The opening ceremony proceeded, leaving me behind in the wake of the crowd’s rising fervor.
"Now then, ahead of this tournament, we shall have a few words from Ein-sama. She is the Chairman of the World Maid Federation and the World Maid Association, an Honorary Professor of the Maid Research Society, a Special Director of the Maid Management Organization, and the Chief Judge of Maid Olympia."
That was too many titles! The World Maid Federation, the World Maid Association, the Maid Research Society, the Maid Management Organization… he had just rattled off four distinct organizations. On top of that, she was clearly involved in the actual operation of the festival itself.
It was just as I suspected. I was now certain that the fact that maids in this world were so bizarre was entirely Ein-san's fault. No matter how I looked at it, she was the one leading the charge... and the cheer that greeted her name was the loudest yet.
"Chairman, that is the greatest maid in the world, Ein-sama."
"She's Chrome-sama’s maid, right? I haven't really spoken to her much, though..."
"Yes. She holds various epithets, such as the Maid of Maids and the Zenith of the Maid World. It is said her Maid Power is 530,000."
"Well, that’s impressive. Even the Super Maids participating today—who are supposedly the elite—only hit 130,000, right? She’s more than four times that."
"Yes. Furthermore, it is said that Ein-sama has never once shown her full strength at Maid Olympia. Rumors suggest her true power easily exceeds 1,000,000. She claimed ten consecutive victories at Maid Olympia with overwhelming strength, and since no one was left to oppose her, she stepped down to become a judge. However… rumor has it that there is exactly one person in this world who serves as Ein-sama's rival. The details are entirely unknown, and the matter remains shrouded in mystery."
Naturally, Ein-san was a super-celebrity within the Maid World. As the pinnacle of maids worldwide, she was essentially a charismatic icon. The stadium's frenzy reached a new peak, and even Frau watched her with an adoring gaze.
"...Seriously, I really wish they’d stop with this awful reputational damage," a voice whispered from behind.
It was a quiet murmur intended only for my ears, sounding utterly exhausted. Well, the rival Ein-san spoke of was undoubtedly Alice. I could understand why she was so fed up, and for once, I felt genuine sympathy for her.
"To the determined maids gathered here, I have no intention of preaching the basics of what it means to be a maid," Ein-san began, speaking with profound gravity. "You have all spent your days honing your craft. Whether in technique, spirit, or combat power… each is indispensable to a first-class maid. Today, demonstrate the skills you have polished to your heart’s content and compete against your rivals. However, mark my words: do not be satisfied with victory. Even winning this tournament does not mean you have mastered the way of the maid. The path lies far beyond the horizon. At the same time, there is no leisure to crouch in despair over defeat. You are all seekers walking the endless maid way. Keep your eyes forward and keep advancing. I pray that this tournament serves as the catalyst for your next step."
Ein-san spoke with such passion… but what exactly was a maid? The question that had surfaced countless times since I arrived in this world bubbled up once more. Unfortunately, an answer seemed as elusive as ever.
"By the way, what kind of events do they actually hold?" I asked.
"The first is quite standard," Frau explained in response to Lilia-san’s murmur. "Since there are so many participants, the qualifiers are held as a mass-participation event to weed out the crowd."
"What kind of 'maid event' involves a mass competition?" Akane interjected.
As the retorts flew, the opening ceremony concluded, and the first event was announced.
"Now then, the qualifying event is… a fundamental requirement for any maid! A test of combat power! We shall begin with a battle royale divided into groups!"
"...Hey, Frau?"
"Yes?"
"Is this really 'standard'?"
"It is the most standard of standards. For a maid, combat power is essential."
"...I see... Just what the hell is a maid...?"
I found myself in total agreement with Akane’s resigned mutter. A battle royale right out of the gate?
"Oh, by the way, the participants have already received their group assignments. I am in Group 6, and Lunamaria-san is in Group 2. Incidentally, the Super Maids and those who placed in the Best 8 in the previous tournament are exempt from the qualifiers."
"But if it’s a test of combat power, doesn't Luna-san have a good chance of making it through?"
"That’s true. Luna probably won't lose to most opponents. However, some of the participants are supposedly at a Peerage-class level, so she’ll need to stay sharp."
Peerage-class levels were in this too? Maids were only getting more terrifying.
Serious-senpai: "...Just what in the world is a maid...?"