Mehranze was confused.
　There was too much work to do.

　Well, let's just say there is. If I wanted to clean up this vast castle by myself, I could kill a month of my time. However, Rene said, "If I need to, I can clean the whole castle in one go with my skeleton-deployed sea battle techniques, so I don't usually need to do it.

　Then, how about keeping the rooms you use clean, there are only a few rooms you use.

"Excuse me, Princess.
What's wrong?

　Miaranse caught Rene as he came out of the mission control room, where he had been talking to Everis. 　

I was going to clean the bedroom, but there was no sign of ...... use, so I thought I was in the wrong ...... room.
"Oh, you didn't use ......, come to think of it.

　I thought it was a bad idea, but I was right.
　Rene was walking around King's Landing, going back and forth between Everis's workshop and the mission control room, and showing no signs of resting at all.
　I wondered if there was any point in cleaning.

　The only other rooms in use were Everith's workshop and the mission control room, but both of them had various things on them that I shouldn't touch, so I couldn't even bother to clean them.

I peeked into the kitchen to prepare a meal, but there was no sign of use here either. ......
I don't need to sleep or eat. ......
　I don't need to sleep or eat, but Miarandze and his friends don't either. I forgot.
　I forgot. I'll need you to get some preserved food and cook it for me. Can you do the same for Everis and Tracy?
"Yes, of course.

　Even as he replied, Mihranze felt a twinge of regret.

　He knew that if he took care of Evelice and Tracy, they would be able to concentrate on their work for Rene ......, but both of them would be fine without Mihranze, and he was not able to take care of Rene, which was the most important thing.

　Besides, René can do most things by himself.
　Aristocrats are supposed to have their servants take care of everything, but Rene was raised as a commoner. In fact, there is a sense in which he finds it troublesome to have someone help him change his clothes. He even uses telekinesis to fasten the strings on the back of his clothes, which makes him a hardcore person.

　When they first met and Mehranze said, "Let me help you," Rene asked, "Can you fight?
　He didn't think he needed a caretaker from the start.
　So ...... can you help me fight?

　* * *

　Miaranse sat down on the cobblestones and breathed hard.
　It was painful, as if his lungs were being crushed and stuck together.
　The cold wind froze her throat and cooled her hot body.

　Miaranse took off her maid's uniform and donned her light, form-fitting armor, adventurer style.
　This equipment was left behind in King's Landing.
　In this outfit, Miaranse was made to jump, leap, and swing her sword as Udanosuke and Tracy had just told her to do.

"Well?　Do you think you can handle it?
Oh, Princess .......
You can rest now.

　Noticing Rene's arrival, Miarandze tried to straighten up his appearance, but Rene stopped him.

Your physical abilities are not so bad, that they are not so bad. If you train, you will become a better swordsman. I'm no more or less than that.
"I have good night vision. I can see at night. I can hear better with my big ears.
　He's almost human in his abilities.

　Udanosuke and Tracy gave their honest evaluations.
　Miaranse listened to their words with a feeling that made her already painful chest tighten even more.

　Better than average.
　That was the assessment given to Miaranse.

　Miaranse had a premonition. There would be more people following René in the future.
　Right now, Miaranse is Rene's precious "non-undead servant. But that doesn't mean he'll always be valuable. Rene will have to lead many demons. There will be people who are as sympathetic to Rene's path as Miaranse is.

　What will happen to Mehranze then?
　If he can be useful as a soldier, that's fine. If he can be useful as a soldier, that's fine. If he's not, he'll be useless or a liability. ......

"Well, okay. Tracy ...... is leaving tomorrow, Udanosuke. Try to practice on her when you're free.
Okay.
　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to make it work.
Of course, that's your first priority.

　The apology made Miaranse want to disappear.
　Udanosuke's original role was to teach Rene how to use a sword. And he is currently the strongest soldier in the army aside from Rene and Everis.
　Tracy had been recruited by Rene himself as a secret agent, so she was sure to be busy.
　I wonder how much ...... you can get out of their precious time.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

　Tracy nodded her head at Rene's suggestion.

If it's just dungeon exploration or infiltration, it's fine. ......
　But I wouldn't recommend making her an agent. I can turn into any normal girl if I want to, but Miaranse has a little bit higher hurdle.
　First of all, I have to cover my ears, and my kitten eyes are too distinctive to stand out. If you try to hide them, you'll have a hard time.


