“Yes, it’s just next door to Nina-san’s room.”
“Then, I shall open it.” “Is it truly alright?”
“We maids clean it every day, and if it were not allowed, we would have been informed beforehand. I have confirmed this.”
If the Head Maid Tina-san says so, it must be right.
Just in case, I should tell everyone later that I went in.
“Excuse me for intruding…”
First, it’s Clarice-san’s room.
Inside, it feels like a room in a church.
There’s even a Goddess statue, truly a sign of devotion.
(There is a bed, but it’s essentially a mini-chapel.)
On the desk, there’s a booklet.
Is it a roster? A follower of the Imperial Goddess Church, perhaps?
There’s no point in staring at such personal information.
“There’s a magnificent staff displayed here.”
“That is a spares’ spare’s spare, not intended for practical use.”
“At this level?!” “That just means your current staff must be truly wonderful.”
Next is Anju-chan’s room.
It’s a bit scary looking inside…
“Sil vous plait.” “Nyahaha.” “Welcome, dosue.”
“Ah, these dolls…” “Those are spares too, apparently.”
“Well, bonjour.” “I don’t know who that is nya~” “Take your time!”
It’s a talking doll set called Temptation Ibynantoka.
Is this their style, to leave these in places they rarely visit?
Then there are… items that seem to have been obtained from Item Dungeons or Lucky Islands.
“What is this?” “That’s called a Battle Dome.” “Ah, Desuderica-chan, thank you.”
I know the names from appraisal, but
I’m curious about how to use them, but it’s fine.
Also, there are many portraits decorating the walls. They look around Level 8, maybe drawn at school.
(There are some pictures that look like us, but I should ask the person themselves about this part.)
They’ll probably all gather soon for the Count Palatine inauguration ceremony or something.
Well then, next is Helen-san’s room. I’ll wave goodbye to the dolls and leave.
The maids who were lined up in the hallway in front of my room seem to have been dismissed, I pass a few of them.
“This is Lady Helen’s room.”
“Yes, lots of books. Are they related to monsters?”
“She said she’s making it her personal library since she has the chance.”
They’re stacked even on the bed.
Where will she sleep? Well, this mansion itself,
seems to be connected to the Great Tree by a Teleportation Magic Circle.
“There’s even a Succubus Compendium.”
“That’s a book Lady Helen wrote.” “When did that happen?”
“The first and second volumes are finished, and only the third volume remains.”
When did that happen…
Does this mean it’s actually being sold in the Empire?!
If so, I have to buy it. Inside, there was an illustration that children shouldn’t see.
“The closet is also open, and there are books inside. Then, I guess that’s all.”
“The next room appears to be occupied, so we will knock.”
“Ah, it’s Nastasia-san’s room, right?” “It’s this way.”
The rooms are really in order.
The Count Palatine originally had eight concubines, so
perhaps they built eight rooms in a row when they constructed this mansion.
(The Head Maid will knock.)
*Knock, knock*
“Yes?”
“Master, Lord Derus has arrived.”
“Then, please come in.”
Looking inside, Nastasia-san is also… writing various documents, or rather, letters.
“Nastasia-san, you look busy.”
“I’m sending invitations to relatives in the Empire for the Count Palatine inauguration ceremony in the Imperial Capital.”
“Huh? Is the date already set?” “Not yet, but we need to prepare in advance.”
Well, Nastasia-san is originally an Imperial citizen.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“You don’t need to write it yourself, Count Palatine.”
“W-well, it’s true my handwriting isn’t that good.”
But it’s quite a lot.
They could just have the maids write it…
But perhaps Nastasia-san wants recipients to know it’s her personal letter.
“I’ve brought Imperial Tea.” “Thank you.”
One of the maids who was lining up earlier,
a woman around twenty-seven years old, was there.
She brought strong tea for Nastasia-san, and then another one?!
“Ah, for me too, thank you.”
Yes, it has a unique flavor, but it’s delicious.
After Nastasia-san calmed down, she turned to me.
“Master, what will you do next?”
“Hmm, I’ll look at the remaining rooms, then greet Nina-san again… and after that, I haven’t decided.”
“In that case, please greet my parents.” “Ah, yes, though we don’t have much time.” “It’s alright if it’s just a brief meeting!”
I wonder if they already know I visited Mariu-san’s parents.
But she is a proper concubine, my Fifth Wife. I do want to have a proper conversation.
“Can we do it another day?”
“Yes, anytime!”
“First, I have a duel tomorrow and the battle against the Seven Great Demon Lords the day after tomorrow.”
So, I shouldn’t bother her any longer.
I left Nastasia-san’s room and moved to the next one.
The Sixth Wife Nataira-chan’s room is also a storeroom.
(Perhaps these are items brought from her fallen kingdom, where she was a princess.)
There are even masks that seem cursed,
and other items that look like they’re for rituals.
The two beds might be for Lyra-chan, not me.
(They really are close sisters.)
Enough to recommend her as the Eighth Wife…
“Next is Otuha-san’s room. Ah, there are so many potted plants.”
“They are growing plants indoors. Apparently, many of them are difficult to cultivate.”
“Could it be that you’re leaving the care to the maids?!” “I’m happy to have work, though!”
Then it’s fine.
“And finally, the Eighth Wife’s room, right? The unoccupied one.”
“It seems to be occupied.”
“Eh? But the Eighth Wife’s room should be unoccupied…?”
The Empress… I could see her working from my room, so it’s not her.
“Um, Tina-san, please knock.”
“Excuse me then… Lord Derus has arrived!”
…There’s no reply.
“Is anyone really in there?”
“I believe it’s alright to enter.”
“…Okay, the door opens. Excuse me for intruding!”
And as I entered, inside was…!!!
