DLBF Chapter 6

Chapter 6 – Cat Man

Chapter 1, Part 1.6

Novel Title: ルーデンドルフ公と森の獣 (Duke Ludendorff and the Beast of the Forest)

Author：かわい有美子 (Kawai Yumiko)

Illustrator: 周防佑未 (Suoh Yuumi)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists: 藤森賢士 (Kenji Fujimori -MC), ユリアン ルーデンドルフ (Julian Ludendorff -ML)

*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*

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*T/N: I’m really sorry! I missed posting this chapter! What the hell… -K

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For someone like Fujimori, with an ordinary, common-sense view of life, it was hard to grasp. The mere fact that a large law firm, which handled many international cases, was acting as an agent showed that the scale was different.

Nonetheless, the glimpse into the extravagant lifestyle of the incredibly wealthy, seen through various architectural studies, was fascinating from an outsider’s perspective.

In fact, Fujimori’s interest in researching these buildings was partly due to his love for exploring the lives and thoughts of the people who lived there. This experience, living in the mansion, was a rare opportunity to observe these aspects firsthand.

Thinking about it, it was a precious experience that a researcher might only have once in a lifetime. Although there were things he wanted to say to Professor Fushimi, who had sent him here without considering his circumstances, the chance to live and breathe in a research-worthy mansion was incredibly rare.

The man Julian called Paul was standing beside Fujimori, holding his suitcase.

“This is Paul. He will show you to your room.”

“Ah, thank you.”

Fujimori placed his empty cup down and stood up, bowing his head slightly.

The ‘Cat Man’ scrutinised Fujimori with a suspicious expression before opening the door and preparing to leave.

In a different way from the unfriendly Frau Gessner, Paul gave off a disagreeable vibe. Julian called his name in a low tone.

“Paul.”

His already deep voice lowered further, almost sounding like a growl. He probably wasn’t trying to be intimidating. But he had a commanding presence.

Paul made a face, squinting one eye in clear displeasure, and pointed outside the door.

“This way.”

His attitude seemed quite unsuitable for a servant. Julian spoke again, his voice rumbling through his beard.

“Paul, mind your manners.”

Fujimori wondered if Paul was a newly hired and not very competent servant. But he nodded towards Julian.

“Well, I’ll take you up on your kind hospitality.”

“Please, make yourself at home. I’ll see you at dinner.”

Julian escorted Fujimori out of the room with those words of otherworldly hospitality, shaking Fujimori’s hand with his firm grip once more.

As Fujimori followed Paul up the stairs and down a long hallway, he thought, indeed, if one didn’t make an effort to meet up, it would be easy to miss each other in such a large mansion.

He noted that there were stairs by the entrance and next to the study. So there might be one or two more elsewhere in the house.

Paul led Fujimori to a room and opened the door.

“Wow… what a nice room.”

It was a spacious room, over ten tatami mats in size, with high ceilings. Despite the age of the house, the red velvet curtains hanging from the ceiling and the bed gave off a clean and fresh feeling. This was perhaps thanks to Frau Gessner’s meticulousness.

There was a writing desk by the window, as well as a separate set of chairs and a table. It was probably one of the several guest rooms. Alternatively, it might have been used by a member of the former Count Hachigaya family.

The fact that the door to the adjacent room was left open probably meant that it could be used as well. What a luxurious treatment this is.

Fujimori, who had been granted the privilege of staying in this room, which seemed far more comfortable than any hotel, looked around the room with great satisfaction.

Even the upper part of the door and the ceiling were adorned with delicate mahogany decorations. The golden fabric stretched between the mahogany frames on the ceiling was decorated with Persian embroidery, which alone was breathtaking.

“Amazing. When was this craftsmanship done? This is quite a taste.”

It felt like a dream to find a mansion in such a remote mountain area that could maintain this level of craftsmanship in such a near-perfect condition. Although Professor Fushimi’s self-centred tyranny always left Fujimori frustrated, there was no denying that the professor had an excellent ability to sniff out architectural gems of outstanding quality.

The polished floor was a masterpiece of intricate parquetry. Its design was refreshingly unique.

“This is incredible.”

As Fujimori muttered in delight, Paul brought in the suitcase.

Paul plopped the suitcase down near the entrance and pointed forcefully.

“It’s heavy!”

With just those words, the man swiftly exited the room.

“…What?”

Fujimori stared blankly at the door that had closed with a bang.

When people are surprised, they often can’t find the right words to respond immediately.

“…What’s with that guy?”

Fujimori tilted his head, thinking that the servant’s attitude was far too rude for someone dealing with a guest.

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*Translator’s Note: In the physical copy of the novel, this marks the end of Part 1 from Chapter 1. We’re entering Part 2 in the next chapter. Phew! -K

*GLOSSARY:

In Japan, rooms are traditionally measured by the number of tatami mats because tatami has long been a standard flooring material in Japanese homes. A tatami mat has a standardised size, approximately 0.9 metres by 1.8 metres (varying slightly by region), making it a practical unit of measurement for room dimensions. This method dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when rooms were often designed around the size and layout of tatami mats.

Since tatami mats were a key part of Japanese architecture and culture, counting rooms by the number of mats became a cultural norm, which persists even today. It’s a convenient and visual way to describe the size of a room, as the number of tatami mats gives a direct sense of the space’s layout and proportions. For example, a ‘6-tatami’ room gives an immediate idea of the room’s size and function.

Next update: 2024.10.26

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