　It's not only important for gathering information about other people, but when you're trying to sneak into somewhere and get away, it's very important to be able to blind your pursuers with your disguise.

　It's not just the fact that you can't get away with it, but also that it's very important to be able to dazzle your pursuers with your disguise when you're trying to sneak in and escape.

If you cut off this ear, half the problem is ...... solved!
I'm not sure what to say.　I'm not sure what to say, but it's gross!
　You look like a cat, but you have a doggy temperament, don't you?
Stop it!　Your ears are so cute!

　Rene and Tracy hurriedly stopped her.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find something that will help you out.

...... I'll let you do it if you need to, but I don't feel the need to make you do it.
I'm sure you'll agree.　I'm sure you'll agree.
I understand. ......

　The only thing left of Miaranse was a feeling of helplessness.

　I'll be back.

　The night in the royal capital was silent as the silver moon shone coldly.
　In the city of death, where so many people have fled, Miarandze runs like a thief in a bard's tale.

　From roof to roof.
　Grabbing a pipe on the outside of the building, he slides down, kicks the wall on the way, and jumps to the second floor of the opposite building.
　Through the empty apartment building, he jumps out the opposite window.

　Then he slipped trying to grab the shaft of a sign sticking out into the street.

"Oh, ......!

　The body is thrown out according to inertia.
　The feeling of floating.
　And...

"Aah!　............

　In a posture that could barely be called passive, Miarandze fell into an uninhabited street.
　He hit his shoulder and it hurt badly.

　As he tried to get up, his ears picked up the sound of something flying through the wind.

"What, voluntary training?
"Princess!
You're in too much of a hurry. What are you doing?

　Rene, who had apparently flown in from somewhere, landed softly in front of Miarandze.
　Rene looked a bit dumbfounded.

I'd like to be able to help you as soon as possible. ......
You know, ...... you don't have to force yourself to be a force to be reckoned with.
　You don't have to force yourself to be a fighter. If it's not for you, I'll just put you back on as a full-time maid.
"But sir!　I'm not sure if Princess ...... needs me as a maid!

　You'll be able to get a lot more than that.

　I've been forcing myself to follow her because I wanted to be able to do something for her, but now I'm not sure if I can do as much as one undead.
　I thought that if I didn't have to take care of her, I could be a soldier instead. It was as simple as that.

"Oh, ...... that's right, .......

　Rene looked as if he was struggling for words, but then he opened his mouth.

"Well, ...... servants (you) are a luxury item.
　But for me, a knife is more useful than you right now.
　There will come a time when I'll need you. Just not right now.

　--A city with no people to call its own. A city with no people to call its own. A few thousand undead soldiers made by your own magic. And enough living subjects to fit on the fingers of one hand: ......
　　　This man is not of this caliber.

　Yes, in time Rene will amass the greatest power and wealth in this world.
　She will have hundreds ...... perhaps thousands of servants working for her, Miaranse thought.
　But that was not the case now.

So I should just wait until I am needed?
"Yes, but ......

　Rene frowned a little, as if he had noticed something.

I'm not sure if you really want to follow me.

　Miaranse felt as if she had been stabbed through the body with an ice sword.
　Being considered unwanted by René and being kicked out was Miaranse's greatest fear.
　If that were to happen, there would be nothing more for him to do in this world.

Am I not supposed to be here?
No, I'm not saying you're fired.
　I'm not saying you should be fired, but I don't have enough fight in me to pay the cost of keeping a crew that I don't need. If you stay with me, you might die before you're needed. Are you okay with that?

　Rene's tone was not 'concerned' or 'caring', but simply matter-of-fact.
　For a moment, Miaranse did not understand what René was saying.

For example, if I were walking with you and we were attacked by a very powerful adventurer or something, I would be willing to use magic to get you involved, and I might even leave you behind and run away.
I'm prepared for that.
I'm prepared for that." "Let's say I'm chased by the enemy and I have to flee, and me, Tracy, Everith and you have to flee across the desert.
　I'm undead, so I'm fine, but the three of us are alive ...... and Evelisse is a bit suspicious, but we're all alive anyway, so we need to keep replenishing our energy.
　When you run out of food, I'll cut you up and feed you to the two of them and make them drink your blood. They're still useful, but you're mediocre and I don't need you right now.


