Chapter 3: The House of Marquis Karazuka

For now, it seems that my custody has been taken over by the Karazuka Marquis family.

That bald mustache guy kept calling me a “Hero,” but in the end, it honestly felt like he was just dumping me on someone else.

Well, regardless, I was put into a carriage at the royal castle and transported to the Karazuka Marquis’s mansion within the capital.

The carriage was luxurious, and the sofa inside was quite comfortable.

…However, despite how fancy it was, I couldn’t help but notice the iron bars fitted onto the windows.

Do they think I’m going to run away?

Where would I even run to?

I’m a guy from another world.

By the way, the Marquis Karazuka himself was riding in a different carriage ahead of mine.

One without iron bars.

After about thirty minutes of being shaken around in the barred carriage, I was brought to an absurdly grand mansion—the kind you’d only ever see in manga.

I hadn’t really taken a good look at the royal castle due to being mentally overwhelmed, but maybe this country is actually quite large.

Or maybe it’s just because this is a marquis’s estate.

If I remember right, that rank is above a count.

The carriage proceeded through a vast garden before arriving at the entrance of the massive mansion, where a large number of servants—presumably those working for the marquis family—had gathered to welcome us.

“Welcome home, my lord.”

“Mm.
We have brought a guest, so prepare a room for him.
Also, have him cleaned and changed, then bring him to my office.”

“Understood.”

Without even sparing me a glance, Marquis Karazuka gave his orders to the butler and promptly left.

Even though he’s the one taking me in, I haven’t even exchanged greetings with him yet.

After that, I was guided by the butler to a splendid room.

The room even had doors leading to a bedroom and a dressing room, and there was also a toilet.

But this toilet…

While it had a ceramic seat, it was basically a pit-style setup.

And instead of toilet paper, there were several pieces of cloth placed nearby.

When I asked the butler about it, he explained that I was supposed to wipe with the cloth and drop it into the hole.

Apparently, a slime living below would clean everything along with the waste.

“A slime?
You mean like a monster?”

“Yes.
Rest assured, it will not come up to the seat.
It is designed that way.”

“Designed…?”

“Yes.
These slimes are not wild ones but artificially created monsters.”

…Oh.

So they can make slimes.

And there are wild ones too, huh.

I see.

After that, the butler prepared some tea for me, so I drank it.

…It’s probably good tea.

But since I don’t usually drink proper tea, I honestly couldn’t tell.

I’m more of a canned coffee guy.

Always mildly sweet.

As I was drinking tea, a large bathtub was suddenly brought into the room.

Wondering what was going on, I watched as the butler and the men who carried it left the room, and instead, three female servants entered.

“The bath is ready, so please come this way.”

“……………………Excuse me?”

Apparently, it was now time for my bath.

And the method was quite… unusual.

I was supposed to strip completely naked, stand in the tub, and have these women—who could use water magic—wash my body while pouring lukewarm water over me.

Of course, I refused with everything I had.

Naturally.

Unless someone is extremely bold, there’s no Japanese person who would accept that.

After discussing things with the three servants—who said they would be scolded if they didn’t fulfill their duties—we reached a compromise.

They would fill the tub with water, I would wash the front of my body myself, they would handle my back, and they would assist a little with changing clothes afterward.

Also, they told me that everything I had brought from Japan—including what I was wearing—would be purchased by the marquis family.

My tie, tie pin, dress shirt, slacks, underwear, socks, employee ID, wallet and its contents, card case and its contents—all of it.

I didn’t have anything particularly valuable anyway, and Japanese currency is useless here, so if I can get money from this world in exchange, that’s fine with me.

For the record, the Running Shoes are not included in that purchase, and right now they are stored inside my Skill, “Gacha Meister.”

Yes, my Skill comes with a storage function.

…But only for items obtained through gacha.

It’s kind of questionable whether that’s actually useful or not.

Oh, and I still have all the items I got at the castle—except for the Umaibo that the soldier ate.

So, having lost all my belongings, I changed into the clothes provided by the Karazuka Marquis family.

They weren’t very comfortable.

On top of that, it was a plain outfit—simple underwear, jeans-like pants, a belt, and a cloth shirt.

I looked exactly like an ordinary commoner.

I had expected something more noble-like, so I tilted my head in confusion.

But before I could think too much about it, the butler called for me, and I was taken to meet Marquis Karazuka.

Well, it’s not like I can complain too much, but I really can’t figure out what Marquis Karazuka is thinking.

The room is luxurious, yet the clothes are like this.

I can’t tell whether I’m being welcomed or not.

…Guess I’ll find out if I ask him directly.