Chapter 54

Jin was hired as the fourth employee of the Weatherwitz family.

His position is butler.

With his silver hair cut short and dressed in the uniform of a male employee, Jin had transformed into a form that could easily be mistaken for a man at first glance.

At 170 cm, his not-so-short height, and the broad shoulders and arms honed by swordsmanship, combined with the firmness of his legs felt through his trousers, exuded a sharp and imposing presence.

‘If he just keeps his mouth shut, he would definitely look like a man.’

I still don’t understand why it has to be this way.

The duties of a butler and a maid are usually different. But this is the Weatherwitz family, who are unfortunately magicians.

All employees, except the cook, share their tasks under the maid captain’s rules.

“Miss Daisy? Today, you’ll go to the market with Jin. He can show you the stores you frequently visit. Here’s the list of what you need.”

So, I, a maid, have to teach the butler his job.

It’s annoying.

Why do I have to train Jin, who was hired by the maid captain?

Of course, I did duel with Jin, but technically, it was a duel with the master.

“Junior.”

“Yes, senior.”

“I’ll show you the essence of errands. Follow me closely.”

“Yes, senior.”

What a polite kid. That’s one thing I like about him.

I took my junior employee under my arm and headed to the market.

“What? Such a young man as a butler?”

Naturally, Jin was a hit in the market.

“Oh, you’re handsome. Oh, so handsome. Come here, young man. It’s getting hot, isn’t it? Have a drink of water.”

“Thank you.”

“Does Mrs. Weatherwitz hire based on looks?”

“No.”

“Well, you have a very good appearance. You two look great together. When are you getting married?”

I shuddered in shock.

“No way!”

“Huh? You’re not a couple? I thought you were. I heard a new young man became the butler of such a big family, so I thought he might be related to the young lady. Sorry for the misunderstanding, young man.”

“Tsk tsk. You’re really silly. This young lady’s boyfriend is that strikingly beautiful blue-haired young man.”

“No, he’s not.”

Ugh. It’s unpleasant to be mistaken as having a romantic relationship with two completely unrelated people, but I can understand the market vendors’ misunderstanding.

‘It was that unconventional a hiring decision.’

But what’s more surprising is that no one realized Jin is a woman.

I introduced Jin to the main suppliers and popular household items like the "Cost-effective Cleaning Brush Set for Experienced Maids" and the "Cost-effective Sewing Set for Experienced Maids" while buying the necessary items, and then returned home.

“I’ll be on a business trip tomorrow and the day after.”

“I heard from the maid captain. You’re going to Westwintree with Lu, right?”

Jin, who was helping to organize the items, said with a somewhat serious expression.

“I might be worrying unnecessarily, but please be careful. Of course, you’ll be safe with Lu.”

If Jin says that, Lu must always ‘appropriately’ show her strength to warriors.

“By the way, senior. How did you train your strength?”

Strength?

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I glanced at Jin.

It’s a very feminine question. I thought he was unusually quiet.

Unable to hide the curiosity welling up from deep within, Jin’s eyes flashed blue.

“To have that level of strength, you must train intensely almost every day. I’ve never seen you train, though.”

A swordsman’s curiosity.

Should I answer or not?

‘If I start, I’ll have to keep answering.’

My hesitation was brief. I answered straightforwardly.

“Yes. Every morning, in my room, for about two hours.”

Jin, who let out a short exclamation, asked very cautiously.

“So, did you have Lord Weatherwitz as your teacher?”

“Teacher?”

No, that’s me?

“Actually… when I came here and saw you and Lu, I was very surprised. Despite not showing any great aura, you both are completely without any weaknesses.”

I understand about Lu, but I have that kind of aura too?

‘Indeed, a sword demon.’

It’s a frightening level of instinct.

“I realized how much I’ve lived like a frog in a well. I’ve trained with the sword all my life, but you and Lu have reached this level while balancing your daily work.”

