Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Trial
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Dessert time.
Albert had no intention of leaving.
I couldn't stand by and watch his antics any longer.
"Albert. You said you wanted to become my disciple."
At my words, Albert's relaxed expression turned serious.
"Yes, Mr. Un-ho!"
"Becoming my disciple isn't easy."
"I'm prepared for that."
Albert gave me a resolute look.
Eileen, standing beside him, watched with eyes full of encouragement.
"I'll give you a trial to become my disciple. Pass this ordeal, and I'll accept you."
"Entrust me with anything!"
"I hope that resolve doesn't waver."
"My determination won't break."
His eyes shone with a single will: to become my disciple.
"Then, I'll impose the trial."
-Gulp.
Albert swallowed dryly in tension.
"Ten maids."
"Pardon?"
"Not just any maids. Beauties! They must have special skills, not only for cleaning but also gardening and delicious cooking."
Caught off guard by the unexpected disciple trial, Albert was flustered.
"Wh-what does that mean..."
"How dare you question the meaning of this trial!"
What does it mean, you ask...
It means you're disqualified as my disciple.
Albert's face was blank, shocked by the trial I'd set.
"You just going to stand there dumbfounded? You have until tomorrow."
"Until tomorrow?!"
At the bolt-from-the-blue news, Albert bolted out in a panic.
Eileen, her face full of worry, followed after him.
'Following some other guy... I'll have to educate her thoroughly later.'
But for now, being too forceful wouldn't do. Eileen needed time to accept it too, so I decided to let it be.
Honestly, I'd wanted the deadline by end of today... but that would look too obviously like a ploy to disqualify him, so I compromised.
Of course, it was partly to save face for Eileen's sake.
Even so, it was a near-impossible task.
This mansion was infamous as the Ghost Mansion.
Not just any workers, but ten beautiful maids with advanced skills.
Even in this modern age with advanced information networks, they weren't easy to find.
And the time was short.
This was a mission even I would find nearly impossible.
'If I pour gold into it, maybe?'
Even if gold could do it...
For penniless Albert right now, it was impossible.
"What an absurd trial. You have no intention of taking that boy as your disciple."
You see right through it.
Lilia had pierced the essence of the trial.
But I couldn't admit it so easily.
"He needs at least this much to qualify as my disciple."
"I don't see what maids have to do with taking a disciple... Why won't you accept Albert?"
"Huh? Why?"
Isn't it obvious?
Because he's a man.
"That boy Albert has more talent than Eileen."
"Oh? How do you know?"
"You can tell by the mana flowing through his body."
I could see mana flow if I focused, but I hadn't bothered since I wasn't interested.
Talented or not.
Albert was a man.
Outside my interest.
"Master, may I go out briefly today?"
Marie cautiously suggested from beside me.
I had important business at home today too.
"Sure. I'm not planning to go out today, so feel free."
"Thank you, Master."
The absurd trial to become a disciple.
Albert was at a loss on where or how to tackle this ridiculous test.
Maids, of all things.
It was so far from what he'd expected.
'Does he mean those maids in noble houses?'
Not just any maids.
Beautiful and highly skilled ones.
Ten of them, no less.
And the deadline was tomorrow.
Not even time to think.
"Al-Albert!"
Eileen came running.
"Oh, Eileen."
"I-I'll help too."
"No, Eileen. This is a trial Mr. Un-ho gave me. Getting your help would defeat the purpose. I have to solve this on my own."
"Albert..."
Eileen could only stand there, watching Albert's determined back as he set off to find maids.
Having received permission to go out, Marie left the mansion.
After walking for a while, she entered a bustling market.
She went into a large clothing store of considerable size.
It sold all sorts of clothes suitable for commoners.
The store was crowded with people browsing clothes.
Marie naturally picked out a garment and entered the fitting room. Then she opened the secret door in the fitting room and went inside.
She passed through the dark secret passage and opened the door at the end. A wide space appeared, with several doors visible.
Marie familiarly opened one of them and entered.
Inside the room, Michael was sitting at a desk reviewing documents.
Seeing Marie, Michael set down his papers. He stretched his back and leaned into his chair.
"Michael, have the female agents arrived?"
"Female agents...? Yes, they've arrived."
"The surveillance target is looking for maids. Infiltrate them as maids. Preferably beauties and virgins."
"Virgins?"
Virgin female agents were usually deployed for approaching important figures.
"The surveillance target's importance has risen further. The woman with him, Lilia, is likely a grand magic user."
"Gran... grand magic user?"
Another near-transcendent being had suddenly appeared.
"That third-rate adventurer Albert will be looking for maids. Use him to infiltrate the mansion easily. Details are here."
Marie handed Michael a sheet of paper.
"Got it. I'll handle that. And Marie."
"What?"
"Withdraw from there."
"...Pardon?"
"We're deploying the female agents now. You're no longer needed."
"I can't do that. I've already gotten quite close to him. If I suddenly disappear, he'll get suspicious."
When the word 'close' slipped out, Michael unconsciously clenched his fist.
"I'll give you time for that. Leave his mansion naturally."
"I don't understand, Michael. I'm as close to him now as his mistress. And you're telling me to abandon that advantage and withdraw?"
At 'mistress', Michael nearly exploded.
"Marie... this is an order."
"...An order?"
Marie was baffled by Michael's use of 'order'.
She and he weren't in a superior-subordinate relationship.
"Obey Allen's order, Marie."
A thick voice came from behind.
It was a familiar voice.
Marie turned to look at him.
"Ra-Raven..."
Marie knelt before the suddenly appeared one-eyed middle-aged man.
He was the high-ranking officer who had assigned missions to her and Michael after training.
And he was calling Michael 'Allen'.
Marie's mind was in turmoil.
"Allen is the next head of Cerberus. The handover has begun."
"M-Michael..."
"You did well assisting Allen this time, Marie. Knowing the next head's identity means you've been promoted. You'll manage agents now, not fieldwork."
"Now you understand, Marie. The female agents will be deployed as you said. Withdraw from that mansion soon. That's an order."
"...Understood."
Marie, brainwashed with strict obedience since childhood.
She couldn't defy Michael...
No, Allen, now her superior.
As for Albert, things were settled now.
It felt like a nagging toothache had finally been pulled.
My mind felt refreshed.
The outcome was decided.
It was just a matter of time.
Tomorrow, I'd see his dejected face and say goodbye.
That was the end of thoughts about Albert.
Something more important than him awaited.
I calmed my mind, bathed and purified myself, and changed into clean clothes.
Involuntarily, I'd been celibate since dinner last night.
With a reverent heart, I entered the Hero's Sanctuary.
The familiar scenery of the small white star welcomed me.
"Phew..."
Hero Guaranteed Summon Ticket.
It said 'guaranteed,' but didn't promise anything good.
Since it was a dud, maybe keeping it as a souvenir had the most value.
But they say hoarding crap is still crap.
"Dimensional Shop, you listening? This will change how you handle my hero summon tickets from now on."
I tried a meaningless threat anyway.
"Use."
The options were for selecting gender.
No need to think.
Female, of course.
"...Let's go!!"
-Thud!
A round ring of light appeared before my eyes.
Then the light turned golden.
"G-Golden?"
A color I'd never seen in over a hundred summons before.
"Is it good?"
-Flash!
Golden light burst from the ring, enveloping me.