Chapter 63

＜ El and Es ＞

The "Ten Elite" -- the ten maids directly under the head maid, Yuki, are known with a mix of reverence and fear by this name.

Now, each of these ten maids commands over ten other maids, making them formidable "captains." However, they too were once "newbies" under Captain Yuki.

If one were to say this to a current newbie maid, she would likely respond, "Stop making up nonsense and get back to work."

Among the Ten Elite are the red-haired sisters, El and Es. El is the 16-year-old older sister, and Es is the 15-year-old younger sister. El has slightly wavy semi-long hair and a rough, tomboyish personality. Es has side pigtails and is a gentle, ladylike girl. Though they look similar, their personalities are completely opposite.

There is no maid in the Firstest household who doesn't know these two. They are incredibly memorable. They are often compared to the sun and the moon, fire and water, convex and concave—truly, they are a pair of characters with distinct personalities.

Their unique traits are prominently displayed in the teams they lead.

El's team, the "El Team," is known as the most "martial" among the all-purpose maid teams. It is composed of highly skilled fighters who are pushed to their limits. As a result, the newbies fear joining this team, saying, "It's going to be tough." Conversely, those who are highly motivated volunteer for the El Team. Being part of the El Team is a testament to one's strength, and as a result, they are respected in various ways.

On the other hand, Es's team, the "Es Team," is considered the most "orthodox" among the all-purpose maid teams. In this team, every maid hones a wide range of skills to the level befitting an "all-purpose maid." From serving to cleaning and laundry, to fashion, languages, self-defense, and even business management. While it might seem broad and shallow, it is far from it. It is broad and deep, endlessly so. Maids who can't keep up are quickly dismissed. In this sense, the Es Team can be called a "select elite group" without exaggeration.

Thus, each team has its own distinct characteristics.

However, these traits don't appear from the start. They develop over time as the captains' personalities and beliefs gradually influence their teams. It's a matter of who they look up to. The relationship between the captains and their teams is almost like that of parent and child.

"Hey, you! Did you steal my headband?"

One day, a maid named Momo, who belongs to the El Team, grabbed another maid by the collar in the dining hall. From her manner of speaking and tone, it was clear she was a notorious roughneck, well-known even among the newbies. Standing at 180 cm, she was quite intimidating, and she stood out for both good and bad reasons.

"Oh, what are you talking about? I have no idea what you're saying."

The maid she confronted was Marina, a member of the Es Team, who considered herself an "elite." She was a maid with a bit of pride.

"Don't lie to me! You're the one who stole it!"

"Why do you think it was me? You have no evidence."

"Hah! I saw you steal it with my own eyes!"

"Then where's your evidence? How are you going to prove it?"

"Proof? I saw it with my own eyes..."

"Without evidence, it's just your word against mine. As Es-sama has repeatedly said, evidence is crucial. Right, everyone?"

Marina appealed to the others for support. Since she was right, the maids who were close to her nodded without hesitation. The atmosphere suddenly turned against Momo, making her seem like the villain.

"...But I saw it."

"Ha, how many times do I have to say this? It's a waste of time. I'll say it one last time. Don't suspect me without evidence."

"..."

Momo reluctantly let go of Marina, looking frustrated. She felt partly responsible for not having prepared evidence. Besides, she wasn't trained to hit someone who wasn't fighting back.

"Such a low IQ, and you're still a maid? Oh, I remember, you're the one who doesn't even look like a maid... Disgusting, you might have made me smell like sweat."

Marina laughed mockingly. Momo couldn't retort and just clenched her fists. Encouraged by this, Marina continued.

"Listen up? We are maids who will serve the greatest person in the world. We must be maids who do not disgrace the proud name of the Firstest family. What is your team even? It's more like a group of mercenaries. It's a stretch to call them maids. You know, it might be better without your headband. It'll make it easier to headbutt people."

"You...!"

Marina's words were too much. Momo, feeling not only herself but also her teammates and captain being insulted, couldn't control her anger and was about to strike.

"Will you use violence? Go ahead. That would be the ultimate disqualification for a maid."

Marina continued to provoke Momo, knowing she wouldn't hit her.

—At that moment, an unexpected person arrived.

"Hey, Momo. Go ahead and hit her."

"Captain!?"

It was El from the Ten Elite. It was the newbies' mealtime, so no captain-level maids were supposed to be here. But El appeared, causing a commotion in the dining hall.

