NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30 - Episode 30: The Work Was Not Limited to Here
Episode 30: The Work Was Not Limited to Here
The cleaning of the garden floor and statues was finished, but the work continued.
“Is it over?”
“The palace is vast, so there are still slippery stone pavements and statues.”
“Oh… I wanted to show up at the gambling hall once.”
“I got a message from the higher-ups; it seems your work is being appreciated… Sorry.”
The work continues. — It seems I can’t go home.
The high-pressure cleaning magic makes quite a noise, and I also use various intense magic for practice. Perhaps that’s why some people came to see, but… Maybe I’ve been observed by the higher-ups without realizing it.
Wearing protective clothing and using water membranes may have seemed suspicious, but inside the spherical membrane, it’s hard to hear the noise. Moreover, with dirt flying around, visibility becomes poor, so I didn’t notice at all.
However, there’s a problem.
“Since dirt scatters, it’s not safe to work alone in places where people come.”
“That’s true. If even a single splatter hits one of those big shots, we’re done for… We can only do it on rainy days or when I’m around, but I’m busy with work too.”
Lord Bursa makes a gesture of tapping his neck. Stop that, it just adds more stress.
“Can’t we call people from the gambling hall?”
“It’s impossible.”
So, we prioritize places where no one is around and continue our work diligently.
If I notice someone important coming, I’ll prepare to run. I’ll wait until their footsteps disappear, placing a broom or a staff as a pretense in front of me.
There’s stress, but when I return to the cabin, there’s a large tub so I can take a bath, and after washing the heavily soiled protective clothing with water and thoroughly removing the dirt, I can dry most of the water from the clothes using only my water manipulation.
In terms of freedom, this cabin might be more comfortable than the gambling hall! With magic that rotates water spheres to remove dirt, indoor cleaning is also perfect!
Thanks to Lord Bursa’s idea, a sign saying “Cleaning in Progress Ahead” is put up every day at the work site. It’s made of stone and can’t be moved due to its weight, so during that time, I basically have to stay there, but it’s better than having aristocrats who happen to pass by getting splashed with water.
“Oh, there you are! I’m sorry about last time!”
“Huh!?”
“It’s okay! It’s not scary, not scary at all! I got scolded a lot afterward, ‘Are you trying to kidnap someone?'”
This is bad, there’s no escape. If I shout loudly, someone might hear, but it will definitely cause a commotion. I wanted to point the staff that I’m only pretending to have… but I stopped.
If this black-haired handsome guy is suspicious, it would be quite troublesome, but if he’s backed by some aristocrat, then I need to resolve this matter peacefully.
“I want to talk to you for a bit. Can I come over there?”
“No, you can’t. Please don’t come any closer.”
That won’t do. If this guy is a pervert or a suspicious person, the doubt won’t go away.
— It’s dangerous even at this distance of a few steps. If I were to be hit, as a young girl, I might be killed by this guy.
But if this man has connections to important people, I’d prefer to settle it peacefully. If that’s not possible, it’s time for the high-pressure cleaning magic.
“How about from here?”
“Well… then, okay.”
This useless pretty boy seems to be considerate… What does he want to know anyway?
And like last time, his skin is shining, but his clothes are shabby.
…It can’t be explained by saying he just happened to take a bath and used high-quality soap. It’s too suspicious.
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Frim.”
“Frim… Frim, huh? What about your family name?”
“I don’t have one. Besides, isn’t it customary to introduce yourself before asking someone’s name?”
Is it rude? But I can’t completely discard the possibility that this person is a human trafficker or a lolicon.
However, he doesn’t seem hostile, and maybe I’m overthinking it?
“Y-yeah, you’re right? Sorry, sorry.”
“What’s your name?”
“…………Ko, Komu.”
“…And your family name?”
“Regeria.”
Suspicious. Should I just unleash my water magic on him? Why is he stuttering his own name? It’s his own name… Komu Regeria, huh? Let’s confirm with Lord Bursa later.
He’s awkwardly introducing himself, acting like someone who’s lying—he’s definitely a complete suspicious character.
I won’t let my guard down. I’ll be ready to use magic at any moment.
“You seem to be skilled in water magic, but aren’t you from a noble family?”
“No. Maybe I was, but I’ve been living in the lower city since I was a child.”
I don’t want to answer such a suspicious person, but in case he’s someone’s messenger, I have to respond.
If I say I’ve been living in the alleyways, they might think I don’t have any backing and come to attack.
“That must have been tough.”
He looks genuinely worried, but he seems suspicious to the core, so even if it’s genuine, it looks like an act.
“No, I’ve been blessed with good encounters.”
That’s not a lie. That’s how I managed to survive… No, it’s still a lie. I wanted to be picked up by someone better, but I have to think that just being alive is good enough.
But what does this suspicious person want? Are they secretly investigating the inner workings at someone’s behest? He is also cleaning in suspicious attire… If that’s the case, it seems unlikely that any harm will come to me.
“Is that staff yours?”
“Yes, I inherited it from my master.”
“What’s your master’s name?”
I haven’t thought about that. If I were Japanese, now would be the time to use the ultimate excuse to withdraw.
“I’m sorry. I have work to do, so can we wrap this up? If I don’t work, my master will scold me.”
“I-is that so? Sorry for bothering you.”
“No.”
I move a few steps away from the man and start the high-pressure cleaning with my back turned.
I’m prepared to use magic if he attacks, but after a while, the man is gone. What was that all about?
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“Komu Regeria? Regeria is the name of the prime minister’s family, but I don’t know about any grandchildren.”
“He looks suspicious in every way.”
“In what way is he suspicious? Did he have a family crest? Was it on his clothes?”
“A family crest?”
When you hold a high position among the nobility, family crests can be seen all over your clothes. The prime minister is arguably the highest-ranking noble in this country, so it’s unthinkable that someone from that lineage would wear clothes without a family crest… Lord Bursa also has what looks like a family crest embroidered on his clothes upon closer inspection.
“No, he didn’t have one. He was wearing dirtier clothes than a commoner.”
“That’s definitely suspicious. If you meet him again, scream loudly or use attack magic immediately.”
“Is that okay?”
“Someone who claims to be from the prime minister’s family but not only lacks the prime minister’s family crest but also wears clothes worse than a commoner’s is inconceivable.”
“Is there no possibility of an investigation or something?”
“In that case—… No, could there be? The prime minister is cunning, so no loud voices or attack magic. But if you feel it’s an emergency, you can use them. There’s enough evidence for that.”
“Understood.”
“But don’t kill him. If you don’t kill him, I’ll take care of it somehow… Keep this just in case.”
“Is it okay?”
“For when it’s needed… After stabbing, twist it like this.”
What was handed to me was a knife with a family crest. It’s small, but with a family crest. Maybe it’s because my strength is lacking, but it feels heavy. Is this okay? I couldn’t bring the boss’ knife… But, as expected of identical twins, they gave the same dangerous explanation.
But he’s a good boss. In such delicate matters, some bosses would say, “It’s best for you to handle it in your own way. I’ll leave it to you,” and then later shift all the blame onto you. Lord Bursa might still discard me later, but he clearly instructs me, so I can trust him to some extent. But setting that aside, the lecture on using the knife isn’t over yet, is it?
“If it doesn’t work out, just do this forcefully. Or even just the legs, like this, and then with all your might—”
(Note: This is really some dangerous shit being taught to a little girl Lol)