Volume 4 Chapter 69: Konoha【Final Volume: Balor and Nanashi Arc】

The Apophis family currently employs five maids.

A perfect maid of another race with numerous exceptional abilities, Ashvin.

A 【Cursed Child】 and an unbelievably outrageous, easily controlled meat-shield maid, Izun.

A bona fide criminal—a cat beastman maid assassin—Artemis.

The grain-crushing maid, Nanashi.

“I feel like I just received an incredibly bizarre evaluation”

“Maybe she’s a psychic?” Nanashi stares intently at me, as if protesting.

But too bad. It’s a fair evaluation.

These are the maids who are basically always on duty.

Well, as maids they naturally work every day, yet the Apophis family has one exception—a reclusive maid.

That one last maid is…

“Long time no see, Balor-chan. You doing well?”

A woman with a sinister smile.

Her name is Konoha.

First, what catches the eye is her messy hair.

That green hair grows freely and naturally, almost like a plant.

Her green eyes are glazed and melting, unsettling anyone who looks into them.

Nanashi too—how can eyes alone be so oppressive?

It’s frightening.

Her apron dress is the long-skirted type.

However, it clearly lacks cleanliness and is stained in places.

Frankly, her appearance as a maid is fatally subpar.

There’s no way she’d be allowed to entertain guests or even serve as a guide in this condition.

She’d be fired. Absolutely fired.

At the very least, if Nanashi ever showed up like this, I wouldn’t hesitate to fire her.

And yet, Konoha isn’t fired.

Because she’s scary.

“Lately, I’ve just been pretty thoroughly beaten up by assassins”

“Wow, that’s wonderful”

Huh? What’s wonderful?

At Konoha’s glaring, unsettling smile, I shudder.

More than anger, it’s fear.

What the hell is with her?

Not only is her appearance off, but her inner self is messed up too.

That’s exactly why I tolerated her reclusiveness.

If it were only her looks and personality that were off, that’d be one thing, but somehow…I feel like she’s after me.

Of course, in the sense of trying to take my life.

Her level of danger surpasses even Nanashi, who openly admits to embezzling funds.

Damn it! I should’ve never hired her!

…Or rather, huh?

How did I even end up making Konoha a maid?

I can recall the details for Ashvin, Izun, and Artemis, but Konoha…huh?

“By the way, what’s going on? It’s rare to see you out and about”

I ask, as my head nearly feels like it’s about to explode from overthinking.

Why did you come out on your own?

Stay quietly confined.

“I’ve been wanting to see your face, Balor-chan, for a long time”

Konoha beams at me with that unsettling, glaring smile.

Hmmm, even with that smile, all I feel is terror.

Oh, I see.

Well then, since you’ve accomplished your goal, get back quickly, please.

“Also, Ashvin dragged me out here. She said, ‘Get out properly and do your job as a maid of the Apophis family.'”

What a pain in the ass, saying unnecessary things!

You’re the reason a recluse like you ended up coming out!

I explode with anger at Ashvin.

I mean, as a maid, she has to work, right?

That’s true, and Ashvin’s judgment is correct. But Konoha is different.

“I’ve prepared a lot too, so don’t worry, Balor-chan.”

“What? Preparation?”

Hearing the word “preparation” brings me no joy—in fact, it’s downright frightening.

“What kind of preparation?” I ask timidly, and Konoha breaks into a beaming smile.

“Let’s go out and play together.”

Yikes.

I instinctively reach out and grasp Nanashi’s slender arm.

“You’re impressive in not hesitating to grab my arm, Master. Please let go quickly.”

I don’t want to…

◆

“Hmmm, mm, mmmm…”

While happily humming, Konoha walks ahead of us.

All we see from behind is her unkempt green hair swaying with each step.

And we, forced to follow, feel like slaves being dragged along—the weight of each step is immense.

Stop that dissonant humming already, Nanashi.

“Isn’t it a wonderful song? I want to listen to it forever, so I won’t stop.”

“Your eyes are dead, Nanashi-san.”

No, her eyes are pitch-black, so they were dead to begin with.

Tell me the truth—if you admit you’re afraid she’ll target you, I’ll let it slide.

“I’m scared.”

Alright! …What’s so great about that?

“By the way, what is this time? Is it some kind of ordeal?”

Nanashi is referring to the fact that we are being led around.

Being dragged by a frightening person without knowing our destination is nothing but pure stress.

That said, I can’t be bothered to answer—after all, Konoha took us out and hasn’t even mentioned the destination.

“Ah, Balor-chan.”

“Huh?”

Konoha turns around, her unkempt green hair swirling.

Is she finally going to tell us the destination?

“Could you stop there for a moment?”

“Huh? I guess that’s fine, though…”

We move as directed by Konoha.

Being ordered around by someone else is stressful, but I don’t want to anger her.

Under her green gaze, I stiffen.

And then 10 seconds, 20 seconds pass…

…No, seriously, what the hell is this—

Just as I was about to ask that, CRASH!

A potted plant crashes right in front of me.

――――――

I am rendered speechless, my eyes rolling back.

J-just now, a whoosh of wind…

If I had been even a step ahead, would that have struck my head?

Death.

A vivid image of death floods my mind.

“S-sorry! Are you injured!?”

“O-of course, I’m totally fine,” replies a servant hurriedly from above.

I answer with a grimace, though inwardly I’m far from fine.

A-are you out to kill me!?

If you lose me, the world would suffer a tremendous loss!

This carelessness won’t go unpunished. Execution, execution!

“Eheheh.”

That Konoha—she’s laughing…!

Even though I nearly died, she’s grinning from ear to ear.

I suddenly realize.

Ah, I see.

This one is…

“I’m so glad you’re safe, Balor-chan.”

She’s trying to kill me…!