I had witnessed an unusual sight, but I was unsure how to resolve the situation.
As a supervisor, I shouldn’t have been looking at such a scene just now. However, I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t seen it. I had clearly witnessed it, and even participated in the conversation. Given the current circumstances, who could even say such a thing?
Furthermore, I was currently being bombarded with an aura by Tatte, the supervisor’s attendant maid, as if to say, “Please tell me the details.” And one more thing.
“Tatte, stand down.”
“I will not! If I were to back down now, I know for a fact that I would regret it for the rest of my life!!”
Right now, they were arguing about master and subordinate, leaving me out in the cold. Still, Tatte-san is incredible. Amidst the supervisor’s absolute zero, blizzard-like gaze, Tatte, who seemed like she belonged in Akihabara, didn’t back down at all, as if this were her Sekigahara.
Perhaps it’s ironic that a Dungeon Tester, who is involved in dungeon strategy, would say that her bold challenge resembles that of a hero.
Well, for now, I’ve been temporarily sidelined, so I’ll take this opportunity to organize my thoughts. The initial argument seemed to be about the supervisor’s lifestyle, based on the conversation, but the topic has since changed. Perhaps the supervisor, judging by her attitude and atmosphere, found it troublesome to have me and Tatte conversing. Tatte’s attitude somewhat resembles that of a nosy old aunt, so I can understand the supervisor’s reaction.
As for Tatte, I don’t know what she wants to ask me, but it’s definitely related to the supervisor. But if I were to say it’s purely out of curiosity, I feel like something is slightly off.
The problem is, what should I do next? Normally, I should prioritize the supervisor’s concerns over those of Tatte, whom I’ve just met. It would be best to politely decline by saying something about going to dinner and leaving. I heard things I shouldn’t have, but there’s no need to broaden the wound further.
“So, what do you intend to do now?”
“Yes, of course, I intend to pry into your usual lady’s affairs, Jiro-sama.”
“And you think I would stop you?”
“I don’t think so. Even if she is your lady, I cannot be stopped now!! Yes, finally, the spring breeze has arrived, and I will catch it no matter what!!”
No, rather than “better,” isn’t that the “best” option? In this case, I should accept that I’ve heard things I shouldn’t have and escape to the instructors, ensuring temporary safety. I might face hell in tomorrow’s training, but that’s another story. I can buy myself some time to cool down my emotions, and I can survive. Yes, this should be fine.
“Yes, so I’m sorry, Jiro-sama, but could I have a moment of your time?”
It should be fine, but why is it?
The moment I thought of escaping, my retreat was cut off. Tatte’s smooth movement just now was terrifying. Her eyes, condensed with the emotion of “I won’t let you escape,” were not the eyes of a person. If I were to express it dramatically, it would be like a horror movie. And despite asking it as a question, I feel like I only have two choices: yes or no.
“…I’m sorry, but I want to get an early rest in preparation for tomorrow’s training, so I don’t have much time.”
However, I can’t falter and give up now. This is the first social excuse method: declining an invitation using work as a reason. Anyone who has worked will understand, but sometimes there are unreasonable drinking invitations, and using work as an excuse can allow you to decline without creating ill will in most cases. If I overuse this method of refusal, it will create ill will, but fortunately, this time the other party is someone I’ve just met, and my superior, who planned this training, is right in front of me. With our interests aligned, this offer will almost certainly be accepted.
“Yes, so I will prepare dinner here, and if you’d like, perhaps some tea that will relieve your fatigue after the meal? I would be happy to hear a little about it during that time, and I promise not to take up too much of your time.”
Or so I thought, but this maid turned the story back on me. And although she should be smiling, she emanates an aura that makes me think of a ferocious beast. Her eyes, fixed on me, are like a predator who won’t let its prey escape. I guess this is what you’d expect from the supervisor’s maid. She’s not just a little quirky; she seems incredibly formidable. Without any indirect refusals, she barges ahead with her story.
