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Volume 1 Chapter 6: To the Surface

「Satou Here,

 Due to chance and human error, I once had an opportunity to stay at the Presidential Suite of a high class hotel. Being only an average citizen, I felt so tense, I could not enjoy the experience to its fullest. “Too much of a good thing can be bad”, as I often say.」

 Holding both Pochi and Tama’s hands, I ascend the spiral staircase leading to the exit. We are the last among the civilians. Along with several of his subordinates, the hot-blooded heavily armored warrior is staying at the hall below to keep guard.

 The amount is much more than what anyone else had defeated, so I made the adjustment to prevent potential hassle.

 “How about getting some good food to eat after we get out? Do any of you have something in mind?”

 “Meat is good! I’ve seen huge pieces of meat on wagons nano desu!”

 These kids sure do like meat!

 However, the “huge pieces of meat” Pochi mentioned is the wyvern right? If possible, I would like to divert her attention to other types of meat, rather than wyvern.

 “Pochi, Tama, meat is certainly good. But for mere slaves to ask for meat, it’s unbefitting of our position.”

 “Liza is using difficult words nano desu.”
 “I mean it’s too luxurious for us.”

 Though Liza is trying to dissuade the two, I don’t think meat from the open-air stalls or something is that expensive.
 The pork chop I had cost only a few Large Copper coins too.

 “To celebrate getting out of the dungeon alive, why not have some meat dishes?”

 “Goshujin-sama, as you wish. I, Liza, will enjoy every last speck of meat for your sake!”

 Still holding my hands, Pochi and Tama are jumping around in joy.

 No, you don’t have to be that serious about it.

 The sunlight shining in from the exit is quite blinding.

 Upon exiting, what awaits us are the uneasy and disturbed faces of those had gone ahead.

 Around the exit is an empty lot the size of a running track. The lot is empty but it’s not exactly flat, as a trench runs across its surface in an outward spiral from the exit. I assume that it is the remnant of the plaza and nearby houses being sucked into the dungeon during its creation.

 Of course, the cannons are aimed at the entrance of the dungeon—where we are right now.
 Not just Pochi and Tama, even Liza is looking uneasy, so I ask someone who seems to know what’s going on.

 “We were ordered to stay here before they finish checking whether any of us is a monster in disguise or has caught a contagious disease from monsters.”

 Oh, I see, inspection does seem necessary.

 Surveying the soldiers in the encampment, I don’t see anyone with a skill like Appraisal, so we can only wait for people or equipment that can do so to arrive.

 Oh yeah, there are still three bottles of potions and another jar of ointment. Let’s put them to use! As for gifts for Martha’s family, I’ll just buy more next time.

 Perhaps having become tired of waiting, Tama is leisurely napping face-up on my lap, while Pochi has gotten on top of my shoulders.

 After an hour, several carriages arrive, and inspection begins. They are letting people out the barricade one by one, and having them touch the Yamato Stone I had seen before.

 Inspecting the squadron comes first, and we are last.

 “Then I will go out first, and wait for you there.”

 “Yes nano desu.”
 “Understood.”

 I assure the anxious-looking girls before heading to the other side of the barricade. I leave my luggage to the lady official, and walk towards the table with the Yamato Stone.

 I quickly operate the Social tab in the Menu. Since the beastgirls are Level 13, I’ll make myself slightly lower at Level 10. As for skills, I’ll put down “Haggling” and “Market Price” which seem suitable for a merchant. Wouldn’t it be unnatural not to have any skills for combat? Let’s add “Throwing” and “Evasion” too!

 I read what’s displayed by the Yamato Stone, confirming that the statuses I set are showing up.

 “Amazing, you’re not a soldier or an explorer, yet you have risen to such a level at this age. You must have it hard.”
 “It wasn’t much.”

 Standing guard by the Yamato Stone, a female knight with a lot of makeup exclaims, but I reply with Japanese modesty.

 “—So, please give me the spear.”

 “Like I said, it doesn’t matter how you feel!”

 I hear a quarrel behind me, and turning around, I see Liza making a fuss about giving up the spear.

 “Liza, they will surely return it later, so please give it to that person for now.”
 “I-, if you say so, goshujin-sama…”

 Persuaded for now, Liza reluctantly hands the spear over to the staff lady.

 I don’t think they would lock us up in jail, or dispose of us to prevent rumors. But something like detaining us before they have the situation under control is very possible.

 I hear a small gasp behind me.

 I can’t see Liza’s expression, but her tail is swaying around, so she is probably quite content.

 Since they can’t reach the Yamato Stone, Liza picks them up from behind, and they’re wiggling around, seemingly enjoying it.

