Chapter 139
Chapter 139
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: Reincarnated as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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The 41 ordinary female slaves and one elf slave purchased from the Vailun slave market were unceremoniously locked away in the basement upon arriving at Eugene's mansion.
It wasn't a prison. A proper prison was being constructed a short distance from the mansion. The basement of the mansion was a space prepared specifically for slaves—a training area, one might say.
The elf slave, Elnoa, was isolated in a special training room equipped with a mana suppressor.
The other 41 slaves sat quietly in the chilly basement room, waiting.
"...Do you think it's true that they'll use us as maids?"
One woman cautiously spoke up. She could hardly believe the words she'd heard. In this world, working as a servant in a mansion was a job that wasn't easily obtained. Employers rarely hired just anyone who wanted the position.
"...Who knows. It won't be as simple as ordinary maids. There's no reason to use slaves like us for that. At best, we'll be playthings for nobles."
Only nobles could own such grand mansions. And the servants who worked there were at minimum commoners. Those who served nobles up close were often the nobles' own children or well-educated commoners.
It made no sense that they, mere uneducated slaves, would be used for household chores as maids.
"It'd be better to become a noble's bedwarmer."
One of the women said. All eyes turned to her.
She had dark blue hair. Her name was Kelly, hailing from the far north where it snowed almost constantly.
"Do you know how serfs live? They wake at dawn to feed the livestock, then head straight to the fields and toil until sunset. Then they might get called to their master's bed, and if they get pregnant, they could be sold off as whores."
Kelly was a virgin. She'd heard this from an old woman who had been locked in the same cage with her at the slave market.
"But if you become a noble's bedwarmer, it's different. At least you won't have to live as gruelingly as a serf. If you earn the noble's favor, you might even become a commoner. It's far better than being a serf."
"......"
"And you've all heard about slaves treated worse than serfs...?"
"......"
The female slaves bowed their heads in silence. Coming from the slave market, they knew all too well. Slaves who suffered the worst treatments were better off dead.
Thud. Thud.
Footsteps echoed. The slaves looked tensely toward the door.
The door opened, and a single maid appeared. With her ice-blue long hair and glacial blue eyes, she scanned the slaves coolly.
The slaves were overwhelmed by Yuria. Her beauty was secondary; it was her charisma that held them captive.
"I believe you all understand your situation and aren't foolish enough to act rashly."
"......"
"I am Yuria Grace, the exclusive maid to your master, Eugene Prukus, and the head maid of this mansion. You may address me as Head Maid."
"......"
"This mansion is your home and workplace. You have much to do ahead. Follow me."
The slaves followed Yuria.
They arrived at the underground bathhouse. It wasn't just any bathhouse. It was at least three times larger than the one in the Prukus Count's estate—vast enough for a hundred people to bathe comfortably.
There were over five pools, and one section could even serve as a swimming area. The facilities outclassed even modern public bathhouses. Plus, magic ensured the water was always pristine.
On one side were four sauna rooms: steam, dry, salt, and ice.
Eugene had put special effort into this bathhouse. He enjoyed bathing, but he also harbored impure thoughts of sharing it with many women.
"Everyone, remove your clothes. Your top priority is pleasing the master, followed by hygiene and cleanliness. Put your discarded clothes in that bin over there."
Yuria said this while shedding her own maid uniform before the slaves.
The slaves obeyed without protest. They knew their place. Besides, Yuria had stripped naked first; they couldn't cling to their rags.
"I'll show you how to use the showers first."
Seeing was better than a thousand words.
"Always shower before entering the pools. Do not enter during menstruation. Is anyone menstruating now?"
A few raised their hands. Yuria nodded and began explaining proper bathing procedures in earnest.
The slaves started washing according to the instructions.
Yuria walked among them, meticulously checking their cleanliness.
"There's still grime on your back. Wash properly. If you can't reach, ask someone nearby."
"Serin, wash your hair twice more. Don't forget the conditioner."
"Aisha, your privates are important. Maintain extra cleanliness during your period."
Yuria paid special attention to the younger girls.
"Nepia, there's still soap in your ears."
"Laura, I know you're inexperienced. This isn't a scolding. Don't cry. Come here; I'll wash you."
As she did, Yuria closely observed one woman who was particularly good at helping the children. Her name was Fatima, a widow in her mid-twenties who had come to the mansion with her daughter. Her maternal instincts shone through as she cared for the kids.
