"Hmm, if you clean with a grateful heart, it will be much better."
"Grateful? Heart?" Iruma was a little confused.
"For example, a game console, 'Thank you for always letting me play games.'"
Iruma repeated after him, "'Thank you for always letting me play games.'"
"'I will only play games for an hour.'"
"Games… Huh? Only play for an hour… really?"
In the laundry room,
"Shirts are over here, pants and underwear are over here. Napkins and handkerchiefs are hand-washed. Detergents from the right are for outerwear, underwear, hand-washing, and stubborn stains," Opera-san introduced to the two, who curiously observed their surroundings and remembered what Opera-san had just said. Lord Shesi and Iruma had been to many rooms since coming to this house, but this was indeed their first time in a place like this.
"There are so many types, it's amazing," Iruma exclaimed.
"Especially Lord Sullivan's clothes; they need delicate handling, as they are all high-end goods… probably costing this much…" Opera-san gestured a number.
"500,000?" Lord Shesi couldn't help but ask in surprise.
Opera-san nodded.
…"As for bedding, it's washed by stomping on it… Incidentally, I like this method the most," Opera-san said, then jumped and stomped, splashing a large amount of water.
Lord Shesi and Iruma stared at Opera-san's ears.
"Hmm… the frequency of movement is very high. Indeed, it seems Opera-san really likes this method."
Next was the document wiping team, and key patrols. Incidentally, Lord Sullivan's castle didn't only have Opera-san; there were also some imps who helped with patrols or acted as surveillance. Among them, Jager-san, whom Lord Shesi brought, had successfully been promoted to imp butler, wearing a suit. He even bowed to Lord Shesi and Iruma.
Lord Shesi, seeing this, greeted him, "Not bad, little Jager." Lord Shesi smiled at Jager.
Jager: "Jager, Jager (It's work hours now, please address me by my title, thank you)."
Lord Shesi's forehead twitched.
The next item was preparing meals. Iruma was tied up and placed aside by Lord Shesi and Opera-san.
"This is not something you can participate in," Lord Shesi said to Iruma as he began to assist Opera-san.
"Alright…"
Opera-san began to introduce.
"Lord Sullivan doesn't like demon eggplant, so we need to mix it in without him noticing."
"Hmm… if we were to…"
Opera-san couldn't help but nod at the suggestion.
"Good idea, as expected of Lord Shesi."
Lord Shesi waved his hand at the compliment.
"No, these are all human world methods. They also have similar ingredients and dishes there," Lord Shesi explained.
"Is that so? I'm a bit… curious about their cuisine," Opera-san said, stroking his chin with his eyes gleaming.
Lord Shesi heard this.
"I will tell Opera-san all the dishes I know."
"Really? That's wonderful! We'll talk about that later… First, let's discuss table manners. Utensils are always used from the outermost one, so the arrangement is like this. Napkins are on the left, plates are 6 centimeters apart, and cups are only two centimeters apart. Table manners are very important in public interactions, so remember them well. Many demons among nobles create their own exclusive tableware and cherish them as treasures. When I used to argue with Lord Sullivan, I would intentionally hide his fork."
Lord Shesi, Iruma:???
"Uh… you don't need to remember that; it was just a side note."
In the backyard,
"Hmm, it seems they're all ripe. They matured very quickly," Lord Shesi said in surprise.
Opera-san explained,
"Because they were fertilized with Meep-Meep Cow manure and accelerated with magic."
"Is that how it is?"
"Yes, if you only use magic to ripen them, not only will the vegetables not taste good, but it will also greatly damage the soil. However, if there's a fertilizer supply, there's no problem at all."
"So, are we going to pick the ripe vegetables?" Iruma said eagerly.
"No, let's do that next time. Since we have the rare opportunity, let's sit here and enjoy some freshly picked vegetable salad and have some black tea to rest."
The three sat in the backyard, sipping tea and gazing at the blue sky. It must be said that an unpolluted sky truly looks beautiful.
"The workload of a servant is very heavy… Opera-san works diligently every day."
"Lord Shesi and Lord Iruma learn very quickly and have helped me a lot."
"…By trying the work, I can feel that Opera-san is very serious and dedicated to all of this," Lord Shesi said, looking at the black tea in his hand.
"Indeed, realizing this, Opera-san protects our lives like this every day," Iruma also sighed.
Opera-san heard this.
"…In the Demon World, beings like me who serve demons are called SDs. Our duty is to protect and support everything about our master, not to mention his name, reputation, grandeur, and appearance. No matter what the daily task is… it cannot be handled carelessly."
Iruma listened to Opera-san's words.
"He really—really values Grandpa… But we are family after all," Iruma said with a smile.
Opera-san paused at this.
"This feeling is affection, loyalty, and reliance…"
Lord Shesi and Iruma both paused at this.
"Reliance?"
"Lord Shesi and Lord Iruma have also felt it since coming to the Demon World, this Demon World where emotions for others are extremely weak… He taught me what 'service' truly means. To dedicate everything, even to the last drop of blood. That master will surely respond to that and beyond. Trust, trust, and firmly believe to the end. The reliance called 'expectation' is the essence of service… I always serve Lord Sullivan with this mindset… I hope one day to serve both of you with the same mindset."
After Opera-san finished speaking, he suddenly knelt on one knee before Lord Shesi and Iruma.
"Earlier, I once said that to stay in the Demon World, one must have the corresponding resolve. I wonder if both of you still remember, especially Lord Iruma… In the future, if you are to live as a demon of the Sullivan family, you will probably be forced into many difficult and involuntary situations and predicaments. If that is the case, and you still choose to stay here… can I have 'expectations' for both of you?"
Just as Lord Shesi was a little at a loss, he placed his black tea on the table.
"Opera-san, perhaps I am not qualified to say this on Grandpa's behalf, but in my opinion, your relationship with Grandpa has long surpassed what is called 'SD.' As for your 'expectations' for me and my brother, I can tell you clearly that many years from now… perhaps not even many years, when you recall this matter again, you will only feel that your words were a bit redundant."
Next to him, Iruma also nodded earnestly, listening to his brother's words.
"That's right, Opera-san! We will work hard to make you feel that what you said was redundant!" Iruma looked at Opera-san with determined eyes.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/Rexlent
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"