 Pochi wags her tail rapidly, and scrunches her nose looking my way, clearly proud of herself.

 The gasp in response to Tama’s status is smaller compared to the one for Pochi. Though she is just as amazing as Pochi, it’s the third time after all, doesn’t it make sense for the surprise to die down? Tama looks a little miffed.

 “It wasn’t easy to train demi-human slaves like this, was it?”
 “Not at all, since they are quite capable.”

 Not easy, true, but capable, also true. Without them, I probably wouldn’t have died, but definitely would have run into traps or other misfortunes.

 There aren’t anyone I know on this wagon, so I keep my mouth shut.

 Then, under this tense atmosphere, the carriage arrives at the county citadel. Regrettably, the openings on the wagon are covered by cloth, so we can’t see outside, unable to enjoy the view.
 After exiting the carriage, we are once again surrounded by soldiers.

 “Wh-, where are you taking us?”
 “Yeah! We had just survived the dungeon!”

 The delinquent-looking young man and the obstinate uncle are protesting against the soldiers. Despite being surrounded by an armed group of people, they sure are courageous.

 “For the next few days you will stay in jail. This is the decision made by our lord Count. Those who disobey will be charged with treason. To make it easier on everyone, shut up and abide!”

 Whoa! I was wondering whether we would be detained, but seems like I underestimated the nobility. It has become a jail experience.

 Did talk of treason have an effect? Without further resistance, everyone is now obediently following the soldiers. Not until later do I learn that, when facing treason, one’s family would also be implicated, not just themselves.

 Really wish they would respect privacy a bit more.
 Though this place looks so miserable, in the end, the four of us won’t stay in here for even one night.

 “Hey, which one of you’s Satou?”

 “Follow me, you’re going somewhere else.”

 A male official juttingly unfit to be here at the jail comes to fetch me.
 Man, leaving the beastgirls by themselves in a place like this, I wouldn’t dream of it. Let’s put my Negotiation skill to work here.

 “These kids are my slaves, so if I’m to be moved, please let these kids come with me.”
 “Uh, my orders only state to bring you. The demi-human slaves are not part of this.”

 This is where I introduce some golden incentives right?
 A Gold coin would be too much, so I quietly pass a Silver coin to the official here for me, while saying: “Couldn’t you do me a favor?”

  >>> Obtained skill: “Bribery”.
  >>> Obtained skill: “Persuasion”.

 The silvery incentive seems to have quite the effect, as the man’s attitude quickly softens.

 ”…That’s what I was told, but I wasn’t ordered not to bring your slaves either. Well, you could take them with you, but if they’re kicked out, it’s not my business!”
 “Alright, that’s fine.”

 If that happens, I’ll just persuade the person who tries to do that!

 Waiting for us where we are brought, there is an old gentleman I have never met.

 “Nice to meet you, Master Satou. I am Deschamps, the chief butler at the House of Viscount Belton.”

 Yeah—not Sebastian1.

 “Nice to meet you, Mister Deschamps.”
 “Master Satou, please do just call me Deschamps.”

 Calling a stylish old gentleman like this directly by name, it’s too much for me.

 “For delaying your proper treatment, I sincerely apologize. To have let Master Viscount’s savior stay even a moment in jail, it was the result of my incompetence.”
 “No, it’s thanks to you that I don’t have to stay a night in jail. Besides, it’s not every day that I get to see the inside of one.”

 While constantly apologizing, Deschamps brings us to a guest house inside the citadel. The size of this citadel sure is large, nearly the same size as the university I attended.

 “Please stay in the room here. There should be maids on duty now.”

 When Deschamps rings the bell placed on a table near the entrance, a twenty-something maid comes out from a room down the hallway. Though she is a maid, she is not an Akiba-style or Victorian Era maid. She isn’t wearing a so-called maid outfit, but a normal dress like an ordinary female housestaff.
 Is it because aproned dresses and white lace haven’t been introduced here? Rather than miso or soy sauce, I think introducing those things is the true responsibility of a Japanese person. Uh, isn’t it? Well, that’s a shame.

 “I shall take my leave here. If you have any requests please feel free to ask the attending maid. And these might not be much, but they are a token of gratitude from my master.”

 Receiving a small bag from Deschamps, I see that it is not filled with money but small, pebble-like objects. Jewels, maybe?

 Rejecting it would be rude, so I simply ask him to pass on a message of thanks to the Viscount.

 Speaking of which, Viscount is a rank below Count, so his position must be quite high.

 Even if the titles are similar, I probably shouldn’t carelessly assume that this place has exactly the same nobility system as Medieval Europe.
 Leaving the rest to the maid, Deschamps leaves.

