The next morning.
Hayasaka and Utaha came to the master bedroom, intending to tidy up Roy's bed.
Cleaning the master's bedroom was also part of a maid's duties, and Hayasaka planned to use this morning to teach Utaha the ropes.
"There's no need to clean my room."
Roy closed the door, blocking the view behind him, and smiled as he declined her suggestion.
"From now on, my room doesn't need cleaning. Unless it's something urgent, don't come near my room either. Just focus on other areas."
The two girls exchanged glances.
Though they didn't quite understand Roy's reasoning, not having to clean was still a welcome reprieve. They were happy to take the break.
"Lord Roy, are you injured?"
Just as Hayasaka was about to leave, she caught a glimpse of blood on Roy's hand.
It looked like the aftermath of punching something hard—the knuckles on both hands were split open with gruesome wounds, the skin torn and flesh exposed.
But they weren't bleeding anymore, having already scabbed over.
Utaha also stopped in her tracks, looking at him in surprise.
How could he have gotten such severe injuries at home?
"Hm? This?"
Roy glanced at his fists and chuckled dismissively.
"It's nothing, just minor wounds. I'll handle it myself. Go ahead with your work."
"Understood."
Hayasaka's internal alarms rang, but she pulled Utaha along and left.
After the two left, Roy's smile faded. He traced healing runes over his knuckles, then inscribed sealing runes on the bedroom door before turning away.
***
In the blink of an eye, several days passed.
It was now the last day of January.
That morning.
"Lord Roy, any requests for lunch today?"
Utaha stood at the study door—the mansion's study was remarkably spacious, easily the size of two bedrooms—and knocked on the open door.
Roy was sitting at the desk, fiddling with something on it.
Utaha didn't look.
Roy had taught them that some magical things shouldn't be casually observed, lest they invite unforeseen consequences.
"No offal."
"We weren't planning to make anything with offal either."
"Then it's fine. You can decide the dishes. I'm not picky otherwise."
Roy waved his hand dismissively.
Utaha nodded and left.
To be honest, she wasn't particularly fond of dishes involving offal either.
But times had changed. In this world, food resources were scarce, and humans now made use of anything edible—even offal had long since been incorporated into a wide variety of dishes.
But she really didn't want to eat it. Roy's aversion to offal was a relief.
"Hayasaka, I'm heading out."
"Wait a moment. We're almost out of soy sauce—bring back a bottle when you return."
"Understood."
Utaha picked up a shopping basket and left.
After about half an hour in the shopping district, she had gathered enough food for three people for two days. When it came time to pay, she couldn't help but let out a soft gasp. Even though she'd braced herself, the prices still shocked her.
The same food items—even basic vegetables—cost at least five times more than in her world, some even ten times. And this was under stable conditions now. Just how chaotic had things been back when the Great Calamity first struck? It was too horrifying to imagine.
"Senpai… Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
Suddenly, a delighted voice called out beside her—one that was all too familiar.
Utaha turned and felt a flicker of joy at seeing an old acquaintance.
"To-Tomoya? What… what happened to you?"
A bespectacled boy stood not far behind her.
His face was haggard, his lips chapped, his skin greasy, and his complexion deathly pale, as if he hadn't slept for days. A scabbed wound split his forehead.
Tomoya forced a strained smile when he saw Utaha, still as radiant as ever.
"Senpai, you're doing well, huh…"
Utaha was startled by his appearance.
Though Tomoya had always been a bit unkempt, it had never been more than the typical otaku's lack of self-care. Never like this—like he was halfway to the grave.
She found a café, sat him down, and ordered tea and pastries for him.
"What on earth happened to you?"
"…Just bad luck. Ended up with an unreasonable master."
Tomoya's expression was hollow as he sipped his tea, moistening his cracked lips.
Utaha remembered that Tomoya had been taken away by that dark-skinned young man that day. The events of that day were still fresh in her memory—that Middle Eastern-looking man had initially wanted her too, only for Roy to snatch her away midway.
Now, seeing Tomoya's numb expression, a chill ran down her spine.
Just what had he gone through to end up like this?
If even Tomoya, who hadn't even been the first choice, had been reduced to this state… what would have become of her if she'd fallen into that dark-skinned man's hands?
Something several times worse than this?
The mere thought sent an uncontrollable wave of cold fear through her. She hugged her arms tightly, as if the gesture could grant her some warmth.
"What exactly did you go through?"
"…Senpai, can you… do me a favor?"
Tomoya lowered his eyes, not daring to meet Utaha's gaze.
"I want to leave my current master, but I can't do it alone. That day, your master was able to take you right in front of that man—surely he could take me in too, right? Please, I'll do anything—mining, farming, being a servant—anything! I can't stay in that hell any longer!"
The terror on his face was unmistakable.
Utaha couldn't even imagine what he'd endured.
"…I'll ask."
Utaha couldn't promise anything, but she agreed to try.
After all, she herself was just a refugee.
***
Returning home.
Utaha set down the groceries and found Roy in the living room, flipping through some documents.
"Lord Roy, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"What is it? Go ahead."
Utaha recounted her entire conversation with Tomoya in detail, including when she'd left, when she'd met him, and when they'd parted—leaving nothing out.
She was also worried that her limited understanding might have led her into some magus's trap, causing trouble for Roy.
"This is troublesome."
Roy didn't seem angry, which relieved Utaha.
But hearing the word "troublesome" from Roy surprised her.
It wasn't that she resented what sounded like an excuse—as a mere refugee, she had no right to resent anything. Even if Roy refused her request, there was nothing she could do.
But in the limited understanding she'd formed over the past few days since crossing over, the Aozaki family was an incredibly influential household. They were acquainted with Mayor Rin Tohsaka, and the two sisters of the family held important positions in the Mage's Association.
For Roy, a member of the Aozaki family, to call this situation "troublesome" was beyond her expectations. As far as she knew, there shouldn't be much in Fuyuki City that the Aozaki family couldn't handle.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