Chapter 21

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"Welcome back, Prince Raidol."

As soon as he entered the mansion, twenty butlers and maids greeted him in unison.

"O, oh...?"

The sight of well-bred men and women bowing in unison was a grand spectacle. Although Raidol, who had lived in the royal palace as a prince, might have been accustomed to it, he couldn't help but feel overwhelmed after spending a long time in a remote rural area.

"Master—"

"Hm, ah..."

Nemilia, standing behind him, tugged at the hem of Raidol's jacket. Raidol nodded, regained his composure, and cleared his throat.

"Well, now that I'm the master of this mansion, who among you is the representative?"

"It is I, Your Highness."

A man in a butler's uniform with a mustache stepped forward. His neatly groomed hair and mustache were dyed a romantic gray, and his polite bow exuded a sense of sincerity.

"I recognize your face. You used to work in the royal palace, right?"

"Yes, it has been a long time. I am Salvin, who served under Emperor Granado."

The butler—Salvin—smiled at Raidol. His calm and composed demeanor was unchanged from five years ago. Raidol remembered receiving sweets from Salvin at a tea party his brother had hosted when he was young.

"I see, Salvin. It's been a long time."

"It is an honor to see you again. I am glad you have returned."

"Thank you. By the way... I have a request, or rather, something I need to inform everyone here."

"Hm? What is it?"

With a puzzled expression, Salvin looked at Raidol, who smiled with a crescent-shaped mouth.

"Everyone here is fired. Please leave immediately."

"H...?"

Salvin's expression froze at the unexpected words. The other servants behind him began to murmur.

"W, what have we done wrong? If there is a problem...?"

"There's no problem. I just don't need you here."

Raidol's words were decisive, leaving no room for argument. Salvin, still confused, looked around and continued to plead.

"This mansion is quite large. I doubt one maid can manage the cleaning..."

"That's not your concern... Let me put it another way. The only person I trust here is Nemilia. I have no intention of keeping anyone else around."

"That...?"

You are not trustworthy.

That's why you must leave.

Salvin's face twisted in humiliation at the unspoken words. The old butler glared at Raidol and Nemilia with a resentful look for a while before sighing in resignation.

"...I understand. I will inform Emperor Granado of this matter."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Raidol waved his hand to see the servants off as they left the mansion, led by Salvin. Their faces were uniformly puzzled. Once everyone had left, Raidol turned to Nemilia.

"Search the mansion. Every corner."

"Understood, Master."

Nemilia nodded, tucking the hem of her apron dress.

"【Shadow Beast Summoning】"

Nemilia's shadow writhed and formed into human shapes. The shadows turned into maid-like figures. They had black hair and black skin, and their faces were smooth and egg-like, with no eyes or noses. These were not human; they were Nemilia's familiars, born from and living within the shadows.

"Search the mansion. Check for any dangers or hidden people. Those who are free should check the supplies, especially clothing and food."

"Understood, Mistress."

About ten shadow maids glided to various parts of the mansion. Born from the shadows, they could slip into any crevice and thoroughly search every detail of the mansion. Nemilia nodded in satisfaction at the thoroughness of her familiars.

"Well... please rest, Master. I will take care of all the management and chores of the mansion."

"Thank you, I'm counting on you."

True to her words, Nemilia would manage the entire mansion on her own. The former witch who nearly destroyed the world had now become a capable maid.