Chapter 387 Mr. Dick Manor
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It had been a few days since the two merchants from Sylvaol-Fati from the Merchant Guild Uminari and Rafuoro from the Merchant Guild Yuunari-had approached me with their latest business proposal.
They had clearly done their homework on me. Rafuoro’s pitch was remarkably “manly” and truly struck a chord with me. I should also mention that the “Customer Feedback” Fati handed over was more than enough to leave me feeling satisfied.
Still, I couldn’t just sign off on something this big on a whim, so I decided to consult with Her Majesty. I’ll need to talk to the Merchant Guild Tasogare eventually, but for now, I’m still struggling to wrap my own head around their suggestions.
Queen Cecile is likely the foremost expert on the history of the Sylvaol Kingdom and the mechanics of the Southern Trade. Besides, the “Ddo-Buddy Economic Sphere”¹ has basically evolved into a national project at this point, so I really need her perspective before making a final judgment.
I sent a message through Muse, the maid who visits as usual, but the reply that came back was blunt: “I’m coming over soon, so wait for me.” I was still trying to figure out why the Queen was coming to my place, when suddenly…
”Hmm, this isn’t half bad, is it?”
”Um, seriously, why are you actually here?” I asked.
”I’m the one who provided the funds and arranged for the craftsmen, aren’t I?” Cecile replied. “It’s finally finished; what’s the harm in me seeing it for myself?”
”Well, I mean, when you put it that way…”
There are plenty of reasons! Security, for one. Or, you know, basic royal dignity? Regardless, Queen Cecile had arrived today to inspect the “Ddo-Buddy Manor”², which had been completed in the blink of an eye.
I’d figured she’d show up eventually, especially after she mentioned connecting the underground passages, but I didn’t expect her to drop by the very day it was finished.
”The floor plan is exactly as ordered!” Lily noted happily.
”Umu. It has rooms for the children as well, which is good,” Cecile added. “It looks like a fine place to raise a family.”
”It’s a bit empty right now, but I bet it’ll get lively soon!” Tania chimed in.
Alongside Her Majesty, the women of my household were boisterously exploring the interior: Lily, my love-slave³; Tania, my love-elf⁴; and Laika, my love-dog⁵. Lily had been the one to provide input on nearly the entire layout and decor, and she already carried herself with the air of the manor’s true mistress.
”I hate to be so sudden, but would it be alright if I started bringing in furniture?” Lady Tina Duke Badcage asked. “I’d also like to have a few of my own maids stationed here permanently.”
”That sounds wonderful!” Aerith added. “I’d like to pick out some furnishings too. If everyone has requests, please let us supply the house with goods from our shop.”
Tina’s father would surely get lonely, and Aerith’s family home is right here in the capital, so they both plan to go back and forth, but we’ve made sure they have their own rooms.
The primary reason for building this manor was that our family is growing, and our current living space was getting cramped. This building is for them; they can use it however they please. That part is fine. It really is. But then…
”So, Lily, was my room this way?” Cecile asked.
”Yes, Cecile-sama. Per your request, it’s the same size as everyone else’s, but…”
”Umu. We decided there would be no pulling rank in this house, didn’t we? There is no need for concern.”
”That’s a relief,” Lily replied. “We are all comrades who gathered here with the same heart. In exchange, please feel free to decorate your room however you like, Cecile-sama.”
”True… I thought a bed would be enough, but seeing it in person makes me want to add some personal touches. I’m actually looking forward to this. It reminds me of the secret base I built in the palace courtyard when I was a girl.”
This woman… she totally intends to stay here all the time. Or maybe she’s planning to move in permanently. I was dying to give them a reality check, but I didn’t even know where to start. For one thing, since when did Lily and the Queen get so chummy?
The vibe between them was purely that of close friends. Or perhaps “comrades” in the deepest sense of the word. Yeah, no matter how I look at it, it’s my fault-or rather, a bond formed through me-but I have no clue what happened when I wasn’t looking.
”What about Merluza?” Muse asked. “If you need a mattress or something, we could get matching ones.”
”N-no, I mean, sure. I haven’t exactly decided if I’m living here yet… well, I mean, I suppose…” Merluza stammered.
Somehow, Muse the maid and Merluza, the Captain of the Guard, have rooms secured as well. Muse looks like she’s ready to move in today. From the looks of it, Merluza will end up here too.
I don’t mind, really. If that’s what they want, and if they expect me to take responsibility for them, I will. The only problem is that even with everyone here claiming a room, more than half the manor is still empty.
