"Return by Death?"
Seeing the notification on his Demon Panel, Hayashi Maki could only shake his head helplessly.
He really didn't feel like he needed that.
Only early–game Natsuki Subaru, that guy who couldn't do anything and had to rely on dying on loop just to gather intel, needed this kind of skill.
Hayashi Maki could just steamroll everything.
Still, it wasn't a bad thing. With the Witch of Envy's blessing, Emilia's future was now tied directly to him.
That so-called "Sage's" imprint from the original story would be overwritten and replaced with Hayashi Maki's.
When the Witch of Envy manifested, no one else sensed a thing—not a single person other than him.
Aqua did notice something strange.
But once she'd eaten and drunk her fill, she immediately flopped onto the bed and fell dead asleep, never even stirring.
This goddess really was peak salted fish. Most of the time she seemed completely useless.
Her strongest skills were party tricks for banquets—flowers, birds, moonlight, that sort of thing.
No wonder she got called a useless goddess all the time.
But while Aqua looked useless on the surface, her true power was actually pretty insane.
Say what you will about her—low luck, kind of a disaster magnet—but when something did happen, she was always the first to step up.
She was the sort you could truly share hardship with.
Her resurrection and healing spells could be used without any practical limit—as long as the soul was intact, she could pull someone back, effectively giving them countless extra lives.
Even a "useless" goddess, used properly, was an incredible trump card.
Once the Witch of Envy faded away, Hayashi Maki didn't overthink it. He closed his eyes and went back to sleep.
…
The next morning.
The one who came to wake him was the blue-haired maid, Rem.
She'd volunteered.
She didn't want her sister to be the one who got "bullied," so she came herself.
When Hayashi Maki opened his eyes, he greeted her with a cheerful "good morning" and, to her surprise, didn't make any moves on her.
He just quietly looked her over, eyes full of appreciation.
Rem bowed politely, face expressionless.
"Hayashi Maki-sama, the provisions in the mansion are almost all used up. It is time to go into town to restock."
"Since Rem and Ram are now your maids, we can't keep using Roswaal-sama's money."
In other words: pay up.
Hayashi Maki didn't argue. He simply took out a pouch with fifty holy coins and handed it over.
"If that's not enough, come back and ask me. And if you or Ram see anything you want, just buy it."
"Yes, Hayashi Maki-sama." Rem bowed again, and this time her gaze softened.
She still had her pride.
Even though Roswaal had essentially thrown her and her sister away and gifted them to Hayashi Maki, she couldn't keep spending Roswaal's money.
"Hmm? Not calling me 'lecherous master' anymore?" Hayashi Maki raised an eyebrow, unable to resist teasing this overly serious little maid.
"Rem would not dare. Since Rem is now Hayashi Maki-sama's maid, Rem will properly fulfill her duties."
She answered solemnly, bowing once more.
Hayashi Maki blinked, a bit surprised.
So that's gone, huh. So Ram must have said something to her last night.
His eyes drifted for a second to the pale skin just below her neck before he waved her off with a grin.
"Then I'll look forward to your performance from now on, Rem."
He got out of bed, and Rem calmly helped him get dressed.
Those cool, soft little hands brushing over his body made his thoughts wobble dangerously, but he held back. He simply enjoyed the service like a proper "master."
After breakfast, Rem hitched up the dragon-carriage to head out and restock supplies.
There were villages within Roswaal's domain too; Rem could trade with villagers for fresh produce and other necessities.
"Rem, put this on before you go. It'll protect you if something happens."
Hayashi Maki clasped a pendant around her neck.
"Yes… Rem will take good care of it."
"You're going shopping? I'm coming too!"
Aqua bounced over, clinging to Hayashi Maki's arm and holding out her hand expectantly.
She very clearly wanted pocket money.
Hayashi Maki gave her a withering look, but still handed over a money pouch.
"Here. And make sure you protect my little maid."
"Heh heh, leave it to me! With this goddess around, nothing's going to happen to her!"
Even if something did happen, she could just revive them, so she really had no fear at all.
Watching Rem and Aqua leave together, Hayashi Maki turned and headed out of the mansion with Felt and Old Man Rom.
"Come on out, Reinhard."
He spoke casually into the empty air.
A moment later, a red-haired man appeared before them, as if stepping out of nowhere.
He smiled at Felt, and when he saw the color back in her face and her healthy complexion, he visibly relaxed.
"Looks like you've made your decision, Hayashi Maki?"
"Of course. Felt is a princess, after all. No matter how much I like her as she is, I can't just crush her future."
"I've already convinced Felt. She'll participate in the royal selection. But Reinhard—you'll have to guarantee her safety and obey her reasonable commands. Otherwise, I can't rest assured about handing her over to you."
The request was unreasonable enough that Reinhard could only let out a strained laugh before replying earnestly:
"I can only promise you this: as long as her orders do not harm the kingdom, I will obey whatever Felt-sama commands."
"Eh, I guess that's fine." Hayashi Maki nodded, accepting that line.
"By the way, I'm already Emilia's knight now. Reinhard, if you have time, want to spar sometime?"
"Haha, yes. Having a strong opponent like you is a blessing."
Reinhard's expression lit up with genuine excitement.
Being the strongest in the world was… lonely.
When he sparred with other knights, he couldn't afford to use his full strength. He had to hold back all the time.
And his relationships with his father and grandfather weren't great either.
Because of his birth, because he inherited the "Sword Saint" blessing, his grandmother paid with her life.
"Then, Felt-sama, please come with me. I swear upon my life that I will protect you. This country needs you."
Reinhard dropped to one knee and extended a hand in invitation.
Felt glanced at Hayashi Maki, reluctant, then touched the protective pendant around her neck and stepped before Reinhard.
"Hmph, I still don't give a damn about the country," she muttered. "But if I can't change my blood, and you're this serious about it, I'll at least try this royal selection thing."
"And let me say this upfront— I hate nobles. If I become king, I'm going to wipe them all out. Are you still going to support me?"
"Of course," Reinhard replied without hesitation, placing a hand over his heart and bowing his head.
"Your will is where my blade will point."
Nobles were nothing but trouble anyway. To him, they were just irritating obstacles—especially those useless "sages" lounging in the Council of Elders, hoarding power and doing nothing for the people. He could barely stand them.
"And I'm taking Old Man Rom with me," Felt added firmly. "He's my family. You protect him too—or the deal's off."
"No problem."
Reinhard nodded. The fact that he hadn't thought of Rom earlier was his mistake. He'd been too focused on getting Felt out and into the capital, and had overlooked who she cared about.
He wouldn't make that kind of rookie mistake again.
With that, Reinhard took Felt and Old Man Rom and left.
Watching their backs grow smaller, Hayashi Maki's lips curled upward. He squeezed Beatrice's hand gently and turned back toward the mansion.
Time to see what other pieces this board had to offer.
~~~
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