Chapter 19

With the purification of the spirits by Yuma, we stepped out into the quiet corridor of the mansion. Looking out the window, there was no sign of the spirits that had appeared in the courtyard.

Yuma can choose whom to purify, so it seems that while purifying this area, she did not send Beatrice to heaven without question.

Looking at the glass, I felt as if the figures of the three people I had just seen were reflected there. The bubbles on Miralca's body were about to fall, and the peaks of the mountains, faintly cherry-colored, hidden weakly, were not just my imagination, I thought.

And Aileen's upper body, boldly exposed, showed a well-toned figure, a result of her discipline as a martial artist despite her love for alcohol. As someone who knows battle, I couldn't help but feel deep empathy and respect.

After examining the two women's ample hills, I concluded that in terms of size, Aileen was the winner, but in terms of softness, Miralca seemed to be the better, judging from the way her chest deformed like a slime when hidden by her arms. To make a more accurate judgment, I would have to offer to use my magic massage to adjust the shape of their chests and get their permission. It would only be to adjust the shape, not to do anything else.

Regarding the incident where I, as the masked butler Sebastian, saw Yuma's naked body, which she only shows to the man she chooses, I want to pretend nothing happened to avoid hurting Yuma's heart, which has just been revived. Fortunately, Yuma, perhaps still high from the recent purification, doesn't seem to have realized she was seen. This is truly a miracle.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sebastian."

"Yes, I was waiting. Ideally, I should go alone since it's a problem with this mansion..."

"It's fine, we want to see that ghost too."

"I wouldn't be startled by a ghost if I weren't surprised like that. Come on, take us with you."

Aileen is pretending to be calm, but her face is flushed. It's understandable that she's embarrassed, and I can't help but notice it.

Miralca seems calm but is obviously protecting her chest. Her nightgown is more mature than the others, like a negligee with a robe over it. Indeed, if she were to take her hand off, the thin fabric would clearly show her shape.

"By the way, Miralca, did you bring that negligee for today?"

"T-this is something I usually wear. Why would I need to buy a new one just for an overnight stay in the capital?"

"It has a mature woman's vibe, it's wonderful... I'm still so childish in my appearance."

Yuma's pajamas are a simple short-sleeved, soft-looking shirt and shorts. However, precisely because of her childish clothes, it's clear that she has grown over the past five years. Her priestess clothes make her look slimmer.

"Yuma, you're growing so much. You're getting bigger every time I see you."

"N-no... I'm not that big, even though I eat a lot, I don't get much bigger..."

"I'm talking about your height and overall growth. Unlike someone who focuses only on a part of the body."

Is she implying that I have a fixation on chests? I've never shown such an attitude, but women are sensitive to gazes, and perhaps they've noticed my steel will to keep my gaze above Miralca's face. I'd rather live my life with a mask to hide my gaze than have such a shameful life.

"Someone doesn't even look, which makes me feel guilty. Anyway, we need to go to the attic."

"Yes, my ladies, would you please come with me?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, I've been talking about irrelevant things."

Yuma and Aileen started walking and went upstairs.

"Yuma didn't notice because she was focused on the purification, but you did see her naked."

"Damn... I think it would be better to reveal my true identity to Yuma rather than let her think Sebastian saw her... No, either way, it will be a shock."

As I seriously pondered, Miralca, who had been looking unhappy, sighed and patted my shoulder.

"I won't say anything, but you should worry as much as you can. About something you don't need to worry about."

"W-What do you mean... and I saw you too, so are you not going to hold it against me?"

"I'd like to erase your memory... but this time, I'll let it slide. Yuma is happy because you brought her here."

Miralca walked away, leaving me behind. I don't intend to claim it as a reward for good deeds, but it seems Miralca has become more lenient because Yuma is happy.

Aileen would probably be embarrassed if I asked her again, so to maintain our usual straightforward relationship, I should pretend I didn't see until the right time comes. I doubt such a time will ever come.

◆◇◆

Catching up with the three of them, I opened the attic door with the master key, and there was Beatrice, as Yuma had said.

"Beatrice, these are Lady Aileen, Lady Miralca, and Lady Yuma."

"Thank you for the introduction, Sebastian. I apologize for cutting our conversation short earlier."

She answered politely without questioning my butler tone. She doesn't seem to be wary of us.

"Wow... such a beautiful girl. When they say someone is inhuman, this is what they mean."

"You... from the color of your eyes, I think you're a demon. Could you be the one who summoned the spirits?"

Miralca said what I was going to ask, and her question was even more direct than I had planned.

"...Sebastian has told you about me. I am Beatrice Stollen."

"The Stollen family name... then what about your eyes? Does it mean the Stollen Duke had connections with demons?"

"Not connections... Duke Stollen was conducting magical research in this mansion."

"Magic... could it be summoning magic?"

There is a magic that allows humans to summon and control demons, though it's still in the experimental stage. The success rate is low, but it can sometimes summon high-ranking demons.

"Yes. I was summoned by a summoner who worked for Duke Stollen. I am of the 'Reisqueen' race."

"Reis... you? You're the monster that comes out of the ground and startles people...?"

"Then you would have been purified by Yuma earlier..."

"I was welcomed into the Stollen family through a contract when I was summoned. Since then, I have never harbored any ill will towards humans... which is why Yuma let me go. Her power touched my soul just now."

The 'Reisqueen' seems to be a different race from the lower-level Reis, despite the name. As an undead with a will and the ability to speak, it's impressive. The study of demons is still incomplete, and there are unknown races.

"Now we know why spirits gather in this mansion. 'Reisqueen' is the queen of Reis, so she attracts the undead."

"...So the Stollen Duke left Beatrice here and left. Summoning and contracting her, then just leaving... how selfish."

"Still, a contract is a contract. I was told to protect this mansion... so I cannot disappear. If you insist on my departure, I will have to fight..."

Beatrice's body was enveloped in a pale blue magic. It seems she can use magic, but...

"Undeads, I think, have life force and magic power as one... if you use magic in this state, you will disappear."

"...Still, I must protect this mansion. Even if it means disappearing..."

If this continues, I will have to purify Beatrice, and the spirits will stop gathering in this mansion. But is that really the right thing to do? I thought of a way to avoid killing Beatrice and not having to fight her.

"Beatrice, I have a proposal... you are a demon, correct?"

"Yes, a rare race."

"Demons are controlled by the Demon King. Wouldn't the Demon King's control take precedence over a contract with a human...?"

"The Demon King cannot overwrite my contract unless he comes here. He is forbidden from leaving his country by the Demon King extermination team... so he cannot break my contract."

—In other words.

If the Demon King could come here, he could break the contract and place Beatrice under his control.