Campione! - Volume 18 - Chapter 9.4

Part 4 

Dejanstahl Voban would gradually grow bigoted and obstinate as his appearance aged in time. However, back in the nineteenth century, he still kept relations with a few friends, sometimes putting aside his solemnity as a Devil King to display a playful mindset.  

Sure enough, he was still quite young at the moment.  

That being said, there were many things about the future Voban that had never changed from the start.  

One of them being how his residences were built. With a penchant for changing his address on whim, he already had five temporary abodes within the city of London alone.  

Among them, the mansion at his current location could be considered his most prestigious lair.  

The address was Hampstead Heath. Located north of London's city center, the Hampstead area was a vast heathland.  

Despite neighboring a large industrial city, this piece of land was filled with lush greenery and rural beauty.  

Scattered across this vast and undeveloped wilderness were forests and lakes. 

Voban's temporary abode was constructed on a small hill overlooking the area.  

It was a mansion that was not only gigantic but even excessively stately.  

The exterior walls were painted a refreshing base color of white and looked quite striking even from afar. This mansion was apparently designed by a famous Scottish architect.  

However, it was not actually Voban's property.  

It belonged to a certain lineage of Counts. Two years ago, when Voban had become acquainted with the current owner by chance and requested "prepare me a residence," the Count had reverently handed the mansion over to him.  

And then, it was noon, several days after the duel with Sir Brennan.  

As the master of the house, Voban was sitting on a chair in the library.  

Originally an orphan who did not even know the alphabet, during past century and a half or so, he had already memorized many country's languages by ear. Right now, he had no problems at all whether reading or writing. However, Voban did not particularly love the books collected on the shelves.  

Still, he did not dislike the unique atmosphere hanging in the library.  

He would read some travelogues or mathematics books on occasion. Perhaps uninterested, he never touched novels recording other people's fictional delusions or literature related to magic.  

However, the former was perhaps an interest on whim. Books in the latter category were completely worthless in Voban's view.  

"I remember Gerard mentioning that it is an artifact related to some oriental war god."  

The divine artifact from that night—the three-pronged vajra—was kept on a table in the library.  

In addition, next to the wall were three magi on standby, known as "the king's advisers."  

"Who can explain for me?"  

'...Vajrabhairava. A guardian god of the Buddist faith. Slaughterer of asuras and a war god of steel at the same time. Features a buffalo's head, three eyes, nine faces and thirty-four arms. His name means the terrifying god of vajra. Written in kanji, his name is given as Daiitokumyouou...'  

"I see."  

Hearing one of the three magi answer, Voban muttered.  "So that man was completely unworthy of the artifact huh?"  

Sir Brennan was quite competent in his own right.  

Nevertheless, he could not compare to Voban's three advisers at all. They were renowned far and wide as elite magi back when they were still alive.  

All three had pallid faces and dilated pupils. Their expressions were also hollow and listless.  

Literally faces of the dead. Furthermore, there was no uniformity in their attire.  

One was dressed as a gentleman like Voban. Another was wearing a gray robe, slightly soiled. The last mage had tattered monastic clothing.  

The power to bind the souls of the dead, ghosts, in servitude after killing the victims personally.  

This was an ability stemming from the [Death Ring] authority. Apart from these three, he also kept several other dead magi as a think tank.  

Hence, Voban had absolutely no need for knowledge about magic or books on the subject. All he had to do was ask directly.  

Furthermore, he also allowed the three magi to make use of "their skills from life" to conduct research.  

The former Count and fairy doctor, who had died young, was ordered to research methods to open portals to the Astral Plane freely. The aim was to visit gods and divine beasts living in seclusion in that realm.  

The former authority on astrology and divination with outstanding spirit vision powers was commanded to report on unusual omens regarding Europe's fate, monitoring the movements of celestial bodies continuously.  

Finally, the former abbot well-versed in Gnostic occult knowledge was carrying out secret rites of the highest difficulty, "the summoning of a Heretic God."  Even among the dead servants, these three magi stood out as special talents.  

