“Saarya, how was the train journey?”
“It was amazing! It runs even while you’re sleeping, and you have to eat in the dining car while it’s shaking!”
While being jostled in a normal (albeit one for the upper class) carriage, the three of them chatted.
“It was rough. First of all, Saarya, you should stop trying to climb onto the roof.”
“But you can see better from up high!”
“Eh, the roof, as in, the roof of the train…?”
They were heading to the apartment where the three of them would be living from now on.
With the bare minimum of furniture already installed, they had kept their luggage to a minimum.
Living expenses would be provided by Duke Silverhead. For the time being, they were expected to get used to life in the capital and undergo practical training at the Duke Silverhead estate.
After about an hour’s carriage ride from the station, the three arrived at their destination: a residential area.
A high-class residential area, so to speak. It was a safe area where many officials working in the public offices lived. Since they were nominally serving at the Duke Silverhead estate, they would be commuting from this residential area as well.
“Alright, this is our home.”
“Wow, it’s tall!”
Opening the front door, Saarya ran to the window.
The location was the top floor of a three-story building. It was an unpopular room because it required climbing stairs, but in return, it had the largest floor plan.
It had three private rooms, a living room, and a washroom, and running water was also available.
The water supply was a new technology that had become popular in the last year or so, with a pump lowered to the first floor to pump water to the upper floors. Usually, a hand pump was installed in the washroom.
Water was introduced into the first-floor tank via a water pipe, ensuring a constant flow of fresh water.
It seemed that Amadio Salmon’s brain trust had put a lot of effort into these facilities, and they had been heavily involved in the urban planning stage. Technological updates had been progressing slowly, but now, with the influx of products from Paraiso, the situation was changing explosively.
“Oh, this is a stove! The latest model that uses Burnstone (Tone Mug)!”
Saarya cheered as she peeked into the kitchen space installed in the washroom.
“I was told they’d prepared all sorts of the latest things… Ah! Could that be an icebox made in Paraiso!?”
Linanel noticed the icebox installed in the corner.
It was a machine imported from Paraiso, and although the mechanism was unknown, it was a convenient device that cooled the inside when switched on. Because it dramatically extended the shelf life of food, it was becoming explosively popular among the upper class.
According to Amadio Silverhead, they had put in something outrageous, but since he never told the truth, it had gained acceptance as a useful tool.
Of course, there were those who tried to disassemble it and steal its mechanism, but unfortunately, no one had succeeded in replicating it.
“Icebox?”
“It’s a machine that cools the inside. You can have cold drinks anytime!”
“Heeh.”
In terms of cold things, Saarya’s village had something like a cold room using well water, so she didn’t really get it. She would only understand the value of this icebox after living in this city for a while.
In the capital Moor, although fresh water was supplied, only lukewarm water heated by the outside air was available.
“…An ordinary room. There’s nothing particularly suspicious, but I’m worried about security.”
That was Ixia’s impression after going around the room.
“Eh? It has a proper lock, you know?”
“That lock can be easily picked with a little work. It should be replaced with something more secure.”
Ixia didn’t seem to like the door lock.
However, the one currently installed was the latest cylinder lock. If you wanted more than that, you would have to pay a high fee to have a one-of-a-kind lock made, or introduce the much-talked-about Paraiso-made one.
“The information that three women are living here will spread quickly. In that case, there’s no guarantee that unscrupulous people won’t approach us. We need to be careful.”
“Ixia-chan is so reliable.”
“Common sense.”
“Not common sense… Ixia, where did you grow up…?”
Linanel probably knew the most about the common sense of the Repuytari Kingdom’s capital, Moor, among this group.
She was from a famous orphanage in the capital, Moor.
There were several orphanages, but the one she came from was run by Duke Amadio Silverhead. Furthermore, she was from a training school also funded by Duke Silverhead, so her identity was guaranteed and her knowledge exceeded a certain standard.
Although it was an orphanage, it was no exaggeration to call it an elite training school.
“Well, it’s understandable that you’re worried. Well, let’s talk to the caretaker about security. Maybe, through Amadio-sama’s connections, we can get something made in Paraiso.”
“I understand.”
Ixia nodded and turned her gaze to Saarya, who was turning the stove on and off.
“Saarya. Don’t waste it too much. And the Burnstone (Tone Mug) used is Category 3. The selling price averages 300 grams. It should last about a year, but it’s not something you can use meaninglessly.”
“Uweh…! S-So expensive, this thing?”
“Ahaha. Well, it’s treated as a fixture of the room, so if you don’t use it in a weird way, they should replace it properly.”
For now, they had probably checked all the equipment in the room.
“Alright. Let’s go to the living room then. Ah, since we’re here, shall we make some tea? Wait a moment.”
Saarya couldn’t possibly make tea, and Linanel couldn’t bear to make her wait alone. Ixia decided to wait with Saarya in the living room.
For now, Linanel’s role was to take care of the various aspects of daily life. Saarya, although a housemate, was more like a guest. Inheriting the village chief position in the future meant joining the ranks of the nobility.
On the other hand, Linanel would be treated as a commoner no matter what.
Of course, if she worked in the public office and obtained a position there, she could gain the same power as a noble, but for now, she had no connections to the public office, and joining a merchant guild was the proper path.
However, if she completed this request from Amadio Silverhead, a recommendation to become a bureaucrat would not be a dream.
Therefore, Linanel was very enthusiastic.
By the way, Saarya had the impressive title of being the daughter of the village chief of the Duke Silverhead’s direct territory, but Ixia had not been informed of this.
She had only been contacted to guarantee her identity.
And she was also informed that if she could build a good relationship, in other words, if they could become friends, she could introduce her to work as a colleague in the future.
If that happened, Linanel might be able to get a ticket to become a bureaucrat. These were none other than the words of Duke Silverhead.
“I’ve put the water on the stove, so it should boil soon. I’m sorry, there’s only one type of tea leaves. And please forgive me, we only have long-lasting sweets for now.”
“It’s fine, Linanel-dono. By the way, what about shopping…?”
Linanel replied while taking out the contents from the box of tea set placed on the floor.
“Usually, a vendor delivers it. If you order it, that is. It seems to be a common practice around here. Commoners have to go to the morning market themselves.”
And the three of them confirmed their plans for the future, and then the time passed as they made dinner and prepared their beds, and the first day of their life in the capital Moor came to an end.