Chapter 47 - Chapter 46: Re-education ①
Christy was dissatisfied with everything.
She disliked the girl named Anna, who acted as her superior despite coming from a shop in a regional city, and she disliked the woman named Matilda, who acted as the slave overseer despite being a beastman.
She had once been the daughter of a wealthy family, in a position where maids bowed their heads to her, so she also disliked that the maids of this mansion did not prostrate themselves before her.
This was wrong. Her family had owned one of the most prominent trading companies in the Marquis Galdwin's territory. To think that she, who had lived a life wealthier than most lower-ranking nobles, had fallen to the status of a lowly slave, and on top of that, had been bought by the lord of such a frontier village.
"Christy, next is this statement—"
"Shut up! Don't address me without a title just because you're from some shabby shop! Who do you think you are!"
Christy shouted at Anna, who had spoken to her.
"Even so, I am your superior... and we're about the same age. This way of speaking is perfectly normal—"
"Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up!"
Even as Anna spoke in a soothing manner while sighing, Christy refused to listen.
"For now, you'll have to do your work properly... you don't want to work in the farmland or the mines, do you?"
When Anna thrust the documents forward, Christy clicked her tongue with an expression as if she had chewed a mouthful of bitter bugs, and snatched them away.
The work here—at least the work she was currently assigned—was nothing significant to Christy. There was a need to learn the detailed rules and tips unique to practical business, but once she grew accustomed to it, it was merely routine work.
It was ridiculous to be made to do work that anyone who could read and write could handle.
Cursing in her heart, and sometimes letting those curses leak from her mouth, Christy proceeded with the paperwork.
...
"Christy, Noein-sama is calling for you. He said to come to Noein-sama's office once today's work is finished—"
"Don't give me orders, you beastman slave!"
In the evening, just as it was nearly time to finish work, Matilda entered the office for attendants and clerks, and upon being spoken to, Christy lost her temper again and shouted.
"...Are you not also a slave? Furthermore, I am the slave overseer, so my position is higher than yours."
"So what!? You're just an inferior beastman, aren't you!? And yet you act so high and mighty, you female rabbit!"
Even as she said this with as much contempt as possible, Matilda's expression did not waver.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"Tch! D-don't make fun of me... Is it so great to be the Lord's favorite toy?"
When she said that, Matilda's eyebrow twitched for the first time.
So this is the weak point. Thinking this, Christy piled on the verbal abuse.
"To think you'd shake your hips for a beastman, your master's sexual appetite must be as pathetic as a rabbit's. Still, just because you're kept by the Lord's side as a sex slave, you're not misunderstanding something, are you? Well, I suppose if you're born a lowly beastman, you can't survive unless you become the toy of some clueless piece-of-shit noble—"
In the next instant, just as Matilda twisted her body, a sharp "clang" sounded from beneath their feet. Immediately after that, a violent crashing sound echoed from behind.
When she looked back, the chair Christy had been sitting in until a moment ago had been slammed against the back wall.
"Hie!"
"Anyway, Noein-sama is calling for you. Come when your work is finished. I have certainly delivered the message."
Leaving those words behind while directing a gaze so cold it seemed capable of shooting Christy dead, Matilda left the room.
"...What the. What is with her! Don't screw with me!"
"Ufufu, I think it won't get across unless you say it to his face, you know?"
The one who spoke to the raging Christy was Anna, who had been working in the same room. Despite having witnessed the dangerous sequence of events, she didn't seem surprised; rather, she even had a smile on her face.
"Shut up! Don't all gang up on me and make fun of me!"
Previously, whenever Christy shouted, everyone—from her family's employees to the maids—would have prostrated themselves. Yet here, no one feared Christy, and no one prostrated themselves before her.
To her, that was an unbearable humiliation.
...
"Christy, sorry to bother you after work."
"Shut up! What on earth do you want!"
Still in a foul mood from the earlier exchange with Matilda, Christy visited Noein's office.
"I don't really have any particular business. I just wondered how you were doing."
"Don't call me in every single time for something like that! Are you making fun of me!?"
Facing the stubbornly screaming Christy, Noein sighed.
"Don't you think it's about time you gave in and became honest? From what I've heard, you've continued to be quite rude to Anna, Matilda, and my maids. Especially today, I heard you insulted Matilda terribly."
For a single instant, an evil color spread in Noein's eyes, and Christy flinched, feeling a shivering chill at that presence. However, in the next moment, Noein's expression returned to his usual carefree look.
"...W-what! I just told the truth to a vulgar beastman slave!"
At this point, it was a matter of pride. She would not stop this attitude, even if it killed her. Thinking this, Christy did not break her defiant posture.
"...I see. No matter how many times I tell you, you have no intention of listening, do you?"
"I don't!"
Noein wore a slightly sad expression and said, "I understand. You may leave for today," dismissing Christy from the room.
...
Inside the office, now alone with Matilda, Noein spoke to her.
"I expected it, but as I thought, it didn't work. Let's execute 're-education.' I'm sorry for making you endure Christy's verbal abuse for this long, Matilda."
"There is no need for Noein-sama to apologize... It is true that she makes me angry, but it is entirely her own fault."
"Thank you. That said, I was the one who decided to watch and see if she would accept reality. It pains me that Matilda had to be subjected to such horrible words because of that."
"If Noein-sama shows me such consideration, the humiliation I felt from Christy's words can be forgotten instantly. Please do not let it concern you."
While leaning into Matilda's words with a "It helps that you say that," Noein sighed again. Whenever he thought about the Christy matter, he found himself sighing.
Matilda continued her words to him.
"...I truly thought that Noein-sama would dispose of Christy just as you did with Vendera."
"If Christy tried to harm someone for her own greed, I would have to consider disposal, but she's not that kind of person. She simply cannot accept her current situation."
With a small, wry smile, Noein told Matilda his thoughts.
"Since I decided to buy her and take responsibility for her life, it would be pitiful if I didn't guide her as much as possible as her master. Once she decides she is prepared to face reality, she should be able to utilize her abilities and create a place for herself."
To Noein, Christy was already one of his people. Unless she caused decisive harm, such as killing or injuring other residents for her own selfish desires, he had no intention of ruthlessly cutting her off.
"Besides, she was expensive. It would be a waste if I didn't recover the amount I invested, and if I disposed of her easily, I'd feel sorry for the residents who earned the purchase cost."
Noein's revenue as a lord consisted of the taxes paid by the residents and the sales obtained from mining in the Lestio mountains. Since the purchase cost for Christy was not money he had earned alone, he believed it must not be wasted.
"...I apologize for saying something so shallow. I am deeply impressed by Noein-sama's mercy."
"It's fine. I've put Matilda through a lot of trouble because of her... Now then, tonight is going to be busy."