Volume 4 Chapter 5 A Large Household
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
A Large Household¹
On the final day of my stay in Niver, Sylvia and the new slaves were added to my group of subordinates. Although Sylvia could only speak the Common tongue in broken phrases, she seemed to have immediately entered the circle of the other slaves and adjusted. Having settled the future of the slaves with the help of Roman, I decided to make the elf village in the Magic Forest my next destination and return to Grimm.
—
The road back to Grimm was largely a smooth journey, as I did not run into any bandits or monsters. When I passed the place where I fought the bandits on the way to Niver, most of the corpses had already been eaten by beasts or carried away. I spent the nights camping on the way back as well, and I was surrounded by a pack of wolves about twice. Just as Helga had said, it seems like there are many wolves in this area.
As with the trip there, I left the driving of the carriage to John and Reina, and inside the carriage, I had Nier and Helga take turns teaching Sylvia the Common tongue. For the time being, I put reading and writing aside and started with verbal communication first.
Sylvia must be smart to begin with; she has high learning ability. Because I stepped in to interpret for her, her understanding seemed to progress all at once. As basic conversation became possible, my interpretation became gradually unnecessary. Come to think of it, it is amazing that I could talk even in broken language with a person who speaks an unknown language, even though there were no dictionaries.
The slaves I brought along were not much trouble because the older girl, Ilse, could take care of the younger ones. It seemed natural for them to help with work even though they were small, and they worked well by helping with the care of the horses and the preparation of meals.
I think it would be a traumatic experience for anyone to be sold to a slave merchant from childhood and forced into a harsh life, but all three of them became completely energetic and began to show carefree smiles. Because my Healing Magic can also heal wounds of the heart, I had been casting it on them every day. When there are energetic slaves, the atmosphere becomes bright. Nier’s expression is also bright, so it was indeed the right choice to take them in.
–Four days after departing from Niver.
Snow had begun to flutter since the morning, but I was able to return to Grimm before it started falling heavily. When I passed through the South Gate and entered the town, the breath of the people walking in the streets seen from the carriage window was completely white. I think the temperature is cold enough that you would need gloves, but there were few people wearing sufficient cold-weather clothing, only dressed in cold-looking outfits.
In this different world, everything, even down to a pair of pants, is handmade and expensive, so I suppose there are few people who can buy winter clothes that seem especially costly. I wonder if the residents in the outskirts are spending the winter in thin clothing as well.
When I arrived at the mansion, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia even though I shouldn’t have been away for even half a month. Although it had not been long since I started living here, it is a calming feeling to have a home of my own, even if it is a rented house.
”Phew, we were finally able to return,” I said.
”Yes, Goshujin-sama,” Nier replied. “It has become much more lively than when we left, though, hehe.”
Helga gathered the slaves who were running around excitedly after entering the large mansion for the first time and began to guide them through the house. “Come on, everyone, come over here~”
When I moved here, it was only Nier and me, but before I knew it, we became nine people. It has become quite a large household. It is an unimaginable situation compared to the time when I was in Japan living as a three-person protagonist’s family. When I picked up Helga, my feelings were light, but having been together through everything, affection grows. Setting Sylvia aside, as long as I made them slaves, I have to take care of everyone’s lives.
However, it is thanks to John and Reina that we were all able to return safely like this. It is not an easy job to keep driving a carriage all day while always being vigilant against attacks. That is for a total of eight days, including the return trip.
”John and Reina, you both worked hard as well,” I said. “Shall I take you to a pub again next time?”
”Ryu-danna, if that’s the case, I know a good place!” John exclaimed.
”Wait!” Reina retorted. “You aren’t planning on taking us to some strange shop again, are you~?”
”What, Reina,” I asked, “did you dislike the pub I went to with you the other day? I was thinking about doing that again.”
”Eh, no, it’s not that I disliked it… I actually quite like it… but that…” Reina stammered.
