The Transformation (3)
In a rural estate far from the capital, the minor baron family still showed respect to the Hero Party.
The food served was decent, and the servants looked extremely tense and watchful.
Of course. They were the Hero Party tasked with defeating the Demon King and saving the world.
Moreover, with the noble Hwang Tae Nyeo among them, how could they treat anyone carelessly?
Furthermore, what were the chances of a border minor noble meeting a member of the imperial family?
An old man with thinning hair, legs trembling, asked Elena.
“...H-how does it suit your taste?”
“It tastes delicious. Thank you for going to the trouble.”
In reality, Elena’s palate had no match for the food.
After all, it had to differ from the dishes prepared by the imperial palace chefs.
In truth, if they could not find the village, they would have no choice but to camp out overnight.
Whether they had preserved food or hunted on their own, the situation honestly felt barely tolerable.
“Hah. It was really delicious. Hey, human noble, is there no male servant here to serve us?”
“Even in a place like this, the elves are in heat.
Enjoy the splendid service, and may the gods’ blessings rest upon it.”
“Ahahaha. The meat is soft and tasty. Don’t the heroes think so too?”
“Yeah. We really enjoyed it.”
The other party members also muttered their approval one by one.
The old noble tried to maintain a smile while gazing at them.
“Hehe. It is truly an honor to meet those who have saved the world.”
It was a kind smile, but did selfless kindness even exist in noble society?
Upon thinking about it, the interior and furniture did look rather worn out.
Whether they deliberately hid it or not was unclear.
“The estate seems to be in poor condition. Since you have treated us so splendidly, the imperial court will surely reward you handsomely.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. However, that is not all I desire.”
Even though that was what he said, the old noble’s complexion eased a little.
Due to the endless raids by monsters, powerless estates were only suffering.
“I would like to rest.”
When Elena stood up, the old noble was startled and cried out.
“A-already? Your Highness, there is still dessert prepared.
After that, the bath.”
“It is fine. Just accept the thought.
However, if you take care of my companions, I would be grateful.”
Dr-ruk.
Without hesitation, Elena rose from her chair and left the dining room.
Then a young man approached her.
Based on the clothing, he was likely the young master of this place.
He seemed to have just come from the bath, with damp hair.
The good scent was a bonus.
His overly obvious scheme made even laughter impossible.
“Y-you... the small sun of the empire...”
“It is fine.
I am indebted to you.
My body feels tired, so I will go up first.”
“If it is okay, may I serve you a bath? Your Highness.”
He had a rather good appearance.
In such a rural area, it was a waste.
“No need.”
The man’s face reddened at the blunt refusal.
His expression failed to manage, and he bit his lip for a moment, but soon he withdrew slowly.
It was a wise action.
Once inside the room, Elena quickly lit the candles.
She loved having a private room after a long time.
But a minor noble who could not even afford one magic tool for adequate lighting.
They had spent all the budget fighting monsters.
I had guessed, but when I actually faced the situation, my heart felt uneasy.
They were not providing support, were they?
They had not mentioned it during the meal, but I felt I should investigate once.
I could see the dripping candle wax.
Elena took out the letter she had kept in her clothes.
She had already read it, but she could not help fiddling with it.
“...Hmm.”
Actually, there was no great content.
The senders were her younger brother Karcen, her fiancé Derek, and her loyal aide Becca.
There was nothing special from Karcen or Derek.
Mostly they just wished her well and missed her.
The important part was Becca.
From her short message, the general situation could be grasped.
The news that her mother, the Empress, was still worsening in health.
There was even unease that problems might arise faster than the Demon King’s defeat.
As the daughter of the Emperor, she would not tolerate herself not being accepted.
It was different from being maliciously pointed at for failing to fulfill duties.
The good news was that she had been properly carrying out the orders I gave, so I could rest easy.
Her political foundation would steadily strengthen within the noble factions.
In that case, her marriage would be decided by herself.
Unlike previous emperors, she would marry the man she loved.
With an even stronger foundation than that, imperial authority.
The problem was that the information she most wanted was missing.
Actually, it was not urgent.
There was not even a mention of that “foreign man.”
If he was alive, how was he doing?
What was he doing?
At the very least, should she not confirm whether he was alive?
But she soon shook her head.
He would be fine.
Anyway, she had to forget him.
“...Anyway, he is not someone I will return to.”
Tuk-tuk!
Elena, who was burning the letter with the candle, turned her head.
Despite not even being told to enter, the person who came in was the young master from earlier.
“...Your Highness.”
The thin nightgown he wore exposed quite a lot.
Immediately, she shot at him coldly as he approached.
“What do you think I am?”
“...That is...”
At her harsh voice, the man panicked and soon began to whimper.
No matter that a man’s weapon was tears, this situation was simply awkward.
“Did you not do this because you wanted to?”
“I... I saw you at first sight...”
“Behave properly.