 “Then, allow me to show you to your room.”
 “Alright, please.”

 I follow the maid, listening to her explanations.

 The chief butler and the maid both casually referred to it as a room, but even the entrance lobby is eight jou, and the entire house is about 200 tsubo2. If this were a hotel’s presidential suite, several of my paychecks would be gone just to stay a single night here.

 This room is about 30 jou3, and there is a fireplace without ventilation on the other end of this room.
 Did I look quite curious about it? The maid explains to me.

 “That uses a heating magic tool. Pressing the lever here will turn on the mana, and the magic tool inside the heater will become hot. If you wish to adjust the temperature, don’t hesitate to ring the bell and I will come immediately.”

 Whoa! Fascinating!

 Next, we are brought to a twenty-jou4 conference room.

 The dining room is right next to it, where there is a wide table able to seat dozens, made of a dark granite smooth to the touch.

 After ascending the stairs back at the entrance, we see a master bedroom that is as spacious as the lobby. An oversized bed with a canopy is sitting grandiosely at the center, looking quite comfy.

 Connected to this room, there is a small area for staff and guards. There is only a stiff bed and a simple wooden chair, so it is quite plain. The class gap sure is extreme.

 No baths unfortunately.

 “Is something the matter?”
 “Uh, it’s just that there doesn’t seem to be a bath.”

 I say with the speck of hope that there might be one.

 “Would you like to take a bath? In that case, I will let the male servants bring over the tub, and it should be ready in the evening.”

 They’ll carry the tub! Amazing servants.

 “Sorry, the request seems to be quite troublesome.”
 “Not at all. If you have any wishes, we will do our best to serve you.”

 I don’t have any special requests, but I hear a cute grumbling from behind me. Don’t know whether it’s Pochi or Tama, but it’s about lunchtime after all.

 “Then, I will prepare lunch. If you have anything you dislike, we can accommodate that.”
 “No, I don’t have any preference, so it’s fine.”

 After making a bow, the maid exits the room.

 Seeing the dishes set on the table, I tilt my head in confusion.
 Seven plates of various sizes are lined up on the table. Maybe to prevent cooling, they are covered by round silver lids, but why is there only one portion? Is it due to a difference in treatment?

 “Um, what about the kids’ portion?”

 “Can you bring it to this room? Eating together is my house rule.”

 Of course, this is just an excuse, but I really don’t like eating all alone.

 In the tray in front of the beastgirls, there are only bowls of stew and rye bread. I ask for dishes from the maid, and share my food with everyone.

 “Yeah, as expected of food in the citadel, tastes great.”

 “The meat in the stew is so big, so delicious!”
 “Really, the chewy texture is unbelievable.”

 Huh~my dishes don’t have that kind of meat though? That darker meat is different from the stuff in my food.

 After expressing gratitude for the gourmet meal, I make the request. Even if the quality of food must drop, I hope that all four of us receive the same meal.

 Preparation for the much anticipated bath, starts with four male servants bringing in a marble bathtub that fits only one person.

 I was certain they were going to use Life Magic to quickly conjure up hot water.

 I feel a little sorry for troubling the laborers this much, but it’s no use to start caring now. I’ll tip them generously later!

 “How about going in together?”

 “Together nano desu!”

 I invite Pochi and Tama who are looking at the bath tub with interest, since there shouldn’t be a problem taking a bath with primary school-aged kids.
 Well, they’re wearing yugi5 anyways, but we do have to go into the bath fully naked later.

 “Before going into the bath, let’s clearn ourselves first!”

 I teach the eagerly responding kids how to use soap.

 “Wowow~The white stuff is getting bigger~?”

 “Well, the dirt is coming right off—what do you think, goshujin-sama?”

 Before I noticed, Liza has gotten in with Pochi and Tama like it was natural.
 The soap bubbles are aptly hiding the important parts, but taking a bath with a high school-aged girl like her still feels a little scandalous. Though she is flat as a board like Pochi and Tama, her figure from behind is astounding.

 “The water is quite warm.”

 “Using hot water to wash ourselves! So luxurious, yet quite pleasant.”

 Though they have yet to go in the bathtub, their evaluation of it is high. Liza seems quite happy in particular.

 So, I ask the maid to warm the water.

 “■■■ ■ ■■■■ Heat.”

 The maid brings in water, adjusts the water level, then heats it with Life Magic.

 Wait, that’s not the main concern here.

 While thanking her for reheating the bathwater, I try to ask in a roundabout way.

 “Yes, in order to service you at any time, I have been standing by in this outfit.”

 Sigh, so that’s it.

 If the beastgirls weren’t here, I would have gone down the erotic route. How scary.