"If it will help the princess, I shall be happy.

　--Yes. I'm not afraid to die.

　Somehow, I've always felt that way.
　When I spun those thoughts into words and said them out loud, I felt more comfortable than I thought I would. I don't feel like I've said too much.

"Princess, please believe in my loyalty.
　I am finally ready to give my all to you. Her fight is my only hope, and I am willing to give up anything to be of help to her.
　If I die, all I care about is whether my bones and soul will be of use to the Princess. My only fear is that I will not be able to help the princess.

　On his knees, Mehranze hung his head deeply.

　A simmering anger still burned within Miarelandse.
　But it would never reach the world. For Miaranse is but a helpless little girl.
　To entrust it to Renai. To help Renai.
　That was the only battle Miaranse was allowed to fight.

　Rene stared at Miaranse.
　Then he said, as if it were nothing, a matter of course.

I'm not going to say anything else. I won't kick you out or get rid of you, so stay close to me and live as you like until the day I need you.
"Yes!

　Miaranse responded with joy.

　Yes!

　After Miaranse returned to her apartment, Rene took a leisurely stroll around the area, feeling as if he were taking a walk.
　In order to prepare for the defensive battle, he needed to familiarize himself with the geography of the capital. Therefore, Rene tried to look around the capital as much as possible in his spare time.

　Then, a joyful feeling came over her. It approached her as if in flight.

I've been watching you.

　Tracy landed next to Rene, spinning around and down, much more like a cat than Mehranze.
　It seems that Tracy had been watching Miaranse's training in the shadows. Rene had detected Tracy's emotional response nearby earlier.

You're so kind. Princess.
　Isn't it common for bad guys to just throw you away when they don't need you anymore?

　Tracy was half impressed and half appalled.

　If you threaten them like that, they might run away for their own good, or they might lose their will to work.
　It's a bad idea if you want to use up your staff efficiently. It is better to let them work until they need to be abandoned, and then leave them to die in silence.
　But Rene didn't want to do that.

I don't want to trick my men into using me. But that's not kindness.
　But that's not kindness. No one wants to serve an unjust master, right?　The risk/reward of lying and deceiving is out of proportion.

　This is a thought that comes mainly from my past life experiences. I don't know if it goes down to the military or the national level, but at least in the corporate world, it did.
　If you have a good boss, everyone will perform well. If you don't have a good boss, your employees will all run away from you if you are ...... terrible, and no one will respond to your job offer because of your bad reputation.
　In addition, Rene is leading a doomed army with the goal of world domination. It's not easy to recruit people (or demon materials in the case of demons and demon tribes). It's much harder to attract and retain talent (or demon material, in the case of demons and demonkind) than it is for a commercial enterprise.
　That's why Rene is trying to be an 'ideal boss'.

That calculation is also based on the idea of being a good boy.
　It's starting! It's starting!

　Holding her honey-blonde twin-tails, Tracy shook her head.

　Rene watched Tracy's anguish, unsure whether she was praising or not, with resentment.
　René knows very well that his conscience and kindness have been broken. If he had deceived Miaranse, it would not have hurt his conscience. Acting fairly towards her is an act of calculation.
　But even though Rene thought he was acting completely out of calculation, Tracy seemed to see the good in it.

...... Well, okay. I'm not trying to be evil.

　To tell you the truth, I don't want to be cruel to my subordinates, so Tracy's words aren't completely out of line. As much as it pains me to admit it.
　If I were to cheat a subordinate who loved me and then betrayed him to death, I would feel like a b(lee)-ka(lee)-k(lee)-k(lee)-k(lee)-k(lee).
　It was not an act of kindness, but an act of fear. It's silly to earn atrocity points against an ally.

It's complicated. It's complicated. You don't mind killing the girl (Iris) who's in charge.

　Tracy stabbed him in the back.
　He's an adventurer with an outlaw streak, but he's got a human conscience.
　He may look like an optimist, but he's being forced by Rene to obey him, and he wants to complain.

He is only working for revenge.
　It may seem kind or cruel, but to me it's just that.
"I see. ......

　Rene is just trying to find the most efficient way he can.

　A feeling of disappointment and pity, divided by three, swirled inside Tracy.