Chapter 154: Buying a Big Mansion – Part 2
In the end, the slaves also follow the others in congratulating me, obviously having read the mood.
“Aye. You guys will live here from now on as well.” (Shuuya)
“…Yes, Master!”
“Yes!”
When I turn my face towards the slaves and talk to them,
“Shuuya-sama, please make sure to keep this contract document safe.” (Carol)
Carol-san cautions me from the side.
“Roger.” (Shuuya)
I store the duplicate of the contract in my item box, the safest it can be.
“Shuuya-sama, we shall excuse ourselves at this point. Thank you very much for today. Teres, let’s go.” (Carol)
“Yes, Madam!” (Teres)
Carol-san turns on her heels and leaves the building with her subordinate in tow.
“…Well then, please relax while thinking of this place as your own home, everybody. For the time being, I will go take a look at the second and third floors.” (Shuuya)
“Nn.” (Eva)
Eva acknowledges my words and moves her wheelchair to the counter on the right.
“Really? Yaaay…!” (Rebecca)
Rebecca also takes it seriously and walks over alone to the place with the bookshelves etc. on the left side.
Each of them apparently wishes to check out the living room.
I stand up while watching them, grab the keys of this house, and store them in the item box.
Afterward, I head towards the corridor located in the inner part of the living room, continuing on the wooden floor.
This place seems like a passage of a high-class inn, several big bedrooms lining up to the left and right.
Since there was a conspicuous door that seemed to belong to a large bedroom on the right side among them, I open it, as if responding to its beckons.
There are two huge, square beds inside, not the kind with a canopy attached.
It was furnished with side tables next to the beds, a big wardrobe in the top right corner, and several stone chests and bookshelves in the bottom right corner. It’s a gorgeous bedroom barring any need for criticism.
I nod in satisfaction, turn around, and go back to the hallway. Ignoring all the big bedrooms and guest rooms, I go up the stairs located in the middle.
It’s a spiral staircase that had been carved out of one huge piece of wood.
The resin of the steps is worn-down, and I can sense the footprints of the house owners who have used them years ago.
Even the handrails were of splendid wooden make as they curve along the spiral.
I felt that the second floor, which I entered after ascending the stairs and making a full turn, was even more spacious than the first one.
The second floor, not the third, huh? Because the stairway was long, I thought it would end up on the third story.
Since there’s little furniture, the wooden floor has many open spaces.
There is an exit with a low, teardrop-shaped arch where you could go out to the veranda.
A trapdoor concluded the assembly.
It looks like you can have an unbroken view of the outside from over there.
Additionally, because of the broad, arched exit, sunlight shines on the wooden floor, giving the whole place a gorgeous touch.
And, what can be called the main attraction of this floor is an enormous fireplace that had been grandly set up in the wall corner, as if to make its impressive existence apparent to its viewers; a dark-brown, giant fireplace.
A reinforced stone plate has been properly affixed to the wall behind it, seemingly as a countermeasure against the heat emission. In addition, there’s also a rack for firewood nearby, which has been filled with plenty of logs.
Everything is ready, it seems. However, a fireplace sure is helpful. It gives a certain cozy atmosphere, yeah.
…Even the place to insert the firewood has a door with a small handle for convenience. It looks like it’s possible to bake dishes such as pizza inside the fireplace.
Sofa chairs are arranged up close to the fireplace.
Shit, I really want to spend my time here, relaxing and reading books while drinking coffee.
Or rather, I can spend my time to laze around here right now, hehe.
“…Master? You seem happy.” (Viine)
“Viine. You watched me?” (Shuuya)
Since I have been engrossed in looking at the huge fireplace from nearby, I didn’t notice how Viine approached next to me.
“…Yes, Master! Excuse me!” (Viine)
“No, it’s fine. This fireplace looks like it will heat up the room well. The ambiance will be nice, too.” (Shuuya)
“…I guess so. I never used one before, but mother, who lived in the main residence in my home city, owned one like this.” (Viine)
Viine smiles as she looked at the hearth with a sidelong glance.
