Intermission – The Rift between Reason and Instinct
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Late at night――
“I cannot agree with that, Half-Elf!” Tilia jumped up, causing her voluptuous chest to shake conspicuously.
“What might you be referring to, Your Highness?” Layla asked back, her expression brimming with a strong resolve despite her acting indifferent.
We’re making nil progress thanks to objections at every step, I, Elena Graphias, couldn’t help but feel while sitting at the round table.
The room with the round table is one of the meeting rooms present in the mansion. The idea behind the round table seems to be that you can freely and openly argue with every person sitting at the table without regard to their rank or nation. I don’t know why there’s such a room in the marquis’s mansion. Maybe because it’s stylish or something like that.
“It’s the number of times! Why do you get four night visits while I get one!?”
“That’s because you didn’t raise your hand, Your Highness.”
“That’s… I thought there would be more bargaining to follow!” Her Highness Tilia faltered once Layla dispassionately pointed out the facts.
At this point, I don’t know how many times she has shouted since we’ve started this discussion.
“Look! Didn’t I become last because you constantly raised your hand!?”
“That’s because you didn’t raise your hand, Your Highness,” Layla retorted huffily as Princess Tilia held out the 6-days-schedule.
We keep going in circles. I’d really like this whole thing to end soon.
“As I said, I thought we’d be haggling over this! Don’t raise your hand each and every time! Bargain a lot more! And concede where you can!”
“I did concede properly..”
“Just one day out of five!! In the first place, why have you only yielded that one day anyway!?”
“Lord Chrono always is exhausted whenever he shares a bed with you, Your Highness, resulting in his work on the next day being affected by it.”
“Isn’t that Chrono’s problem!?”
The princess slammed her fist on the table.
“Sheesh, this discussion isn’t going anywhere.”
Looking next to me, I saw the Landlady resting her chin in her hand while looking fed up to no end.
“You’re leading the meeting, so how about you take it seriously and shape up some?”
“I took it seriously and did it properly, didn’t I?”
The Landlady sighed once more. Her eyes were pinned on Layla and Princess Tilia who were in the midst of their little quarrel.
“It’d have been best if we had set the schedule during the first week.”
“Starting with the second week, we should have just gathered the wishes of everyone and settled all disputes with rock-paper-scissors.”
“Why didn’t you say this from the start then?”
“I didn’t think things would be so messy,” the Landlady grumbled an answer to my question.
“Are you fine with one time?”
“That’s what I should ask you. Are you okay with not even getting one night?”
“For a while it’ll be okay. For a while.”
“Is it because you did until you became unable to stand?”
“That’s right. And you…are you alright with one night? Won’t you end up having to redo the initial penetration, if you have too much of a break?”
“Don’t call it initial penetration!”
“Girl, give it a rest and get finally used to it, sheesh.”
“Right back at you.”
I responded sullenly and fell prostrate on the table with a sigh.
“What is it all of a sudden?”
“Nothing in particular. I just became slightly depressed,” I sighed once again.
The Landlady likely said it just as a tit for tat, but her words startled me. Lord Chrono bought me June last year. Given that it’s March now, I’ve already spent nine months here. I’ve grown completely accustomed to the work of an accountant. The same can be said about my environment and human relations. But, I simply cannot get emotionally used to the nights I spend with Lord Chrono. As a proud member of the Graphias family, I feel like I mustn’t get used to it either. Yet, my body is betraying me.
“…In a tale, it’d be a happy ending, wouldn’t it?”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“Nothing, I was just talking to myself.”
“Sure, then keep your voice down so that I don’t hear it,” retorted the Landlady testily.
Yep, if this was a tale, my current situation would count as a happy end. A girl, who was sold off to a slave trader, was rescued by a noble. Both had completely different standings, but after learning about the girl hailing from a noble family, they tied the knot. Moreover, once the villains receive their just punishment, there won’t be anything to say against this anymore. Usually, things would be over with that.
Unfortunately, reality isn’t so nice. Lord Chrono won’t help me with taking revenge. I seduced him as he wouldn’t get revenge for me for free, but in the end, that failed――yet, I was done in.
“Uuhh,” I held my head.
Why did things turn out like this? I’m sure I must have gone crazy somewhere along the way. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let him screw my butt. I mean, sure, I want to cherish my virginity, but…offering my butthole instead? Of all things, my butt! I-I let him choose by myself. But, I didn’t have much of an option anyway, did I? I-I was face up and――ah, thinking back on it now, I should have refused it firmly. Yet…despite all that…I implemented this skewering punishment on myself. I offered up my own butt.
“Aaahh,” I writhed on top of the table.
Even though my mouth was saying no, no, I ended up preparing myself for that day to come. Moreover, while feeling slightly excited.
I’m weird. I’ve become crazy. If I was going to become weird anyway, I wanted to somehow obtain an unyielding character as well. No matter how you think about it, my character just makes everything worse.
Just when I was about to raise my voice in lamentation once again――
“You will do with just one night as your share, so pass over the remaining days!”
“I refuse!”
I was called back to reality by Princess Tilia and Layla’s voices.
“Nice! Go kinda harder at it!”
“Don’t cheer them on!”
The elven twins, Arided and Deneb, yelled, but their opinions obviously collided.
“We kinda don’t even get a single night!”
“That’s true, but getting between those two is kinda impossible.”
“That’s something you should only say after putting some effort into getting between them.”
“In that case, feel free to do it yourself, Deneb.”
“It was kinda my mistake to have entrusted you with things, Big Sis!”
Arided looked appalled while Deneb covered her face with both hands. I shifted my eyes to Layla and princess. Both were loudly arguing without getting tired of it.
“In that case, I’ll abstain next time. So concede one night!”
“Then…no, I’ll do so after checking whether you really abstain.”
“What’s with your condescending attitude!?”
“I don’t have any such attitude.”
“Stop lying. You’re overflowing with a superiority complex about having been Chrono’s first woman.”
“That’s simply not true.”
“Is this a fight between women?”
Hearing that carefree comment, I looked next to me. Fay was sitting there. I wonder when she got here, seeing how she wasn’t present when the discussion started.
“Why are you here?”
“I am watching for future reference.”
“I don’t think any of this will be of use as reference, though… Come to think of it, you conceded your turn to Her Highness? Why did you do that after I went out of my way to arrange everything for you? You’re dreaming of reviving your ruined family, aren’t you?”
“I feel bad about having conceded my turn, but my family is not ruined yet,” Fay objected feebly with a shrug of her shoulders.
Her voice had something of a sulky undertone.
“You considered it properly, right?”
“Of course I thought it over. Back then I ended up recalling Sir Leo, Sir Horus, and Sir Lizad. I thought it would be insincere to spend the night with Lord Chrono while my mind and heart was still preoccupied with something else.
“I see,” I agreed after a short while.
I think sincerity doesn’t play much of a role since reviving her family remains her ulterior motive, but Fay is someone fussing over such things. Probably because I was betrayed by my uncle and fiancé, I regard her simple honesty as nice.
“It is slightly disappointing that I was not able to become his lover, but…as long as I stay Lord Chrono’s subordinate, a chance for me to make a career will surely come around. I will achieve some Deeds of Arms during the next battle.”
