Chapter 16

After closing, I explained to Miralca and Aileen about the mansion where they would take Yuma.

I want to use the mansion we bought from the guild as a resort, but I asked them to research how comfortable it is to use -- that's how I put it.

"There must be something about that mansion, right? Taking Yuma there means..."

"Oh, you figured it out. Could it be that there are ghosts?"

"You two are as sharp as ever. Master, it seems I can't avoid explaining things."

After the store closes, Verlene reverts to her demon lord tone, but Miralca and Aileen are used to it. They know Verlene's true identity and understand that her original personality doesn't fit the role of a maid.

"I understand the situation, but Dick, why don't you stay there beforehand?"

"That wouldn't work. We need to resolve the reason for Yuma's poor health."

"Huh? What do you mean? Why would Yuma get better if she stays there?"

"Yuma used to say she wanted to pacify spirits as if it were a catchphrase. So, there must be something not quite right about that mansion."

The genius professor saw right through my plan. If I were to stay with Yuma and resolve the mansion's issues, it would be awkward to report back to her parents, who entrusted me with this task.

"Can Yuma pacify the spirits in that mansion? Is there a lost soul living there? Wow, I'm getting goosebumps."

"Even someone as strong as you is afraid of such stories?"

"Are you sure you're okay, Miralca? You might scream and blow the mansion away."

"I don't like being surprised. But, ghosts don't read the room, so... What are you laughing at, Dick?"

"Well, I was thinking about the cave we passed through during the demon lord's defeat, where the wights came out from under our feet..."

"Stop it. Wights feel cold when they touch you. They must be sucking your life force, right?"

Wights are mid-level undead creatures that can pass through walls and floors because they are spirits. I remember one time, a wight came out from under my feet, and I screamed and clung to Dick. Aileen said it felt cool and refreshing, so she isn't afraid of ghosts, but Miralca is a bit uneasy about them.

I feel guilty about sending her to the haunted mansion under the guise of friendship.

"Master seems to be struggling with whether it's appropriate to accompany women on an overnight trip."

"Hey, don't dismiss it like that. My internal struggle is more complex..."

"But without Dick, it would be hard for us to prepare meals and such."

"I'm not the cook... Fine, I'll be straightforward. I want to solve Yuma's problems without her knowing."

"There's no need to hide it. Just treat us normally."

The conversation is heading in a different direction -- I'm supposed to invite them to the mansion and entertain them.

"If you really want to, why don't you hide your identity? Master can change his voice with magic, right?"

"That's a good idea. Then I can handle things without Yuma noticing."

Pretending to be a firefly wouldn't work if the secret is out. Maybe I just need to hide my identity from Yuma.

"Why can't you be found out? Miralca, do you understand?"

"He's not good at standing out. He doesn't want to be praised, or rather, he has a fear of being praised."

"Your description of Master's personality is quite accurate."

"But Dick, he's actually very happy when praised. It's kind of cute."

"When Master does something cute, I can't help but want to pamper him. But it's hard to do that."

"Hey, what do you mean by 'pamper'? Isn't it a bit much to pamper a grown man?"

Since it's after closing, I can't just tell them to go home. I listen to their conversation, feeling like I'm being tortured, and escape into alcohol. I don't usually get drunk, but the alcohol isn't affecting me at all, which is frustrating.

◆◇◆

A few days later, Yuma agreed to take a break, and I asked Miralca and Aileen to invite her.

I, along with some guild members, entered the mansion early in the morning to prepare for the guests. From the start, I noticed something odd about the mansion.

"Master, this mansion has been vacant for a few weeks, right? But it's well-maintained. Did the real estate agency send in a cleaning crew?"

A young male guild member noticed something was off. I had asked one man and two women to help, but the mansion was cleaner than expected, and there wasn't much to do.

"I haven't heard about a cleaning crew. The real estate agency doesn't want to get close to this place."

"Something feels off about a haunted mansion being used for profit... Could there be something hidden in this mansion?"

"It's not confirmed. But if it's supposed to be haunted, we haven't encountered anything yet."

I checked the dining room and kitchen, but found nothing unusual. The pantry had some usable ingredients left. I inspected them, but they were just high-quality, well-preserved ingredients. If they were left by the previous noble family, I wouldn't want to eat them.

"Even during the day, spirits can appear, but they come out more often at night. Master, I've finished checking the rooms!"

"Thank you for your hard work. I'm sorry for not giving you much to do. Please return to your duties."

"No, it was nice to talk with Master again! Thank you!"

"Thank you!"

The young guild members are around my age, but they were all trained by me, so they revert to the old training atmosphere when they see me.

These three B-rank adventurers, who I trained during the fire dragon's defeat, are now A-rank and work independently or in parties, completing guild requests.

The income from the guild members' requests is sufficient, but to prepare for economic fluctuations, I store the rewards as gems, which are less affected by value changes. If the economy worsens and work decreases, I plan to pay the guild members from this reserve. Based on my predictions, the country's economy will remain stable for the next 10 years, unless a war breaks out.

That evening, Miralca and Aileen brought Yuma to the mansion. I dressed formally to play the role of the mansion's butler and greeted them at the entrance.

"... What's with that mask? Are you joking?"

"No, I have a reason to hide my face. Please don't worry, Miss Miralca."

To hide my face, I chose a mask to cover my eyes. Wearing masks as a fashion statement among servants was once popular among nobles, so my actions shouldn't seem too strange.