“Haha, that’s a kind offer, but the instructors are waiting, so…”
Then comes the second social excuse method. Hinting at a prior engagement with another superior. This should be acceptable even now. Furthermore, I’ll add a winning smile to decline.
“In that case, fortunately, I am acquainted with both of you, so I will contact them on your behalf to decline, and Jiro-sama has nothing to worry about. Additionally, as your lady also has work to do, she will be dining in a separate room. So, how about we dine together here?”
However, I’ve been outmaneuvered. Every move I make is thwarted. Is she determined to arrange a meal with the supervisor no matter what? Before I even have time to question what drives her so fiercely, I’m gradually being cornered. The flow is bad. At this point, I should seek assistance from the supervisor, with whom my interests align. The third social excuse method: enlist your superior as an ally. A fleeting glance at the supervisor during our previous exchange was futile. Her smiling face is cute, but her eyes seem to say, “I won’t give up until you agree.” So…
“It’s a welcome invitation, but I must prioritize my prior commitment.”
I forcefully try to shut down the conversation. Then, the supervisor will surely join in.
“Jiro also says so. Tatte, no more than this.”
Just as I predicted, the supervisor joined in. Her tone was stronger than before, signifying that she would not tolerate any further actions from her subordinate. This should resolve the situation without any problems.
“My lady?”
“Gulp!?”
I thought it was over.
*Shiver*
A chill ran down my spine, cutting off my conjecture. That voice was undoubtedly the same young and resolute girlish voice from before. But the intensity was different. If the previous conversation was a step back, that one voice was her true nature. It must have been a word from her, as a subordinate, to admonish her master. It was truly an unyielding will. Even though Tatte had only called out to the supervisor, it sounded like she was telling me to shut up. This is an unprecedented scene in a master-subordinate relationship. And then…
“Jiro-sama, could I have just a moment of your time?”
Tatte, interrupting the supervisor, asked me as if with a final ultimatum. The supervisor’s support was gone. And I couldn’t push back against this intensity.
“After dinner, perhaps for a little while.”
“Thank you. Then I will come to pick you up after dinner.”
As if to offer the slightest resistance, I specified after dinner, but she accepted my answer as if she had already calculated it and looked away from me towards the supervisor.
“Then, my lady, let’s go.”
She gently pulled the supervisor’s hand and walked away. The storm had passed. That’s the impression this maid left on me. Alone, I watched her back. My appetite, which I had before, was gone due to the exchange, and I had no motivation to go to the cafeteria. But I couldn’t possibly not eat anything.
“…I’m late.”
So, I thought I’d go after a quick smoke to clear my head, but…
“Since when have you been there?”
“Kukukukuku, probably since the moment your master stopped listening to the conversation between Evia and Tatte.”
“You were here from the beginning, weren’t you? If you were here, you could have helped me.”
When I turned around, Instructor Fushio was standing there with his usual tuxedo-like attire and an unhurried demeanor.
“It’s your fault for not noticing.”
“You say that so bluntly. Judging by how things were just now, the supervisor didn’t notice either, right?”
“Probably not. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have exposed herself in such a pathetic state in front of me.”
“Can I even notice that?”
“Well, perhaps if you train hard enough, you might one day be able to notice it?”
“So, you’re saying it’s impossible now. Well, it can’t be helped. More importantly, why are you here, instructor? Aren’t you in the cafeteria?”
I slumped down as Instructor Fushio, who boldly confessed to peeking, asked me why I was still here.
“Jiro, have you forgotten? I am an undead. I don’t need to eat in the first place. Alcohol is something I enjoy as a personal preference.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
When I recall my time drinking with the instructors, Instructor Kio eats, but I only remember Instructor Fushio drinking alcohol.
“I came to pick you up because you weren’t coming to the cafeteria, and I stumbled upon quite an interesting scene.”
“Well, it is unusual, isn’t it? A scene of the supervisor being lectured.”
