Let briefly reflect on the person I knew… or rather, the person she was.
Our first eting was a few months ago when I was invited to the Imperial Palace.
At that ti, she introduced herself as the guardian of a child I had a connection with, and through the warnings she gave then, I was able to approach the situation with caution before entering the Imperial City.
Knowing she had helped in that way, I felt so sympathy when I learned she was not even treated as a noble by her peers.
It was only yesterday that I found out her noble or illegitimate status was all a disguise and that she was actually an ancient weapon that had protected the empire.
“Nice to et you, expedition mbers. My na is Flang, and I am here to assist you on behalf of Lord Cheska, the head of the Plandor family who has returned ho.”
But why, as soon as she accepted that, did she beco a new person nad Flang and introduce herself in front of the expedition?
“Although Lord Cheska had to return quickly for his duties as a lord, I will do my best to fill his place and assist you all.”
“Uh, um…”
Naturally, the expedition mbers’ reactions were all stiff.
So of them seed unable to fully grasp the current situation, as if still affected by last night’s drinking.
It was understandable.
Though her hair and attire were different, she appeared in place of the noble boy who had left, with the sa face.
“Hey, Hero. Who is this person…?”
“They say they are related by blood.”
“Related by blood? Siblings? Or cousins?”
“…Just roughly accept it. It will be troubleso if you dig deeper.”
“Ah, yes. Well, they are nobles…”
Although she was more than a noble, it was enough if they roughly accepted it.
After Lieutenant Sanson explained to the mbers, they, too, began to understand the situation and stared at Flang with stiff eyes.
They seed to believe she wasn’t the sa person as Cheska, but they worried about the repercussions if she were related to the nobility.
So, if she were to stay with us, I hoped she would appear more familiar. But she just opened the door to the kitchen as if my inner thoughts didn’t matter.
“Now that I think about it, it’s morning. Aren’t you hungry? I’ve prepared breakfast, so I recomnd eating before you start your activities.”
“Oh, oh!”
The food was gradually being pulled out on a cart…
As the beautifully colored dishes that could be called a feast lined the table, she had sohow finished setting up and began looking up at from beside .
As if she was waiting for to react to this table now.
“Did you make all of this by yourself?”
“Except for recovery periods, I don’t need sleep. As long as I have enough mana, I can move even in the middle of the night, so it’s no big deal.”
Right, since she wasn’t human but a doll, this was possible.
Of course, even a doll wouldn’t work endlessly without reason, but what worried more was the expedition’s finances.
“…How much did you spend making this?”
“These are the costs of the ingredients used here.”
A ledger was smoothly presented in front of .
It contained the expenses for the ingredients, but the amounts were not much different from what we usually spent on provisions.
“Foods that are not widely distributed, like local specialties, are generally cheaper. Also, freshly obtained foods do not require quality preservation or labor investnt, so you can buy them cheaply at the early morning market.”
“…So you bought them cheaply from locals early in the morning?”
That was a tip my dad, who used to run a truck business, taught .
“It’s wisdom gained through long experience.”
Cheska confidently revealed such practical wisdom while puffing out her flat chest.
In that action, there was a different confidence compared to when she played the role of a noble boy.
It was an emotional appearance that was hard to believe was acting. As I stared at her, positive remarks from the expedition mbers began to erge from everywhere.
“D-Delicious!”
“It’s not just beautifully colored; it lts in your mouth!”
“If we had this at last night’s banquet, it would have been great with drinks.”
“How about a drink?”
“No, you idiot. We need to focus on preparing for the expedition today.”
The expedition mbers were full of praise, and as they faced it, they gradually nodded in agreent.
When she was always aloof, her actions felt unfamiliar, but now she spoke to confidently, as if the current situation was ideal.
“Household chores are my specialty. From now on, leave the nial tasks of the expedition to .”
…This girl.
Is she really the sa person as Cheska?
The expedition period spanned six months, but since the first subjugation ended quickly and smoothly, we could afford to invest a day in rest.
Of course, with many tasks like preparing necessary supplies and repairing equipnt, the expedition mbers would have free ti in the afternoon.
At least in the morning, even if suffering from a hangover, we had to take care of things to start the expedition in good condition the next day.
“The order for necessary supplies and informing the informants of the expedition’s achievents have already been completed.”
And all these tasks had already been completed by the excellent maid who suddenly appeared, unbeknownst to us.
“Also, the repair of the carriages, the maintenance and washing of the equipnt, and the inspection of the stables’ horses have all been completed, so please rest and focus on relaxation.”
“…You did all that while we didn’t know?”
“It’s a natural duty as a maid.”
Cheska said it as if it were no big deal.
But having seen her work up close, I could imdiately understand that her words were not bluffing.
Her speed was such that her body left afterimages, and her hand movents were precise, as if asured with a ruler.
Even when cleaning, she utilized mana aptly to ensure that not a single speck of dust was dislodged.
“…My sword is gleaming.”
“It’s neat, so we can rest comfortably.”
“The horse’s mane is so clean!”
Naturally, the mbers’ evaluations were full of praise.
Having done nial tasks as a porter for two years, I could imdiately understand the remarkable level of her household chores.
