I was hanging out at Alice's general store, sitting at the counter and killing time with some idle chatter, when she brought it up.
"Oh, that reminds me, Kaito-san. I'm finally getting around to that overhaul of the peerage ranks I mentioned before. Want to tag along?"
"Hmm? Oh, you mean promoting more people to Duke-class like you said back during the beach trip... It took you quite a while to get started on that, didn't it?"
"Well, I had to prepare everything so the info would spread quickly... and I spent a lot of time trying to figure out if there was any—literally any—decent way to persuade Ein-san. Eventually, I just gave up on that part. By the way, I've officially washed my hands of trying to talk sense into her."
"...I have a feeling that was the main reason for the delay."
I see. If even Alice’s intellect couldn't find a workaround, then the situation was truly hopeless. It seemed the birth of the "Maid-class" was inevitable. Then again, I couldn't imagine any other way to satisfy Ein-san either, so I suppose it couldn't be helped.
"Well, setting that aside, when you say 'tag along'... does that mean you’re going around to personally certify them, Alice?"
"Yep, since there aren't many of them. So, come with me! I need you there primarily for my own mental stability when I have to tell Ein-san about this moronic rank... actually, it’s not even a peerage anymore."
"Ignoring the reason for a moment, are we going right now? I don't have any plans for today, so I'm free, but..."
"I'm just delivering the news, so it’s not like I need to pack a bag or anything-ssu."
"Fair enough. Let me finish this tea and we can head out."
Technically, this was a moment where the very history of the Demon Realm was about to shift, yet the conversation felt remarkably casual. Then again, these were just titles Alice used for easier administration, so perhaps this was exactly the right level of gravity for the people involved.
With those thoughts in mind, I drained the last of my tea.
"For the record, I've already notified my own subordinates. I promoted both Pandora and Pandemonium to Duke-class."
"You said you were picking two from each camp... What about Kuro's side? Are you promoting two others besides Ein-san?"
"That’s the plan. As for who... well, you’ll just have to wait and see!"
After Alice spoke, she snapped her fingers, and a teleportation magic circle appeared beneath my feet.
Our first stop was Kuro's castle. Given the location, there was no need to guess who we were here to see.
"...Kaito-sama and Shaltier? What brings you here?"
"Hello, Ein-san. Sorry for the sudden visit."
It was indeed Ein-san. Despite our unannounced arrival, she welcomed us warmly and led us to the dining hall, where she promptly served tea and sweets. We had literally just finished tea moments ago, but since it was her hospitality, I decided to accept.
"...I've never had this flavor before, but it's delicious."
"Heh, this is... I see. You've used Nebula-san's tea leaves to blend varieties that would normally fight each other. Impressive."
"Hmph. To recognize it in a single sip—as expected of my rival. It seems your skills haven't dulled."
"Seriously, please stop calling me your rival. It’s a huge pain."
Alice responded with a look of total exasperation, which was rare for her, while Ein-san wore a somewhat combative smile. After a short pause, Alice seemed to steel herself before speaking.
"Ein-san, actually, because the number of Count-classes has been increasing lately, I’m planning to adjust the certification criteria and promote several people to Duke-class."
"I see. You should do as you please. The management of the peerage is entirely your jurisdiction, is it not?"
"In line with that, I’m creating a new rank one tier above the current one, and I want you to move up into it, Ein-san."
By avoiding the specific term "Maid-class," Alice was clearly clinging to a faint, desperate hope that Ein might just agree to the promotion and accept a normal-sounding title.
However, reality was cruel. The moment the proposal left Alice's mouth, Ein's expression soured.
"I refuse. To begin with, the fact that I, a maid, am currently addressed by a rank like 'Duke' is already an insult. I have only compromised and allowed it because you insisted so fervently; I do not claim the title myself, though I have stopped denying it. Please do not forget that by allowing myself to be called anything other than 'Maid'—even if only by others—I am already making the greatest possible concession."
As expected, it was a firm, absolute rejection. Indeed, for someone as thoroughly obsessed with her profession as Ein-san, even tolerating the title of a Duke-class was her way of meeting Alice halfway.
Realizing her gambit had failed, Alice's shoulders slumped in total defeat.
"...The new rank is called 'Maid-class.'"
"I have no objections. I am simply moved by such a magnificent and wise decision. What are you waiting for, Shaltier? Hurry up and certify me as a Maid-class High-ranking Demon."
Her about-face was so fast it was almost dizzying. Her previous dissatisfaction vanished instantly, replaced by eyes sparkling with such intensity that her joy was palpable.
"...I hereby certify Ein-san as a Maid-class High-ranking Demon."
"Exquisite. At last, I have returned to my true form."
In stark contrast, Alice looked miserable. But by this point, the words were out, and there was no taking them back.
And so, on this day, a rank known as Maid-class High-ranking Demon was officially established above the Duke-class. The fact that this didn't even feel that strange to me was a sign that I, too, was becoming dangerously desensitized to the madness of maids.
???: "Couldn't you have gone with Quasi-King-class or Archduke-class...?"
Serious-senpai: "It's not that she couldn't, it's that Ein would never have agreed to them."
???: "That's the problem! That's exactly it! Sigh... How am I supposed to keep a straight face from now on when I have to tell people the zenith of the peerage is the Maid-class High-ranking Demon...?"
Serious-senpai: "Honestly, for this world? It doesn't even feel that out of place."
???: "...And that's exactly why I hate it."