41-Episode 39 Lord of the 42nd Ward

I turned away the uninvited visitor, and when the hard-working eldest daughter, who had been crying, stopped crying, calm finally returned to the place.

'......I've shown you an embarrassing part of my life. ......'

Embarrassing part?

'You haven't shown me your tail yet, have you?'

'No, sir!It's not that kind of embarrassment!

'Oh, Yashiro-san. It's just...

What, Jeannette, is that cute way of scolding me?

Is that how it's going to be from now on?

'Oh, no, even if you look at me like that ......, ............, Yashiro-san worked very hard just now, so I'm afraid to force you to repent. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to force you to do penance. ...... So, ............, please don't look at me... ...ugh...

In the event that you have any questions regarding where and the best way to get in touch with your loved ones, please do not hesitate to contact us. If it had a handle, I would have taken it home with me.

When I looked up, I saw a group of young siblings at a considerable distance from us, all staring at us.

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

Maybe they saw my interaction with ...... Zoltar and got scared of me.

That's okay.

I've never been good with kids. If he won't come near me, there's no need for me to get involved.

But I'm sure you had a lot of fun playing ...... with him earlier. It's a bit sad, isn't it?

That's a little sad. ...... Well, that's okay!I've got a bunch of kids at church. ......I don't like kids, I don't like kids!They are familiar, they don't read the air, they cry easily,......, and they can't live by themselves.

'Um, big brother, ...... what's wrong?

With red swollen eyes, Loretta is looking into my face.

I didn't think I had the kind of expression that would worry her, but ......

I don't like being bothered. Let's change the subject.

'I don't think Zoltar will come here anymore, but there is still a chance that ...... 'someone else' will make the same kind of mess with you.

'So ...... is it?'

I said 'don't come here again', but I didn't say 'don't outsource it to someone else'.

Was I not clear enough ......?

'Well, if some crazy people try to mess with you again, tell me right away.

'--Huh?

'...... Hmm?What's up?

'Yes, yes!That ...... thing you just said was very ............ big brother-like.''

I'm not sure if you've heard of it, but I'm sure you have.

The tip of the ear is blushing.

Until now, the eldest daughter had taken full responsibility for her siblings and the house. This burden was probably too much for this petite girl to bear.

She is a little elated because she has found someone she can rely on. It's not love at all.

It's not love at all. ...... So, can you calm down a little, my heart?

I'll do what I can as your boss at work.

I'm not sure what to say.Thank you very much!

He's still using strange honorifics.

It's very 'typical' to say that...

I'm not sure what to do.I can't do it anymore!

'No way!

'Oni~chan~n!

'Oh, dear, dear, dear!

'Oh, grandpa!

'Onii-chan~n!

'What, what, what, what?

Suddenly, my siblings, who had been standing still and watching me until a moment ago, all charged at me at once.

Countless little rats, or hamsters, jumped at me.

'Ah!Hey, you guys!I told you to wait!

'No way!

'You can't bother my brother any more than you already have!

'It's not a wake-up call!

...... No, it's annoying as hell.

Apparently, my siblings were forced by Loretta to hold back from jumping on me. And now, their patience has reached its limit, and their suppressed impulses have exploded.

'My brother is awesome!That's awesome!

'I killed the boar guy!

'You're so cool!

'Big brother!

'Hey, big brother!

'Oh, my little girl!

'Grandpa!

'Big brother!'

'Hey!Who's got a stuffy nose?The one with the "D" in "ni"!Also, there's one guy here who calls me old man every now and then!

I'm aware of that.

The last time you stared at me like that, you were the only one who said 'jeez'!I let it go that time, but still!

'Let's do it again!

'Let's do it!

'You can't play that dangerous game anymore!Just get away from your brother!

Loretta tries to pull the kids off, but there are too many of them. No matter how hard she tried, they kept jumping on her like moths to a fluorescent light in summer.

It's not the mascot of Edo Village. ......

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure it's a good idea.

...... I've been squealing too.

I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure what to do, but I'm sure you'll do fine.