Do they use fireplaces in that underground city as well?
Well, I haven’t heard of something like that, but this place is now Viine’s home as well, so let’s encourage her to use it.
“…I see. This is my house, but at the same time, it’s also yours, Viine. You can use it as you please. Right now, it’s still summer, so we won’t be putting it into service until some months later.” (Shuuya)
“Yes!” (Viine)
Viine cheerfully replies.
What a beautiful smile!
While relishing in her stunning expression, I gaze at the huge space opposite of the colossus.
“Let’s have a look over there, too.” (Shuuya)
“Yes.” (Viine)
I move to the veranda that seems to allow for an unimpeded view of the scenery from the second floor.
From the veranda, which has a fence that’s smaller than my height, I could look down on a portion of Pelneet’s martial arts district across the front gate, the common-use rooms connected with the outer wall on the left and right, and the big trees growing in the courtyard.
The wind feels great and comfortable. I really will be able to live in such a great house.
The terrace on the first floor is beautiful, too, but I’m sure it will be great to spend happy hours with beautiful women on this veranda porch.
Once again, I’m overwhelmed by deep emotions.
I look at the veranda to keep those feelings bottled up.
Tile-like stones are laid out on the floor, as well as a small and a big bucket with a washboard have been placed here. There’s also a rack positioned at the side, allowing to dry the laundry.
Mop-like cleaning tools have been stored in the corner, making sure to guarantee free space properly.
Since there’s the tower room next to the veranda, I head over in its direction. Oh, a bathtub is inside!
For sure, I didn’t expect to find that inside the tower.
It’s a bathtub that gives one the impression that it’s made out of earthenware and provided by a royal purveyor.
The tower is a bathroom; that’s kind of funny.
I suppose the big bucket on the veranda is for doing the laundry, then.
From my experience until now, all my baths had actually been big buckets…
A small shelf and a clothes basket had been installed next to the bathtub, soap and several leather cloths laid out on it.
There’s an open, cross-shaped window in the upper part of the structure, giving one the image that this is a modern clock tower. Though, there’s no clock whatsoever.
“For an earthenware bucket to have been installed here, that’s amazing. I heard that they became popular rather recently in the 【Royal Capital Gromheim】.” (Viine)
Not a bathtub, but an earthenware bucket, eh? Well, the name doesn’t matter anyway, the functionality does.
This is a fashion in the capital. To sell this house while even providing such things, Carol-san is undoubtedly a great, generous merchant.
“It’s great that I obtained this mansion.” (Shuuya)
“Yes.” (Viine)
Taking Viine along, I return to the spacious room with the fireplace through the veranda.
“Let’s go back down?” (Shuuya)
“Nn, nyaa.”
A meow, alongside a throaty purr, sounds at that time. Rollo, who had slept inside my hood, finally woke up. She climbed on my shoulder with slow movements.
“Did you wake up? I decided to buy a house while you were sleeping, Rollo. This is our new home.” (Shuuya)
“Nya? Nyaoo.”
Seemingly surprised by my words, Rollo jumps off my shoulder after releasing a weird voice, running around, as if checking out the open space on the second floor.
“Hey! Don’t pee inside the house to mark your territory or something like that, okay? Do it outside on the lawn.” (Shuuya)
“Nnn, nya.”
Rollo replies with a purr, meaning something similar to 『I know that myself nya』 while waving her tail and runs off towards another room that’s ahead of a corridor, which I haven’t checked yet.
It looks like there are large rooms on the second floor, too. I say this place is completely like a palatial residence.
“Rollo-sama seems to be delighted as well.” (Viine)
“It will be great if that’s the case, but let’s leave Rollo alone and head back downstairs.” (Shuuya)
“Yes.” (Viine)
I descend the spiral staircase together with Viine and return to the living room on the first floor.
Once I arrive, Rebecca, who was sitting in a chair located in the middle of the room while relaxing, chats me up.
