Having eaten and drunk their fill, Roswaal, as the host, was the first to take his leave. Led by the twin sisters, the others wandered through the mansion to digest their meal while being shown to their respective quarters.
"The life of a noble really is comfortable."
"Maids truly do elevate the quality of life, don't they?"
Gojo Satoru, having finished his post-meal stroll around the estate, was led by Rem into a clean and tidy guest room.
"You're telling me. No wonder so many people yearn for the aristocratic life," Natsuki Subaru added from the side, nodding with deep conviction.
The guest rooms for the three of them were arranged together, with all three rooms situated side-by-side.
"Your heads are already completely filled with maids, aren't they? Have you forgotten our actual business?" Felt stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the two of them with an expression of "hating that iron won't turn into steel."
"Not at all."
Gojo Satoru extended his index finger and wagged it gently. "My goal has always been perfectly clear: I'm going to get a maid to open a dessert shop."
"And I'm going to become a true hero—oh, wait, no—I'm going to take my relationship with Emilia to the next level!"
"Drop dead!"
After a bit more rowdiness, Felt couldn't be bothered to waste any more breath on these two and stomped back to her own room in a huff.
Subaru originally wanted to discuss with Gojo how he might progress faster with Emilia. After all, Gojo had the looks for it, not to mention the guy often bragged about young girls liking him; surely his experience in such matters was far superior. However, he was promptly pushed out by Gojo.
"It's getting late, and I'm going to go take a proper bath."
"It's a rare opportunity; I have to enjoy it to the fullest."
While they had a place to stay in the slums, bathing was always a bit of a challenge. At most, they'd manage some water and find a corner to do a simple wash in their shorts. In a luxurious mansion like this, it certainly wouldn't be that way.
Humming a tune, Gojo followed the route from memory to the place the sisters had introduced as the bathhouse.
Even though Roswaal was the mansion's only master, the bathhouse was still incredibly lavish. The bath was as spacious as a swimming pool, with spotless floor tiles and rising steam. Aside from the lack of a cute maid to help him undress, it was practically perfect.
"This is quite nice."
Gojo stripped off his clothes and walked stark naked into the bathhouse. Just as he stepped inside, his gaze pierced through the mist, seemingly spotting something interesting.
"Ah, I didn't expect such a twist of fate, Lord Earl."
"Mind if I join you?"
Gojo spoke with a grin to Roswaal, who was leaning against the edge of the pool, soaking in the hot water.
"Myaa."
"It's Satoru, is it?"
"Of course, I have no objection at aaaaall. In fact, you are quite welcome."
"How generous. I thought a Lord Earl might have some noble obsession with cleanliness—thinking that letting us breathe the same air was a form of charity or something," Gojo said with a laugh as he lowered himself into the pool. Feeling the comfort of the hot water washing over his body, he let out a satisfied groan.
"That is some raaaather blatant discrimination."
"Though I won't deny that there are indeed many such people in the Kingdom."
"But I am not one of them, yeeeees?" Roswaal said with a smile. "On the contrary, I feel that your arrival has made the mansion feel full of vitality. I find myself feeling quite motivated because of it."
"Is that so? In that case, I might have to stay for quite a while," Gojo said unreservedly, taking off his fogged-up sunglasses and placing them on the edge of the pool.
"No problem at aaaaall. You may stay as long as you wish."
"After all, Lady Emilia's life is a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaaaayed."
"Really?"
"Really."
Roswaal nodded. Having washed the eccentric makeup from his face, he now gave off a very serious impression; there was no sign that he was lying.
"Speaking of which, is it just you, Emilia, and the two sisters in this mansion?"
"Living in such a massive place with only four people... whether it's the upkeep or the general atmosphere, it must feel a bit lacking."
"No, no, Satoru, you seem to have misunderstooooood."
"Aside from those you know, there used to be other maids here. Everyone worked together to maintain the estate."
"It's just that recently, due to certain matters, I sent them all away, leaving only the sisters." Roswaal shrugged, his tone carrying a hint of faint helplessness.
"If they stayed, it would be quite unfortunate if they were caught up in... things."
"What a merciful Lord Earl."
"Call me Roswaal. 'Lord Earl' and the like feel so distaaaaant," Roswaal said elegantly, lightly tossing his bangs and sending a few droplets of water flying.
"Are you sure our lovely Miss Ram won't object?"
"When we met today, I saw her looking at me like she wanted to eat me alive."
"If Lord Roswaal agrees, Ram naturally has no objection."
As soon as Gojo finished speaking, Ram's crisp voice drifted through the mist. Along with the sound of damp footsteps, Ram appeared behind Roswaal. She knelt down with a small towel in hand and began to scrub his back.
"In other words, it would be fine if I asked Roswaal to give you to me?"
The steam rising from the water's surface couldn't block Gojo's vision in the slightest. Those ice-blue eyes were currently observing every movement of the two through the mist.
"You may."
Ram spoke calmly, appearing entirely unruffled by Gojo's suggestion.
"However, Ram would find an opportunity to poison your desserts before returning to Lord Roswaal's side."
"Tch, I knew it."
Gojo shook his head, his tone sounding genuinely disappointed.
"Phew, I've soaked long enough. I won't disturb you two further."
Gojo stood up from the bath.
"I'll be in Miss Ram's care tomorrow as well."
"Hopefully, there will be fewer dishes involving steamed sweet potatoes."
"Goodnight~"
The mist swirled as Gojo's footsteps grew distant. It wasn't until the sound of the door opening and closing echoed that he was completely gone.
Facing the bathhouse now occupied by only the two of them, Ram gave a light wave of her hand. In the enclosed space, a sudden breeze appeared, blowing the mist away.