58: If That Is Your Wish
It had been a lovely bath time.
I’d thoroughly washed both Rebecca and Liz, and they both looked radiant, their skin glowing.
Since the number of residents in the mansion had increased, I’d had the traps in the room with the fireplace disabled. We’d furnished it with a sofa, a low table, and other furniture, converting it into a parlor and common room.
“Hah…” Rebecca sank into the sofa, sighing languidly. She’d changed back into her faded black gothic-style shirt and skirt with frills.
“Rebecca, are you alright? Did you get overheated in the bath?”
“Undead don’t get overheated.”
“Really? But you have a body temperature.”
“It’s… maintained at a constant level… a sort of… simulated bodily function…”
“That’s complicated. Actually, I forgot to ask, if you’re not an elf, what race are you?”
Rebecca’s expression darkened.
“…I’m a Material Ghost.”
“Oh. That sounds cool.”
“…Huh?”
“Rebecca, you shouldn’t expect this person to have any knowledge about obscure races.”
“How rude.”
“So, do you know what a Material Ghost is?”
“Material… ghost… so, a ghost of an object, not a living being?”
“Essentially, yes. So, why did Rebecca hesitate?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Hah…” Liz sighed.
“It’s… a race that’s often looked down upon. Because they weren’t originally living beings.”
“Right.”
“And they’re a rare race. Small in number, and… vulnerable…”
“I see. Like the doppelgangers in our disinformation unit.”
“…Yes, something like that.” Liz nodded.
“So, is there a problem?”
“No.”
“…You don’t… mind?”
“Why would I? Liz said it’s fine.” I affirmed.
“This is the Lord of Disease’s unit. We’re effective, but we’re just a ragtag group with a numerical designation, the ‘Sixth Army.’ We don’t even have an official name. And I, the leader, am officially classified as ‘species unknown,’ even though I’m human.”
I smiled reassuringly.
“I don’t judge my cute subordinates based on their race.”
Racial traits existed. And perhaps those differences were absolute. I took them into account when formulating strategies.
Even so…
Race should never be a reason to denigrate someone.
At least, not in this nation. Not in the Listrea Demon Kingdom, a nation founded on the ideal of coexistence between all races, those labeled simply as ‘demons’ by humans.
“…I see.” Rebecca smiled.
“I look forward to working with you, Master.”
“Thank you, Rebecca.” I smiled back.
“—Let’s take a bath together again sometime.”
Rebecca’s smile vanished. Her face turned serious.
“Again?”
“It’s a bath. I’m not saying every time, but I like to… bond with my subordinates occasionally.”
“…Liz.” Rebecca looked at Liz.
“It’s either give in, or risk your life and position to resist.”
“What about you, Liz?”
“I’ve given in. …Well, she hasn’t done anything… too strange…”
“Indeed… just bathing together and being washed.”
“Apparently, bathing is a sacred ritual in Master’s homeland.”
“I see… so, it’s alright?”
“She did say, ‘Doesn’t defiling something sacred excite you?’”
“…Should I risk my life and position to resist?” Rebecca mused, covering her mouth with her hand.
“There are jobs at public bathhouses where you wash people. That sounds nice, once I’m no longer a supreme commander.”
I, too, indulged in fantasies. The salary of a supreme commander was excellent.
But being a military commander during wartime was a grim and demanding job.
So, I dreamt of fulfilling, community-oriented work.
“Is there a scenario where Master ceases to be a supreme commander without dying?”
“Well, when we achieve human extinction and there’s peace?”
The Sixth Army, under my command, was responsible for targeting the enemy’s domestic infrastructure. I assumed it would be disbanded immediately after the war.
“I think there will still be plenty of work after that.”
“Wait, isn’t my job done once humanity is extinct?”
“You’re actually quite good at administrative work, so please continue to serve the nation even after peace is achieved.”
“Will you still be my vice-commander, Liz?”
“In for a penny, in for a pound… I’ll stick with you.”
Hearing Japanese proverbs in another world always felt strange. If it was a quirk of the translation, I sometimes worried about miscommunication.
It seemed correct in context, though.
“Always?”
Liz closed her eyes for a moment. Then, she opened them, her expression serious.
“…If that is your wish.”
I smiled.
“Yes. I want you to be my vice-commander, Liz.”
“Thank you, Master.” Liz smiled back.
“This is practically a marriage proposal.”
“Are you done with your delusional statements?” Liz’s smile didn’t waver as she cut me down.
“You two are quite in sync.” Rebecca sighed softly.
“This is a much more… relaxed workplace than I imagined…”
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