“Say, Shuuya, your slaves have been standing the whole time together at the same spot…” (Rebecca)
Rebecca turns her blue eyes towards the slaves who are waiting close to the entrance door.
Well, I just bought them, so they should be nervous, shouldn’t they?
“Let’s see. I don’t know whether it can be used as their room, but I guess I will check the common-use room, too. Girls, come with me.” (Shuuya)
“…Yes, Master!”
Accompanied by the slaves, I head outside.
I go towards the common-use room on the left side of the courtyard while walking across the ground that changes from lawn to stone paving.
“This is the common-use room, huh?” (Shuuya)
A simple, big door with a white wall and a small stone staircase outline our destination.
Nearby, there’s a large-scaled open space to dry the laundry and a big washbasin.
Since there’s no lock on the door, I open it without trouble.
Inside was a place that really made one assured that it had been used as a lodging area for the disciples.
A great number of beds and wooden boxes are orderly arrayed in the corners.
There’s also a small table and chairs in the center. On the inner left, a simple kitchen with shelves full of ingredients is constructed. On the right, I see a toilet and a washroom.
There are wooden windows with cross frames on the walls in the four cardinal directions, but there’s little furniture.
It’s a place similar to a frugal inn.
I feel sorry for the slaves, but for now, they will have to make do with what’s available.
“This will become the place where you live, but is that fine with you?” (Shuuya)
“Yes.”
The female elf with the parasite answered the fastest.
“No objection.”
Following her, the lamia answers and moves next to a bed.
“Yes, Master!”
“Understood.”
The tiger beastman and the small, fluffy beastman choose their own beds and take a rest after sitting down all of a sudden.
I have to prepare their armors and weapons, too.
I suppose I will first talk about their everyday necessities.
“Everybody, I’m sorry to disturb you during your rest, but please listen carefully. I think the meals will basically be three times a day in the morning, at noon and in the evening, or two times a day in the morning and evening. You can make your meals yourself here or you can eat with everyone on the first floor of the main building. But… this routine only applies to the normal time when there’s no work. I’m an adventurer, so please be resolved that things will become disorderly when I’m taking you around with me.” (Shuuya)
“Understood.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Certainly!”
“…Yes. Umm, if you say that it will be on the first floor of the main building, does it mean that we will dine together with you, Master, on that occasion?”
The fluffy beastman asked shyly.
“Please consider it at the level that it might occasionally turn out so, while at the same time, seeing it as a sign of friendship. I believe that I treat my slaves quite differently from the usual masters, but I would appreciate it if you could agree with that part.” (Shuuya)
I lightly bow my head towards the slaves.
“…Such a… please, don’t lower your head. Yes, it’s fine with me.”
The fluffy race was identified as a woman by the Kaleidoscope, but it looks like she’s a boyish girl, a tomboy, if you may. (T/N: She addresses herself with “boku,” a typical male pronoun.)
“I will obey you, Master.”
The elven woman agrees as well.
“…I shall also abide by my Master’s will.”
The lamia says while standing in front of the bed.
“I will also follow you in the name of Fujique Law as a tiger beastman.”
Although the Fujique Law is something I don’t know a thing about, the tiger beastman announced it proudly.
“Well then, since we will go buy your armors and weapons later, wait here or in the courtyard until then.” (Shuuya)
“”Yes.””
I leave the common-use room and return to the main building.
“I’m back.” (Shuuya)
The “I’m back” greeting after a long time. It sure rekindles my emotions of home.
“Welcome back. Does it look like the slaves will be able to get used to this place?” (Rebecca)
Rebecca says while showing her armpits by putting her slender arms behind her head.
My heart thumped at the sight. They are smooth. Kuuh… what smooth armpits…
I guess I will establish a committee for judging armpits…
“…I wonder. It will be troublesome if they don’t manage to do so.” (Shuuya)
“Nn, Shuuya… You can make awesome dishes here. There’s plenty of fruits and vegetables, as well as a water pot, a stove, and kitchen tools.” (Eva)
For a change, Eva is talking excitedly. It seems she’s still in the kitchen room on the right side, right where I left her.