“Won’t you be forced to stay home once again?”
“T-That will not happen. Next time I should be able to get him to take me along.”
“It sure would be nice if that’s true.”
“…Lady Elena,” whined Fay pathetically in response to my curt reply.
I think I’ve been slightly hard on her, but the probability for her having to stay home next time as well is quite high. The mobility of cavalry is indispensable when it comes to protecting Lord Chrono’s territory which has grown quite a bit thanks to the addition of the Cad Earldom.
“Considering the future, I feel depressed.”
“Why?”
“Because the territory has increased.”
“An increase of territory is a good thing,” said Fay with a rough nasal breathing.
Her eyes were shining.
She’s probably indulging in some convenient delusion. I don’t really hate that simplicity of hers, but――
“If the territory expands, twice…anyway, it’s nothing as simple as you make it out to be, but it’s going to become hectic around here, you know?”
“That is just what I want!”
“Could we maybe increase the number of administrative officials?”
“I would prefer it to not be ignored,” Fay replied to my muttering with a miserable tone.
“Damn, if only the workload could at least decrease…”
Just when I sighed deeply, a clapping sound could be heard. The landlady had clapped her hands together. Everyone sitting at the round table looked at her.
“It’s already late at night, so let’s decide this quickly.”
“I also want to finish this as quickly as possible. But…”
“Even I want this to be over sooner than later. And yet…”
Layla and Princess Tilia glared at each other. I thought things would develop in the same way as before, but――
“It looks like it’d be best to redo this from scratch then.”
“――gh!”
Layla widened her eyes upon the Landlady’s comment, said with a sigh. She probably hadn’t foreseen this turn of events. But, it cannot be helped, if Layla doesn’t yield on anything.
“I-Isn’t that too unfair?”
“Well, yes, it is,” the Landlady easily admitted. Then again, if we talk about the cause for this, it’d be my failure to not have set any rules. I feel sorry for that. So, I thought of this when you two were bickering over there, but basically, it’s fine if all those interested raise their hand.”
“What will we do if interests overlap? We won’t get anywhere as long as no one concedes,” Princess Tilia complained unhappily.
“For this reason I’ll introduce a point system. If you yield, you’ll receive one point. That point will allow you to get priority during the next occasion when several people apply for the same time slot. In this way, the ones yielding won’t have any loss either, right?”
The landlady explained smoothly.
“Layla, sweetie, you’re okay with this arrangement as well, right?”
“Yes, if it’s like that…”
“Then it’s set. Having said that, it’ll be a chore to decide everything from the start again. So, how about we adjust the schedule while introducing the point system from now on.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“No objection.”
“I kinda wanted to watch Layla and the princess argue a bit longer.”
“No objection! Absolutely nooo objection!”
Maybe I should call it unexpected, but Layla, Princess Tilia, Arided, and Deneb went along with the Ladnlady’s suggestion. The Landlady cast a meaningful look at me.
“I have no problem with that. But, just one thing…”
“What is it?”
“What are we going to do, if Lord Chrono approaches one of us from his side? It’d be weird to turn him down, right?”
“At such times, the person in charge of that day just needs to switch to your scheduled day, no?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Alright, let’s swiftly adjust the schedule then.”
With the introduction of a point system, the schedule adjustment for warming Lord Chrono’s bed was finished all too easily.
※
On the next day I was rubbing my sleepy eyes while wrestling with paperwork. I had to renew the permissions for selling slaves and running brothels. The expiry rate for the brothels is set to three months. I feel like their effective period is too short, but it’s probably for making it easier to control things. Still――
“…The number of slave traders has grown, huh?”
I muttered while arranging the bundle of permits. The slave market is only allowed to run once a week, but I guess it still yields a profit.
As I was pondering about such things, Fay entered my room. She was carrying a silver tray.
“Lady Elena, I have brought your meal.”
“At least knock on the door.”
“I will pay attention to it next time.”
Fay walked up to my desk and put the tray down. I widened my eyes lightly. Two plates were present on the tray, but I had widened my eyes for another reason.
“What’s this?”
“The creative cooking of Landlady,” answered Fay while sitting down on a chair.
“Creative cooking, eh?”
I closely scrutinized the meal in front of me. Spindle-shaped bread lay on both plates. There was a cut in the center of each bread. A sausage had been inserted into that cut and mustard was smeared on top of it.
“The theme of this meal is 『simple』, or so she says.”
“Didn’t you mishear it for 『winging it』?”
No fork or knife came with the plates. While I was being confused, Fay grabbed the creative cooking and heartily bit into it. Apparently you eat it with your hands.
It’s bad manners, but I suppose I have no choice. I grabbed the bread and timidly put it into my mouth. Once I bit into the sausage, piping hot meat juice spread in my mouth and the saltiness of the mustard stimulated my tongue.
Yep, it’s good.
Once I ate a mouthful, my wariness vanished and I wolfed down all of the creative cooking in no time.
“Mmh, it’s a good thing to eat this sort of food every once in a while.”
“It would be perfect, if the portion were to be a bit bigger,” Fay commented while looking slightly disgruntled.
“There’s something I’d like to ask you, if you don’t mind.”
“Shoot away.”
“The number of slave traders is fairly big, but they all can still make a profit?”
“It is not like all of them are participating in the slave market.”
“What do you mean?”
“Most of the slave traders visit Harshel when the slave market is held. In addition, some slave traders sell slaves as representatives or sell slaves to other slave traders.”
“And that’s why there’s so many of them, huh? Sheesh, how very annoying.”
“Is something the matter?”
“Writing all the documents is a chore. The same text over and over again…”
I sighed deeply while falling prostrate on my desk.
“Yet it’d be so much easier if I could save myself from writing up all those documents.”
“You can omit it.”
“How!?”
I quickly rose up from the table.
“It will be simple enough if you use a woodblock print machine.”
“Wai-! Where can I get that!?”
“I will lead you there.”
Fay stood up and started to walk. I followed her in a hurry. Passing a long hallway, we went out through the entrance hall and stepped outside. I grimaced at the sound of hammer strikes and the stench of the steam produced by the paper mill. Fay headed to the dwarven workshop without minding any of it, though.
Probably having noticed our approach, the supervisor of the workshop, Goldi, who was outside the building, stopped moving.
“Oh, is something the matter?”
“We came to take a look at the woodblock printing machine.”
“I don’t mind that, but the machine is on the third floor of the storeroom.”
“No problem.”
“Understood. But, make sure to touch as little as possible inside the workshop.”
“Of course.”
“…I got it.”
“Okay, this way,” said Goldi, turned around and started to walk away.
Guided by him, we entered the workshop. Because two furnaces were running at full force, the interior was seething hot. And because the dwarves here were striking the heated iron on anvils, it was incredibly noisy too. They must be pretty resilient to be able to work in such an environment.
Goldi silently climbed the spiral stairs installed at one of the walls and we went after him. As we came out of the dim stairway, the second floor sprawled in front of us. Dwarves were facing workbenches on this floor. And given the coolness and silence of this place, I felt slightly relieved.
