“…Hmm?”
As soon as I sent a letter to the Lady, I got ready to head out and stepped outside the mansion, only to be puzzled by the sight of a procession spread out in the garden.
“Why is everyone outside…?”
For some reason, all the servants of the mansion were lined up neatly on both sides of the garden.
“It’s nothing special. I ordered it.”
“…Cecil?”
While I was tilting my head and looking around, Cecil, who had followed me out without me noticing, smiled and spoke.
“How is it? Doesn’t it feel like the dignity of the Lingard Count’s family?”
Certainly, seeing all the mansion’s servants bowing their heads on both sides was quite a spectacle.
But this isn’t some kind of victory parade—do I really need this kind of send-off for just going out?
“When the hero and current head of the family is heading out, the servants should at least do this much.”
“Uh, well…”
“Don’t you think so, brother?”
I meekly nodded at Cecil’s assertive reply to my timid question.
Anyway, this was proof that Cecil had completely seized control over the mansion.
If there were any complaints among the servants, I’d just have to quietly raise their wages a little.
“Well then, safe travels.”
“…Haha.”
“Oh, and say hello to Sister Tiffany for me.”
As I was quietly descending the stairs, lost in such thoughts, I paused at her words from behind and fell into thought.
‘Rather than delivering greetings, I’ll probably have to bow and scrape in front of her.’
Although Cecil and I were briefly close with her when we were kids, that was all in the past.
The Astelaid family, whose founder was none other than the former Saintess, currently stands as the head of all white mages in the world.
Moreover, Tiffany is so incredibly talented that no one objected to her becoming the leader despite her being several years younger than me.
‘If I can’t convince her in this meeting, honestly, the future looks bleak.’
That’s why, for someone like me—who’s subtly being checked by the two great powers, the Empire and the Holy Kingdom—the support of Lumen Ordo is absolutely crucial.
No matter how powerful the Emperor or the Pope is, it would be difficult for them to go against the leader of the White Mage Alliance, a key player in the upcoming events, just to confront me.
The problem is Tiffany and her close aides’ god-awful personalities…
But honestly, whether I can gain their support without a hitch is still uncertain.
Originally, I was planning to bring Parsha, who seemed like she’d click with them, but after learning about her deep ties with black magic, that wasn’t an option anymore.
So, for now, I sent a letter to the Lady asking for help, grasping at straws, but since it was such a last-minute request, I doubt she’ll respond.
‘…If I just don’t get scolded later, I’ll consider it lucky.’
Still, I’ve got to give it my all, even if I’m alone.
Even though I took on the role of Hero unexpectedly, I have no intention of treating it lightly.
Rather, when I think of it as challenging the true ending of Blacktail Fantasy 3, something no one else has reached, I can’t help but feel a fire rise in me.
‘And… more than anything, I really don’t want to see the Lady fall and become the final boss now.’
Though I’ve unintentionally broken a good number of bad ending flags through everything that’s happened so far, surprisingly, there’s still a high possibility that Lady Meredia could become the final boss.
Like the recently quieted Prince Mayer…
Or the Duke of Embergreen, who disappeared just like my father…
Or even the Emperor, filled with thoughts of keeping her in check.
Of course, the biggest threat would be the leader of the black mages—“The Great Shadow.”
According to my theory, she’s the one who cast the irreversible curse on Lady Meredia and is the mastermind behind all of this.
‘And the strange power I possess might be the only key to defeating her.’
Whether it’s partially neutralizing the Lady’s curse that no one else can weaken, or involuntarily placing marks that resemble emblems on high-ranking officials…
By now, it’s practically undeniable that I have some hidden ability.
So, in addition to persuading Lumen Ordo, uncovering the secret of my power must also be a goal of this meeting.
“Sigh… What a magnificent sight.”
“…Hmm?”
Anyway, as I was organizing my thoughts, I suddenly heard a familiar voice from ahead.
“This is what a Demon King should look like… mmm.”
“…Parsha?”
Standing in front of the carriage, Parsha was looking around at the lined-up servants with sparkling eyes.
I was a bit worried since she spent the whole day yesterday asleep on my bed, but thankfully, she seems to have completely recovered her energy.
“It really is… kind of moving.”
“…Right?”
“For a knight… the dignified sight of their lord is always welcome.”
And not just Parsha, who had clearly perked up, but even Runiel was glancing around with an unusually excited look in her eyes.
“…Brother, you have to treat your closest aides separately like this. That’s how you establish presence.”
“Aha…”
At first, I wondered what they were doing, but Cecil’s whisper from behind made me realize it actually made some sense.
‘This is… kind of like being a mafia boss, isn’t it…?
I’ve been feeling this strange dissonance for a while, like I’ve become a big shot in the underworld rather than a righteous hero, but that’s probably just my modern perspective talking.
“…Ahem, hmm.”
“?”
Just as I was quietly rationalizing things to myself, I suddenly heard a coughing sound from the side.
“Oh, hello, Master.”
“…Huh?”
Turning toward the sound, I saw none other than the Archdemon Riphael—who had been so rebellious just yesterday—standing meekly among the maids and waving her hand.
“Didn’t you call me a mere human before…?”
“D-Did I? I stayed up all night doing laundry and cleaning, so I don’t remember very well…”
I don’t know what she’s plotting, but since the incident in the office yesterday, she’s become noticeably more obedient and has started fulfilling her duties as a maid.
‘Well, since she’s behaving now, it should be fine…?
