Chapter 4 – 11 Underground Auction – Royal capital, Rashiayu

 Well, it's finally here, the royal capital, Rashiayu.

It's amazing.

What's amazing is that there are so many beautiful women here.

Well, for me who's used to seeing Wendy and Aina, it's not enough, of course, but they're still a high level of beautiful, fashionable girls.

And also how popular Hayato is.

Here's the exchange between him and the gatekeepers.

‘This, this is Hayato-sama. Welcome home!’ (One of Gatekeepers)

‘Yeah. I'm home. Uh, could you notify the manor ahead of time?’ (Hayato)

‘All right, sir!　Oh, and by the way, would you mind signing this sword scabbard?’ (One of Gatekeepers)

‘Sign?　In a sword sheath?’ (Hayato)

'Yes!　I want to join the Order eventually, and I want to receive the blessing from the hero, Hayato-sama!’ (One of Gatekeepers)

'But, I'm not that great, but thank you for admiring me. Is that all right?' (Hayato)

'Tha, thank you!　I will cherish it for the rest of my life!' (One of Gatekeepers)

'No, no, it's a sword, you have to use it ......' (Hayato)

'Kyaa, Hayato-sama!!' (Three random girls)

'A-ha-ha, hello.' (Hayato)

‘Kyaa—!!’ (Three random girls)

It happened like that.

It was like a Hollywood actor coming here.

It felt like the fans were rushing into the airport, and we couldn't move until the guards came out and cleared a path for the carriage.

Naturally, the gatekeepers, who had their eyes on Hayato, must have noticed me, too.

'Well, that person is ......' (Gatekeepers)

'He's a friend of mine. He's very important to me and I'd appreciate it if you could help him out if he's in trouble' (Hayato)

'Hayat-sama's friend ....... I understand!　If you have any trouble, please come to the garrison or this guard station immediately!　We'll make it our top priority to help you!' (Gatekeepers)

'Oh, thanks ....... Eh, Hayato-sama?' (Itsuki)

'Hey, stop it. Itsuki-san please call me as you used to' (Hayato)

'No, I'm not going to call you out in this atmosphere, it could kill me for crying out loud’ (Itsuki)

They're still, you know, looking at me and whispering.

I don't like it. ....... I'd like to quietly tour the royal capital and enjoy it to the fullest. ......

‘Are all of those new beautiful women are newcomers of Hayato-sama?’ (Random person)

‘No, they are Itsuki-san's ones. They take very good care of me’ (Hayato)

‘...... Could it be that Hayato-sama's friend is also a noble?’ (Random person) 

‘No need to be honorific. I'm just a commoner” (Itsuki)

‘He’s not just an ordinary person. He’s a disciple of Reinrich-sama’ (Hayato)

‘Oh my!　So, you're the one everyone's been talking about!　It is said that the Supernatural Reinrich-sama has taken an apprentice, but I didn't expect it to be true: ......’ (Random person)

Oh, so you are called by two names over here, Reinrich.

I'm surprised that the name is so widespread even in the royal capital.

And, like this, we had a hard time getting into the royal capital.

Even after entering the royal capital, the pressure of the people surrounding the carriage remained the same, and the guards escorted us so that we could advance the carriage slowly while keeping them away from us.

Meanwhile, I quietly withdrew to the back of the carriage and had Letty, Chris and Hayato sit on the coachman stand.

It's not that I'm not good at staring from people, but there is a limit to it.

Like Hayato, a man with dark hair and black eyes, a rarity in this world.

Naturally, I can understand the questioning gaze stabbing at me.

That's why I was forced to pull back early.

“Fuh” (Itsuki)

“You must be tired, Master-sama” (Wendy)

“Yeah, I had no idea Hayato's popularity would be this much” (Itsuki)

“Hayato-sama is very popular!　Ever since he got engaged to Shapalial-sama, he has been receiving invitations to marriage for his concubine” (Letty)

“There was a lady who brought the child to the house, claiming that it was Hayato's child. For all intents and purposes, the child was only a few years older than Hayato” (One of Hayato’s girl)

“That's amazing ......” (Itsuki)

Haha, if possible, I wanted to head to the Hayato residence while looking at the streets of the capital from the carriage.

