Jean was hired as the fourth employee of the Weatherwoods family. Her position was that of butler. After cutting her silver hair and putting on the attire of a male employee, Jean's appearance had changed enough to pass for a man at first glance. Standing around 170 cm, she possessed a solid stature along with well-trained shoulders and arms thanks to her skill with the sword. The firmness of her legs and lower body, hidden by trousers, combined with the unique sharp edge of a swordsman, created a formidable impression.
If you keep your mouth closed, you definitely look like a man.
I still didn't know why she had to do this. The roles of a maid and a butler were usually distinct. However, this was the unfortunate Weatherwoods mansion, whose real owner was a magical artifact. A place where all employees, except the cook, shared their duties under the law of the head maid.
—Miss Daisy? Take Jean with you to the market. You can show her the shops you visit most frequently. Here is the list of what we need.
So I, the maid, was teaching the butler. It was annoying.
Why must I educate Jean when she was hired by the head maid?
It's true that I was the one who dueled Jean, but more precisely, it was like a duel with the master, not me.
—Jean.
—Yes, madam.
—I'll show you the essence of running errands. Follow me.
—Yes, madam.
But she was smart; that was the only thing I liked. I headed to the market with my junior employee by my side.
—What? A young man like this is a butler?
Of course, Jean was very popular at the market.
—Oh, you're very handsome. Come here, young man. It's hot, isn't it? Have a glass of water and be on your way.
—Thank you.
—Viscountess Weatherwoods must have chosen him for his looks.
—No, sir.
—Haha. He's very humble too. You two look great together. When are you getting married?
I trembled with surprise.
—Never!
—Eh? Isn't this your boyfriend? Oh, I'm sorry. When I heard a bachelor became the butler of that esteemed family, I thought he was related to you, young lady. I apologize for the misunderstanding, young man.
—Tsk tsk. You're very foolish. This girl's boyfriend is that sinisterly beautiful young man with blue hair.
—There is no such thing.
It was unpleasant to be mistaken for having a relationship with two people who were nothing of the sort, but it wasn't that I didn't understand the market merchants' confusion. That's how shocking the sudden hiring of another staff member was. But the most surprising thing was still that no one realized Jean was a woman.
While buying the requested items, I introduced Jean to popular miscellaneous goods like the "Expert Maid's Budget Cleaning Brush Set" and the "Expert Maid's Budget Sewing Kit." After that, I returned home.
—I'll be on a business trip tomorrow and the day after.
—The head maid told me you're going to Westwinterre with Mr. Rue.
Jean, who was helping me organize things, said with a rather serious look.
—Maybe it's paranoia, but be careful when you get there. Of course, everything will be fine, since Mr. Rue will be there.
If Jean said something like that, it meant Rue had left some kind of impression on the swordswoman.
—By the way, miss, how have you managed to increase your muscular strength?
Muscular strength? I looked at Jean at the sudden question. It was a good question she asked me, but it wasn't a good one for me to answer. Jean's eyes shone deep blue, as if it were hard to hide the curiosity deep in her heart.
—If you have so much muscular strength, you must repeat high-intensity training almost every day. I don't think I've ever seen you train, miss.
Her curiosity as a swordsman. Should I answer this or not? Once I start dealing with her, I'll have to keep dealing with her. The agony was short. I gave an honest answer.
—I do. Every morning, for about two hours in my room.
Jean, who let out a brief exclamation, asked very cautiously.
—Did you have Viscount Weatherwoods as a master?
—Master?
That wasn't really the case…
—Actually... I was very surprised to see you here and Mr. Rue here. It's not that you exude a tremendous aura or anything, but I simply can't find any loophole or flaw in the two of you, no matter how hard I try.
I can understand Rue, but did I also transmit that vibe? As expected of a sword demon. Her instinct was terrifying.
—I've realized how much I've lived like a frog in a well. Even after training with a sword my entire life, I could only reach this level. But, senior, you and Mr. Rue, haven't you both reached that level while also practicing your professions?
Looking at her eyes full of desire to be stronger, Rue's words from yesterday morning came to mind.