Then we climbed another set of stairs.
Oh shit. Thanks to my lack of exercise, my legs have started to hurt. My thighs were prickling and my lower legs felt painful. My breathing was about to cut out. I wonder whether I’ll last all the way to the third floor.
I was worried, but somehow I still managed to get there.
“Your legs are shaking quite a bit. You do not work out much, do you?”
“Don’t ask me, if you can tell the answer anyway.”
“That’s the woodblock print machine.”
Goldi pointed at a corner of the storeroom, causing me to follow his finger. The woodblock printing machine was similar to a table. To compare it figuratively, it’s like adding a bookshelf and sliding planks to a table. But, although I used bookshelf as a word here, it has no segments, but an iron rod with diagonally, carved indentations punched through the middle. Moreover, iron and wooden poles were crossing each other vertically.
Hmm?
I tilted my head in confusion. I feel like I’ve seen that bookshelf part somewhere. I wonder where. Wait, I just need to ask, right? I shifted my eyes to Goldi.
“I kind of feel like I’ve seen that bookshelf-like thing somewhere before?”
“It’s a grape press.”
“Ahh!” I cried out.
That’s right. A grape press. I saw it back home many times over. How silly of me to have considered that to be a bookshelf. The woodblock print machine is a combination of a table and a grape press.
“Do you use it just like a rape press, too?”
“Except for stacking paper on the metallic plate, it’s mostly the same. Well, it requires some adjustments for a pretty printing though…”
“Wow! That’s an amazing invention! Why didn’t you tell me anything about this!?”
I couldn’t help but yell. As long as I have the wood printing machine, I can save the hassle of writing permits. Moreover, if I prepare papers with the necessary entries filled out, all sorts of applications will become easier. It’s truly amazing. I didn’t know that such a dream-like machine existed in this world.
“Do you need the wood printing machine for something?”
“Please, allow me to use this!”
Goldi drew back, overpowered by my drawing close and shouting at him.
“I don’t really mind, but…”
“Oh, right. You need Lord Chrono’s permission, don’t you?”
“That’s how it is.”
“In other words, I have to wait for Lord Chrono, huh?”
“Why would you need to wait?”
“Why, you ask…Lord Chrono headed over to an inspection of the Cad Earldom, didn’t he?”
“Lord Chrono came back and went out to inspect the slave market right away.”
“Tell me about this earlier!”
“I will not understand what you want to know unless you ask me first,” Fay retorted sulkily.
The slave market, huh? To be honest, I don’t want to go there. No, before going or not going there, I don’t even know where the slave market is being held. Thus, I should wait for Lord Chrono to come back. But, Lord Chrono is obviously busy. After finishing his slave market inspection, he might go back to the Cad Earldom.”
“…Fay, will you accompany me?”
“I do not mind,” Fay agreed when I asked her timidly.
※
“This is the brothel where the slave market is held.”
“Hoh, this place is…”
I looked up the brothel in question. I had been wary that I might be led to some back alley, but Fay instead took me to a part of the business district. Even compared to the neighboring buildings, this establishment didn’t seem out of place. It was a stone building you could positively describe as inconspicuous and negatively as plain. If there was one difference of notice to the other buildings in the area, it’d be the two black-clothed gatekeepers.
As I was pondering what we should do to get in, Fay casually walked up to the gatekeepers. Maybe they’re acquainted or something?
Considering it once again, Fay is often doing work outside, so it wouldn’t be strange for her to be acquainted with these guys. Or so I thought, but one of them blocked her path.
“…Excuse me.”
“What is it?”
“No, that would be my question. What business do you have with this place?”
“We came to meet Lord Chrono.”
“What’s your name?”
“Fay Muhlifain. And the one behind me is Lady Elena.”
With the eyes of the guards on me, I restlessly looked around me. I wondered whether I could find any place to hide myself, but unfortunately that didn’t seem to be the case.
“…Hey.”
“Gotcha.”
Once the guards exchanged a look, the other one opened the door and went inside.
“Did he go to confirm it?”
“Wait a sec!”
Fay tilted her head, looking puzzled. I ran up to her and tugged on her clothes.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you asking something so obvious!? You don’t need to ask about such things!”
“Sir Cain told me to ask if I don’t understand something…”
“That’s not what he meant!”
“I see,” Fay dropped her head in dejection upon my loud response.
“Excuse me, but could you keep it down? This is an establishment for refined gentlemen.”
“An establishment for refined gentlemen? It’s a brothel, no?”
“It’s an establishment for refined gentlemen. If they accept it like that, the people being employed here and the women working here can become happy. Of course, that includes me as well.”
The door was opened right after the man in black as if it was timed.
“I got the confirmation. Enter.”
Beckoned into the building by the man in black who had opened the door, we entered. The man silently walked ahead and we followed.
Once we passed the lobby with the carpet on the ground, we entered a hall. It had a counter bar and beyond was a stage. When I recalled the day of me pleading while having my face stained with vomit and shit, my heart started to thump hard. It was a very unpleasant beat. Moreover, something bitter spread inside my mouth.
The man in black came to a halt in front of a sofa situated a few meters away from the stage. Lord Chrono sat on that sofa while being waited upon by a woman. She had long hair and wore a highly revealing dress. She’s probably, no, most certainly a prostitute, seeing how we’re in a brothel.
The man in black positioned himself next to her and quietly spoke up.
“…Madam Elaine.”
“Good work. You can go back now.”
“Yes! Please excuse me then.”
The man bowed towards Elaine, glanced at us, and then left. I went around the sofa to stand in front of it, facing Lord Chrono. He widened his eyes in surprise.
“What’s wrong? For you to come to such…establishment for refined gentlemen is quite unusual.”
“…I’ve come here because I have a request, Lord Chrono,” I said while feeling slightly, no, quite irritated.
I also know the reason for that feeling. It’s because being here reminds me of that day. That makes me feel itchy.
“Oh well, take a seat.”
“…Okay.”
Once Lord Chrono tapped on the sofa next to him, I took a seat there. Of course, Elaine was on the opposite side. Fay was standing next to the safe with a straightened back.
“About that, you see…wait, you’re drinking wine during the day?”
Noticing Lord Chrono holding a glass, I frowned.
“It’s water. It’s no secret language or anything like that either. Just plain old water.”
“Are you being harassed?”
“How rude of you. We are doing our best to receive him with all our sincerity.”
The one answering was Elaine.
“But, Lord Chrono doesn’t accept it.”
With Elaine being snuggled against him, Lord Chrono looked somewhat troubled, yet not all that unhappy either. I wonder why. It irks me. And it’s also a different sort of queasiness, compared to my memories of the day when I was sold at the slave market.
I closed the distance and grabbed Lord Chrono’s arm. Seeing my action, Elaine giggled. She was making fun of me and that caused my body to quickly heat up.
“Even though he came all the way here to this establishment for refined gentlemen, he won’t drink any wine. He doesn’t socialize or amuse himself either. Hey, could you tell him to enjoy himself a bit more?”
“In short, you’re telling him to buy a prostitute at a brothel, aren’t you? Why would I need to tell him something like that? Do it yourself.”