I wanted to check out the clothing and tool stores and other shops that might interest me first.

After all, this royal capital is bigger than Einzhale.

I don't know how many days it would take me to see it from one end to the other.

To be honest, I don't plan to stay in royal capital for long.

The journey is fun, but home is still the best place to be.

Besides, when I return home, the renovation of the upstairs will probably be finished, and then I'll need to buy more detailed tools for the house.

Also, I want to experiment with new skills, and there are many things I need to do.

Well, since I've come all the way here, I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest, though.

The purpose is obviously the auction, but if that's the only thing I do, it will be a waste of time.

It's a good idea to take a look at the trendy items in the capital.

The first thing that surprised me when I arrived at the Hayato mansion was its size.

There was a garden that looked like it could fit four of my houses in it, and the main building beyond that.

As expected of the Earl-sama, he lives in an amazing place.

“Welcome back, Hayato-sama” (Unknown person)

“Oh, I'm home, Freed. Everything okay?” (Hayato)

“Yes. As of today, 218 applications for matchmaking, 12 requests for recognition as children of Hayato-sama, and 345 of knights and adventurers who have come to be hired by Hayato-sama. Also, King has requested you come to the castle as soon as you return” (Freed)

“I see. Well, then” (Hayato)

“Please leave us to guide guests. Also, I have rejected all applications as you instructed. I'm reserving my reply to nobles of the county and above” (Freed)

“Yeah. Thanks, Freed. Excellent work as always” (Hayato)

“No. It is because of Hayato's virtue” (Freed)

“I'm going to the castle then. Sorry, Itsuki-san” (Hayato)

“No, if the King calls you, doesn't it problematic to not go?　We're just going to stroll around the neighborhood at random, so don't worry about it” (Itsuki)

“Yes!　Freed will show you around!　If you need anything else, just let me know!　Oh, and the auction is the day after tomorrow!” (Hayato)

“Okay, got it. I'll leave the day after tomorrow open” (Itsuki)

“No more than two can accompany you!　So, if you'll excuse me!” (Hayato)

With that said, Hayato and the others got into the carriage once more and headed toward the royal castle.

“Chris is not going?” (Itsuki)

“I'm in the status of a slave. Mii and Emily are going as guards and Letty is going as a noble. And I have an important task to do” (Chirs)

“Oh, you surely try it immediately” (Itsuki)

“Yes. I'd like to make sure I could give it in time for dinner” (Chirs)

I taught Chris how to make ice cream.

The reason why she wants to try it when she arrives home is because she wants to see Hayato’s happiness.

“Now, if you'll excuse me” (Chirs)

“If you done well, let me have some” (Itsuki)

“Yes, of course. I'd like to get some advice from Onii-san, too” (Chirs)

With that, Chris bowed and walked probably towards the kitchen.

“Once again, honored guests, I am Freed, the head butler serving under Hayato-sama” (Freed)

“Thank you for the hospitality. I'm Itsuki, a drifter like Hayato” (Itsuki)

“Thank you. As long as you are in this mansion, you are guests, and you are friends of Hayat-sama, please do not hesitate to ask me or the maids here to assist you” (Freed)

“I, I am a slave to Master-sama though ......” (Wendy)

“Since Hayato-sama brought you here, you are all guests” (Freed)

A real butler is very cool.

He's very stylish and his movements are very elegant.

“So, guests, let me first show you to your rooms” (Freed)

“Um, excuse me, Freed, -san?” (Itsuki)

“No need for honorifics. You may call me Freed, please” (Freed)

“Sure, ....... Then Freed. I don't mean to be rude, but what tribe is Freed?” (Itsuki)

A bulter who is an old gentleman.

I understand that.

It's just that he's huge.

