Chapter 1908 – 1908. Dark Moon
“The council owes me for the hospital matter. They’ll grant me this much without a fuss. Are you not interested in a baronetcy?”
“I am interested.”
“Good. The fools keep their distance just because they’re quasi-nobles. They know nothing of what it means to be a noble in this city.”
Quasi-nobles are just for show.
They’re there to make the real nobles shine. But they’re attractive in that they can meet the main players. It’s only natural that quasi-nobles receive a certain level of treatment.
“Are you sure there won’t be any repercussions?”
“I’ll stake my name on it. However, from the moment you step into noble society, you must uphold your duties.”
Isn’t there a famous saying related to nobles?
Noblesse oblige.
Of course, the duties given to a quasi-noble weren’t much. It would be absurd to throw away an opportunity just because of some measly duties.
“Do we have a deal?”
“We do.”
I couldn’t let this unexpected stroke of luck pass me by. Just obtaining a baronetcy would make everything I do in the future much easier.
“I like your straightforwardness.”
Arpon smiled, seemingly pleased. He looked at his refilled teacup and asked,
“Cherry blossom petal tea from the Spirit Realm…. It stimulates the vanity. Both the taste and aroma are top-notch, so it’ll be profitable. Do you have any plans to sell it? I’ll be the first to buy it. I’ll even pay a premium.”
“I do have plans to sell it, but the cherry tree is still under research, so it’s hard to produce in large quantities.”
“I see. So the research isn’t complete yet? Contact me when you’re ready to sell.”
Then he continued,
“It seems you haven’t been able to bloom the maple and lilac flowers.”
“…Yes. That’s right. The cherry tree reacted to my mana, but those two trees didn’t react at all.”
“It’s a Spirit Realm creature. It’s only natural that it’s unusual. Do you have any plans to sell the maple tree to me as well?”
“Do you need it?”
“Do you know what’s more important than money in noble society? Rare and special items. Spirit Realm trees are something that can’t be easily obtained even with money. Just possessing them can make the fools jealous. They have enough value as collectibles.”
“I doubt that’s the only reason.”
“You’re quick-witted. Since we’ve made a deal, I’ll tell you. The Spirit Realm lilac tree has healing properties. If you place a Spirit Realm lilac tree in the lobby of a VIP-only hospital, it can provide a slight healing effect. The maple tree has fire-related effects. My grandson was born with the fire attribute. I’m planning to give it to him as a gift this time. It’ll help him grow.”
I pondered slowly.
The maple and lilac trees didn’t react to me. They might react in the future, but… would they be worth as much as rejecting the deal with Baron Arpon?
“I’ll trade the maple tree as well.”
“Good. Do you want money?”
“Could you give me something else?”
I avoided making the first offer.
“…Hmm.”
Baron Arpon took a sip of the newly refilled cherry blossom tea and looked around.
“Your house is small.”
“…Yes. I got this house when I first came to Neo London. It’s been almost a year.”
“To receive a baronetcy in just a year. You have great talent and luck.”
“Thank you.”
“But your house is terrible. There’s an old mansion in the G district. It was my grandfather’s house, but it’s been empty since he passed away three years ago. I was planning to sell it when the real estate prices went up… I’ll give it to you as payment for the maple tree.”
The G district. It’s a rich neighborhood. Though, it’s a somewhat old rich neighborhood. It’s where lower nobles, quasi-nobles, and some knights reside. It was incomparably better than this S district.
“Are you not satisfied?”
“No, I am satisfied. I heard that the mansion there is worth at least 1 billion credits.”
“Even if you’re a quasi-noble, you’re still a noble. You should live in a house that suits you. If you live in a commoner’s house like this, you’ll be looked down upon in noble society.”
“Yes. Thanks to you, I won’t be looked down upon for my living situation. Yuria. Go to the workshop and bring the maple and lilac trees.”
“Yes, Master.”
Yuria calmly went down to the underground workshop. Watching her, Baron Arpon was slightly impressed.
“She has an air of elegance. If she were wearing a dress instead of a maid uniform, I would have mistaken her for a noble. What are her qualifications?”
“…She hasn’t entered the Maid Academy yet.”
“Is that so?”
The interest in Baron Arpon’s eyes vanished in an instant. Just because she didn’t have a certificate.
“Let me give you a piece of advice. Unless they’re for entertaining guests, don’t hire just anyone as your employee. Those who hire employees based on looks alone only get ridiculed.”
“She’s an excellent maid.”
“If she were truly excellent, she would have a triple or higher qualification grade.”
“……What are the grades of your employees, Baron? I’m suddenly curious.”
“Each of them is triple. It’s not easy to find those who are Flower or higher, as they don’t work just for money.”