An hour later, all the slaves were clean-faced and fresh-bodied.
"...Your grooming still needs work, but we'll let it slide for today. Now, head outside. Your uniforms are in the changing room."
"This is...?"
"Maid uniforms. They must always be neat and tidy. Don't forget that. Everyone, get dressed."
Once they were all in uniform, Yuria nodded approvingly.
She then led them to the first-floor dining hall for maids. It was spacious enough to seat dozens comfortably.
"We don't have time today for a proper meal."
No matter how capable Yuria was, she only had one body. Preparing meals for over 41 people alone was impossible. Of course, she'd already perfectly prepared and served Eugene's meal.
"This... isn't a proper meal?"
Fatima stared in astonishment at the food on the table.
Bread, soup, and fruit.
Even if the bread was cooled, it was leagues above slave fare. The bread looked incredibly soft, and chunks of meat floated in the soup.
"Yes. The bread wasn't made by me; the master provided it. Probably bought from Earth. The soup I whipped up hastily. Eat before it gets cold."
The slaves began eating. Fatima scooped some soup with a spoon and tasted it.
"D-delicious! It looks like plain meat soup, but...! Is there some special ingredient?"
"Monosodium glutamate."
"...Pardon?"
"It's a seasoning simply called MSG."
"A seasoning...?"
"Think of it like spices."
Meal time ended. The slaves devoured everything without leaving a scrap. A slave's creed: eat as much as you can when you can.
"I'll select a few of you for kitchen duty. Raise your hand if you have confidence in cooking."
Nearly 20 women raised their hands.
"...More than expected. We'll test and choose tomorrow."
They returned underground for training.
"Wearing maid uniforms and doing maid work doesn't change your essence as slaves. Eugene Prukus is your absolute master. His commands are law, and you must devote everything to him."
Yuria intended to be thorough with this training.
No exceptions for the children. If anything, they needed even more care due to their age.
After training, Yuria assigned them rooms in the basement. Five or six per room. No beds—just pillows and blankets.
"The children will use rooms on the second floor from now on. And... Fatima."
"Yes... Head Maid."
"You're now an official maid. Your duty is managing and teaching the children. Like a nanny. If you don't want it, say so."
Fatima glanced at one child—her daughter.
"...No, it's fine. I'll work hard."
"Good. As an official maid, your room is on the second floor, next to the children's. Let's all go up; you'll see what an official maid's room looks like."
The mansion had rooms for maids from the first to fifth floors. No grand reason, but mainly for guarding Eugene. His bedroom was on the fourth.
The slaves were stunned by Fatima's room. It was far larger and nicer than expected.
Plush bed, wardrobe, desk, mirror, clock—all the essentials.
"Five maid uniforms in the wardrobe: two for outings, three for mansion use. Maintain them carefully. You'll receive monthly pay. Spend it as you wish, but remember: any disgrace reflects on the master."
"Um... What are those white and black things in the ceiling corner?"
"Air conditioner. Heats and cools. I'll explain usage. The other is a camera monitoring your every move. Live honestly."
The control room on the fifth floor managed cameras, AC, and electronics.
The children's room was simple: small beds and desks sized for kids. They'd live communally until becoming official maids.
Yuria checked the clock.
9:40 PM. Bedtime.
"There are plenty of rooms. Become official maids, and you'll get private ones. Excellence brings rewards; violations bring punishment."
The slaves' eyes sparkled. They sensed a life richer than before enslavement.
"Your life here depends on you. Now, back to the basement for bed. Rise at 6 AM tomorrow."
They descended without complaint.
"Fatima."
"Yes, Head Maid."
"You have work tonight."
"Work...? What kind?"
"Serving the master."
Yuria pulled clothes from her shadow.
A maid uniform. Skirt scandalously short, chest plunging nearly to exposure. Even lewd red panties with a split crotch.
"I'll step out to the basement. Change into this meanwhile."
"Serving in this...? You don't mean..."
"Offering your body to the master. Are you refusing?"
Yuria smiled.
Undeniably beautiful.
Yet Fatima felt a chill run down her spine.
"N-no. I'll serve."
"Fatima, as a widow, I trust you'll do well. You are a maid and a slave. The master owns you and your daughter. Never forget."
"......I'll serve diligently."
Yuria nodded and headed downstairs.