“Oh my, I’m being hated here.”
“You’re quite relaxed for a prostitute.”
“True. I definitely feel relaxed,” Elaine said with a gentle tone while narrowing her eyes.
A shudder crawled down my spine. I could instantly perceive the blunder I made. I angered someone I shouldn’t have angered. But, now it’s too late. Elaine separated from Lord Chrono, leaned back against the sofa, and elegantly crossed her legs.
“Let me introduce myself. I’m Elaine Sinner.”
“Elaine Sinner? Are you possibly the guild master of the prostitute guild?”
“You’re quite knowledgeable.”
“When I studied in Imey, the stupid boys made a fuss, so I remember you.”
“Ah, I see. You studied in Imey, huh? But, now you’re a slave,” Elaine smiled while saying so.
Even though her words were teeming with ridicule, her smile was perfect. Except for her eyes not smiling at all.
“Aren’t you a bit too relaxed for the likes of a slave?”
“We’re in the same boat in this regard, aren’t we?”
“Are we? I’m sorry to say, but there’s a big difference between us.”
“Oh? Like how?”
“You don’t understand? I freely chose to become a prostitute, but it’s not like you chose to become a slave by yourself. Besides, I can stop being a prostitute at any time I like. But, you can’t do the same, can you?”
“Even I can stop being a slave whenever.”
I glared at Elaine. I’ve been saving all the pay I’ve been receiving from Lord Chrono. If I feel like it, I can buy back my freedom at any time.
“But, you’re still a slave, aren’t you? Is life with that collar around your neck so comfortable?”
“――gh!”
I glared at her while pouring all my hate into my look. But, I know that hatred doesn’t kill anyone. She too understands as much. And that’s why she keeps up her smile.
“I’m proud of the way of life I chose myself. How about you?”
“……I don’t need anything like that,” I replied after a long spell of silence.
I don’t possess pride in being a slave. I mean, it’s not like I chose to become a slave. I was tricked by my uncle and fiancé, just to be sold off as a slave. So, why would I be proud of that?
“You have no pride, yet you desire to monopolize.”
“Monopolize?”
“You don’t recall what sort of face you pulled just a little while ago? It was the look of someone saying that others shouldn’t take away her master. Well, I guess it makes sense. You were accepted as a slave after begging for it, weren’t you?”
Elaine launched another volley of ridicule.
“Ms. Elaine, please leave it at that.
“Forgive me for offending you. But, even I have some pride. So, I’ll always get revenge on anyone who tramples over my pride,” Elaine pursed her lips, looking sulky, after being chided by Lord Chrono.
And then she smiled. Unlike before, it was a cruel smile. Shortly thereafter――
“Dear gentlemen, thank you for having waited! We are going to start the slave market right away!”
The host yelled after rushing on the stage from the wing.
“The first one comes from the Free City States! She’s the only daughter of a bankrupt merchant house! As always you will hear the rest of the information from the girl herself after she made her walk around the stage…”
He tried to go on, but suddenly he fell silent. I reflexively looked at Elaine, but she was still sitting there with her legs elegantly crossed. She wasn’t doing anything. But, I wasn’t naive enough to believe that she didn’t do anything. She should have made some sort of move. Definitely.
“Excuse me. As a special exception, I shall explain her origin today. Today’s first item is Miss Vesta. She hails for the Free City Imey.”
“――gh!”
Hearing that name, I felt a shock as if I had been hit by a club. After all, that was the name of a friend who had been close to me in Imey. When I left Imey after Father died, we parted ways while crying bitter tears. And we promised to reunite.
I can’t believe it’s her. I pray that I’m wrong. I’m sure it must be a lie. This sort of timing is impossible.
“Just as I mentioned before, the family of Miss Vesta went bankrupt and she was turned into a slave in order to reduce the family’s debt, even if only a bit. Dear gentlemen, please consider this an act of mercy and bid for her as much as possible. Very well, Miss Vesta, please come on stage.”
With the host calling her name, Vesta appeared on the stage from the wing. I felt dizzy from the shock. But, I also felt relieved. Not a single bruise could be seen on her white skin. Unlike me, she has apparently been treated politely.
Vesta hesitatingly walked along the stage’s edge. As cheers erupted, her face became bright red and she cast her eyes down. She was looking as if she was going to cry any moment now. She had always been wimpish and walked bent forward as she was worried about her big breast. And yet, she was now exposed to the lecherous gazes of men while only wearing a simple piece of cloth. It’s only natural for her to be about to cry.
Suddenly our eyes met and just as quickly we looked away.
“…I am called Vesta. I was born in the Free City Imey. My father went bankrupt and I have become a slave to compensate for his debts as much as I can. I am not overly skilled at arithmetics, but I believe I am quite well-educated,” Vesta introduced herself after likely having made her round around the stage while I was looking downwards.
“What’s wrong? You’re trembling, you know?”
“――gh!”
Having it pointed out by Elaine, I noticed my own quivering.
“Earlier I mentioned revenge, but I’m Lord Chrono’s――”
“I know as much without you telling me,” Elaine interrupted me. “Do you really not understand? Or are you pretending to not understand?”
I couldn’t answer. I was actually quite well aware of it. But, I couldn’t say it. If Elaine didn’t decide on her method of revenge, anything I say now could possibly put Vesta in a bad spot.
“Very well, we’ll start with 20 gold!”
“21 gold!
“22 gold!”
“In that case, I bid 23 gold!”
The bidding had begun. The sum was rising in small increments, but with the initial bidding price being 20 gold, I was unable to save Vesta from the very start. After all, all the money I saved zp during the last nine months doesn’t even amount to 20 gold.
“30!”
“31”
“31 gold and one brass!”
Suddenly laughter erupted as something appeared to be funny. In the meantime, Elaine quietly raised her hand. The laughter immediately died down. I held my chest, feeling sick. The words I couldn’t form just moments ago were about to become reality.
“…100 gold,” announced Elaine solemnly.
Ooh’s could be heard in the hall.
“Hey!”
“I told you, didn’t I? I’d get revenge.”
I glared at Elaine, but she only smiled sweetly.
“…What do you plan to do to Vesta?”
“There’s only one thing a prostitute would make her slave do, isn’t there?”
“Don’t screw with me!”
“I’m not as generous as to take contempt being thrown at me with a smile. But, don’t worry. My revenge ends here. I promise I’ll treat Vesta just like the other girls.”
“She’s going to die. Vesta is a timid girl.”
“It’s fine. She’s going to get used to it right away.”
Elaine smiled complacently and then she said, “Oh?”, while turning around as Fay quickly stepped forward with her hand on the hilt of her sword.
“Nothing will be resolved, even if you cut me down, you know?”
“You’re misunderstanding.”
Fay unfastened the sword belt with the sword and held it out to Lord Chrono.
“Lord Chrono, I would like to borrow 100 gold coins with this.”
“Ah, that’s what you’re after. But, that sword is no work of Kanuchi, you know?” (T/N: Kanuchi also means blacksmith)
“It is a memento of my father.”
“I doubt you’ll even get a gold coin for this, if you try it as a second hand item,” Elaine giggled as Fay glared at her in anger.