 Having enjoyed the bath a lot, Liza meekly asks to take another dip, so I take Pochi and Tama to dry off first.

 I’m not comfortable with that kind of service.

 It’s difficult to cut open, so for once I put down my pride and ask the maid, who expertly divides it into even portions.

 It may be a little late, but I’m grateful to the Viscount! A jail cell can never compare with service like this.

 After the food, I discuss the matter with the maid. Seems like it’s possible to give them better food and blankets, but freely distributing provisions is outside of her power, and has to come out of the Viscount’s budget.
 Is it just about money? In that case, could I just pay for that from Storage?

 “How much do they need?”
 “If it was only one person, one Silver would be enough, but since there are upwards of ten people, it would require two Gold.”

 Oh, only this much? I take out two Gold from my pocket for her, and ask her to improve the treatment of those inside the prison.

 “Whee~.”
 “So soft nano desu!”

 Pochi and Tama are bouncing on the mattress.

 Liza is also sitting at the edge, carefully appreciating the bounciness of the mattress.

 It would be too cruel to leave Liza sleeping by her lonesome.

 Inside the dungeon, I was always awake to ensure the beastgirls’ safety. I was used to all-nighters, and my Endurance is high, so going without sleep wasn’t too stressful.

 Lying between Pochi and Tama with their high body temperatures6 like hugging bags of hot water, I enjoy some long-awaited rest.

 Life under house arrest was unexpectedly fulfilling.

 I practiced casting magic every chance I had, but have yet to complete those impossible chants.

 After running out of books, I asked the maid to purchase more. It would have been suspicious to pay with too much cash, so I used the jewels given by the Viscount as payment.

 It almost felt like having my own children.

 The first visit was to return luggage deposited when we had exited the dungeon.

 When I hear that “Things found within the dungeon belong to the finder”, I am a little surprised.

 I voice my question with such concerns.

 Seems to be a convenient talent—likely an inherent skill—that is only found in the families of devout Urion believers.

 I wonder what kind of gifts are given to the followers of other deities.

 I got a little sidetracked. That was just the first matter.

 The amount is no less than the market price, so I have no complaints.

 “We cannot verify the safety of this monster meat, so it will be confiscated. This spear is also made from monster tissue, so it is forbidden within this city.”

 Su-, surprisingly, Liza got mad?

 Since there are concerns of disease, I think disposing the meat is unavoidable. But she seems to really like the spear, so let’s negotiate for it!

 “I-, I understand. I will arrange it. If the appraisal reveals no problems, it will be returned with the other weapons when you leave.”

 Right, I have to ask about the beastgirls.

 I try to find out who the beastgirls now belong to.

 “Yes, that’s right.”

 “In that case, these demi-human slaves are now yours.”

 I thought I would have to buy them first before I can free them.

 The lady writes something on a piece of official-looking paper and hands that to me.

 I ask whether it can be done within the citadel, but apparently the responsible agency is different, so it would be impossible. In this world, the government seems to also be vertically organized7.

 At that time, I informed her of the names of the deceased I found inside the dungeon, and gave her their hair. The second visit was to report the results.
 Outside the temporary encampment at the dungeon exit, a list of the deceased’s name given by their family had been posted, so the locks of their hair were properly delivered. The family would have to pay me in equal value for anything they require from the deceased’s personal effects, which would be taxed.

 After telling the official that I won’t ask for rewards, I get the following reply.

 Oh, I see. Greedy people might take advantage of that.

 Ahh, sounds like a plan. I’ll discuss potential recipients with Zena later.

 On the fifth day in house arrest, Zena and Ouna came to see me together.

 While we sip a tea brewed by the maid named “Blue Ruby”—a ridiculous name for a tea—I try to catch up on the situation.

 “Yes, due to the lack of magicians, I was quickly released from house arrest, but I’ve been stationed at the temporary encampment outside the dungeon exit since.”

 Despite having just escaped from the dungeon, she’s already on duty. I’ve never met the Count, but he’s sounds very strict!

 “The magicians aren’t the only busy ones, my Temple has been preparing for the consecration ritual for the finished monolith. I haven’t had time to sleep in three days.”

 “The encampment outside the dungeon has been obscured behind a fence, and the rumors are being quelled by restricting what the bards on the streets can say, so the rest of you should be released as well within a few days, Mr. Satou.”

 The bards seem to be similar to newscasters. If this were a game, they would be important party members for support. That’s new.

 The actual release came three days after Zena’s visit.

 “Master Satou!”

 “I heard from the guards. Master Satou provided warm food and blankets for us. We are all very grateful.”

 “Thanks, the food there was better compared to the westside!”