Ginette started to persuade the hamsters, but it didn't work at all.

...... I mean, I really can't take it anymore. You may be a teenager, but you're still in your thirties mentally. If you keep getting hit by the power of young people, you'll get exhausted.

Maybe you have to get angry to get through to kids of this age.

'5 seconds ago............4............3... .........'

'Everyone run!

'Evacuate!All of you evacuate!

'Big brother's face is scary!

'Big brother's face is scary!

'...... grandpa'

'Two, one, zero!

At the same time as zero, he raises his arms and pulls himself up.

By that time, all the hamsters had fled into the distance.

'That one with the stuffed nose, bite it properly!And whoever you called 'old man', I'll find you!Young people who look like young people but have adult brains are really good at that kind of thing!

'Well, well, Yashiro-san, calm down. It's what children do. ......'

'If you don't listen to me, it's 'meh'!

'Yashiro-san, is that an attack on me?

'Mek'!

'Please stop it!Forget it!

Just when all the hamsters have left, Jeannette jumps on me and smacks me on the chest. It doesn't hurt at all. Does he have no arm strength at all?

And I don't know why it does that, but my hands and feet are working together. When he strikes his right hand, his left leg jumps up, and when he strikes his left hand, his right leg jumps up. This is a great way to make sure that you get the most out of your time with your family and friends. ......Oh ............ ......

'Oh, they're flirting!

'Huh?It's not the same!You're not, are you, Yashiro?

No~ ...... You were flirting, that was... Because it was kind of fun.

'Ah, ......, I, I, I'm going to get ready for dinner!

'Oh, I'll have my brothers show you around then. You guys!Show the manager to my house!

'''Yes!

And so, Jeannette ran away.

If I had to cook for all those people now, I wouldn't be able to go back to the restaurant.

I left the sunlit pavilion when lunchtime was over. I had walked all the way here, fallen into a pit, wrestled with my brothers, and had a fight with Zoltar. ............ The sky had turned red.

'I'm going back to the sunlit pavilion. I can't let Umaro stay with me all night.

'Oh, then I'll go with you.

'Is that so?............ Hmm.

Considering the time ............ and the things we have to do after this ............

I'd better ask Loretta to come with me.

'Okay, please.'

'Yes, sir!

'Also, can I take some of my sisters with me?'

'That's fine, but ......, but why?'

'I thought I'd bring Magda and we could have dinner here today.

I don't think we'll be able to make it back in time. We'll close early today.

'After dinner, I'll show you some popcorn.

'Whoa!I'm sure my brothers will love it!I'm looking forward to it too!

That's why I decided to go back to the sunny pavilion with Loretta and her two sisters.

Leaving the rest of my siblings to take the message to Ginette, we left the slum.

The two sisters, who rarely go outside the slum, huddled together anxiously.

I am walking closely with Loretta on my left side.

From right to left, me, Loretta, and my two younger sisters are walking down the street at dusk.

On the way home, we were having this conversation.

'Have you ever met the lord?

'Yes. I've gone to him a few times to ask him to keep the district alive.

'Have you talked directly to the lord himself?

'No, sir. Most of the time, the head maid, a woman named Natalia Owen, took care of it. ...... She's very scary, and I'm actually not very good at her.

Well, if she's the head maid of the lord's house, she must have a tight personality.

'It seems that the lord is currently ill and doesn't come out to the public very often.

'Is he sick?

'Yes. He's been lying low for a long time. ...... I'm worried about him.

So when was the conversation recorded in Zoltar's Conversation Record?Is it that long ago?

There was no sign of weakness in the tone of the lord's voice. ...... Well, it might just be that you can't read it from the text. ......

'I haven't been seen in public for almost a year now.

'Is that so?Isn't it going to interfere with the autonomy of the forty-two districts?'

'No, sir. The Lord has a daughter, you know. It is said that since the lord went into hiding, the young lady has been appearing in place of the lord.''

'Heh, ...... you're a young lady, ......'.

Loretta put her palms together and muttered while looking up diagonally.

'She's a very beautiful person. ......'

