This story took place back when the Six Kings lived together under Kuromueina.
At Kuromueina’s dwelling in the heart of the Demon Realm, it was common practice for the family to eat their meals together. Most of them were high-ranking demons who had no biological need for sustenance, but since Kuromueina was quite the gourmet—or perhaps she just enjoyed the act of eating—communal meals occurred frequently.
On this particular day, the family gathered around a table laden with dishes prepared by Ein. Dinner was usually held on the terrace, a necessity considering family members like Magnawell were far too large to fit indoors.
"Mmm, that smells wonderful. Honestly, Ein-san, your cooking is as superb as always."
"You sound... dissatisfied. Shaltier? If you have a complaint, please don't hesitate to voice it."
"Huh? No, didn't I just praise you?"
Shaltier had only been part of the family for a few years. Ein, while setting out the food, directed a look of inexplicable frustration toward her.
As Shaltier tilted her head in confusion, Ein began to tremble as if struggling against a wave of humiliation, before finally forcing out her words.
"It is true that you are my superior in many respects. One could even say you are closer than I am to the Ideal Attendant Vision I pursue. I will admit it; for now, you outrank me... However, do not assume it will stay that way forever!"
"Whoa, she’s radiating some serious hostility... Kuro-san, what's this all about?"
With tears of vexation practically welling in her eyes, Ein made her declaration. Shaltier turned to Kuromueina, who was sitting a short distance away, with a look of utter bewilderment.
Kuromueina gave a wry smile and answered Shaltier’s unspoken question.
"Well, she seems to be incredibly frustrated that she lost to you in cooking and every other contest you’ve had."
"It’s just a difference in years of experience. Ein-san’s skills are incredibly high-level too. She’ll catch up to me before long."
"Hmph... Enjoy your composure while it lasts. I will surely wipe that triumphant look off your face."
"I was trying to be supportive! Is there literally nothing I can say that won't make things worse!?"
Indeed, Shaltier—who had recently joined the family—was exceptionally versatile, possessing what could only be described as mastery over every possible field.
It had all started when Ein happened to see Shaltier cooking on a whim. Shocked by the other woman's technique, Ein had challenged her to a contest and lost. For Ein, whose life's goal was to become the Ideal Attendant, that defeat was agonizing. She had proceeded to challenge Shaltier in various other disciplines, including dressmaking... and suffered a total defeat every single time.
As things stood, Ein was forced to acknowledge that Shaltier was essentially a superior version of herself. Unable to hide her resentment, she had developed a fierce sense of rivalry. Shaltier, on the other hand, felt no such competitive drive; if anything, she deeply regretted her choices, wishing she had held back and lost on purpose.
"Mark my words, I am the one who will reach the state of the Ideal Attendant. Not you... I absolutely will not lose to you again."
"Look, I'm not even trying for that... Just leave me out of it and go aim for your ideal maid or whatever on your own."
"Maid? Shaltier, what exactly is a 'maid'?"
Ein immediately latched onto the word Shaltier had uttered in exasperation. Ein knew that Shaltier had come from another world and possessed vast knowledge that she and the others lacked, but regardless of that, the word "maid" exerted a powerful pull on her.
"Eh? Ah, I guess people don't use that word in this world. You can just think of it as a term for a female attendant. It’s nothing worth worrying—"
"Maid... maid... What is this? This sound... it resonates with me. It feels like destiny."
"Oh boy. I think I just said something I shouldn't have. Forget I mentioned it, let's just hurry up and eat..."
"Wait, Shaltier! Tell me more about these maids! I have a feeling—a conviction—that this is exactly what I have been searching for!"
She didn't know why, and she had no proof. Yet, the depths of Ein’s soul were screaming. To crystallize her vision of the Ideal Attendant, the concept of the maid was indispensable.
Faced with Ein’s terrifying intensity as she leaned in, Shaltier looked genuinely repulsed.
"No thanks. This sounds like it’s going to be a huge pain."
"I see... You won't give up the secrets to the Ideal Attendant so easily. Fine. Then how about this? Once I finally achieve victory over you, you will tell me everything about these maids!"
"There's absolutely no benefit in that for me! Fine, whatever! I don't want to deal with any more contests, so I'll just tell you after we eat..."
"Shaltier! Thank you so much!!"
"Man... you were glaring at me like I killed your parents a second ago. Talk about a total 180..."
In contrast to Ein, who was now beaming with genuine joy, Shaltier looked like someone who had just realized she'd stumbled into a world of trouble.
This exchange would eventually serve as the catalyst that fundamentally altered the perception of maids in this world of Trinia.
Serious-senpai: "Wait, what? I thought the whole concept of maids was introduced by a Former Hero-role..."
???: "No, not at all. People believe that now, but the truth is quite different. After the Friendship Treaty was signed, Ein-san spread the culture of maids throughout the Human Realm under the guise of it being passed down by the Hero-role. If she hadn't framed it that way, a maid being stronger than an average knight would never have been accepted as common sense."
Serious-senpai: "Ah... Yeah, that makes sense. So, if we trace it back to the beginning, isn't it actually your fault?"
???: "Hey, that’s taking it a bit too far. Even with Alice-chan’s brain, nobody could have predicted that a simple conversation would give birth to a monster with such a bizarre obsession with maids..."