”What do you mean by ‘that’?” John asked. “Were you doing something interesting with Ryu-danna?”
Reina was muttering something or other, but it seemed she didn’t exactly dislike the handjob she got at the pub. Alright, I’ll take her again.
When I went to the kitchen and took food ingredients out of the Interdimensional Space and lined them up on the table, John and Reina also helped, and Nier began preparing lunch. As I was taking out stools and other things containing cooking utensils from the Interdimensional Space, Sylvia, who stood next to me, had a puzzled face looking at the jet-black void floating in the air.
”What is it, Sylvia?” I asked. “Are you curious about my Interdimensional Magic?”
”Yes, Spirit King-sama,” she answered. “From that part where there is darkness, I cannot feel spirits at all. I am very interested in what it is like inside.”
”Hmm, the inside is pitch black. A space where there is nothing spreads out infinitely.”
”Darkness spreading infinitely…”
”Since if anyone other than me enters, they will die, I cannot show it to you in reality.”
Perhaps if she were a user as skilled as Sylvia, she might be able to survive in the Interdimensional Space, but I cannot try that out lightly.
According to Sylvia, there is no one among the elves who possesses an ability similar to this. It seems elves are good at using abundant spirit power to strengthen their bodies. They call that technique Spirit Shroud, and Sylvia is skilled enough to stay in that state constantly. Since she says she has continued training for many years since she was little, I think she is near the realm of a master, but she says her teacher is still even more amazing than her.
When I expressed interest in the story of the Spirit Shroud, she said that when I go to the elf village, she will ask her teacher to teach me. My weak point is my fragile human body, so if possible, I also want to be able to use this thing called Spirit Shroud.
When Helga and the new slaves, who had been looking around the mansion, returned and joined the cooking team, the preparation for lunch finished shortly, and dishes were lined up on the long table.
”Goshujin-sama, the meal is ready,” Helga announced.
”Ah, that looks delicious,” I said. “Alright, shall we eat? Everyone, take your seats.”
When I sat in the king’s seat, Nier and Sylvia naturally came next to me, and the others sat down as they pleased. The newcomers sat on the floor as if it were natural, but I forced them to stand and take seats. It is certain that the meal tastes better when everyone eats together.
Orc meat is used abundantly in today’s cooking as well. Since there is a mountain of stock of Orc meat, there is no need to be stingy with it. The newcomers, who were skinny as rails at first, have started to look like proper people little by little in these few days.
I eat quietly while watching everyone having a noisy time. If there were good liquor, it would be a different story, but I am not the type to join everyone’s conversation and make noise myself. Just talking to the person nearby is enough.
”Nier,” I said. “I am going to the Magic Forest with Sylvia. I probably won’t be able to return for a while. It might be ten days, half a month, or even longer.”
”Yes,” Nier responded. “Since Sylvia is with you, I think it will be alright, but please be very careful. If something happens to Goshujin-sama, I…”
”Ah, I will definitely return. Do not worry because such a thing will not happen. Also, I am thinking of delaying the departure a little later.”
”Yes, I think it is better to wait at least until the snow stops,” Nier agreed. “If it continues to fall like this, snow might be piled up by tomorrow.”
”That is true. Well, there is the matter of the snow, but more than that, life after I am gone will be difficult. Especially the drinking water.”
”That is… but, the drinking water can be managed with alcohol, and…”
In this different world, the drinking water is alcohol, but it seems that cheap ale is the mainstream, if anything. Even though drinking water being alcohol is too bad for the health even for adults, there are many of us now. Nier is likely worried, too.
”I said this before, but Nier has the aptitude for sorcerers. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you how to use Magic.”
”Thank you,” Nier said. “But, will I really be able to become able to use Magic…”
”Well, there is no need to be so tense; it is just that it will be a bonus if you become able to use Magic. Besides, it is enough if you can at least produce drinking water.”
