Chapter 15
15
Seated on the bed, I was startled by the sudden earthquake and jumped to my feet. Driven by survival instinct, I grabbed Dante's arm and clung to it.
"They're definitely here to kill me!"
"Who?"
"I told you, there are people who want to kill the mansion's caretaker. I think this is exactly that do-or-die situation."
"Ah, I see."
Unlike my frantic state, he remained calm. He even patted me reassuringly, as if to soothe me, while I wrapped around his arm like an anaconda.
"You don't have to worry too much."
Right, this man is strong. If I die, he'll lose his job and my small joys will end, so he'll protect me somehow. Suddenly, his chest—no, his back looked reliable.
"Let's go downstairs for now."
With me hanging on him, Dante started walking. I followed him down the stairs, desperately clutching his arm.
Before I knew it, the shaking stopped, and the swaying of furniture and lights ceased.
Even if a tiger visits your home, you can survive if you keep your wits about you. I need to think of a negotiation plan first. Unlike Dante, who leads with his fists, they might be the type to talk first and then use violence. I braced myself, shrinking my shoulders.
"They'll definitely break down the front door and barge in. While I distract them by demanding repair costs, you can..."
Ding-dong
Contrary to my expectations, the doorbell rang. Such refined composure, planning to kill me through a formal visit instead of breaking in. They must be a formidable opponent.
Dante led the way and opened the front door. The sound of rain grew clearer, making me even more anxious. I hid behind his broad back and peeked outside.
"What business do you have at this late hour? How rude."
Dante's stern voice, emphasizing etiquette, reached three figures holding umbrellas in front of the door.
"We got lost on the way, so we're late."
The smallest umbrella—no, the child holding the umbrella—spoke from between the two figures standing like statues. Under the black umbrella, I could see a pretty boy with pink hair.
Gazing at the child's clear cheeks and sparkling golden eyes, I murmured without realizing it.
"Cute."
His attire was as flamboyant as his appearance. The piercings in his earlobes, the silver earrings dangling from his earlobes, and the medieval-style clothing with a luxurious cloak made him look like a wizard.
"I'm Ezekiel."
The child introduced himself with a cold attitude.
"Hello? I'm Mia Fortuna. Why are you speaking informally to an adult? I've eaten several more bowls of rice than you."
"You can too. I'll make a special exception."
He's not cute at all when he talks. I pressed down on my eyelids and asked.
"...So, what brings you to my house?"
Then, instead of the child's clear voice, a rough, gravelly bass voice, like speaking from a cave, cut in.
"We came in response to the gardener, cook, and butler job postings."
It was the voice of the man in gray armor standing on the left.
I was so captivated by the cuteness that I didn't even notice the burly men standing next to him. He was wearing a helmet with long horns, so I couldn't see his face. But why wear armor to a job interview?
"What? Which one are you applying for? Being good at fighting is a bonus, but..."
He looks like a warrior, completely unrelated to the jobs I posted. I'm not recruiting members for a Demon King subjugation party.
At my bewildered expression, the armored man said in a polite tone.
"My name is Killian Bark Jin Oh. I am a former captain of the Imperial Guard. I am good at everything involving swords, but I am especially confident in gardening."
Captain of the Imperial Guard? That's a position only held by exceptional people. Why would someone like that want to be a gardener? From his appearance, it looks like he would butcher trees and everything else.
I made a dubious face.
"Mr. Killian Bakjino."
"Bark Jin Oh. My surname might sound unfamiliar because I'm of mixed race and from the north."
"Why do you want to be a gardener? If you're a captain of the Imperial Guard, you're a high-ranking official with good treatment, and you get a lifetime pension even after retirement."
If I had special abilities, I would want to do something like that too. It's a sweet, cushy job.
But the head of the man in the helmet shook slightly.
"Landscaping, horticulture, and flower arranging are my hobbies."
It was a confident answer.
With that powerful visual? His hobbies are too lovely. But he could just enjoy his hobbies at home. Doesn't he have a garden?
That's when it happened.
"Hello, please call me Elluaerd. I am a doctor specializing in diseases."
The man standing to the right of the armored man introduced himself. He was a sophisticatedly handsome man with a slender black suit, neatly swept-back platinum blonde hair, and a monocle. In short, he had the image of a professional, handsome man.
"Doctor, why are you applying for a job?"
