Once the usual brand of chaos had subsided, Alice spoke up as if she’d just remembered something.
"By the way, Kaito-san. That thing you asked for? It’s finished."
"Eh? Already?"
"Yep, it’s perfect."
"Thank you, that’s a huge help... How much do I owe you?"
When I had gone out for yakiniku with Alice previously, I had commissioned her to craft a certain item before we headed home. To be honest, I’d expected it to take a lot more time, but she was as efficient as ever.
"Well... since I’ve technically become your subordinate, I wouldn't mind doing it for free..."
"No, let me pay you properly. Even between friends, courtesy matters. Besides, if you’re the subordinate and I’m the boss, that means I have to pay you a salary, right?"
"Kaito-san... Fine, I understand. In that case, how does two Platinum Coins sound?"
"Is that all? I thought it would be much more expensive."
"I didn't have to add any extra materials this time, so that’s about right."
Alice sounded somewhat pleased as I handed her the two Platinum Coins and received the items. They were heavy. I needed to get them into my Magic Box immediately.
"Well then, just call if you need anything else~"
"Yeah... Alice, thanks. I’m really counting on you."
"Th-That kind of cool-guy dialogue is foul play! You’re going to make me embarrassed..."
With a faint blush visible on her cheeks through the gaps in her mask, Alice vanished. Since there wasn't much else for me to do, I crawled into bed and went to sleep.
After spending the night at the Royal Palace, I was treated to a breakfast so lavish it threatened to give me heartburn, and I spent the rest of the morning deepening my friendship with Lilia-san’s family. Finally, shortly before noon, I promised to visit again and left the palace with Lilia-san.
"Lilia-san, your family members are all such wonderful people."
"They are. And it looks like you and Orchid became quite close."
"Yeah, we had a great time talking."
Orchid was twenty, just a year younger than me. He was the first male friend of my own generation I’d made since coming to this world, and we really hit it off. He had a calm, approachable personality, so we were very compatible. I made sure to promise I’d come back to hang out soon.
"Orchid is very talented and a devoted husband. I'm quite proud of my nephew."
"A devoted husband? Wait a second. Is Orchid already married?"
"Yes. He has 'three' wives."
"..."
I stood there in a daze, processing the words Lilia-san had spoken so casually. He was a year younger than me, yet he had three wives? That was terrifying. He was handsome, kind, royalty, and had three wives—he was the ultimate winner. It was enough to make me feel incredibly pathetic by comparison.
"Um, Kaito-san? Are you alright?"
"Lilia-san... honestly, do I just lack masculine charm compared to someone like Orchid?"
"Huh? Ah, no, um... I-I think you’re much more wonderful, Kaito-san..."
"Eh? What was that?"
"N-Nothing at all!"
I’d asked the question while feeling a bit depressed, and Lilia-san had replied in a tiny whisper. I couldn't quite catch it and asked her to repeat herself, but she just turned bright red and shook her head vigorously. She looked adorable doing it, but I felt like I’d missed out on something important.
Once we returned to the mansion, I parted ways with Lilia-san at the entrance. Instead of going to my room, I went in search of two specific people. Based on the time, they should have been cleaning somewhere in the building.
After walking for about five minutes, I spotted my targets further down the hall.
"Eta, Theta."
"Ah, Master. Welcome back."
"Welcome back... desu."
Both had red hair; Eta wore hers in a long ponytail, while Theta used a cute hairpin to hold back her short locks. Both looked quite natural in their maid uniforms. Since the incident with Megiddo-san, they had settled into life as servants at the mansion. They finished their cleaning with practiced movements and bowed to me in perfect unison.
"Master, do you have need of us? If you would like tea, I can prepare it immediately..."
"No, it's fine. I was actually looking for you because I have something I want to give you."
"To us?"
Theta’s offer of tea was tempting, but I had other business to attend to. Eta tilted her head curiously as I continued.
"Both of your weapons were destroyed in that fight a while back, weren't they? Did you ever find replacements?"
"Ah, no, not yet... desu."
"It’s difficult to find weapons that can withstand our full power..."