”Yes, I will do my best…. Please teach me, Goshujin-sama.”
Because if Nier can use Magic, everyone’s drinking water can be secured even without me.
And another thing I am worried about is the physical safety of Nier and the others. The defense after I and Sylvia leave depends on John and Reina.
When I look at the two of them, they are eating while talking happily with the newcomers. Reina is used to dealing with children because she has a younger sister. John, with a nonchalant manner, quickly tucked the Orc meat on his plate into his pocket. His handiwork was as good as a pickpocket, but Helga, who was sitting next to him, noticed that and is staring hard at John’s pocket.
”Hmm, Sylvia,” I called out. “I will be teaching Nier Magic for a while, so going to the Magic Forest will be after that. You will be free until the departure, but is there anything you want to do?”
”Yes, Spirit King-sama,” she replied. “I want you to teach me more of the Common tongue.”
”Helga, may I ask you to?”
”Ah, I don’t mind,” Helga said.
”Also, I have a favor to ask you; if you have spare time, could you train John and Reina?”
”Training, is it?” Sylvia asked.
”Ah, well, swords or bows, anything is fine. During my absence, those two will be the key to the defense. I want you to train them a little.”
”Understood, Spirit King-sama.”
John and Reina have certain skills, but they are still young. They probably have little experience fighting people stronger than themselves.
”John, Reina,” I said. “It is a story for a little later, but I am planning to go exploring deep into the Magic Forest with Sylvia. I will be leaving the mansion for a while.”
”Eh, you are going deep inside!?” Reina asked.
”Deep inside…” John mused. “Well, if it’s the master and the others, you’ll probably defeat whatever monsters appear.”
”Ah, don’t worry about us. More importantly, I am worried about Nier and the others. You two are what I am counting on while I am away, so please guard them well.”
”Yes, of course,” Reina promised.
”Oh,” John added. “Please leave that to me.”
”So, that’s why. Until the departure, when Sylvia has free time, she will train you both. It would be good if you had her teach you various things then.”
”Eh, is that alright!? Yay!” Reina cheered. “Whoa, are you going to spar with us!?” John shouted.
”Reina, John. Please take care of me,” Sylvia said with a smile. “Ufufu.”
Reina and John leaned over the table, clearly overjoyed.
Well, I suppose it’s not often a Silver-rank adventurer is going to show them the ropes.
Technically, I am Silver-rank myself, but I am just a “fake” Silver-rank who relies entirely on Magic². I have nothing I can teach these guys.
After finishing the meal, everyone heads out to shop before the snow piles up.
Of course, I stay home because it is a hassle.
Mainly, they need to stock up on ingredients, get bedding for the children, buy daily necessities, and pick out warm loungewear for everyone.
Since the building has zero insulation, with it being this cold, even my Warm Magic³ loses its effect as soon as I try to heat the place.
Even inside the Mansion, I have to bundle up to keep the cold at bay.
Also, I am officially retiring the “nudist lifestyle” in my room for the winter.
If I move more than three meters away from myself, it gets cold, after all.
Sylvia is shopping for souvenirs to take back to the elf village.
Since they are elves, I thought they were herbivores, but apparently, they are surprisingly big meat-eaters.
They say they are not lacking in food because there is no shortage of monsters, but she says she wants seasonings, tableware, and also clothes and equipment.
Sylvia did not have much money, so I decided to pay for it and let her buy as much as she wanted.
With my Interdimensional Space⁴, I can carry as much as I want.
By the time everyone finished shopping after going back and forth a few times, the garden was covered with a thin layer of snow.
There are no such things as umbrellas in this town, so they have no choice but to avoid the snow with coats and hats.
Everyone came back like drowned rats, so I decided to put them into the Bath one by one.
First, Nier and Helga, and the three children. Of course, I enter with them.
”Splash, splash… Whew,” I sighed. “A roten-buro while it is snowing is also quite tasteful.”
