--It's early in the morning for Lord Treasurer Richter L. Klingbloom.

　He wakes up exactly on time and raises his body.
　It is only just beginning to get white outside. The curtains are open and there is a slight chill in the air.

　Without calling for the chamberlain, you quietly change your robe and dress lightly.
　He picked up the gladius that was propped up by the bed and walked alone to the large garden of the mansion.

　On the way, she washed her face with the water she had left in the fountain, and stretched out, encouraging her body, which was still sleepy.

　There is no one in the garden today.
　I let out a breath and sat down on the ground.

　If you move too much too soon, you will get hurt.
　You start by stretching your body firmly, feeling your body temperature warm up slowly, and think about today's work.

　After a certain amount of reflection on your schedule, your blood will soon be flowing and you will be able to move your body sufficiently.

　On cold days, it is especially difficult to open the joints without careful stretching.
　Muscles cannot function unless they are warmed up. This can lead to injury, defeat, and even death.

　Once you are ready, start with a set of kata.
　The body should be made to remember each one carefully, so that it can perform the technique by reflex at any time and in any situation.

　Even if you have memorized them, you have to repeat them over and over again so that you don't forget them.
　This was the kind of training Richter could do this morning.

　If you can hear the birds singing and feel the heat of the sun on your back, it's time to go.

　He caught his breath and lowered his gladius.

"Good morning, Mr. Richter.
"Good morning.

　He exchanged a few words with his secretary, Mion, who had been waiting at the door for some time, then took a towel and wiped off his sweat.

Breakfast is about to be served.
I'm going to take a shower.
Okay, I'll go take a shower. Will you join me?
No, thank you.
Do you need help getting dressed?
No, thank you.
Then I'll at least bring you something to wear.
Don't bring anything strange.
I wore it yesterday.
Go home.
I'm joking, yes. You can't be serious. Mmm-hmm.
"......

　The woman in the butler's uniform, smiling more than ever, throws an annoyed glance at you.

　Leave her alone, take a shower, freshen up and change your clothes.
　Of course, I brought my own clothes with me. I don't leave anything to her.

　First of all, I have to say that I'm tired of being home before business hours.

"Mr. Richter, what is your schedule for today?
Oh.

　The long, wide hallway was clean and unusually lacking in furnishings.
　The long, wide corridor was clean and oddly lacking in furnishings, though it had been neglected because there was no need to invite people to this section of the building, but every time I walked through it, I felt the severity of the financial situation and my stomach ached.

　Every morning before breakfast, I check my schedule with Mion.
　We compare our schedules one by one to see if there are any discrepancies with our memories, and if there are no problems, we go straight to breakfast.

　When you go to the dining room, a meal prepared by the attendants is waiting for you.

That is the end of the day's work for Mr. Richter. There is no need to go to the castle. As usual, I've left exactly two hours to spare, just in case.
Every day someone fills in those two hours. ...... I hope there are no strange problems today.
By the way, as usual, it's almost time for Baron Gruntz to come crying to me for money.
You're reminding me of something I don't need.
According to a letter I received a few days ago, Viscount Koblow's family is on the verge of bankruptcy.
Don't remind me what I need to know.
And while you're at it, the Count de Pinet's daughter's fiancé assaulted a town girl yesterday, and his bank...
Stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it, stop it. ......!

　Why are there so many problems every day?
　Richter's mind is racing, but there's nothing he can do about it.
　He must have a quick breakfast, finish his work as soon as possible, and hurry to clean up after his unreliable cronies.

Also, I have to leave for a bit today.
Oh, you mentioned that. You said...
Yes, I'll deal with Mr. Pasta. Leave it to me, I'll be of service to Herr Richter.
You're that guy. I'm sure you're more interested in talking to Huta.
I don't know what you're talking about. I'm going to teach him how to deal with his boss.
I'm going to teach him how to deal with his boss. - If Futa turns out like you... Your Highness will be very worried. All right, go ahead, make a show of it.
Yes, sir.

　Pushing open the large double doors at the end of the corridor, the smell of freshly baked bread tickled my nose.

　There's something sweeter and better smelling than usual today.
　Mion tells Richter, who has slightly regained his good mood, from behind.

"Since that is the case, I will not be able to support you today, Mr. Richter.


Don't worry about it.
I'll tell you what.
"......?

　Suddenly, Richter noticed something else.
　A familiar figure at the dining room table.
　Richter's eyes widened lightly as he saw that he appeared to be sitting down and waiting for his breakfast.
　No wonder. He was someone she saw often, but never in this house.
　He had invited her a few times recently, but there was no reason for her to come to him.

　Richter tilted his head, but the words of Mion behind him made him stop in his tracks.

I've asked you to take care of me today.
"............ma.te
What is it?

　There was no way that man was going to take care of me.
　But...
　Yeah, let's assume. Finance is math.
　Let's take the person who takes care of you as the solution and work the equation backwards.

　Uninvited guest + mysterious caretaker X = Mion's request.

　First of all, why is the uninvited guest here?

　I didn't invite him.
　Also, if he had business with you, why wouldn't Mion have come to tell you?

　That means Mion called him.

Good morning, Mr. Richter. I'm interrupting.
Shut up.
"Shut up!

　At this point, the formula is.

　Futa + Mion's request = mysterious caretaker X.