Thus, while Voban had them gathered in the library...  

"I've brought lunch over, master~"  

There was a knock at the door.  

An adorable voice called out from behind the door. However, Voban ignored it.  

He had clearly informed the servants in advance "to enter freely if doors were not locked." Rather than waste time on such meaningless exchanges, this would be far more reasonable.  

Just as the door was opened casually as always, the maid entered.  

Pushing a catering trolley, she brought a tea set and a plate of sandwiches.  

Voban had no interest in going out of his way to the unnecessarily huge dining hall for daily meals. Instead, he had the servants deliver appropriate food to wherever he was at the time, to eat swiftly with expediency. This was more than enough.  

Had he the wish, Voban could eat whatever he wanted.  

However, he had no desire to become a gourmet at all. He even thought it was an utterly pointless hobby.  

"Oh dear?"  

The young maid widened her eyes. Her gaze was directed towards the three dead magi standing there.  

Not allowed to lose composure no matter what was seen inside the mansion. Not allowed to ask. Not allowed to spread gossip outside. Fulfill your own duties. Voban had already ordered his butler to pass these rules clearly to all servants.  

Furthermore, he had also mandated that only people who could carry out orders impeccably would be hired.  

So long as they were able to do it, they would be hired regardless of origin. 

However, those who failed to adhere to the rules would be fired on the spot. Those who knew too much would be "disposed of"...  

"Oh my oh my, well well."  

The olive-skinned maid was murmuring unintelligibly.  

She was displaying intense curiosity and kept staring at the three magi next to the wall.  

Then while looking around, she placed the plate of sandwiches onto the table in the library and poured black tea from the pot to a cup.   

What truly nimble motions—As if.  

The tea spilled from the teacup and the tray, overflowing to the table it was resting on.  

This was only natural, because the olive-skinned maid was tilting the pot with her hand trembling the whole time.  

Voban frowned and swiftly picked up the three-pronged vajra.  

Although the spilled black tea would not damage it, he felt displeased to see it get wet from the ostensibly Indian maid's carelessness.  

Meanwhile, the maid finally noticed her blunder. Frantically, she placed the pot back on the table.  

"I-I am terribly sorry. It was an accident!"  

"......"  

"I do make these kinds of blunders from time to time. But please rest assured, master~ Despite how I may look, I am actually quite experienced in a maid's work!"  

"......"  

"Actually, before I was hired here, I happened to become acquainted with this house's butler by chance. It was while chatting that you came up in conversation, master."  

"......"  

"He said his master was not easy to serve and that it was troubling that hired servants were rapidly fired. A severe shortage in manpower right now~ What a conundrum."  

"......"  

"So I said to him. 'In that case, please hire humble little Aisha here! After all, I can start working straight away!'"  

Puffing her chest out proudly, the young maid recounted cheerfully.  

In contrast to her claims of experience, she was rather young. Probably sixteen or seventeen in age.  

As a side note, while she was prattling on her own, Voban kept scowling in displeasure. However, the girl seemed completely unfazed.  

Was she more courageous than most? A calm personality? Or particularly dense? Perhaps all three.  

"Oh, excuse me, I forgot to mention first. My name is Aisha. It is a pleasure to meet you, master~"  

"......"  

You're fired too. Get out now.  

Voban originally wanted to say it directly, but forcibly swallowed these words.  

A Devil King feared by the people, even capable of slaying gods. That was Dejanstahl Voban.  

For a man of such stature to personally declare the termination of employment, in light of a mere servant's blunder—That would be a bit ludicrous, all things considered. This was a job for butlers and servants.  

Furthermore, ultimately...  

Why was this girl so talkative? During the hiring process, the butler was supposed to explain how terrifying the employer was while concealing the master's identity.  

In addition, the butler was meant to have explained things to pay attention to, such as employees were not allowed to speak to the master unless spoken to, nor make eye contact.  

