Chapter 91

Cain, who had successfully left the prison, headed to the mansion with Eric.

As they walked together, Eric smiled, recalling Cain, who had been in the prison just a moment ago.

"Still, Cain. You're as absent-minded as ever, aren't you? You should always have your noble credentials ready. If you don't, you might cause trouble for others."

Indeed, if one were to realize they were actually the head of a noble family while pretending to be a commoner, it could lead to problems. This time, it was a good example in a bad way.

"To be honest, I came here just for the teleportation magic base. When I saw the hot springs, I couldn't resist the urge to go in..."

Cain scratched his head as he explained to Eric.

"Do you like hot springs, Cain? If so, the mansion has better hot springs than any inn. Would you like to go in?"

"Really!? Of course!"

Walking slightly behind Eric, Cain raised both hands in joy.

"To be that happy, I'll have to look forward to it. I'll have it prepared right away."

Eric smiled as he headed to the mansion. The mansion, fitting for a duke's residence, was more like a castle. Though it didn't quite match the royal palace, its white walls and grand size were impressive. In the mansion's hall, several maids, including the butler, were already lined up and waiting.

"Please show Viscount Cain to the guest room."

When Eric spoke to a nearby maid, she bowed politely and said, "This way, please," guiding Cain to the guest room.

"I have a bit of work to do, so could you wait in the guest room? I'll come to your room when I'm done, so please make yourself comfortable."

"Yes, I understand."

Cain was led to the guest room by the maid. The furniture, though simple, was elegantly arranged to match the room's atmosphere, exuding a sense of luxury. The sofa, in particular, was so soft that it felt like sinking into it.

"I'll prepare some tea for you now."

At the end of the room, a maid poured tea from a pot into a cup. The aroma of the tea spread, and Cain's throat rumbled.

"Thank you."

Cain thanked the maid, took the cup, and brought it to his mouth.

"--- Delicious."

He thought the tea he drank at his own mansion was good, but this one had a more pleasant aroma and a refreshing taste that spread in his mouth.

"This is the highest quality tea leaf from our territory. I'm glad you like it. His Excellency will be here shortly, so please wait."

The maid bowed politely and stood by the door.

Soon, Duke Eric entered the room. Eric sat across from Cain. The maid silently began to pour more tea and placed it in front of Eric.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I've heard about the situation. Is it okay if I have Delita and the others join us?"

"Yes, that's fine."

Cain nodded in response to Eric's words. Eric then instructed the maid to let the others in, and two men entered through the opened door. One was, of course, Delita, and the other was a slightly older man who looked like a civil servant.

"I'll introduce you again, Viscount Cain. This is my eldest son, Noelle, who is the local governor. And you know my second son, Delita."

Eric introduced them, and the two bowed in turn. Cain stood up and introduced himself.

"I am Cain von Silford Drintry. Nice to meet you."

He bowed lightly, greeted them, and sat down.

"Regarding this matter... Viscount Cain, I'm very sorry."

Eric, while seated, put his hands on the table and bowed deeply.

"What, Father!?"

"Father!?"

The two men standing behind Eric were shocked, their eyes wide open. A father, who was a duke, the highest-ranking noble, had bowed to a young viscount. This was unheard of.

"Your Grace!? No, please raise your head!"

Cain, equally shocked, called out to Eric. Cain's words finally made Eric raise his head.

"I appreciate it. Even though I am the son of a duke, not showing my noble credentials was wrong. If Viscount Cain had accused Delita of disrespect, he could have been punished. The king, upon learning of this, would likely allow punishment for disrespect, even for the son of a duke. Therefore, as the head of this family and as a father, I want to apologize."

Eric, who usually had a gentle demeanor, now had a serious expression.

"I accept your apology. Though I forgot, I should have shown my noble credentials earlier. That was my mistake. Since you will be my future brother-in-law, I am also very sorry."

Cain also apologized and bowed. When Cain raised his head, Eric's serious expression had softened.

"Thank you, Cain. How about it? This is Silk's fiancé. Do you have any complaints? However, as punishment for this, Delita, you will be on probation for a month."

