“Josette, there’s a breeze.”
“Indeed. Is there something further ahead?”
After finishing their viewing of the waterfall, Kent and Josette proceeded through the cave, relying on the light of lamps placed here and there. They then noticed a gentle but distinct airflow.
“I suspect the exit is likely ahead.”
“We can finally leave, can’t we?”
“Finally? It hasn’t even been two hours yet.”
“Has it not? Oh, you’re right. Not even two hours have passed since I last checked the time.”
Upon hearing Kent, Josette took out her smartphone and checked the time. She had confirmed the time shortly before the fire alarm, so indeed, it hadn’t been two hours since then.
“Congratulations. You have successfully escaped the underground empire and are now free from slavery.”
“Ah, thank you.”
As they emerged from the tunnel, the surroundings suddenly became bright, and they were greeted with applause by several people. Judging by their matching attire, they were likely staff members. Josette was surprised by the suddenness of it all but maintained her composure and offered her thanks to everyone.
“Now then, we will remove the slave collars from your necks.”
*Click*
A staff member inserted a key into the lock of the collar, and with an unlocking sound, it was removed.
“Please take this with you as a souvenir. If you bring this collar next time, your entrance fee will be discounted by twenty percent.”
“Oh, really?”
Josette received the removed collar from the staff member.
“And for you, sir, here is your boyfriend’s collar too.”
“Yes, thank you.”
Kent was also handed his removed collar by a staff member.
“The area ahead is the break space, and further back is the souvenir shop. Additionally, the second floor of this building is a documentation room. It displays materials from when mining was conducted in this mine, so please take a look if you’d like.”
The female staff member guided Kent and Josette to the break space ahead.
“Oh, you guys made it out safely too.”
“Welcome back.”
As they entered the break space, the couple they had arrived with in the same carriage congratulated Kent and Josette.
“Welcome back… I guess? Do you know what happened to the others who came with us?”
“Ah, I think you two were the last. It’s quite surprising the first time you experience that kind of show, isn’t it? The senior who recommended this place never mentioned any of it, so I was completely fooled.”
“Th-that’s right.”
Kent had realized it was a performance from the beginning, but the other customers had all been deceived. Kent thought that if they ultimately enjoyed themselves, then it was all good.
“Shall we also take a break, as we’re tired from walking?”
“Yes, let’s take a short break.”
Kent and Josette sat down at an available table seat.
“If you’d like, please order some drinks.”
“Thank you.”
As the two settled into their seats, a female staff member brought them the drink menu.
“Oh my, the tea menu here is quite detailed. It’s concisely written for those less familiar on the surface, but looking at the back reveals a real dedication to tea.”
“My, you are very knowledgeable, customer. These are items that our owner, who manages this underground empire, procured with great care.”
“I see. If it’s my Older Brother Evarist, I can understand such dedication.”
“Oh, e-excuse me, customer. What did you just say?”
The female staff member appeared quite flustered.
“I can understand such dedication.?”
“No, before that.”
“If it’s my Older Brother Evarist?”
“Y-yes. ‘Older Brother’?”
“Yes, this mine belongs to my Duke’s family. I heard that my Father lent it to my Older Brother, who said he would make effective use of it.”
As Josette explained, the female staff member’s face turned visibly pale.
“E-excuse me. I am so sorry, could you please wait here for a moment?”
“Yes, that’s fine, but I wanted to order a drink… Oh, she’s gone.”
Josette tried to order a drink, but the female staff member had already disappeared.
“Did you two do something? Perhaps at that notice board… Ouch!”
“You shouldn’t ask things like that!”
“Sorry, sorry. Well then, we should be going.”
The couple who had been resting there noticed the staff member’s odd behavior and, not wanting to get involved in any trouble, quickly left.
“They’ve gone.”
“Perhaps something urgent came up.”
Kent and Josette watched the couple leave.
“Well, this is a predicament. We’ve ended up alone.”
“You’re right. Everyone else is gone.”
There had been several staff members in the area just a moment ago, but now they had all vanished, leaving only Kent and Josette.
“That’s right. They’ve stepped out to give us some privacy. So, Kent.”
“Jo-, Josette, isn’t this kind of place a bit inappropriate?”
Kent managed to stop Josette, who was pouting like a pufferfish and advancing on him, by holding her off with his hand at the last moment.
“Oh, there’s no need to be reserved. Come now, I’ll-” *Gasp!*
Perhaps due to the restraint she experienced by the pond earlier, Josette was more forward than usual. However, suddenly, she sensed many people nearby, and Josette hastily pulled away from Kent. Before she knew it, a large number of staff members had gathered in front of Josette. Among them were the men who had stormed their carriage.
“We sincerely apologize for our disrespectful behavior, not realizing you were from the Duke’s family.”
” ” “We sincerely apologize.” ” ”
The person who appeared to be in charge here bowed, and all the staff members present followed suit.
“Oh, about that? You were simply fulfilling your duties faithfully. We were entertained, and I, too, was fooled by the performance at first. You did excellent work. Therefore, I have nothing to say to you. Please, everyone, stand up.”
Josette said this with a smile, looking at all the staff members.
“To receive such words is the greatest reward for our work.”
The representative man bowed his head, saying this.
“Therefore, please continue with your duties without minding us.”
“Thank you. We will now return to our respective departments. Please enjoy yourselves at your leisure.”
The staff members, who had gathered looking satisfied after hearing Josette’s words, returned to their designated areas.
*Clap, clap, clap, clap*
“That was quite a fine response. I was told a member of the Duke’s family was here, and it turns out to be Josette.”
As the staff dispersed, a middle-aged man entered, clapping his hands. His attire indicated that he was an aristocrat.
“Oh, Older Brother!”
Seeing Josette’s surprised face, it was clear he was Josette’s brother, Evarist.
“I see. If Josette is dressed like this, no one would realize she’s an aristocrat.”
Evarist remarked upon seeing Josette’s attire. Josette was wearing simple clothes, like those worn by commoners for casual outings. She was also unadorned with any jewelry, so at first glance, she appeared to be nothing more than a beautiful commoner woman.
“So, the person next to you is Kent. Nice to meet you. I am Evarist, Josette’s brother. Please take care of her.”
“Y-yes. I am Kent. I look forward to working with you.”
“Since we’ve met, let’s have a chat. Hey, prepare some tea.”
“Yes, sir! Understood.”
After introducing himself, Evarist called to a nearby staff member and requested that tea be prepared. Thus, Kent found himself suddenly engaged in a conversation with Josette’s brother.
