The 25th Day of the Wind month. I was sitting at my desk in my room, responding to the letters Neun-san had sent me.
Anima handles a lot of my letters, but they are only from the people I don’t know, and the letters sent by Neun-san and Chris-san directly go to my hand.
Neun-san is especially corresponding, as we frequently exchange letters with each other quite a bit.
The contents of the letters are basically uneventful, and this time, written in beautiful handwriting was about how Raz-san was in a very good mood and how they are a seasonal dish.
As I was lightly reading over the letter and writing my response, there was a knock on the door of my room, and Eta and Theta came in.
[Master. We have come to take care of the laundry.]
[Thanks, then, get the clothes over there……]
The red-haired twin Demons who were once Megiddo-san’s subordinates…… Eta and Theta are currently working tirelessly as maids in the mansion.
Although they are twins, they still seem to have different personalities and specialties, and are in charge of different jobs.
Eta, with her long hair in a ponytail, I don’t know if I could describe her as someone with a knight-like personality or not, but I can say that she’s a diligent and capable woman. She was mainly doing the laundry and cleaning, and she’s also the one who washes the clothes I usually wear.
[Master, I’ve brought you a cup of tea…… desu]
[Thanks, Theta.]
With her hair cut short and a stature that is a bit shorter than Eta, Theta has a quiet and calm personality. She isn’t very good at using honorifics, but she has a characteristic way of speaking of adding “desu” at the end of her words after a brief delay.
She seems to be mainly doing jobs related to cooking, and she always brings me tea and sweets at just the right time, which is very helpful.
As I watch the two of them getting used to life here in the mansion, I suddenly remember that I went out with Anima yesterday.
Maybe I just don’t know, but I’m wondering if Eta and Theta are also working too hard…… I’ve just decided to pay attention to those situations, and since they’re both here, I wlll just ask them here.
[……Speaking of which, how are Eta and Theta doing at work? Is there anything that’s troubling you?]
[Thank you for your concern. I don’t have any problems.]
[I’m also fine…… desu.]
[I see, but in addition to working at the mansion, you’re also doing some training, right? Don’t push yourself too hard, okay?]
As far as the two of them are concerned, I can’t read any feelings of impatience in them unlike Anima.
It’s true that these two originally said they would serve me as maids rather than guards, and since the two of them are pulling themselves together, they may be sorting that out well.
[Yes! Thank you. However, in order to protect Master when the time comes, I will continue to polish up my battle skills.]
Eta, with a somewhat happy expression on her face after hearing my words, straightens her back and replies. Just when I thought that she really seemed to have no worries, I heard some disturbing words.
[……In times of need, it is my role to “protect” Master…… Protecting is impossible for Eta.]
[……What are you trying to say…… Theta.]
[……Eta…… have muscles for brains…… You just swing your spear and plunge to enemies…… I will protect Master.]
[……Hoohhh…… Now you said it…… You’re just a dull turtle, relying on defense while hiding behind your shield…… You think you can protect Master just by shrinking inside your shell?]
[……Wait, you two?]
Eta reacts to the words Theta blurted out, and her eyebrows slightly rose.
And with a return of her own, more words overlap, and somehow, the air between them sharply changed and heavily with each word.
[……You’re just a simple-minded monkey, jumping around, not understanding the importance of defense.]
[It seems that you don’t know that “offense is the best defense”…… However, I don’t really think that’s the kind of thing you can put into action anyway, don’t you think, stupid turtle?]
[………………..]
[………………..]
Is it just my imagination? I feel like there were sparks exploding between the two of them now.
Then, their eyes are set on each other, and they each take out their large spear and large shield from wherever they take them out from.
[……Come outside, Theta. That rotten character of yours, showing disrespect to your sister, I will make sure to punch a hole through it.]
[……Don’t think you’re my older sister just because you were born a little earlier…… If I so desire…… I could crush you like the bug you are.]
[……Oooiiiii.]
Their eyes perfectly set on each other, they began to exchange words with low voices and then, they walked out of the room, completely ignoring me.
Do the two of them not get along? No, don’t they look like they would start punching each other without reservation? Well, it’s pretty clear that the situation had turned troublesome.
