The beastfolk girls seemed nervous.
“These girls are part of my family, too. Please treat them as such.”
“Your slaves are…?” Miteruna repeated in confusion, but she didn’t seem to want to disagree with her employer, so she simply bowed in quiet acknowledgment.
Then, last and most obnoxious…
“I’m Arisa. Lulu and I are master’s future wives!”
The other kids all joined in on this declaration, too.
Among them, I heard Lulu murmur, “Just five more years…” Evidently, she was taking our agreement to marry if neither of us was taken in five years very seriously.
Miteruna smiled at everyone. “You all seem quite close,” she remarked.
Once introductions were taken care of, I started explaining the mansion’s facilities to Miteruna.
“This room—it couldn’t be…”
“It’s a bathroom. The drainage system isn’t finished yet, so we’ll have to employ someone to take care of it soon.”
Miteruna stared at the tub in surprise. Maybe she was a fan of baths, too.
“You’re welcome to use it, too, of course.”
“Th-thank you…very much.”
Huh? Her voice sounded strangely stiff.
Maybe it was just my imagination, but her expression seemed a little pained.
“I can’t believe such a nightmarish contraption exists in a city where water is so precious…”
She muttered under her breath, but I heard it with my “Keen Hearing” skill.
Did she actually hate baths, then?
“S-so, young master, where might the well be?”
Miteruna pulled herself together, straightening her expression.
As the head maid, she must be interested in the water source.
I led her out the back door of the kitchen and over to the well.
“The pulley is broken, so when I hire someone to add the drainage channels, I’ll ask them to repair that as well.”
“The bucket and rope seem fine, at least. Is it all right if I take a look at the well water?”
“I’ll get iiit?”
“Pochi’ll help, too, sir!”
As soon as Miteruna removed the cover and picked up the rope and bucket, Tama and Pochi zipped over to help.
They probably wanted to prove useful to their new friend.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask you young ladies to—”
“Don’t worryyy?”
“We can do it, sir!”
Miteruna seemed uncertain, but with Tama and Pochi raring to go, I asked her to let them help.
The pair pulled up the water in a matter of moments and handed it to Miteruna, who thanked them.
However, she almost dropped it when they gave it to her. Maybe she wasn’t very strong.
“Oh? You pulled up this much so quickly? What remarkable young ladies you are.”
“Hee-hee?”
“Aw, I’m blushing, sir.”
Tama and Pochi wriggled bashfully.
Miteruna scooped some of the water into her palm and sipped it.
“This is very clean water.”
It looked like our water quality had passed her test.
“Next, the stove…”
We went back into the kitchen.
“It appears to be out of coal. Could you point me toward the storehouse?”
“I’m sorry,” said Lulu. “We haven’t bought any coal yet.”
Miteruna looked flummoxed. “I shall have to go and buy some before breakfast, then.”
“E-erm, what is the coal for exactly?”
“Why, the stove, of course.”
At that, Lulu slid the movable countertop aside, revealing the heating magic tool within.
The scent of warm milk filled the air. She must have been making milk porridge for our breakfast.
“In our house, we use this for cooking.”
“I-is that a magic tool?”
“Yes. You can adjust the heat, too. It’s more convenient than the stove.”
Lulu looked a little proud as Miteruna reacted in surprise.
“A magic tool installed beneath the counter… Are the other cooking implements magic tools, too?”
“Yes, this one is an oven magic tool, and this is a water-drawing magic tool. We use a magic tool to heat up the bath, as well, so I can show you how to use that later.”
Lulu showed Miteruna each of the magic tools, and she reacted with surprise every time.
Viscount Siemmen’s house probably had plenty of magic cooking tools, too, but these ones were my own design. They were modeled after the built-in systems of Japanese kitchens, so they probably didn’t look like most other magic tools.
“A magic tool for drawing water…? You use such valuable water stones on a regular basis?”
