I took the Locust egg back to my study, put it on my desk and stared at it.

　Just when I thought I had knocked it over, an unexpected challenge arose.
　You can't break it.

　What should I do?

　There's a knock at the door.

Come in.
"Excuse me.

　When I complied, head maid Amelia came in.

　With Amelia's arrival, I decided to change my mind.

Good night Amelia. How is she?

　I heard about Chosen.
　I put Amelia, the head maid, in charge of getting rid of Chosen, who was the source of the Locust problem in the first place.
　She was supposed to be here to report it, so I gave her a nudge.

"I'm being selfish,
That's right.
"You said 'Who do you think I am?' at every turn, so I guess I'm out of touch for the time being.
"What can you do?
I did (、、、、)

　Amelia clearly states.
　I feel like she's been growing up fast since I ordered the head maid.
　Now she even feels dignified.

We couldn't reveal Master Eliza's identity and, most importantly, we couldn't risk a backlash. For fear of upsetting the court, I have appointed Elizabeth Golden Age, also a duchess, to execute her.
"Mmm-hmm.
This one was named, and they knew each other's names. You may mention their families, but they are both dukes of the same rank.
"Put some people on Elizabeth's trail, just in case. She'll be the one to get out in the open.
Yes, sir. If Mr. Alec so commanded, everyone would raise their hands in competition.
Really?

　I know you don't say no, but competing with them is a bit surprising.

Maids are in absolute obedience to the Lord, no, they take supreme pleasure in having orders, especially when the Lord is Alec. All the more so when the Lord is with Master Alec.
I see.

　Nodding, I see what you're saying, and I've given you additional instructions.
　That concludes our report on Chosen.
　When she finished, I noticed Amelia's face was slightly shaded.

What's up, Amelia?
"...... is complicated,
"What?
"I have a complicated mix of wondering if this is the right thing to do, and wondering if it's going to work out.
What do you mean?
"It's a pity that I can't manage one of my maids while being appointed head maid by Master Alec,
"I see. Don't worry about it. People like that happen sometimes.
"Thank you.

　At my words, Amelia's expression brightened a little.

'What do you mean it's okay to keep going?

　Amelia looked dignified and somewhat pouting.

There is no limit to what a selfish girl can do to me. Master Alec wouldn't be daunted.

　Amelia glanced at the Locust eggs on the table and said, "I see," she said.

I see,

　Now I have mixed feelings.
　That kind of trust makes me tense to respond.

Then it's all yours. If you need me, just let me know right away without being stubborn.
"Thank you!

　Amelia happily bowed and left the study.

　Alone, she faced the Locust eggs again.

　Not because Amelia expected me to, but I felt again that I had to do something about it.

Ah.

　A voice leaked out.

　As if inspired by my enthusiasm, the egg jerked and jiggled on the table.
　After a shuddering motion, the shell began to crack open.

　Before long, the egg cracked completely open, and from the inside - and I could see it.

"...... puppy?

　Inside the shell of an eggshell that was only halfway down, there was a puppy-like creature.

　If you look closely, you can see some vestiges of the Locust.
　I can only imagine what the Locust would look like if it were a few hundred times bigger.

And then there's the miasma.
"--Ha!

　The moment I mumbled, the puppy - a mini-Locust - shook with fear.

Can you understand me?

--The Locust shook its head, as if frightened.

　The Locust shook his head, as if frightened.
　It's obvious that you understand my -- or any human's language.

　It doesn't look like that deceitful incarnation of destruction.


　So I spoke to him softly, too.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything terrible.

　The Locust was flabbergasted.
　So it rolled out of its eggshell and spun around on the desk.

　When he regained his bearings, the Locust said.

Oh, thank you.

　And then timidly said, "Why do you thank me?

'Why do you thank me?'
"I remember. . thank you for stopping me from being there.
Oh, so your memories are carried over, too?

　Use the power of the godlike person.
　See the soul of the Locust.

　Indeed, their souls are the same color.

　When you reincarnate a monster like that, multiple incarnations will gradually cleanse its soul, but the Locust soul remains the same.

　Not at all (、、、、). It doesn't seem to reincarnate through the heavenly realm.

Yes, I remember it all.
"Huh?

　The word "all" in Locust had weight.
　The responsibilities were piling up, that kind of weight .

I'm going to get in trouble with the humans again if I don't...... hate them.
"It's okay, it's not.
People used to say that to me.

　The Locust said with a tearful face.

　I wonder if there were people who reached out to the former Locust when they were younger.

　I wonder if someone else did the same thing when the last Locust was little.
　And to say it was in the past tense is to--

"But when I get big, eventually,
"......
So thank you ......!

　With that, the Locust jumped off the desk, threw open the door with his body, and ran out.

Wait!

　I ran out into the hallway, chasing it.

　On four short legs, the Locust struggles to escape, and ahead of them is a group of maids.

　They're the latest arrivals, the Master Maids.

Hey, guys!　Stop that kid!
"Master!"?
"So you can stop it?
I'll catch you!

　When I heard my voice, the maids all looked at me curiously and caught the Locust.
　She tried to escape, but her short puppy-like limbs and comparable mobility prevented her from escaping, and the Locust was caught.

　But...

Yikes!
"Maids' clothes melted!
"Oh, even my underwear!

　The miasma that the locust's body is constantly emitting.
　As the maids are tightening up to catch it, the maids' uniforms melted here and there and in no time at all they became hapless.

The maids' maids are not going to be able to get out of it.

I'm not going to let you go.
Yes, master's orders.
"Ha, it's embarrassing,

"Eh, ......

　The miasma (miasma) is a miasma that causes the maids to become puzzled.
　The miasma (miasma) is a miasma that can only be found in the mantle of the maids, and the maids do not want to let go of their clothes and skin.

　I'll catch up with them.

Thanks, guys!

　Then he received the Locust from the maids.

I'm so happy!
So much for the master!
"Not even my life is spared!

　Wondering how it would be, I magically mended their maid outfits and healed any slight burns, while gently looking away.

　Then I looked at the Locust.

Why ......
I wouldn't throw you away for anything.
"Eh, ......

"We too!
"I will do whatever my master tells me to do!
I'm not sure, but I'll take care of it!

　Reassuring cheers came from the maids.
　The Locust was stunned to hear our words and eventually burst into tears.

"You're so kind-hearted.
"No, that's not it.
I have.

　I interrupted myself to deny it.
　I thought it was better not to let him say it.

"My body is like this, but my mind is so beautiful. That's the way you care about us.
"......
But it's not a good name. Since you're born again from an egg, let's give you a new name.


New ...... name?

　I thought for a moment, and then said.

"Lotus. It's an old word meaning 'lotus flower.
"Lo ...... tas?
"You know what?　Lotus flowers can only grow in muddy water. If the water is clean, they will not grow up straight and will sink into the water forever.
"Muddy water ......
But you know, a flower in bloom is so beautiful that it never gets stained by mud. It's just like your heart.
"......

So, you're in Lotus now.

　It is meaningful to give it a name.
　And the name I, the godhead, have given (secretly) with the ritual will be more effective.

　The next thing I knew, Lotus's body lit up.

　The miasma stopped for a moment.