It's a melting gaze, as if to say I admire her.

'She's graceful, intelligent, and has a beautiful smile. ...... She's the kind of person that every woman dreams of.

'You've seen her?

'Yes, sir!I'm actually a big fan of ....... ...... I sometimes go there to take a peek. ......'

I'm not sure what to say.

'No, no, no, no, no, no, no!I'd like to be able to stake out a spot on the walkway and see what's going on behind me. ...... That's really all.

That's it.

You're a stalker, aren't you? ...... I'll be careful too.

'Then it was a good decision to have my sisters come.

'Huh?What's that?

'We're going to see the lord now.'

'.................. eeeeee!

Just as Loretta's scream rang out, we arrived at the Sunken Pavilion.

'What's wrong?What's going on?

Hearing Loretta's scream, Umaro came running out from inside the store.

'Oh, isn't that Mr. Yashiro? Did something happen to ...... you?

'No, I'm just going to see my lord.

'You're going to see him now?

Umaro looks up at the sky.

'As expected, he won't see me again, will he?Besides, the Lord of the 42nd district is currently on his sickbed, isn't he?

'So I'll just put up with my daughter.

''Oh, oh, big brother!Don't be afraid to say something like that!

'...... "Big brother"?What's that?

'Oh, something like that. Don't worry about it.'

'Haha ...... Well, I don't know, but if it's the lord's daughter, I don't think I'll be able to see her. If a man goes to visit her at this time of night, he will just be turned away.

'What are you talking about, Umaro......'

I put my arm around Umaro's neck and whispered some common sense into his big fox ears.

'...... Women of your age like to have fun at night, don't they?

'Dangerous!There's a dangerous man here!

'I've heard the ...... stories.'

I turned around and saw Magda there.

In his hand was a huge Masakari.

'...... Brace yourself.'

'I'm joking, Magda. Don't point the Masakari at anyone.'

'............ Okay. I'll do as you say. '...... big brother.'

'How long have you been listening to me?

You totally get what I'm saying!

Oh well.

I told Magda what I was going to do.

Loretta and I are going to the lord's mansion to get his opinion on Zoltar's case.

Magda will follow her sisters to the slum and meet up with Ginette to prepare dinner. And after dinner, she will give us a lecture on popcorn.

If we can get a good deal with the lord when we meet him today, we will be able to start the mobile sales. In order to do that, we need to make sure that the ham kids know about popcorn.

'I see. Since there's the matter of Zoltar, I'll go along as a representative.

'Well, that's how it is.'

'Um, Yashiro-san. What do you want me to do?

'Don't you have work tomorrow?

'I'm off!

...... He's been taking a lot of time off lately, hasn't he?I hope he didn't lose his job.

'Well, go home and get some rest.

'I want to go with you!I want to eat dinner!

The period of remuneration and three meals for Torbek's workers is still ongoing, but due to the daily heavy rains and the interruption of Torbek's work, it is currently on hiatus. This was offered by Umaro. It would be a pity to send him to the sunny pavilion in the heavy rain.

Well, Umaro has been coming for a long time.

So if we close the restaurant, Umaro won't be able to eat our food. If I let him eat it now, he'll get special treatment.

'Then, then!I'll help you with something!I can fix the roof, reinforce the walls!I can even make you a tub!

He's desperate.

Do you want to be with Magda that badly?

And Umaro doesn't seem to think he owes me the store duty he was forced to do just now. If he thinks it's not a hardship, he won't voluntarily return the favor.

If that's the case, then I owe him for this dinner. ...... I need to make sure he pays me back.

'Can you get me an unusual cart?

'A cart ......?

'Oh, yeah. I'll give you the blueprints later.

'I'll give you the blueprints later.' 'Another hard one at ............ would be fine. That's a small price to pay!

'All right, two for now, please.

'Two?

'It may change depending on the situation, but I'd like to have at least five in the end.

'Five!

'Nice to meet you, Umaro. I'm looking forward to it.

'Wait!Wait a minute, please!You can't just go to ...... for five cars!

