Volume 6 Chapter 16 Next Step
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Since the previous breakdown of my casual partners was getting way too long, I ended up leaving out Rei and Manami.
The day after my date with Dietlinde, it was Liese’s turn to grind for experience points. We spent the morning diving into the dungeon, then headed back to town around noon to grab lunch and drop off Camilla and Ilse.
Today’s spot was Manami’s Cat Cafe. I’ve been making it a habit to visit Manami’s Cat Cafe and Rei’s Maid Cafe about once a week. Since the Cat Cafe closes early, I usually use it as a lunch break between dungeon runs.
Manami doesn’t have a judgmental bone in her body when it comes to slaves, so she welcomed Liese and the others with open arms. When I introduced them, she shot a quick glance my way-only when it came to Ilse, though. Maybe she’d heard something from Yumiko. But even after we started talking, I didn’t get the vibe that there were any hard feelings.
As for how the three of them handled the Cat Cafe, Liese didn’t say a word about the cats and just kept her head down, focused on her food. Since it wasn’t a meat-heavy menu, she probably felt a little unsatisfied. I’ve made a mental note to serve extra meat for dinner on Cat Cafe days.
Camilla looked a bit interested, but she wouldn’t even think about leaving my side to play with them. She’s getting a little clingy, isn’t she? Ilse, on the other hand, was following her curiosity, frolicking with the cats and enjoying the place more than anyone. She might actually be surprisingly good at taking care of kids or pets.
Manami’s shop itself is doing pretty well. It’s not always packed to the rafters, but she seems to have a dedicated core of regulars.
* * *
I took Liese and the others to Rei’s Maid Cafe once, but I’ve been going alone since then. I could bring them in, but I decided to stop for the sake of their mental health.
Liese, in particular, seemed to have a massive identity crisis being called “Milady¹.”
”I… I am not the kind of person who should be addressed that way,” she said, looking bewildered. I guess the concept didn’t sit well with someone who’s gone through such rigorous slave education.
Camilla was also caught off guard and just kind of froze up. She didn’t hate it as much as Liese, but it definitely wasn’t her vibe. Ilse didn’t have a huge reaction, but she still looked pretty uncomfortable. I don’t treat the three of them like slaves very often, but since they still see themselves that way, the cafe just doesn’t work for them. Maybe once I officially free them and they become commoners, they’ll be able to enjoy it.
The Maid Cafe might be a bust for slaves, but the business is booming. On Blue Day², when the government offices are closed, it’s apparently standing room only.
It seems people in this world have a pretty strong yearning for the noble lifestyle, too.
And then there’s Rei. We’ve got a promise to test the waters again, but unfortunately, we haven’t managed a second round yet.
”I’m looking forward to next time, okay? ☆” she told me.
She’s definitely down. I need to make sure I don’t miss the chance and keep things moving forward.
* * *
The other day, when Rin and Nanami were teaching me how to design accessories, I made a promise that resulted in Rin coming over for dinner once a week. Rin’s goal is to spend time with Camilla, but for me, it’s the perfect chance to get close to Rin. We’re both adventurers, but since we’re in different parties, we haven’t really had much overlap until now.
”Welcome,” I said.
”…A gift.”
”Thanks. You didn’t have to be so formal. Like I said before, this is for Camilla’s benefit, so don’t worry about bringing stuff from now on.”
”…Understood,” Rin replied.
When the doorbell rang and I went to meet her, the ever-silent Rin just gave a wordless nod and handed me a souvenir. Looks like food. What I told her about it being for Camilla is true, but my real hope is that she’ll feel comfortable coming over. I want to build up her favorability, even if it’s just one face-to-face meeting at a time.
Rin just stood there staring at me, so I quickly led her to the living room to see Camilla.
”Welcome, Rin-sama.”
”Welcome, Rin-oneechan.”
”Welcome! Rin-neechan!”
”…It’s been a while,” Rin said.
She barely finished her greetings before she was already pulling Camilla into her chest. Rin is well-endowed, so I’m honestly jealous. Regina, Ines, and Juliet are all large-chested too, but that’s a different story.
We had dinner while making small talk. As usual, it was a heavy meal centered around Minotaur and Orc General meat. Liese’s tail was thumping a frantic rhythm as always.
I also put out the gift Rin brought-it was something like a galette. Camilla was naturally made to sit next to Rin and was getting the “open wide” treatment. Camilla looked embarrassed, but she didn’t show any signs of actually disliking it. Watching a beautiful woman feed a cute girl… that’s just pure sugar.
”Daisuke, can you do that for me?” Ilse asked.
