Chapter 40

"Listen up, you guys! From today on, I'm your employer!"

Aimholn, bound for their study abroad destination. On the deck, Leon raised his voice loudly in front of eight people holding deck brushes.

Luxion watched the scene from the shadows.

The one who harbored dissatisfaction towards Leon was Jilc.

"How dare you employ His Highness! Are you getting carried away just because you became a count?"

"Shut up, you schemer! The Queen herself told me to be strict with you guys. She even said it's fine to work you to the bone this time."

When Leon showed the letter from Queen Mileene to Julius and the others, Brad protested fiercely.

"Wait a minute! We never agreed to this. We were only told to study abroad and learn about the world."

Leon laughed at such objections.

"How do you plan to live there without any money? I won't provide meals or salaries to those who don't work, so remember that! Now, get started on the deck cleaning!"

The five began cleaning, grumbling, while Marie, Kyle, and Carla looked relieved.

"Great, now we don't have to worry about meals from tomorrow."

"That's good, Master."

"Lady Marie, it seems you'll be able to have lunch every day from now on."

Hearing Carla's happy voice, Leon covered his left eye.

For Leon, who is fundamentally kind, it was impossible not to sympathize with Marie and the others who couldn't have lunch.

Considering what Marie had been doing until now, this treatment was too lenient.

Luxion's single eye turned to the five.

Julius continued to complain, clearly irritated.

"Working from morning till evening for just 200 dia. This is a joke, right?"

200 dia.

In yen, it's about 20,000 yen.

'Master is being too lenient.'

"Is this acceptable? What can you even do with 200 dia? I can't accept such treatment."

The idea that they could earn more as adventurers in the dungeon was also hindering Julius and the others' mindset reform.

"Shut up, you high-class loafers! Quickly change your outdated values!"

Leon kicked Julius from behind as he voiced his complaints.

Jilc approached Julius, who was rolling on the deck.

"Your Highness! Count Baltfort, this is too much! Your Highness is being treated unfairly!"

Ignoring Jilc's words, Leon looked at the deck.

"You're just brushing the same spot! Do you even intend to clean properly? After this, you'll have to clean the inside of the ship, including the toilets, so be prepared."

Chris gritted his teeth.

"Is such unfair treatment acceptable?"

For Julius and the others, this treatment was unacceptable.

However, Luxion confirmed the employment conditions.

'Working hours from 8 AM to 5 PM, with a total of two hours of breaks... seven hours of work, and this pay is too high.'

Leon was taking care of their food, lodging, and clothing. They didn't have to worry about meals, sleeping arrangements, or clothing. The kingdom provided the necessary funds, but Leon was the one taking care of the eight.

From Luxion's perspective, this treatment was unfair.

He thought it could be stricter.

Gregg stood in front of Leon, holding a deck brush.

"Baltfort, let's have a fair fight. If we win, you'll change this unfair treatment!"

Leon covered his face with both hands, looking very sad.

"What are you guys really? If you're serious, I can't laugh. Please tell me it's a joke."

Gregg skillfully swung the deck brush.

"We're serious!"

Seeing the other four also holding deck brushes, Marie, with a lifeless look in her eyes, muttered.

"Work a little. You'll be bored anyway on the ship. Please do some cleaning. Earn your own pocket money, please."

She started shaking, as if remembering something.

Facing the five with deck brushes, Leon shook his head.

"You don't mind skipping dessert for lunch, right?"

"Why!?"

Leon grinned at the flustered Julius.

"Because you're defying your employer. You can resist more if you want. If you keep slacking off, I can make you work overtime for an hour. Or, I can serve you your least favorite foods for breakfast from tomorrow."

Chris lowered his deck brush.

"That's unfair, Baltfort!"

"Unfair is fine. But I think I'm being kind enough just by employing workers like you."

Luxion, watching from a distance, thought about the five.

'This is different from their previous lives, and they can't adapt so easily. The difference in values is inevitable. They don't understand their current situation.'

—He made a harsh judgment but had a reason.

Until now, even after being disinherited, they were still pampered because of their birth and appearance. Marie had been supporting their lives, so they didn't understand their situation.

Therefore, they probably think everything will somehow work out.

'Thinking about it, Marie is the same as Master.'

He judged that Marie was a machine for producing useless men.

At the same time, he thought she was very similar to Leon.

While the five looked regretful, Kyle took the cleaning tools and headed to another area to clean.

"Master, I'll clean this area first."

"Thank you. Kyle and Carla are my only hope."

Carla, who was relied upon by Marie, looked excited and moved.

"Yes, Lady Marie!"

Luxion thought to himself.

'...Still, why are they heading abroad for study with this group?'

No matter how you look at it, they were initially enemies.

If Revia and Anje were there, it would make more sense, but this group of eight was surprising to Luxion.

Watching Leon monitor the five, Luxion muttered.

'I hope you have a fun study abroad, Master.'

How was the third chapter?

I hope you enjoyed it.

On the 30th of this month, "The World of Otome Games is Harsh for the Extras Volume 1" will be released. Reservations are also open, so I would be happy if you could use them.

I plan to provide detailed reports in my activity updates.

I think I can make various reports on Monday.

The schedule for the fourth chapter is undecided, but I hope to update within three months.

Thank you for reading.

I look forward to your continued support.