NOVEL NEXT Chapter 55 - Episode 55: Stasa, Doing Her Best
Episode 55: Stasa, Doing Her Best
~~Stasa’s Perspective~~
I was recuperating at the orphanage.
Captured by Hero Cea, my body weakened from torture.
Even so, my wounds healed completely thanks to the Elixir, and after a week of being bedridden and only eating meals, my weight returned to normal.
But… *sigh*
I feel so down.
A bag filled with a large sum of money was casually placed next to the bed.
This… is payment from Duke Zaus.
It seems to be payment for spying on Hero Cea.
The burlap bag is stuffed with gold coins. The amount? 30,000 cozons.
With this much money, I could live jobless for ten years.
It’s quite disproportionate for spy work.
The headmaster looks up at the sky, as if directing his thoughts towards Duke Zaus’s castle.
“You’re 16 years old. With that much money, you can choose your own path in life.”
I failed my mission.
I became a hostage of Hero Cea and caused trouble for him.
Is this money a severance pay?
“…Doesn’t Zaus come here?”
“He’s currently fighting the Demon King’s army. He doesn’t have time for that. Instead, a large amount of fruits that the orphans love has arrived. Heh heh. There was a message saying, ‘Dispose of the stock because it’s rotting.’ There are plenty of Peaches and Grape Mallards that you love. And they’re not just ripe, they’re top-quality. Heh heh. Truly… That Zaus.”
“Maybe he doesn’t want to see someone like me who failed at her job.”
“That’s not true. I’m sure he feels guilty. He may say ‘Humans don’t matter’ with his mouth, but he always worries about us. Stasa, I think he regrets causing you pain. I believe that large sum of money is his way of apologizing.”
“That’s typical of Zaus…”
“Hehehe. Indeed. He’s endlessly kind.”
“Hey, Headmaster… Is it okay for me to move on with my life?”
“Yes, of course. In Zaus Town, there are over ten guilds that can offer you a job. You can go anywhere you like and decide your future. You’ll also have enough money saved up to live on your own.”
“Then, I’ll… leave the orphanage.”
“…I’ll miss you. The children look up to you like a real big sister.”
“I’ll visit from time to time.”
“Please contact us when you’ve settled down.”
“Yeah. I’ll write letters.”
I packed my belongings and headed to the main street.
Alright, I’ll take that carriage.
I raised my hand, and the coachman stopped the horse.
“Where to?”
“Duke Zaus’s castle.”
Please don’t underestimate my determination.
Three hours on the carriage.
We arrived at Duke Zaus’s castle.
“Stasa-san… Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. Thanks to you!”
But maybe my heart is still troubled.
That’s why I really want to see Duke Zaus.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
The one who greeted me was Zaus’s caretaker, Meel-san.
She’s a kind and wise woman… and above all, incredibly beautiful. Her smile feels divine.
By the way, it seems the caretaker is responsible for taking care of Duke Zaus’s personal affairs.
*sigh* I envy her. When I once expressed my desire to become a caretaker, it was flatly denied.
Apparently, knowledge of demon history is required… I’ve never regretted being born human as much as this.
“What business do you have today?”
“I have a request to meet with Duke Zaus.”
“He’s currently training. Shall we go to the training grounds?”
Meel-san led me through the corridor.
Boom!
Bang!
Crash!
Wow, what a sound.
The impact is so strong that the carpet in the hallway lifts up. The entire castle is shaking.
“W-What is this?”
“Hehehe. Duke Zaus is training.”
The shockwave reaches this far?
“He’s been at it for about six hours straight. His body will break at this rate.”
“Ugh…”
I’m starting to regret coming…
He’s working hard in preparation for the battle with the Demon King’s army…
Oh… I might be intruding… *sob*
Duke Zaus was flying in the air.
Is he fighting… another Duke Zaus??
“Huh? There are two Duke Zauses?”
“Oh? But their skin colors are different.”
“That’s Landoll, the earth doll. It’s a doll made of earth using magic. Duke Zaus created it for training purposes by copying his own abilities.”
“Wow…”
That’s why its skin is brown.
“Oh, but… Am I… getting in the way?”
“Oh no, not at all. If he doesn’t take a break soon, it’ll be chaotic inside the castle.”
Huh?
“Duke Zaus!!! Stasa is here to see you!”
“Huh? Stasa is here?”
“Oh, Duke Zaus…”
*sweat*
“Stasa… Are you feeling better?”