'Magda.

'........................ shun'

'Mmm~!'Magda's little devil!

Magda nodded her head, and the spark of excitement in Umaro's heart seemed to be lit, and he began to writhe with a creepy smile on his face.

'All right!I'll do it!I'll do it, but I'll need a bit of time!

'Oh. Three days, please.

'Demon!Mr. Kashiro is a demon!

This is a matter of life and death for us.

Please hurry.

With the thought of ...... on his mind, he pushed Magda's back.

'...... Umaro. Ganba'.

'I'll do my best!

Good one, Magda. You'll be a great actress.

'Well, I'll be off in a jiffy.

I wanted to get to the lord's house before the sun went down.

He wouldn't see me after I'd taken a bath. The time limit is before the bath.

'...... Yashiro.'

'What's up?'

Magda stared up at me, her eyes wide but vacant.

I wonder if it's because of the sunset that they look slightly moist.

'............Chan, are you coming?

Is it the anxious expression ......?

After being left behind by us and staying at home for a long time, they will go their separate ways again. Maybe that's what he misses.

'Oh. I'll join you soon, make a nice meal and wait for me.

It's okay to indulge her a little.

I stroked her hair fluffily, holding her cat ears.

Then Magda's eyes narrowed, as if she were feeling good.

Loretta, who had been watching, walked around in front of Magda and looked into her face so that their gazes were level.

'Could it be ...... Magda Cho......'

'...... 'Magudacho'?'

'Do you like my brother?'

'..................'

Magda stopped moving at the sudden direct question thrown at her. It might be more accurate to say that there was no change in her expression, since she had her usual expressionless face. ......

I'm not sure what to say.I'm sure you'll agree.

When Magda didn't show any reaction, Loretta looked panicked.

It was Umaro who was upset in a different way.

'That's right, that's right!Magda is an angel, so she won't fall in love with anyone!

'Yeah, but ...... is that okay, for the customers?

'Oh, my job is to watch over ...... Magda-tan!

No, your job is to be a carpenter.

You're a carpenter. Leave the expressionless Magda alone, and everyone around you will be screaming.

But, Loretta.

Take a good look.

See how Magda's ears are twitching all over the place?She's pointing her ears at you and me and then away, and then back again.

She's probably embarrassed. If you want to read Magda's emotions, go to ......

If I were to read Magda's feelings, I would say, "Don't ask me that to my face.

I don't know the details, though.

'Well, Umaro. Take care of Magda and her sisters.

'I'll leave it to you!

As the time was almost up, we left the sunlit pavilion without saying goodbye.

The setting sun had already almost set.

When we arrived at the lord's mansion, the sky had turned a heavy gray.

The setting sun, which had shone through the clouds in the evening, now showed no sign of its brilliance.

The gate of the mansion was as big as ever, and it was beautiful, which was a good effort for the forty-two districts.

There was a large bamboo board hanging beside the door, and a wooden mallet beside it.

You call people by hitting this. It's a very primitive doorbell.

Knock, knock, knock!--and the dry sound of bamboo echoed briskly.

'Who is it, sir?

Immediately, a maid appeared.

She was tall and very slim.

Her glossy black hair was cut short, and her neck was clean. On the other hand, her bangs are long and reach her chin, but they are neatly parted so that they do not interfere with her appearance.

Her skin is as white as ceramic. Most of it is covered by a chic and simple maid's uniform, and the thin-framed glasses on her nose give her an air of intelligence and a bit of sternness.

But the most distinctive feature is her eyes, which are as sharp as birds of prey. It is a gaze that makes you feel as if a sharp knife is being pointed at you.

From the other side of the fence gate, they are licking us from above and below, as if they are trying to evaluate us. To be honest, I don't like it.

'Who are you?

'I want to see my lord.

'Do you have an appointment?

'No.'

I assure her, and in an instant the maid turns on her heel and turns to leave.

'Wait!If I don't talk to you by the end of the day, I'm going to be in trouble!

'I'm sorry, sir . My Lord is currently on bed rest due to illness. ......'