“I’m not very familiar with that, but what’s the difference between triple and Flower?”
“Nobles can’t ignore Flower. The employee certificate itself is issued by the royal family, and the Flower grade is considered a talent recognized by the royal family…. Those who are Flower or higher are talents that high-ranking nobles covet.”
Soon, Yuria came back with preservation capsules in both hands. Inside the capsules were the maple and lilac tree saplings.
“Let’s have them checked.”
At Baron Arpon’s words, his butler stepped forward. He opened the capsules and checked the saplings. He brought his face close and smelled them.
“They are indeed Spirit Realm trees. I guarantee it in the name of the Druids.”
“Take them.”
Baron Arpon was about to get up from his seat. Before he could, I asked a question.
“How much do you know about Spirit Realm trees?”
“Are you asking me instead of having a mage investigate it yourself?”
“I don’t have a preference for taking the long way around when there’s a shortcut.”
Instead of speaking himself, Baron Arpon looked at his butler. The Druid butler quietly opened his mouth.
“Spirit Realm tree saplings are affected by their owner. If this were the Spirit Realm, they would grow well without much care, but this isn’t the Spirit Realm. If the cherry tree bloomed, it means that your mental wavelength and the cherry tree are somewhat compatible. To be recognized as the owner of the cherry tree, you must engage in mental communion often.”
“What changes if I’m recognized?”
“It will change. It will probably grow faster than you can imagine. However, since it’s affected by you, I can’t guarantee exactly how it will grow. Ah, be careful not to be consumed by it during mental communion.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome.”
They left.
And Yuria and I made a decision.
• • •
There are two recognized employee academies in Neo London.
The Maid Academy and the Butler Academy. They’re divided into two, but there’s not much difference in the curriculum. It’s just the difference between a boys’ school and a girls’ school.
The owners of these two academies are the royal family of Neo London. The royal family doesn’t have absolute power. The Round Table Council governs Neo London. Still, since it has the name of the royal family, its authority is the highest in Neo London.
Yuria and I have now come to the Maid Academy in the C district.
The Maid Academy was a large castle. The walls were high, and the main gate was very large. There was a large bell on top of the castle, which gave it a feeling of a convent.
‘There are maids everywhere.’
Today is the entrance ceremony for the Maid Academy. They say they’ve filtered through the applicants through document reviews and interviews, but still, over 300 maids were selected as new students. Of course, not all of those who enter the academy graduate.
If they break the rules of the Maid Academy or fail their courses, they’re immediately expelled.
‘I heard the rules are stricter than the military. It seems like it would be that way. Visits are only allowed once a month.’
Going out is, of course, impossible.
They receive education from morning to afternoon. The tuition is also enormous. But if they graduate, their lives are set.
Yuria and I walked around the area before the entrance ceremony began. Since it was the C district, where large corporations and national institutions were located, the security was perfect, and there were many things to see.
“Yuria. You’ll be able to graduate from the academy without any difficulty. After you graduate from the academy….”
“As I’ve said before, my master is only one person. Even if you cast me out, I will serve you.”
“Would I ever cast you out? I’m just grateful that you’re my maid. I’ll definitely come to visit.”
Since we’re in the same city, I can visit anytime if I make time.
“We will now begin the entrance ceremony!”
A magically amplified voice boomed. Soon, people began to gather at the entrance ceremony hall. I watched the entrance ceremony from the back. The new students, wearing different maid uniforms, looked at the headmistress on the platform with nervous faces.
The headmistress was also wearing a maid uniform. She was a middle-aged woman with graying hair, but because of her straight posture and unwavering eyes, she gave off the feeling of an iron lady.
‘I heard she was a royal-level maid who worked for the royal family.’
Maria Hilton. An individual who officially reached level 7. In other words, she was a superhuman.
‘I can’t even gauge how deep the bottom is. What’s certain is that if I fought her now, I would lose 100%.’
Besides her, the faculty of the Maid Academy were all skilled individuals.
I scratched the back of my head and looked around. Most of them were the families of the new students, but some were quasi-nobles like me.
They were the ones sponsoring the new students. Of course, the sponsorship wasn’t without a price. In exchange for the sponsorship, they would work for them for several years after graduation. They must have made such a contract.
The entrance ceremony ended with the headmistress’s boring speech.
“The entrance ceremony is over. Guests, please exit.”
People left, guided by the maids. Before leaving, I waved to Yuria. Yuria also smiled and waved back at me.
This place felt more like a military base than a school. Knowing how dreadful the military is, I waved even harder at Yuria.
‘Poor Yuria. She’s going to have a hard time.’
Though she doesn’t have a dick.
‘Then is it a pussy-grind?’