"Wow, you look cool. Dick... I mean, Butler, it's nice to meet you. Do you have some good wine prepared?"

"Yes, I have wine and non-alcoholic drinks for those who don't drink."

"That's good. I must follow my religious teachings, so I can only have a little wine for cooking."

Miralca and Aileen are in casual clothes, and Yuma is not in her priestess attire, which is a refreshing change from her usual monk's robe during the demon lord's defeat.

The mask makes my voice sound like a seasoned butler. First, I need to see if Yuma recognizes me.

"You manage this place, right? It's nice to meet you."

"Yes, I am Sebastian Dian."

"Sebastian Dian, nice to meet you. I am Yufiel Manafloze."

Aileen looks like she wants to say something but pretends not to know. Miralca's gaze is piercing, but I've already introduced myself, so I have to stick with it as the masked butler.

"Thank you for the reservation, Miss Miralca."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you. Yufiel, he's an expert in hospitality, so you can ask him for anything."

"Really? Then maybe I'll ask him to massage my shoulders and feet later. It's embarrassing, but I need to relax."

Aileen is straightforward, but I'm just a butler in a mask, and I'm just a regular guy inside. I don't know if I should accept such a favor.

"... If Aileen can, I'll try it too. A butler as excellent as you wouldn't do anything inappropriate, right?"

"I would never do anything to make the young ladies uncomfortable. I swear by the god Albein."

"You know I'm a follower of Albein. The god always watches over us kindly."

Yuma places her hand on her chest, a gesture of prayer. Even this simple prayer can dispel evil. I felt the air around us become slightly lighter. There must be something about this mansion.

"... I can sense the presence of a spirit to be pacified... a trace of evil... but it's very faint..."

"Yuma, is something wrong? If you have any concerns, please let us know."

Miralca reacts to Yuma's muttering. I'm curious too, but Yuma smiles and answers.

"No, it's nothing. I often feel the presence of harmless spirits in places like this. They don't need to be pacified and sent to heaven."

-- Impressive. I couldn't sense anything.

But if the spirits are harmless, it won't help Yuma's condition.

However, I shouldn't give up yet. Yuma mentioned a "trace of evil." There must be something more in this mansion.

"Let me show you to your rooms. Please relax until dinner is ready."

I bowed and opened the door. The three entered and were amazed by the size of the entrance hall.

"Wow, such a big mansion... In my family, a big house means a cave or something."

"Ogres are like that. Compared to my house, this is much bigger..."

"I like the attic. Can I stay in the attic room?"

Yuma prefers places where spirits might reside, like attics or basements. I checked beforehand, but maybe Yuma can sense something.

"There are attic rooms, but I've prepared the same room for all three of you."

"Okay... Can we explore the mansion later?"

"Yes, feel free to look around. There are rooms with art collections."

The mansion has two rooms on the second floor dedicated to art. The previous owner must have been in a hurry to leave.

"Yuma, you seem a bit better since we came here, but don't overdo it."

"Thank you, Miss Miralca."

"Let's start with Sebastian's 'hospitality.' It's a rare break. And later, can we all take a bath together?"

"Um, I... Compared to everyone else..."

"Don't worry, Yuma. You're only 14. I was the same at 14."

Two years ago, Miralca was still growing, and she was similar to Yuma now. But growth rates vary, so it's not a big deal.

"... I forgot you were here. Sebastian, pretend you didn't hear that."

"Understood, Miss."

"Yuma, don't worry about it. Let's all take a bath together. It's been a while since we relaxed."

"Okay... I'll do that."

The three of them taking a bath together. The bathroom is large, so there's no problem. I'm just a butler, and I won't be affected by them being in the same house.

What I need to do is provide the ultimate hospitality and service.

I led them to the guest rooms on the second floor and was about to leave to prepare dinner.

"Sebastian, where are you going? Did you forget what Aileen said?"

"Um, no, I didn't forget. I'm very sorry."

The guest room has a bedroom and a living room with a table and chairs. I served tea made from the first leaves of Ripulleaf to Miralca and Aileen, and a clear water from the sacred pear, the same as what her parents drink, to Yuma, who abstains from such things.

"Then... Sebastian, can I ask you for a favor?"

Aileen stretched her arms and exposed her shoulders, indicating she wanted me to start there. During the demon lord's defeat, I massaged their shoulders when they were tired. Maybe she remembers that.

"Ah..."

"... Aileen, you're making noise."

"Ah? Oh, right... Because... Sebastian... Ah..."

I'm worried she might call me "Dick" at any moment. I need to focus and provide a healing experience until dinner time.

"Excuse me, but it would be easier if you could lie down on your stomach..."

"Okay, I'll do that. Can you put the drinks down and do it in turns?"

"Sure... Sebastian is a butler, so he won't do anything inappropriate..."

"I promise I won't. I swear by the god Albein."

Miralca emphasizes that I won't do anything inappropriate, but that just makes me more conscious of it. I'm inviting the kingdom's strongest female warrior to the bedroom, and I'm wearing a mask. It's suspicious, but I have to do it.

"... I... I can't let a man touch me. I've decided to only let the one I choose..."

"Yuma, it's okay. Sebastian is..."

"Aileen, go ahead. We need to prepare dinner, so we can't take too much time."

I want to go back to preparing dinner, but I hold back and move to the bedroom, where Aileen is lying on her stomach, and I prepare to massage her.

If spirits come out at night, it's better for them to rest now. I need to guide all three of them into a deep sleep. I clear my mind and become a healer for a moment.