'My daughter is fine!'

............ fast. It's like something out of a shonen manga.

'Isn't it rude to your daughter?

'At ............, is it?

The gaze hurts.

Is this maid's gaze equipped with a special ability to directly stimulate our sense of pain?

I'm not sure what to say.

'Er, um, ............ Miss 'is' good.'

'............ Well, that's fine.'

Is that okay? ......

The knife leaves my throat, and I let out a sigh of relief.

I'm scared.

This guy is super scary.

Even killers have a little more charm in their eyes, maybe.

I bet a wild bear would obey in an instant. Those are the eyes, those are the eyes.

'However, there is a rule that you may not see your daughter until the final bell, so please leave her alone.

'That's not how it works either.

'......Do you speak with your fists?

'Let's talk with words. ............ Well, I'd like you to take a look at my Conversation Record. ......'

The sun was setting, but I couldn't help but speak to the maid, whose sharp knife glinted with an accumulation of faint light, in Loretta-style honorifics.

'...... You seem to have a reason. Let's take a look.

The maid then straightened her posture and stood there quietly. It's as if she is looking at a tree in the forest, as if she is there but we don't feel her presence at all.

This is the way a maid should behave, keeping out of the way of her master, but always standing behind him.

I call up the Conversation Record and search for the relevant part.

He told me that Zoltar was plotting to take over the slum in the name of his lord.

'...... I see. Fooling around with the Lord's name: ............'

'I'm afraid that if we don't take action soon, this kind of thing could happen again, which is why I'm bothering you at this hour.'

'Very well, sir. I'll keep you in the loop. But it's time to go to .......'

'I have a secret plan to make sure this never happens again.

'............'

The maid stopped speaking and turned her gaze to me instead.

'...... may I ask you something?'

'I don't have the right to tell you if you're going to turn me away.

'........................ Please wait a moment.'

After a few moments of silent consideration, the maid bowed deeply.

It was a graceful gesture that did not cause even a gentle breeze.

'Oh, wait a minute.

I stopped the maid who was about to return to the mansion and told her another important thing that I had forgotten.

'It's Obayashi. Tell the lady I'm here.

The maid looks at me, says in a quiet voice, 'Yes, sir,' and then disappears into the hall.

'That's Natalia Owen. ............ I was so scared. ......'

So that's the head maid here. She has dignity.

Or is it dignity?

The mere fact that Natalia was staring at her seemed to take most of her energy out of her. She crouched on the ground, holding her knees.

I'm not sure if Natalia even has an energy drain.

After several minutes of waiting, when the sky was completely dark, Natalia came back to the gate with a lantern hanging from her arm.

'Your daughter is here to see you. Come to .......'

As Natalia said this, a soldier standing by the gate quietly opened it.

'It's amazing. I can't believe you're listening to me. ...... You can do anything, can't you, big brother?

'You can't do everything.

But I was confident that I could meet the lord or his daughter this time.

Since their name was being used for evil, they would want to take immediate action, and if they treated the victim roughly here, the bad reputation would spread.

Worst of all, if a rumor gets out that 'the lord of this place is hiring landlords to drive out the residents', the lord would be damaged as expected.

And if you don't want to meet me, I was going to use this kind of threat,......, but I'm glad we were able to meet peacefully.

'Please wait here for a moment.

I was ushered into a room that looked like a parlor.

The ceiling was high and the white walls had been cleaned to the nth degree.

In the center of the room, there was an antique table with a detailed design and an expensive sofa to match it. The sofa is upholstered in a fabric with a pattern similar to that of a Persian rug, and only the legs and armrests are made of wood grain.

'It's always great to see ......'.

Loretta looks up at the ceiling and lets out a breath. ...... Your mouth is open.

But if you ask me, it's about the quality of an old hotel lobby.

So, you sit down on the top seat and wait for the lady to appear.

Loretta sits next to me without saying a word.

...... This guy doesn't seem to know anything about the top seat, does he?

'That ...... big brother'.

When I sat down on the couch, Loretta said to me.

'Please don't ever say anything rude to me, okay?