“I am resolved to always answer Lord Chrono’s requests. That is why a hundred gold coins――”
“And you think it will be enough with 100 gold? I plan to hike the price all the way to 1000 gold, though.”
“1000 gold for one slave!?” I yelled out.
“I’ll pay. Do you get it? This is how you get revenge. It’s something you do without paying any heed to your own profit.”
Elaine giggled.
“In that case, I shall ask for a loan without an upper limit.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t pay 1000 gold.”
Lord Chrono weakly shook his head at Fay’s new proposal. Despair started to spread inside my chest, but Lord Chrono’s decision was correct. It’d be one thing if he used that money for the fief, but wasting 1000 gold on a personal reason would be wrong. Even so, I couldn’t hold back my tears. Now my friend would have to pay for my foolishness.
“…Ms. Elaine.”
“What is it?” Elaine replied in a good mood, once Lord Chrono called out to her quietly.
“I’d like to maintain a good relationship with you.”
“Oh my, we think alike then. I too want to get along with you well. But, just as I told you before, I’m not as generous as to allow others to scorn me.”
“I know. But, there are also times when you must endure scorn.”
“I’d like to tell you to not talk as if you know everything, but you do have the qualification to say so.”
“I don’t have any such qualifications.”
Lord Chrono weakly shook his head once more.
“I’d like to ask you for reference, but what would be the times when you must endure scorn?”
“Right now I’m building a port.”
“Yes, I’m well aware of that.”
Elaine stopped crossing her legs and bent herself forward.
“Once it’s completed, I plan to sell the port usage rights as monthly or yearly leases.”
“You’re going to sell usage rights for the port? But, I’m the guildmaster of the prostitute guild, not the guildmaster of the trade guild. Even if I get my hands on those right, I wouldn’t know what to do with them. If you like, I’ll introduce some of my acquaintances to you…”
“No, I’d like to try my hand at trading myself.”
“Are you telling me to help you?”
Elaine looked confused.
“That’s not it either. I’d like to do something similar to a public company.”
“Public company? Where’s that term from?”
“It’s slightly difficult to explain, but…”
Chrono scratched his head while looking troubled.
“Just give it a try. I’ll simply ask about all the parts I don’t understand.”
“Let’s for example assume someone wants to start a business. But, they don’t have the funds to start the business, let alone something to offer as collateral for a loan. What should they do to get the necessary funding in such a situation?”
“Search for someone who will lend them money without collateral, or save money by working hard, is what I’d want to say, but you’re not looking for such a plain answer, are you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Then I give up,” Elaine raised both hands.
“You gave up awfully easily.”
“It’s because I’m interested in the answer. Anyway, tell me.”
“They sell the rights to their business. Of course, the buyer has a right to demand a share of the profit, and the buyer can also request a change of the management or demand improvement, if the state of the management is unsatisfactory.”
“That’s an interesting idea. So, what will be the share of the party who bought those rights…no, Lord Chrono?”
“I’d say around 30% will do,” Chrono smiled while fixing his sitting posture. “How about it? Was I able to draw your interest?”
“It’s a very interesting proposal, but I can’t see the intention behind it. Wouldn’t it be faster to start the business yourself, if you can lend the money?”
“That’s another option. But, unfortunately I don’t possess the knowledge on how to start businesses. On top of that, I don’t have any experience and connections either. Well, I admit it may sound awfully convenient for myself, but I see it as complementing skills I don’t possess.”
“…I see,” Elaine nodded after a short time.
“I’d like to hear more about this, but you’re telling me that I must give up my revenge for this, aren’t you?”
“I’m quite aware that I’m being very selfish, but it’d be a big help if you could suppress your anger.”
Lord Chrono faced Elaine and deeply bowed his head. She widened her eyes in surprise at that. She likely hadn’t expected for him to lower his head of all things.
“I got it, so raise your head,” Elaine said while looking slightly panicked.
Chrono did as told.
“Are you willing to calm your anger then?”
“I won’t calm my anger, but I promise to not get any revenge.”
“Thank you very much,” Lord Chrono said and shouted while raising his hand, “100 gold and one brass!”
“Eh, ah…,” the host looked around him, apparently confused.
Elaine folded her arms and nodded lightly.
“Miss Vesta has been won for 100 gold coins and one brass coin!”
With the host’s announcement, Vesta’s price was final.
“Aren’t you glad? Your master brought everything to a close for you.”
“――gh!”
I endured Elaine’s sarcasm while gritting my teeth. She was right. I picked a fight without understanding my own position and almost made my friend pay the price for it.
“…Ms. Elaine.”
“Although I’ve given up on my revenge, I’d like you to at least allow me some sarcasm. Also, when are you going to tell me the details?”
“I’m fine to do so any time.”
“Would today also be okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
Elaine widened her eyes in shock and pursed her lips as if sulking.
“Did you calculate all of it?”
“No way. It was just a coincidence.”
“I understand. Let’s leave it at that,” Elaine stood up with a giggle.
“Is something the matter?”
“I’m going to arrange for a carriage.”
“I don’t mind walking though.”
“But I do. I’ll have one ready in no time, so wait for me. I don’t want to go home, you see?”
Elaine said impishly and left.
※
With my elbow placed on the frame of the carriage’s window, I was gazing at the scenery outside. People, buildings, and everything else slowly streamed past. It’s probably because my viewpoint is higher than usual, but the townscape, which should be so familiar to me, looked oddly novel. But, this didn’t help me in getting rid of the depressing feelings weighing down on me. If I wasn’t riding the carriage prepared by Elaine right now, it might have cleared the gloom in my heart a bit, but――
“…Umm, Elly.”
Being addressed, I looked towards the seat opposite of me. Over there sat Vesta, her body covered by Lord Chrono’s overcoat. Next to her sat Fay. Lord Chrono and Elaine weren’t present. They were riding a different carriage. Lord Chrono might have arranged it like this out of consideration for my feelings, but it made me even more depressed instead.
“What?”
“Umm, you see, it’s really great that I’m with you, Elly.”
“It’s not great at all.”
“Eh?”
Vesta looked confused.
“It’s bad! You’re a slave! A slave! You and I became slaves! We’re now objects belonging to someone! No matter what cruelty we experience, we can’t even complain about it!”
“Umm, Elly, you experienced…sorry.”
As I rattled on, Vesta timidly spoke up but then ended up casting her face down.
“Yes, I experienced it. I was treated terribly by the slave dealer. Even Lord Chrono…”
“…Elly.”
Vesta leaned forward, reaching her hand for me. But――
“Don’t touch me!”
“Kya!”
I slapped her hand away. Vesta screamed lightly.
“…Sorry.”
“I’m also sorry.”
My visual field was blurred by tears. Even while having been dropped into slavery, Vesta was still concerned about me.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. I picked a fight with Elaine and you had to pay the price for it. I’m really the worst.”
“But, I’m safe, am I not?”
“That is owed to Lord Chrono’s quick-wittedness.”
“Nothing was done to me, so don’t worry…”
“Sorry,” I somehow managed to squeeze out.
I felt pathetic and deplorable. But, being forgiven by Vesta also gave me relief. I’m a truly worthless woman.
