Chapter 154: The Capital's Master Vocal Performer Makes the Emperor Neglect Morning Court
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! Please don't fire me, otherwise Leone will scold me..."
After the main gate had been repaired.
Sheele followed behind him, continuously apologizing with an embarrassed and apologetic expression on her fair face.
He understood that Sheele's airheaded nature was truly one of a kind even within the entire ACG sphere.
But he never expected it to be this extreme, no wonder the other Night Raid members never let her handle anything beyond missions.
Perhaps it was precisely this slowness that granted her such innate talent in killing.
If Sheele had received systematic assassination training like Akame, the strongest member of Night Raid might not necessarily be Akame...
"Alright, alright, I forgive you, so you don't need to keep apologizing."
Knowing that Sheele was this clumsy yet gentle person, what else could he do besides forgiving her?
Moreover, no actual harm had been done.
"Ah, really? Thank you so much, Mr. Yotsuba. You're such a good person."
Sheele revealed an innocent, gentle smile while incidentally giving him a "good person card," finally freeing herself from this apology hell.
"But next time, I think we should establish a secret signal or something." Mahiro suddenly proposed as an idea struck him.
"Eh? A secret signal?"
Sheele pressed a finger to her lips as if trying to recall something.
"About secret signals... Leone did mention something to me."
"Oh? What was it?"
"Umm... It was 'Lord Yotsuba has returned with no underwear to change into.'"
Hearing this ridiculous signal, Mahiro nearly spat blood on the spot. Even Tsukushi, Kurome, and Gin couldn't help but blush and suppress giggles.
Only the clueless Poney looked surprised and asked curiously: "Eh? Does Lord Yotsuba really have no underwear to change into?"
Ignoring her, Mahiro gritted his teeth and cursed: "That damned Leone! Has she been playing with my pants hanging in the yard again!"
When it came to Leone, he really didn't know what to say.
That woman possessed the Teigu The King Of Beasts Transformation: Lionelle, and when transformed, she took on lion characteristics with super regeneration abilities.
Yet for some reason, she'd picked up the bad habits of stupid dogs, constantly using his clothes as chew toys when bored!
Damn it!
"Um... Mr. Yotsuba, are you really not wearing underwear like the signal says? If so, I... I can take mine off for you to wear, so please don't blame Leone too much. She didn't mean it." Sheele continued defending Leone.
She even began lifting the hem of her skirt to remove her panties for him.
Fortunately, he managed to stop her in time.
"Miss Sheele, don't listen to that bastard Leone's nonsense! How could I possibly have no pants to change into!" He explained while grabbing Sheele's wrist.
"Is that so? I'm really glad you're okay." Sheele showed a relieved smile.
Her airheadedness was quite severe, but it had to be said that Sheele's gentleness was genuine.
The commotion they caused naturally attracted the attention of the maids working in the mansion.
Mine and the other two hurried toward the main entrance.
"Eh? Ma...master, who are they?"
Remus was originally delighted to see Mahiro back so early, but she couldn't help asking curiously when she noticed the people following behind him.
She naturally recognized Tsukushi, but the three lolis of different colors made Remus feel unfamiliar.
"They should be new maids brought back by the master, right? Lord Mahiro is truly kind." Womyn adjusted her glasses, having already guessed the general situation.
To be honest, the mansion already had enough maids.
But over the past two years, her master would occasionally pick up some homeless girls and let them work in the mansion.
According to the master's words: "It's not like we're short on money, and there are more rooms in the mansion than we can use anyway. What does it matter if we have a few more people?"
So Mine had long grown accustomed to this, after all, she herself had been picked up like this.
She then put her hands on her hips and said:
"Then leave it to me, master. I'll train them into qualified maids just like before!"
Mine was as decisive and efficient as ever.
She could now be considered a master of maid training, as all the maids in the entire estate had been personally trained by her.
She immediately ordered Remus and Womyn to take these three trembling lolis to change clothes.
But Mahiro stopped them.
"Wait a moment, these three haven't definitely decided to stay yet, right?"
"Eh?!"
Mine and the other two made surprised sounds almost simultaneously. When they looked at the three-colored lolis, they received confirming responses.
The three nodded simultaneously.
Before Mine could ask about the reasons, Mahiro had already brought them to the mansion's living room.
Mahiro sat on the sofa chair, quietly sipping the black tea brewed by Mine, while opposite him, the three lolis huddled together on the sofa, still seemingly afraid.
Although the demon Buch was already dead, due to their previous experience and that bloody, cruel scene, they now suspected they had fallen into a new tiger's den.
"Alright, no need to be so afraid. Let's have a talk. Actually, I'm quite democratic and respect others' choices. The reason I brought you back is mainly to ask if you'd be willing to work in this mansion."
"Of course, I'll pay you corresponding wages. If you're unwilling, that's fine too—I can have someone send you back to the countryside."
Ding!
The sound of the teacup being put down made the three lolis tremble slightly.
But upon hearing his words, the three couldn't help looking at each other. The pink loli Air, acting as their representative, spoke tremblingly:
"...S-sir, is what you're saying true? Can you really let us go back?"
"Do you truly wish to return?"
"Mmm... yes, my lord, if... if it's possible."
Not only Air, but Luna and Fal also shared the same inclination.
To them, the Imperial City was truly terrifying.
Though they might face starvation in the countryside, or risk being sold again, at least their lives wouldn't be in danger, and they wouldn't be tortured to death.
Yet their collective response was met with a soft sigh.
"You three really are fools."
The speaker was Tsukushi, who held a teacup in her jade-like hands sheathed in elbow-length white silk gloves, looking at the three with exasperation.
"Do you know how many girls in the Imperial City would envy and desperately wish for the chance to serve as Lord Yotsuba's maids, yet cannot obtain it?"
"Now that such fortune has fallen upon you, not only do you reject it, but you even want to return to the countryside."
"Even if you go back, what will you do if one day you're sold to other nobles again? Wait for another savior like Lord Yotsuba to appear?"
"I can tell you with full responsibility—that's impossible. There is only one Lord Yotsuba."
"The only fate awaiting you would be the same as today—ultimately played with until death."
This was the first time Tsukushi had spoken so much at once, and it was unlike her usual gentle, healing demeanor.
It's worth noting that among the five female captains, her popularity even surpassed Cornelia's, all thanks to her gentle, idol-like beautiful image!
But today, she was unusually lecturing like Sister Cora.
Because, looking at these three little ones, she couldn't help but recall her own past and origins.
Or rather, it wasn't just her—several others present, including Kurome, Poney, Gin, Womyn, and Remus—were all sold from the countryside to the Imperial City and were fortunate enough to meet Lord Yotsuba, who saved them.
One could say they deeply empathized.
However, now seeing three people with similar experiences choosing a completely different path,
No matter who it was, they all felt frustrated by their lack of resolve.
If Poney hadn't been held back by Gin, she probably would have started yelling at them by now.
"Air... what this big sister says makes a lot of sense. Even if they let us go, we have no one to rely on in the Imperial City. Even if we return to the countryside, we'll likely face the fate of being sold again, just as this big sister said... So, we should stay."
Luna whispered, trying to persuade her companion.
Though she was also scared and worried about whether they might encounter the same kind of things as before, she chose to believe one more time.
Air couldn't help but bite her lower lip lightly, her eyes teary as she gazed at the Lord Yotsuba everyone spoke of. His handsome face seemed to bring her a sense of comfort.
And the girls following behind him were so beautiful. Compared to the three of them—flat-chested, no-curves little kids—perhaps... they really could be trusted.
"Th-then... alright, thank you for taking us in, my lord. B-but if you want to play with us, please only play with Air. No matter what kind of play, Air can endure it, but I beg you to spare Luna and Fal." Air said bravely.
Her words immediately sparked dissatisfaction among the others.
"Stop talking nonsense, you idiot! Be careful, or I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Gin pretended to be fierce as she scolded.
She placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, showing off an enviably perky bust.
"I haven't even had the chance to be played with by Lord Yotsuba myself—how could there be time for you!"
It wasn't just her; the others were also full of hostility toward Air's words.
They were all waiting for Lord Yotsuba's favor, and yet this little girl was being picky!
At this point, Air realized she had misspoken and shrank back fearfully, but inwardly, she felt relieved.
That's right, that lord has so many beautiful girls around him—he definitely wouldn't be interested in country bumpkins like them.
How wonderful. It seemed their new master was normal and wouldn't bully them.
"Hmph, since you've decided, follow me. My name is Mine, and from today on, you will address me as Head Maid, understand?!"
Mine shook her long, side-swept ponytail and let out a cute snort at the three.
How dare they refuse Mahiro's kindness—just wait, I'll train you properly!
"And also... first, you need to learn how to address the master."
"Right, if you fail, no food for you!"
Remus and Womyn chimed in one after the other.
And so, Air, Fal, and Luna were left in this vast mansion.
...
In the following days, the three little ones lived cautiously in the mansion for a while before completely letting loose.
Apart from having to professionally learn methods of serving their master and the proper attitude toward him, aside from Head Maid Lady Mine's harsh scoldings, and except for going hungry for half a day when making mistakes, nothing else particularly troublesome happened.
However, these were completely negligible minor issues for them—far too trivial for country girls who had grown up enduring hardships since childhood.
And just as expected, Lord Yotsuba... oh no, they should call him Master now, truly didn't bully them.
After completing their duties, they could freely arrange their own time. Occasionally, Lady Mine would take them shopping in the Imperial City's markets.
Though this was just ordinary daily life for Mine and the others, the three little girls felt as if they had been reborn. It seemed like a dream—their current life overlapped with what they had often fantasized about before coming to the Imperial City.
The three daily meals were incredibly delicious, even better than what Buch had treated them to that day.
They almost always ate until they were completely full.
Every night there were comfortable hot baths, and they could even soak in hot springs, giving them the illusion of being in heaven—providing these country girls with unprecedented experiences.
No wonder those older sisters that day said this was a job that Imperial City girls envied.
Truly, being the master's maid was indeed too wonderful!!
Fortunately, that day the master had saved them, Fal, and Luna from those demons like a great hero, then gave them everything they had dreamed of having, allowing them to live anew in the bustling Imperial City they had yearned for since childhood.
Moreover, after such prolonged contact, they discovered their master was not only very handsome but also extremely gentle, clearly different from the perverted Buch.
He was completely unlike those demons who wore human skin but harbored monstrous hearts!
Even if the master said with a smile that he would bully them, Air felt she might willingly offer herself...
Unfortunately, the master didn't seem to have any relatives. He hadn't even taken a wife or had children. It seemed only the master's personal head maid, Lady Mine, shared a rather special relationship with him.
Thinking about it this way, the master was just as pitiable as them.
No wonder the master had taken in so many lonely girls like them to work in the mansion, making them feel a long-lost, warm sense of home.
Early morning several days later.
Mahiro woke up leisurely from his dreams as usual, the soft, boneless body in his arms just like always—he had been holding Mine like a hugging pillow.
But unusually, today Mine had woken up later than him.
So Mahiro didn't plan to get up immediately anyway—after all, what maid would wake up later than her master?
Missing the maid's special wake-up service would be the greatest regret of his day.
And so, he turned over, hugged Mine tighter, and planned to sleep a bit longer.
But it was precisely this turn that suddenly made him feel something was wrong.
"Hiss—"
Mahiro instantly drew a sharp breath.
It seemed a seed had begun to take root and sprout, rapidly growing strong and healthy, developing from a sapling into a towering tree.
What was happening?!
Mahiro abruptly threw off the covers, only to find Mine sleeping soundly while draped over him.
Her smooth pink hair cascaded down her back like a blanket covering her body.
It had to be said, this girl's sleeping posture was truly disastrous.
