I’d been seeing the same dream for as long as I could remember. Over and over again.
The premise was simple: a scene where a Demon King gave orders to his four subordinates. I was always there, watching the scene from the sidelines. Perhaps I was his secretary?
The Demon King wasn't the same one we have now, but I somehow knew that’s what he was. He had a terrifying face, exactly like you’d expect a Demon King to have. His orders were usually violent—commands to destroy, to kill, and the like. Back then, I used to wake up crying on the mornings after I had that dream.
But I wasn't afraid anymore. Not since I realized that the Demon King’s face was the spitting image of someone I knew: Gilspark-san. He's the son of the Magistrate of Shashato City—the eldest son, no less. It’s quite impressive. At first, I was shocked that he looked like that terrifying Demon King, but I'm fine now. He works so hard helping out at the shop.
Though, apparently, he used to be a bit of a delinquent in the past. Hehe. Seeing him help small children with their meals, I can't imagine him being like that at all.
The four subordinates from the dream—likely the Four Heavenly Kings—were also people I recognized.
One was the War God himself, Galf-sama. I'd snuck into the martial arts tournament venue once to catch a glimpse... he was incredible. With a single strike from a wooden sword, he sent those annoying, arrogant posturing fools flying. It was so satisfying. He went on to win the whole thing just like that. In my dream, I think he called himself the Martial King. Personally, I think "War God" suits him much better than "Martial King."
Another was Sha-san. He’s a brilliant chef who’s always experimenting with various dishes at the shop. Every now and then, he lets me try his prototypes... though about one out of every ten is absolutely revolting. The other nine are delicious, but that one failure is truly feared by everyone. He says he tastes them, but I think he just loses his sense of flavor while he's tinkering. Since I'm the only one brave enough to eat those failures without flinching, Sha-san has come to remember my face.
In the dream, I think he was called the Gourmet King. Oh, but in the dream, he was incredibly fat and never cooked for himself; he just made his subordinates do it. A far cry from the real Sha-san, but I knew it was him all the same.
Next was Potte-san, the shop’s Reception Chief. She has such a lovely smile, but in the dream, she was cold and ruthless, never cracking a single grin. They called her the Cold-blooded King. I suppose she could pull off that look if she wanted to, but I much prefer her smile as it is now.
The last one was Hot-san. He caused some trouble for the shop a while back and ended up in the custody of the church. Now he comes by the shop to perform community service. Since his arrival led to Gilspark-san helping out too, I suppose it all worked out for the best. In the dream, he called himself the Jealousy King. Why would anyone name themselves that? I have to question his taste, but then again, it was only a dream.
The Hot-san I know is serious and hardworking. I probably shouldn't be spreading this around, but I heard he was the strategist back when Gilspark-san was a delinquent. When Gilspark-san fell for a certain baker’s daughter and decided to turn over a new leaf, Hot-san was left behind and went on a bit of a rampage. Gilspark-san actually bowed his head and apologized for it. I suppose their friendship just got a bit complicated.
Oops, I've let my secret slip.
Anyway, once I realized the people in my nightmares were just familiar faces, I stopped having those dreams. I wonder what they were? Now, I even feel a little nostalgic for them. In the dream, the reason Gilspark-san turned violent was that his wife was killed by a Hero. I wonder if that wife was the baker’s daughter? The lady who comes by the shop to research bread sometimes... No, the wife in the dream looked more like a sheltered noble daughter. She must have been someone else. Regardless, everyone met a grisly end in those dreams, so I'm much happier with the way things are now. No problems at all.
A few days later, Marcos-san and Paula-san took me to meet the Shop Manager. Standing beside him, I could see Gilspark-san, Sha-san, Potte-san, and Hot-san. So close! If the Shop Manager had brought Galf-san along, the whole set would have been complete.
Wait, an introduction? From me? Marcos-san, please don't put me on the spot like this!
"We have entrusted her with the shop’s accounting," he said. "Without her, the Maruura we know wouldn't exist today."
He was exaggerating! But I couldn't let Marcos-san or Paula-san lose face. I steeled my resolve and gave my greeting.
The very next day, I found myself appointed as the Accounting Chief of Big Roof Shashato.
...Eh? Huh? Wait.
I was the accountant for Maruura, but I’ve never handled money on such a scale before... No, Maruura's finances were already quite intense, but this is on another level. Why are the high-ranking members of the Goroun Company being so polite to me? I don't need bodyguards!
Oh, a private office? I suppose that’s nice. Subordinates, too? My heart is wavering...
Oh, forget it. It's not like I can resist. They hired me when I was destitute after my previous shop went under. Marcos-san, Paula-san, and Shop Manager—I'll give it my all.
But I do have one question for confirmation. Why is there a bedroom prepared right next to my private office? There’s no deep meaning to it, right? Right? Please, don't look away from me. I don't want to hear about hiring more staff or "getting things ready quickly." I want an explanation!