“Hehe~ Mr. Noel, hm? That was your name, right? It’s been a long time since I took over this brothel, but this is the first time I’ve been asked to do something like this~. To think someone would request to wash such a tiny little girl and not a boy or man. Quite unusual~”
“U-Um! Thank you so much! I really appreciate you taking her in!”
Rokoko and I were on the first floor of a large, two-story high-class brothel. Sitting down in a corner of the conversational place located there, a place lined with several tables and two-person sofas, I answered uneasily, my back slightly hunched.
Sitting next to me, looking quite out of place, was a very beautiful woman with long brown hair. She donned a dazzling dress and jewelry, her neckline tantalizingly revealed to exude a somewhat serene aura.
Her name was Listy. Though she looked young, she was the proprietress of this establishment. Her madame-like demeanor only served to drive that home.
“Hehe~ You don’t need to be so formal here~ After all, this brothel is a place that welcomes everyone. But, Noel, are you really sure about this? Our girls got a bit curious and all three of them, including that little girl, dearie Rokoko, went to the bath together. I hate to say it, but since this brothel is on the higher end, it might cost quite a bit for all three of them, you know~?”
“T-That’s fine! I’ve managed to save up some money, you see!”
That wasn’t a lie. While I was part of the Hero of Light’s party, I was treated at least to what was owed to me, despite all the treatment I got as someone with the Dark attribute. I hadn’t been harassed and extorted at the level Rokoko was.
Looking back, it was probably a manifestation of the fact that the party’s leader, Hero Bren, saw me more as a hired hand than a true companion. Find the original chapter at g.com.
“Oh, really~? Hehe~ But to use the money you’ve saved up for someone like dearie Rokoko, she must be really precious to you, hm?”
“Y-Yes! I’m an adventurer…! W-Well, I haven’t officially registered or anything, but… I used to be in a party before, technically, since I wasn’t considered a part of the group… So, she’s my first real companion! That’s why I want to take care of her and do everything I can to make her happy.”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of gratitude toward Bren. Thanks to him, I can treat Rokoko—someone dear to me—to a decent bath and food.
“Oh my, it seems like you had a really wonderful encounter, didn’t you? Hehe, I’m a bit envious~. Hey, Mr. Noel…? I think there’s still quite some time until dearie Rokoko comes out of the bath, you know…? How about it? Shall I provide some service for you until then…?”
“U-Um?! I-I’m still a minor, see?! Oh, umm…! I think you’re very nice, miss Listy, but, umm…!”
“Oh my, I’ve been rejected~. Hehe, then let me at least treat you to some sweets and tea, okay? I think dearie Rokoko will take a while longer, you know~”
“Ah, o-okay!”
After hurriedly declining, Listy chuckled to herself and gracefully stepped away, heading to prepare the tea.
M-My heart was about to stop!
She had been just teasing, but to think that I, trained to maintain composure as an actual assassin, would be so flustered! Sigh, I guess I really do have a long way to go in terms of training, huh…?
Lost in thought, I still caught a faint trace of Listy’s sweet perfume lingering in the air.