Chapter 231
Workload
Translator : PolterGlast
A week passed in the blink of an eye since Tracy and
the others became new members of this place. Partly because we exhausted
various means to get them used to things quickly, I think they've blended in
quite well over this past week.
Since preparing meals for this many people is not easy, I've
asked Peter and Mal, who are good at cooking, to prepare the
meals, and Tracy and Hayden to help with the cleaning. Although
the workload has increased due to the increase in people, thanks to everyone
helping out properly, the burden per person has been significantly reduced. We
had been completely reliant on Tricia and Maud up until now, so
it's truly a good thing that their burden has decreased.
We took in older children this time, resulting in a lighter
burden, but if we had taken in young children, the burden would have conversely
increased all at once. I'll have to carefully assess this balance moving
forward as well.
As I was having a late dinner while thinking about such
things, Tricia and Maud approached with brooding expressions.
「Graham-san. Could we have a little bit of your time after your
meal?」
「Of course, that's fine. Or rather, I
don't mind doing it right now.」
My discussion with the Guild Master made me return a little
late, so I ended up having dinner alone. Eating in silence is dull, and if Tricia
and Maud are fine with it, I'd like to hear what they have to say while
I eat.
「Are you sure we aren't bothering you
at this timing?」
「Not a problem at all. If anything, I
was feeling bored, so let me hear it now.」
And so, I had the two of them sit in the seats across from
me and decided to listen to their story. Because they seemed somewhat brooding,
I was thinking they might not be getting along well with Tracy and the
others... but—.
「So, what is it you want to talk
about? Are things not going well with Tracy and the others?」
「That's not it! ...It's the opposite. Our workload has decreased, and we are genuinely worried if
it's okay for things to be like this.」
「...Hm? You're worried because your
workload decreased?」
「Yes. We are seriously worried. Graham-sama
saved our lives, so we feel we must repay our debt even more.」
Both Tricia and Maud had serious expressions,
looking like they were genuinely troubled. Normally, things getting easier
should be something to rejoice about, but these two are worried because things
got easier?
「I'm happy you feel indebted to me,
but you can think about this more lightheartedly, you know. It seems you find
various chores to do even on your days off, but personally, I want the two of
you to lead normal lives.」
「We cannot do that. Just being in our
current environment is more than enough happiness for us. As long as there is
something we can do, Maud, myself, and Lia once she grows up,
will serve you until we die.」
「Tricia is right. Because that is our happiness.」
I knew they adored me, but to think they harbored such deep
loyalty... However, I freed them from slavery because I wanted the three of
them to be happy. I believe that if they end their lives doing nothing but
serving under me, it can't be called true happiness.
「I appreciate the sentiment, but I
want Tricia, Maud, and Lia to experience normal happiness
too. That is my wish. So, I want you to rest properly when you can, and go out
to play somewhere on your days off. ...By the way, have you been properly
spending your wages?」
When I asked that, Tricia and Maud awkwardly
averted their eyes. Well, they showed no signs of going outside the house other
than for shopping, so they're probably saving it all without touching a single
coin.
「...We are not in a position to
receive wages in the first place, so we haven't touched them at all.」
「Me neither. Likewise, I plan to save
them and return them to Graham-sama someday.」
「Then there's no point in wages, is
there. I appreciate that you worry about various things for me, but let's start
with playing normally first. I'll make sure both of your next days off fall on
the same day, so please spend the whole day playing. That is my request.」
「Playing for a whole day... is
absolutely impossible.」
「I can't... play either.」
「Earlier, you said you'd do anything
I say, didn't you? My wish is for the two of you to obtain normal happiness. As
the first step toward that, just go and play to your heart's content for one
day first.」
When I said that, despite wearing expressions of agony, Tricia
and Maud slowly nodded. I didn't expect them to make such expressions
when told to go play, but that just shows how heavily their past experiences
weigh upon them.
「I'm glad you understand. I'll think
of my next "order" as well, so for now, please execute the act of
playing.」
「...Graham-sama. Thank you
truly. I will never forget this kindness for the rest of my life.」
「Me too. If Graham-sama's wish
is for us "to become happy," then I will aim for that. However, I
still intend to serve you even if I have to put my life on the line.」
「You don't need to worry about it
that much. It's not that I saved you; it's just that your environments up to
this point were abnormal. I'm merely returning the two of you to the lives you
were supposed to lead.」
Even though I was only stating the obvious as if it were
natural, tears were overflowing from their eyes. To think that they even found
being idle terrifying—— I truly want to save these two, who were forced into
such a state of mind, all over again. And I feel anew that I absolutely cannot
forgive the people who drove them into this kind of mindset.
For now... on their next day off, I'll have Aoi and Ginia accompany them. I'm sure they'll gladly escort them, and Tricia and Maud should be able to learn how to take a breather little by little.
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