Even if my only strength is water magic, having modern knowledge should be sufficient, right?

Episode 28: Encounter with Overwhelming Suspicion, Finally, the Cleaning Begins.

“Why are you practicing magic here? You seem to come from a good household.”

“…May I respond?”

A strange person showed up while I was practicing magic. He had black eyes and hair, and wore old, dirty clothes.

“Huh? Of course! I’m a servant apprentice!”

That’s definitely a lie. He’s suspicious, way too suspicious. I was just about to go into my final form as a bug. Servants may serve nobles, but they’re basically just doing menial work. Even the children of nobles work as servants, so I can understand having a clean complexion.

―――But work leaves its mark on clothes and bodies.

If it’s physical labor, it’s natural to be sweaty, and if it’s bureaucratic work, sleeves are usually stained with ink. It’s normal for servants to be completely dirty. Just as stains on clothes can’t be completely removed even by washing, traces of dirt remain on the body. Even if you’ve just taken a bath, in this world where detergent isn’t very effective, there’s no way someone’s hair would be shiny and their skin and nails sparkling clean. Especially while wearing dirty clothes like “I just got dirty from physical labor!”

“I’ve heard that even if you’re hired by a merchant, you’re treated as a commoner in this country. As a representative of the trading company, isn’t it natural to treat you with respect?”

“You’re interesting… Even though I’m a noble, I’m pretty much the same as a commoner, so you can talk to me however you like.”

“…I understand.”

“Oh, right! Wait a moment!”

For a moment, I thought about pulling an “ignorant child” move, but this guy was just too strange… I might have overreacted. Intuition is quite an important skill even in business settings. The man fluttered away for a moment. He looked about 20 years old? As soon as he disappeared, he came back with something.

“I got this candy! Let’s eat it together.”

“Thank you. I just finished eating, so I’ll have it later.”

“Huh?”

Out!! This guy is way out of line!!! I don’t know what the candy is, but the fabric wrapped around it looks expensive. Meals for servants and in the waiting area are all served at once, and everyone already ate. Moreover, there was so much food that they couldn’t finish it. There was plenty of delicious meat, and everyone ate their fill today… So why candy? What’s up with this guy? Is he a kidnapper? I heard that there are cases abroad where handsome men approach female tourists and take them away, but is he that kind of criminal? He does have a handsome face. If I eat this candy, I might fall asleep and be taken somewhere. In a country with a system of slavery, a valuable magician, and a little girl who seems easily lured by candy… Too bad, this Frim-chan isn’t completely lacking in vigilance!

“It’s really delicious though.”

…I felt a bit dizzy, but I’ll endure it! Good sweets are hard to come by in this country. I want chocolate. Even just some ordinary chocolate sold anywhere is fine! I’ll give you a gold coin right now!!!?

“No, it’s okay. I’ll gratefully accept it later.”

I responded with a smile, putting extra effort into it. I need to be ready to unleash my water magic on this suspicious person at any moment.

“Hmm, you’re really different, aren’t you? So, why are you here?”

“I can’t go into detail due to my duties, but I was asked to clean with my magic. However, I’ve been trapped here for ten days already. I want to go home.”

“Is that so!? That’s terrible! I’d like to hear more, so can we go to one of the private rooms over there?”

“No, I’m restricted in my movements. Without permission from my superior, Baron-sama, I can’t leave the designated area.”

―――What is this guy planning? The only ones who can use these private rooms around here are the managers, but he doesn’t seem like one. Could he be a pervert with a penchant for little girls…? No, no matter how charming Frim-chan may be, no one would be attracted to this chubby, smooth body. I just ate and has a bulging belly. But, what’s going on? Is he really trying to sell something?

“Frim! Are you okay now? I need water like usual!”

“Oh, sure! May I go?”

“Yeah, see you later?”

“…Sure.”

I feel a gaze that I don’t quite understand, but I leave anyway. It looks like my magic practice will be put on hold for a while. I was about to say, “I won’t see you again, you jerk,” but I zip my mouth shut. I felt a shiver down my spine from the suspicious behavior of this man, but I run to the staff I know who’s working here.

The comings and goings of people are frequent, but I’ve been looked after by the people here ever since I provided delicious water.

“Thank you… Have you seen that person?”

“No, I haven’t. Is something wrong?”

“He called himself a servant apprentice and said things like ‘Want some candy?’ and ‘Let’s talk in that private room over there.'”

“Did you eat it?”

“No, I was afraid it might be poisoned.”

“You should throw away that candy. That was dangerous.”

I became wary of the appearance of the pervert and immediately reported it to Lord Bursa, which caused quite a stir.

―――However, the handsome servant with black eyes and hair was nowhere to be found.

It might have caused a commotion, but maybe I can avoid seeing him again. I want to go back to the gambling den instead of staying in a place like this. That’s what I was thinking, but work soon called.

“Um, Lord Bursa. Have you informed them about the possibility of damage depending on the material of the statue?”

“Of course. I don’t want to lose my head… You’re free to use the tools here as you please.”

Did bringing the items become pointless? Well, there might still be things to use. The place to clean seems to be a garden that hasn’t been used for a long time, where nobody comes. The cobblestones have lost their original color, and the statues are all covered in moss due to lack of sunlight, so their original condition is unclear. They’re practically creatures now.

“I also have work to do. While I’m not here, you’re allowed to be where the servants are… Sorry.”

“No, it’s not Lord Bursa’s fault, it’s the suspicious person’s fault. Can I use this shack?”

“It should be fine.”

A small cleaning shed hidden in the shadows of buildings and plants. There’s not only cleaning equipment, but also a bed for some reason. Maybe someone used to live here and work? It seems to have a sturdy lock, which isn’t bad, right?

“How about living here? It’s got a lock too.”

“What? …That might be good. There are no windows, and the door is sturdy… But…”

Lord Bursa checks the wooden door and walls by pounding on them. It would indeed be dangerous if that guy showed up here.

“No one comes here, and only the superiors and Lord Bursa know about the work here. So, wouldn’t it be unlikely for the suspicious person to come?”

“If he does come, I’ll allow the use of offensive magic. Be careful, okay?”

“Yes.”

The garden is completely off the human traffic flow, and there’s a foul, rotten smell coming from the fountain or something nearby. It’s a place where nobody naturally approaches. Even if the door and lock are strong, if that suspicious person comes, he might be able to open the lock to the servants’ waiting room… In fact, the lock is attached, but it’s super simple, and I thought anyone could probably open it just by looking at it. The security is not good.

“”

Leaving the heavy luggage behind, I start cleaning in protective clothing. I emit about five high-pressure washing beams from near my body and walk around. Cleaning after a long time is interesting. The number of water magic techniques I’ve mastered has increased. Control is difficult, but I’m eager to finish and go home. It will probably take several days to clean this large garden properly, but I want to finish as quickly as possible. Since there’s no one around, it’s nice to be able to do as I please… All right, maybe I’ll try using some other magic too.