Master and Slaves

"Mateus, please."

"Understood. Then let us go."

As soon as Mateus replied, he began guiding me.

I followed Mateus.

When I turned around, Tiria was walking behind us with her head lowered.

I faced forward and spoke to Mateus.

"How is Helene?"

"She’s preparing for tomorrow. She also went shopping."

"I see. But is it alright? She didn’t seem very motivated."

To be honest, she looked like she didn’t want to come at all.

"Hahaha. She’s a spoiled child. She probably didn’t want to be away from me."

Mateus was laughing, but suddenly he stopped and turned toward me.

"Please take good care of that girl."

His face was serious — not the usual cheerful old man, but like a parent worrying about his daughter or a lover worrying about his beloved.

"I understand. Though I think I’ll be the one taking care of her."

"Yes. Sir Hiroyuki has just arrived here, so please be kind to her."

When Mateus raised his head, he was back to his usual cheerful smile.

...

"His Majesty, I have brought Sir Hiroyuki."

"Open the door."

This was the upper floor of the main tower, in the royal family’s private residence.

We stood in front of the door to the king’s living quarters.

The guards at the door stared at us sternly.

After Mateus reported that I had come from King Rudolf, a dignified voice answered from inside.

The heavy doors opened with a creak.

The room inside felt like the most luxurious suite in the world’s top hotel.

A chandelier hung from the ceiling, ornate furnishings filled the shelves against the walls, and a carpet that reached ankle-deep covered the floor.

In the back of the room, an arrangement set faced King Rudolf and a woman I didn’t recognize.

Well, she was here, and from her clothes, she was probably the queen.

"Please, Sir Hiroyuki, come in."

King Rudolf stood with the woman beside him and welcomed me.

At Rudolf’s cue, I entered the room with Tiria.

"Teia!"

The woman shouted at the sight of Tiria.

It was Tiria’s pet name... right?

I ignored the shout and walked to the sofa in front of the arrangement set, still holding Tiria’s leash.

Mateus overtook me and stood behind the sofa where the king and woman were seated.

"King Rudolf, thank you for the invitation last night."

I gave a light bow and expressed my gratitude.

"Sir Hiroyuki, this is Queen Teresia. Teresia, greet him."

King Rudolf introduced the woman standing beside him, and she froze.

"Ah, I’m sorry. I am Teresia. Please treat me kindly."

"I am Hiroyuki Asahi."

We introduced ourselves to each other.

Her face was so similar to the Tiria I remembered as an adult that it gave me a shock.

She had a gentle manner, but there was something restless about her.

She kept glancing sideways at Tiria, who was sitting with her head bowed beside me.

"Please, sit down."

At King Rudolf’s suggestion, I took a seat.

"By the way, what is the purpose of your visit?"

"Yes. Actually, when I leave tomorrow, I wanted to ask for something that came before..."

""What?!""

King Rudolf’s face turned stern, and Mateus’s face turned pale.

"Sir Hiroyuki!"

"Wait, Mateus. What is the meaning of this, Sir Hiroyuki?"

I stopped Mateus from speaking and asked King Rudolf for the reason.

"Ah, I defeated the Demon King who is the enemy of this country, so I want a reward for that."

I said it jokingly to King Rudolf.

I wonder why rulers always want to negotiate no matter what.

"I see. So that’s why you brought this person!"

King Rudolf looked at Tiria and spat the words out.

It seemed he thought Tiria would be useful for negotiating the reward.

Tiria also looked pale as she stared at me.

Queen Teresia held her head.

"Ku ku ku ku. A brat. How much do you want?"

King Rudolf laughed while trying to intimidate me.

He was pretty angry.

"Yeah. Before that... uh, where’s the toilet?"

"...You’re mocking me?"

"Hahaha, of course not. I want to negotiate properly, after all. Ah, Mateus. Could you guide me to the toilet?"

"Sir Hiroyuki, please be careful."

Mateus tried to stop me.

But.

"No, I can’t hold it in. The king’s toilet probably won’t do, so please guide me to the other one."

I stood up as I said that.

"Ku, Mateus. Guide him. The talk isn’t progressing."

King Rudolf urged Mateus with a stern face.