Moreover, the reason for their fight is that which one of them is better at protecting me…… How should I say this, that’s a strangely difficult topic they’re talking about.
[……Well, honestly speaking, with me by Kaito-san’s side, I’m enough in terms of offense and defense, so there isn’t any problem~~]
[……Rather than that, why are you just nonchalantly eating my cookies there?]
[It’s to check if you’re being poisoned! If anything happens to Kaito-san, it would be a disaster! Mmmm, crispy and fragrant…… That means it’s dangerous! For Kaito-san’s safety, I’ll have everyth——- Ouch!?]
After having a bit of a silly exchange with Alice, I walked out of the mansion, curious about how the two are doing, and was soon able to find Eta and Theta.
The result of their fight…… It was apparently never settled. How do I know that? That’s because they’re both peacefully sitting in a seiza, side by side, with a lump popping out of their heads.
[Good grief! What the heck are you two doing!!!? Shirking on your duties and fighting a duel, shame on you two! Become aware that each of your actions could stain Master’s honour!!!]
[M- My apologies.]
[……I’m sorry.]
In front of the two of them, Anima was crossing her arms in front of her chest and was angrily scolding them…… Unnn. I could already imagine what happened.
The yard is a bit gouged, so they probably went outside to try to fight each other, and were able to fight in a few rounds.
But that’s when Anima found out, and thus, the both of them got knocked on their heads.
[In the first place, if you want to do that, do it on the training ground! Damaging the garden of the mansion is outrageous!!! You’re not even being conscious of your status as Master’s servant!]
[Uuuu…… Yes.]
[I don’t have any words to say to that…… desu.]
Hmmm. Looking at them like this, I feel like Anima is pretty attached to her position of being the Chief Retinue. I guess it’s partly because she was able to get over something that happened yesterday, but I’m somewhat relieved.
W- Well, putting that aside, it’s going to be a long sermon at this point…… I think it’s a problem that they got into a fight, but I feel thankful to Eta and Theta since they were fighting for my sake, so I’ll give them a little help.
[……Listen here, to begin with, being a follower means……]
[Anima, can you forgive them…… with that already?]
[M- Master!?]
[I think the two of them are properly reflecting already……]
[I- If that’s what Master says……]
When I told her that, Anima quickly backed off.
I’m also responsible for not being able to stop them before this happened, and above all, I’m their master, so I think I should warm them myself and not just leave them to Anima right here.
[Eta, Theta.]
[ [ Y- Yes! ] ]
[I’m really glad that the two of you are trying to protect me. I’m actually really weak, and there are so many things I can’t do, so I’m sure that I will have to rely on the two of you in the future…… However, fighting like this is no good.]
In fact, this time just so happens to be the first time I’ve ever seen Eta and Theta fighting, and from the fact that they’re usually together a lot, I know that they’re good friends.
[Both Eta and Theta have your own qualities in what you’re good at. Eta has your own great qualities, while Theta also had your own, so I hope you’ll respect the other person as well.]
[……Yes. Eta…… I’m sorry. I might be just being jealous of the bright and strong Eta.]
[No, I should be the one who says sorry. Also, please let me take back my previous statement. I should have known your strength better than anyone else. The both of us, we will continue protect Master together.]
[Unnn.]
As I thought, they seem to be good friends, and they each admitted their mistakes, apologized, firmly shook each other’s hand and reconciled with each other,
With this, the situation ends……
[Well, I’ll be repeating myself, but just I, myself is enough——- Fugyaaahhh!?]
[You, come with me for a sec.]
[Ehh? Ah, wait, Kaito-san, why are your eyes set on——- Gyaaahhhh!?]
Dear Mom, Dad——— Eta and Tetha, the twins that are different from each other, are people that are also already indispensable to me. Well, putting that aside, I’ve vanquished the evil that only likes to make fun of others, so I’ll say this again——– The situation has been peacefully settled.
<Afterword>
As some of you may have noticed, this story is based on an 8-panel manga of Eta and Theta that my sister drew in the Activity Report, and I’ve arranged it.
T/N: 3/146