"I wanted to try being a butler. Isn't it just writing the household accounts instead of you, and doubling the assets within the first quarter?"
He spoke like a financial manager.
His attire and image are tailored to the butler concept. Looking into his red ruby-like eyes, I felt myself slowly sinking in.
"Yes... I appreciate your enthusiasm."
As I muttered absentmindedly, the armored man handed me three documents.
"First, please take a look at our resumes."
I accepted the documents.
Killian Bark Jin Oh (Age 23)
[Major Experience]
Former) Imperial Guard Regiment Commander and Battalion Commander
Acquired the title of Sword Master
Numerous National Merit Medals and Military Service Medals
[Interests and Likes]
- Animals and plants, environmental protection
"..."
A sword master who is good at everything involving swords and loves animals, plants, and environmental activism. It's like a hot iced tea of a resume.
"Passed."
It was Mathias's voice, who had somehow appeared next to me and was skimming through the resume.
Right, he likes animals and plants, so his heart must be tender and beautiful. I opened the next page.
Elluaerd
[Major Experience]
Former) Legion Commander of Hell's Demons
Current) Plague Doctor
[Special Notes]
- Demon
It's a simple resume, but it's incredibly disconcerting.
"Wait a minute. A demon?"
"Is there a problem? I'm living like a human for personal reasons."
The platinum-blonde, monocled handsome man smiled sweetly.
"A demon is a doctor..."
"Demons also have healing abilities. I was the one who spread the plague, and I was also the one who created the cure in exchange for souls."
How proud. He's giving the disease and the cure.
There are people who gain abilities by making contracts with demons, but I never expected a demon itself to come.
"Mr. Elluaerd, this is a bit..."
"Is this one of those places? Where they discriminate based on prejudice, and hire based on connections, school ties, and smoking habits instead of abilities?"
"You're not just a different race, you're a different species, aren't you?"
At that moment, Mathias, who was standing with his arms crossed in a gown, nodded with a serious expression.
"Hired based on connections."
Who decided that! I'm the owner of the house!
"Thank you."
Elluaerd bowed to Mathias.
Startled by the sight, I asked Elluaerd.
"Wait, can you see this man?"
"Yes. He's standing next to you. The owner of the mansion."
"And hired based on connections? Are you two acquainted?"
"That's right. We've known each other for a long time."
I understand that a demon can see a ghost, but this is really confusing.
Then the armored man, Killian, who had been standing silently, slightly bowed to Mathias, who was standing next to me.
"Please take care of me."
I approached Killian and whispered secretly.
"Can you see him too? Do you happen to have a ghost exorcism function installed? If so, let's work together."
"I'm sorry, but I can't get rid of ghosts."
Dante, who had been observing from behind, approached me and stared at Mathias.
"So that's the being the master was talking about. It's the first time he's revealed himself. I knew about his presence."
Ah, so Mathias just revealed himself.
Meanwhile, Killian waved his hand amiably at Dante.
"Long time no see, Dike Brigadier General."
"Indeed. And the Magic Tower Lord as well."
Dante had a look that said, 'So you all know each other.' At this, I looked back and forth between Killian and Dante and asked.
"You two know each other too?"
Killian and Dante nodded simultaneously.
"Yes. We've worked together on operations."
Judging by the fact that they said the same thing at the same time, they must be close friends.
Well, they're in similar fields and have worked together on operations, so they must have camaraderie and be close.
But what's a Magic Tower Lord? Could Elluaerd be the Magic Tower Lord?
"Why aren't you looking at my resume?"
The pink-haired boy, Ezekiel, looked up at me with a pout.
I shuffled through the documents and asked.
"You have a resume too? You don't even look ten years old."
"Of course. I'm a very important person."
Right, he probably won awards in art contests or received good citizenship awards at school. I also received a healthy child award and a good teeth award when I was young.
Scoffing inwardly, I opened his resume and immediately felt humility and solemnity.
Ezekiel Kai Windster
[Major Experience]
Former) Director of Special Ability Research Institute (Formerly: Master of the Magic Tower)
Former) Director of the Magical Nation
Former) President of Royal Windster Academy
Former) Operations Staff Officer of the Magical Special Forces Operations Command
- Supreme Authority on 5-Element Magic
What is this? Is this regression?
I looked around with a bewildered expression.
Why, of all people.
Why are a sword master, a demon, and a Magic Tower Lord coming to work at my house?
I hired the mastermind as a housekeeper.