More importantly, the heavy atmosphere shrouding the entire mansion should have made servants extremely timid.  

However, the girl spoke casually:  

"What's the matter, master?"  

"Nothing..."  

It was quite rare but he did not know what to say.  

Although that Viscount Gerard did not show fear either, he still felt extremely afraid of Voban in the depths of his heart. Voban could tell from his eyes. A wolf's sense of smell could not possibly fail to sniff out the scent of fear.  

Most likely, this girl had mental problems.  

Voban silently shook his head.  

Fine, forget it. He would give orders to the butler later to terminate this girl's employment.  

It would be utterly absurd to keep this oblivious maid, who congenitally lacked the ability to read moods, at his side. Just as Voban was thinking that with a shrug...  

"By the way, the three gentlemen over there... What kind of divine power was used to resurrect them?"  

"!"  

Caught unprepared by the girl's question, Voban could not help but feel dumbstruck.  

However, he did simply muttered "hoh" without expressing surprise.  

"You can tell that it was accomplished through divine power?"  

The last time he conversed with someone like a maid was probably decades ago.  

Unaware that this almost approached a miracle, the olive-skinned maid smiled cheerfully and spoke as though she really had a screw loose.  

"That goes without saying. Whether magic used by humans or miracles caused by divine power, isn't it totally obvious with a single look?"  

"Although I personally agree, there are also many people who would be hard pressed to achieve this sort of 'goes without saying.'"  

Gods and godslayers were mortal enemies since antiquity.  

However, it was extremely difficult to discern a godslayer's hidden authorities and abnormality when in a normal state outside of battle. It was impossible for any mage, no matter how accomplished.  

Conversely, a Heretic God's abnormality was practically visible at at a glance.  

Precisely because of that, there were occasionally people like Sir Brennan who would regard the likes of Voban's as the "Lord of Magi." Not knowing that the Devil King before their eyes possessed power to oppose gods, they overestimated themselves and issued challenges.  

Meanwhile, the young maid smiled cheerfully and said:  

"Is that how it goes? So these three really were summoned by you, master?"  

Confronted with her smiling face, completely lacking in tension, Voban began to think.  

If he were to invoke his authorities above a certain level of power, even the majority of magi would be able to understand how terrifying he was. Sir Brennan a few days ago was a good example. But unbelievably, this maid could tell that Voban was a godslayer from a single glance at the deceased standing in this library—  

What impressive vision. Voban secretly whispered to himself.  

"Although a careless girl with brain problems no matter how you look at her, she is no ordinary person... huh?"  

"E-Excuse me, master, you just said something very rude. Please speak more like a gentleman, master."  

"Quiet. I am currently reconsidering our employment relationship."  

"Huh..."  

Although she did not look like it at all, this girl apparently had a disposition towards magic.  

Did she come to this mansion with ulterior motives? Someone wishing to challenge him to a duel like that Sir Brennan? Or trying to uncover Marquis Voban's secrets?  

I will ask the butler to report on this girl's origins later. Voban nodded.  

To avoid trouble, he ought to throw her out immediately. If anything, a godslayer's instincts would have alerted him of danger.  

Somehow, he felt that this girl was bad news.  

Sooner or later, she would become the trigger for turmoil—He had a vague feeling of this sort.  

However, Voban very simply dismissed these signals of danger.  

As soon as danger appeared, he was going to snuff out the cause immediately.  

There was nothing more matter-of-fact. This was not a choice that the most vicious Devil King, Voban the rare eccentric, must make no matter what. However, games were not fun without danger.  

Since the trigger for turmoil was by his side, playing with her in return would serve as a form of amusement, right?  

...In future days, Dejanstahl Voban would involuntarily click his tongue whenever he reminisced this event, deeply regretting his impulse back then.  

If only he had thrown that girl out straight away—  

However, lofty Devil King he may be, he still could not predict such a future at this time.