My name is Plum. I'm 14 years old this year, and I'm a groom for the Firstest family. I'm a groom, which means I'm a horse boy. The first few weeks I was there, I couldn't do any of that shit. I couldn't do any of the chores, and I got kicked by a horse, and I got beaten up by Just's brother, and I was a little banged up.

　Yeah, Just was my boss. He's simply the most powerful man in the clan. He's two years older than me, with a brown haircut and three white eyes, and he's a demon who would run away from anyone if they threw a gun. He's also one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and he's a great guy.

　He's really great.　The Four Heavenly Kings. I've been told that each of them is great, but I think the big brother is especially great. I think my brother is especially great.　It's really cool. I mean, I don't know if it's a good-looking guy or not, but it's just so cool.

　...... Yeah. The only man who can take care of this stupid sneaky little kid is my brother. The only guy who would scold me for not abandoning him and give me a hard time is my brother.

Hey, Plum. What are you doing in this corner of the cafeteria without a meal?
God, brother!　Don't look at me!　I'm writing it down, memo!

　It was like having your brother over here before I knew it.

　I can't actually write. That's why I've been practicing. I want to write a biography of myself someday.
　It's just that I'm embarrassed that my brother would find out about it at ....... So I reflexively lied about it.

What?　Can you even write?
...... No, hi. Well, there are parts of it I can write about, but...
'Seriously?　Where did you learn this?
My parents taught me when I was nine years old.
Wow!　You're a gifted kid, aren't you? That's great, isn't it?
Oof.

　He lied about being able to write. It's a lie that I learned from my parents. In fact, my shitty parents were trying to raise the "price of selling me off as a slave". A slave who can read and write is more expensive than a slave who can read and write, so it's an investment in advance.

　But I was just learning to read and write, and I happened to overhear my parents discussing the idea of selling me as a slave with a merchant. I ran away from home because I thought they were going to sell me out, and I was slumming it from then on. I could only read and write in English. There was no need for a thief to read and write. It's nothing to worry about if you're caught and made a slave because you failed to steal, you know.

　It's not a bad idea to have a good time with your friends. It's a good thing I'm a slave now, isn't it?　I can't feel it at all because I get paid and I can't eat at all, but...

　It's a miracle. The house I bought was saved here. If a 14 year old boy like me is a slave, he'll either work for free until he dies or he'll be handed over to a pervert through the back channels. If you're lucky, you'll be turned into a servant in a noble family. I'm not a good-looking person, so it's probably impossible for me to get there, though.

　Hmm, wait a minute: ......?　It's so big that I never even imagined it before, but when I think about it, you know, it's crazy to be a first-test family, isn't it?　Even a lowly horse chopper like me gets paid enough, the work isn't that hard, but it's worthwhile, the servants' dormitory is a big house, we don't have to pay rent or food expenses, and since we're slaves, we don't have to pay the tax ourselves.

　Wow, this is seriously badass. Is it a paradise on earth?　If I'm like this, how much do my brother and the other Four Heavenly Kings get paid?　I mean, how did my brother end up playing horse chopping here?　Could it be that my brother and the Four Heavenly Kings are both slaves like me?

　............ I don't know anything about my brother. ......

So?　What were you writing down?
Uh, yeah.

　When I was thinking about it, my brother started rehashing the story I just told him. My brother is surprisingly persistent, isn't he?

　How do I cover it up? I can't think of a single thing to say. It's no good, it's suspicious. d*mn, I've got to play this game.

I'm ...... Actually, I've been thinking about writing a biography of my big brother, the Four Heavenly Kings, and ...... and I've been thinking about it for a while now.

　Oh, it's over. I'm totally exposed. Shame. I'll bet you 10,000 clams you're getting punched in the face, and I'll bet you $10,000 that you're not 16 years old.

　He was staring at me like he was 16 years old and I couldn't believe it. I close my eyes and clench my teeth.


"That's a good idea, Plum!

　But what flew in was not a shout or a claptrap, but flippant words.