'Do I look like I'd say something like that?'

'............ I believe in you, brother. But to be honest,............, it looks like you're saying that.

Hahaha, I was too right to say anything back.

Just then, there was a quiet knock on the parlor door.

The sound of heavy wood echoed through the room.

Soon, the door was opened without a sound.

The first one to enter was Natalia, who held the door open and opened it wider.

Behind her appeared...

'Wow. ............'

Loretta couldn't help but exclaim.

She wore an elegant and gorgeous dress reminiscent of the Bourbon dynasty of France in the past, and with a smile on her face that could never be surpassed by such a dress, she approached us with a graceful gait like a clear stream.

The dress, which boldly exposes the shoulders and chest, does not give the slightest hint of obscenity, but simply accentuates the beauty of the wearer and makes her feel like a graceful woman. The transparent white skin wrapped in the pale pink dress is dazzling.

The large eyes that stare at you are clear and unsullied, and their beauty is accentuated by the way they narrow with a smile. Her red eyes are so beautiful and precious that they make any jewel seem like a mere stone. If a jeweler were here, he would be singing her praises.

Her elegantly trimmed red hair was a little shorter than the word "young lady" implied, but it matched her cheerful image perfectly and was very pleasing.

When her eyes met mine, she looked a little embarrassed. Her cheeks were slightly reddened, she let her gaze slip away several times, and her lips were pursed as if in shame.

Nevertheless, the smile on her face, which she wished to show no disrespect to the guests she was to welcome, combined with her shame, is as artistically beautiful as any masterpiece. If there was an art dealer here, he would have praised it as such.

Loretta hasn't blinked once since a moment ago, and she is admiring the young lady who has just appeared.

I looked at the young lady again, and out of politeness at least, I said the honest feeling that came to my mind.

'Are you getting into women's clothing, Estella?

I'm not sure what to say, but I'm sure you can think of something else to say.

It was really Estella herself who was there.

Only, she's wearing a very beautiful dress and even a little makeup today.

When I look at her like this, I realize that she really is a girl.

'Young lady.

'What, what, Natalia?

'I'm going to kill that man.

'Hey!Come on!That's the way he is!'Don't worry, it happens all the time!

'Then I'll keep giving him pain so he doesn't die!

'Yashiro!Hurry up and apologize!No, give me a big compliment!

Estella ordered while trying her best to hold back Natalia's demonic aura.

Compliment me... ......

'How did you manage to wear a dress with such a wide chest with your breasts? You're very brave. You deserve praise.'

'...... Natalia. GO!

'Yes sir!

'Just kidding!I'm kidding!Because it looks good on you!'

'...... 30 points'

'When you walked in, I thought you were a big flower blooming, you look so good!

'.................. sixty-seven points. Well, I guess that's fair enough.

Natalia puts the knife away and walks back to the door.

...... This is scary. ............ He's got more knife skills than Estella. ......

'Not at all. Yashiro is always and everywhere Yashiro. ......'

Estella sits down on a chair, not caring that she is sitting down. Across from me.

'It's normal, when someone you're always in casual contact with is dressed in such a glamorous way and appears in a situation where she's actually the daughter of a lord! You can't be surprised.I'm sure you'll be surprised and speechless, but don't you think you'll be flattered by the completely different atmosphere?

The angry Estella was the very Estella that I always saw.

'What are you talking about? I'm not surprised.'

'Could it be that ...... you knew?

'What, you've been hiding ......?

If so, he's too careless.

I mean, he's smart, but he's a bit out of his depth. ...... Well, I only just became convinced myself. Until then, it was just a matter of 'Isn't it? I'm sure you're right.

He couldn't tell me his last name, he said he'd get into trouble if he wore men's clothes home, and he couldn't sneak home. He's been dropping all kinds of hints here and there.

And he uses gold coins without a care in the world.

He's also very thorough with his permits and applications, including his sea fishing permit.

In addition to this, the moment the 42nd district began to suffer damage from the rains, he was too busy to show his face. ...... Anyway, this guy was walking around advertising himself as a special person.