The service you received today will be generously rewarded by the imperial court.”
The trembling man soon lowered his head deeply.
He had not thought of leaving at all.
“Or did the baron order it?
If so, I will personally persuade you.
If not, is it the young master’s own thought?”
“I am grateful for the favor, Your Highness.
Then I will take my leave.”
Finally, as the man left, she turned her head sharply.
In the mirror she glanced at, her own figure reflected.
“Haa.”
Her beautiful golden hair flowed even more splendidly under the moonlight.
The beauty with blue eyes radiated a more mature aura than before.
What if the “man” had come to her bed?
If that were the case...
It was just meaningless delusion.
Elena climbed onto the bed and slowly closed her eyes.
●●●
“Hey, everyone.
How old are you all?”
I looked at the men in front of me.
When I saw them hesitate and answer my question, I felt a strange sensation.
Could this be called an interview?
I never imagined I would be conducting interviews in this world.
Honestly, even now, my veteran-like speech made me laugh.
I turned my head and looked at Jane sitting beside me.
She smiled teasingly and lifted the corner of her mouth.
“What are you looking at like that?”
“Do I really need to do this?”
A heavy sigh escaped.
Did not the men trembling over there not catch your eye?
They were not men who came here to work.
Originally, there was no way young men would know about a deeply hidden brothel.
“Young master, normal men do not voluntarily jump into a brothel.”
“...That is a different story.
So you went to the slave market?”
“That would be cheaper.
We need staff to work right away, after all.”
Jane’s words, legs crossed, were not entirely wrong.
Of course, waiters were also needed.
They could not keep the guards setting the tables forever.
Or at worst, make them clean.
“Even if it means filling the headcount, it would be better, right?”
“...But you, did you really have that much money?”
Honestly, aren’t slaves expensive?
Buying almost ten young men who have gone bankrupt?
In the modern person’s concept, it was difficult to understand.
Of course, in my time too, the slave culture had existed for a long time.
“Do not say useless things.
If not, young master, should I send them back?”
Jane frowned slightly and picked up her wine glass.
At her warning words, I had no choice but to nod.
The men’s appearances were diverse.
There were handsome ones, but there were also those with unfortunate looks.
More importantly, the more brothel girls there were, the better.
Appearance did not matter.
Actually, the poorer the appearance, the cheaper the price.
We also needed rose flowers to brighten the atmosphere.
Anyway, those guys would not have the best choice here.
“Have you ever worked?”
I asked the men in front of me, and they all responded with a nervous reaction.
I found it funny too.
There was no way.
Thinking about it, I did not differ much from them.
My situation was better, but I also had to repay debts.
“Th-that, it is a form of hourly pay.
After deducting the commission, it is a way to repay part of the debt.
Of course, the guests will give separately, and I will take it personally.”
The men stared blankly without saying a word.
Still, I had to explain first.
By now, Jane was reading a magazine as if she had no value for the other party.
The guard guy had gone on an errand, so he had not been seen all day.
“The calculation starts from the moment you enter the room.
Did you hear me properly?
You are looking at me with rather hazy eyes.
It seems your past suffering was quite severe.”
“There is nothing difficult.
We just pour drinks and talk.
While listening well.”
Actually, that was difficult.
“If they force you to drink, tell me.
I will spit it out into the beverage bottle after putting it in my mouth.
Still, there were not many such weirdos.
But the atmosphere darkened rapidly, so I had to change the topic.
Without realizing it, I muttered something random.
“Ah.
Our outfit is not very revealing.
Look at me.
It is fortunate, right?”
I tapped my chest lightly.
My shirt and suit were neatly worn.
In other brothels, the shirt itself would be see-through material.
Of course, I was not showing off.
For a moment, I was also an experienced person.
Pu-huh!
Jane closed the magazine and burst into laughter.
When I stared at her in disbelief, she walked over to me.
“Do not worry too much.
Young master, there are also those who were cheap at other stores.
There is no need to teach from the beginning.
Perhaps they will be even more skilled.”
Hearing that, I heard other brothels had quite high standards.
If there were veteran-level ones mixed in, I had nothing to say.
Jane’s dress swayed seductively every time she walked.
She asked the men in a firm voice.
“Everyone, answer me?”
Only then did they answer in small voices.
“Yes.
I will remember.
“Ah.
I understand.”
But most looked worn out, so I added one more word.
Actually, it might have been needless interference.
“Do not get so down.
Make repaying the debt and escaping as your goal.”
After all, they were not a job that sold youth to survive.
Some of the men’s expressions changed.
Indeed, there was a tiny bit of hope.
“Meals are provided, but it will add to the debt.
Or when serving, you can eat as snacks.
Jane added to my words.
It was irritating too.
I slowly pulled the door ring.
A creaking friction sound entered my ear.
“Until we find accommodation, we have no choice but to stay together.
Still, I plan to provide maximum convenience.
Let’s get energized.”
It was almost time to open.