"Hmm."

Deia was pacing about near the entrance with her arms crossed. It was as if she was exercising indoors because she couldn't go outside due to the cold weather of Norseweden.

However, it wasnt due to that.

"How much time do we have left?"

"Um, there are only 10 minutes left now."

The butler, standing a little distance away, replied hesitantly.

"Ugh!"

Deia clenched her fists and trembled with anger. Fifty minutes had passed since Deus had departed.

That guy, who told her to wait for an hour, was truly a useless idiot.

"Just 10 more minutes. Wait for 10 minutes and then send the request for reinforcements immediately. Is the communication device ready?"

"Yes, we have prepared the crystal ball so we can contact them post-haste."

Damn these Verdi men!! I dont like either of them.

"Ah, my lady."

The butler hurriedly tried to remind her to watch her words, but Deia ignored him and continued,

Am I wrong? Ive tried to warn him since we received the reports from the ridge post about the barbarians unusual behavior as they were attacking in groups!

Deia and Darius had heard a report that barbarians were not coming in sparse numbers like usual, but instead in the form of entire armies.

Deia felt that something was off and suggested that they gather as many troops at full strength to be prepared to defend against the barbarians. As she was a talented mage, she offered to accompany them as well but Darius frowned and refused.

Why would a woman behave rashly and go to the battlefield?

He'd said.

"That idiot is still stuck with that stupid mindset like an old geezer! Why should ones gender matter when considering their abilities?"

Darius believed that they had enough troops to win, but when the multiple troops that were deployed were annihilated, Darius personally went out and fought with the remaining soldiers, but was defeated as well.

If they had just used their full force from the start, they wouldn't have been in such a situation right now.

"I thought the second idiot would stay still for a while after causing trouble at the academy"

"But he suddenly appears and asks for just one hour! Claiming he can solve everything himself!"

"What can he do on his own?"

Count Tolkin and Count Herameus' troops would have been prepared and could have departed in an hour. Now, because of this one hour delay, hundreds of Norseweden's people could die.

"Butler, how much time is remaining?"

"W-we have about five minutes left."

"Forget it! Just send a request for reinforcements!"

She wasn't about to let her people die just because of what that idiot, who suddenly began acting as if he was someone else, had said.

Hey, don't you think your breasts are quite big? Let me grope them.

Don't you want to do it with your brother? If we do it once, you'll keep begging me for more.

It's too loud at night? Why? Do you want to moan under me as well?

You're not a prostitute? Come on, what's the difference?

"Fucking bastard."

In the end, it was inevitable that curse words would come out.

Although he was much better than before, when both his mouth and lower parts had no control, she was still disgusted by his current self, who acted as if he wanted her to let bygones be.

"Just because youve decided to change now, does it make the past disappear? What about all the scars youve left me with?"

Deus' past actions were enough to sow a distrust of men in Deia. But that didn't mean she was fond of women.

If she was, she might have found love already, but she was as straight as they came.

In the end, she gave up on romance.

All she had were the people of Norseweden, who always greeted her with a bright smile and gave her bread and flowers while thanking her, whenever she went out on inspection.

Norseweden was a good place.

Just give me five minutes every day

Then what? What would happen in those 5 minutes?

He must have been planning something weird again for those 5 minutes.

If she really gave him five minutes, he would undoubtedly open his mouth and attempt to sexually harass her in some strange manner.

"That's who you are."

As Deia turned around

Crick!

The front door opened, and a blizzard accompanying the cold wind rushed in. Because of that, the lit candles flickered as if performing an energetic dance.

Thump, thump

Robust and ordered footsteps approached, and a figure, unfazed by the blizzard, came into view, dressed in clean clothes and carrying a staff.

Deus Verdi had returned along with numerous barbarians.

"You...!"

Deia's eyes trembled in bewilderment, unable to comprehend the scene before her eyes as if her brain froze.

"Haah There are still two minutes left."

Exactly 58 minutes had passed since Deus had departed.

"I intended to arrive with five minutes to spare so I could spend time with you, but I'll settle for two minutes today."

Unable to keep up with what was happening, Deia stared blankly at Deus standing before her.

It couldn't even be said that she was staring in shock.

It was more like he had just happened to enter her field of vision which made it all the more baffling to her.

Pat!

Deus patted her head gently. Even though he had just braved a blizzard, it felt warm.

"You have snow on your head."