　My head is starting to hurt. I think I slept too long.

"Futa. What did you come here for today?
What?　What do you mean, what did I come for? Well, I was worried about you.
Shut the f*ck up.
You asked me!

　When this guy comes to see you off because he's worried about you, he's definitely not a red-haired little shit.

　That's why I don't even want to smell the delicious aroma coming from this kitchen. 　

Mion, you betrayed me. ......
"Disappointing. I'm always on your side, Mr. Richter.

　"I'm always on Mr. Richter's side.
　She raises her monocle gently, as if looking at something pitiful, and tells you.

"Well, that can be a test for you sometimes, Richter-sama.
I'm sure you're not the only one.　You know?
What's the matter, Mr. Richter? You hit Mion.
Shut up, appendage.
Accessory parts?　What?
What kind of--

　I looked at the kitchen door as if to throw up, and that was the moment.


"Meido!


　A maid with a big smile on her face and trays in both hands kicked open the door and dynamically entered.

　Bread and meat dishes with delicious steam rising from them.

　As she spins around, her skirt spreads out like a flower.
　This is a great way to make sure that you don't end up in a situation where you're not the only one.

...... of this curious creature, of course.

　In the event that you're in the market for a new pair of shoes or boots, then you're in the right place.

"Good morning, mopey.
"f*ck you, neophyte.
f*ck you, neophyte!

　She rolled her eyes in surprise and muttered to Futa with the difficult expression of a researcher.

Apparently, the maid is a new creature. ......
That's a surprise.
So the butler is the old ......
"Oh, so the whole maid is a new creature. Lilah's involved.
Lilah, that's not a new creature, that's a rare creature.

　Richter gave her a blank stare as she stuck her tongue out at him.
　I could have turned white, but that's about it.

The maid called you a rare creature, that's quite something.
"No, she's a very decent and beautiful person. She looks like Master Lilac.
That's not very decent.
What?

　Low boiling point.

　Richter clears his throat and decides to fill his stomach for now.
　He sat down messily and thrust the cutlery into the meat without a napkin.



　It's good. I don't know if it had time to marinate, but it was a well-seasoned stew.

"Thanks for the meal, now go home.
"And so on," Mopi said. What should we do, Mion, Master Futa?
Why do you guys have more authority than me, the landlord?

　Mion and Futa looked at Richter, who thumped the table, and looked at each other.

You'll be able to't even clean up your room, Mr. Richter.
But Mr. Richter, you can't even clean your room.
What are you doing to me?

　I think it was in the shower.

"What? Did you bring my undressed clothes to the cafeteria and talk about how dirty I was taking them off?　Huh?
No, at the door when Mr. Futa arrived.
The place doesn't matter!
And I don't think he's undressing in a dirty way. Please don't worry.
That's not the point either!

　A moment of thought.

"Then why did you take it with you? ！！！！

　I can't think of anything to talk about except the dirty way you took it off.
　You'll be able to find a lot more than just a few of these in the marketplace.

　Mion greeted Futa and Corona as they arrived by carriage.
　He was holding a soggy robe and an exercise shirt.

This?　It's a shell of Mr. Richter.

　He told her with a self-satisfied look.

"......?
I'm in the shower like this, so please wait a moment.

　Then they were ushered into the dining room.

　Huta honestly told Richter what had just happened.

　Richter, who had been nodding, tilted his head at a gouging angle.

"No, I need those clothes. ？？？？？？？？？？？？？
"To explain the shower.
It's enough to tell someone you're taking a shower!　Did you think I'd suspect you of lying?
What do you think, Mr. Futa?
"No, I'm pretty sure he's taking a shower. And the way you took off your clothes was dirty.
You're bothering me a lot, ！！！！！.　I never imagined a situation where someone I know would complain about the way I take off my clothes!
Well, I wouldn't have doubted you without your clothes.
So it's a hundred wasted ！！！！
"But it's good to know that I do need a caretaker.
...... What's good about that?
Well, it's not like I really want to put Corona on Mr. Richter.
Supply and demand. Take it and go.

　Richter fluttered his hand away.
　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

Do you want to be carried, maid?
"No, I won't.
No, I don't. - You'll get a better deal if I carry you.
Do I get a discount?

　It's good to see that the maid and Futa are on good terms. Richter proceeded with the meal, looking annoyed.
　The food is first-rate. Even with Richter's taste buds, there's nothing to complain about. No, but...

Why did Mion do this in the first place?
No particular reason, sir.
You don't?

　If you ask Mion, who is standing behind you, she will say such things without any remorse.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.
"......
I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that for the past few months Richter has been in good health, both physically and mentally. If you go back to being a workaholic, he said, your daily life will become boring again.
...... That's none of your business.

　He chewed his food and was silent for a while.
　Strangely enough, Corona and Futa didn't say a word either.
　Mion was also quietly watching Richter.

　He finished his meal and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

He finished his meal, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and said, "Why don't you call Beatrix?　I'm sure we can take care of your business.

　Richter's business was originally to be done at home today.

　That's what he said.

　Mion looked up and nodded with a debaucherous smile.

"Yes, call me ASAP.

　Sniffling at her expression, Richter stood up.



　I can't ignore the troublesome favors of my subordinates.

　As usual, this man has a soft spot for his own people.