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Slow Visitor
Today’s cleaning was a bit tough. It was because there was a meeting scheduled with His Excellency the Governor himself for the first time in a long while.
Even for the meeting with the madam needs a proper room and thorough cleaning, but when it came to His Excellency himself, it always became a formal affair. The people who appeared in the meeting were often people with high status. This was precisely why the scale of the room would be bigger, and the preparation would become exaggerated.
Today’s room was 「Peony」 room1. For a room designed for a small gathering, this was the most excellent room for a meeting, especially when meeting people with a lower status than the Governor.
In contrast, the guest was just a single person. It seemed to be the chairman of a company from Pyris satellite town, Korapt.
That person was not a noble. He was also not a knight, not even a public figure. Just the representative of merchants. Also, it would be one thing if he held the meeting with many other wealthy merchants, but he was coming alone.
According to Miss Katug’s very simple briefing, this person had distinguished himself in the past 20 years and had held his current position for 15 years till now. In other words, he was an influential figure even before the Viscount’s father was assigned here. As the successor and the current Governor and having been in office for barely 2 years, he needed to stay cautious. Receiving him in the finest quality room showed respect to the other person and at the same time, displayed the dignity of the ruler of this land. It had been 2 years since he last came here, which was during the celebration of the Viscount taking up his post as the Governor.
This meeting took place with such a background. Of course, I couldn't even clean up such a wide room by myself. The head maid was also present this time, and it turned into quite a commotion. Thanks to this, I had a little more free time instead.
After getting changed, I looked around the room.
As the name suggests, ‘Peony’ was a circular room. The interior was lavishly decorated with abundant use of colored marble. An opulent chandelier shone overhead. The master’s seat was located on the north side of the room, and red stones were used for that area. It was also flanked by golden pillars and decorations. In contrast, the opposite wall was green.
There was a huge table in the center of the room. This was removable, so if needed, it could be disassembled and stored. Since the room was round, they could just make the table round too, but they went out of their way to make it octagonal. It was also made of heavy-looking ochre-colored marble. The table’s feet were white. The chairs for guests were placed only on the left and right sides of the octagon and along the base. In other words, there were no other seats on the left and right sides of the master’s seat. But, judging from the extra space, there were probably the Viscount’s subordinates standing there.
These tables and chairs were, so to speak, placed on a white marble base. Guests would have to climb a short flight of stairs to reach their seats. The master’s side of the platform was a level higher, but the other side was a step lower. Anyway, it was only a small difference in level.
The windows were also well-thought-out. There were windows set at different heights, and you could open and close them at will, it was designed so that several types of glass could be switched to control the brightness and the hue of the light. It was possible to operate them using a device backstage. So you could let in sunlight as you wished. By properly calculating the season and time, you could arrange for the sunlight to always illuminate the master’s back.
And I did not see it myself since I was not in charge of cleaning it, but apparently, there was an air-conditioning device behind the master’s seat on the other side of the wall. Though it was like that, it does not use magic. They drew up underground water and circulated it on the other side of the wall and under the floor. I see, the temperature of the room increased because the sunlight heated the surface of the wall, so if you cool it down, you could make them a little more comfortable. On the contrary, it seems they pour hot water during winter. By the way, it was powered by a horse.
It seemed there was air conditioning and heating using magic installed in the current royal castle, but compared to that, it might seem shabby. But it was understandable considering the time it was built. In the war between various nations that broke out 700 years ago, all six nations - except Wanonoma - were destroyed. And after a hundred years of the Dark Ages, the kingdom of Pyris was formed. At that time, many magic techniques had been lost, and unlike today, no restoration work was being carried out. Well, in the first place, even the air conditioning and heating of the current royal castle was just the restored version of what was excavated from the ruins of the unification era and used.
It was the audience chamber of the former king of Pyris. It was an impressive thing. However, after this place became one of Esta Forestia’s governed cities, a「Peony」 room was added to receive the royal envoys, and that became the venue for welcoming the most distinguished guests. The only room grander than this room was the 「Water Lily Hall」, which was used for official events.
Considering that, it was quite moving. This was also a stage in history. Even when being surrounded by the army of Esta Forestia, the city of Pyris was unyielding. But the situation changed when the old king, who was having a meeting with his chief vassals, suddenly fell ill in this very room. Who would be the one who would wear the crown next? The princess was forced to escape the disunited Pyris back then.
Since then, no one had sat on the throne. Because the Forestia army that occupied this place at the time removed the magnificent throne. Right now, the seat of the Governor was just a plain chair compared to the previous one.....although it was still an impressive chair but.....it had been placed there.
A vase of flowers had already been placed inside the room, and a fire was burning as well. It was such a room with a gorgeous atmosphere. At least that was how it looked when you see the scene objectively.
「Whaat? Are you feeling reluctant to leave?」
There were two things that disturbed me from appreciating the room. One of them was, of course, the existence of Nagia.
She had been eagerly waiting for this day.