After a gentle pat, he passed by Deia and spoke,

Butler, guide them to the drawing room.

"Um, yes?"

Even the veteran butler couldn't quite understand what was happening, so Deus took a breath before continuing,

"They are new servants of our Household."

It seemed he didn't just stop the barbarians, he also took them in as servants.

* * *

Of course, the announcement that the members of the Scrapyard Nomads would be hired as new servants for the Verdi Household was not well received.

The moment Darius saw Findenai, he jumped up and threatened to kill her.

But now, I had the strongest voice in this mansion.

Darius and Deia failed to do what I, single handedly, was able to accomplish against the barbarian group.

Moreover, by hiring them, we only had to pay them half the amount the other servants received, so it looked like a good deal in the financial aspect as well.

Of course, not all of the Scrapyard Nomads members could work as servants for the Verdi Household.

Most of them were given separate accommodations in Norseweden and were ordered to assist the people, such as moving heavy goods, start farming, sweeping the streets, and clearing the snow.

Of course, Deia opposed this vehemently, saying it was too risky.

But after I stated that I would take full responsibility, she couldnt help but agree.

If Findenai and the Scrapyard Nomads were similar to how they were depicted in the game, they weren't necessarily bad people from the start.

Rather, it was possible to see them as people who dreamt of living a normal life in Norseweden.

After all, they were struggling for freedom.

Naturally, I made a separate contract with Findenai for reassurance.

"Hmm."

Sitting in my room's chair, I opened my palm, and a white 'flame-like orb' floated in it.

This was a part of Findenai's soul that I obtained with her consent based on the contract.

During the next five years if Findenai and the Scrapyard Nomads betrayed me while working under me, I could destroy this soul without mercy.

It was only a portion, but even that could reduce Findenai to a half-broken doll.

"This is good enough."

I closed my eyes, leaning back in the chair with my hands in my pockets.

Fortunately, I achieved excellent results even though the situation had gotten out of hand several times.

It all began with using souls roaming in the mansion to cast magic, which worked quite well when put in practice.

And the biggest gain was Findenai.

At one point, Findenai had acquired so much power that she was said to be near the pinnacle in terms of strength on the continent.

Since she only became a villain when the protagonist was in their 3rd year, she was not at that level yet, as this was 3 years before she made her appearance in the game.

Moreover, the items she used at that time were not available either.

"Still, it's enough."

Didnt I already get the sapling? I just had to provide water, sunlight, and nurture it to grow.

-Thump!

Just then, someone knocked on the door roughly.

Deia had taken Findenai saying she was going to train her as a maid, but I was later informed that she would start working today, and from the knock, it seemed like Findenai had come.

"Come in."

I said calmly, and a white-haired woman with an annoyed expression on her face, clenching fists, and taking deep breaths entered the room.

I immediately understood that she was expressing her dissatisfaction due to the shameless outfit.

She was wearing a black dress with a frilly white apron over it.

She wore black stockings, a white frilled hairband on her head and the skirt was much shorter than expected.

Yes, it was a revealing maid outfit.

"...Is this a joke?"

I was stumped.

No, I was quite shocked.

I had never imagined that the wild Findenai would ever dress up like this.

In response to my question, Findenai blushed and snapped irritably,

You bastard! Your exclusive maids said that they always wore this!

"..."

It was absurd.

However, it was unlikely that Deia would try to play a joke on her by forcing her to wear such an outfit, so the original Deus' probably had such tastes.

"Haah."

My head started aching.

Just thinking about the things this guy might have done to his maids was making me dizzy already.

"First of all, watch your tone. You should be speaking to me politely. You must have learned that, right?"

"M-m-mast..."

As if her mouth couldnt form the words properly, Findenai frowned and yelled loudly,

"Hey, Master! If you're going to give me work, do it quickly!"

"...Yes, that's good enough."

What idiot would give orders to a beast?

You just had to praise them for coming to eat when called at mealtimes.

So, this was enough for Findenai as well.

Anyway

Her manner of speaking wouldnt interfere with her work.

"Arent you happy to see me in this outfit?"

Findenai knew she was being ignored, and grumbled as she took out a cigarette from her pocket and put it in her mouth.

I then reached out and completely burnt it.

"What the hell! If you're going to light it, be careful!"

"You are not allowed to smoke in my presence."

That that wasnt in the terms of my employment contract, Master.