Well then.
Master has entrusted the servants to me.
What a high honor!
In other words, that means that I've automatically become the top servant. Higher than even the house steward. That means, from other people's perspective, I'll be a...
"Madam? Just kidding."
I'm in such a good mood that I've even started talking to myself.
Inside the room that Master has given to me, which was too large and elegant for someone like me, I was taking a look at the list of slaves I received from Phillip, the president of the Maurice Company, trying to find servants.
The plan I have at the moment consists of three stages.
First, I will get four men as candidates for the position of butler, chef, gardener and a stable-hand; and also, ten women as candidates for all-purpose maids who can perform any job.
Next, I'll give each of them a high level of education and raise their abilities to the level where they are acceptable for serving Master.
And finally, I will fill in the rest of the necessary personnel as their subordinates.
Well, this is for the best.
It's a shame that I'll have a large number of women get close to Master, a shame indeed, but it can't be helped to some extent considering the men to women ratio in Firstest. But that is where my scheming, excuse me, I mean education will keep them in check.
All the servants to be employed will be men and women who are slaves. I don't intend to hire ordinary people. The reason for that, I'm scared of betrayal.
Even with the slave contract, it's somewhat scary if you ask me. I could read from Phillip's speech that the 'jailbreak' was not knowledge only Master knew about. There are several potential enemies, and with the current situation where I don't know where they might come from, I can't help but to be this cautious about betrayal in order to protect Master.
...Casually, one word crossed my mind.
Brainwashing―― Maybe Lucia-sama was feeling like I'm feeling now. If there's someone you want to protect, do everything and anything to keep them from harm, no matter the cost. Yeah, I will do so as well.
However, I can't use brainwashing. Therefore, I will protect Master using my own means.
That is, make the servants dependent. Give them relief, entice them, and have them put their faith in us. Completely steal away their hearts so that they never try to betray us. And place that faith in Master.
Perhaps, even Master thought this far and that's the reason he decided on the 『Mansion for Servants』. As one would expect from Master. That far insight of his is admirable as usual.
Picking up slaves with as miserable of a past as possible, I put them on the servants list.
――Here is where Master comes in. An environment where the weak can be saved. For them, this will be their own paradise. A world where such painful pasts, such broken hearts, such unreasonable circumstances can be thrown away. Just as it was for me in the past.
"Fuu, I guess these should do."
Having compiled the list, I cleaned the house as I waited for Master's return.
...It took me until nightfall, and yet I didn't finish all of it. It's unexpected that it took this much just for one single mansion.
Looks like I'll really need to increase the number of employees as soon as possible...
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The next day.
Having Master spare a bit of his time for this matter, we went to the Maurice Company.
Having no particular issues with my choice, the slave contract was finalized smoothly under the presence of the President.
The contents of the contract are simple and clear, but compared to mine, "unable to attack" wasn't listed. The main points are basically to have a good master-slave relationship that doesn't denigrate them as humans.
After the contract was completed, my busy Master gave a light greeting to the slaves, and immediately after he went back to the slime forest.
Well then, with this we got a total of 14 servants, both men and women.
They all looked at me with frightened, hopeless eyes.
Dear lord, it seems there's still a long way ahead. If they were to properly look at the current situation in which me, a Dark Elf, the object of persecution is just standing before them without issue and Master's simplicity, they may realize there is nothing to feel frightened or lose hope about.
But apparently, there isn't a person cunning enough to think rationally while their emotions have been crushed. Still, I see no madness in their eyes. If it's like this, then it's only a matter of time before their faith and dependence take roots.
Taking the 14 slaves along, I headed for the mansion in the east.
As soon as we arrived, I lined everyone in front of the gate, then I stood in the entrance with my back to the mansion and looked over everyone.
First impressions are very important. Speaking as calmly as possible, I recited the sentence I thought of last night.
"You guys have been blessed. Please become aware of it over the next few days."
"..."
The slaves gulped in. Seems like this really got their attention.
"And when you become aware of it, please work to be of help to Master. That's the only condition for enjoying this blessed environment."
I looked over the faces of the slaves. They all seemed puzzled. Well, that's a given. They cannot believe this. I was the same before.
"You, who was persecuted because of skin color and was sold into slavery by the only people you trusted in, your parents. The sisters who were ostracized and accused of a crime they had no connection to. You, who was betrayed by your wife and was sold into slavery to pay for a large debt. The woman trapped in the body of a man who fell into slavery for the sin of obscenity ――"
I exposed each person's past right there.
The fourteen people raised a commotion. But there was nobody who complained about it. Why? They couldn't help but worry about what my next words would be. That's because of what I said before, that they have been blessed. Why did you want to make us aware of that? Is there really something to have faith towards? Why should we have expectations? I will answer those questions to those sad faces.
"Forget about all of that. Master does not care at all about the color of your skin and all that. All of you, listen, Master already knows your accusations were false. A large debt? If you stay here, you can pay it back in less than three years. Ahh, and it's obvious, but Master would never betray you. You feel like a woman even though you're a man? It's okay, Master understands and you can definitely work comfortably――"
I went straight ahead and denied everyone's past.
The heart of many of them shook, and the effect rippled across the others. Life gradually returned to those dead eyes. The greatness of their master, the value of trust, the fact that they'll get paid, the deep feelings of yearning. Even if they can't believe in this immediately, they can't help but to have some expectations growing in their hearts.
"After crossing this gate, the disgrace that has been tormenting you all this time will become a thing of the past."
Turning my back to the fourteen people, I walked through the gates of the mansion of the east.