「You are no longer in a position where you can enter and exit this kind of place so you can take your time to enjoy it」
She seemed to be in the best of moods. That should be because, as of today, I was no longer in charge of welcoming guests. I may occasionally help, but I would no longer be a regular member.
「I will say this to make it clear, it is my own wish to be transferred. It doesn’t mean that I’m being removed because I messed up at my work」
It was my declaration of intent that I could come back anytime I wish. But Nagia’s manner did not change.
「Then, that’s even stupider」
She continued while jumping in joy.
「Don’t you know? After working in welcoming guests for several years. If you’re a man, the next step is to enter the secretarial department, you know? Well, only talented people can enter, though. The most talented person in the secretarial section will become a butler. My father was also in the secretarial section for a period of time, and Ifroz-sama also started from there, and that’s how he came to be what he is now」
「So?」
「Do I have to tell you to understand?」
Breathing heavily and half-excited, she brought her lips close to my ear.
「You, have already been left out. You’re a dropout. Well, it was natural things turned out this way though」
Being in charge of welcoming guests meant that while you had the status of a servant, you were in a special position where you could see firsthand the master’s significant other. You would learn the demeanors of people in the upper class on the spot and remember their faces and names of the guests. And based on the skills learned, you would be assigned to more important duties. I see, they would not be placed here in the first place if they were not promising children. And I left such a position by myself, so from the perspective of people thinking rationally, it was a stupid choice.
But.
……what a defenseless girl.
The first thing that came to my mind when I heard it was, above all, this.
What would you think would happen if you keep taking up such an attitude and incur my wrath? I would no longer be able to stay in the mansion if I were to act violently, and that becomes a deterrent.....what an overly arrogant way of thinking.
If I had dropped out of the promotion race in this House, who would care about such rules? Since she was in the center of society, that was, the Viscount House, she could not imagine the situation of the people thrown out to the outskirts.
And even if she made me angry, for example, she would just think that I would hit her at most, but that’s too naive. I have already experienced more than that. If I wanted to, I could gouge out her eyeball right here and now. I would be chased out of this place and fall to become a criminal slave, but with her losing one eye, she would be unable to live the same life as before. She would probably be removed from welcoming guests.
Receiving my bloodlust, her expression turned serious for a moment, then she made a nasty smile again soon after.
「What, that’s not scary at all, even if you glare at me like that. Hey, can you walk properly right now?」
It was as if she was saying that it would not be scary anymore if she took a bit more distance from me.
That’s right, this pain was making me depressed. My whole body was injured from the unreasonable punishment the other day. The swelling got really bad for several days, and I was even unable to do normal tasks. I have finally been able to resume my normal duties only today. Thanks to that, even when I was cleaning or crouching down to scrape out some dust in the gaps today, my body felt pain all over.
Enough. I’ve added Nagia to the list. I could leave here anytime anyway. Once that happened, I could send her to a life of misery. Right, that body was quite pretty too; I’ll take it. But I didn't need the inside. Although she would not feel any pain or fear when dying if I leave her soul alone.....so let’s transfer her soul to a plant or insect.
But first, I had to stop playing along with this girl.
「You called me because it’s time, yes? Then let’s go now」
Her expression returned to her usual sour look at my blunt attitude.
Nagia and I stood outside the Peony room. The room was surrounded by a stylish courtyard. There was an anteroom right next to it. Guests take a short rest there before finally heading toward the Peony room.
Also, according to Miss Katug, the merchant head of this Korapt Company was not one to waste his time. Even if they were not nobles, guests who were wealthy would usually enjoy the flowers and plants before seeing the head of the house, but the person visiting this time did not adhere to such common sense. That meant he would arrive soon.
We could hear a noise coming from a distance. The guest had arrived at the anteroom. And as expected, they would take a short rest over there. It was now clear, broad daylight, and it was quite hot. Moreover, the Viscount entered the Peony room from the back upon the guest’s arrival. He waited inside.
We were standing in a place not directly exposed to sunlight at the moment, but the humid heat was unbearable. I wore the black suits as usual and hid among the flowers, but at this moment, even the fragrant flowers felt itchy to me. We had thoroughly exterminated harmful insects such as mosquitoes, but that did not mean they were completely gone.
Before long, we could hear another sound coming from the anteroom’s direction. Apparently, they were coming already. No, should I say, finally instead. I applied makeup on my face so sweat would more or less not stand out, but there was no meaning in that if I was completely covered in sweat. So I greatly welcome them if they arrived early.
A little distance away, the door opened, and from there a large figure appeared. From here, the trees planted in that area were in the way, so I could not see the figure clearly. The figure was walking at quite a slow pace. And it was such an awkward pace. I wonder if there was something wrong with his legs?
Now I could see his feet. He used a cane. And he was also wearing Saharian-style simple clothing. He seemed to be very fat. To have trouble even just walking, that was quite a figure. It was frustrating to wait, even though it was hot here.