"Ah, right. I’ll leave this Dule here, so you can chat with her while I’m gone. Tiria, please act as a conversation partner for King Rudolf and Queen Teresia. And if anyone offers you food, feel free to eat it."

I told King Rudolf first, then turned to Tiria, pulled Mateus who had finally come close to me by the leash, and walked toward the door.

"Ah, also, this will take some time. It might even be dawn. Take care. Let’s go."

I opened the door and left with Mateus.

When I looked back, King Rudolf, Queen Teresia, and Tiria were staring at us with faces like pigeons that had swallowed bean cannons.

I poked Mateus’s elbow.

"Ah, ah. Yes. Close the door."

Mateus looked confused but immediately understood the situation and gave instructions to the guard protecting the door.

He really was old.

As soon as the door closed, I heard two women’s sobbing voices faintly.

"Is this alright, Sir Hiroyuki?"

"Yes. Then let’s go. To the toilet."

"Hahaha. When it comes to that, people say ’be cautious’ or ’use the latrine.’ Your expressions are too direct. Also, ’shitting place’ is fine too."

Mateus, whose face had been pale until a moment ago, was back to his usual cheerful self.

"But I wish you had told me in advance. I was about to cast a spell."

"Surprises like this — I need to surprise the person and those around them."

We skipped the toilet on the first floor and left the main tower.

...

"I’m back~"

"Welcome back, Sir Hiroyuki. Huh? What happened to Tiria?"

"Ah, I left her behind."

"You left her behind? What does that mean?!"

Cathy came at me with a terrifying expression.

"Ah, ah. Well, since I’m leaving here for a long time from tomorrow, I thought it might be good to say goodbye like family."

It wasn’t a proper farewell, but I had to behave properly because of appearances.

It was troublesome.

"Th-Then... I was wrong. Sorry."

"Ha ha, I said it in a way that would cause misunderstandings. Sorry on my part too."

The two of us apologized to each other.

"This room is just the two of us now..."

"Hm? What?"

When Cathy said something, I turned to her, and she was staring at me blankly.

"Hm? What’s wrong, Cathy?"

"Eh, ah, no, it’s nothing. Um, dinner is ready, so please come eat."

For some reason, Cathy was turning bright red and acting flustered.

"???"

I sat down anyway, and we ate dinner alone — the three question marks hovering over my head.

...

After finishing dinner, I sat on the sofa as usual.

As usual, Cathy was clearing the dishes.

What was different was that Tiria wasn’t under the table.

We had only been together for three days, yet just one day apart made me feel lonely.

Was she enjoying her time with her family without me?

Or was she saying goodbye to her family?

Family... huh.

I no longer had family.

At least not in this world.

So I wouldn’t meet my family again.

But...

I see. In this world, Tiria is my family.

"Sir Hiroyuki, are you alright?"

"Hm? I was just feeling a little nostalgic."

"Nostalgic...?"

Cathy tilted her head.

"Ah, Cathy, do you have family?"

It felt embarrassing to explain, so I changed the topic.

"Yes. My parents are gone, but I have one older sister in my hometown."

"I see. ...Do you visit her sometimes?"

"Yes. Occasionally. But she’s married, so it’s hard to go. She says I can come anytime because I have a good husband...."

"I see."

"Yes. So I write letters often. The other day, my sister’s daughter Kaya wrote in a letter saying she wants to meet me. She must be six now."

"Hoh. I can’t wait to meet her."

"Yes."

Cathy spoke happily about her family.

Family really is great, isn’t it?

Damn! My tear ducts...

"Sorry, I’m going to sleep soon. Since it’ll be tough starting tomorrow, you should sleep early too, Cathy."

"Yes. Thank you."

"Then good night."

"Ah, Sir Hiroyuki. You didn’t brush your teeth?"

Cathy called out to me as I was about to enter the bedroom.

I had completely forgotten.

"...Sorry. I’ll do it."

"Fufufu. Understood."

After brushing my teeth, I enjoyed the comfort of the fluffy bed I probably wouldn’t feel again and fell asleep alone, feeling lonely.

...

The next morning, I woke up refreshed.

I took the breakfast Cathy had prepared and began preparing for the journey.

Well, I had already done most of it yesterday, so I just confirmed what I was taking.

"Sir Hiroyuki, don’t you have to pick up Tiria?"