Besides, I can only hear her voice.
“So, there was a stove present after all, huh? It feels like we will be able to genuinely cook over there. In that case, I can treat everybody to my cooking.” (Shuuya)
“Eh? You can cook as well?” (Rebecca)
Rebecca looks in surprise at my face, as if saying “How unexpected!”
Since I cooked for myself quite a bit in my previous life, I believe that it’s something I can handle as long as it’s simple dishes.
Yet, I haven’t prepared anything besides stew since coming to this different world.
“…Well, more or less.” (Shuuya)
“Nn, I want to eat your dishes, Shuuya.” (Eva)
Eva comes back from the kitchen with its small counter and talks to me with her violet eyes sparkling.
Since Eva owns a restaurant, she might be more curious about my cooking than the rest.
“That’s fine and all, but let’s talk about what’s next. For now, I have to buy equipment for the slaves. We also have to take care of the labyrinth map. So, it’s about tomorrow’s labyrinth dive, but where are we going to meet up?” (Shuuya)
“What should we do?” (Rebecca)
“Nn, it’s fine to come here tomorrow morning?” (Eva)
“Sure. Since the door’s open, you two can come any time.” (Shuuya)
Eva and Rebecca revealed happy expressions after hearing my words.
“Anytime… huh? Thanks. As my home is relatively close, just as you said, I will visit often, okay? Fufu.” (Rebecca)
It looks like the word ‘constraint’ doesn’t exist in Rebecca’s vocabulary.
“Shuuya’s home is far from my own, but I will try my best.” (Eva)
Different from Rebecca, Eva said that while looking disappointed.
“If it’s far, you just have to stay over. Eva, you are more than welcome.” (Shuuya)
I say to follow up on her. I don’t want to see her sad expression.
“Nn, understood. But today, I will go back home. I want to inform Lily and Din about the stay-over in advance.” (Eva)
“The only one being more than welcome is Eva~?” (Rebecca)
“Rebecca, your home is nearby, isn’t it?” (Shuuya)
I tell Rebecca while laughing.
“Sure, that’s not wrong, but… I have to protect Eva’s chastity!” (Rebecca)
Rebecca fools around while also laughing.
“Are you Eva’s mother?” (Shuuya)
“Rebecca, there’s no need to protect it. If it’s Shuuya, it’s fine…” (Eva)
Err, Eva’s voice was quiet, but she still ended up confessing in a casual manner.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Having heard Eva’s words, Rebecca, who stays silent, and Viine look at my face in surprise.
You two, what do you want me to say? I’m the innocent one here!
Don’t look at me with such expectant expressions… turn those looks at Eva.
Well, I guess I will state what I really think here.
“…I’m a man as well, so I don’t really mind.” (Shuuya)
“Master? I will ask that of you as well.” (Viine)
Viine draws near to me while talking with a tone that felt somewhat cold.
“Just a moment? Shuuya, you’re too much of a lecher.” (Rebecca)
“Rebecca, this is how it works for popular men.” (Shuuya)
I say while making a strange face to hide my embarrassment.
“Pfft, those words and that strange face… just how many of those weird faces do you have~? Geez, don’t say such strange stuff with a weird expression, okay? … Pupu.” (Rebecca)
Rebecca bursts into a peal of bright laughter, shedding the awkwardness.
And then I return to a serious look.
“That means, the messing around stops here. I will go buy equipment while taking the slaves with me.” (Shuuya)
“Nn, understood. I will go back to my restaurant for the moment.” (Eva)
“I see. In that case, I guess I will also come with you for a part of the way, Eva.” (Rebecca)
Eva and Rebecca look at each other and nod.
“Aye, see you tomorrow. Viine, let’s go.” (Shuuya)
“Yes, Master!” (Viine)
I turn on my heels, leaving Eva and Rebecca behind in the living room.
Together with Viine, I exited the main building and headed towards the common-use room.
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