Seeing the eyes full of the will to become stronger, I recalled something Lu said in the morning yesterday.

“Like Miss Daisy.”

It wasn’t a particularly empathetic statement, nor was it particularly flattering… but for some reason, those words keep coming to mind.

“Training manual. Will you teach me?”

Is that why?

Normally, I would have pretended not to notice Jin’s curiosity, but I ended up answering.

Jin, who didn’t expect this, asked in surprise.

“Really?”

I don’t particularly like or dislike Jin.

But for some reason, I feel a bit soft-hearted towards Jin, who wants to become stronger.

It’s the same with accepting the duel and not completely crushing Jin’s desire to enter the Weatherwitz mansion.

Why is that?

Is it because Jin is the same gender as me, a swordsman, and a sword demon? Or because he has no family?

“In return, there’s a condition.”

“Please tell me.”

“No other training for a week, except what I teach you.”

“I only have time left. I’ll follow any training.”

“We start now.”

“Yes!”

“Clean all the second-floor window frames.”

“…”

“(Like me) do it without any help (like me) and finish it in one day.”

“…”

“And for a week, sleep without any thoughts at night. Don’t even touch a sword. Execute.”

Jin, who couldn’t do anything, looked at me blankly.

I thought he was harsh and stern, but he has a bit of a dazed side. People can’t be known in just a day or two.

“…”

“Follow. Execute.”

But I won’t acknowledge being dazed during training. Jin, startled, soon shouted loudly.

“Execute!”

I watched him run to the back of the kitchen to get a mop and finished putting the remaining items in the drawer.

Why am I helping Jin?

‘Because I want Jin to reach a new level of swordsmanship?’

No.

I’m sure that’s not the only answer.

* * *

The day to leave for Westwintree arrived.

Since it’s a move to the neighboring city and the errand is quite simple, the schedule is also simple.

At 10:00 AM today, we board the train to Westwintree. Arrival is at 4:00 PM.

Tomorrow, we take care of the errand.

At 11:00 AM the day after tomorrow, we board the train to Midwintree. Arrival is at 5:00 PM.

It’s a 2-night, 3-day trip. Even the companion is the same.

“Are you ready? The schedule is tight because we got the train tickets late… but the elder is not a difficult person. Take it easy and enjoy your stay. Westwintree has many places to see, so it will be fun to explore.”

“That’s a relief.”

“Please take care of Miss Daisy, Mr. Lu. I feel bad for giving you a troublesome task so soon after your return.”

“It’s only two days. It feels like taking her for a walk, so it’s fine.”

“That’s true. Here, take a few items. This is the letter I’m sending to the elder…”

Explain to me too, maid captain. I’m the errand girl. Don’t just explain to Lu.

While watering the small garden in place of the busy Lu.

“Ahem. Miss Daisy?”

A wrinkled finger poked my back from outside the main gate.

It was a vendor from the market.

As soon as our eyes met, he looked around noisily and took out a small piece of paper from inside his shirt, extending it to me.

“Here, take it. It’s a secret letter from Grandma Potato. A secret letter, so you have to read it secretly, got it?”

“A secret letter?”

“Shh! Shh! What, what? There’s a suspicious guy hiding in the market… but don’t worry, we’re all watching. Anyway, read it in secret.”

He’s saying it’s a secret but telling it all. Isn’t it a secret everyone in the market already knows?

‘Still, it’s surprising how quickly the message came.’

I’ve only had the potato old man as a secret agent for less than two weeks.

Unfolding the crumpled paper, neat handwriting appeared. The content of the letter from Grandma Potato was simple.

A suspicious man entered a pub and hasn’t come out for two hours.

And this suspicious man visits the pub regularly every three months.

The person who came to mind was clear.

‘Beryd Let.’

The butler assassins said it was time for them to start moving.

“Mr. Lu. Do we have time before the train?”

It seems I need to have a light conversation with him before leaving.