''My biography, huh, I'm looking forward to it~''
Hey. I'll look forward to it.
'Oh!　Oh, yeah, should I do an interview or something?
No, no.
What?
So ...... it is. It's a great interview.
I know, right?

　That was a bad idea. You'd better pretend you're taking notes and remember this .......

Oops. Well, you can ask me anything you want.
Hey, bro, you gonna be okay at work?
Don't worry about it. I'm taking a break.

　You're in a great mood, brother. You're smiling. You must be really happy about the biography.

　...... my brother is happy, I can't betray him. I'm very upset," he said, "and I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

So, what did you do before you came here?
"Thug,
Thug!

　The first question was a shocking revelation!　My brother's a punk!　That hulking brother of yours?　Oh, shit!

　All the thoughts I'd been having about biographies and all this were blown out of my head in an instant, and I leaned forward to continue asking questions.

"What's that, punk?
'No, he started out as an orphan. Then he got greedy, became a vagrant, yanked around a lot, and the result was a thug.
Oh, did you keep watch in a slum?
'It wasn't that great. He was a stealing, robbing, eating it up for the day.
............

　You're with me. Either steal or be robbed, take or be robbed. Living in filth, stepping on other people's toes. Living was about making a living. That's the only way to know how to make a living.

I got ripped off and couldn't pay, so I had to enslave myself and make money. Well, it turned out to be a good thing.

　When he said that, he stared somewhere in the distance and continued to speak.

I was living in the cage just to take a shit, and then all of a sudden we were told to get out. And then they were taken to where the two of them were.
Those two?
It's Master Second and Lady Yukari.

　Mr. Second!　I haven't even seen my servant yet, she's our master. I've seen Yukari-sama, the head maid of the household, a few times, but I've never spoken to her yet. I'm sure they're both heavenly people. Wow, so you've met those two in person? My brother is indeed an amazing person.

There's a huge aura about him. I was just overwhelmed. I was shaking like a newborn slime.
'Seriously?　You're my brother?
Oh. Silvia-sama and Eco-sama are bad, but those two are really bad.

　My brother's face falters. Come to think of it, they all did. When I'm talking about the four members of the Firstest family, I often have a kind of good look on my face. It's as if they were talking about their closest friends.


　...... jealousy, I suppose. I can't help but say that I'm jealous.

I'm going to have to say, "But you're a great guy, too. You know, the Four Heavenly Kings.　Perhaps you're as good as the Second-sama...


　The next moment, my brother's iron fist hits me in the stomach.

''Ugh, ...... kahaha!

　I can't breathe!

Plum. I know you're an idiot, and I know you're going to say things like that. You should know that there are things you can forgive and things you can't.

"U......

'Always respect your master, no matter what the joke, no matter what the reason. I don't care if you think your brother is better than you. Of course it's a big mistake, but people make mistakes, it can't be helped now. But don't say it out loud. It's annoying as shit.

"Ugh, .......

It's not easy to respect someone you haven't even met yet. Just keep in mind that ...... me, you, and everyone in this house is a person to whom you owe a great debt of gratitude.

　Yeah, you're right. I was so stupid. I didn't know what to think. Being insulted by someone you love is annoying, of course. I'd get annoyed if someone else thought that about me. I don't know if I can do anything about it.

　It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get away with it. I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do.

"I'm sorry, brother ......!
'Oh?　What are you crying about?　Ha-ha!　You're an idiot!　That's pathetic!

　He was so mean and evil and so easy to get rid of, but he was the first guy I ever had, and he was my big brother. He was the first guy I ever wanted to follow for the rest of my life.

　I'm a total idiot, but I still want to follow him. That's why I can only think of it as "I respect my brother because he respects me," but I still respect my husband. What my brother says is absolutely right.

　But he's so big that I can't even imagine what he would say. He may be a great person, but I can't really feel him. I can't imagine that he is a great person, but I can't really feel it, like "God created this world, so you should pray to God"?　I feel like I can't believe in a god I've never seen or met - it's like I can't believe in a god.

　But then again, why does my brother respect me so much?　Could it be that the Four Heavenly Kings are too?

