Chapter 175: Waking Alone and Breakfast Outside

When I woke a futon was covering me who was sleeping fully nude.

Normally the two on night duty and Tiria are there so I do not cover myself with a futon.

But today that Cathy and Sara who should be sleeping beside me and Tiria who should be sleeping on my belly holding my thing in her crotch are also gone.

And Rina and Yanica who should be sleeping on the floor, Ilma, Helma, Yuki who should be kneeling by the wall are gone too.

While scratching my head pori pori I thought with a sleepy head.

Last night everyone was certainly there.

Yes, truly everyone was there.

Even off-duty Muriel and Sophia, Rosina and Sheena were there.

I did not lay hands on Helma and Sheena as expected but all the other girls became in a state of not knowing front from back.

Even Ilma and Yuki were in a daze.

I remember Sheena clinging to Helma who was blindfolded and not understanding what was happening, trembling.

After a while the girls who noticed cleaned the room in order.

...After all did I go too far?

Taking advantage of the Dules accepting I did as I pleased but...

Did they get fed up and all leave together?

Or is this convenient event all a dream...

No way... I thought yet my spine grew cold.

Suddenly becoming anxious I hurriedly went to the door still naked and opened it with force.

"Kyaa!"

There was Sara’s surprised face who apparently happened to pass by.

But she immediately became serious.

"Master, is it an intruder!?"

Sara drew the self-defense dagger she always wears at her waist, lowered her hips, and asked me while checking the situation inside the room.

"Ah, no, wrong wrong. Because no one was there."

I hurriedly denied to Sara who started searching the room.

"Then what happened? In such an appearance."

Sara returned the dagger to its sheath and asked me.

Looking at my own appearance again... I am fully nude.

My face grew hot from embarrassment.

It is not that I am embarrassed to have Sara see me naked but the reason I hurriedly tried to leave the room in this appearance is embarrassing.

"Ah, eh, right. I did not know where my clothes were."

I searched for that reason and made an excuse.

"Ah, I am sorry. Master’s clothes are here..."

Sara bowed looking apologetic, opened the luxurious chest of drawers in a corner of the room and took them out.

Then she dressed me.

I did something bad to Sara.

"No, when I woke no one was there..."

"Ah, no, that... is it. Ah, sorry, I was in the middle of an errand so with this..."

I tried to tell the truth after all but midway Sara started panicking and when my changing finished she hurriedly left the room.

Sara was not on duty last night so she should have no need to apologize or panic.

While tilting my head at Sara’s attitude I headed to the dining room because I was hungry.

"Master, good morning."

On the way I met Muriel.

"Good morning, Muriel. It was early this morning but what’s wrong?"

"Yes, today Master’s work is off so I thought to have you rest slowly this morning."

I see, so that is it.

"Thanks, Muriel. Ah, I got hungry so I want to eat breakfast. In the dining room..."

After thanking I tried to ask Muriel who was about to leave after bowing whether breakfast was ready.

"Ah, no, etto... is it, breakfast preparation is not done. I thought to have you rest until noon. So I am sorry but could you take care of it outside?"

Perhaps panicking she first stammered then said that in a rapid voice.

Muriel’s attitude is also strange.

Sara too, are the Dules plotting something without telling me?

Well, but it is what Muriel and the others do.

They are not plotting anything bad I suppose.

They are girls so there are things they want to keep secret from me.

"Got it."

"I am sorry."

When I nodded Muriel bowed deeply.

Then she turned on her heel and walked quickly into the depths of the house.

...Then shall I go out to eat.

I tried to head to the entrance but remembered something and stopped.

Come to think of it I was told to take a weapon when going outside.

Remembering Muriel’s words I entered the armory.

Better not stand out too much so I will leave the greatsword Destroyer.

The bastard sword is also large.

That said a dagger alone is unreliable.

Humu, I will take one broadsword.

I hung the heaviest of the five broadswords at my waist.

Now shall I go out.

I left the house alone lonely to eat breakfast.

...

The area we live in has many noble residences and few passersby.

But when I came out to the main street even though it is morning the number of passersby suddenly increased.

That said it cannot compare to fifteen years ago.

The stalls that lined the roadside are almost gone now and the people coming and going walked as if hurrying on the road.

The goods lined up in shops are also few in number.

There are some buildings that look like eateries but all were closed.

Well, obvious.

Current food is rationed so they probably cannot open restaurants.

If so I do not even know if I can get a meal.

Half giving up I walked in the opposite direction from the castle.

...

After walking a while the smell of food drifted.

Is some house making breakfast?

No, already lunch.

I woke late too and wandered the main street for a while after leaving the house.

Drawn by the smell of food I walked and arrived at a place that looked like a restaurant.

Yes! With this I can get a breakfast that is too late!

I did a guts pose in my heart and opened the shop door.

The inside of that three-story shop was dim.

The first floor seemed to be a restaurant and right after entering there were eight round table seats and five long counter seats.

Of those only two round table seats were filled and there were no other customers.

When I sat at a long table seat a man who looked like the master around over 40 inside called out.

"Work?"

"???"

What is that about?

"Nn, meal huh. What will you have?"

The master asked again while scratching his head pori pori.

"Let’s see... is there meat?"

"Aa, if it’s wolf meat there is."

Wolf... is it tasty?

"Aa, and there is boar too. It will be a bit more expensive though."

Then I can eat it.

"Then I’ll take that."

"Aiyo."

The master answered and started making the food.

With nothing to do I looked around the shop.

Sitting at the round tables were four men and six men and women.

Surrounding one table were six men and women, two men and four women.

They were glancing at me and talking in whispers.

Is that not rude I think but I who am looking at them cannot talk about others.

And the other table apparently off-duty soldiers.

In the talk sometimes heard from them they were boastfully talking bloody military exploits like where they fought or how many they slaughtered.

Ah, my name also came out.

This is bad.

I should eat quickly and leave soon.

"Thanks for waiting."

While thinking that the master placed a plate with food in front of me.

Simple food of just stir-fried vegetables and meat.

"Itadakimasu."

I put my hands together and did the pre-meal greeting.

Then trying to eat... how do I eat this?

"...Is there nothing to eat with?"

"No, it’s in front of you right."

When I asked the master he answered with an expression like what is this guy saying.

That’s right.

My way of asking was bad.

"Ah, this, how do I eat it?"

I asked again.

"You grab it with your hands and eat? ...Are you a noble? Wait a bit."

Saying that the master went into the back once and came out holding a fork in his hand.

"Use this."

Then he handed it to me.

Normally they eat with their hands apparently.

"Thanks."

I received the fork, thanked the master, and started eating the food.

I pierced meat and vegetables with the fork and carried it to my mouth.

Mu... smelly...

The seasoning is only salt.

When I eat this kind of thing I want to thank Muriel, Cathy, and Rosina.

While thinking that I resolutely carried the second bite to my mouth and a man called out.

"Excuse me, um, can you use Illumination magic?"