"Why is El-sama here...?"

"Oh, I'm here too, Marina. Look, I'm holding your hands behind your back."

"Es-sama!?"

Even Es, El's younger sister, appeared. Marina's face turned pale. She was immobilized by her own captain, which meant the sisters knew everything about her misdeeds.

"Go ahead and hit her. Take your time."

"Please, Momo. Do as you like."

El and Es smiled as they said this.

Momo turned back to Marina. Marina's eyes were watering, and she was trembling. Her expression was one of utter despair. It was understandable; her path to becoming an elite had suddenly turned into a path to hell.

"...I'm sorry. I can't hit her."

After a moment of hesitation, Momo bowed her head. She felt partly responsible for not having evidence. Besides, she wasn't trained to hit someone who wasn't fighting back.

"Alright. Clench your teeth."

El smiled gently and said this.

—Immediately after, a fist struck Momo.

"Ugh! Ah! Bwah!"

A liver shot that felt like it was tearing her insides, followed by an elbow to the face as she lost her balance. As she fell to her knees, a kick to the solar plexus.

Everyone thought it was too much, but no one stepped in to stop it.

A 160 cm, 16-year-old girl was brutally overpowering a 180 cm woman. The newbies trembled, realizing this was the captain of the martial "El Team."

"Suspecting someone without evidence is the lowest thing a person can do. Remember that."

"Y-Yes... Captain..."

Momo, with blood streaming from her nose, answered while crouching.

"Next time, gather the evidence and corner her. Then you can hit her without hesitation."

"...Yes..."

El instructed another maid to take Momo to her room and watched as she was carried away.

"..."

Es watched her sister's teaching with a warm gaze.

Not long ago, the sisters had been falsely accused, ostracized, and sold into slavery. Only a few knew this about them.

They were now living a happy life, but the pain of being falsely accused would likely never leave them. Thus, they had a deep aversion to suspicion.

However, this also meant they understood the importance of evidence. El and Es knew that both innocence and guilt required evidence.

That's why they were more obsessed with "evidence" than anyone else. At the very least, in the house they served, they would not allow false accusations. They always tried their best, and their subordinates had grown up watching their backs.

"Alright, Marina."

"..."

But there are always exceptions.

Using evidence to manipulate the situation was unacceptable.

Es calmly took out Momo's headband, which was undeniable evidence, and dangled it in front of Marina's eyes.

The net of heaven is wide but has no gaps. In the name of the Firstest family's sun and moon, they would carry out a fair judgment.

"This is re-education. I'm not as strict as El, so you don't need to worry."

She smiled, and Marina felt an overwhelming fear, breaking out in a cold sweat.

...A few days later, Marina returned to work, completely transformed. The maids wondered what kind of education could change a person so much, and for a while, there were rumors that the younger sister might be even scarier than the older one.

＜ Eve ＞

Among the all-purpose maid teams, there is a maid known as the "White Demon," rumored to be the "most dangerous" among the Ten Elite.

Her name is Eve, one of the ten maids directly under Yuki.

She was always quiet and expressionless, almost like a doll. Combined with her otherworldly beauty, some even called her a "puppet assassin."

Indeed, she was a top-notch "assassin" in the all-purpose maid team.

While the El Team made children cry, the Eve Team made them physically silent.

Silently, unnoticed, in an instant. And the traces and bodies would never be found.

Thus, the Eve Team was respected in a different way, with their captain being the White Demon Eve herself.

If you asked a random maid who the strongest maid was, aside from Yuki, nine out of ten would say, "It's Eve-sama."

Such a revered presence.

This time, we will focus on her.

---

Possessed by a demon—this was my nickname.

I had no friends. No acquaintances. I only spoke to Papa and Mama.

I was always locked inside. They said it was better that way.

Still, I could hear it from outside. Voices calling me. Shouting at me. "Get out, demon-possessed one"—

That night, Papa and Mama invited me to go outside. It was the first time, and I was confused. But they were smiling as usual, so I felt a little happy and followed them.

Amid the villagers' insults, I was put into a carriage.

They didn't follow. A chubby uncle gave them something. It was a smile I had never seen before.

The carriage started moving. The insults didn't stop. Papa and Mama were on the other side. Ah, I see. I realized. I had been sold.

Betrayed? Maybe. Sad? Probably.

But at the time, I didn't really understand.