Just as I sighed deeply once again, the carriage’s speed dropped. Looking outside the window, I could see the wall of the marquis’ estate. The carriage slowly drove onto the grounds of the estate and stopped in front of the entrance way. After a short while, the carriage’s door was opened. The one having opened it was one of the man in black.
“…Get out.”
Obeying his words, we――Fay, Vesta, and I――got out of the carriage. Once I looked in front of our carriage, I found another one parked. Another man in black opened the door, allowing Lord Chrono and Elaine to disembark.
Lord Chrono said something to Elaine and approached us quickly.
“We’re going to have a discussion from here on, but…”
“You’re free to do as you like, aren’t you?”
I immediately regretted having put it like that, I wonder why I always resort to insults and snide remarks. I should thank him here. Lord Chrono sighed deeply――
“Before that, I thought I should ask you why you came to the brothel.”
“I wanted to get permission from you to use the wood printing device for making documents.”
“The wood printing device? Oh, you’re right. You’ll be easily able to create fixed text if you use that machine.”
“So, how about it?”
“Feel free to use it. But, next time consult Mr. Sitter first.”
“Sure. I’ll keep it in mind for next time.”
Now that he mentions it, it’s just as he says. Mr. Sitter is the one in charge of the office work. Going over his head and directly asking Lord Chrono isn’t very laudable. And although I logically understood this, I still ended up having a somewhat sulky tone.
Lord Chrono sighed exaggeratedly and extended a hand. My body twitched, but I couldn’t move. Lord Chrono hooked a finger at my collar and lightly pulled on it. It was truly very lightly. I could always resist, if I only wanted to. Yet, I allowed him to draw me to himself.
Once I looked at Vesta, I saw how her face had turned pale. She must be worried for me. And yet I felt my body becoming hot.
“This time it worked out one way or another, but could you try to not increase our enemies? Also, about Vesta: If there’s no problem after examining her condition, we will have her work here as an administrative official apprentice. At that time, you’ll take care of her as her senior.”
“G-Got it.”
As soon as I put strength into my thighs and said so, Lord Chrono let go of the collar. I almost flopped down on the ground just like that, but somehow managed to endure. Lord Chrono shifted his eyes to Vesta――
“…Vesta.”
“Y-Yes!”
With her name called, Vesta straightened her back. Her big chest wobbled clearly. She must be embarrassed. Vesta’s cheeks were red. But, she avoided stooping forward. I’m sure she misunderstood Lord Chrono as being a scary person after witnessing my state.
“Take a good rest for today.”
“Okay, I understand.”
“I’ll leave the rest to our head maid Alyssa.”
With those words, Lord Chrono turned around and walked away. After a glance at me, Elaine vanished inside the mansion together with Lord Chrono.
“Haaa,” Vesta sighed, curling up her body. “T-That was scary.”
“Of course. Lord Chrono is a tough veteran who survived many bloody battlefields.”
“A-As I thought…,” Vesta answered Fay’s proud bragging with a trembling voice.
He isn’t that scary. He also has a gentle side to him.
But, just as I opened my mouth to defend him, the mansion’s door opened. Alyssa stood in the door frame. After letting her eyes wander, she gracefully walked up to us. Stopping in a place slightly away from us, she respectfully bowed.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am called Alyssa and I work here as head maid. I have been told by Master to lead you to your room. Please come this way.”
“U-Umm!”
Alyssa was about to turn around, but Vesta’s voice stopped her in the tracks.
“Do you have some questions?”
“I wouldn’t call it as much as a question…,” Vesta mumbled.
Alyssa smiled lightly. Probably encouraged by that, Vesta spoke up as if having made her resolve.
“What sort of person is Lord Chrono, no, Master?”
“He is a very kind man.”
Once Alyssa answered so instantly, Vesta staggered as if experiencing a spell of dizziness. She probably couldn’t accept the answer for what it was because it was an immediate reply.
“Is something the matter?”
“N-No, dizziness…”
“That is bad. We will bring you to a doctor――”
“N-No, i-it’s o-okay!” Vesta interrupted Alyssa.
“Really? If it seems to be too painful, please don’t hold back and tell me right away.”
“Elly,” Vesta looked at me with a face on the verge of tears.
“Please don’t worry. Your room, Lady Vesta, is next to Lady Elena’s. Let us go then.”
“…Okay.”
Alyssa turned around and started walking away. Vesta dropped her shoulders and followed her. Both disappeared inside the mansion.
“Is Lady Vesta going to be alright?”
“She will be, probably.”
“Lady Elena!”
“――gh!”
I got startled by Fay suddenly shouting.
“Why are you raising your voice all of a sudden!?”
“It will be best to not mind today’s matter too much.”
“What, so that’s what you wanted to talk about.”
“I gathered my courage since it’s a sensible topic,” Fay said apologetically.
“…I see,” I nodded lightly. “…Thank you for today.”
“No need to thank me. We are friends after all.”
Fay appealed to our friendship by hitting her chest and chanting “Friends!”
“Why are you appealing to our friendship so much?”
“Appealing is important! Anyway, please excuse me now!”
Fay turned on her heels and walked away. A boy――he should be called Tony――was doing practice-swings with a wooden sword in the direction of where she was going. I breathed out lightly and headed to the entrance. Opening the door, I stepped inside the mansion. Probably because I was alone again, I became gloomy once more. It looks like the damage I suffered is deeper than I thought.
“Haaa～, so depressing.”
“～～♪”
The instant I muttered this, I could hear humming. It gradually came closer. After a short moment, Princess Tilia appeared from a hallway. Her step was light. As I watched her while thinking how nice it’d be to not have any worries in the world, she headed towards me. I cursed myself for not having left, but now it’s too late.
Princess Tilia came to a halt in front of me.
“Do you have some business with me?”
“It’s not like I have business with you or anything like that.”
“Your look is quite spiteful, considering that, you know?”
“It’s really not like I have any business with you. But, you seemed happy…”
“Yeah, I’m happy. Today I’ll be in charge of attending Chrono at night.”
Princess Tilia pushed out her chest as if to flaunt its size. She was acting as if she couldn’t endure waiting to sleep with him. I felt somewhat stumped.
“You don’t look happy at all, though. If you’re fine with me, I’ll listen to your problems.”
“Hmm,” I groaned.
I feel like I’ll suffer unnecessary damage by being mercilessly pummeled with sound arguments, even if I consult her.
“Can I ask you to do that?”
“Mmh, leave it to me. But, consulting here would be…”
“Then let us go to my office.”
“Sure,” agreed Princess Tilia.
I started to walk while wondering why I considered getting a consultation from Princess Tilia. It’s probably because the idea that I might as well become depressed to the bitter end, if I’m already depressed anyway, crossed my mind.
※
Once we entered my office, I set up the chairs so that we’d be facing each other.
“Here you go.”
“Mmh, thanks.”
Her Highness nodded calmly and took a seat on her chair.
“So, what’s worrying you?”
“Today I picked a fight with a nasty woman and was forced to realize my own position.”
“In short, you had the tables turned on you, huh?”
