Ah, I was utterly spent.
My Water Iai¹ technique used very little water per strike, but using it repeatedly left my mana reserves feeling dangerously low. My ability to maintain a long fight was a problem I needed to solve soon.
I had handed over the surrendering thugs to the guards who had gathered after hearing the commotion. I supposed they had only escaped death today to meet it later; they would eventually follow their comrades to the grave according to the law.
It was a surprise that nearly half of them surrendered. Then again, Heliotrope in her berserk mode was a terrifying sight to behold. It was only natural they gave up.
...Yes, I am sorry. I was not thinking of anything at all, so would you please stop pinching my thigh?
And Laps-san. Why do you have such an envious look on your face? Do you want to pinch me too?
We were currently inside the carriage on our way home. When we set out, the two of them were supposed to be sitting in the seats opposite me. Now, for some reason, they were sitting on either side of me, pinning me in. It was anything but relaxing.
This carriage was meant for four people. That meant two to a side. Even with two women and one child, the fit was incredibly tight.
If you have to force things in like this, you really cannot call it a 'Cinderella fit.'
...I had to keep thinking of such silly things, or I would be in real trouble. If I started thinking about how soft the beautiful maids felt against my sides, or how pleasant their body heat was, or the lovely scent they gave off, I would be finished. My mind would short-circuit completely.
Hah!? Had I lost consciousness for a second?
If I stayed quiet, my worldly desires would surely bubble up without end. I needed to distract myself with conversation.
"Thank you both for today. Thanks to you, I was able to achieve my goal," I said.
I felt like I had been cursed at quite a bit earlier, but by the end, the people were cheering. At the very least, I thought I had shown them that I was a different man from the Kraut they once knew.
"It is all the result of Master's hard work. However, the real difficulty begins now," Heliotrope replied.
"Yes, I know. Today's events are merely the start."
Heliotrope was calm as ever. From now on, I had to steadily build up the trust of the people, stone by stone. Trust was a heavy thing to gain and a fragile thing to lose.
"Kraut-sama will be just fine ssu. The people will surely come to understand your merciful heart in time ssu," Laps added.
"I... I see. Thank you."
What was this? It felt like Laps's trust in me was growing heavier by the day. I could almost feel a sense of religious devotion... I hoped she wasn't planning to start a new cult.
Since we were all packed so tightly together, the three of us were forced to stare straight ahead in the same direction while talking. It was a very strange situation.
The carriage rattled and shook as it made its way toward the Duke Mansion². Since the carriage lacked any sort of suspension, the stone-paved road made for a bumpy ride.
However, I was grateful for this rough shaking. It helped hide the trembling in my hands.
Today's plan had gone better than I had hoped... including the other plan that I hadn't told anyone about.
I had rebuilt the orphanage, removed the corrupt officials and thugs, and refreshed my image in the eyes of the people.
And... I had cut down a person for the first time.
In this world, lives were lost so easily. Without power, one could protect nothing and no one.
Someday, I might need to kill to protect someone. If I hesitated, I might lose that person forever.
That was why I needed the experience of taking a life. I had to do it so that I wouldn't lose what was precious to me later on.
I thought I had hidden my feelings perfectly... but these two beside me had surely noticed.
The fact that they were sandwiching me from both sides on the way back was proof enough. I wondered if I looked like a piece of wilted lettuce to them right now.
...Well, whatever. I decided to quietly accept their kindness for now.
There was about a year left until my stepsister arrived. Now, I wondered what I should do next.
Summary:
Kraut reflects on the successful mission to clear out corruption and reclaim the orphanage. Despite the cheers of the citizens, he is physically and magically drained from using his Water Iai technique. He finds himself squeezed between his two maids, Heliotrope and Laps, in the carriage home. While they offer silent support, Kraut internally grapples with the weight of having killed for the first time. He acknowledges that this experience was a necessary step to ensure he has the strength to protect what matters in the future.
Character Insight:
This chapter highlights Kraut's hidden vulnerability beneath his calculated exterior. While he presents himself as a capable noble, his internal monologue reveals the psychological toll of his 'other plan'—taking a life to prepare for future conflicts. The maids' actions suggest they possess a keen intuition regarding his mental state, choosing to provide physical proximity as a form of silent comfort. Laps's devotion specifically seems to be shifting from simple service to a more profound, almost spiritual loyalty.
Behind the Scene:
The protagonist uses the term 'Cinderella Fit,' a common Japanese loanword phrase (shinderera fitto) referring to items that fit together perfectly and satisfyingly, often used in home organization or fashion.
T/L:
¹ ↩ Water Iai (ウォーター居合): A custom magical technique named by Kraut, based on Iaidō, the Japanese martial art of drawing a sword and striking in one fluid motion.
² ↩ Duke Mansion: The primary residence of the Duke's family, serving as Kraut's home and the center of local political power.
Notes:
• Heliotrope - Kraut's exclusive maid, fifteen years old (six years older than Kraut). She has long black hair reaching her waist and a cool, beautiful face. She is a 'slave battle maid' who was formerly a noble lady from a fallen northern country. She wears a Victorian-style long-dress maid outfit.
• Laps - A petite maid serving the Duke's house and an alumna of the orphanage Kraut is sponsoring. She has a cute, protective charm with short brown bob hair.
• Kraut - The eldest son of a Duke's family (9 years old). He has blue eyes, a straight nose, and short silver hair. Handsome and now he is slender.