Later, I learned.

I was different from others. My skin was white. My hair was white. My eyes were red. It was apparently very scary. Like a demon.

Later, I learned.

Papa and Mama kept their distance from me. They didn't talk more than necessary, always formal and awkwardly smiling. Since they were the only ones I talked to, I thought it was normal. Strange.

Later, I learned.

I was 17 this year, the same age as Master. My life seemed to be just beginning.

"1. Pre-investigation. 2. Speed. 3. Body disposal. The success of an assassination depends on these three steps."

Hello, this is Eve. Today is Yuki-sama's assassination lecture, and I'm attending for the 19th time. I've never missed a session. This time, there are many new participants, so it's a review. I have bad eyesight, so I sit in the front.

The attendees are all ten of the Elite, all the members of my team, and a few new faces. Everyone is listening very intently.

"Investigation is a test of patience. Blend in, never stand out, and gather all the information about the target without anyone recognizing you. Some are better suited for this than others. I, for example, am a dark elf, so I'm not good at it."

Indeed, I'm not good at it either. I'm too white.

"The speed of an assassination is a matter of skill and experience. Kill silently and quickly without making a sound. Skills like assassination techniques and puppet manipulation are useful. The key is not to overthink it. Slice an onion in half, crush garlic with the flat of a knife. Do what should be done naturally and calmly."

Is Yuki-sama hungry...?

"Body disposal is best done in an organized manner. Cooperate with a few people to bury, cut, or burn. Plan and execute it carefully. Always do it outside the grounds, without anyone suspecting. I will not allow anything that causes trouble for Master. If body disposal is unnecessary, leave the scene quickly."

Hearing the basics again. Yes, the most important thing is—

"The above three points are the basics of assassination, but the most important is pre-investigation. Target selection, behavior patterns, entry and escape routes, times of low activity, vulnerable moments, effective assassination methods, and body disposal methods. Everything depends on the investigation."

Yes, pre-investigation. I can't do it, so I always rely on others, which makes me feel guilty. Besides, since the assassination work hasn't started yet, I'm the only one not working. Maybe that's why I feel out of place?

"...You all know there are suspicious movements in the capital, right? We need to focus more on investigation and gather more information. For that, you need to learn about investigation."

Oh, it's getting worse.

Yuki-sama dismissed the other nine and instructed the remaining maids to start training on pre-investigation. Sigh, I'm left behind again.

"Eve, you must be tough. I don't have the talent for assassination, so you're working twice as hard for me. Sorry, sorry, hahaha."

Feeling down, El came to talk to me. I knew she was joking. It made me happy!

"Ah... um... eh... mm, ball."

"Huh? Sorry, what? I can't hear you."

"...Ah... ah..."

"Hey! El, don't bully Eve!"

"Wh-What? I'm not bullying her!"

"No excuses! Let's go!"

...Ah, I did it again...

I want to get along with everyone, but it always ends up like this. I've never talked to anyone other than Papa and Mama until this age. It's a problem...

My voice is so soft that people always ask me to repeat, and they think I'm quiet. I can't talk to people first, and when I try to smile, my face tenses up. Sigh... I'm just a shy, introverted, quiet, expressionless White Demon puppet assassin. Yes.

With this, I'll never make friends, will I? And... talking to Master? It might be impossible in my lifetime! Ah...

"Eve, come here."

"...Yes."

I snapped out of my thoughts at Yuki-sama's voice, bowed my head, and followed her.

We headed to the garden. Yuki-sama always teaches me how to use [Puppet Manipulation] here. I can't go on investigations, so it can't be helped.

"Don't be discouraged. You are the second-best user of Puppet Manipulation I've ever seen. Have confidence."

"Y-Yes..."

Yay, Yuki-sama praised me. It was good that I played with strings in my room all the time when I was little.

Ah, but there's someone better than me... Maybe it's Yuki-sama?

"You look concerned about that."

"Ah... no..."

"The best is Master. You might not remember, but you can tell even without seeing."

Wow, that's true! Yuki-sama is good at jokes. And when she talks about Master, she seems a little happy. It makes me feel warm too. I can't help but smile!

"Heh... hehehe..."

"......Was it that boring, huh?"

Ah, no, that's not it! It was interesting!

"Be prepared for today's training, Eve."

"...Huh...!"

Thank you for reading.

The next chapter is also a side story.