Chapter 86

Me: You found the puppet?

Diana: I have a few candidates but I’ not sure which one to pick…I mean should we go for greed or pride? Both are pretty easy to manipulate.

Me: Greed. Greed is so much easier once we removed Nobility. There’s no one who’s getting free money and women like they used to so it just makes that all the more desirable. Sure, people’s lives are getting better but everyone’s lives are getting better. There has to be a greedy genius out there somewhere.

2: My ladies. Exactly what talents are you looking for?

Me: A sweet talker, a womanizer. Someone very handsome. Find someone that can make women ‘ooh and ahh’. A greedy one too, preferably with an insatiable libido and a great thirst for money.

2: …and why exactly are we looking for such a man?

Me: We’re going to throw him into the spotlight and turn him into a live advertisement where all the new technologies are going to be displayed. Ah…also make sure none of it is traceable. If he ever makes one mistake, he’s done. But until then, he needs to act filthy rich, beautiful, and the typical image of an arrogant noble…when in reality he holds no power.

Diana: So what do we have?

Me: New types of house designs. We saved a plot of land in the middle of the city for something like this. We’ll just make it scream out ‘I’m Here and I’m fabulous’ to every passerby. We also have new carriages, clothes, and everyday magic items that he will be required to wear. We’ll do the same for the woman as well.

2: What about their reputation?

Me: Put some money into their surroundings. The wealthier the neighborhood, the brighter they perceive things for the time being. I don’t care what happens after but don’t lose that time frame.

2: As you wish.

Me: Also, I’m planning on buying a house down there.

3: !! Kara-sama! Are you displeased with anything in Society?! Please inform us so we can make immediate changes. Is it because of your lowly servants??!

Me: *sigh* Sis, where did we go wrong? Listen Third. I’m pretty sure we made you loyal but we also implanted the knowledge that all of you, every single one of you are crucial to Society. We created you so you’re like our…well, children in a way. So no, it’s not you. I’m doing this because first, I already have another identity that I can use. Secondly, it’ll be easier to get into contact with other people like this. Besides, I can’t even train that brat Morius anywhere inside the city so I thought it’d be easier if I do.

Diana: You do you, but if you’re buying a house, then I’m joining as well.

Me: You got another identity as well?

Diana: Not yet, but I can easily make one.

Me: Sure, I’m just going to do that now.

4: Kara-sama! Diana-sama! Please allow us to make the preparations for the house!

Me: I’m tempted to say no…I feel like you guys are going to make a big deal out of this. You know my identity is nothing like a former noble or a big merchant right?

4: Of course not Kara-sama. We will keep in mind that it is important to keep things down to a minimum. Though it hurts to see someone of your grace and status choosing to live in a pig pen, we will follow your instructions.

Me: …it’s not that bad.

4: Nonsense Kara sama! For someone like you, even this world of the gods can barely hold you.

Me: Ok whatever. I’ll leave you in charge of hiring the servants as well, ok? Maybe bring no more than…3 to 5 maids from Society. Fill the rest with denizens of the city.

4: Of course Kara-sama! Please leave it to us!

2 Weeks later…

Me: … …

Those shitty geezers, I knew I shouldn’t have let them do this.

In front of me was something most people would call a ‘A Rich Bastard’s Palace’

POV Cali Reneward

Near the outskirts of the city (but still within the borders) was a mystery that nobody had found the answers to. Suddenly, one day, a gigantic five story mansion popped out of the ground. Not only that, but the very next day, the originally cracked and dry land around it became fertile, grassy, and had many trees growing around the estate for miles. Not just any trees but trees so fragile and delicate they looked as if they would snap at a touch. Then the following day, a solid metal wall with many intricate patterns were put up between the place and the city.

The most curious thing was that the government seemed to have no questions about this. Once, I got so curious as did the rest of the city, that an Elder Lich just posted a paper in the government building so that their questions would be answered and we wouldn’t waste their time.

Dear People of the Arcanian Empire who are wondering about the New Estate being constructed on the Outskirts of the city.