A-ah, he just looked down with a slightly apologetic expression!
“Duke Zaus, do you… feel guilty by any chance?”
“Huh? N-no… I-it’s nothing…”
“Liar!”
“You know… I’m a Duke of the demons. I don’t give a damn about humans. I couldn’t care less about you.”
Uh…
“D-Do you really not care about me at all?”
There’s a good chance of that.
I feel like crying… so sad…
“…Well, I do have some feelings about it. I mean, I made you work as a spy for four years when you were only twelve. And all alone, at that.”
“I couldn’t help it because I couldn’t take monsters to Hajime Village.”
“Even so. It was my fault for sending you to the hero’s training without even giving you combat training. It’s my responsibility that you got caught and tortured by Cea.”
“See! You do feel guilty after all! This is proof!”
And I handed over the bag containing 30,000 cozons.
“Look… That’s the payment… Is it too little? If so, I can add more…”
“Duke Zausssssss!”
“W-What…?”
“Please hire me in this castle!”
“W-What!?”
“I want to work in this castle.”
“But, y’know… Some demon jobs involve risking lives. You should know that firsthand. With that much money, you could live a comfortable life in Zaus Town.”
“Duke Zaus… Serving you is my happiness.”
“Hmm… Even if you say that, it’s a heavy responsibility to put someone in danger. I’m an evil ruler. Everything belongs to me. My subordinates’ failures are mine too.”
“I believe things are mutually beneficial.”
“…What’s gotten into you all of a sudden? Well, I don’t dislike it, but that thinking…”
“When I was a wandering orphan, you saved me. Repaying that debt is my purpose in life. I came here to fulfill that purpose… That’s my merit.”
“But, y’know… It’s pointless if it costs you your life.”
“My exposure to danger, the risk to my life… Those are your drawbacks, right? Then, please let me buy those drawbacks.”
“Huh?”
And I handed over the 30,000 cozons.
I slowly bowed deeply.
“Please… Hire me in this castle. I beg you.”
“Hey hey.”
“Please…”
Suddenly, laughter echoed.
It was Meel’s voice.
“Duke Zaus. She’s clever. She’s offering to buy the disadvantages you hate with 30,000 cozons. So now, there are no disadvantages left. Only merits remain.”
“Hey now…”
Uh…
I had to speak from the heart now.
“I-I’m sorry for being cheeky. But I… I really want to work under you, Duke Zaus.”
Meel encouraged me with a nod.
“Duke Zaus.”
“Geez… Alright, I’ll hire you.”
Yes! I did it!!
“Thank you so much!”
“But, I can’t accept this money.”
“Huh? But…”
“Hey hey. Don’t get it twisted. This is payment for your achievements.”
“Huh? A-Achievements??”
“If you hadn’t come here, I would’ve lost track of when to stop training. What do you think would’ve happened if you hadn’t come here?”
“I… I don’t know.”
“Listen closely.”
Huh? Listen?
And then, I heard voices coming from underground.
“Oh, Duke Zaus. Please don’t overexert yourself, Goboo~”
“May Duke Zaus’s body not break down, Landoo”
“Oh, Duke Zaus. Please take a break, Hapi~”
“May Duke Zaus not tire out, Liza~”
“Until Duke Zaus takes a break, Ode won’t eat, Buu”
W-What is this?
Could this be… the ‘Worrying About Duke Zaus Club’ that Meel mentioned earlier?
“If things had continued like this, the Worrying About Duke Zaus Club would’ve grown, and these voices would’ve filled the castle. You prevented that. So, as compensation for that achievement, please accept this money.”
Uh… That’s not… something that can be fixed with a single word from Duke Zaus.
Even a sixteen-year-old like me can see that this is sophistry.
A gentle lie to avoid taking money from me.
Ah, I really love him from the bottom of my heart.
“Duke Zausssss!”
“Oops…”
Before I knew it, my body moved on its own.
I just went for it and hugged him.
“I… I’ll work hard.”
“Ah… But…”
“I understand. If things seem dangerous, I’ll retreat immediately. I won’t push myself.”
“Alright.”
Hehehe.
Ah, I feel so calm when embraced by him.
All my anxiety just vanished in an instant.
Now I feel so refreshed.
Ah, such a nice scent…
“Hey, Duke Zaus.”
“What is it?”
“This 30,000 cozons is my money, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then, please sell me the towel you used to wipe your sweat for 30,000 cozons.”
“Why would I do that?”