“So, Lily-san, why is Snow here? In the first place, what is this place?”
Lily-san opened her mouth slowly, as if it was something difficult to say.
“This is a café where the maids who were fired by the Eisbert family work. And I asked Snow-san to arrange them.”
Come to think of it, If I look closely, the maids who admirably continue to work as a maid were staring at Mulle with eyes mixed with fear. Well, the person in question hadn’t noticed anything because she was obsessed with the pancakes on the menu a while ago, though.
“… I see.”
House of Eisbert. A ‘praiseworthy’ family that locks up the youngest daughter of their family head, Mulle, in Flavum, isolates her from the world and oppressed her with their whole family.
They classify humans into upper, middle, and lower ranks, and “disposed of” the ones they deem to be the lower ranks. This disposal is precisely one of the reasons that make the Eisbert family known as an elite family.
The Eisbert family managed to make a name for themselves as an elite noble family, precisely because they used this system where they choose only ‘upper-class’ humans through a rigorous selection process.
No one, not even me, knows how many people have been buried in darkness by them until now… The darkness that couldn’t be seen in the game has gradually become visible to me. I have no doubt that the number of victims is numerous, just like stars, like the maids working here right now.
“If we’re looking from their contract, their dismissal itself is not illegal. However, the reason for their dismissal is close to abnormal. They didn’t even make a big mistake. Generally, I used to arrange other jobs for those who were laid off, but there are some who want to continue working as maids… and the fact they originally worked for the Eisbert family has proven that they are highly skilled as maids. So, there’s no way they could give up that easily.”
“Since Mulle was observed closely, you can’t hire them openly, so you’re setting up a maid café and making them work there, huh.”
“That’s right.”
I stared at Snow, who is giving instructions to the maids.
“But, why Snow? Being at the top of those girls would be hard for her, isn’t it?”
Hearing that, Lily-san stared at me with her mouth wide open.
“Snow-san used to be the head maid of the Sanjou Family for a while, though?”
“… ha?”
I subconsciously let out my voice.
“That Snow is the head maid of the Sanjou family? Isn’t she just a mob?”
“Mob… Although I don’t really understand what that means, I think Snow-san’s quality as a maid is outstanding. Firstly, it’s abnormal to be able to act according to the intention of the request to that extent, her instructions are also accurate, and I think she probably also has done work that goes beyond the realm of a maid. Otherwise, I don’t think someone would be able to acquire that level of competence at that age.”
… Who is she? The main character who hides her strength?
To be honest, I only thought of her as a playful maid who works while doing comedy with me.
“Then, why did she quit her job at the Sanjou family…?”
“She said she was indebted to someone.”
Lily-san responded to my monologue.
“Indebted…”
“Because Sanjou-sama is kind,”
With a beautiful smile, Lily-san whispered.
“I’m sure Sanjou-sama has helped many people over the years.”
Oi, oi. I was sweating as I had a bad feeling.
Don’t tell me the flags that the past Hiiro accumulated are being collected now… don’t kid me… I’m sure in the main story of Esco, there is nothing like that… I can only think that the flag switch turned ON when I turned into Hiiro… but why…?
L-let’s stop here. I’ve decided to stop thinking about this too deeply. I just broke my ribs yesterday, but now my brain might be destroyed.
“For the time being, I know what kind of place is here, and why Snow is working here… But, I still don’t know how it relates to the new students’ welcome party…”
“That is because we need maids to entertain the new students at the welcome party.”
Mulle, who was waiting for the pancake, said with a composed expression while holding a knife and fork in her hands.
“I thought it would be better to let them work under the sun once in a while than working in this depressing underground. This is my idea, you know! I am also the one who shelters them here since Lily insisted, so they should be happy if they can help me!”
As she finished saying that, a maid brought the fluffy pancakes she ordered, making Mulle cheer in happiness. Then, she began to cut them into small pieces happily… However, contrary to Mulle’s happy face, Lily-san face is clouded with anxiety.
“That is a good idea. However-”
That is why I said it instead of her.
“Nine out of ten, the Eisbert family will probably get in the way.”
I think it is more appropriate to say it is certain that they will get in the way. However, in the game, their plan will be crushed in advance by Tsukiori, which increased Mulle’s trust in her… That’s what was supposed to happen at Flavum dormitory’s new students’ welcome party, but since Sanjou Hiiro was chosen as Flavum’s special nominee instead of Tsukiori Sakura, it seems that role became mine.
“Ah, ano…”
One of the maids who brought the pancakes whispered in a trembling voice.
“If I can, I want to do it… Because I don’t want to waste the opportunity that Mulle-sama gave to me… And I wanted to repay Lily-sama’s kindness… Also, I want to show the people of the Eisbert family that we are not failures…”
The other maids seem to have the same idea.
The faces that once shone with pride had faded, but they were still trying to look up to the future.
As I was admiring their resolve, Snow was smiling and staring at me, as if she already knew my answer.
“No, let’s not. Sanjou-sama is a very skilled man, and he had clearly stated that it would be 『Dangerous』, so I think we should give up on this opportunity–”
“Nah, let’s do it.”
I’m sure Lily-san brought me here knowing I would definitely take her side and helped her persuade them together.
Hearing my response, the maid opened her eyes in astonishment.
“This is a war between us and the Eisbert family. There is no way it is good for you guys to be pushed one-sidedly into such a depressing place… Lily only blooms in the sun.”
Receiving the wave of words, pride returns to the faces of the maids.
“Let’s make this new students’ welcome party a success. On this very occasion, I will teach the Eisbert family–”
With a grin, I spread my hands out.
“I’ll teach them the real, first-rate ones.”
Snow smiled, Lily-san was stunned, and Mulle–
“Is the ice cream not yet done…?”
–was waiting for the ice cream to be put on the pancake.