The Estate belongs to a high ranking government official who have chosen to live near you and instead of the realm of the gods, Society.

The estate will also double serve as a place for members of the government to stay when they are outside the Holy Land.

Please note that this is one of the few places in the Empire where you are not allowed to enter or trespass for the safety of both you and the inhabitants.

We hope you have a good day

On another note, the Estate is looking to hire experienced maids, cooks, guards, gardeners, and other servants to serve at the estate. Minimum payment of 5 Gold Coins a month.

Please inform the Reception Table to apply for the Job.

Naturally, this caused a massive commotion as such a large sum was offered to normally low paying occupations…not that such a place would hire low quality people to begin with. Seeing this as my chance, I immediately signed up.

The process of choosing a maid for the estate was more competitive than I could have ever imagined. I wondered if the Old Empire’s process of choosing Palace Maids would have been as rigorous as this one.

First, they checked my background. Every family member, every relationship and former work I had done. They made sure I was never in contact with the Church of the Old Gods beyond what was necessary and made sure I was not part of some rebellion or opposing force. I thought checking such things would be impossible but it turns out magic had its ways.

Experience and knowledge on what is and how to be a maid was crucial as they asked me to demonstrate multiple things. From the basics of cleaning, cooking, and washing to the complicated ways of pouring drinks, waiting, greeting, and serving.

I was checked on my education and etiquette which thankfully I passed. I thought it would be a breeze as I was of (low) noble birth and my mother and father made sure to drill everything they know about into me, my mother especially. Born into a rural Baron family, my mother knew the best way was for me to become a maid of someone of higher birth. She turned me into the ‘perfect’ servant but even that was barely enough to pass the education section. I guess now that the Empire is many times larger, there are just as many applicants and thus more competitions. I mean, they were bringing in applicants for free via magic into the city to take the test!

Finally, the biggest challenge everyone faced but something no one can run from…beauty. From the first page of the application, they did state that beauty was part of the assessment. Someone who is up there would want beautiful servants rather than plain anyone wearing a maid uniform. It was essentially a show of power and authority that they could have such perfect women serving them.

I looked up at the massive gate which separated the city and what was inside. It was at least a 5 meter tall gate crafted of silver, gold and obsidian. The pattern on the door was, as expected, the insignia of the Arcanian Empire.

Guarding the double doors were 4 Valhallan Warriors…or some version of them. They were bigger, and their armor more decorated. My guess was that this was a stronger version of the Valhallan Warriors, they looked more like knights than warriors.Their eyes scanned me to see if I was a threat before recognition that I was here as a maid.

Knight: Papers please.

I passed onto them the documents the elder lich had given me that proved I was to start working here as a maid. The Knight gently took the sheets of paper before he looked over them quickly before handing them back to me.

Knight: Welcome Miss Reneward. If you will please follow me…

Just as he said that, the massive gate opened halfway to let the knight and myself in. Inside the gate was what I would call another world. It was simply breathtaking.

My first impression was that it was large and green. The plains stretched almost as far as I can see. There was something like a carefully crafted stream which flowed throughout the plains and into a blue and shining lake. Around it, the grass grew, but somehow it seemed every blade of grass was carefully cut and made…specifically chosen out for it to be there. The pathway to the mansion was a cut stone pathway which seemed to glow slightly as I stepped on it. It was beautiful.

After what seemed like the longest walk from a gate to the front door, the Knight pressed something on the side of the door which sounded a chime inside.

Knight: A new maid, Cali Reneward has arrived.

The door opened and possibly the most beautiful woman I had ever seen opened the door.

Mary: Hello there. I am Mary, a personal creation of Kara-sama and her handmaiden in the Holy Land of Vanir. I will be in charge of training and assigning tasks until someone else takes upon the role.

Me: Hello Mary-sama. I am Cali Reneward. Please treat me well, here is my letter of recommendation and approval.

I passed the letter who Mary who looked over the paper and gave an approving nod.