”An ‘aahn’? I mean, sure.”
Ilse doesn’t usually act this spoiled, so maybe she was feeling left out? I had no reason to say no, so I popped some Minotaur meat into her open mouth. For the record, Rin and I use chopsticks, but the other three use forks, knives, and spoons. Even though it’s Western food, my hands are just used to chopsticks, so I can’t help it.
”Yeah, not bad,” Ilse said.
”Glad you like it. Liese, you want a bite too?”
”No, I… ahem. Since it is an act of mercy from my Master, I shall accept,” Liese replied.
Liese tried to play it cool and refuse, but once I dangled that meat in front of her, she folded instantly. She loves meat way too much.
”How is it?”
”It is… exceptionally delicious. Thank you,” Liese said.
Her review is 100% about the meat. It’s so her that it’s actually adorable.
”Master…”
”I know, I know. Here, Camilla.”
Camilla was giving me the look from across the table, so I made sure to give her a turn, too.
”How is it? Good?”
”Yes!” Camilla said.
Her response was a radiant smile. Her fluffy tail was swishing like crazy.
”…Exchange.”
”Eh? You want to swap chopsticks?” I asked.
”…Yeah. Swap.”
”I mean, if you’re okay with it, sure.”
Rin had been watching Camilla and wanted to trade. Since Camilla wasn’t giving her that same radiant smile, I guess she was trying to win some points by proxy. Apparently, Rin isn’t the type to care about indirect kisses. Now, if I had started licking them like a creep-Rin’s chopsticks! Hah!-everyone would’ve been totally grossed out. I’m not doing that. Okay, maybe I tasted them just a little, but hey, it was an unavoidable circumstance. Totally out of my hands!
After dinner, I took Camilla along to walk Rin back to the inn. Rin was being polite and declining, but I’m not about to let a girl walk home alone at night. Once I said I’d bring Camilla, she changed her tune pretty fast.
When we hit the inn, Rin gave Camilla a big hug goodbye. She was squeezing her so hard she looked like she was about to suffocate her-she really has taken a liking to Camilla.
”Daisuke-kun, do you have a minute?”
I looked up to see Yumiko coming out of the inn. She has this mom energy that makes it impossible to be rude to her. She said talking outside was a bad idea, so we moved to the inn’s dining area. Rin looked thrilled that her time with Camilla got extended.
”What’s up?” I asked.
”Daisuke-kun, you moved out of the inn and rented a house, right?”
”That’s right.”
”We’re thinking about finally leaving the inn and renting a place together,” Yumiko said. “Do you know any good agents?”
”I used the Kohlrausch Merchant Guild-I got a referral from the main Merchant Guild. I’m happy to introduce you, but if you just ask at the Guild, they’ll point you to the right place based on the type of property and price range you’re looking for.”
”I see. Thanks, Daisuke-kun,” Yumiko replied.
It looks like the Yamato Nadeshiko party of transferee girls is finally graduating from the inn life. I handed her a map to the Kohlrausch Guild, just in case. After we finished talking, it was time for the real goodbye.
”…See you next week,” Rin said.
”See you later, Daisuke-kun, Camilla-chan.”
”See you next week, please,” Camilla replied.
”Thank you for everything today.”
* * *
I’ve been grinding for house-buying funds for a while now, and I finally hit the 500-gold-coin mark. I headed over to the Kohlrausch Merchant Guild for the appointment I’d set up.
”Welcome, Daisuke-sama.”
”Thanks for seeing me, Benedicta-san,” I replied.
Benedicta is a human woman in her 30s. She’s the serious, no-nonsense type of merchant. During my last visit, I told her I wanted a place with at least seven rooms, but after taking in Ilse, I now needed at least eight. That’s for the four of us, the three Gale members, and a room for Regina. I’d mentioned the change in the room count in my letter, so we were good to go.
”Here is the list of properties available for immediate move-in,” Benedicta said.
”Thank you.”
Looking over the listings, the price had gone up a bit because of the extra rooms, but it was still well within my budget. I picked two candidates and went for a viewing. Thanks to the appointment, everything went smoothly.
The two houses were big enough to be called mansions. The buildings themselves weren’t massive, but the yards were huge-probably about half the size of a school playground. The locations and sizes were about the same, but the condition of the houses was reflected in the price. The nice one was 470 gold coins, and the slightly aged one was 420. Fixing up a whole house seemed like a massive headache, so I went with the nicer one.
”Payment confirmed. Thank you for your purchase,” Benedicta said.
”No, thank you.”
