---

The Ruelberta Family, hailed as the wealthiest in the empire.

The Ruelberta Mansion, where the head of the family, Tristan, resides, was as massive as one would expect from a wealthy household. To the untrained eye, it could easily be mistaken for a palace or a hotel. Not to mention, its vast gardens and grounds were so expansive that no other noble family could compare, earning it the title of a “grand mansion.”

Given its size, the Ruelberta Mansion had an uncountable number of rooms. From reception rooms and bedrooms to servants’ quarters and guest rooms… Yet, beyond these numerous rooms, the mansion also housed hidden chambers.

For instance, the underground treasure vault and the secret meeting room concealed beneath the lobby staircase.

“Ahem, ahem. Nice to see you all.”

Helga, who had entered the secret meeting room, glanced over the gathered individuals.

Muiry, the eldest of the Annihilation Maids, with a maternal smile.

Cynthia, a maid with a cold demeanor and sharp judgment, wearing glasses.

Rika, a maid with extensive culinary knowledge and a lively personality.

Bess, a young and timid maid who becomes fiercely proactive in battle.

And Rian, a half-human, half-vampire.

Helga’s expression turned satisfied as she confirmed each of their faces.

“Hehe… Everyone looks so good.”

“Lady Helga, did you call us here today regarding the young master?”

“That’s right.”

Long ago, the four maids who served Tristan referred to him not as “Count” but as “young master.” While they were technically below Helga in rank, they were her seniors in terms of when they entered the mansion. Thus, calling him “young master” was a small privilege Tristan granted them, a sign of his trust.

Helga cleared her throat.

“Ahem, ahem. The reason I gathered you all today is to revisit our mission.”

“Our mission… To help the Count become the Demon Lord, right?”

“Correct, Cynthia. But that’s only part of our mission.”

“Huh?”

“What do you think is the real reason the Count wants to become the Demon Lord?”

“The real reason?”

Question marks floated above the heads of Cynthia and the other maids. What hidden reason could there be? No matter how much they thought about it, they couldn’t figure it out.

Seeing that no one could answer, Helga spoke in a calm voice.

“As you all know, the Count has always pitied the demons.”

“Right?”

“Just look at Rian. She was originally a death row inmate who caused a disturbance in front of the Emperor and could have been executed on the spot. But the Count personally took her in and even rehabilitated her.”

“Rian… That time was scary… Lady Helga and the Count were scary…”

Rian turned pale as she recalled the incident.

“But it wasn’t just scary, was it?”

“Yeah. The Count was kind sometimes too. He listened to Rian and even gave her blood.”

“Right.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“But what about me? I’m kind sometimes too.”

“Lady Helga, you’re not kind. You’re scary.”

“Hey, I’m not scary. I don’t even get angry.”

“You don’t get angry, but you hit people, so it’s scary.”

“…That’s a bit disappointing. Anyway, the Count is like that. He sees demons as equals to humans and extends a helping hand to them.”

The maids, who remembered Tristan from his childhood, agreed.

“Lady Helga is right. The young master has always treated us without discrimination.”

“Right? He said he would rule over the demons of the north, but in truth, he pitied them. He wanted to save the demons, who were ostracized by humans, living in the barren lands of the north.”

Helga pointed to her left eye.

“The Count willingly gave me one of his eyes. Not only that, he erased all my scars… He is my savior.”

“The same goes for us. Without the Count, we would have become zombies, neither dead nor alive…”

Following the maids, Rian also chimed in, sensing the mood.

“Rian was hurt by the Count too, but now it’s okay. It was Lady Helga who was bad.”

“If you keep saying that, I might become bad again?”

“Ugh… I’ll tell the Count.”

Ignoring Rian’s resentful glare, Helga continued.

“The Count wants to become the Demon Lord to save the demons. And to build a bridge of communication between humans and demons, who have refused to understand each other until now.”

No such Demon Lord had ever existed. No, throughout history, there had never been an Emperor or King like that.

Demons and humans were like oil and water—unmixable and naturally antagonistic. But now, their master, Tristan, was determined to break that norm.

Helga now understood.

The meaning behind Tristan’s words when they met in the hospital as children.

“I will destroy this insane world.”

Ultimately, what he wanted to destroy was the world where conflict between demons and humans existed. Further, his true goal was not to be a Demon Lord of hatred, but a mediator…

Helga asked them.

“Will you all join me?”

*

“Ugh… It’s so cold…”

Wendy shivered inside the carriage.

Even for morning, it was unusually cold.

Despite wearing a cardigan and thick tights, she could still feel the chill.

The seasonal cycle of the Meikhael Empire’s capital, Ludlow, was quite peculiar compared to other regions.

Among the four seasons, spring, summer, and autumn were short, while winter was the longest. Moreover, even during spring, summer, and autumn, warm days were rare, to the point where it was said that Ludlow only had two seasons: winter and deep winter.

Just yesterday, it was a cool autumn day, but today it felt like the depths of winter.

In her rush to leave the mansion, Wendy hadn’t brought her winter coat.

“Brrr…”

Miohail, a calico cat, looked at Wendy with a mix of pity and disdain.

“Wendy… Haven’t I taught you countless spells? Did you forget the warming spell?”

“Ah…!? Y-you’re a genius, Master…?”

“Haha… It’s not just that I’m a genius, but you’re a bit of a fool.”

“Ugh… Master, you’re so mean…”

Sage Miohail had accompanied Wendy on her way to school for the first time in a while. Since he had agreed to join the northern expedition as Wendy’s protector, they would be traveling together for the foreseeable future.

“Stop whining and draw the magic formula.”

“Y-yes…!”

Wendy drew the formula in the air with her finger. Instantly, the temperature inside the carriage rose.

“Warm… I think I’ll survive now… Sniff…”

“Tsk tsk… You must have been really cold. Blow your nose.”

“Thank you…”

Miohail handed Wendy a handkerchief with his tail.

“Where have you been using all the magic I taught you…? If I hadn’t come along, you would have frozen to death in the north without using a single spell. Tsk tsk…”

“W-well… I’m more used to layering clothes than using magic…”

“Tsk! And you call yourself my disciple! A magician must use magic!”

“Ugh… I’m sorry…”

“Hmph… You’re too soft. Too soft… How do you expect to survive in such a dangerous place…”

Miohail’s nagging continued.

He was worried.

Wendy, who was to follow Tristan on the northern expedition to the Northern Garden… No, saying he was worried was an understatement.

Who wouldn’t be concerned about sending this child, who wouldn’t hurt a fly, to a battlefield?

Even if Wendy had acted perfectly, he would have found something to nitpick.

On the other hand, he also had his own desires.

Wendy was no ordinary child. She was born with the bloodline of a hero. Her path would never be smooth.

Miohail wanted to give Wendy the opportunity to grow. To learn the strong spirit that wouldn’t falter in any storm, the boldness and courage a hero must possess.

It was a contradictory and strange sentiment, but Miohail wanted to show Wendy, in the safest way possible, that the world wasn’t easy.

The Count’s request was one thing, but the main reason he agreed to accompany Wendy as her protector was largely for this purpose.

Miohail climbed onto Wendy’s lap and curled up. His designated seat.

“By the way… Why are we going to school so early today?”

Wendy reflexively stroked his chin as she spoke.

“Ah… W-we have a swordsmanship practical exam today. So I wanted to practice a bit…”

“Hmm…?”

 

---