Everyone stared at me, waiting for the continuation of my words.
Even though they want to save themselves, they can't reach out for themselves. They want to believe it, but they can't. Therefore, they wait. They are pitiful existences who can only wait. Therefore, I grabbed those curled, hand-cuffed hands, and forcefully pulled them. Just as Master did for me. The only difference is, I never unlocked the cuffs.
"Don't hesitate and just walk through the gate. Come here. If you do that, I'll give you some work. I'll educate you from the beginning if necessary. I guarantee there will be enough clothing, food and housing. Nobody has the right to refuse."
I brought the 14 silent people across the gate.
Turning back afterwards, I looked at everyone's faces. Indeed, a good expression. Whether this is true or they are being deceived, they have no choice but to believe. But every one of them has the face of a person who has made their resolution.
Fufu, they are already like this.
It's time to begin my "Make the servants dependent" plan.
＊ ＊ ＊
The fateful day.
We sisters were bought by a very handsome man.
After that, a cold and expressionless Dark Elf dressed in maid clothes appeared in front of us.
A Dark Elf maid... Is she a subordinate of that man? Speaking of dark elves, aren't they a target of discrimination in this rotten Kingdom? Looks like we were bought by someone dangerous...
"Sister El..."
My little sister Es, held my hand tightly. You're worried, aren't you? It's alright, I'm with you.
Fourteen male and female slaves, us included, are lined up in front of a stupidly large gate.
It's an incredible mansion. Well, I sort of expected it, but that man is ridiculously rich after all. I don't know what he intends to do by buying so many slaves at once, but at least it doesn't seem like we're going to be sold off 'under the table', so I feel relieved.
While tasting this drop of relief among the crushing fear, the dark elf woman stood in front of us. She's an incredible beauty. Moreover, she has no gaps at all. Thus, there is a sense of intimidation exuding from her that makes me shrink, just by having her looking over here. Just who in the world is this woman?
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...It was at the time I was thinking that.
She suddenly began to speak.
We are blessed. Become aware of that―― She said.
What is this person spouting? I'm not that fool of a woman. We are not naive enough to be swayed by such words. There's no way we would believe such a convenient story. And since I'm aware of that, I'm anxious about the future. I imagined the poor environment from which no escape could be possible. Just what kind of sketchy environment is she trying to deceive us into to humiliate us further? At least, those were my thoughts. Therefore, I cursed in my mind. Only an idiot would have some expectations from the beginning.
"――The sisters who were ostracized and accused of a crime they had no――」
"Wha-!? "
This woman, how does she know!?
Or rather, does she know the circumstances of all the guys here!? This is no good, such a thing! She really is trying to humiliate us――
"All of you, listen, Master already knows your accusations were false."
――...Eh?
W-Wait, what's the meaning of this?
Why do they know the accusations were false?
Is there a meaning to know such a thing?
Why did this woman want us to confront this?
Does she really need to remember the information from each and every single slave she'll be using from now on?
Maybe, just maybe, she's not trying to humiliate us ...?
"After crossing this gate, the disgrace that has been tormenting you all this time will become a thing of the past."
...
Ah, that's right.
How good would it be if it were to be true?
Alright, I understand. I'll believe it.
She said to go through the gate. If I'm told to come, I'll go.
I'll have expectations. We've been betrayed over and over again, but one last time, I'll believe one last time.
That's why...I beg you. Don't betray us anymore.
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...To think there was a time when I had such thoughts!
What the heck is this!?
A mansion exclusively for the servants!? Really!? Never in my life have I heard of a mansion being used for housing only servants!
Besides, even if it's for a simple maid, I can't understand how every slave has a separate room!! This is an amazing room!
Rather, how much land do they own? Can we really stay in a place like this? I think I might be misunderstanding something!
Isn't the level of education needed pretty high? She didn't make a mistake, did she? Furthermore, a high-quality education isn't something anyone can easily get, right? If things go as they are, I might become a top-notch maid comparable to those of a senior noble. Is that okay? Can I?
Also, isn't the food way too good? Being this delicious, I'm bound to become fat if I were to eat this three times a day.
No, that was a lie. There's no way I could gain weight. The grueling training from that perfectionist demon maid was terrible. I didn't have the time to get fat since I was shown hell once every three days. Well, still, this is like heaven compared to before coming here.
Recently, the appearance of Master in the evening, whom I saw from a long distance, has become my solace. I'm not yet allowed to serve you, but my goal is to eventually be able to serve you.
But really, I have no complaints except for that dark demon drill sergeant, who is quite scary. Truly, I feel blessed. I've completely become aware of this. I was made to. It was engraved in my mind.
But if I think about it calmly, all of us, the ten all-purpose maids have yet to get close to Master. Isn't that weird? Could this be, by any chance, because that demon drill sergeant is――
"El. Why have your hands stopped? "
"I'm v-very sorry."
I was scolded! Is she an Esper!?
"..."
Es looked at me while laughing. Isn't it great? You sure have a talent for being a maid. Your sister here, on the other hand is not good. Isn't it usually the other way around...?
"Is that clear? The ten of you, as you are now, have yet to reach a level where you wouldn't put to shame the name of 『All-purpose maid corps』. Your education, your attitude, and your experience are still not enough. I'll teach you each of them. Therefore, learn the knack of it. And eventually, you'll be in a position to teach your subordinates."
But at the end of the day, Yukari-sama encourages us as she oversees us.
Even if this person is tough like a demon, somehow, she's a very good person.
Well...In other words, that's what I'm trying to say.
I want to work here for the rest of my life.