Chapter 39

One morning, on my day off, at my mansion.

After finishing breakfast, I asked for coffee.

"Master Act!"

The one who came was the chef's daughter, Riri.

She is a beastkin, and she works here along with her mother.

"I've brought your coffee."

"Thank you for your hard work."

Riri hurriedly came to me.

"Ah...!"

She bumped into the leg of the table, and the coffee cup flew through the air.

It shattered with a loud noise, spilling its contents.

"What are you doing, you fool? What if you got burned?"

"Ugh... I almost hurt Master Act... I'm sorry..."

As I approached Riri, she shrank back in fear.

"It seems you're not hurt."

"Huh...?"

"I'll clean up the broken pieces. You go get a broom and a mop."

Riri looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Master Act... you're not angry...? Because Riri made a mistake..."

"Don't be silly. Everyone makes mistakes. I don't get upset over such trivial things. It's a waste of time."

"But... what if you got burned?"

"I can't have a beautiful girl like you, who is a maid, get a burn scar on her skin."

Riri blushed and muttered, "Beautiful...?"

"Go get the cleaning supplies quickly. It's a waste of time."

"A, a, alright! I understand!"

Riri ran off with a thud.

I picked up the broken pieces and put them in a garbage bag, while Riri cleaned the floor.

As I was doing this, the chef arrived.

"Mom!"

"Master Act, I'm so sorry! My daughter caused trouble!"

The chef bowed deeply.

"What are you talking about? She didn't cause any trouble."

"But... she broke the dish, didn't she?"

"Children are bound to make mistakes. This level of mistake is part of the cost."

Riri said to the chef, who was wide-eyed.

"Mom, Master Act is so kind!"

"Yes, he is a generous and noble person. But, Riri, not everyone in the world is as mature and wonderful as Master Act. Be more careful in the future."

"Okay! I understand, Mom!"

"Good, good. Then go wash your hands."

"Okay! Thank you, Master Act! I love you!"

Riri ran out of the dining room.

★

In the afternoon, my disciple Yui came to me.

"Hello, Master Act! I'm here to take care of the kittens!"

I fed the animals I had rescued, along with Yui.

"By the way, Master Act, the mansion is unusually quiet today. Where are all the servants?"

She looked around.

"I gave everyone the day off and sent them away from the mansion."

"E, eh!? Why...?"

"Since it's my day off, I can't relax with them around. After they made breakfast, I sent them on a trip for today and tomorrow."

Yui looked stunned.

"E, eh... Did you fire them?"

"Why would I fire them? I just want to enjoy my vacation in peace."

But when they find out I'm on vacation, they always try to take even more care of me.

Every time I take a vacation, I send the servants on a small trip.

"Who's paying for the trip?"

"Of course, I am. I hired them, and since I'm sending them on a trip for my convenience, it's only right..."

"What's wrong?"

Yui smiled wryly and said to me.

"Master Act, you're really different. Normally, people don't let their servants go on trips. You're really kind."

"Don't misunderstand. I just don't want them to build up stress and lower their work quality. It's necessary to let off some steam, right?"

"True... I guess so."

"Speaking of letting off steam, you haven't taken any of your paid leave, have you? What's your plan?"

"Eh?" Yui's eyes widened.

"I don't have anything special to do that requires taking a day off."

"Fool. Do you know why we give you annual leave? To maintain your condition. Take your leave when you have something to do."

The annual leave for guild staff is set at 30 days a year.

Additionally, up to 60 days of leave can be carried over, but any excess will be cut off.

"Any unused days that can't be carried over will be wasted. Paid leave is a right given to you. Use it freely."

"But... I feel bad taking a day off when everyone else is working."

"I'm taking a day off while you all are working today, aren't I? What, are you criticizing me?"

"N, no! I didn't mean to... Master Act, you..."

"What?"

"Are you... taking your annual leave to make it easier for the staff to take their leave?"

"You're overthinking it. I just take a day off when I want to."

I fed the cats and dogs.

"Master Act... you're really different."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"No, never."

Yui laughed softly.

"Hey, it's almost time for lunch, isn't it?"

"Eh...? Ah! What should I do..."

I said to the flustered Yui.

"This is an order from the guild master. Help me take care of the dogs."

"Eh...?"

"This is my order. You can take the afternoon off. I'll approve the request later. If Katrina complains, tell her it was my order."

Yui, who was stunned, nodded with a smile.

"Okay! Then I'll take the afternoon off!"

I went for a walk with the dogs, along with Yui.

Yui looked at me intently and smiled.

"What is it?"

"I just thought... I want to become a guild master like Master Act."

Aiming to be like me... Well, well, what a strange one.

[To the Readers]

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