This instructor would probably say that other people’s misfortune is like honey. Considering the supervisor’s usual demeanor, it would undoubtedly be an interesting scene for him. I said this because I witnessed the same scene.
“What are you talking about? To me, who has seen such scenes since long ago, there’s nothing interesting about it.”
“Huh?”
But this instructor said something different.
“Tatte was Evia’s guardian when she was young. Although she is now a personal attendant, she has served Evia for many years. To Tatte, Evia is like her own daughter or sister. That’s why she can scold her and advise her. Conversely, Evia can’t assert herself against someone she can’t entirely control.”
To Instructor Fushio, this scene was something he was used to. Coming from an instructor who is a veteran of the current Demon Lord’s Army, his words are probably true.
“Kukukukuku, Evia lives a slightly unique life among nobles. In such circumstances, Tatte, who has always been by her side, loyal, and devoted to her, sometimes scolding her, sometimes comforting her, and being her emotional support, cannot be harsh with her.”
This is a story about the supervisor that I didn’t know. There must be some reason why such a peculiar master-subordinate relationship has been formed.
“Well, it’s not just that why Evia can’t be harsh with Tatte.”
“Are there other reasons?”
But the instructor, seemingly amused, let slip that the master-subordinate relationship wasn’t formed solely for that reason.
“Kukukukuku, I told you Evia comes from a noble family. Nobles, in particular, tend to use others extensively. To the extent that they entrust the management of their private lives to others to fulfill their responsibilities as nobles.”
Do you understand what that means? Instructor Fushio asks, but I don’t quite grasp it. That’s why I raise an eyebrow in doubt.
“Food, clothing, and shelter – these three are the foundation of a wise person’s life. But why are there few nobles who can manage these three things themselves?”
Instructor Fushio says that nobles cannot manage their food, clothing, and shelter. But that’s strange. Humans, to varying degrees, live their lives by managing these three aspects. If they can’t manage them, it means their lives are in disarray. Is that possible for a competent supervisor like her…?
“She’s competent at her work… Could it be that nobles are only competent at work, instructor?”
“Kukukukukuku, that’s exactly it. Nobles are completely incapable of doing the menial tasks like cooking and laundry. They entrust everything to others. However, it’s also true that they can’t live without them.”
That’s true. If clothes get dirty, they need to be washed. If you’re hungry, you need to eat. If the house is dirty, you need to clean it. Social adults do these things themselves and live. But the supervisor is different.
“No way.”
“Yes, exactly. Evia’s basic needs are all supported by Tatte. And the person Evia trusts the most is also Tatte.”
“Her lifeline is in someone else’s hands!”
“Kukukukukuku, that’s why she can’t be harsh. However, the weight of trust placed on her as a long-time loyal retainer might be more significant.”
The truth revealed is often unexpected, but when I think about it calmly, it makes sense. That explains the conversation just now.
“…Wait a minute, instructor. If that’s the case, why does Tatte-san want to talk to me?”
“Well, I’ve spoken with her a few times, but I don’t know her true intentions. All I can say is that Tatte will not do anything that would be detrimental to Evia.”
However, if I think about it calmly, it’s not strange that someone in such a relationship would be interested in me.
“I hope she doesn’t get eliminated.”
“Don’t say such unsettling things!!”
“Kukukukukuku! Well, I’m going to have a drink with Raidou, with this interesting story as my appetizer.”
“At least try to ease my anxiety before you go, instructor!!”
Without knowing what would happen next, the first night of training dragged on.
Today’s word:
Just because someone is capable doesn’t mean they are capable of everything.
This concludes today’s entry.
Thank you for your continued feedback and corrections of any typos.
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*The first volume has been decided to be published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.*
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
The second volume was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the content posted on “Shōsetsuka ni Narō,” with the inclusion of unpublished interludes.
Please consider purchasing the new releases as well!
In addition, a comic adaptation has been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
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