Chapter 19
Translator: True Detective
Chapter 19: I Bought a Slave Because I Was Bored
Kidnapped by Renoa, I was placed on the coachman’s seat of the carriage like luggage.
Inside the carriage were Renoa and Bibi, and outside, the escort knight Zain followed side by side on horseback.
The carriage, destination unknown, came out of the underground and rose to the surface.
It’s sunlight I haven't seen in months, but I had no time to be glad. The carriage didn't stop but moved away from the city and entered a forest path.
Deeply, very deeply entering carriage.
Ominousness rushed in.
‘Don’t tell me they intend to bury me in the forest?’
Cruelly enough, no one cared about the circumstances of me, a slave. The carriage stopped only after moving for a long time.
It was in front of a certain villa. A lake and a garden stretched around it.
The scenery where nature and architecture harmonized was very beautiful, but.
‘It’s a prison.’
To my eyes, it looked like nothing but a prison. A prison where I will rot for the rest of my life.
—Whoosh!
The sense of floating felt soon chased me out of my thoughts. My body, which floated briefly in the air, was thrown down like luggage.
“What are you staring blankly at. If the carriage stopped, you should get off on your own. Do I have to help you down every time?”
Zain looking down at me lying on the ground.
It’s absurd. If I got off on my own feet, he surely would have scolded me asking why I moved as I pleased.
The carriage door opened and Bibi got off. Following behind, Renoa got off.
From the mansion, maids came out in a group to welcome Renoa.
“Have you returned, My Lady.”
“Yeah.”
“The boy next to you is...?”
“Gladiator slave. I bought him this time.”
Bought him this time.
Even when speaking.
The expression sounds like she went grocery shopping at a mart.
“If the Madam finds out you bought a slave without permission, she will be angry.......”
“I’ll take care of that. It’s not something you should worry about.”
“I apologize.”
The maid immediately bowing her head.
The atmosphere is bloody.
I had so many things I wanted to say until just now, but I wonder if I can open my mouth carelessly here.
I feel like retaliation will come for no reason.
“My Lady, what shall we do with this boy?”
Zain asked.
Renoa’s gaze fell on me lying on the ground.
Indifferent eyes whose intent cannot be known.
Renoa, who stared at me quietly like that.
“Wash him.”
Spat out a single word.
“Pardon?”
“Wash him because he smells. Wash him, and make him tidy. And bring him.”
Renoa, having given the order, entered the mansion. Irresponsibly leaving us behind.
‘Just what is what...’
I wondered if I was the only one not understanding this situation, but fortunately, it seems not. Everyone had a similar reaction to me.
The order was given, but no one moved first. They were busy checking each other’s mood.
Gazes meaning ‘You take him’ were exchanged. Then the one who opened her mouth first was a maid.
“Sir Zain should take him and wash him. Although still a boy, he is a man who knows everything, so it seems improper for us to wash him.”
“No. Since you are women, you would wash him more meticulously than me, a man. Wouldn't it be big trouble if I did it and the smell didn't disappear? You go and wash him.”
“.......”
Still, until just now, I was the best gladiator of the arena in my own way.
Now I look like a child between a divorced couple. Both giving up custody.
Did I really suffer like that just to receive this kind of treatment.
Sad, so sad.
“Excuse me, I’ll just wash by myself, so please just lend me the place.”
“...Understood. I will guide you to the bath. However, I will inspect after the bath is over, so wash cleanly.”
***
“We’re here. You can wash here.”
The place I arrived at following the maid’s guidance was an outdoor bath behind the mansion.
Although it wasn't a fancy marble bath used by nobles, the place with several huge wooden tubs placed was quite clean.
The maid handed me a cloth, a lump of soap that looked hard, and a small bottle of unknown identity.
“What is this?”
“Scented oil. Originally not something to use on a slave, but since it can’t be helped to remove this level of stench. Use it without leaving any.”
Do I smell that much.
I sniffed slightly but I don't really know. Since I lived in this state for several months, my sense of smell has long been paralyzed.
“I’ll leave clothes to wear after washing here, so the... clothes or whatever you are wearing now? Anyway, throw that far away. I’m going to burn it.”
“Um....”
“The Princess is sensitive to smell so wash every corner cleanly. Understood?”
“I said I understood.......”
“I’ll be nearby so don't fool around and wash quickly. And absolutely don't think about running away by any chance.”
“Haa....”
Whether she is very anxious about me, the maid repeated earnest requests several times and disappeared behind the corner.
Seeing a shadow behind the wall, it seems she really intends to monitor.
“I’m going crazy.”
To think I would be monitored washing by a woman at this age.
I feel like I’ll lose my mind.
“Let’s wash first.”
I took off my clothes and threw them far away, and scooped water from the bath with a bucket.
Warm water with steam rising. I poured it over my head just like that.
“Uooooo.”
An old man-like exclamation flowed out naturally. In the arena I always had to use cold water, how long has it been since warm water.
At that warmth, my body which had been tense ever since coming to the other world melts down.
In my heart, I want to throw my body into the bath altogether, but.
‘Then I feel like I’ll get beaten.’
Unavoidably, I pour water to wash away dust, and diligently untangle hair matted with blood and sweat.
