Chapter 91

**SIDE: Alfred**

The genuine task given to me by Master is to take care of the girls we protected, is it?

It seems that the actual work will be done by Lady Luna and Lady Yomi, so my main role will be to listen to their plans and methods, and provide advice and assistance.

In any case, I'll do my best to exceed Master's expectations.

"Lady Luna and Lady Yomi, what do you plan to do with these girls?"

"Luna, I'll explain. We thought about protecting them, of course, and also about forming a maid squad. Given that Luna and I have become Master Owl's fiancées, we no longer have servants. Also, if we hand these girls over to the guild, they won't have a place to return to, and their only way to survive would be to become prostitutes. We want to help them, just as Master Owl helped us."

I see, Master has quite an eye for people. I'm surprised there are humans with such pure hearts.

"Also, we won't make them maids forever. We'll provide them with options. In addition to maid duties, we'll register them with the Adventurer's Guild. If we take care of them until they grow up, they can survive on their own."

To have thought this far, they truly are worthy of being Master's fiancées. However, I'm a bit suspicious if that's all they have in mind.

"By the way, we plan to strengthen them both physically and mentally through their activities as maids and adventurers. After being treated so badly, they will likely be afraid of men."

After being treated like objects by such crude and vulgar people, their hearts must be exhausted.

I wanted to give advice, but there's not much to add.

"So, it's up to their own will, right?"

No matter what we plan, it won't mean anything if they don't have the will to do it. What do you think about that?

"That's not a problem at all. After all, they've been won over by Master's delicious meals."

"Hehe, Master Owl probably served them delicious meals out of kindness, but if they taste such delicious food at this point, they won't be able to forget the taste."

Indeed, Master's cooking is exceptionally delicious.

I'm also captivated by it, so I can understand their feelings all too well.

Furthermore, if they decide to quit being maids, we'll let them go.

It seems rather lenient and kind, but I don't dislike such thinking.

"I understand. The plan is clear. Now, what specific methods do you have in mind?"

There are various ways to raise them, and if you'd like, I can train them directly, though it might be a bit harsh for humans.

"That's not a problem. We plan to use the same methods Master used to train us."

"Master's methods can achieve rapid growth in a short time."

Hmm! I'm curious about Master's training methods. What are they like?

"That is—"

The methods I heard from Lady Luna and Lady Yomi were even more intense than I imagined.

Master may look gentle, but he's practically a demon inside...

It's good that Lady Luna and Lady Yomi had some combat experience, but to throw complete novices into the dungeon and force them to become strong...

Ignoring basic training and physical conditioning, and focusing solely on practical experience is a Spartan approach.

...Indeed, rapid growth can be expected in a short time, but it's a method where losing one's life or breaking mentally is not uncommon.

"So, my role will be to assist with this leveling, right?"

"Yes. We will take turns being by Master's side, and during that time, we plan to train the girls. Fortunately, the Empire has the Number 7 Labyrinth, so we'll have them grow alongside the Black Weapons."

Black Weapons, huh? What a nostalgic name. I wonder where the weapon I raised is now... Well, it might be fun to raise one from scratch again.

"Understood. For today, let them rest, and tomorrow we'll register them with the Adventurer's Guild and head to the labyrinth."

A combat-capable maid squad, huh? This is getting interesting. We might call them the Battle Maid Squad.

Hehe, my arm is itching.

**SIDE: Owl**

A gloomy mood doesn't clear up easily. After reporting to the princess about the people from the slums, she seemed to understand.

"---That's the report. Any leads?"

"...It's a guess, but I have an idea."

"Can you tell me?"

"It's fine. ...Do you remember what the bandits said on our way to the capital?"

I remember. They said they got information from someone who looked a lot like the third wife.

"Is that related to this?"

"Probably... I think the bandits were supposed to eliminate us, but since they failed, they might have hired the Dark Guild to assassinate us."

It makes sense. It makes sense, but it seems premature to judge at this point.

It feels too convenient, somehow.

Would someone with such distinctive features make such a mistake? The third wife seemed to be quite perceptive, so it's unlikely she would leave such obvious evidence.

"...I see. There's not enough evidence to make a judgment yet, so let's put this on hold. However, it's certain that we and Lily are being targeted by the Dark Guild. So, we need to be vigilant and never let our guard down. We should always have someone on guard."

"Hehe, thank you. Does that mean you'll join me in the bath and the bedroom?"

The princess, who teases me like this, looks like a girl her age.

Thinking that such a girl supports the country, I feel she's really hardworking.

I want to resolve this case as soon as possible and give her peace of mind.

"No, no, that's a bit too much. I'll have Luna or Yomi accompany you to the bath. As for the bedroom, I'll just check for any suspicious activity."

"Hehe, understood... Tch, I'm fine with you, Owl."

Princess, I heard your last whisper, you know? If you did it on purpose, that's too sly.

"Then, I'll hand over the captured ones to the knights. Please tell the knights to come here."

"...To the slums. Understood."

The princess called someone and gave instructions, so the knights will be on the move soon.

It seems her official duties are also wrapping up for today. There's nothing particularly concerning when I use my perception and spatial awareness, so it should be safe for now.

I quickly informed Luna and Yomi via a voice-transmitting magical device that the knights are coming. I also instructed them to store the gold, magical items, and treasures in the hideout.

Additionally, I told them to make sure the captured girls don't get found by the knights. It would be troublesome to have to deal with their interrogations.

We've taken down one underground group, so this much should be allowed. Or rather, I hope it is.

"Sorry, if you know anything about the Dark Guild, could you tell me?"

"...The Dark Guild is one of the troublesome issues the Empire faces. It's a massive organization that even the former emperor couldn't destroy. It's so powerful that even the evil god cult doesn't dare to challenge it. The existence of the Dark Guild is public, but detailed information, including the location of its base, is not available. The people you caught probably don't know much either."

Given that it's such a large organization and there's almost no information, it's likely that someone in a high position is concealing the information, or it's a highly organized group.

In either case, it's a troublesome situation. Dealing with nobles from other countries is just asking for trouble. If it's a well-organized group, the top and middle management must be quite ruthless.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be an organization that a country struggles to handle.

The most troublesome scenario is if a noble is concealing information and the top management is competent. ...But that's probably an overreaction.

"...I'll gather information on my end too. If I find anything, I'll let you know. Also, since you're being targeted, don't overexert yourself, okay?"

"Hehe, you'll protect me, right?"

"That's true, but..."

What a mischievous princess. I'll go to bed for now. Tomorrow, I'll request an audience with the former emperor to ask about the Dark Guild.

I also need to check what Luna and Yomi plan to do with the girls. With Alfred around, they won't do anything strange.

Despite everything, I'll go to bed for today.

**SIDE: Dark Guild**

"They failed to eliminate the targets."

"They were supposed to be disposed of anyway. They didn't know much. But they did serve a purpose. We now know the target's capabilities. Use any means necessary to eliminate that child and the two women as soon as possible."

"Understood."

I was surprised by the order from that person, but this could be a gamble for the Dark Guild. Let's see what you can do.

I'll update this slowly.

I'd be happy if you could rate and bookmark it.

I plan to write more about the Battle Maid Squad in a side story soon.

Thanks to everyone, I won the [Web Novel Award] and will be publishing the book with Futaba Shobo.