【The Old Man of the Expelled Inn Unwittingly Dominates Today Too】Although I Want to Lead a Slow Life, for Some Reason the Strongest Beauties Who Hold Important Positions in the Country, and Were Once My Disciples, Gather Around Me Asking to Be Hired – Even Though I Only Taught Them a Little～ - Chapter 4: The Old Man Becomes an Innkeeper Again (For Some Reason, the Princess is an Employee)

“Alright! Let’s open up!”

In the Kingdom of Natol, where I ended up after being exiled, there stood an old inn on the outskirts of the royal capital.

Starting today, this is my castle.

By a stroke of luck, I rescued the king and princess, and this inn was given to me as a reward.

It’s a small two-story inn that looks a bit old on the outside, but the inside is kept very clean.

“Sei! Sei!” After finishing my daily morning exercise routine, I unlock the door at the reception desk on the first floor.

“But why on earth is Princess Liena an employee here…”

I don’t understand, but the first princess of the Kingdom of Natol will work at this inn.

Is this even real? She is a princess, after all. I doubt this might be some royal joke.

“She said she would come to work early in the morning.”

Will she bring a horde of bodyguard knights with her? I don’t want to stand out too much. I’ve had enough of royal messes in the Kingdom of Fridania.

“Baldo-sama~~ Good morning!”

As I was muttering, I felt a soft sensation against my back.

—Where did she come from!?

“Pr-Princess Liena, why from behind!? And you’re too close!”

“It’s not Princess Liena, it’s Li-E-Na.”

“But still, to call Her Highness…”

“But you’re my employer! I’m an employee! No need for formal speech! Just call me Li-E-Na.”

I don’t remember hiring her, but for now, I gently peel Liena off my back.

Well, whatever. If she’s going to work here someday, using formal speech would be a pain.

“So, where did you come from, Liena?”

It doesn’t look like she came in from the front. I’m troubled by her assassin-like movement. And there are no knights or bodyguards in sight.

Then Liena pointed sharply behind the reception counter.

Ah, there’s a hidden staircase on the floor leading to the basement…

“Hehe~ This inn has an escape route to the royal castle in case of emergencies. It’s a top-secret matter, so please don’t tell anyone else.♡”



――――――Don’t tell me about such an important route!

――――――This facility should never be lent to others!



What are you doing? So, a hidden passage connects the royal castle and this inn? This is a national secret!

What if I were a spy or something? With this, I could take over the royal castle. Hehe, what if I decided to enjoy the princess first? Not that I would!

“No, no, isn’t this bad? You shouldn’t reveal such crucial information to an old man like me!”

“Common old man?? What are you talking about? Baldo-sama, you are an essential person for Natol. My father has even instructed me to stay by your side.♡”

I’m being forced into a significant relationship with the royal family!

What are they expecting from a simple older man exiled and left to wander the streets? Are the royal family here okay?

Ah… I don’t want to know about this secret passage. I want to live an every day, slow life…

And so, my peaceful (or so it seemed) slow life in the Kingdom of Natol began.



◇◇◇



“Baldo-sama~ The indoor lamp isn’t on. We need to buy a new magic stone~.”

Liena, who had been preparing on the second floor, came down to the lobby.

The inn has many facilities. Indoor lighting lamps, cooking stoves, washing kilns for sheets and clothes – all these operate by inserting an item called a magic stone, into which magical energy has been artificially infused.

It’s been a month since I was exiled from the Kingdom of Fridania and became an innkeeper in Natol.

Today, after finishing my morning training and preparing to open the inn, I suddenly remembered my disciples.

It’s strange for an old innkeeper to have disciples, but all three of them had their reasons and stayed at my inn since they were young.

They became interested in the daily training of my fighting spirit and started to join me in the morning exercises.

Before I knew it, they started calling me their Master.

I haven’t seen them in quite a while. They are known as the Three Deities in Fridania and hold influential positions. Naturally, they don’t have time to meet with an ordinary older man like me.

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the King of Fridania in a long time either.

“We can’t rely solely on the Three Deities; we must reform the organization~,” he chirped. But since then, I haven’t been able to see him. I heard he’s been struck down with a severe illness.

Illness, huh… I’m 39 years old—a fine, more aged man. Soon, I might not be able to do anything reckless. I can’t even see the small text well.

Well, no use complaining. I have to take care of myself now.

Alright~~ Let’s open up with energy today!

“Baldo-sama~~ Good morning!”

The receptionist, Liena, greets me with a bright smile. She’s wearing a receptionist’s outfit, not a dress. I believe she’s 17 years old. Having such a breathtakingly beautiful princess as a receptionist in an inn is unbelievable. It’s sure to be a big hit.

―――I used to think so, at least.

Shhhhhhhhhhh…

A silence envelops the entire inn.



――――――Well, we still have zero customers, though.



This is terrible, bad, BAD.



At this rate, the king might demand I return the inn! Or he might say that I must fulfill my duty as a particular mercenary. This is not good. Very bad. My quiet, slow life plan is falling apart. Well, the shop is indeed eerily quiet.

What should I do?

I mean, I’m running out of money.

First, the location is a single establishment on the outskirts of the royal capital. There’s a high possibility that people don’t even know there’s an inn here. I guess I have to go to the castle town and advertise.

As I’m frantically preparing to distribute flyers, the inn’s door opens, and a person wearing a hood comes in!

Our first customer has arrived!



“Welcome~~” Liena and I sing out in a harmonious greeting, our smiles beaming.



“Ma… Master…”



Huh? A voice I recognize.

Customer number one swiftly pulls back their deep hood.



“It’s been a long time, Master! I finally found you!”



Yes, it was Alesia Oraluin.

One of the Three Deities is considered the strongest female swordsman in the history of the Kingdom of Fridania.