“Tables turned on me? Well, yeah, I guess you can call it that. And then I got saved by Lord Chrono. It made me think that I’m an insignificant, stupid being.”
“Aren’t you undervaluing yourself a bit too much there?”
“But, I’m right, am I not?”
“You think?”
Tilia tilted her head at my question. As if saying that she couldn’t agree.
“I’m sure you’re feeling depressed over having the tables turned on you. I also felt terribly dejected over my loss to Countess Cheiron, so I can understand you well.”
“How did you recover from that, Your Highness?”
“I kind of worried about another problem, and once I resolved that, I naturally got back on my feet,” Princess Tilia said while cocking her head and folding her arms.
“It’s very unlikely that this will be much of a reference for me.”
“Sorry that I couldn’t be of much help. But, you’ve at least asked for a method to get back on your feet. It seems like you’re aware of being depressed about this.”
“I guess you’re right,” I nodded.
I certainly feel down after having been beaten at my own game. Because of that, I’ve ended up thinking about things in a negative way. At least, that’s what I feel now that she’s told me. But――
“When sleeping with Lord Chrono, I’m scared of taking a blunt or high.handed attitude towards Lord Chrono and I feel relieved in his arms. I think that’s because it reaffirms my value and gives me a peace of mind, but…”
“I don’t understand all that talk about your own value, but it’s only natural to feel scared or relieved.”
“Really?”
“When I was locked out from his room by Chrono, I couldn’t help but feel scared. Being tied up made me afraid, too. But, I feel relieved when we’re touching each other. Isn’t that normal?”
“I don’t think that being tied up is normal…”
“F-Forget about it! I didn’t say anything just now!”
The princess exclaimed in panic.
“In my view, I feel scared because I didn’t have anyone or anything to rely on thus far. I had to literally win all matches with my body alone. That’s why I feel scared and also relieved.”
I silently stared at Princess Tilia. I thought that she had it nice because she didn’t seem to have any worries at all, but that was wrong. She’s worrying and properly facing those worries.
I looked down at my own hands. I sure didn’t hold any pride in being a slave. But, I’ve tackled my work seriously. Because of that, I think I can also be proud of that part.
“It looks like you resolved your worries somewhat.”
“Yes, my mood has improved a bit.”
“A bit, huh?”
“I mean, I still lost just a little while ago.”
“Well, that makes sense, I suppose,” Princess Tilia said while revealing a gentle smile.
※
The next day, as I was doing my work, Vesta entered my office. She was wearing a blouse and skirt while holding a stack of papers closely to her chest.
Those were the permits printed with the wood printing device.
She quickly walked up to me and placed the stack on my desk. I picked up two pieces of paper and compared them. Since they were part of the same printing edition, it’s pretty much very natural, but the sizes and shapes of the letters looked identical.
“How is it, Elly?”
“Not bad.”
I placed the permits on the desk and sighed deeply.
“Is something the matter? I checked them properly, but is there still something wrong with them?”
“No, they’re fine. They’re pretty nice, actually. Just…”
“Just?”
“I’m dejected since the permits, which I painstakingly wrote up by hand so far, can be reproduced so easily,” I muttered with a fed-up voice while Vesta tilted her head cutely.
“I just put in the paper and moved the stick. Mr. Dwarf did all the finer adjustments.”
“But, it’s much easier than writing each and every permit by hand, isn’t it?”
“That’s certainly true, but…”
Vesta pursed her lips in discontent.
“So, what are your impressions after actually having tried to produce it?”
“If it’s around ten permits, I think writing them by hand would be faster.”
“Come to think of it, the dwarf in the workshop said the same.”
I guess I must consider the operational procedures as well, huh?
I picked up a permit and stood up.
“Is something wrong?”
“I’m going to Lord Chrono. Want to come with me?”
“I-I think I’d like to refrain.”
Vesata looked troubled. It seems like the misunderstanding still hasn’t been resolved.
“Okay, okay, I get it. I’ll go by myself.”
“Elly, you’re incredible.”
“How so?”
“I mean, you can go to meet him after having experienced something so terrible yesterday.”
“Well, we’ve known each other for quite some time now. Anyway, Vesta, take care of the miscellaneous stuff at the office.”
“Yep, I’ll do my best.”
We left the room and headed to our respective destinations. I went to Lord Chrono’s office on the fourth floor while Vesta headed down to the office on the first floor.
“…Damn, I seriously lack exercise,” I mumbled while scaling the stairs.
I went up to the third floor with my breathing being a mess. There I ran into Princess Tilia. For some reason she was walking pigeon-toed. I thought it’d be better to pretend not having seen her, but our eyes ended up meeting.
“Do you have some business with me?”
“No, not really…”
I turned my face away. I really have no business with her. Rather, I’d like to be allowed to go to the fourth floor without having to say anything.
“You’re not going to ask where it was fun?”
“…Was it fun?”
“Chrono seemed to enjoy himself,” the princess laughed feebly when I asked her after hesitating for quite a bit.
“Hehehe, I-I seriously never expected him to use a gag on me!”
Princess Tilia held her head, curling up on her spot like a turtle. I felt like I could hear some weird noises from her.
“Without allowing me to say anything back at him, he abused me with indecent insults… Who is he calling a cow!?”
Princess Tilia shouted all of a sudden, startling me. It sounds like she tragically lost the match where she put her own body on the line. She was probably told stuff like her having cow-like tits or that it’d have been better for her to have been a cow whose only job was to produce milk.
Leaving the princess alone while she was writhing and groaning, I headed towards Lord Chrono’s office.
“I’m going to enter.”
“…Go ahead.”
When I entered his office, he was working diligently. I walked up to his desk and placed the permit on the table. Lord Chrono picked it up and scrutinized it closely.
“The print is pretty good. It doesn’t look like it’ll be a problem to switch away from handwritten permits.”
“About that…”
“You’re surely not going to tell me that writing by hand is a lot more noble or something like that, right?”
“I won’t! In the first place, I was the one who brought up the idea of using the wood printing device.”
“So, what’s the problem then?”
“It’s the same reason as to why the wood printing device was stored away. Considering the time and effort to adjust it, Vesta said it’d be faster to do it by hand, if it’s less than ten documents.”
“Hmm,” Lord Chrono sank into silence, brooding. After a while, he spoke up, “It might take time and effort, but we should accumulate know-how on how to use it by trying out various things.”
“I guess that’s a fair argument.”
“Keep your documents in paper form.”
“Got it.”
I received the paper from Lord Chrono while standing still. Probably considering it strange, Lord Chrono looked up to me.
“Is something the matter?”
“I met Her Highness a little while ago… Lord Chrono, do you resent Her Highness?”
“I was chased around by her during the exercise at the military academy.”
“What, that much――”
“On a horse. On a friggin’ horse. Moreover, while being on a slope,” Lord Chrono interrupted me.
Since he went out of his way to mention a horse, I guess Lord Chrono was on foot. I almost laughed out loud when imagining him being chased around by a horse, but when I tried to put myself in his own position, I couldn’t find anything funny about that at all.
Since she gave me some advice, I thought I’d help her out a bit, but it seems slightly impossible.
