In the room I was guided to by Luna-san, Lilia-san and another woman in a maid's uniform with her brown hair tied up in a knot and neatly kept into place with her headpiece.
How should I say this... She had this neat and tidy atmosphere around her, really making you know she was the Head Maid, a woman who could do her job well.
[It's a pleasure to meet you, Miyama Kaito-sama. My name is Beatrice, and I am a Head Maid at the royal castle.]
[I'm Miyama Kaito. It's nice to meet you.]
The angle of the bow is also very beautiful, and her skill as a maid seems to be quite high... but I wonder, just like Ein-san and Luna-san, are maids in this world basically always wearing maid uniforms? Well, Luna-san does wear casual clothes when she's doing something extremely private...
[Errr, you asked to see Nebula?]
[Yes, I would like to ask that if it's possible. If she is a maid that Teacher Illness commends so much, I would very much like to meet her.]
[...No, Nebula isn't a maid though?]
[It's alright. Whatever your actual occupation may be, if you have the Spirit of the Maid within you, you are a Maid.]
...What the heck is this woman talking about? Ahh, this is bad, she's just like Ein-san. Also, I'll say this now, but I don't think Nebula would have whatever that Spirit of the Maid is.
Ahh, I have this strong feeling of not wanting our cute Nebula around these maids who, with a few exceptions, were a gathering of monsters.
[I've seen Teacher Illness for the first time in a long time and I'm quite surprised. Illness-sama's Maid Power, which was already overwhelming, has increased even more. I understand that a maid of my stature couldn't make these conjectures, but it was clear that her status as a maid had risen compared to when she was in the royal castle.]
[...I- I see?]
[I thought the reason for her becoming a greater maid was Nebula-sama, so I wanted to meet her once. And by all means, I would really like to confirm her ability as a maid to the extent that Teacher Illness praises it.]
Slightly intimidated, I turned my gaze toward Lilia-san, but she just shook her head in sympathy. I suppose she's saying there's no persuading her or something like that. I mean, I've said this already, but Nebula isn't a maid...
By the way, Luna-san, for some reason, was nodding her head at Beatrice-san's words. Well, that person also belongs to the Maid World, so I guess what Beatrice-san said sounded convincing to her ears.
As for me, who has nothing to do with the Maid World, I don't have any thoughts other than wondering what the heck she's talking about...]
[H- Hmmm, I understand how you feel, but Nebula might not like it, so I'll have to check with her first...]
[Understood. I understand that I'm asking something unreasonable, so I'll wait here.]
[Yes. Then, I'll go ask Nebula.]
I personally don't want Nebula to meet her, but I can't just make that decision on my own.
First of all, I have to get confirmation from Nebula herself... Thinking that, I left Lilia-san's room once, walked to the garden under the World Tree and called out to Nebula.
[Nebula, you have a moment?]
[Yes? What is it, Milord?]
[Actually, a visitor has come to meet you...]
[Me?]
She appeared as soon as I called her, and while Nebula was curiously tilting her head, I explained the circumstances to her. Especially regarding what creature maids are and other topics related to them, I conveyed them to her firmly, including my warnings.
After listening to my story, Nebula nodded and spoke.
[...I see, I understand what's going on. I don't mind.]
[Errr, you sure?]
[Yes! I am the Absolute. I would never turn away a visitor.]
[...I- I see.]
Nebula is a kind and generous child, so even if it was a sudden visit for an incomprehensible reason like wanting to confirm her ability as a maid, she would readily accept it.
I'm really feeling complicated about all this, but I can't complain as long as Nebula herself says she's going to meet her.
[Alright. However, I'm still worried, so I'll be there with you.]
[Yes. Well then, let's go meet her together, Milord.]
I think Nebula is a reliable person, so she will be fine, but I'm worried about her, so I decided to sit with her in that meeting. I'm still not sure about Beatrice-san, but if she gets quite passionate like Ein-san and goes out of control, we have to be careful.
Well... Though I say that, even Ein-san rarely goes out of control. At least, when compared to Eden-san, that's like a difference between heaven and earth between them, so I think she should basically be fine.
What I'm most worried though, is that just like what Ein-san suggested to Alice back then, the situation might develop into something like a Maid Showdown.
Well, even if a showdown like that happens, I don't think Nebula would lose anyway...
***
[Afterword]
Serious-senpai : [Heck, against the Absolute, she has no chance of winning.]
? ? ? : [In a match like that, it would be at a level whether or not I... Alice-chan or Ein-san can really win against her.]