”Lily? This place is a lot bigger and more spacious than I imagined…”
”Is it? If it weren’t at least this size, we’d just have to build an extension again in a few months,” Lily said nonchalantly.
She had a point. I see the place every day right next to the shop, so I’d noticed the scale. I thought it was big for a two-story building, but before I knew it, it had become three stories, with an attic acting as a fourth floor.
Upon entering, the first thing you see is a grand central staircase-exactly like the ones in the old Western manors from my previous world. There’s a lounge area in front of it, a space where the women can have their “staircase meetings” and the children can play.
The individual rooms surround this lounge, and the second floor is an open atrium with a similar ring of rooms. It seems everything up to the second floor is for the women. The third floor and attic are tentatively for the kids, though they’ll likely just be used for storage for now.
We had originally planned to put the lab and materials here, but since we’re going to be importing massive amounts of stock from all over, we decided to keep using the manor we’re borrowing from the Royal Family for the heavy lifting.
Still, I’ve got my own room in the basement for light research. There are plenty of rooms, so if I ever need a dedicated workshop, I can just annex one.
Naturally, an underground tunnel stretches from the basement straight to the Royal Palace. This means Queen Cecile can basically access my room whenever she feels like it. Oh, and Prince Roland, too.
There’s even a yard in front where the kids can play. Lily and Tania are already planning out the gardening.
Maybe I’ll try planting some research crops? I’ll probably get scolded if I plant anything too bizarre, but a little should be fine. Or maybe I’ll plant some of the wild weeds that used to be my staple diet back in the day. It’s important to remember your roots.
Anyway, aside from it being larger than I expected and the mounting weight of responsibility, I’m completely satisfied. For a place with a ridiculous name like “Ddo-Buddy Manor,” it really does feel like a classy noble estate.
And then, I had to give a tour to the most important resident of all. The hope and salvation of every living soul in this world: my beloved daughter, Momo-sama.
”How do you like it, Momo-sama? It’s our new home!”
Of course, as long as the shop is running, we’ll probably keep living in the shop’s quarters for the time being. But eventually, this is the house she’ll grow up in with her siblings and one day inherit.
”Ah-ba…?”
Momo-sama had a puzzled look on her face as she looked around from the carpet in the lounge. She seemed a bit overwhelmed by the massive space and the crowd of women gathered there.
One by one, the women took turns fussing over her with big smiles. Tina and Aerith let her touch their bellies and whispered, “We’ll be in your care soon,” while Queen Cecile, meeting her for the first time, had a gentle expression as she held her.
”It’s been a long time since I held a baby,” the Queen murmured softly.
Once again, I pictured the happy days that were bound to come, and I felt a fresh surge of determination to work my hardest.
—
Summary:
The protagonist and his household inspect their newly completed ‘Ddo-Buddy Manor,’ a grand estate funded by the Queen. Queen Cecile herself visits, revealing a surprisingly casual friendship with Lily. The chapter concludes with the family introducing the protagonist’s daughter, Momo, to the new home.
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Trivia:
- The mansion is 4 stories tall including the attic.
- There is a direct secret tunnel from the basement to the Royal Palace.
- The protagonist still keeps a separate workshop in the mansion borrowed from the King.
- Queen Cecile’s room is the same size as the other women’s to avoid hierarchy
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Character Insight:
Lily has officially stepped into a ‘Mistress of the Manor’ role, managing the household and even social relations with royalty. Queen Cecile shows a more human, nostalgic side through her interactions with the baby and the concept of a ‘secret base.’
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Behind the Scenes:
The naming ‘Ochinpo-kun’ (Ddo-Buddy) is a recurring gag reflecting the protagonist’s shop branding, contrasting with the high-class setting.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Rafuoro – Merchant from Sylvaol, member of Merchant Guild Yuunagi. Thin vermillion hair, pale skin, lanky/skeletal build.
• Fati – Woman Merchant from Sylvaol, member of Merchant Guild Uminari. Dark, bruised crimson hair, bandana, sun-kissed bronze skin.
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Aerith – A wolf beast-person and Ouka’s daughter. She is intensely attracted to Kento’s creative genius and is not shy about showing her interest. Have gray fur hair and tail, wearing elegant dress.
• Merluza – The Captain of the Royal Guard, a veteran soldier and Lion Beast-person. She testifies to the military necessity and effectiveness of the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’ (which she calls ‘Bob’) for female beast-person soldiers, ensuring job performance isn’t compromised by ‘heat’. Have dull yellow hair, large feline ears, wearing armor, and large scar over the right eye.
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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