Eric spoke to the two men behind him, and they nodded in response.

"I understand. Viscount Cain, I am very sorry."

Delita bowed.

"Still, it's hard to believe that Silk is only ten years old. It's understandable that he is the head of the family. He is more than worthy."

Noelle, the eldest son, was also impressed.

"Of course, he is skilled. He is already stronger than Sir Tiphana, the head of the Royal Guard. As an adventurer, he is already at the A-rank."

The head of the Royal Guard was known as a battle maniac among the knights. Delita, also a knight, couldn't hide his surprise.

Eric's words made Delita swallow hard.

"--- So, let's get to the main topic. Cain, why did you come to this town?"

Eric suddenly asked a simple question. Cain had already explained that he came for the teleportation base registration, but that alone didn't seem convincing. Cain glanced at the two men standing behind him. Noticing this, Eric instructed them to leave, along with the maid.

Noelle and Delita bowed again and left the reception room with the maid. Cain, now alone with Eric, began his explanation.

"--- Actually, I planned to come to this town with Silk and Princess Teresia during the summer break, but since I had to accompany the Holy Maiden, I was disappointed that I couldn't come. So, I thought if I could come for a short time using my 'Teleportation,' I would register the teleportation base. I couldn't teleport to a place I hadn't been to before..."

"I see... Still, you only have these two days off. How did you get here? I don't remember my carriage being overtaken..."

"I flew through the sky. It's faster that way."

Cain's explanation made Eric smile.

"Ha ha ha, so you flew through the sky. I never thought of that. You really are unpredictable, Cain. You always do things that are out of the ordinary. I can understand why the king always complains to Magna about you."

Cain recalled the king complaining to Chancellor Magna.

"I don't remember doing anything that troublesome..."

Cain scratched his head as he replied.

"Right, Cain, about the hot springs. They should be ready by now. Why don't you go in? The hot springs in this mansion are worth it. After you're done, let's have dinner together."

"Really!? I'd love to!"

Cain ended the conversation, and Eric rang the bell on the table. The door was soon knocked on, and when he gave permission, the maid who had served the tea earlier entered.

"Cain, you want to go to the hot springs. Could you show him the way?"

Cain bowed to Eric and left the reception room. The maid led him to the changing room.

"Here it is. I'll help you undress."

Cain stopped the maid with his hand.

"I can undress myself. Could you please leave me alone?"

"Fine... I'll wait outside, then."

(The maid just clicked her tongue... this maid)

Cain confirmed that the maid had left the changing room before starting to undress. He put his clothes in an item box and took a towel, then opened the door to the bath.

"Wow! Amazing!"

Before him was a large bathtub that could fit dozens of people, and it even extended outside to a hot spring.

"I want to stay in this town as long as possible..."

He muttered to himself, filled a bucket with water, and cleaned his body before getting into the bathtub.

"Wow... so comfortable..."

He felt the warmth seep into his body, stretched his legs, and relaxed. He moved to the outdoor hot spring and relaxed there as well.

"Really, it's the best..."

As someone with the memory of a Japanese person, he felt the fleeting happiness of soaking in a large hot spring.

While Cain was in the bathtub, the door to the changing room suddenly opened. He turned around at the sound and saw the maid from earlier, wearing a thin bathrobe, enter.

"Cain-sama, let me wash your back---"

"STOP!! No, I can do it myself!!"

Cain desperately tried to stop the maid. The thin bathrobe made her body shape very visible, and it was very sensual.

"If I don't, I'll be scolded by His Excellency. At least let me wash your back---"

"No!! Really, it's fine!!"

"--- What a pity... I understand."

The maid, looking disappointed, bowed to Cain and returned to the changing room.

Cain sighed. Although his body didn't react, his mind did, given his past life as a high school student.

"Really, spare me..."

Cain submerged himself in the bathtub up to his mouth.

Thank you for reading. This is the first story after winning the Net Novel Award. I originally planned to end the Marveik territory with this story, but it turned out to be longer than expected, so it will continue in the next chapter. I am still an inexperienced author, so I would appreciate your continued guidance.