“It’s time-consuming to go to the well each instance, after all.”
We used only about one pebble-size water stone a month; the daily cost breakdown wasn’t too high.
My Well Bag was a Space Magic item, so it worked completely differently, even though the end result was the same.
“There’s a water stone built into the tub, too. There’s no need to draw water for a bath.”
I demonstrated how to fill the bath with water.
“…Remarkable.”
Putting magic into the circuits that made the water flow, Miteruna murmured in wonderment.
So she didn’t actually hate baths—just the amount of work that usually went into bringing in the water and boiling it.
Come to think of it, taking baths in the places we stayed in Seiryuu City and the old capital was such a production that it took several men to prepare everything.
Aside from that, since this was still a newly bought house and all, the tour ended fairly quickly.
I made sure to tell her not to go into the basement attached to my office, since that was for teleporting.
“What a wonderful home you have. I’ve never seen a place so thoroughly cleaned and repaired. My predecessor must have been very experienced.”
Miteruna gave a sigh of admiration.
It was actually Lelillil’s magic that did all this, but I didn’t want to ruin the moment for her, so I kept my mouth shut.
Instead, I handed Miteruna a pouch of silver and copper coins. She would probably need some capital with which to buy goods and supplies.
“Young master, a home-owning noble can buy things on credit, resulting in no need to entrust such a large sum of money to your servant.”
Oh right. I guess they’d had a credit system in the old capital, too.
Still, it was only twenty gold coins’ worth, so I had her keep it just in case.
The other kids didn’t seem to have eaten yet, either, so we went to the dining room for a late breakfast.
“So it’s milk porridge for breakfast today, huh?”
“Mm, with honey.”
“It is sweet and delicious, I report.”
There seemed to be a little bit of lemon juice mixed in, cutting the sweetness for a refreshing taste that was the perfect way to start the day.
“We received a delivery of fresh milk this morning, so I decided to put it to use.”
“It’s deli
cious, Lulu.”
She blushed and smiled at my compliment.
“Mistress Lulu, is this color all right for the gratin?”
“Y-yes, that’s fine!”
I’d invited Miteruna to join us for breakfast, but she politely declined; it went against her personal policy for a servant to dine at the same table as their master.
She was every bit as serious as her appearance suggested.
Though she had an uncompromising nature, she would make a very trustworthy employee.
“Take this green plate to Mia, please.”
“Understood.”
Instead of bacon, Mia’s dish had mushroom slices and spinach.
The beastfolk girls still seemed hungry after the porridge, so they dug in to the gratin right away.
“Ouchie?”
“Sho hot, shir.”
Tama and Pochi started eating too fast and quickly reached for the water.
They’d probably been careless because the outside of the gratin wasn’t very hot.
“It’s hot on the inside, so be careful.”
“Aaaye?”
“Mr. Bacon is hiding inside, sir!”
Keeping an eye on the beastfolk girls, I started on my own gratin.
It was deliciously rich. Like with the porridge, adding fresh Celivera dullcattle milk seemed to make everything taste better.
“I used the dairy we got from the ranch.”
“It’s very good. Shall we make some pastries with it sometime, too?”
“Yes, master!”
Lulu beamed, so I smiled back at her, then set about finishing my breakfast before it got cold.
While we were relaxing in the living room so Miteruna could eat breakfast, Nana came back from checking in on the kids.
“Master, the larvae have awakened, I report.”
They’d started to regain consciousness the previous morning, but I gave them some nutritional supplement potion with a sleep-inducing agent so that they’d recover more quickly.
“Thank you for saving us, Mr. Noble.”
“““Thank you.”””
As soon as I entered the room, the kids all prostrated themselves and thanked me.
Thanks to their youthful vigor and the magic recovery potions, they seemed to be all right to get out of bed now.
At that moment, Miteruna rejoined us, having finished her breakfast.
That seemed a little fast. She really ought to savor her food more.