Honestly, her sudden change is very suspicious, but it’s still better than her being openly defiant.
Just in case, I left Runiel at the mansion, so even if she is hiding something, nothing serious should happen before I return…
“Eeek! Hic…”
Wait, hold on.
Why is Sasha standing between Runiel and Parsha, looking completely pale?
“Cecil, why is Sasha over there?”
“…Hm? Isn’t Sasha one of the officers too?”
“Haha…”
Curiosity got the better of me, so I gently asked Cecil a question, only to awkwardly scratch my head at her puzzled response.
‘Come to think of it, Sasha is technically an executive now…’
Even though it hasn’t been long since Sasha joined the mansion, the turnover rate among the maids is so high that, relatively speaking, she could be considered a veteran.
Now that I think about it, despite her performance in the selection match, I haven’t really done anything for Sasha as promised.
Maybe I should use this opportunity to give her a promotion?
“I-I mean… I don’t mind just being part of the formation…”
“Sasha, are you trying to shy away from such an honorable position?”
“N-no, that’s not what I meant… Eek?”
Right, strike while the iron is hot.
It’d be better to reward her publicly while all the servants are gathered like this.
With that in mind, I walked over to Sasha, who had been talking with Parsha, and the moment she saw me approaching, her eyes widened and she shrank back.
“Sasha, congratulations on your promotion to head maid.”
“…Huh?”
As I loudly declared it, patting her on the shoulder, a heavy silence fell over the garden.
“Now you’ll be in charge of all the maids in the mansion.”
“W-what? Huh?”
“And of course, that comes with a pay raise. Isn’t that great?”
Within that silence, Sasha’s dazed voice echoed, and the maids standing with their heads bowed in the garden began whispering to each other with curious expressions.
“So… Sasha’s taking the fall, huh.”
“…Poor thing.”
“Still, there’s really no better fit. Half of the mansion survival rules were written by Sasha anyway…”
“Shh! If they find out such a thing exists, we’re all doomed…”
I couldn’t hear everything clearly because of the distance, but judging from the mood, it was probably a mix of congratulations and envy.
“Th-then… does that mean I’m no longer your personal maid…?”
Meanwhile, Sasha cautiously watched my expression and asked that question.
I responded firmly to meet her expectations.
“Of course not. You’ll continue in that role. You’re undeniably my closest aide.”
“…Ah.”
“Well then, I’ll be counting on you even more from now on.”
Recognizing and respecting your subordinates’ value—that’s what makes a true superior.
Thankfully, Sasha seemed genuinely touched that I understood her feelings.
“Haha… Hahaha…”
She burst into relaxed laughter with a silly smile, and watching her like that filled me with warmth.
‘Sasha really is lucky to have a boss like me.’
Maybe next time I have some free time, I should pay a visit to her family.
***
Clatter, clatter…
With a satisfied smile, Whitney waved from the carriage at the executives and servants seeing him off as it sped away from the mansion.
“Ugh… urgh…”
And once again, silence settled over the garden—broken by a desperate muttering.
“Why does my rank keep going up…?!”
As Sasha, teary-eyed and on the verge of crying, clutched her head in despair, pitiful gazes began to fall on her from all directions.
“Maybe it’s because she gave up her vacation and worked so hard guiding the new maids?”
“Oh, right. M-my vacation!”
Thanks to Parsha’s innocent remark, Sasha realized she’d missed another chance to take her long-awaited time off—and wailed even louder.
“…What are you all doing? Get back to work already.”
“…?!”
“And Sasha, don’t worry too much.”
Cecil, who had been watching Sasha from the side, gave a single command that sent the servants scattering, then gently approached and spoke to her.
“I also have the authority to sign off on vacation paperwork, you know.”
“Ah!”
“But in return, there’s something I want to ask you…”
At those words, Sasha’s eyes widened as she hurriedly approached Cecil with a cheerful expression.
“What is it, young lady?”
To that eager Sasha, Cecil narrowed her eyes and whispered with a chilling smile that looked oddly familiar from somewhere.
“…I’ve heard some strange rumor-like documents have been circulating around the mansion lately.”
“Ah.”
“Do you… know anything about that?”
It seemed that Sasha’s time of suffering would continue, even after becoming head maid.
***
“Looks like… she’s fully come around to the Master’s side now.”
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Parsha muttered quietly while glancing sidelong at Cecil, who had begun questioning Sasha.
“I suppose I can finally take her off the danger list.”
Just as she smiled with satisfaction and turned to head back to the mansion—
“…Um, hey. You.”
“Hm?”
“You’re the second-in-command here, right?”
It was Riphael, who had been lingering around the garden nervously, who suddenly held her breath and asked her.
“…I guess I am?”
“Wait, don’t be so on guard. Just hear me out.”
Parsha, watching her warily, soon had her expression harden.
“Your master… what exactly is he?”
“……”
“Pretending not to know won’t help. I-I saw it. I saw him when he opened his eyes.”
Still trembling and looking around nervously, Riphael continued to speak.
“How could a white mage possibly wield the power of dominion at the same time… huh?”
“Shh.”
But before she could finish speaking, her mouth was abruptly covered.
“They say birds hear you in the day, and rats at night.”
“……”
“You mustn’t go around leaking our Master’s secrets carelessly…”
Parsha’s hand pressed over Riphael’s lips, and her eyes had begun to shine with a cold glint.
Cliche Novel 