The slow-footed guest turned the corner and looked toward us.
No way.....right.....?
I couldn’t help but open my eyes wide. I was sure Nagia also did the same. But her reason for that was probably different from mine.
The ugliest and most obscene-looking person I’ve ever seen, ever since coming to this world. If I were to rank those people, this person would sit at the top.
Raspe Gruvy. No way, I never thought he would come to this place. Darn it, I should have asked Ina-san for the guest’s name earlier.
「O……oo, ohhhh……」
Our eyes met. And seeing me, Gruvy looked obviously happy.
I got in trouble now. I was an object right now. I was not supposed to speak with the guest. It was not like I wanted to have a conversation with him anyway, but what should I do if they called out to me?
Behind Gruvy was the woman I had seen back at the auction. She stood silently behind her slow-moving master without hurrying him.
Gruvy just stared at me without moving. And his expression immediately changed from that sickening smile to an emotionless face. Then, he looked around left and right. For a moment, he looked at Nagia. I also take a quick glance at her with my eyes. As expected, her expression did not change at all. But her body’s reaction was honest. She had goosebumps.
Even Ifroz, who acted as the guide, was feeling confused at the unmoving Gruvy. If he could not help, should he help, he must think like that.....but, Groovy finally started to move.
「Ah, excuse me」
He apologized while dragging his heavy body awkwardly.
「I need to pay a little more attention to my health, it seems……」
Although they faced each other as opponents in the action before, there was a delicate relationship between them this time. To Ifroz, Gruvy was her master’s guest. So, although he was humbling himself right now, the same goes for Gruvy. Although he was a wealthy merchant himself, his status was that of a commoner. In contrast, Ifroz's status was that of a knight. And deep down, they seemed to be disgusted at each other. At the very least, it was hard to think that Gruvy was not holding a grudge about what happened last time.
Gruvy walked the dozens of meters while out of breath and finally stood next to me. I wonder why, but even though there was 1 meter of distance between us, I felt like his body odor was drifting toward me. And, it was not just the body odor of a fat, middle-aged man, but there was also an unnatural floral smell sticking to his body that was perhaps used to mask it.....which only made him seem all the more unclean.
There, Gruvy turned toward me
「Yaa, gufuu, Noor-kun」
I knew it, he came to talk to me. What to do? Was it all right for me to speak as a mere object here? I immediately glanced at Ifroz’s face. Faced with the other party’s irrational behavior, I judged there was no choice but to accept it. It would be much more rude to ignore the guest after all.
「It has been a while, Gruvy-sama」
I deeply bowed with that greeting.
Honestly, I was worried about how to respond. After all, I knew his face, but it was not like we had ever spoken to each other or had any specific relationship.
「I never thought, gofuuh, that I would meet you, guhiih, in a place like this」
He talked in a surprisingly frank manner. Only, his voice was low and hoarse. And perhaps it was because he was too fat that I could hear his labored breath each time he spoke. Rather, it sounded like belching.
However, I never thought we would meet here, this was something. I am currently the Viscount’s slave, with Ifroz over there as the successful bidder, so it was natural I was here.
But, as if he could read my thoughts, he said.
「I thought.....buhyuu.....you would do.....haahaa.....a different task」
「I was ordered to take on this role, starting with etiquette first. Although I still have a long way to go」
When I said that as politely as I could, I could see something indescribable writhe in the depths of his eyes.
「Fuh….gofuuh......well, it’s fine.....let us talk again later, Noor-kun」
I deeply bowed in response to that. That was the end of our conversation.
Gruvy continued walking while dragging his heavy body again. Ifroz and his female companion followed behind him.
The woman had quite a beautiful appearance. She had dark brown hair styled in a bun at the back of her head. Her sharp glasses and tight skirt really suited her, making her looked like a secretary. However.....
I quietly checked her status.
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Ivy Mulberry アイビィ・モルベリー (24)
・Material Human Form
(Rank 6, Woman, 24 years old)
・Skill Fores Language Level 6
・Skill Saharia Language Level 5
・Skill Ruin Language Level 4
・Skill Business Dealing Level 2
・Skill Drug Compounding Level 3
・Skill Hand-to-hand Combat Level 5
・Skill Throwing Technique Level 5
・Skill Spy Level 5
・Skill Acrobatics Level 5
・Skill Swimming Level 4
・Skill Bedroom Technique Level 5
・Skill Mind Manipulation Magic Level 3
Empty (12)
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……I knew it.
She was completely like a ninja, isn’t she? And a fully-fledged ninja at that. Why was he bringing someone like her with him?
If it was a frontal battle, then she would probably lose to Ifroz but.....no, but, but she had her master beside her, who would just become a burden, so they could not afford to be careless in any case. Un, the Viscount was safe. There was no reason to worry.
I heard the sound of the heavy door closing behind me.
I would be released from my job as an object for the time being. www.ihavesinnedtranslation.com
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TL Note :
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芍薬, Paeonia lactiflora
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