Mary: Good, everything seems to be in order. You will be put into rooms of two. She will be your partner, make sure you are always together when you work. Also…please help her learn about being a maid, alright?

As I walked in, what I saw inside was something of a wonder. I’ve worked in many Noble households before, not to mention I was from a noble family as well. On very few occasions, father took me with him to the Royal Palace as well in Arwintar but even that couldn’t hold a candle to what I saw here.

Sure, the size of the building was not as large…from the outside. Inside was the main hall which seemed to tower over everything else and seemed to be crafted entirely of crystals and rare stones. The light that came from above spread intricate patterns on the soft carpet below. The sides of the hallway were connected to stairways to various floors of the building; except some seemed to be just platforms?

Mary: Elevators. For when someone cannot use climb the stairs themselves.

While I was curious about how it worked, unfortunately, we did not get the chance to use the device. Instead, we went into one of the corners of the hall where an elaborate wall cleverly hid another passage. This passage was not as large or intricately designed as the main hall but it too was clean and fit for a king…for another country at least. The hall continued on and on with various rooms unit we reached Door that was already labeled.

Mary: This will be your room. Feel free to use anything inside. It should have everything you need. Your new uniforms are in the closet so please wear them tomorrow. We expect you in the main hall by 6am.

Room 1023. Veyron & Reneward

I assumed that my roommate’s name was Veyron..never heard of that name but my guess was that she too was either a low noble born or a fallen noble by the hands of the Former Bloody emperor.

Wait…uniforms already in the closet? I was sure they haven’t made my measurements yet thought.

Me: Umm…what should we do if we do not fit the uniform?

Mary: There is no need for worry. All uniforms were imbued with magic and thus will adjust to any size perfectly.

Magic clothing?!! Even high ranking nobles barely had one or two of those and here they were giving these to maids?

Mary: In order for you to save time and make use of it more efficiently, the uniforms will self clean themselves as well as mending. So please do not worry about such minor problems.

Whoever was the owner of this place might as well have sprayed gold all over the walls…except judging by the main hall they did more than that already. To lend such an expensive items to mere maids like myself…the Arcanian Empire really must be rich.

Mary: Your introductions to the mistress will be done at another time. If you have any questions, head butler Sengoku-dono will arrive in a week’s time. You may ask any questions regarding your work and responsibilities to him then.

With that, she left me there in front of the door. Taking a deep breath, I entered where I will be staying for who knows how long.

When I opened the place, I thought that Mary-sama must be playing a joke on me and she gave me the door to a noble guest room. What I saw inside looked like the rooms I would usually clean for the master of the house.

It had a large window letting in a bright light, illuminating everything. There was another magic item, a magic lamp, on the ceiling which could be turned on and off with nothing but a simple touch. The bed was large and it looked comfy, even more comfy than the feather beds I had so wanted to jump on whenever I was cleaning the sheets of the previous masters.

Overall, it was a double bed room, but it had everything it needed. It had another room where I suspected it was a bathroom…to have a bathroom attached to a room of a maid? Normally that would be unthinkable but looking back on what I had seen on my way here, I judged that it was in the realm of possibility.

There was a smooth desk filled with all the stuff I’ve seen on noble’s desks. Ink, books, paper, other tools which I did not know what it was for. Next to it was a fireplace which did not have wood…? never mind, judging by the mana stone, it must burn off mana. As expected of this ridiculously rich place.

Me: This place is…wow…

?: I know right??! *squeal* I’ve been here for two days and I can barely believe in it myself!

I noticed the small blond girl in a maid uniform. Inwardly, I felt a sigh of relief as I realized that not everyone was like Mary and there were others like me. I shared a sense of familiarity in this another-world-like place with this girl. She seemed quite young and I could tell why they hired her as well. She had a very warm demeanor and smile, and she should have knowledge in being a maid as well.

Tuare: My name is Tuareninya Veyron but you can call me Tuare. Nice to meet you!

She gave a small bow which I gave back and introduced myself. Looks like working here would be better than I thought; I just hope that the mistress isn’t like the other nobles.