　Suddenly, I became curious about my husband. I wondered what kind of a man he was, a man who commanded the respect of other fierce men and women. What kind of a man is this? I'm sure that if you can meet him, you can learn more about his achievements. But I don't get to meet him very often. Hmmm, what should I do?

I'm going to finish my interview. How about going to Lily's tomorrow?　I'll let you talk through it.
......!　Ugh, please!

　That's right, we'll hear from the Fourth Heavenly King!

Way to go, bro!
'Oh?　Oh, yes.




　The next day, I went to the cafeteria in the afternoon to interview Lily, the head of the garden. I went to the cafeteria in the early afternoon to interview Lily, the head of the garden, and she said, "Oh, you must be Pru?

"Oh, it's Pru, isn't it?　We've been waiting for you.
Ugh. ...... It's Plum, Lily.
I don't like it when you call me by my name. Just call me Lily, okay?
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Lily.

　It's the Sonotou Lily, who greets you in a boisterous voice - a muscle-bound, macho man, "onee-san".
　Until now, it's only been a casual glance at him, but now that he's come face to face with him, he's very intimidating. In many ways.

I've heard a lot about you from Jaso-chan. He said he's going to write my biography!　I'll answer anything already!

　Wiggle and twiddle your huge body ...... oye.

So, let's get right to it: ...... Lily, how old are you?
Asking a maiden how old she is is is ridiculous. But I'll answer. I'm 38 this year.

　You're a maiden at 38. You're right, the M baldness and blue beard make you feel old. ...... But the sharpness of your muscles is just awesome.

'What were you doing before you came here?'
I'm an adventurer, a C-rated sorcerer.

　Like my brother, I get a faraway look in my eyes. What has happened to you in the past, Lily: ......?

'To be honest, I didn't want to be an adventurer. But the jobs I wanted to do, like flower shop, were rejected because of the way they looked, so I had to do hard work to make a living.
But she looks strong, doesn't she, Lily?
No, not at all. No, not at all. It's true that they are powerful, but the job of an adventurer is not so easy. That's why intermediate adventurers like me team up with others to challenge dungeons.

　Lily's bright, made-up face turned into something a little darker.

'Creepy ......,' she said, 'it's weird. They said it to my face and talked about it behind my back, and even if I didn't say it out loud, I could see it in their stares and attitudes. I was bullied just for being an onee. I would get hacked and my things stolen. There were times when I wondered why I was born with this body, but I learned the hard way that worrying about it doesn't help. ......
Lily: "Lily: ......

　He was having a hard time with it, too.

'One day, a new girl came into the team I was on, Attah. She was the one who understood my heart. It was my first day, but she got along with me very well.
Oh, well, it's not all bad.
...... I was so happy when he asked me to watch over him while he changed. I thought he was treating me like a woman, or so I thought. But then, after a few minutes, she screamed.
Is ......?
It was a trap. It was a trap, to get me out of the team. Everyone on the team worked together to frame me.
............

　...... terrible. That's such a terrible story. What the hell did you do, Lily, d*mn it.

'I was dropped into slavery for the crime of voyeurism. I'm in desperate need of help. Because no one is going to buy this big guy in a hurry. Even if he was bought, he would be used up by hard physical labor and it would be the end. Right?　I was completely stuffed.

　It's a desperate situation. If I were you, I wouldn't be able to trust anyone anymore. But, so that's why Lily was picked up by this house as a slave.


I'm not going to be able to tell you what to do," he said. This is what happens from now on, when I'm in my full glory--

　............ hmmm?

'Oh!　Love at first sight, it's a real thing!　The first time I saw the Second-sama, I was so shocked, I'll never forget it!
...... Oh, hi.
It's part of the reason I'm so beautiful, though, isn't it?　If it wasn't for Second-sama, I'd be done with Attah. It's impossible to not fall in love with him!　On top of that, they gave me a free life and allowed me to do the work I wanted to do: ...... I'm an a**h*le!　I'm so impressed!

　Just a few minutes ago, he had a dark look on his face and now he's back to his normal mood, and now he's excited.