I also thought that she might be the daughter of a lord or a ...... nobleman, but when I saw Zoltar's Conversation Record in the slum, it hit me.

But when I saw Zoltar's Conversation Record in the slums, it hit me. His tone and phrasing were exactly like Estella.

However, I was a little confused because I didn't think that the "lord = Estella" as expected. Even more so because Zoltar repeatedly used the phrase "directly from the lord".

Then I got this information from Loretta.

"The lord is currently in seclusion, and his daughter is out in the open on his behalf.

Zoltar made an appointment for an audience with the lord. But what actually showed up was Estella, who was acting on his behalf.

As long as she appeared as a substitute, Zoltar must have accepted that the statement of the substitute was equal to the statement of the lord.

I'm not sure what to make of that. Well, I suppose it's a case of 'let no man punish the unsuspecting.

But, you know, I've put on my makeup more carefully than usual to surprise you, but you'll see through it ...... in an instant. ...... It's not worth it, really.

I'm not sure what to say.

Maybe when you meet someone other than me, you'll be more proper, but I'd like to think you'll be .............

'No matter what you're wearing, I can always tell from a glance that you're Estella.

'--!........................... ......... heh ...... so,............'

There is no other human being, male or female, who has such flat breasts!

--I'm sure the knives will be flying when you joke about it, from two directions. ...... I'll stop.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea. I'm sure you'll have a great time. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

...... There's something wrong with Estella.

She seems to be trying to smile, but she is not succeeding. If you took a picture of her current face and showed it to a hundred people, ninety out of a hundred would define it as a 'funny face'. The other ten would probably silently and quietly return the photo.

Estella lets out a dry laugh, and a cup of tea is gently offered to her.

It seems that Natalia has made it for her. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea.It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but it's not always possible.

'............ Please, enjoy.

'Natalia, ...... is too blatant.

'I don't understand what you're saying.

If that's the case, take some time off from work and have a nice long rest. It's a sign of mental illness.

'Estella. Would you like to trade me your drink for mine?

'Oh no!Well, that's not ...... that's a bit ............ but Yashiro can ...... well.'

'No, miss!I'm not a fan.

As Natalia was admonishing Estella for causing a thermal outburst, she gently replaced the muddy water and tea ............ and grabbed her arm.

Natalia is looking at you ...... and you're looking at her!

'Are you ...... going to kill your ............ daughter?

'So, you were going to kill me?

'Yes, I was. Is there a problem?

'You're in big trouble!

Oh, God!This is getting out of hand.

'Estella. I have two serious things to say.

'Two things?'

When I spoke, Estella's expression returned to her usual tightened one.

Since she was ready to listen, I told her about the events of the day, step by step.

'I see. ...... Zoltar told me such a thing. ......'

'You should be a little more careful with your words when you're speaking as a lord. Especially when you're talking to people who are ready to abuse you.

'Is the person in front of me right now the first one?

'Idiot. I'm not going to abuse you.'

'......, you used our emblem today, right?

'.................. There's a saying that the small things before the big things: ......'

Oh, no, no, no.

I should have kept the fact that I used the emblem without Estella's permission a secret.

I'm the one who was careless, aren't I?

'Well, I'll cut you some slack for once. You've made me clean up your mess.'

'What, when did I do something so indecent?

'I didn't mean it in an obscene way!

Pressing her temples, Estella urges me to continue.

'So, what do you want me to do?

'There's a river in the slum. If the river is seized, most of the river fishing guilds and farming guilds ...... will find themselves in a difficult situation. So I want you to put that area under the power of the lord.

'It's possible to do that for the time being, but it might be difficult to do it permanently.

'That's all right. From there on, we'll reform the people who live there so that they can't do anything about it.

'Reform?'

Estella leaned forward.

It's a fluffy skirt, but you can clearly see that her knees are pointing towards you in it.

When your knees are facing you, it means that the person sitting in front of you is interested in what you have to say.

This is where I bring up the main topic of the conversation.

'I'd like your permission to sell popcorn on the road.

