NOVEL NEXT Chapter 20 - Episode 20: Third Day of Noble Work
Episode 20: Third Day of Noble Work
I’m worried about what will happen with Pakis, but work continued as usual. The nobles were ecstatic when I cleaned the toilets and the slippery floors. I understand; it’s better to have clean toilets, and there are some stains that are tough to remove even with strong brushing.
Myued-san was gone before I knew it, but he came to deliver bread in the evening. The nobles started providing better meals.
“It’s not uncommon for meals not to be served at noble estates.”
“I see.”
Myued-san might be kind to slaves too.
There were limits even to high-pressure washing when cleaning the statues. Some of the materials had turned green, but overall, they looked much better than before. There was some effect from using ozone and experimenting with alkali or acidic water, although it was minimal. I wish I had cleaning chemicals. Or at least litmus paper for testing. I can’t see the changes in my magic with my eyes alone, except for the smell of ozone.
“Oh, that most magnificent one is the statue of the first king of this country. Handle it with care.”
“Yes.”
On the third day, the noble came to inspect the work. The particularly large statue in the center seemed to be the king’s statue, and he came to oversee the work. The strange arrangement of statues in the garden apparently represents the positions of the territories of this country and the founding ancestors of the nobles. Was there any significance to it? I took it seriously when I heard it was a royal statue. I think I spent about five times more time on it than the others. There were parts of the crown, ornaments, and aging that had deteriorated, but there were traces of repairs. He was a handsome man, with a good face. Perhaps he looked so dignified just by looking at the statue because the original person had charisma? Some statues were given specific instructions, like being careful because they seemed to be about to break… and,
“You can be careless with that one.”
“Why is that?”
“We’re not on good terms with them. They’re from the family that specializes in stone attack magic… we really don’t get along! You don’t even have to clean that one properly.”
Indeed, it wasn’t cleaned. Maybe Bursa-sama is petty. He also told me about other famous nobles in this country. It seems to be common knowledge about the characteristics of famous masters of fire, water, and wind magic. It also makes sense to depict them with rice ears, money bags, or swords, representing their strong financial, diplomatic, or domestic skills, respectively. Druggen is a master of the stone system and has had land in the west for hundreds of years but has been in the capital for urban development for hundreds of years. It seems that the statues of the Druggen family are unusually new because they are updated every year. They’re petty indeed.
It’s customary for parties to be held after the ceremonies held by the royal family at the Druggen family.
But that doesn’t concern me, a former mafia member who used to live in the alleyway. It’s quite fun to keep using high-pressure washing absent-mindedly. As I continued, I found that I could release several streams at once not only from my fingertips but also from a slightly farther position. I remembered illustrations in a magic book of legendary magicians striking lightning from the sky. If magic can strike lightning from the sky, it might be possible to use magic even if the source is 100 kilometers away. I couldn’t send it straight and it was difficult to adjust the pressure… but it was still good practice. Right now, the limit is to deploy three streams simultaneously in front of both hands and in front of the chest.
“…You’re quite skilled. Maybe you have noble blood somewhere too.”
“I’m from the alley, I was abandoned.”
I was a little surprised at the words that came out of my mouth, but at the same time, I was convinced.
Why was I abandoned again? My concentration and manipulation were interrupted, and the high-pressure washing stopped. I was patted on the head from behind. It was less skillful than the boss’ and moved my whole body. My neck hurt.
“You’ve had a hard time too. Right, use water magic for these statues. Remember their faces to stab them.”
“Y-yes.”
What terrible education. Still, when I went to see, I felt like I remembered something… Are these people also blue-haired?
“After stabbing, twist the knife. Twist it.”
“…Yes.”
He even teaches the movements after stabbing… He’s a useless adult. I heard that Bursa-sama and the boss don’t get along very well.
Both of them have apparently fought to the death before, even though they’re close. Once, I was told to blow them away with magic if I ever saw them.
It’s absolutely impossible, right? If I did it, I’d surely lose my head.
…Hmm, I wonder if I’d be praised if I succeeded in the assassination? No, that’s no good. My thoughts are getting dangerously accustomed to mafia life.
Well, let’s focus on magic for now. The surface is already fragile enough, and if I accidentally crush it, it’ll be scary. Most of the statues were cleaned up by the third day, and even the toilet cleaning has increased, but overall, it’s going well.
“Today, I’ve decided to commend you! Enjoy your meal!”
The noble seems to be in a good mood. Delicious food is always welcome.
“Thank you.”
“And can you still get some water? I’m thirsty.”
“Sure, do you have a bottle or something?”
“Hey, bring it over!”
The attendant brought it to me, and I filled it up. I feel somewhat like a gas station attendant. Here’s your Frim water!
“Ah! This is it! You sure know how to pour good water!! Another glass!”
“Thank you.”
It might not be gasoline but beer. No, in a sense, it might be gasoline. Beer is probably the gasoline for drinkers. This is water, though.
“Surely, the magical power infused in it is different. Maybe you were born into a good family after all…”
I noticed that he was looking at me intently, with the same gaze as the boss. Maybe he thinks I’ve been discarded from this household just like the boss was.
“Well, eat up! Kids grow bigger by eating!”
“Thank you.”
I ate the large fish, fresh salad, and something like simmered beans instead of bread properly.
…It’s delicious after all.
The fish is well-seasoned with salt, and it has a violent richness like mackerel with its fat. The taste of the salad and simmered beans is more to my liking in Japan, but my body craves the nutrition, so it tastes incredibly delicious.
“Hmm.”
“It’s very delicious. Thank you.”
“Hmm.”
Is it really that unusual for a child to eat? It feels awkward to be stared at while eating, but there’s nothing to be done about it, and I ate until I was full.