　Then she went on and on about what she thought was wonderful about her husband. I was so disgusted that I just nodded in agreement with her.

I'm going to be able to tell you what's nice about him.　Pru, are you listening to me?
Ooooooooooh. But I guess I'd better get to the next question.
Oh no, I'm getting hot for a minute there. I'm sorry.

　Thank goodness - .......

'So, um, next, how did you end up on Sondo?'
Hmmm, well. I guess the main reason is because I knew I wanted to be one.
Do you want to be?
Yes. Wouldn't it be great to take care of the gardens?　I've always wanted to do that kind of work. Growing pretty flowers and making the garden as beautiful as I imagined it to be.

　Well, did this guy say he wanted to be a florist? He's pretty cute in some ways, isn't he?

But that's not the only job the gardener does. Actually, he also patrols the grounds. I'm a bit of a security guard. I've been told by cube-chan that I'm good at this because I look strong.
'Surely, if Lily was here, the thief would run away thinking he had a bakémon.
What?
No, no, it's nothing.

　This guy is really scary.

I'm not going to be able to get my hands on any more of his stuff. I think we should call it a night. How's that working out for you?
Ugh. That was very informative.
Good. I'll let Sobra talk it through with you then. I'll see you later.

　Lily-san fluttered her hand and left. This is the first time I've talked to you, Lily-san, but you're a good person. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future.

　I'm not a fan of the head chef's chef,.......




I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　The next evening. When I went to the back door of the kitchen, Sobra was smoking a cigarette and waiting for me.
　He had shaggy black hair, a scraggly beard and glasses. He didn't look like a cook.

What's a jaligaki? What's a jarigaki?" "A jarigaki is a plum,
Oh, that's right. Anyway, sit there.
Isn't that on the ground?
'Oh?　Okay. Oh well, go sit somewhere else.

　There's nothing but the ground. ...... I'm getting sick of this whole thing.

"Chef Sobra, 35 years old, single. I'm looking for a girlfriend!

　My brother Sobra introduced himself to me, anticipating my question. I mean, wait a minute. Are you looking for a girlfriend?

Did you break up with her?
'Huh?　I never had a girlfriend, a**h*le.
So who was that woman you were with the other day?
"Tare.
............ haha.
Oh, what, you mean like that?　All right, all right, brother to brother, brother to brother. I'll get you a girl or two...
Daaaaah!　It's okay.　But more importantly, I'm going to do an interview!

　I can't do it. He's got too many bad girl things.

"What were you doing before you came here?
"B-Ranked Adventurer.
What? Really?

　Surprising. And a B-grade. That's pretty impressive.

"I was buoyant with my swordplay and spearmanship. Of course, I'd make you squeal at night, too.
Really? Then why did you come here?
I was tricked by a woman.
Mmm-hmm!

　I'm just blurting it out.

"My parents decided to take a shit on my ex-wife. He owes me a lot of money and then he ran off. They were cheating me out of the whole family to get me out of your debt.
...... That's a tough one, isn't it?
That's just the kind of woman who gets serious about something, of all things. And it seems that she borrowed money from a bad neighborhood, so she had to pay it back quickly or it was only going to get worse. So I paid it all back with the money I made by enslaving myself: ......
"But?
"Actually, the b*tc* still hides the debt. It turned out later that when I told her I was a slave and there was nothing she could do about it, she made me pay it back to the master who bought me. That makes for a hell of a land mine slave.
She's a real b*tc*.
Well, I f*cked her brains out.
It's ruined. ......

　But that's why. I'm convinced of that. It is rumored that Sobra is a hardcore womanizer who goes into town to pick up women whenever he has time, but he never hangs out with a specific person. I thought he finally decided to settle down when I saw his date in town the other day, but I knew it was just for fun.

　...... It's not that you can't get serious, is it? It's not that he can't be serious, he's just not serious. I'm sure he's not that much fun to play with.　I guess there's something to be said for the agony of wanting to be serious but not being able to be.

　Oh, one thing came to my mind. I'd better ask him.

Sobra-san. I know you say that, but why don't you ever touch a maid?

