Entertaining Distinguished Guests

We're slowly starting to get more guests here.

I wonder what sort of people we'll get to meet next.

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Me neither!

Hello? Is anyone here?

Oh! That came from the lobby. Let's go see who it is! Remember, we need to be prompt, but not hasty!

...Hmm. So this is an Eastern-style hotel.

Oh my, it's beautiful! It feels like I'm standing inside a gorgeous red rose!

(It's Marie! Look, Senpai, our new guests are Marie and Anastasia, of all people!)

My, you two have lovely taste in clothes. Welcome to the Enma-tei. I'm honored to hear you like it.

Hehe, I asked them to stay behind this time. It's good to mix things up every now and then.

You are? ...Well, I can see why you would be.

But we both belong to imperial families. My father was a tsar and hers was an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, so we have at least that much in common.

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At any rate, this Enma-tei place certainly is...red.

Oh? Do you not care for red?

No, not especially. But it's okay.

I know in my head that rose-red and bloodred differ. I'm sure this is just my own issue.

Here, let me take your bags for yo

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I'm sorry. I just can't seem to get the hang of traveling light.

Strange. Still, it's never been a problem up till now.

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Here, I'll help. Hup.

That certainly is a lot of luggage. Why don't we assist them as well, my lord?

Of course we will. We handsome men are honor bound to carry a lady's bags for her.

Every escort knows that. Wouldn't you agree, Sir Goredolf?

You're including me in this!? I'm a noble, you know! I've never carried my own bags a day in my life!

Yet this is even truer for nobility. Ladies such as these two are the kind that gentlemen are meant to support.

Yes, there may seem to be a large wagon's worth of luggage here, but what better opportunity to prove your manliness!

Er, come now, I've always been the brains of this operation, not the brawn.

Besides, I don't think it's appropriate for a commander to be carrying luggOof!

So you already know these guests? That's good to hear. All right, please show them to their room.

Chirp! Right this way!

Aww, what a cute little bird!

Thanks! Cheep cheep!

My Viy is cute, too. Why doesn't anyone else seem to see that...?

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What? No they're not...!

I have to agree. Viy's Mystic Eyes are very...distinctive... Especially his eyelids...

Indeed. He may look like an innocent little doll, but he can't fool me.

I suspect he's secretly an Elemental, and one that wandered here from a Lostbelt no less.

He's like a walking bottle of nitroglycerine just waiting to go off. Cute? Absolutely not.

(Sniff)

It's okay, Viy. I know how cute you really are better than anyone!

Oh my. This is...the suite?

...I'm very sorry. I'm afraid the Enma-tei's suite is currently unavailable.

What!?

But I was so looking forward to seeing what a Japanese suite was like!

I wanted to bring in lots of geisha girls, and drink sake, and live it up while I'm still young!

I had no idea this Grand Duchess was so, uh, worldly-minded!

We don't have geisha here anyway, chirp. I think you have us confused for another kind of establishment.

Still, suite or not, the scenery is just beautiful! It's like something straight out of a postcard.

...True, it is lovely. Oh, look, there are monkeys here, too.

Ah...

Hehe, why, they're even looking this way.

I have heard Japanese monkeys are very comfortable around people. Perhaps they're looking for food.

Okay, here you go

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Oh no! This is terrible!

Ook eek! Ook eek eeek!

They look like they're cheering in delight!

Mischief is one thing, but I won't have them going after guests! I promise swift punishment!

...Wait, please.

Yes?

Uh, Anastasia? Please keep calm, yes? Please?

I've always thought you're at your coolest when you're keeping a frosty visage!

I don't think I've ever seen Marie look so worried! She isn't even smiling anymore...!

I'm fine. Really. I've always made sure to pay back my debts a hundred millionfold since I was a child.

That's how we do things in Russia, and how I do things personally.

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She just scooped the mud ball back together...

...Huh? Did she just put something inside it?

Ook eek! Ook eek eek eeek!

Heeere...weee...go!

Ook eeeeeeeeek!

The monkey she hit...went flying! It's spinning like a corkscrew!

What an incredible underhand throw! How did she get such sheer destructive force out of it!?

I share your confusion. The underhand throw usually excels at curving, but at the cost of speed. So then, how did she?

I've got it! She put a rock in it!

A rock!?

Gems, actually.

As in jewelry!? What a waste! And isn't that rather cruel and unusual!?

Oh, Anastasia... I was afraid this would happen...

Those monkeys put mud on my face, both figuratively and literally. I cannot let them leave here alive.

Now, on that note: Master, I'll make sure to back you up from here...

...so I'd like you to help me eradicate them.

...Okay?

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I-I'll do my best to help out, too! B-but can't we at least settle for just driving them off!?

Teeheehee. I'm not too proud of this, but during a snowball fight with my older sister...

...I once packed a bunch of snow around a large stone and knocked her right off her feet with it.

Are you sure you're not proud of that!?

Well, I did end up crying a bit when I saw her lying on the ground.

But if these monkeys want a mud ball fight, I'll give them the mud ball fight of their lives!

That was a hard fight...though not for the usual reasons...

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I had no idea princesses from other countries were so savage. What a waste of a lovely outfit.

...Oh my, I'm so ashamed. I was just so furious that I don't know what came over me...

Well, you did have a mud ball thrown at your face. I suppose I can't blame you for being upset.

I'm so sorry, Master. I apologize for dragging all of you into this.

I'm relieved to hear that. Thank you.

Oh yes. I've learned a whooole lot from it...really.

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At any rate, Marie and I still plan on staying at the Enma-tei for a nice long while.

Oh yes. So if you ever need our help with anything, please don't hesitate to ask, okay?

We'd be happy to come to your aid, no matter what the problem might be!

Am I the only one here who thinks they could help us the most by just staying put in their room...?

Fooou...