“Either way, it’s great that you’ve become cheerful again.”
“I don’t know how that’s connected to what we’ve been talking about, but thanks.”
After thanking him, I left Lord Chrono’s office.
※
In the evening.
I was heading to my room in order to get everything ready for my night with Lord Chrono. I was taking it slow because I thought that I’d still have a bit time before going to his room.
Opening the door, I entered my room. After walking a few steps, I was suddenly plunged into darkness and bumped against something. Because all of it happened all too abruptly, I fell on my back side right then and there.
“Ouch!”
“Ah, sorry, sorry.”
When I cried out loud, Lord Chrono’s voice answered me. Space twisted and Lord Chrono appeared.
“Why are you in my room?”
“Since I learned a new magic art, I’ve been hiding in this room while also running some experiments.”
“That doesn’t explain anything,” I retorted while feeling appalled.
A girl――Eril Saldomerick――showed up from Lord Chrono’s shadow.
“…Being able to see things relies on the reflection of light. The magic art developed by me――Light Pathway makes the caster disappear by creating a force field allowing light to pass through.”
“I wasn’t asking for an explanation of the magic.”
“…Living beings can see objects thanks to their retinas catching the reflected light. But, since the caster creates a field that allows light to simply pass through, the caster’s retinas don’t catch any light either. In other words――”
“You can hide yourself, but at the same time, you yourself become unable to see, right?”
“…That’s how it is,” Eril pursed her lips in a bad mood while agreeing with my words after I had interrupted her.
“…Now give me my reward.”
“Sure, thanks.”
“…I’d like to use it at any time.”
Once Lord Chrono handed her a gold coin, Eril left the room.
I sighed, “Even if you hadn’t deliberately come over, I’d have visited you to pick up my pillar anyway.”
“Okay, place your hands on the door.”
“I know, I know. Sheesh, you’re such an impatient man.”
There was no mood or nothing. I pulled on the string of my shorts. Once they dropped, my body trembled slightly. I placed both my hands on the door and Lord Chrono grabbed my waist.
“You aren’t against it?”
“It’s my thanks for you having saved Vesta. Just gratitude.”
“If you’re talking about gratitude, I’d prefer if you let me use this place any time soon now,” he said while stroking his dick.
“……I don’t really mind,” I answered after a short break.
He abruptly stopped moving. Once I looked back at him over my shoulder, Lord Chrono was frowning.
“What’s with that face?”
“It’s kinda boring if you don’t hate it.”
“First you tell me to let you use it, then you call it boring. Make up your mind.”
I was slightly pissed. I’ve finally gathered my courage, and yet he calls it boring. What a nasty guy. I mean, I’d also prefer to give my virginity away at a time when a better mood was going. I’m seriously annoyed.
At that moment, a knocking could be heard coming from the door.
“I wonder who it is at this time of the day. Wait a second――gh!”
Immediately after I removed my hands from the door, a chill traveled down my spine. Once I looked back, I saw Lord Chrono smiling. At a glance, it was a gentle smile, but he was obviously planning something. I could easily tell.
“Open the door ajar and deal with your visitor. Ah, make sure to keep your body hidden behind the door.”
“――ng! W-What are you up to?”
I gasped, keeping my voice down. Lord Chrono maintained his smile.
“You won’t do anything while I deal with my guest, will you?”
“Hurry up and answer the door.”
“N-No need to tell me!”
I took a deep breath and extended a hand for the door knob.
I wonder who’s come for a visit. I guess it’s either one of the maids working in the mansion or Fay. Layla or Princess Tilia would be fine as well. But, please spare me from Vesta being on the other side of the door.
I opened the door while praying, just to feel despair hitting me. The one standing in the hallways wearing a negligee was Vesta.
“…What’s the matter for you to come here at such a time?”
“Well, I wanted to talk with you before going to sleep, Elly.”
“Talk, you sa――gh!”
I had my breath taken away. Lord Chrono had grabbed my waist and was rubbing his dick against my place down there.
“I-Is something the matter?”
“N-No, nothing. So, what did you want to talk about?”
“It’s about today’s work…”
“W-Was there something you didn’t understand?”
“That’s not it… Elly, your face is bright red, you know?”
“R-Really?”
“Your breathing is rough too…”
“D-Don’t mind it,” I somehow managed to squeeze out.
The reality was that Lord Chrono was messing with me while I was talking with Vesta, but I couldn’t tell her anything like that. If she actually found out――just the imagination of that caused my body to grow hot and an indescribable pleasure crawled up my spine.
In the next instant, the pleasure transformed into a shudder. Lord Chrono was pressing his dick against my front entrance. I felt cold sweat welling up.
Eh? You’re kidding, right? I mean, I said it’s fine, but this timing of all things? No, I’m sure it’ll be alright. Ah, but…but――
While I was at the height of confusion, Lord Chrono moved his cock up and down. No, he was trying to fit it in.
“Elly?”
“Continue…”
“Okay. I have never worked until now, but thanks to you――”
“ng!”
A muffled, hoarse groan escaped my mouth due to the shock assailing my lower body. Vesta looked at me, startled. My legs were quivering and I felt like they’d give in right here and now. But, I held my ground. At the same time, relief spread in my chest. He hadn’t used my front.
“E-Elena-chan!?”
“S-Sorr――mgn! I-I don’t f-feel too good!”
“I-I’ll call a doctor!”
“I-It’s okay! It’s just that I feel slightly down.”
“Sorry for coming over when your body is ailing.”
“D-Don’t worry about it. B-But, if possible, keep it short.”
“O-Okay. I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to get through the first day without much of a problem.”
“N-No problem. We’re friends.”
“Thanks, Elly. Take a good rest, okay?”
Vesta smiled feebly and started to walk back to her own room. I breathed out in relief and closed the door by collapsing into it. Actually I wanted to remain leaning against it like that, but I couldn’t since I was pulled back up by Lord Chrono.
“What were you thinking? Vesta was right here! It’s great that she didn’t notice anything, but…”
“You think so?”
“Y-Yes, she didn’t realize.”
“Really?” Lord Chrono asked once more, sniffing the air.
He probably wanted to say that you could notice the smell. But, Vesta should probably be rather green in these matters. That’s why I don’t think she realized anything. But, if she actually did――
“You sure?”
“Yes, I am! She definitely didn’t notice it!”
“Maybe you’re right. But, if you make too much of a fuss, people might find out, you know?”
“――gh!”
I covered my mouth with my hand.
It’s just as Lord Chrono says. Vesta might not have returned to her own room yet. I must keep my voice down. Vesta is introverted and innocent when it comes to relationships with men. If she learns about me doing this with Lord Chrono, she’d scorn me.
At that moment, a flash of insight suddenly hit me. Maybe he had Vesta’s room assigned to be right next to mine for this very reason.
“Di――rh!”
I tried to confront him about it, but I couldn’t. The instant I opened my mouth, Lord Chrono started to move his waist. And as he did, I could only focus on enduring.
That night I suffered in anguish as I drifted in the rift between not wanting to let my voice out and wanting to devote all my senses to this pleasure while letting out my voice since it’d be fine to be found out.
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Translation Notes: