I emerged from the shadows without anyone finding me suspicious.
Holding an umbrella, I walked down the great street towards the destination I was told.
“This is a huge mansion…”
It was on a property large enough to fit three two-story houses where ordinary people lived.
A mansion, like a smaller version of Gins’s mansion, stood proudly.
The stone walls surrounding it, though mismatched, had a different charm than brick walls. I think.
I’m not an architect. I just like ordering things to be built, and I can’t really understand a homeowner’s “this is the only way” aesthetic.
“And the main entrance is…”
An iron fence. At the top, iron ornaments shaped like dragons threatening with open mouths.
A cobblestone path between the iron fence and the mansion’s entrance.
On both sides, manicured lawns and flowers were laid out, getting wet in the rain.
Their beauty on a sunny day was significantly diminished.
Should I call someone? Or should I wait for someone to see a visitor arrive and contact the appropriate person?
I decided to believe someone would be watching and wait.
If this were an invitation to join the nobility, the act of summoning someone could be considered disrespectful.
Also, I didn’t want to be abducted unnoticed on a night street.
After waiting in the rain with my umbrella for a few minutes, the mansion’s entrance opened.
A tall man in black clothes and sunglasses, looking every bit like a bodyguard, appeared.
“Do you have some business with our mansion?”
Even through the iron fence, he exuded an immense pressure and presence.
It was just like encountering a Minotaur for the first time in a dungeon.
This guy is strong.
“…Do you have some business with our mansion?”
Because I was analyzing the big man and remained silent, he asked again in a low voice, likely as a final warning.
“I heard a rumor that you were gathering people ♪”
Dangerous, dangerous.
I’d be done for if I was attacked while holding the umbrella in my left hand due to the rain.
This big man could probably smash through the iron fence with his bare hands.
And if he grabbed me, even my clothes, I’d lose my favorite outfit in exchange for escape.
That would be a wasteful expense.
“A rumor?”
“Yes. That’s why I came to apply ♪”
The big man seemed to be thinking, his expression unreadable.
Wouldn’t he be cold not using an umbrella even in the rain?
He thought for quite some time… at least, it felt like that to me, though it might have been actual minutes.
Finally, he unlocked the iron fence from the inside and guided me into the mansion.
“Please hand over your weapon before entering.”
“Ah, yes.”
I wasn’t body-checked, but to show I had no ill intentions towards the master of the mansion, I honestly handed over the knife I had hidden in my shoe, along with my other weapons, to the big man.
“I will guide you ♪”
One of the maids who were waiting by the entrance guided me inside.
The big man went to some room to dry himself and change out of his wet clothes.
The maid guiding me was a 50-pointer. Naturally, she was cuter than Horuyn.
Her freckles and body line were clearly superior.
The master of this mansion is definitely rich.
(I’ll get in well…)
This time, I’ll harvest the sweet fruits like Gins (beautiful guardian maids, maids by the side of beauties)!
“Please wait in this room. The Master will be here shortly. Then, I will take my leave.”
“Ah… I wish you’d stay…”
She bowed and left the room.
I was alone in the room, the maid who guided me having departed.
This must be a reception room.
The sofa was covered in plush fur, offering warmth to a guest visiting on a rainy day.
I would have preferred it if the maid who guided me had sat beside me, though.
But she left, and there’s nothing I can do about it now.
There’s a wall clock.
It’s past 8 o’clock.
On Earth, this would be work time.
I heard this world starts early, but nobles are generally leisurely and go at their own pace.
I’m still unconcerned with preparing for work in a hurry.
“Thinking about it,”
Is the master of this mansion still sleeping?
I decided to use astral projection to slip through the wall and follow the maid who guided me.
Oh my ♪ Even through that flowing skirt, I can’t hide those voluptuous hips ♪
Whoo ♪
Are the underwear beneath the skirt pure white?
Due to the rain, I can’t tell about any embroidery or stray hairs, but I want to take you home with me, just you ♪
Added to the marking list ♪
I started seeing more servants as I passed them in the hallway.
Oh, is that room the Master’s room ♪?
As my astral body, I’m invisible and inaudible.
Knock, knock.
The maid knocked on the door and informed the Master of my presence.
“Understood. I will go meet him right away.”
The Master’s voice came from the room.
I considered peeking to see what he looked like, but in his personal room, he might be dressed casually.
There’s a risk of seeing an old man’s naked body or, worse, whatever is beneath his crotch.
A man’s room is not worth seeing!
Since he said he’ll be here soon, I should quickly return to my host body (Zazan).
After possessing Zazan and waiting patiently for a few minutes, the master of the mansion entered the room, saying, “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
I judged him to be in his 40s or 50s.
He had quite long, light blue hair.
His eyes were gentle, lacking ambition. Were they brown? Dark brown?
If he weren’t wearing platform shoes, he’d be about 165 cm tall.
Compared to the imposing presence of the big man, he was surprisingly unassuming.
However, he employs a Minotaur-level bodyguard. He’s a man with money and connections.
I was so focused on his appearance that I nearly slipped up. I need to compose myself so I don’t let my true intentions show.
“No. I am an adventurer. I heard rumors you were gathering people, and I came here hoping to strike it rich.”
I stood up from the sofa and spoke energetically and clearly, explaining my profession and why I came.
I’ll wait until I’m counted as one of the gathered people before giving my name. It’s better for making an impression that way.
I’ll only answer if asked. It’s good to have the other person be interested in remembering my name.
“Ho. To come all the way to my mansion without even knowing the details of the request.”
“Embarrassingly, my finances are rather tight.”
That’s not a lie.
Although, I do have quite a few things I could cash in.
But if I only focus on cashing in, my range of action will become limited.
Even if I can investigate far away with my astral body, if I can’t travel to those places as a physical person, it’s meaningless.
People react very differently to someone hunting monsters and someone sightseeing.
I prefer to be feared.
It’s also to minimize any interference or obstacles to my harem ♪
“If you hear the request details, you won’t be allowed to refuse.”
“Understood.”
The master of the mansion sat back on the sofa and asked me if I was prepared.
He was essentially telling me that now is the time to retreat if I wanted to.
This is exactly what I wanted. I want to know how difficult the request is.
If my hideout is the destination, it’s an obstacle. Otherwise, I’ll push aside other participants to gain fame and a large sum of money ♪
“Very well. Then I shall tell you the details of the request.”
Interpreting the request details from my perspective:
1. Approach the owner’s location.
2. Steal the owned item without revealing your relationship with the owner.
3. The reward for success will be a direct exchange of property.
These are the main points.
“…That is indeed a… difficult request.”
“Precisely. However, there is someone who desperately wants the item, and I would like to fulfill their wish if possible.”
I don’t know who this “someone” is, but they must be an influential person in high society.
The owner is a beautiful Yoko Fox clan sister who has gained citizenship.
They possess charm that is too good to be categorized as mere monsters, and high intelligence that allows them to speak human languages.
They live in a luxurious mansion in a town that has continued to prosper through trade, located in the neighboring territory.
Financial negotiations have failed, and it seems only force will work now.
Given that those who previously accepted the request and I have not returned, it is suspected they were captured by the Yoko Fox sisters and killed after revealing information.
The difficulty of the request has increased.
This isn’t a large-scale subjugation operation of my hideout, so I’m happy to get a look at those beautiful sisters ♪
“Leave it to me.”
“Everyone initially responds with vigor. But they failed. I’ve also started to think it’s time for me to step back.”
“Not at all. I am different from those who failed.”
The master of the mansion showed a weak stance, so I suppressed my anxiety that the acceptance of the request might be invalidated.
“Let me do it!”
I successfully accepted the request to steal the Yoko Fox clan’s secret treasure.
Well, perhaps his weakness was an act, but I intended to visit the neighboring territory anyway to see the beautiful sisters.
I don’t want to be silenced here, and frankly, I don’t want to cause a disturbance.
“Oh, then I entrust it to you.”
“Yes. You can rely on me completely ♪!”
