I am sitting in my expensive mansion's expensive front garden, under a ridiculously expensive umbrella, sipping on some expensive tea... Ah, I do like this kind of intro.
[I knew it]
In case I didn’t introduce this one here. They are a voice in my mind...
[That's it?. You're gonna introduce me with only this? For real!!]
Well. To talk to them, I don't have to talk. Thought transmission is enough. Oh, and no one else can hear them other than me. And yeah fyi they can be really annoying
[Hey, who are you calling annoying]
see, now they are screaming.
"My lady, may I ask, where is Mr. Inglis? It would have been nice if he could join us for afternoon tea."
Hilde is like one of those mothers who insist on everyone gathering around the dinner table.
"He went to Friyena on a mission," I say, sipping my tea nonchalantly.
---
That morning:
"Master, we have obtained the information on the whereabouts," Inglis says, bowing from the side.
"Oh? Then exterminate it tonight. Easy." I roll my eyes, barely looking at him.
"Very well, I shall head to Friyena right away." Another bow, and with that, he vanishes.
Friyena is a small city in Gaurddegon. The kind of place where everyone lives a perfectly normal life, middle class, just enough to get by. The city isn’t exactly large compared to others, but its population is super dense, and with that comes... hideouts. Tons of them. Narrow streets, old buildings stacked on top of each other, perfect for small-time crime. And when I say small-time, I mean petty thefts or a few pickpockets. Nothing too exciting.
Except… there’s a cult.
Yeah, you heard that right. A cult. In Friyena. Not exactly a main branch, more of a sub-cult, a branch, if you will. It worships something beyond this world—to hell and back, quite literally. Obviously, we have to eliminate it. Not because I have some moral obligation, but because, honestly, I’ve got nothing better to do. ( Shrugs)
I have no family. No friends. Only my subordinates. And I’m certainly not lacking in anything. So, naturally, I poke around in other people's dirty business.
Inglis, of course, has his own network. I have no idea how it works, nor do I care. It's not the kind of network you’re thinking of. Trust me, I’m terrible with technology. I’m more of a “let’s get things done the old-fashioned way” type. But Inglis? He’s got eyes and ears everywhere, and when he finds out about this sub-cult, he sends his team to gather information. They track the cult’s movements for days and learn they’re planning something big that night—an underground ritual. So, naturally, we’re going to crash it.
---
That night:
We’re all in our respective rooms, sound asleep. My room’s on the second floor. I could go into detail about the layout, but honestly, I like keeping my maids on their toes. They never know where the doors will open next. The thrill of it, you know?
Just as I am about to drift off after counting my 300th sheep, Inglis connects his thoughts to mine.
"Master, I’m home. Do you want the report now, or shall I wait until tomorrow?"
You’ve already disturbed my sleep, so I’m not about to ruin my night further.
"In the morning." That’s all I say in a sharp yet tired voice.
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Inglis’ throat dries up. He knows. He knows I am not in the mood.
---
The next morning:
Atori, my ever-cheerful maid, comes to wake me up, as usual. She helps me get dressed, does my hair, and makes my bed. No, I’m not some spoiled princess—she insists on it. She says it’s her duty, and who am I to deny her that? At first, I was uncomfortable, but now... well, it’s become a habit.
Afterwards, we go down to the dining room. Today the dining area is connected to the hall, behind the couch, and next to the kitchen.
[What does this "today" mean?.]
Hilde is there, overseeing the maids and serving us our breakfast. At the table are Inglis, Mr. Ota, and Nagisa. I am the last to arrive, of course.
As soon as I step into the room, everyone stands and bows.
I’ve told them a million times not to do that, but they won’t listen.
After they sit down, Inglis stays standing like a obedient butler. Two hands folded in back.
"Good morning, master. Should I start my report?"
I can’t help but feel a little guilty. Everyone is waiting for me to start, so I motion for Inglis to begin.
"Inglis, just... go ahead." i say, not lokking at anyone but my food.
He nods, clearing his throat.
"After leaving your side, I go straight to Friyena’s market and wait for the night to come. My subordinates keep an eye on the cultists. They’re supposed to start the ritual at 11:00. We surround them five minutes after it begins to make sure everyone is focused on the ritual. But then something unexpected happens..."
I raise an eyebrow, finally giving him my attention. "Unexpected, you say?"
"Yes, master. They plan more than just one sacrifice. There are 13 boys, none older than 13. All of them are to be sacrificed for the ritual."
[I frown.]Thirteen kids for a sub-cult? How many would the main cults need for something that big?
Inglis continues, "Now, going in all guns blazing or even assassinating them one by one would put the kids’ lives in danger. So I tried to contact you for instructions, but my thought transmission wasn’t connecting."
I blink. "Oh, right. I was in the bath. Oops." [What an irresponsible master huh]
Inglis sighs and continues. "To avoid more casualties, I made a quick decision. I set the building’s garage on fire. The cultists evacuated, and half the guards went to check the fire. We took them out, one by one. But then something weird happened."
"What’s weirder than fire?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
"We suspected the fire was spreading too fast. We got rid of all the guards, the cultists were inside, and our plan was perfect. But then..." Inglis pauses, looking guilty.
"The fire spreads too quickly. The building collapses. Many others were caught in the destruction."
I sigh. "I told you not to be reckless. You know the buildings are old and packed close together. Did you really think a fire wouldn’t spread like wildfire?"
"I’m deeply sorry, master. But after further investigation, it seems someone else... helped the fire spread. It wasn’t just our plan that caused the destruction."
My eyes narrow. "Are you saying someone else made sure the fire spread?"
Inglis nods. "Exactly. We’re still looking into who, but it seems like a third party had a hand in it."
I rub my chin thoughtfully. "Well, no point in holding off breakfast to figure this out, right? Let’s eat for now, and we’ll think about it later."
I am just about to forget the whole thing when I remember something.
"Inglis, you didn’t forget to compensate the injured, did you?"
"Don’t worry, master," he says, his tone calm. "I’ve made sure the families affected are properly taken care of, and no one will suspect us."
We all start eating. Atori and Hilde join us at the table, and the other maids serve.
After breakfast, I decide to relax in the backyard, swinging gently on the swing. Then Atori comes to report my schedule for the day. So bright and happy. I sometimes wonder how does she keeps her mood soo uplifted all the time.
"Jane-sama, you have some meetings today. Should I report them in detail?"
I give her a look of pure exhaustion. "Go ahead."
She gives a little chuckle and continues the report ignoring my exhausted look. "At 9:00 am, a meeting with Producer Joe. At 11:30, you have a photoshoot for Paris Magazine. And at 2:00, lunch with Director Sed at Luncheon Log Hall."
I let out a tired sigh. "Fine, let’s go get ready."
---