If I had continued as a porter, I might have sought her out as a master. That’s how skilled she was.
“So, how is it?”
After providing the mbers with a pleasant rest, the afternoon—no, a little before noon.
Having finished all the necessary tasks by that ti, Cheska stood confidently with her hand on her waist, looking up at .
“What do you an, how?”
“I asked what your evaluation is of , who has sorted out the tasks needed by the expedition as a maid.”
“Oh, right. Evaluation.”
Objectively, it was an incredible level without any flaws, but that was just the result.
In the world, there are no tasks without compensation, so if things go too smoothly, suspicion is warranted.
For example, the person in front of might have a hidden agenda, or she might have sacrificed sothing I didn’t know about to achieve such results.
“Are you okay?”
“…Why are you suddenly asking about my well-being?”
“No, it’s just a bit hard to understand logically. It would be more comfortable as a noble, but you suddenly claim to be a maid…”
Sigh.
A deep sigh followed before the obvious suspicion-laden concern ended.
It was sothing I never encountered when she played the role of the arrogant and calculative young lord.
“…Master.”
And that applied to the words that followed.
“Maste– What?”
“I called you. I am now a maid, not a noble, so the title for calling you who commands should change, shouldn’t it?”
“No, no matter how you put it, calling master is a bit…”
“It’s just a formality, so don’t attach deep aning to it.”
Yes, as long as it helps the expedition, anything would be fine. Cheska straightened up and continued.
“As I ntioned yesterday, I am a doll created for humanity. Although artificially made, I possess emotions and will, just like humans.”
Right, that’s the part that concerns .
In the world I lived in, she is what we commonly refer to as artificial intelligence, or AI.
Although created by human hands, with her high-level thinking and personality, she is no different from a human.
So I thought she would also have desires and preferences, and thus avoid hard labor.
“And our purpose of existence is to live for the humans who own us… Serving and working for the master is the aning of existence and the joy of life for beings like us.”
“So, you an it’s more comfortable to be commanded than to command?”
“If we compare it to humans, it could be called an occupational disease or nature. Honestly, I feel like I’ve properly fitted into my role now that I’ve shed the noble guise.”
She said that while placing her hand on her chest and making a comfortable expression.
The haughty and quiet atmosphere remained, but now she felt endlessly natural and human-like, unlike her chanical deanor before.
“For that reason, I will ask you again, who has beco my master in form…”
Cheska, who had transford into such an emotional figure—no, the girl now rightfully called Francheska looked at with clear eyes and asked.
“Was there any flaw in what I showed today?”
“None at all. It was perfect.”
“And?”
“And what else?”
“Don’t you have more to say? Like I seem reliable, or you want to depend on after seeing how perfect of a maid I am…”
“Oh well, it’s definitely easier for the expedition mbers to deal with a maid.”
“Not that…!”
Her voice slightly raised.
Her expression showed not just frustration but also a hint of irritation, but that too was fleeting.
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Francheska quickly turned her gaze away.
It seed she was unsatisfied with my response, but whatever it was, she had a reason to help .
“Whatever it is, you’re helping because you want to achieve sothing through too, right?”
Hmph.
Just as I roughly figured it out and was about to return to the main point, Francheska expressed her frustration.
After so ti, she regained her composure and spoke to with a proud attitude.
“Yes, that’s correct. If you succeed and beco a close aide to the Imperial Family, I too can get closer to my goal by assisting you.”
“That’s because you want to have a natural connection with the Imperial Family as the protector of the empire, right?”
“I won’t say it directly. If I tell you my purpose, it could harm you, so please understand.”
Yeah, I too am struggling to take care of myself.
It’s beyond my capacity to deeply question what she knows and what her purpose is.
If it directly harms , I would have to stop it, but since Airi wouldn’t make such a prediction, I decided it’s best to rely on her for now.
“Alright, then let’s consider last night’s discussion settled… What do you think is the first thing I should do?”
“First, based on my analysis of the expedition so far, I think we should assess our strengths and address any weaknesses.”
Fortunately, she too seed willing to cooperate on this matter.
As we got to this point, I began to feel curiosity well up.
“So, from your perspective, how is my strength?”
I wondered how my skills, honed and inherited from the hero’s persona, would appear to an entity known as the protector of the empire and its history.
“To conclude, it’s pathetic.”
“…What?”
“Please don’t misunderstand. Compared to the heroes summoned to the empire, your strength is top-notch, but the perspective I consider is on a different level.”
A difference in perspective.
Well, considering the evaluation of an entity that had lived for over a thousand years, it was understandable that the strength of soone who had inherited a persona for only 20-30 years wouldn’t be impressive.
“Then, what level are you considering?”
“If I were to make a comparison… well.”
“Compared to the universe, it would be like dust.”
“That’s the sa even if a dragon ca.”
If Tashian heard this, she would slap her back.
“I apologize if the expression was excessive, but please understand.”
But contrary to thinking it was a joke, her words aid at were serious.
“What I will teach you is to deal with ‘transcendent beings,’ and facing such beings requires more preparation than can ever be enough.”
Along with her sharp, gleaming eyes, she was teaching that what awaited would not be easy from now on.
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