—She is like Miss Daisy.
In reality, they weren't words that echoed in me, nor a comment that encouraged me to feel better. But strangely, the words kept coming to mind.
—My training routine. Do you want me to tell you about it?
Was that why? I replied to Jean's curiosity, which I could easily have ignored and continued living my life without anything, for no reason. Jean also responded with a question with surprised eyes, as if she hadn't expected this.
—Are you sure?
I didn't particularly like or dislike Jean. However, for some reason, I felt a bit emotionally weakened when it came to Jean's desire to become stronger. Whether I accepted that duel or didn't completely rule out her intention to enter the Weatherwoods Mansion, it was all because of that. Why? Because Jean was the same sex as me? Because she was a swordsman or because she was a sword demon? Was it because she had no family?
—In exchange, there's a condition.
—Please say it.
—No training beyond what I've taught for a week.
—Now the only thing I have left is time. I'll follow whatever training I'm given.
—This is the first part.
—Yes!
—Clean all the window frames on the second floor. Finish it in one day (like me) without anyone's help. Sleep at night without thinking for a week. Don't even read a magazine. Practice.
Jean looked at me a bit lost, perhaps unable to understand. I thought she had a fierce and firm personality, but she seemed to have a distracted side. That's why they said you couldn't completely know someone in just one or two days.
—Follow my example. Practice.
However, I couldn't deny that Jean didn't lose focus when it came to training. Surprised, Jean was not slow to shout out loud.
—I'll do it!
As I watched Jean run towards the back of the kitchen to grab a mop, I finished placing the remaining items in the drawer. Why was I helping Jean? Is it because I want Jean to reach a new level as a swordsman? No. I was sure that wasn't the only answer.
The day to depart for Westwinterre dawned. As it was a short trip to the neighboring city and we had very modest plans, the schedule was also quite simple. Today at ten in the morning I'll take the train bound for Westwinterre. Arrival was scheduled for four in the afternoon. Tomorrow was when I would handle my affairs. The day after tomorrow at eleven in the morning I would take the train bound for Midwinterre. Arrival is scheduled for five in the afternoon. In total it was two nights and three days of activities. Even my companion was the same as before.
—Are you prepared? Due to the rush to get train tickets, we ended up with an itinerary of two nights and three days… but the elder is not a demanding person. Take this opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself. There are many interesting places to see in Westwinterre, so it will be fun to explore the surroundings.
—I'm glad to hear that.
—Take care of Miss Daisy, Mr. Rue. I feel uncomfortable because I feel like both of you have just returned home and have been entrusted with another cumbersome task.
—It's only a couple of days. It's like we're going for a walk, so it's fine.
—I guess so. Here, take something. This is my letter to the elder...
Explain it to me, head maid. I'm supposed to be the messenger. Don't keep staring at Rue and explain things to me. While I was busy watering the plants since Rue, the gardener, was busy…
—Pst, psst. Miss Daisy?
A wrinkled finger sticking out from the front door poked me in the back. It was the general store merchant. As soon as our eyes met, he quickly looked around and pulled a small, folded piece of paper from inside his chest, holding it out to me.
—Take it, take it. It's the secret message that grandpa potato seller sent you. Secret... S-E-C-R-E-T. Secret. You know you have to read it in secret, right?
—Secret note?
—Shhh! Shhh! What's wrong? It seems a suspicious person has entered the market… Don't worry, we're all watching. Anyway, go hide somewhere and read it to confirm.
He kept saying it was a secret. Was it a secret that all the market merchants knew? But I didn't expect to hear from him so soon. It had been less than 15 days since I hired the old potato seller as a secret member of the organization. When I unfolded the crumpled paper, straight handwriting appeared. The content of the note sent by the old potato seller was simple. That the suspicious man hadn't left the pub since he entered two hours ago. And the suspicious man was someone who visited the pub once every three months. The image that came to my mind was clear.
Berithlet.
The assassin butler had said it was time to act.
—Mr. Rue, do you have some time before the train? I should at least say hello before I go.