"Hm? Yeah, I guess. I think waiting until the last minute is fine. If anything happens, she’ll send word from the other side."

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

"Maybe the rumors spread..."

"...Yes, I’m coming."

Cathy looked at me, then ran to open the door.

Tiria burst out.

Tiria peeked inside the room and looked around.

When she confirmed me, she tackled my solar plexus with her hands behind her back.

"Master-samaaaa!!"

"Guh!"

It didn’t hurt at all, but I involuntarily let out a sound.

"W-What is it, Tiria?"

"I came running back so I wouldn’t be left behind!"

Tiria rubbed her cheek happily against my solar plexus.

"I-I’m already running a lot, you know."

Helene was standing by the door, kneeling with her hands on her knees and breathing hard.

She was fully armored for combat, carrying a large two-handed sword on her waist and a big backpack, looking completely ready.

"Helene, thank you for your hard work. Cathy, give her some water."

"Yes. Right away."

"Thank you. Ah, right. This is something I borrowed from His Majesty — it’s the reward for defeating the Demon King."

"Reward?"

"Yes. You went to negotiate it, right? Good work, Sir Hiroyuki. Negotiating a reward with the king."

The bag I received was stuffed full of gold coins.

Ugh, I hadn’t really wanted this.

Was it a mistake?

I should return it, maybe.

"Also, a message from His Majesty and the queen. No, wait. A message from Tiria’s parents: ’Please take care of my daughter.’ By the way, the reward money was for her betrothal. This is a secret, though."

"Ah, thank you. I’ll accept it gratefully."

Ignoring my hesitation, Helene continued.

Betrothal money, huh.

For now, I decided to accept it because the content seemed reasonable.

I didn’t know what I’d need it for from now on.

"Also, a message from Master: ’Please be careful.’"

"What about Mateus?"

"He is attending a meeting with the king."

Helene took the cup of water from Cathy and answered my question, then drank it in one gulp.

"I see. Got it. Thank you."

"Pwah, you’re welcome."

A good-looking girl doesn’t say "pwah."

Ah, she’s a good-looking girl.

"Sir Hiroyuki, didn’t you just think of something rude?"

"I don’t think it. I’ve never thought of it."

"Really?"

Helene looked at me with a stern gaze.

"A-And did Tiria enjoy last night?"

The atmosphere had become weird, so I changed the topic.

"Yes. Ah, um..."

Tiria knelt on the spot.

"Um, Master... um, thank you for treating me like family."

She bowed to me and kissed the top of my foot.

"Ah, good. It’s okay."

"Yes."

Tiria looked up at me with a full smile.

...

For now, we went into the bedroom and dealt with Tiria’s menstrual cycle as usual.

Since I had made sure she didn’t feel pleasure (didn’t cum), it went smoother than yesterday.

She seemed dissatisfied, though.

By the way, the chamber pot would be taken on the journey, so I cleaned it thoroughly and put it in the bag.

"Sir Hiroyuki, is the journey preparation ready?"

Helene asked me.

"Yeah, I’ve already changed. I just need to equip the rest. Can you wait a little longer?"

"Yes."

I put Shiranui on my waist and slung the Demon Lord’s sword on my back.

When I tried to shoulder the bag, Cathy stopped me.

"I’ll carry that for you."

"But Cathy, you’ll also carry the bag, right?"

I pointed at the bag containing the tea set.

"I’ll carry both."

She said that and carried the bag while shouldering the luggage.

"It’s not heavy, is it?"

"Yes, it’s fine. This looks big, but it’s light."

Indeed, the bag was large and bulky, but it didn’t contain anything that heavy.

"Then I’ll leave it to you. Tell me if it gets too much. I’ll switch."

"Yes."

Cathy answered energetically.

"What about Tiria?"

Tiria had strapped her short sword to her thigh.

She had just finished tying the last knot.

"Yes, I’m done."

"Alright, then let’s go."

Helene, Cathy, and Tiria left the room.

Finally, I stepped out and looked back at the room.

I had only stayed three nights, but it was a room I had grown fond of.

This was the first proper life I had lived since coming to this world, so my feelings were deep.

For some reason, I bowed to this room and closed the door.

"Master?"

Tiria looked up at me with a puzzled expression.

"Let’s go."

"Yes."

I spoke to Tiria, then began walking forward.