But that wasn't the main issue. The real problem was that his length seemed to be under someone's control, and not only that—Mine appeared to be helping him clear heat and reduce internal fire, dispelling the summer heat.
This was absolutely unbearable.
What kind of dream was this girl having anyway?
Most crucially, Mine seemed quite skilled, making him involuntarily recall a passage he'd studied in school—
"In the capital there was an expert in oral arts, after which the emperor never held morning court again."
Perhaps this was exactly the situation.
Wait, would this girl end up biting me?
That would probably hurt...
Well, might as well experience it first.
After weighing the pros and cons, Mahiro abandoned the idea of removing Mine from his body. Instead, he lay back down, choosing to quietly enjoy the moment.
He'd deal with the consequences later.
After all, with "Regeneration," there was nothing to fear!
"Mmm~ ice pop tastes so good."
In her dream, Mine was holding a delicious ice pop, eating it with relish. Strangely enough, no matter how much she ate, the ice pop never seemed to diminish.
No matter how hard she tried, even using all her strength, the ice pop instead seemed to grow larger!
"Hmph, I refuse to believe I can't finish you off!"
Thus, in her dream, Mine began working even harder, even employing techniques she'd specially learned for her master to deal with this stubborn ice pop.
Finally, the ice pop collapsed completely, and she emerged victorious.
However...
"Gurgle... Mmmph—!!! Cough cough cough...."
Mine suddenly woke up, her pink pupils blinking drowsily. When she realized her current situation, her small face instantly flushed crimson.
"Um... Master! I... hic!"
Mine hurriedly sat up to explain, but an accidental hiccup shattered the intimate atmosphere.
She couldn't help but bury her face, not daring to meet Mahiro's gaze.
Ugh... this is so embarrassing.
To do something like this to Master in a dream...
If Womyn and Remus found out, they'd definitely laugh themselves to death!
The more Mine thought about it, the more desperate she felt. The more she dwelled on it, the more ashamed she became, wishing she could crawl under the bed and never show her face again!
Until that familiar warm sensation came from atop her head.
"I never thought Mine had reached this age already..." Mahiro said with a smile.
Though his tone carried a teasing quality that made Mine even more embarrassed.
"Master, actually I..."
"No need to explain, but I'd like you to tell me—who taught you this?"
Mahiro interrupted Mine's words.
He could now say with complete certainty that this level of capital-style oral artistry wasn't some innate talent, but rather something honed through years of practice.
Under his questioning, Mine naturally didn't dare hide the truth.
"It was Leone... She said this would make you happy, Master, so she had me practice peeling bananas with my tongue daily. But Mine had just learned and hadn't gotten to serve Master yet when... when this happened... Ugh...."
Mine's voice grew progressively softer until it was almost inaudible.
Leone, Good Job!
Mahiro gave Leone a mental thumbs-up.
Since meeting Leone, this was the first time he'd realized this woman had finally done something decent.
Meanwhile, Mine, noticing he wasn't as furious as she'd expected, cautiously raised her head and asked, "Master... you're not angry?"
"Hm?" Mahiro sounded puzzled. "Why would I be angry? Didn't you learn all this for my sake, Mine? It wouldn't make sense for me to get angry."
Seeing he genuinely didn't seem upset, Mine finally relaxed.
And she couldn't contain her inner delight.
It seemed Leone was right—Master really wouldn't dislike me for this. I need to keep working hard!
But then Mahiro muttered under his breath:
"Leone... Speaking of which, how many days has she been skipping work?"
"Exactly fifteen days, half a month, Master."
Mine had been keeping meticulous mental count of Leone's absences and complained indignantly:
"That dumb dog—who knows what she's been up to lately? She always has Sheele cover her shifts while she goes off to laze around. When she gets back, I'm going to give her a good talking-to!"
"Is that so... It's already been half a month."
Mahiro gazed out the window and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
He wasn't particularly interested in where Leone had gone; what intrigued him was when the storyline would begin.
Besides, it was time to contact Akame again—time to meet up with her.