Chapter 59

As cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

Master listening to what I say sincerely was something I never thought possible before, but she accepted my request to help out at the bar and is now taking a bath, saying she wants to bathe before changing clothes.

The bathroom door is waterproof to prevent moisture. Only a few homes in the capital have such a setup, and even nobles don't know about this kind of treatment. This is made possible by using the bark of the Raval tree, which I was shown when I went to the Caldila grocery store, saying I had found something unusual. By extracting the sap from this bark and processing it, a waterproof substance is created.

Using this, it would be possible to make shoes that can be used on rainy days and in wetlands, but since a large amount of Raval bark is needed, it seems that the capital will not see this technology for a long time.

Putting that aside, from the bathroom, I can hear the voices of Mizuha and Master, who are apparently bathing together. Mizuha also said she wanted to take a bath before working the night shift at the bar.

"You made a collar that turns me into an animal... Why did you tell me directly?"

I can't see what's happening in the bathroom, but I can hear the voices. Master, who was involved in Mizuha being captured by the Garamdoor Trading Company, seems to have revealed this to Mizuha herself.

"Dick said he would apologize with me because I'm his master, but I know that's not right. If you hate me, you can do whatever you want to me."

I thought Master might say something like this. She knew that what she did was cruel and understood the ill feelings of those she harmed.

In the past, she probably wouldn't have cared if she was hated. But the Master I see now seems to have changed greatly after fighting with me.

"I forgive you. Because if I hadn't turned into a fox, if I hadn't escaped from the bad merchant, I wouldn't have been able to come here. My brother has been lively ever since he came to Dick's place. The work at the Blue Archer Inn also caused him pain."

"…Are you really okay with that? I'll do any kind of compensation."

"It's fine. I kind of understand. When I saw Dick just now, he looked... I know this might sound strange coming from someone like me, but he looked like a child, innocent. I could tell he was really happy to meet you, Master."

That might be true, but hearing such a story makes me very uncomfortable.

I only came to bring a towel to dry off, so eavesdropping isn't good. I was about to call out that I would leave the towel here but decided to leave the changing room instead.

"Can I think of you as my grandmaster, Dick's master?"

"I've been to the village of the Blue Fox Clan a very long time ago, so I might know about your village. There's a fruit called Konobi, and I improved it so it could grow large even in cold weather. I wonder if they're still growing it. Maybe they've found something even tastier?"

Hearing that, I think. I thought Konobi was improved for easier consumption, but if Master was involved, how much of her influence remains in this Albein?

Not everything, but living a long life means something like this. Thinking that she didn't continue her journey just to die, I feel a bit relieved.

When I went downstairs, Verlene was giving instructions to the new staff, or rather, the members of the Demon King's Army who were helping out.

"Since everyone is willing to help, I will be the owner and team leader, and I hope you will follow my lead."

"Shouldn't you fix your tone to a more customer-friendly one? If it changes suddenly, customers might misunderstand."

"Isn't the owner Dick?"

Miraluka, Yuma, and everyone else were changing into their uniforms. Cody was dressed as a male waiter, while the other three were in maid uniforms like Verlene.

Looking at them, Cody seems very attractive to women. The noble daughters are still looking forward to her appearing at evening parties, but if she really did, she would be celebrated like a court actress. In fact, there are all-female theater troupes that are quite popular.

As for the other three—Yuma's maid uniform seems a bit loose around the chest, but the other two are wearing Verlene's maid uniform beautifully. Eileen's skirt is short, but that seems to be her preference. Verlene doesn't hesitate to say that a maid's skirt should be long to reduce skin exposure. As the owner, I approve of everyone's appearance. If I say that clearly, Miraluka might look at me as if I'm a lower creature.

"The owner is more of a silent owner. I'm the hired owner, but I'm the overall manager of this bar. I hope you will follow my instructions..."

"Then, manager, why did we change clothes if we don't want to serve male customers in these uniforms? Can I be in charge of the kitchen?"

"It's fine, Miraluka. You'll be recognized if you show your face, so you'll wear a mask."

"…I didn't hear that. If I wear a mask, it will look like a suspicious place."

"But, indeed... I don't think I'll see many acquaintances, but if my subordinates come, it will be troublesome... Wearing a mask might be a good idea."

"If everyone wears the same, there's no need to be embarrassed, and I'm fine with it♪"

Yuma, a cleric, is always in a good mood and has a rare talent as a mood maker. When she agrees, the atmosphere becomes "If Yuma says so, it's fine."

"Miss Eileen, I must repeatedly remind you about the length of your skirt..."

"But, the drawers are inside, so it's fine, right?"

"Even drawers should be considered undergarments, as a lady's etiquette. The deep slits in your usual dresses also pose a risk of unnecessarily stimulating the owner, which I find concerning."

"Ah, that's not my intention. It's more of a martial artist's etiquette..."

"Using the word 'etiquette' so often is not appropriate. As a university professor, I don't want my part-time job as a waitress to be known, so I want to be in charge of cooking."

"Does Miss Miraluka have a cooking license?"

"…That's a cheap move. Do you really want me to serve customers? Fine, I'll eliminate everyone."

It's understandable that she's embarrassed. If she served customers, male customers would be entranced—surprisingly, even Verlene's size seems tight, and her chest is impressive.

(Focusing only on that is not good... but... I like maid uniforms...)

When Verlene wore it for the first time, I was more surprised, but seeing it on them, who I usually see in different outfits, why do I feel so moved?