He's what, 2.2 meter? No, 2.4 meter, maybe 50 cm taller than that. (TN: 2.2 meter=220cm, so he is in between 240cm to 290cm)

“I am half-giant and half-human, sir” (Freed)

“Heh. I didn't know that different races can have children” (Itsuki)

“Only children are born between different races, or rather, between one's own race and the human race. If a child is born with a human, it is considered to be half-human” (Freed)

I see.

I wonder how big the pure giant race is.

And if they're too big, will they be able to associate with the human race?

“...... Have you felt sickened by this?” (Freed)

“Uh, why?” (Itsuki)

“No, by nature, a half-breed is hated by both fellow humans and their own kind” (Freed)

“Oh, I see” (Itsuki)

Half, huh.

I've heard that half-elves aren't liked by people, but I wonder if it's the same for other races.

In the original world, half-elves were very popular because of their beauty.

“...... You have the same reaction as Hayato-sama” (Freed)

“Hm?” (Itsuki)

“No, it's nothing. This way please” (Freed)

“Oh, yeah. I'll follow you” (Itsuki)

Same reaction as Hayato, huh.

Well, we're from the same place, so it's hard to comprehend that people don't like him for being half-beings.

He's an excellent butler, no matter how I look at him.

No wonder Hayato left him in charge of the house.

“These are your rooms. Unfortunately, we only have these three rooms available at the moment, and we are sorry that we had to put two beds in each room” (Freed)

“Oh no. All I can say is thank for providing me with a room at this level ....... Still, it's amazing ......” (Itsuki)

First of all, the size, it's bigger than my living room.

And I could tell the bed was fluffy just by looking at it.

It must be really comfortable to sleep on.

Though it's not luxurious and gorgeous, everything are decorated with a sense of luxury.

“There's always a maid waiting outside your room if you need anything. If you need anything from me, just ring this bell and I'll come to you as soon as I can” (Freed)

“Okay. Thank you for everything” (Itsuki)

“No need to be honorific. I will prepare a carriage for you when you go out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go. Enjoy your stay” (Freed)

With that, Freed walked out of the room with his head down.

“So let's decide on a room assignment. In 2: 2: 2 ratios” (Itsuki)

“Yeah, and?　How do you decide?” (Shiro)

“Yes!　I would prefer to share a room with Master-sama” (Wendy)

“Stop joking. Shiro is the right person for it” (Shiro)

“This time it's a lottery” (Itsuki)

I took six bars made from an iron ingot and marked them with a carving knife by scratching them.

This refer to the rods that determine to honor a winner.

With this, we will able to make three pairs.

“Well, then, no hard feelings” (Itsuki)

“...... I understand. I will now prove my love for you, Master-sama” (Wendy)

“Then there's no reason for Shiro to lose” (Shiro)

“Okay, okay. Come on, let's pull it off” (Itsuki)

I covered the end of the stick with my palm and shuffled them together, then each of them picked up one of the sticks and pulled it out.

“It's one!” (Wendy)

“Two!” (Shiro)

“Oh, I've got two ...... along with Shiro” (Solte)

“Mine is one!　Don't stare at me, Wendy-san, I'm scared!　It's all about luck, after all!” (Renge)

Wendy and Renge, Shiro and Solte.

That means,

“I(Me), am” (Aina)

“Yeah, nice to have you” (Itsuki)

Aina, huh.

Well, the beds are apart and I don't plan to do anything else, but I'm a little nervous .......

“Aina-san!　Please replace me!” (Wendy)

“No, you can't. If you're gonna do this, it has to be Shiro” (Shiro)

“Hey, hey, hey. The decision was made already so stop complaining. Good luck next time” (Itsuki)

“Muu—” (Wendy) (Shiro)

Even two of you can't satisfy with result but what can't do is can't.

“Yay!　I did it!” (Aina)

I wonder who in the world can take that right away from Aina, who is in a small gut pose.

Thus, safely?　The lottery draw was over at the end of the day.