I paid in cold, hard cash. Having an Item Box is a godsend. And just like that, I bought a house for the first time in my life. It’s pretty close to the place I was renting, so my usual haunts shouldn’t change much.
”Alright, let’s get moving!” I said.
”We will clean the place while you are out, Master,” Liese replied.
”I’ll do my best!” Camilla added.
”The old place wasn’t bad, but this one is huge!” Ilse said.
Moving the luggage was a breeze with my Item Box. The cleaning, though-that’s the real work. I left the three of them to start scrubbing the new residence. I went back to the rental alone, packed up the rest of the gear, and gave it a quick once-over with some cleaning magic.
Now that I have a house with plenty of rooms, maybe I should check in with the three from Gale. Regina is still going to be a while…
—
Summary:
Daisuke spends a day balancing domestic life with his slaves, visiting local Cat and Maid cafes where the cultural differences between his previous world and the current slave system are highlighted. Rin begins her weekly dinner visits, showing an increasing intimacy with Camilla and a subtle, indirect interest in Daisuke himself. After reaching a financial milestone of 500 gold coins, Daisuke successfully purchases a large mansion to accommodate his growing household. The chapter follows the group as they transition into their new home, setting the stage for future expansions of his party.
—
Trivia:
- Liese’s ‘identity crisis’ with honorifics suggests that the mental conditioning of her Slave Education is deeper than Daisuke currently realizes.
- The ‘Blue Day’ holiday indicates a established societal structure for laborers and government officials in this world.
- Rin’s willingness to exchange chopsticks with Daisuke is a classic anime trope for romantic interest, specifically an ‘indirect kiss’.
- The 8-room requirement confirms Daisuke’s plan to bring Regina and the Gale members under one roof, centralizing his power base
—
Character Insight:
Daisuke is moving from a transient adventurer lifestyle to a landed ‘head of household’ role. His relationship with Rin is shifting from mere acquaintances to a more intimate, albeit subtle, dinner-table dynamic.
—
Lore And Worldbuilding Context:
Introduction of ‘Blue Day’ as a holiday. Establishment of mansion market prices (approx. 400-500 gold coins). Clarification of how modern concepts like Maid Cafes are perceived by literal slaves.
—
TL Notes:
The term ‘O-tameshi’ was translated as ‘test the waters’ to capture the s*xual subtext while maintaining the casual web-novel tone. ‘Niko-niko cash payment’ was localized to ‘cold, hard cash’.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Manami – Leemans, a sharp‑eyed former office worker and Working Women Party member, now a dedicated Tamer who retired to open a cat café. A transferee of ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’, she looks younger than expected, has cool eyes, and a proactive yet gentle demeanor. She bonds with party allies and future patrons while caring for cats with elegant poise.
• Rei – A 155 cm Magic-Clad transferee from Earth with twin-tails, thick chest armor, and a bright, high-energy aura. A former corporate employee, she now runs Maid Cafe Rei Shop No. 1 and leads ‘Yamato Nadeshiko’. Using her Rainbow Raiment to support allies, she mixes teasing comedy with sharp business sense, remaining a close friend and trusted advisor to the protagonist.
• Dietlinde – A slender sheep-beastwoman with fluffy white curls, small spiraling horns, and subtle ears, serves as an elegant receptionist at the Maultasche Royal Capital Adventurer’s Guild. Composed yet weary, she hides deep self-disparagement beneath professional grace. Once an unsupported orphan, she endures the Dungeon Upheaval’s strain, her low heels echoing through the halls. Her reserved demeanor softens only for Daisuke—his quiet care, recovery magic, and small gifts bring rare solace, deepening her unspoken affection as she clings to calming scents and distant dreams of cosmetics.
• Camilla – 14‑year‑old fox‑type beastkin, ~140 cm, thin, fluffy tail that thumps when excited and stands straight when nervous, twitching ears, simple accessories. Rescued from a duel with Gerta, she’s shy, spoiled and sees Daisuke as a father figure; she fears abandonment, seeks his scent and approval, is socially anxious yet easily pleased, and helps clean for him. A slave‑earred girl attached to Daisuke, craves head‑pats, is dependent, cries at sleeping alone, favored by Rin, and participates in the household’s communal life.
• Liese – Standing 170 cm tall, this Dragonewt has grey‑blue hair, thick horns and grey scales on her neck and limbs. Former Grünewald guild trainee and spear‑user, she is now Daisuke’s disciplined, loyal vanguard and the first slave he took in. Polite and hardworking, she guides the other girls, thumping her tail to betray emotions while serving her master.