'Mobile sales?

'We'll put the finished product on a cart and sell it around the main street.

'Oh, a mobile street vendor, ...... sounds interesting.'

'Right?And we want to leave it to the children who live in the slums.

'What's the point?

'The kids in the slums don't have jobs. So they are not trusted. If they can get jobs and gain the trust of the residents, they won't be able to forcibly take over. When that happens, the upper reaches of the river will be protected by that district.

'I see. ............'

Sinking deeply into the backrest, Estella was quietly pondering.

In the meantime, she turned her gaze to Loretta, who hadn't said a word to her since ......

'Haha ............ beautiful ............'.

...... Hey. We're talking about you and your family.

'Natalia, a parchment and a pen.'

'Yes, sir.'

At the sound of Estella's voice, Natalia quickly exits the room.

'Okay, Yashiro. I'll grant you permission to sell within the forty-two wards only. However, if you go out of the district or cause any trouble, I will withdraw the permit.

'Oh, thank you.

'Also ......'

I sit up and Estella comes close to my face.

So I gently close my eyelids and lightly lift my chin, preparing myself to accept Estella.

'What?No, no, you idiot!Your ears!

'Oh, that's it.

'That's the only way, isn't it!It's the only way! ...... You know, there are people's eyes, too. ............'

Estella's gaze went to Loretta.

And when their gazes collided, Loretta fainted, saying, 'Kyu~.......

I shouldn't have brought her to ....... Seriously.

'You're a funny girl.

'I'm the new guy at the Sunshine Pavilion.

'Well, I guess we'll be seeing each other again.

I'm not sure if Loretta's heart can take the load. ...... ............ I don't really care.

'So, what did you say?

'Oh, yes, yes.'

Once again, Estella comes close to my face.

'We'll allow you to sell, but be careful, because they're sure to interfere.

'Are they the ...... peddlers guild?'

Estella nodded silently.

If we start a business in a new place, it won't be fun for the peddlers' guild.

It would be dangerous to leave it to the Hammies alone. I'll go with them at first.

'I'll come help you when I get some more work done.

'Yeah, I'll count on it.

They exchange whispered words while keeping their faces close to each other.

...... Have you taken a bath yet?I'm not sure.

It might be the smell of makeup.

'But was it good?

'What? What's good?'

At my sudden question, Estella rolled her eyes in disbelief.

'Revealing your true identity to me.

'What do I have to do, you already knew, didn't you?

'There's a difference between revealing yourself and being found out by prying eyes. I'll use you more than ever now that you've revealed to me that you have the authority of a lord.

When I said this in all seriousness, Estella let out a chuckle and gave me a soft look.

'I expected you to come here sooner or later. Besides, it's not like I'm hiding anything from you.

'You hid your last name from me.

'That's because, when we first met, you were a tricky man.

'And now?

'What?...... Well, well, I still think that ...... you're a tricky guy, but ...... ..................in a different way than he was at first. ......'

Estella blushes and stammers.

Don't make that kind of expression in that outfit. You'll make me feel uncomfortable.

'Whatever you do, don't be too reckless.

'Yeah, thanks for the .......'

'If you need anything, just let me know. I'll help you out on the cheap.'

'What the hell, that's ............'.

Estella's voice, chuckling, seemed really nostalgic.

Well, I haven't seen her for a long time, haven't I?

''Miss.''

''--!

The cold voice that suddenly came down made Estella and I both jump away from each other.

Even though I haven't done anything wrong, my heart is beating at a very high rate.

'I have brought you a parchment and a pen.

'Uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh-uh, thank you!Leave it there.

'Yes, sir. ......

'What?

At the same time as she placed the parchment and pen on the table, Natalia threw a crisp piece of black bread at my midsection.

...... If you had been born a Japanese boy, you would have been a hero at Koshien. ............ My breathing stopped for a second and I seriously felt like crying. ......

For the time being, we have obtained first aid for the slum and permission for the mobile sales.

I'd say it was a great success.

So why is ...... this happening?

I left the mansion as if I were running away.