Chapter 4

Please enjoy the next installment, which was previously announced as "The Housekeeper Knows the Four Heavenly Kings" and is now retitled as "The Housekeeper Knows the True Identity of the Four Heavenly Kings."

My name is Margarita Egnant.

My friends and family call me Mārta.

My hobby is reading spy novels.

I like alcohol and dislike wrinkles.

I am 42 this year and still a fully active housekeeper.

When it comes to housekeepers, there are various types.

Some live in the mansion for life, dedicating themselves to the master, while others seek high-paying jobs and change masters frequently.

I am the latter type of housekeeper.

You might think I'm mercenary, but that's also a part of life.

Consider it one path in the way of housekeeping.

However, there was a master to whom I had decided to dedicate my life.

He was a great general of the kingdom, serving the military with vigor, and I used to be captivated by his profile.

However, one day, the master suffered a great defeat in battle and eventually went insane.

From then on, the future of the master's house became bleak, and it was eventually dissolved. We, the servants, were evicted without even the time to decide our own fates.

It was then that I realized:

When the money runs out, the relationship ends.

Even the laws of hell are determined by money...

What you can trust is not honor, but money.

Now, after sharing a bit about my background, could I ask you about a certain job?

I was lured by the high pay and jumped at the opportunity advertised by the guild in the capital.

The location was a rural town called Noiville.

The first thing that came to mind was, why could a lord in a rural town offer such high pay?

Furthermore, it required strict confidentiality, welcomed short-term commitments, guaranteed high income, and promised a homely workplace.

I still vividly remember the wording, which seemed like a job ad you'd find plastered on the walls of a red-light district, written like landmines.

Most people would probably ignore such wording.

However, I was intrigued and, since the travel expenses were covered, I came to Noiville for the interview.

It was a typical rural town, peaceful as if time had stopped.

Could there really be a noble who could afford such high pay in such a place?

My doubts deepened.

The workplace was a small two-story mansion.

The garden was well-maintained, the exterior was white, and the blue roof was particularly vivid.

Regardless of the size of the mansion, I felt the professionalism of those who worked there. I took a deep breath, as if tightening the chin strap of a helmet, and knocked on the knocker of the mansion.

"Coming..."

The person who came out was a housekeeper.

Unusually, she was a dark elf.

She was quite beautiful, and the white apron dress suited her well.

After looking at me with slightly melancholic eyes, the housekeeper suddenly said, "Please, come in. Please, come in."

"Ah, um... I haven't said anything yet."

"Huh? The master arranged for a girl from the red-light district..."

"No, that's not it!!"

"But you're wearing a housekeeper's uniform. The master must have arranged for that kind of play..."

"What are you talking about! You're dressed similarly, aren't you?"

"These are my work clothes."

"These are my work clothes too!!"

"Oh, a costume shop..."

"No!!"

Ah, the mood is already off.

I was reminded of a dark elf I used to know.

Is this how all of them are?

I cleared my throat.

"Hello. My name is Margarita Egnant. I came for the interview after seeing the job posting in the capital. Has the guild contacted you?"

"Oh, you're the one. My apologies. I thought the master's tastes had changed."

Hey, hey, dark elf.

What do you mean by that?

Oops... I shouldn't.

First, a smile.

Today is the interview.

From what I could see, there was nothing unusual about the workplace.

Despite her sharp tongue, this dark elf seemed quite capable.

At my level, I can tell just by looking at the garden work.

The mystery of the strict confidentiality hasn't been solved, but I can still take the interview seriously.

I was led to the reception room.

The atmosphere was calm, and the furniture and decor were not bad.

Naturally, the floor and the magic beast leather sofa were polished to a shine.

This housekeeper... she's good!

After a while, there was a commotion outside...

"Hey! Elite, what's the sudden fuss?"

"It's an interview. You're good at choosing girls, right?"

"Stop saying things that can be misunderstood!"

"Well, unfortunately, she's not young."

"Idiot! She can hear you!"

(She can hear you.)

"Didn't you suggest it? You said it would be easier if we hired another one because I looked busy."

"I did! But I didn't say the interview was today—Ah!!"

The man burst in with a bang.

Behind him, the housekeeper, Elite, was still in the position of having just kicked him.

From what I could gather, this must be the master, but is his attitude appropriate?

Now, about this master... he's full of suspicion.

Even inside the house, he is wrapped in a robe with the hood pulled deep over his face.

...Hmm? What?

"Um... what should I say... Anyway, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

Behind the hood, the master smiled wryly.

He was half-kicked by the housekeeper, Elite, and sat on the sofa opposite me.

Elite also sat next to the man, aligning her feet and placing a notepad on her lap, sitting solemnly.

I was already speechless.

I opened my eyes wide and stared at the man sitting opposite me.

The first to notice my intense gaze was the maid, Elite.

"That's good, Capua. It seems you didn't meet his standards, but he seems to meet yours."

"Huh? What are you talking about? Take this seriously. This is an interview, right?"

"Right. I should show my best side."

"Don't worry. It's not a misunderstanding; he's just teasing you—What's wrong? Could it be..."

The man, who I assumed was the master, gradually turned pale (though his face was already quite pale), and I quickly waved my hands and looked away.

"No, no! It's not like that!"

"Ah—right. You came from the capital. Thank you for the long journey. My name is Capso—no, Capua. Nice to meet you."

Yes... I know.

I swallowed the words that came to mind.

That was close.

I almost died.

Yes.

I know.

I know this man's true identity...

But... I don't understand why.

Why is such a big catch serving as a human lord in a remote rural town?

I reaffirmed it.

Ah...

No doubt.

This man is...

No, this demon is...

The king. The king of demons...

That is to say...

The Demon King...

I was lured by a suspicious job ad, and there he was, the Demon King.

I never thought there would be a sequel to that side story... (Shocked)

I have started posting a new work titled "The Demon King, Who Said 'Let Me Heal You,' Finally Reincarnates as a Holy Maiden." It's a different kind of misunderstanding comedy fantasy from "Kuku."

It's a story about the Demon King, who uses (misunderstood) healing magic to dominate the academy. Please give it a read.

The link is below. Thank you.