After finishing my greetings to Lilia-san at her mansion, I considered heading straight to the God Realm to see Fate-san. However, there were many other people I knew at the estate, and I felt it would be best to finish my rounds there first.
The ones I was most concerned about were Anima and the twins. Anima, Eta, and Theta weren't Lilia-san's servants; they were in my direct employ, which made their standing a bit different from the rest of the household staff. I was the one responsible for their wages.
I’d left roughly eighty percent of my total assets with Anima before I returned to my original world, so there shouldn't have been any financial trouble. Knowing her, she wouldn’t have been wasteful, and she surely would have paid Eta and Theta their salaries on time.
So, what was weighing on my mind? Naturally, I was worried about their well-being, but there was one other detail. Right before I left, Anima had asked me for permission to manage the funds I'd entrusted to her at her own discretion. I’d agreed instantly at the time. I wasn't worried, but I was genuinely curious to see what she’d done with that money over the span of two years.
Lost in thought, I headed toward Anima’s room. As I walked, I spotted four figures hurrying toward me from further down the hallway.
"Master!"
"Anima, I was just coming to see you. I’m ho... me?"
"Yes! Welcome home, Master!"
"Welcome back. I am relieved to see you in such good health."
"I am... happy... to see you again, Master."
"Welcome home, Miyama-sama. It brings me profound joy to see you once more."
Anima, Eta, and Theta were all calling out to me with bright, beaming faces... but wait, Caraway-san?
"...Huh? Caraway-san, why are you here?"
"I hired her as my assistant while you were away, Master. I apologize for the delayed notification; I hope you can approve of this after the fact."
"Eh? Oh, no, I don't mind that, but... are you really okay with this, Caraway-san?"
Caraway-san was a Viscount-class High-ranking Demon—a position of significant prestige in the Demon Realm. I knew she and Anima were close, but was it really alright for her to enter my service? I would have thought she’d find a much better position under one of the Six Kings.
"Yes! In fact, I was the one who practically begged Anima to let me be her assistant. Thanks to your generous intervention, Miyama-sama, my standing in the Demon Realm was restored, but I no longer felt like gathering my own subordinates as I did before. I truly wish to work for the sake of the man who saved me."
"I-I see... well, then, I look forward to working with you."
"Yes, sir!"
...Generous intervention? Saved her? I didn't remember doing anything particularly heroic for her, but Caraway-san looked so happy that I decided not to overthink it.
Right then, Anima summoned her Magic Box and pulled out a massive sack.
"Master! I am returning the funds I was holding for you."
"...Wait, hasn't the amount increased significantly?"
"Indeed! I felt it would be second-rate for an attendant to merely return the funds exactly as they were given. I took the liberty of investing and growing them!"
"I... I see."
It looked like roughly triple the amount I’d originally handed her. It seemed Anima had an unexpected talent for finance. She might look like a powerhouse, but she was attentive to detail, a hard worker, and always eager to learn. She must have grown quite a lot over those two years.
Still, as she stood there at stiff attention, she was practically radiating an aura of "please praise me." That was very much like her.
Smiling at her adorable display, I reached out and lightly patted her head.
"You really worked hard, didn't you? Thank you... Since you've done such an amazing job, would you mind if I left half of this with you to continue managing?"
"Y-Yes! Leave it to me! I promise I won't let you down, Master!"
Though Anima was a bear beastman, I could have sworn I saw a phantom image of a puppy wagging its tail with all its might. Considering I was going to be living in this world permanently from now on, having someone as reliable and faithful as Anima by my side was a huge comfort.
She tended to overwork herself sometimes, which was a worry, but I’d just have to keep a close eye on her while I continued to rely on her support.
After finishing my greetings with the rest of the household, I made my way to the temple in the God Realm. Shiro-san had asked me to visit her last, so my goal today was to greet my lover, Fate-san, and my other acquaintances among the Gods.
As soon as I reached Fate-san’s temple and stood before the massive doors, a sudden chill ran down my spine. What was this feeling...? Why was I suddenly remembering the time I visited the Hydra Kingdom?
Acting on a hunch, I stepped to the side, moving away from the center of the doorway. A split second later, the giant doors were blown off their hinges, and a small figure came flying out at bullet-like speed.
"Kai-chaaaaaaan!!"
"..."
What was the emotion I felt in that moment? Most likely, it was resignation. Despite my attempt to dodge, Fate-san executed a perfect ninety-degree turn in mid-air and barreled straight toward me.
Her head, positioned lower because of our height difference, seemed to approach in slow motion. It slammed unerringly into my solar plexus.
"Guh...!"
"Kai-chan! Geez, you're so late! I've been waiting and waiting forever!!"
Yeah, I’d thought this back in the Hydra Kingdom, too... but seriously, what kind of grudge does Fate-san have against my solar plexus? That really, really hurt.
~Kaito's Current Subordinates~
Total Strength: Honestly, they could probably wage war against an entire nation.
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Name: Anima Position: Attendant Captain Power: Count-class Ability: Highly capable (she spent the two years studying various subjects). Loyalty to Kaito: No upper limit.
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Name: Caraway Position: Assistant Attendant Captain Power: Count-class High-ranking Demon (officially promoted to Count-class after the decisive battle in the God Realm). Ability: Can understand the language of monsters; she took charge of caring for Bell and Rin alongside Sieg and Illness. Loyalty to Kaito: Loves him vewy, vewy much.
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Name: Eta Position: Attendant Power: High-ranking Demon level (nearly Baron-class). Ability: Clumsy, so she handles physical labor and heavy lifting. Loyalty to Kaito: Extremely high.
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Name: Theta Position: Attendant Power: High-ranking Demon level (nearly Baron-class). Ability: Dexterous, so she handles cooking and domestic duties. Loyalty to Kaito: Ready to be called for "night service" at a moment's notice (the most precocious of the group).