　It was a light-hearted question.


　Immediately afterwards - a knife was stuck in the ground directly underneath my crotch.


"Ehihi?

Don't talk to me like that.

　He sounded quiet. You could tell right away that he was angry. Did I do it again?

I'm sorry, my brother.
"Don't apologize without thinking, a**h*le. You still don't seem to know your place in the world, do you? Hahhhh, the just one: ......

　Brother Sobra scratched his head and said this with obvious annoyance.

　I gasp. I've just insulted him with my rash words!

'...... Look, who owns the maid? Tell me.

　After a loud sigh, Brother Sobra opened his mouth.

　Whose maids belong ...... to whom?　............ Ah.

...... Are you Mr. Second?

"Answer quickly, you piece of shit. Who owns you?　Who's buying you and who's giving you this good life?

A second master, sir.

Who am I? Yeah?　Who buys a tired old man slave in the middle of his thirties, who buys a tired old man slave in the middle of his thirties, who takes care of his unmillion-dollar debt and gives him food, clothing, shelter, and a salary?　Tell me!　Say it!

It's the Second Mistress!

You're a ...... idiot. I don't want to mess with Second's stuff, that's why. I'm not going to be able to get a hold of you. Next time I'll shove a bullet in your crotch, you little shit.

　Brother Sobra put out his cigarette, turned his back to me and left.


　You're right: ...... It was a stupid question, you know.

　I'm not going to be the only one who's going to be able to do that. It's a big house for servants, and it's also a room that's so small it's hard to believe it's a slave's room. At night, there was no need to do anything but eat in the dining room.

　I'm going to lie down on a soft bed and look up at the ceiling in a daze.

　...... somehow I thought this was paradise. I've been blessed. But I didn't realize who was responsible for this paradise.

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. After being told by those three Heavenly Kings, I felt like I finally understood a little bit of what was going on.

　I wonder if the day will come when I will be able to realize this? If that's the case, I hope it will come soon.

　I fell asleep for a while, thinking about that.


　　　* * * *



Younger guys nowadays don't seem to be getting any better. They are so light. They don't think straight. You know what I mean?
You're the same, Mr. Sobra.

　Night. There were two men drinking at a corner of the cafeteria.
　A man with glasses, "Sobra," with shaggy hair and a stubble, and a young man with brown hair in an all-black style, "Just," were drinking with each other.

But it seems that your brother's cock was effective. He was asleep.
Huh? She's just messing around.
Come on, man, have a drink.

　Just pours a drink to get Sobra in a good mood.

'Oh, my bad. Hmm?　No, it's not bad. The original reason for this is because you didn't educate yourself properly.
I'm really, really sorry.

　Just chuckled and bowed his head with a snort. Sobra sighs, puffs his drink and then opens his mouth.

It's not a biography. I don't think it's the kind of thing that could be written by that idiot.
You're going to learn from this. We've been through this before.
Hey.

　They close their eyes and remember. It was when I had just arrived here at the Furstest House.

...... I was desperate. I was a good cook to begin with, but I'm not a professional. I studied hard and trained hard. I'll never read as many books as I did before or since.
I was struggling as hard as I could. I couldn't read, so I just kept fumbling around.
That's a tough one. But I was hard on him too. He wanted me to make three meals a day for 14 people. You're going to get better at cooking.
Haha, you're getting better at that.

　We laugh at each other that this was hard, that was hard, and that was hard.

　If it was really hard, there's no way we could laugh at each other. Why was it so hard? Why was it so desperate? They understood each other without having to put into words. I just wanted to be of service to the second.


'Oh, is it that time already?'

　Sobra looks at her watch and makes that kind of noise.

''Normally, Cubero-san would have come and chased you away long ago.

　Justo says with a cackle. The butler, Cubero, would certainly take note if he spotted the two of them having a drink during his evening rounds.

'Oh, I see. You're here to pick up that Cubero guy?
Yes. Tomorrow is the big day.

　As they lose their glasses of liquor, they think about tomorrow. The face that comes to mind is that of a man.

　It was the face of their master for the first time in four months.