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chapter 11
“Blub—wait a second! This really feels like I’m about to be executed!”
“Then lie down properly. I’ll cover your face.”
Now I’m being treated like some annoying salon customer. In my past life, hairdressers always put a towel over my face before shampooing too. Somehow, that’s a little sad.
I turned my body and lay flat. He lathered shampoo into my hair and asked,
“Is the water temperature all right?”
“Yes…”
This is paradise. His touch as he washed my hair soon made me feel drowsy. Though I wasn’t sure about him deciding to wash my face along with my hair, overall I was satisfied.
“This feels so refreshing. Have you worked at a massage parlor before?”
“I’ve never done this for anyone else.”
Pleased by my praise, his pressure grew stronger and stronger.
“It’s starting to hurt a little, though.”
“I thought you liked it rough.”
Is making misleading remarks his specialty or what?
And then—
“What a ridiculous sight.”
That cynical voice—Matthias.
I pulled the towel from my face and saw him standing upside-down from my perspective, arms crossed, looking down at me.
“Good morning. Strong and healthy start to the day.”
“Who exactly are you greeting?”
At Dante’s question, I rolled my eyes upward toward him.
“Oh, the master of the mansion I told you about last time.”
“…We’ll definitely be visiting a hospital today.”
He was looking at me like I was crazy.
I turned to ask Matthias why he didn’t save me yesterday, but he had already disappeared.
Now I really do look insane.
Before heading out, I wrapped a kerchief tightly around my hair. With nasty rumors floating around in the capital, it was safer to hide my brown hair.
“There’s no real need to cover your hair. It’s a fairly common color,” Dante said, wearing thin silver-rimmed glasses at my request.
Paired with his fedora and three-piece suit, he looked extremely intellectual.
“Dante, those glasses look great on you.”
“You too. That, um, kerchief.”
He’s just being polite, right?
We soon rode a bicycle toward the capital square. Dante pedaled while I sat behind him.
For such broad shoulders and chest, his waist was slim. Firm, solid… this must be the muscle you get from constant housework.
“Enough. That tickles.”
He scolded me for fidgeting with my arms around his waist.
“…Sorry.”
I forced my wandering hands to stay still.
As he pedaled steadily, Dante commented,
“This bicycle can carry magic power.”
“What? Isn’t this just an ordinary bike?”
“It’s a transport-type magic tool. And we’ve already arrived.”
He got us there faster than when I was pedaling. No wonder it felt like such a short trip despite the distance.
So this was a special bike. But I don’t even have any magic power. If I did, I would’ve gotten a superpowered citizen’s license ages ago.
“I managed to use it even without magic.”
“There must’ve been residual mana stored. Whoever used it before you was probably an ability user.”
After parking the bicycle at the square, we went straight to a hospital. Since healers were rare and expensive, commoners like me usually went to ordinary doctors.
An elderly doctor examined my perfectly fine wrist and ankle, giving me a look as if to ask why I’d even come.
“I was hurt last night when thieves broke in. I’m going to the police.”
I conveyed my intent through my eyes.
Thankfully, he was experienced enough to understand.
“Hm, I’ll write a diagnosis for sprains and contusions. Let’s say eight weeks of recovery.”
“Yes, perfect.”
I discreetly gave him a thumbs-up under the desk, and he wrapped a token bandage around me for show.
After paying the fee, we left the hospital and went to the police station next door.
I explained last night’s incident to a policeman who looked half-asleep.
“So, you’re saying they confined you?”
The sluggish officer rubbed his eyes and yawned repeatedly. With each yawn, my trust in him dropped.
“Yes. Please arrest them immediately.”
“All our units are out right now. We’ll go tomorrow. Just hold out for one more day.”
I stared at him, dumbfounded. How could the police be this irresponsible? Did he think they were just petty thieves?
Then Dante leaned back in his chair and tilted his chin up.
“Then we can handle it ourselves? Convenient timing—tomorrow’s trash collection day.”
The officer’s eyes widened at the dangerous words coming from such a frightening-looking man.
“What do you mean…?”