—
Summary:
The protagonist organizes a shopping trip for his group while he stays behind. Upon their cold return, he brings them all to the bath. He proceeds to conduct personal check-ups on the newcomers’ health and physical development.
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Trivia:
- The protagonist has an ‘Interdimensional Space’ storage ability.
- The protagonist has used ‘Cure All’ to treat Ilze’s cavity.
- Reina is the one supervising the newcomers’ room at night
—
Character Insight:
The protagonist shows a mix of protective, paternal care and objectifying, morally questionable curiosity toward the growth of the young girls.
—
Glossary:
Notes:
• Sylvia – Sylvia, a beautiful elf with a voluptuous build, hidden pointed ears, and platinum hair, is the formidable Silver-rank adventurer “Crimson Lotus.” Devoted to the Spirit King and trained in Spirit Shroud, she wields a longsword and bow, wearing a hooded green coat. Straightforward and occasionally violent, she is intimate yet loyal, tutoring John, working with Nier, and joining Ryu’s group.
• Grimm – Grimm, the protagonist and master of the Mansion, is a powerful sorcerer who wields divine magic and speaks any language. He also shares his name with a large, walled city located near the Forest of Magic. This bustling, diverse settlement features a vibrant marketplace but suffers from a legalized slave trade and severe lack of sanitation, reflecting the complex world under his influence.
• Roman – A stout, sixty-year-old official in Niver with a signature Kaiser mustache, he is the dignified head of the wealthy Brooke Taylor merchant guild and Mira’s father. A pragmatic bureaucrat, he will compromise his principles to benefit the city. As a man of status, he interacts with Ryuichi, expressing surprise at Ryuichi’s ability to command high-ranking adventurers.
• Helga – A fair-skinned, doll-like blonde with silver eyes, a raspy voice, and a past of poverty, she is a deeply devoted companion to Ryuichi-sama and Grimm. Now managing Ryuichi’s household alongside Nier, she cares for horses, domestic tasks, and rescued children. Observant, curious about scents, and eager to learn, she wears a fluffy gown, loves meat snacks, and is known to John, Reina, and the household.
• Reina – A 19-year-old Copper-rank village hunter and skilled archer with fair skin and a brown ponytail, she wears a leather cuirass and pants. One of Ryuichi’s four submissive slaves and carriage driver, she has a familiar relationship with him. She trains in the Magic Forest, acts as a wilderness/security expert, cares for children, supports Allen and John, and parted with the protagonist yesterday.
• John – A 20-year-old blond Copper-rank vanguard mercenary with a gruff, arrogant, yet mischievous demeanor. Clad in chainmail and a helm, he wields a two-handed sword and shield, honed by training in the Magic Forest. Raised with Allen and Reina, he now serves as Ryuichi’s companion, skilled carriage driver, and combat slave. He manages routes for Mila, protects his partners, and minds rescued children.
• Nier – A 27-year-old Japanese merchant and former farm girl with refined features, long black hair, and a mature, large-busted physique. Deeply devoted to Ryuichi (Ryu) as his head slave and companion, she manages his household affairs but worries about his long absences and new housemates. Driven by maternal instinct after losing her daughter, Mia, she protectively cares for rescued children. Gentle and soft-spoken, she is currently learning magic theory, showing an aptitude for sorcery, and studying the Common tongue.
• Ilse – A girl among the children who seems to know more than she lets on. A young girl recently hired as a servant at the Brooke-Taylor residence. A young slave who takes care of the other, younger slaves.
• Ryu – A man with Interdimensional Magic who leads a growing household. He acts as a provider and protector for his slaves, while maintaining a pragmatic and blunt personality.
• Man – A roughneck wearing a hat who participated in a group assault. He suffers the loss of his right arm and later his left arm during an experiment by the protagonist before being stored.
• Ilze – The oldest of the newcomers, currently recovering from a period of malnutrition and showing signs of maturing into a woman.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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