Chapter 5

Looking into the mirror, I can hardly believe it.

It has been two years since my family's decline. In the midst of my busy life, I had neglected my skincare. As a result, my skin had become rough, dark circles had appeared under my eyes, and my lips were chapped.

But what do you know? After being washed by Purrurun, my entire body was as smooth and shiny as a boiled egg.

My skin was even more radiant than when the maids had taken care of it.

"Purrurun, thank you!"

"It's okay."

I had thought about changing the water as a thank you, but Purrurun said the water was fine.

"Purrurun, are you going to sleep?"

"Yes."

It seemed that a bed made of cushions in a large basket would be fine. As I was about to prepare it, Purrurun jumped onto the bed, apparently intending to sleep with me.

I slipped into my futon and pulled the blanket over me.

Even though it was spring, the nights were still cold. Perhaps I should have lit the fireplace tonight.

Unfortunately, my family was poor, and we couldn't afford to use the fireplace every night.

"Fla, are you cold?"

"Huh, oh, yes."

"If so, Purrurun will warm you up."

With that, Purrurun slipped under the blanket. To my surprise, Purrurun's body, which was pressed against mine, gradually became warm.

The cold futon and blanket quickly warmed up.

"How is it?"

"It's warm. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Thanks to Purrurun, I spent a warm night.

◇◇◇

The next day—today was cleaning day. I woke up early and eagerly grabbed a broom.

Since it was an old house, the floor would warp and look terrible if I didn't regularly apply wax.

As I was rolling up my sleeves, Purrurun woke up.

"Good morning, Purrurun."

"Good morning, Fla!"

Purrurun's eyes were still half-closed, still sleepy.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm cleaning. I'm sweeping the dust and applying wax."

"Hmm, I can do that too."

Purrurun attached itself to the floor and spread out thinly.

Startled, I quickly retreated to a chair.

"What, what, no way!"

An incredible sight unfolded. Purrurun spread out over the entire floor like a film and then quickly returned to its spherical form. It then spat out a clump of dust.

"Give me the wax."

"Ah, here you go."

Purrurun swallowed the wax and spread out thinly again like a film over the floor.

When it returned to its original form, the floor was waxed. In an instant, the floor was shining brightly.

"It's much cleaner than when I do it...!"

I picked up Purrurun and stroked it in gratitude. Purrurun seemed pleased and narrowed its eyes.

After that, Purrurun showed off its versatile talents by helping with weeding the garden, feeding the ducks, and assisting in the kitchen.

"So, this is what a tamed slime can do!"

I almost said, "Purrurun, why don't you become part of our family?" but I swallowed the words at the last moment.

Purrurun had an owner who might still be looking for it. Purrurun must be worried too.

I picked up Purrurun, who was playing with the ducks, and nuzzled it.

"I'll help you find your owner."

"Thank you."

Thanks to Purrurun's help, the work was finished by noon. I was about to go to town to look for Purrurun's owner.

Just as I took a step forward, I had a realization.

If I knew the name of Purrurun's owner, I could find the right house right away.

"By the way, do you remember your owner's name?"

"Gabriel!"

"So, Gabriel is a man. What's the family name?"

"Gabriel!"

"..."

It seems Purrurun only remembered the name. It's a bit disappointing.

"Purrurun, do you know where Gabriel's house is?"

"Far! Not here!"

"So, Gabriel's house isn't in the capital?"

"Yes! Always, 'whoosh!' and comes here."

"Whoosh?"

"Yes."

"Whoosh" probably means Gabriel uses a wyvern or something to fly to the capital. I'm not sure, but it's clear that Gabriel isn't based in the capital.

Purrurun's owner is likely a merchant who comes to the capital, a noble who comes for the social season, or an adventurer.

I've heard that tamed monsters are registered with the Adventurer's Guild, but I'm not sure.

It might be worth checking.

Just as I was about to leave, the sound of ducks quacking came from the garden.

"Who's there?"

Looking out the window, I saw a mail carrier pacing in front of the gate.

He usually comes in the evening, but today he was early.

I went outside and took the letter.

"Sorry about the ducks."

"No, no. This is an express letter."

"An express letter?"

When I took it, it was a card from my father, as usual.

Why would he use an express letter to tell me something? Is he going on a trip with his mistress?

I gave the mail carrier a tip and waved goodbye.

Back inside, I searched for a paper knife, but Purrurun extended a tentacle, which transformed into a knife and cut the envelope.

"Thank you, Purrurun."

"You're welcome."

When I took out the card, it had a puzzling message.

Just one word: "Sorry."

The back was blank. What was he apologizing for?

As I tilted my head in confusion, the ducks started quacking again.

"Who's here again?"

I went outside with Purrurun in my arms. At the same time, a loud shout echoed.

"Hey, you damn Duke, are you there? Come out!!"

In front of the gate were a group of intimidating, rough-looking men in studded clothing.

"Huh, a woman?"

"This one is probably the Duke's mistress."

"While he was sleeping with the Duke's wife, he was also keeping a young girl like this!?"

In the midst of this confusing situation, the dots in my memory connected.

The rumor I heard at the orphanage yesterday about "some rough men looking for someone."

My father's "Sorry."

The rough men's comment about "sleeping with the Duke's wife."

From these clues, I deduced that my father had slept with a wealthy merchant's wife and fled somewhere, leaving me behind.

"Lord Maxim is demanding compensation from the Duke."

"The amount is 200,000 francs!"

"What...!"

I was speechless at the impossible amount.

200,000 francs is a huge sum, like the dowry a noble daughter's parents would prepare.

My father, who had lost his property, couldn't possibly come up with that amount.

He must have known this would happen and fled.

He's really selfish.

What should I do... What should I do?

As I was hesitating, the ducks started to quack loudly and tried to attack the men.

"No, no!!"

I quickly grabbed their wings. The ducks couldn't possibly win against these men. I held them down in my arms.

While this was happening, Purrurun extended its tentacles and created a magnificent legendary holy sword. Was it planning to fight?

"Purrurun, no!"

"Why not?"

"Even if you defeat them, it won't solve anything!"

That's right. Even if we got through this, my father would still be sued.

"Look at her, she's a good-looking woman. If we sell her to a brothel, we could make 200,000 francs in no time."

"What...!?"

The rough men kicked down the gate and stepped into the garden.

I was too terrified to speak.

When I feel truly terrified, I can't even scream, like in a story.

"Come with us quietly!!"

Just as a thick, rough arm reached out, a voice rang out.

"Stop!!"