• Ilse – Seventeen‑year‑old tiger‑type beastman archer with pointed ears, thick tail and petite frame. Former merchant‑guild worker turned bandit, rescued on an escort mission, now serves Daisuke as a companion. Blunt, headstrong, diligent; wields a bow skillfully, Scavenger talent and high Fortitude drive growth. Informal with Daisuke, she craves his attention, teases him, requests the ‘aahn’ feeding treatment, uses magic, and flashes a wry smile at his overwhelming strength.
• Mai – 175 cm tall, toned and athletic, she dons thick chest armor and a single ponytail, giving a slightly masculine look. War Saint Vanguard of the Working Women Party and Leemans member — former gym instructor, adventure lover, brisk speaker — also in the transferee party, recalling martial‑arts tournament knowledge from a past life.
• Yumiko – At 155 cm, the Bow Saint and eldest Transferee is a 17‑year‑old former corporate worker and Kyudo enthusiast who leads the Yamato Nadeshiko party. She is a maternal figure and moral compass for Daisuke, a veteran housewife and cook, the group’s gossip hub, and seeks emotional closure. Ex‑wife of a Sage, she now coordinates the transferee girls and plans to move the party into a rented house.
• Nanami – 165 cm slender high-school girl with short hair and modest chest armor, nicknamed “Mermaid” for her underwater diving prowess; a stealth-class transferee in the all-female JK Party and member of ‘Yamato Nadeshiko,’ she’s playful, flirtatious, and adept at befriending peers to gather intel—famously kissed Daisuke on the cheek as a tease. Proud of her design talents, she rewards herself with sweets, blending cunning charm with quiet creativity as she slips effortlessly into school life.
• Rin – Tall, large-breasted B-rank adventurer with long shaggy hair and thick chest armor, exuding a cool-beauty façade; quiet, blunt, and intuitively brilliant at drawing, she’s deeply fond of Camilla—playing with her, shielding her fiercely, and feeling indebted to a rescued beast-man child. She dominates Daisuke’s group, belongs to “Yamato Nadeshiko,” wields ice magic for first aid, and is profoundly sensitive to slave mistreatment. Weekly, she visits Camilla and subtly expresses interest in Daisuke through an indirect kiss via chopstick exchange.
• Juliet – A 150 cm cat-kin beastwoman of the Gale Party, with blue bob hair, expressive cat ears, a fluffy tail that puffs when teased, and a large chest; wears hot pants, a crop-top, and a short jacket. Prickly tsundere with sensitive hearing, blunt and prone to teasing Daisuke—yet consenting to their shared living and romantic bond after her first sexual experience with him. Once traumatized and averse to intimacy, she’s slowly warming, despite disliking lewd talk and criticizing his “broken” combat style, while relying on him in battle. Twin Winds instructor and scout, dual-wields a two-handed sword, possesses the Idaten skill, and has a nekojita palate.
• Regina – Late‑twenties Onee‑san with blue‑purple hair, green eyes, marine‑blue thigh‑split dress and thigh‑high socks, large‑breasted figure; runs Daydream (BSS), mentors Nora and Rita, respected senior Beastman and elite courtesan famed for her Masterpiece body. Insecure about her age among younger girls, she’s a target of the protagonist’s revenge and part of Daisuke’s circle hoping she’ll retire to follow him.
• Ines – 170 cm wind‑enhanced swordsman (Level 21+, D‑Rank) and Gale Party leader, with long emerald‑green hair, blue eyes, voluptuous figure and an erotic silhouette. She wears heavy armor styled like a college girl, sports a goddess‑like smile, and is shy, naive, and easily embarrassed. Deeply affectionate toward Daisuke — her first lover and shield‑vanguard — she worries about being a nuisance yet boldly asks to bathe with him.
• Daisuke – Mid‑40s Japanese reincarnated adventurer, B‑Rank (Lv69), blessed by the Green God. Dressed in Radiant Iron gear and a vintage watch, he uses Earth/Wind magic, stealth and high‑speed combat. Manages slaves Ilse, Liese, Camilla; mentors Rin, dates Ines, pursues Regina & Dietlinde. Owns a Royal Capital house, runs a growing harem of lovers and subordinates, cooks expertly, wields Item Box, Transformation and cleaning magic, and harbors a lecherous inner monologue.
• Benedicta – Mid‑30s human woman, employee of the Kohlrausch Merchant Guild, works as a professional real‑estate merchant. She presents a neat, business‑like appearance, speaks efficiently and rarely engages in idle chatter, and is known for her serious, concise demeanor with clients and colleagues.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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