Chapter 5

I was ten, and the young lady had turned five.

I love rainy days. There’s nothing more soothing to the heart. Plus, it provides water. Even though the content of a slave’s work doesn’t change or even increases on rainy days, I still love the rain. The young lady, that brat, is irrelevant.

In the morning dining hall, everyone laments the rain, but they don’t say to stop it because if it doesn’t rain, the fields won’t get water.

While I was the only one happily sipping my morning soup among the slaves, I discovered a piece of leftover meat from yesterday. Rain is the best.

Grateful for today’s luck, I listened to the head slave’s orders as usual when he suddenly held his hand horizontally.

“You’ve grown, haven’t you?”

Is that so?

I returned to the slave hut listening to the sound of raindrops hitting the ground. Since I would get wet anyway, I didn’t use a handkerchief. I headed to the kitchen, thinking I might get some leftover vegetables if I helped peel them. The possibility was low, but today was lucky.

However, a scream came from the back of the slave hut, and my feet stopped.

...I have a very bad feeling. But it’s an extremely low possibility. It’s ridiculous to even think about it.

This is a slave hut. A place where slaves live. Considering the value of a horse, it’s the lowest quality building in this estate.

...No, that’s ridiculous. ...Because it’s a slave hut.

I recalled the lessons of Tataruk, a former adventurer and combat slave.

“Reality is not only harsh but unpredictable. You might encounter a hawk bear when you go out to hunt goblins.”

As if to confirm this lesson, the expected opponent came out from the corridor leading to the dining hall.

It was true. Monsters come from unexpected places.

The pink frilly dress was soaked, and the golden hair was plastered to her head, but her smile didn’t fade.

It’s the Great Demon Lady.

“Hahaha! Oh, it’s you, Jiboku!”

The young lady descended. Today might be the last day with slaves in the duke’s mansion. Who will take responsibility?

“Yes, young lady.”

Sadly, the slave class. I knelt on one knee and bowed my head before the young lady approached. She had never come outside on a rainy day before. This is an unexpected attack on the slave hut. I couldn’t help but pray, even though I knew it wouldn’t reach.

Please, spare me.

“Nnhehe~”

The young lady approached with a different, mischievous laugh. It reminded me of the expression of the female slave, Toma, who always played pranks on me. What’s going on?

“Hey!”

When the young lady, who had come close to me, suddenly reached out, I skillfully moved back while still kneeling.

I shuddered at the small hand that missed. A liquid that wasn’t rain ran down my cheek.

I was surprised that the young lady, who had never touched me before, reached out. Why? She’s always so quiet when removing branches and leaves... Is it a misunderstanding?

But what is this ominous atmosphere...

“Nnhehe, hey!”

Again, she thrust her hand out, and I skillfully moved back. When I looked up, she was smiling.

She’s definitely trying to touch me.

I can’t afford to be careful anymore. I shifted my center of gravity backward. The young lady inched closer.

...Swallow...

Who couldn’t stand the tense atmosphere first? As I jumped back, the young lady also ran forward with both hands outstretched.

“Hahaha! Wait, wait! Hahaha!”

She’s a demon. I knew it.

Just the thought of her hand touching me and my head and body separating is fatal. How could she be laughing?

I wanted to run outside, but unfortunately, it was raining. If the young lady caught a cold from chasing me in the rain, I would be the one to face the heavens.

It’s a dragon in front and a dragon behind.

So, I kicked off the wall, jumped to the ceiling, and circled around behind the young lady.

“Whoa! Amazing! Hahaha! Wait, wait!”

Of course, I couldn’t shake her off. Even if I did, it would be a problem. I can’t let her out of my sight. What should I do?

Even though I knew it was a dead end, I couldn’t stop running. I ran into the dining hall where the young lady had come from.

“...What a mess.”

The dining hall was filled with slaves during their free time. Some were holding their heads or shoulders, foaming at the mouth, while others were shaking and hugging their heads under the tables. Some were peeking from the kitchen. Those holding their heads or shoulders... It’s too late. I can’t save them. The young lady, she’s gotten a taste of it.

The noble lady, who can wipe out the consciousness of slaves in one blow, is indeed special. Their blood is blue. The noble lady is lovely.

The atmosphere in the aftermath of a storm focused on me as I entered the scene.

“Wait, wait!”

I brought her here. Sorry.

Sado, who boasts of spreading rumors, says that there’s nothing more delightful for a woman than a “ki-chatta” (I did it). Especially for a young lady who is a noble, the joy is particularly great.

She’s the daughter of your master. Hehe, she’s crying with joy.

So, I ran around the dining hall, ignoring the cries for help. Usually, the punishment is one whipping, but a slave who touched the young lady received three whippings and was denied food. I had to take over his work for three days. After that, I didn’t see him much... He shouldn’t be touched. Well, he was freed, but...

“Wait, wait!”

The innocent hand reaching out is wrapped in a dark, murky aura, young lady. I can hear the slaves’ cries of sorrow. It must be tinnitus.

While crawling under a table, a female slave who was hiding foamed at the mouth and fell. A slave lying on the floor screamed as he was stepped on by the young lady. Jurel, who was pretending to be a victim but hadn’t been touched, fainted when I used him as a shield. Recently, I was the only one being whipped, so I’m glad to have company.

Whipping is an honor, after all.

“Hahaha! Jiboku, wait!”

There are so many around. Please, go for them.

The young lady, who was chasing me innocently, realized she wouldn’t catch up and used a slave as a stepping stone to jump onto the table. Another victim was created. She seemed to be planning to jump from table to table.

“Hey!”

“Ah!”

But the distance was too far, and she fell into the air.

Seeing this, I immediately turned and ran low.

In the tense moment, I dove just above the ground, grabbed the young lady’s side, and slid along the floor. My face was scraped, but I couldn’t roll to stop the momentum, so I endured the pain.

Phew...

“Hehe, Jiboku, I caught you.”

The young lady, who was carried by me, grabbed my hair with a smile.

Well, it’s fine as long as no one notices.

“What’s going on?”

The dining hall, which had fallen silent, echoed with a stern voice.

“Oh, Kera.”

Kera is the name of the head maid. Despite being a noble, the head maid, who gives direct orders to slaves, is old and trusted, and is strict with the rules.

Yes, strict.

As a result of this incident, I was honored with ten whippings and no food for a day.

Apparently, the punishment was lightened because the lady interceded with the master. I’m so grateful that I could cry.

Seeing the desperate expressions of the other slaves and feeling responsible for the expanded damage, I kept my mouth shut.

After all, a good slave doesn’t talk much. Damn.

I realized that Tataruk’s lessons could be applied to everyday life. Even though I usually dismissed them as irrelevant to the city, they can be useful. I’ll listen more seriously from now on.