“Brigadier General Dante van Dyke, Special Magic Forces. Even while on leave, I still retain rights of summary judgment and investigation.”
He pulled out his badge. The officer instantly straightened up, wide awake now.
“Ah, Commander! My apologies, I didn’t recognize you. We’ll dispatch forces by tonight. Please, just wait a bit.”
Once his status was revealed, the officer’s attitude completely flipped. Should’ve done that in the first place. So it really is all about money and power, huh.
Lucky me, having such a remarkable housekeeper. I sniffed smugly and stood up.
Wait. Didn’t that blow our cover? Now the police knew I was connected to him. Didn’t my disguise just become meaningless?
I sighed, shoulders slumping. Since I’d already let this revolutionary man into my mansion, it seemed I had no choice but to be tangled up with him. All I could do now was pray my worries didn’t come true.
After filing the report, we walked back to the square.
He offered me his arm like an escort. After hesitating, I slipped my hand into the crook of his arm.
Wow, even his arm is rock solid…
“Is fidgeting with things a habit of yours?”
“Yes. Is that a problem?”
My fingers had started moving on their own again. I decided to just be shameless.
He gave a resigned nod.
“Then I suppose I must obey my master’s wishes.”
“By the way, are you on leave? On your résumé you wrote ‘former commander.’ I thought you’d fully resigned.”
At my question, he looked regretful.
“I thought so too, but I received a letter saying it was only a leave of absence, pending discharge. The military doesn’t seem ready to let me go.”
Honestly, I wouldn’t let him go either. He was an incredible talent.
As we walked, I spotted a café selling all kinds of desserts and drinks. I stopped.
“Dante, want to try that place?”
“Of course.”
The moment we stepped inside, a sweet aroma filled the air. Cakes, chocolates, and breads lined the displays in abundance.
But the seating… tiny chairs and low tables that looked like they’d break within ten minutes if a musclebound guy sat down. Everyone was hunched over awkwardly, struggling to sip tea.
“This feels like… one of those aesthetic cafés…”
Shaking the thought, I approached the counter to order. But what was this? The menu was written in something that looked like ancient Greek. I gave up and just pointed.
“Um, those two slices and two coffees, please.”
The apron-wearing staff clasped their hands and let their brows droop pitifully.
“Customer, please state the exact order name.”
“…What.”
How the hell am I supposed to read this, you lunatic!
At that moment, Dante stepped up and scanned the menu.
“Two phroula tortas, and two kafés, please.”
He actually read it?!
Even with Dante’s perfect pronunciation, the staff didn’t unclasp their hands.
“Customer, please maintain proper etiquette when asking questions or ordering. It’s exhausting.”
“Please.”
Dante was surprisingly patient. Thanks to him, the order went through. I pulled out my coin purse and asked,
“How much is it? Prices aren’t listed.”
“They’re in today’s Instella magazine. Too many people ask the price and don’t order, which is exhausting. Please note we don’t accept window shoppers.”
…This bastard. I wanted to punch him. But I forced a smile.
“Just charge me whatever…”
“Yes, customer. That’ll be eighty thousand Gib.”
They even spoke honorifically to the money.
That shameless sum was paid by Dante.
At last, after that ridiculous ordeal, we got to enjoy our desserts and coffee.
“Thanks for the meal, Dante.”
“Mm. The coffee’s decent. Shame the menu spelling is atrocious.”
Being a city man, he seemed used to such nonsense, showing no particular irritation.
“Looks like your arm’s fine now.”
He’d noticed how easily I moved my arm while eating.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
“Guess that doctor earlier was a genius. I’m all healed.”
“That’s good.”
After finishing the cake and coffee, we decided to head back. Despite the complicated ordering process, the cake was good enough that I ordered more to go.
Before leaving, I approached the counter for my takeaway.
“Dear esteemed staff member, I asked for one cake to be packaged. Would you kindly hand it over?”
“The phroula torta?”
“Yes, that one.”
The staff clasped their hands again and looked apologetic. What now?!
“Just sold out. It was announced in tomorrow’s magazine.”
That lunatic…
Life in the capital is too hard. I’m never coming back here again.