Next, scrub dirt hard with a rough hemp piece, wash again with soap-that-is-not-soap, and pour water.
Only after repeating for a long time did my body become soft and fluffy.
“Are you done washing? Just until when are you washing?”
“Almost done.”
I wipe off all the moisture.
“You told me to use the scented oil too, right?”
When I opened the lid of the bottle the maid gave, a strong floral scent pricked my nose.
Although quite strong, it seemed perfect for erasing the stench. I applied it to every corner of my body.
Now it was time to wear clothes. I unfolded the clothes neatly folded on the floor, and it was a small servant uniform. The texture was quite smooth.
“Yare yare, helpless Lady.”
Is this why they say even if you are a servant, be one at a big shot's house. Even though it’s just one piece of clothing, the dimension is different.
Finishing the most uncomfortable bath in my life, I returned to the maid.
“I’m done washing.”
“You sure wash long. Anyone would think you were sculpting your body... or some.......”
The maid, who was emanating annoyance, opened her eyes roundly upon seeing me. As if she saw something she shouldn't see.
“What’s wrong?”
“...You are that kid just now? That kid who looked like a walking lump of filth?”
“That’s harsh. Lump of filth.”
“Wow.... I can’t believe it. A person can change this much with just a bath.”
The past me.
Just what kind of state was I in.
“More than that, didn't you say you would inspect?”
“Huh? Uh, I should. Spread both arms to the side.”
I spread my arms as ordered. The maid approached and started sniffing here and there on my body sniff sniff.
An awkward feeling.
Really experiencing all sorts of things.
“Yeah. Seems you washed meticulously well. No strange smell.”
“That is very fortunate.”
“Now let’s go to the Lady. Since she said to bring you when done washing.”
I followed the maid closely and entered the mansion.
This wasn't the first time I entered a noble’s mansion. When I first came to the other world, I went to a male owner’s mansion.
That place was also on the grand side, but here the dimension was different. If this is a mansion, that place is a hut.
“If I come alone I’ll get lost?”
“Don’t worry uselessly. There won’t be an occasion for you to wander around alone. And watch your mouth in front of the Lady. If you speak carelessly, you’ll be kicked out.”
“If I get kicked out, I would be grateful. Since it’s freedom.”
At my joke, the maid stopped in front of a huge door sighing instead of answering.
The maid knocked on the door and spoke politely.
“My Lady, as you said, I washed the slave and brought him.”
A moment later, a low voice was heard from inside.
“Come in.”
The maid opened the door and signaled with her eyes to enter.
‘Can’t you enter with me?’
I sent such a gaze, but no chance. Feeling like being offered as a sacrifice to a tiger’s den, I entered alone.
Inside, Renoa was reading a book, and on the sofa, Bibi was eating snacks.
Renoa spoke without even taking her eyes off the book.
“You washed properly and came, right?”
“Of course. As you said, I washed cleanly so I don't smell.”
“Yeah.”
And silence.
If you called a person, you should say why you called.
My patience having run out long ago, I brought up the main topic first.
“Excuse me....”
“Are you asking why I bought you?”
Yes, you bitch.
Why are you pretending not to know while clearly knowing what I’ll ask?
I thought hard about the reason by myself, but no matter how much I thought, I couldn't find a plausible answer.
If she intends to kill me because I’m an eyesore?
I would rather understand that. Since that is closer to the image of Renoa I know.
But what on earth is the reason for buying me even breaking a promise? What does she gain by keeping me by her side.
As I was staring intently with eyes demanding explanation, Renoa closed the book with a thud sound.
Raising her head and looking at me, she spat out indifferently.
“Just.”
“Yes?”
“I just bought you. Because I was bored.”
“What kind of....”
It was an answer so futile that the grim determination until just now became colorless.
I bought bread because I was depressed today.
I see. I bought a slave because I was bored.
Why?
I don't know. Shut up and just empathize.
Is it something like this?
If you become a Duke’s daughter, I guess you buy a human instead of bread to kill time.
“Whatever reason I buy whatever, that is my mind. Do I have to report every single thing to a slave?”
“That is not it but... understood. Then what should I do here?”
“Do nothing and live quietly. That is your role in this mansion.”
“Pardon?”
—Ding!
As soon as Renoa ordered, a notification window appeared.
『Owner's Order』
You have incurred Renoa's hatred. Do not catch her eye for a week and live as if dead. Reward: Proficiency gain x2 for a week
“No, excuse me.......”
“Stop and get out. Since I’m going to read a book.”
The order to leave fell, but I couldn't move due to panic. Renoa’s eyes sharpened as if displeased.
“Is the word 'get out' not heard? Don’t make me say it twice.”
Eventually, I came out as if chased.
Whether they were eavesdropping on our conversation, the maids had their ears close to the door.
The sight of them scattering in panic as soon as I came out was spectacular. Then they took me far away from the room.
“What conversation did you have with the Lady? How did you come here?”
“Did she perhaps call you separately at night...... were there no words like that?”
In the maids’ eyes, I seem to be seen as ‘Renoa’s secret hobby slave’.
“I don't know either. She told me to do nothing and live quietly.”
“...Is that the end?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“What, no fun.”
What? Fun?
No fun?
A person is on the verge of dying right now!
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