NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15 - Episode 15: Boss' Past and Formation of the Cleaning Team
Episode 15: Boss’ Past and Formation of the Cleaning Team
Although he’s not exactly the lord of the land, the noble here is what they call a “robed” noble who manages this area. When you think of nobles, you might assume they own land, but it’s not always the case. His family apparently manages the eastern side of the capital city.
At Bursa’s house, the boss’ father still works as a viscount, while Bursa himself is a baron. As the boss sipped on the alcohol brought by the Bursa noble, he told me about it. So, this was the capital city.
“They say twins bring bad luck, so we were kicked out. Well, we got along well, and various things happened, but I also had my own strength, which led to me organizing the slums.”
“That’s amazing!”
“Well, yeah.”
They must have been secretly connected and causing mischief together… Or rather, the boss, despite being from a noble background, looked more like a genuine mafia member.
“But why was the boss kicked out, even though you’re twins and look the same?”
“……Huh?”
Oh no! Did I just say that?! I want to sew my careless mouth shut! The boss, despite saying it was necessary for work, told me a bit of an old story, but I shouldn’t have asked, even though there couldn’t possibly be any good memories of being kicked out. And especially with alcohol involved, I might have let slip…!
“Sorry! I-I didn’t mean to…”
The boss made a displeased face, but he drank some alcohol and started talking.
“Bursa can make bricks from soil, but I can’t. It’s better to have some aptitude to become the head of the family. It’s earth magic.”
I listened to him seriously. You never know when you’ll get hit, and there’s nothing scarier than a drunkard who resorts to violence. Especially with a frail and weak-looking girl’s body like mine…
“We built this building with Bursa’s bricks, and the bricks all over the capital have been made by our family for generations… I just didn’t have the talent.”
“But, boss, you have good points too!”
“…Yeah. Fortunately, I managed to strengthen my body, and this place is where you can get anything with brute strength. I’ve got subordinates now, and money’s coming in.”
The boss, who seemed like such a ruffian, must have had a difficult past too. You could tell from the scars on his body, which Bursa didn’t have. The boss, who was staring into the distance, was probably reminiscing about a past I didn’t know about, right?
“Now we have subordinates like you too! Drink! You drink too!”
“Yes, thank you!”
Is it okay for me to drink with this young girl’s body? I wondered, but there was no option not to drink. I took a sip, coughed, spat it out, and then collapsed. I could hear the boss’s worried voice from afar, but then I lost consciousness.
The next day, I was still feeling dizzy, but I went to work for Bursa in the afternoon.
“I can’t just let you go alone. Logan, Olmiroi, and Pakis, go with her. …Are you okay?”
“My head’s spinning.”
“Go after you’ve thrown up. Sorry about that.”
I was stroked on the head and handed over to Logan. Although I still had the feelings of an adult woman, being held like this was a bit embarrassing, but I obediently complied.
Olmiroi was a combat slave, like a cross between a human and a lizardman, who had been glaring at me the whole time during cleaning. He was mostly human, about 80%?
There were some lizardmen, but I couldn’t tell if it was a difference in species or not, their expressions were hard to read.
And then there was Pakis, my former boss. For some reason, he was glaring at me with an angry expression.
“Pakis, listen to what Frim says and make sure to protect her, okay?”
“…Hmph.”
He seemed very dissatisfied. Is this going to be okay?
“Master, may I say something?”
“What is it, Logan?”
“When it comes to cleaning, there may be places where only women can enter. We might not be able to stay close to Miss Frim.”
“Oh, Logan, you’re right! You’re as sharp as ever!”
Nice one, Logan! I didn’t notice, but thanks for speaking up for my safety!! Although it’s a bit worrisome that the boss agrees with you!
“Then find two people and take them with you.”
“Yes.”
We were joined by more subordinates. We went down to the underground to find some female slaves. While going down the stairs, I thought I heard something from Pakis. The subordinate who was once my boss, now glaring at me with disdain, and if he didn’t like something, he could even hit me like a punching bag. He must really not like me.
In company terms, Pakis is like the CEO’s son, a connected employee. And I’m like a self-made employee who climbed up from the hiring exam. No matter how much I’m his boss, if Pakis goes crying to the boss, my head might roll…
…Is Pakis gripping the knife at his waist on the front side because it’s inconvenient to walk? He won’t attack, right?
“Miss Frim, let’s bring along a combat slave named Markea. She’s a bit rough, but she listens well and works hard.”
“Then let’s take her. What about the other person?”
“Olmiroi, do you have someone you’d recommend?”
“Talarine, probably.”
“Who is that?”
“My sister. If she hasn’t been sold yet, she should be around.”
He just casually dropped a bombshell, didn’t he?!
“Then let’s go together. It would be nice to work together.”
“Tch, hurry up, you idiot.”
“…”
What’s with this former boss…? Since he assigned him to me, he should listen to what I say when I give orders, but it’s complicated. Because he’s the son of Boss Dugga! Even if I try to resist with force, Pakis is definitely stronger!! If I give orders carelessly, won’t he definitely hold a grudge?! I can already see the murderous intent in his eyes!!? Although Logan seemed to be favored by the boss even as a slave, I still couldn’t say anything to Pakis.
“Markea, it’s time for work. Come.”
“Yeah.”
In the private room where the slaves for general sale were kept, she was there. She’s supposed to be a cute girl I’d like to say… but she has broad shoulders, is tall, and has a supple, muscular body. She has red hair tied back in a ponytail, giving off a big sister vibe with ripped abs.
Another girl was in the area for the miscellaneous slaves, deeper in the brothel area where I was also visiting for the first time.
“Big brother!?”
“…”
“Talarine, it’s time for work. Come with me.”
“Yes.”
“Tch.”
For a moment, there was a subtle change, but she did seem genuinely happy. However, that moment quickly passed, and she returned to being expressionless. I might have turned their sibling reunion into something unpleasant. The girl called Talarine is cute. She’s taller than me but looks perfectly human. Are they step-siblings or something?
She waved to the older women who had asked her to come to clean the toilets, and we headed off to work… This team is going to be quite a handful.