 “That was really good! I wanted to stay a few days longer.”

 “Yup.”

 Nidoren offers to process the beastgirls’ contracts for free as thanks, so we proceed to his slave market where he is waiting.

 In the Duchy in the south or the Dungeon City in the southwest, the treatment of demi-humans seem to be a little better. Maybe I should move to those places.

 Is that loafer guy looking for trouble again? I turn around in frustration. Indeed, standing there is the blond young man we had saved from the spider in the dungeon.

 “What is it?”

 Your life was saved like that, and still want to berate her? What an ungrateful bastard!

 What was that about? I even got the Threatening skill. I don’t get it.

 “Thank you for saving me. I’m sorry for kicking you before.”

 Though the voice was quiet, besides me, Pochi and everyone else clearly heard it.

 I thoroughly caress Pochi who is looking up at me with pride, wagging her tail like it is about to fly off.
 I also pet Tama who tackles my side, while Liza nods as she looks lovingly at these two. Are you their mother or something?

 

 After that, I signed the contract as the beastgirls’ master at Nidoren’s place.

 Though the beastgirls were my slaves, I intended to release them as soon as I could, and didn’t plan on purchasing new ones. Actually, I’d much rather hire a tour guide.
 The slaves Nidoren would introduce were leftover from the auction, so they were problem slaves in reality.

 Having casually ignored the showcase of slaves so far, I play along until there are only two left to introduce.

 I see, the reason he has been showing me problem slaves until now is to let this girl stand out!

 She is fourteen and quite young, but her looks exude an undeniably marvelous grace. Her long, straight black hair is giving an impression of purity like in a bottle water commercial. If I were a lolicon, I would probably go for her.

 With a mumbling whisper, she announces her name. Perhaps quite the shy kind, after only one sentence, she lowers her head again.

 Nidoren takes over speaking for Lulu, but what he says makes me doubt my ears.

 This girl is ugly?

 I wonder if that was just an indirect way of praising her beauty, but it doesn’t seem likely from the way he put it.

 With Nidoren’s permission, I get to touch her hair and cheeks.

 I whisper a sentence in her ear, and as if having heard something incomprehensible, she looks confused.
 I didn’t think it was possible, but she seems not to be Japanese.

 The next one introduced was the purple-haired little girl named Arisa I had seen transported with Lulu.

 Although not exactly on Lulu’s level, but for a beauty like her to be leftover, it must have been due to the ominous titles I saw.

 Arisa stares at me cravingly with her almond eyes wide.

 “Master Satou, my apologies. She is normally such an observant and witty girl, no one would even care about the purple hair color, but it seems like she has been captivated by your charm…”

 No, no way that’s true no matter how you put it. I can’t help but smile wrily.

 I do think purple hair is rare to behold, but how is it sinister?

 Though she sounds no different than a child’s, there’s something about the way she pronounced my name.

 Unlike her clearly juvenile voice, her words are sharp and concise. It feels like a self-promotional speech of a college student at a job fair. Maybe it’s just me.
 Despite the grim titles, she introduced herself without breaking that dignified smile befitting of a former princess. Only, I feel like there is more to the phrase “various ways”.

 She’s just a primary-school-aged child, so I don’t intend for anything sexual, you know?

 Again with Nidoren’s permission, I try the same thing with Arisa as I had just done with Lulu.

 The affected, princess-like mannerism earlier is gone without a trace, and she reacts like any normal girl.

 I’m not sure how Arisa is originally written, but she’s definitely the same as me.

 Lulu and Arisa.
 Perhaps ever since I saw those two on that carriage, I was destined to become their “Master”.

 

Yeah, doesn’t Sebastian sound like just the name for a butler? Also, Deschamps (pronounced kinda like “dey-SHAWM”) is a guess from just googling, but it sure sounds quite formidable.  Jou is the size of a full standard tatami mat and is the typical unit of area for a single room. Tsubo is twice the size and measures larger areas. Eight jou is about 140 square feet (13 square meters), while 200 tsubo about 7100 square feet (660 square meters).  About 530 square feet (50 square meters).  About 200 square feet (33 square meters).  An yugi (湯着, also ゆゆ着 yuyugi or 湯浴み着/湯浴衣 yuamigi) is a really short bathrobe meant to be worn at hot springs, especially mixed baths. Well, if you google for pictures, you’ll see what I mean. Don’t do this at work though.  Normal body temperature of both cats and dogs are higher than that of humans. Or maybe it’s just because they’re children. Seems like much of Satou’s observations about these two come down to this conclusion.  That is, different departments of an organization do not have much contact if one is not directly subordinate to the other. 
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