Cody noticed that Yuma's sleeves were too long and folded them back so her hands could move freely. She then checked everyone else's outfits and finally adjusted the collar of her own shirt.

"To not disappoint Dick, I'll work hard as a new staff member. So, about the masks?"

"Masks are mandatory. Then, let's make tonight's Silver Water Bottle Inn a masked ball."

"We don't have to dance, but it's nice to have a reason for wearing masks. It would be embarrassing if people thought it was just a hobby."

"But, it sounds wonderful. I've never seen a ball before."

"Hmm, when Dick comes down, I'll teach you some steps. We sometimes have performances here too."

If Eileen were to host a ball, it would probably turn into a martial arts competition. She performs a dance for her ancestors at her village's festival, which seems to be more like a martial arts performance.

"I can do some basic steps, but I'm still learning..."

"It sounds fun, but in this outfit, I'll have to escort female customers, right?"

"Female customers will be delighted. Tonight, we'll call it a masked ball, and we might even have a dance in the hall in the future. The owner might not like too much noise, though."

"Ah, not necessarily."

I thought about whether to appear, but I came out normally. Everyone looked relieved when they saw me.

"Good morning, Dick. It seems you've reached an agreement with her."

"Yeah, we won't be enemies... I'll take care of her, maybe at Beatrice's mansion."

"Is that so? I thought you would live together..."

"Under the same roof, it's still a bit awkward for Dick, who's at that age. Master, you don't look much older, but how old are you?"

If Master is one of the 'Left Behind' as Verlene suspects, the age would be incomprehensible. Saying she might have been alive since humans were born would only shock everyone.

But how old does everyone think Master is?

"Actually, I don't know either. How old does she look to you?"

"Talking about age is not good, but in appearance, she looks about the same as me."

"Um, I can't see her as older, and compared to Dick, she looks like a younger sister. She's not that young, though."

"She looks much more mature to me, with a sense of warmth... To put it bluntly, she reminds me of a mother. She seems very lonely and hollow, but I think she's actually warm."

Yuma sees more than just appearance. She can sense Master's instability.

If Miraluka and Eileen say so, Master probably looks the same age as me. She hasn't changed since we met, except for a slightly different hairstyle and length.

"I think she looks about the same age as me, maybe a bit younger. I even thought she looked like a girl for a moment."

"Got it. So, around sixteen or seventeen... For external purposes, let's say that. Verlene, can you help them change when they come out of the bath?"

"Understood. We have a full staff today, so I'll also ask Miss Miraluka for her preferred position. If anyone else has preferences, please let me know."

The roles were smoothly assigned. Miraluka and Yuma became Verlene's assistants behind the counter.

Cody and Eileen were in charge of the hall, and Mizuha, who had already come out, joined them.

As for Master—when Verlene dressed her, I was honestly overwhelmed.

"Is this what the kids at Dick's place wear? Is this Dick's hobby?"

"N-no... It's Verlene's influence."

"And it ends up being to the owner's liking. You seem very pleased..."

"I don't think it's bad. I especially like the headpiece, so I can wear this all the time."

I never knew what kind of clothes Master liked—what have I been seeing all this time?

But no matter how well the maid uniform suits her, I can't just be entranced by it. The situation is not yet settled, and I mustn't forget that.

"I'll observe and learn the job first, so is it okay if I watch?"

"Yes, that would be fine..."

Just as Verlene was about to answer, the doorbell rang.

Sakuya brought in two customers. One was a wolfman with a warrior's build, and the other was a girl of the same race, about Mizuha's age, with black and silver hair like the man.

Master seemed to sense who they were. She first looked at Sakuya, then at the two wolfmen.

"Master, let me introduce you. This is Gustave Volfgang and his daughter, Mimiya."

Mimiya, a wolf girl, was captured and almost sold by the Garamdoor Trading Company, and her father came to the capital to save her.

Mimiya, who was kept in animal form by the collar Master made, was looking at us nervously.

"I'm Gustave. I've been told that someone here was involved in what happened to my daughter..."

"I am. I made the collar to capture you."

Master stepped forward, and Gustave, who was much taller and three times larger than her, narrowed his eyes, his anger barely contained, but he shook his head when Mimiya held his hand.

"...My daughter is safe. Though it's a distasteful way to put it, they considered her in animal form as a valuable commodity, so the worst didn't happen. If this woman made the collar, it was the Garamdoor Trading Company that used it. I only ask one thing: never make such a collar again. If possible, I want to recover the collars that have been distributed. I need to take my daughter back to the village. I want to free the beastmen who have already been sold, but I have a family too."

"Dad... I'm sorry. I ran away because I was fascinated by the outside world..."

"No, you don't need to apologize. I've already forgiven you. Just being safe is enough for me."

Gustave put his hand on Mimiya's shoulder and said. As they were about to leave, Verlene called out to them.

"Customers, if you don't mind, please stay a little longer. We haven't opened yet, but the owner and all the staff would like to serve you."

"...Is that okay? There are many in the capital who dislike beastmen."

I understand Gustave's concern, but my guild has always opposed discrimination against beastmen.

I stepped forward and said, something Verlene couldn't say for me.

"In this bar, race doesn't matter. I hope you can enjoy some good food."

Reflecting on it, the Garamdoor Trading Company incident was the beginning of this.

Discrimination against beastmen. Beastmen treated as rare animals—such things must not happen again.

As Master's disciple, I want to apologize to Gustave and his son and offer a small token of hospitality.

Gustave, who was hesitant, looked at Mimiya. After looking up at her father with wide eyes, Mimiya looked at me, still tense, wondering what would happen next.