When they had attacked me previously, their weapons had been shattered by Sieg-san and Anima. I remembered overhearing that they’d been using high-quality gear and were struggling to find anything comparable. Even though they’d started as enemies, they’d been working hard at the mansion without a single complaint ever since pledging their service to me. I was grateful for that.
As they looked at me with slightly troubled faces, I reached into my Magic Box and pulled out the items I’d received from Alice. They were a brand-new Great Spear and Great Shield crafted from the scales of the Dragon King—Magnawell-san.
"Ma-Master... this is..."
"Such incredible... magic power... desu."
"I figured I should do something a proper master would do for the two of you, since you're always working so hard. I happened to come across some of the Dragon King's scales, so I had these made for you."
"From the Dragon King-sama!?"
The material was clearly as legendary as I’d thought. Both of them stared at the items with wide eyes, completely stunned. After a long moment of silence, Eta spoke up in a flustered voice.
"W-Wait! We cannot possibly accept such expensive gifts! We are mere subordinates..."
"It is... too much honor... desu."
They both shook their heads, clearly overwhelmed. I gave a small, wry smile and spoke to them gently.
"Even if I kept them, I could never use anything this heavy. You two help me out every day, and I’m going to be relying on you plenty in the future, too. I want you to have them."
"Mas...ter..."
Eta whispered the word in a daze before reaching out with trembling hands to accept the spear. Immediately after, she dropped to one knee and bowed her head low. Theta did the same, accepting the shield and kneeling beside her sister.
"Thank you so much! Master, to think you would bestow such masterpieces upon us..."
"To serve such a kind Master is... the ultimate joy... desu."
"Come on, you're exaggerating..."
They seemed to be vibrating with emotion, their eyes glistening. I gave a strained laugh at their intense reactions, but they only grew more fervent.
"I accept this weapon as a symbol of your expectations, Master! I swear upon this spear that I will work in a way that never brings shame to your name!"
"U-Uh, yeah. Good luck with that..."
"Our bodies and souls... belong eternally to Master alone... desu."
"Right... uh, thanks?"
Their excitement had clearly redlined. They looked impossibly happy. After asking for permission from the other servants to go test the weapons, they bowed deeply one last time and sprinted toward the garden. They looked like children who had just been given the toys of their dreams. It was actually quite cute.
As I stood there smiling at their retreating backs, I felt a presence behind me and turned around.
"..."
"Eh? Anima? When did you get here?"
"Ah, n-no! I was just passing by! I-I-I certainly wasn't eavesdropping or anything like that!"
"Right, I see."
Anima’s expression was undeniably lonely as she stared longingly toward the garden. She was clearly envious of the weapons I’d given to the twins, but she likely felt it was too impudent to ask for anything for herself. Her sadness probably stemmed from the fact that she didn't use weapons, leading her to believe there would be nothing for her.
Finding her "abandoned puppy" expression rather endearing, I walked over and gently touched her black hair.
"You don't have to look so sad. I have something for you too, Anima."
"Eh? Ah, no! I couldn't possibly—!"
"You're always such a huge help to me, after all."
"Wait... this is..."
I reached out and tucked a beautiful hair ornament made from the Dragon King's scales into her hair. Since she didn't use weapons, I’d asked for an accessory—a hairpin shaped like a delicate red flower.
"There. Perfect."
"M-Master!? But... an ornament like this is... far too good for someone like me..."
"That’s not true. You're cute, Anima, so it suits you perfectly."
"C-Cute!? I-I am honored!"
As I smiled and gave her the compliment, Anima’s eyes welled up with tears and her cheeks flushed deep red. Even though she was a former black bear, I could practically see a phantom tail wagging so hard it might fall off. Her reaction was so sweet that I kept my hand on her head, stroking her smooth black hair.
"Hawa... hauh... Master..."
"Anima, thank you for everything. Truly."
"Fuaaa... Such kind words... I am so... so happy to be in your service, Master."
Her beast ears twitched with joy as she gave me a radiant smile. She looked like a puppy basking in affection. I stayed there for a while, continuing to stroke her head.
Dear Mother, Father—at first, I was so confused by the idea of having subordinates and being called "Master"... but one way or another, Anima, Eta, and Theta... I think they’ve all truly become precious to me.