“We’re here. This is the house and office you’ll be living in, Eleonora-san.” [Ryouma]
I was personally involved in planning this street. Several of the buildings here were designed after the Georgian style, so it looked like something you’d find on Earth. It wasn’t very glamorous due to my taste, but it should do more than well enough as a residence.
“I don’t like flashy things either. In fact, I’m quite found of this calm atmosphere. By the way, this building and the two next to it are slightly bigger than the others, aren’t they?” [Eleonora]
“It was originally just one big building, but it was too big, so we figured we might as well divide it into three. Also, when this place was being prepared—” [Ryouma]
Just as I was about to explain that from right in front of the office, I heard the sound of the front door of the house to the right opening.
When I glanced over, I saw some familiar faces coming out in a group.
They were some young adventurers I’ve been helping from time to time. They used to be delinquents, now they’re working an honest living.
As I was about to call out to them, they seemed to notice me too, and the slightly tired, relaxed expressions on their faces instantly tightened.
“I see you’re working hard too, Aniki!” [Thug Adventurer 1]
“Ah, um, yes, you guys too. Good work out there…” [Ryouma]
These kids… I must’ve really left an impression on them when I beat them up the first time. I can’t believe they’re still like this around me… Oh, right, Eleonora-san.
“Eleonora-san. They’re kind of like my juniors in the adventuring world.” [Ryouma]
I gave a brief introduction of Eleonora-san to them too.
“So, if you need anything while I’m not around, go to her. But don’t bother her too much.” [Ryouma]
“Yes, sir! Nice to meet you, ma’am!” [Thug Delinquent 1]
“Y-Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you too.” [Eleonora]
Eleonora-san, was always so sharp and composed, but these kids actually managed to break her composure.
Even though they’ve started working diligently, they’re still ex-delinquent adventurers, so it’s not surprising that she’s troubled.
So many thug-like young men bowed their heads all at once, after all.
“Do you all live here?” [Eleonora]
“Ah, about that.” [Ryouma]
Just as I was thinking I should explain, the door opened again.
“What’s the matter!? Did you forget something!? Maybe a question!?” [???]
A man’s voice suddenly thundered.
His voice was so loud that he actually drowned out the sound of the door creaking, and a cute, pitiful bird perched on a tree across the street flew away.
The speaker was an elderly man with a solid build and a splendid beard.
“Hmm!? Who’s this!? Ryouma, my boy! Did you need something!?” [???]
“Hello, Sanchez-sama. I came to show the house to the person I mentioned the other day. This is Eleonora-san, who will be working as my secretary from now on.” [Ryouma]
“Oh! So, she’s the one!” [Garcia Sanchez]
“Eleonora-san, this is Garcia Sanchez-sama, the former legal officer I mentioned the other day.” [Ryouma]
“Nice to meet you. I’m Eleonora Lansor. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” [Eleonora]
“The pleasure is mine! I am Garcia Sanchez! I’ve already retired from legal office, but if you ever need help with the law or the contracts, feel free to rely on me! And not just for specific questions too! Even if you just want to learn about law, my doors are open!!” [Garcia Sanchez]
“As you’ve heard, Sanchez-sama offers personal lectures on law to those interested. He’s been drilling into the adventurers at least the basics. That is what counts as a legal violation and the corresponding consequences.” [Ryouma]
“All are equal before the law!! The benefits and penalties of law are given equally to all! Therefore, knowledge should be equally shared! I have free time in my retirement! So call on me anytime!
Now then! You probably have a lot to do in your new environment! Please excuse me.” [Garcia Sanchez]
“Ah, then we’ll go too.” [Thug Delinquent 1]
“Excuse us!” [Thug Delinquents]
Sanchez-sama went back inside his house, and the young adventurers also left. The once noisy scene suddenly shifted, and a calm silence returned to the residential street.
“You must have been surprised by how lively he was.” [Ryouma]
“…He was like a storm.” [Eleonora]
“He’s just loud, not angry, so please don’t worry. He’s an exceptionally good person.” [Ryouma]
“Equality before the law” is his creed. I’ve heard that during his time in office, he followed this belief thoroughly, never showing any favoritism even to powerful or wealthy nobles and stayed true to it until retirement.
That’s exactly why he has the full endorsement of the ducal house… but carrying that out is incredibly difficult. It’s not just a question of “professional ethics”. After all, at the end of the day, even lawyers and judges, even those back on Earth, are just people doing their job.
“Alright, now that they’re all gone, let’s go back to what we were talking about—” [Ryouma]
As the saying goes, things happen in threes.
Once again, I heard the sound of a door opening, and when I looked, I saw an elegant and refined elderly man with a cane emerging from the house on the opposite Garcia’s.
