Volume 3 Chapter 2 The Useless Dog Maid, The Day Off
It was the day Act took Frederica back from Transcendent Amou.
'Finally, on the surface...'
Act led Frederica out of the Dungeon.
A dazzling light shone upon her.
'......'
Frederica stood still, simply confused.
The sunlight was too intense.
'What's wrong?'
'...It's too bright.'
She was an existence created by Amou's hand.
She had never once left the underground for the surface.
She knew of the existence of sunlight in knowledge.
But for her, who had never felt it, this world was too dazzling.
'......'
Frederica took a step forward.
Could she, a resident of the underground, really survive in such a bright world?
Frederica was still at the entrance of the Dungeon.
Beyond here was an unknown world spreading out.
Once she took a step forward, there would be no turning back.
'What are you hesitating for?'
Act looked at Frederica and spoke.
'...I'm scared to go to that side. I wonder if I can do it.'
The master sighed and took her hand.
'Ah...'
"If you're afraid of the light, stay behind me. I'll walk in front. And you support my back. How about that?"
"Master..."
Frederica stared at Act's hand.
His hand was... so warm, and in this bright world, it was very reassuring.
"Thank you. I will follow half a step behind you for the rest of my life, and support you."
After a moment of hesitation, Act walked off without a word.
Yes, he walked in front, and she followed behind.
For Frederica, that sense of distance felt the best.
...Now, the outside world wasn't so scary.
Because Act was walking in front of her.
"Frederica. Let's eat first. What would you like?"
"I will have anything, please decide for me, Master."
"Since it's my first time out, you decide."
"No..."
Frederica shakes her head, swaying it back and forth.
"There's nothing for me, so I'll leave it to you, Master."
"I see..."
Act seemed like he wanted to say something.
But he didn't mention anything more.
---
Time passed, and Frederica still served as Act's maid.
One morning.
As usual, Frederica woke up and took a shower.
Dressed sharply in her maid outfit, she went to join the other servants.
"Huh? Is that you, Frederica?"
The head chef's daughter was preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
"Good morning!"
"Good morning! Wait, weren't you off today, Frederica?"
Act made sure all the staff took their proper days off.
They had a schedule with 2 days off each week.
"Yes, but I have nothing special to do, so I'll help out."
"Oh, thanks!"
Frederica peeled potatoes with the girl.
"You were off yesterday, what did you do?"
The head chef's daughter and her mother had the day off yesterday.
"Well, I went to the Royal Capital theater with my mom! The play with Hero Sir Lawrence was amazing!"
She seemed really excited, talking animatedly about the play.
"You should see it too! It's really interesting right now!"
But Frederica shook her head.
"I'll pass."
"Aww, then what are you doing today?"
"Nothing special. Just taking care of the Master as usual."
The head chef's daughter tilted her head.
"But it's your day off?"
"Yes. Is there something wrong with that?"
Her mission was to support her Master, Act.
Days off or weekdays didn't matter.
"That's strange. It's your day off, right? You need to rest!"
"I don't need a break."
"But... you should relax a little."
"Working for my Master is when I feel most at peace."
"I-I see..."
The head chef's daughter murmured softly.
"...that's sad."
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"Huh!? No, it's nothing!"
Then, it happened.
"Ah! Sir Act!"
The girl quickly notices Act and rushes over.
"Good morning!"
"Ah, good morning. It's a bit early, but tell your mother to make me breakfast."
"Got it!"
With a little pat, the girl runs off.
Frederica stands up and bows in front of her master.
"Good morning. I'm sorry I couldn't wake you."
"...You're off duty. What are you doing?"
"...? Master, why are you angry?"
Act is usually calm and collected.
He doesn't show much emotion, and his feelings are hard to read.
Frederica has been with him for a long time, so she can sense even the slightest change in his mood.
Rarely, Act seems upset and angry.
"Take the day off. That's an order."
"An order..."
A master's command is absolute.
But even when told to rest, she has no idea what to do.
Confused for a moment.
Huh... Act sighs as if giving up.
"...Fine. Do as you like."
With a sigh of relief, Frederica feels happy.
Good, now she could serve Act.
"Well then, I'll prepare breakfast. Please wait for a bit in the dining room."
"...Ah."
Act seems to be deep in thought, which is unusual.
What is he worried about?
Frederica ponders as she walks away from her master.
"Is it about how to get rid of a strong enemy?"
Recently, a troublesome foe called Evil God has appeared.
He's probably thinking about that.
Yes, that must be it.
"Frederica."
"Yes?"
She stops and looks at him.
"If I told you to die, what would you do?"
"? I would die, of course."
It was an immediate answer.
If ordered to die, she would gladly offer her neck.
"Then let me change the question. If I died, what would you do?"
At that, she freezes again.
Act, thinking about his beloved master dying...?
"...I've never thought about it."
If told to die, she would die.
That's because it's an order.
But what will happen after Act dies?
Will she just follow and die too?
But the master hasn't ordered her to die... ?
Frederica froze.
She was asked a question she never thought about, so she couldn't find an answer.
"I see. I understand well."
Act quietly had a look as if he made a decision.
"Frederica. I have something to tell you. Come to my room later."
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