He slowly walked along the boundary between our houses and beckoned us over.
“Stoyer-sama. Good day to you.” [Ryouma]
“I heard everything. That man… he’s not a bad person, but couldn’t something be done about that loud voice… Oh, pardon me.
Miss Eleonora Lansor. I am Müller Stoyer. Like you, I was introduced by the Jamil ducal house to assist Ryouma, using my experience as a tax officer. We will likely be seeing a lot of each other from now on. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” [Muller Stoyer]
“Y-Yes. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well.” [Eleonora]
“Now then, please excuse me though I’ve only just said hello. The sunlight recently is a bit too harsh on these old bones of mine.” [Muller Stoyer]
Stoyer-sama dragged one leg slightly as he returned inside his mansion.
“That person is—” [Eleonora]
“Stoyer-sama, a former tax officer. He may seem unfriendly due to his impatience, but he’s not a bad person.” [Ryouma]
At first glance, Stoyer-sama may appear gruff, but he actually enjoys talking to others. However, I’ve heard from his grandson, who came along to take care of him, that he believes “long conversations waste others’ time” and “are a nuisance,” so he tends to avoid small talk as much as possible.
“Judging by how he was moving, his leg must not be in great condition. And yet he still came outside just to greet us, so I believe that means he’s welcoming us.” [Ryouma]
“Exactly. So if you have any questions about taxes or accounting, feel free to visit him anytime.”
Incidentally, he was very diligent in his active days. Bribes and hospitality didn’t work on him at all, and his ability to detect fraud was top-notch. Because of that, he was greatly feared by those he collected taxes from.
His bad leg is partly due to age, but it’s also the result of an old injury from when he was attacked in an act of vengeance after he’d exposed someone’s wrongdoing.
In stories, tax officers often get portrayed as villains, but even honest ones are often resented and put in danger.
“Anyway, now that we’ve finished greeting the neighbors… As I was saying earlier, these three buildings are larger than the others to accommodate those two, and also because there was talk that I should have a home in town myself. So, I had them all prepared at once.”
“So this house belongs to you, Takebayashi-sama?” [Eleonora]
“Ah, but don’t worry. I’m not going to be living here with you.” [Ryouma]
I had this house prepared partly as a tax-saving measure, but thanks to dimension magic, commuting time in the morning isn’t really an issue, so I ended up never using it. I’m just having Eleonora-san make use of it now.
“The offer includes good conditions even as a live-in, so I wouldn’t have declined anyhow, but I understand.” [Eleonora]
“Even if it’s not a waste, I did think it was a bit of a shame to leave it unused, so I appreciate you using it. I’ve had it regularly cleaned and maintained, so it’s in good shape inside. Although it’s basically empty.” [Ryouma]
I unlocked the front door and began the house tour… Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to show.
The layout was a spacious 5LDK.
The first floor was designed to be used as an office, with three workrooms branching from the entrance hallway to the left, right, and back, plus a toilet and stairs leading to the second floor.
The second floor was the living area, with a bedroom, a combined living/dining/kitchen area, and a bathroom and other water-related facilities.
However, the only furniture was minimal and placed on the second floor in the living space, so there wasn’t much to see.
Eleonora-san didn’t seem particularly picky about living conditions, and after briefly looking around the rooms, the tour was over.
“What do you think?” [Ryouma]
“It exceeds expectations. It might be rude to compare, but I used to live in a detached building at my ex-husband’s estate that was barely more than a neglected storage shed.” [Eleonora]
I see. Her standards are even lower than I expected.
“Still, for the workrooms on the first floor, at the very least we’ll need to prepare a proper waiting room and reception area.” [Eleonora]
“Then once we’re done with the greetings, I’ll leave that as your first assignment. Please furnish it however you like, using the company budget.” [Ryouma]
“Understood.” [Eleonora]
Now… with the house tour over, what to do? There are a lot of places I should show her. Maybe I’ll narrow it down a bit and start with the market or somewhere nearby. I should ask her what she prefers too.
“In that case, please prioritize places related to my duties. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I’m not good at cooking. I can manage simple boiling or grilling, but I usually buy food from stalls or eat preserved foods like bread and jerky.
As for clothes, daily goods, and other necessities, I’ve packed everything I need.” [Eleonora]
“So work takes priority… Got it. In that case, let’s do a lap around this house and check out the surrounding area.” [Ryouma]
With that, I decided to start introducing Eleonora-san to the people I knew. I also own several shops nearby, including some restaurants, so if we stop by one of those to greet the manager and grab some lunch, it’ll be killing two birds with one stone.
When I checked with Eleonora-san, she readily agreed, so we left our luggage behind and headed back into town.
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