Chapter-7

Yuri had always strived to be the perfect maid, she believed a maid of the Great Tomb of Nazarick needs to be a perfect one, no not just the maids she can say for certain that any of the NPCs that call the Tomb their home will have similar thoughts as her, they all strive to be the perfect version of themselves and any of them will sacrifice everything to fulfil the wishes of their 41 Gods. 

That being said, she also understands her pursuit to achieve this immaculate version of herself is more extreme compared to many of the other NPCs and being called out by her sisters for her stringent attitude made her very aware of that. Nonetheless, as she has been given the role of being the eldest sister of the Pleiades maids she has the responsibility to strive for that perfection and she had never once from the faithful moment her creator Yamaiko-sama made her doubt this fact and never will. 

"The Day of Blessing" as the NPCs have named it is the day she and all the other NPCs awoke from their monotonous loyalty, it was also the day she learned that two supreme beings had stayed behind and not abandoned them. She was there with a handful of NPCs to witness this glorious moment, earning her many jealous stares from the ones animatedly talking about the joys they felt at not being abandoned. She, of course, did not bother with such things, focusing only on her role as a maid, no it was not that she felt nothing but it was rather she tried to suppress it, she was not filled with joy and elation, what she felt was sadness and bitterness at herself that she was not enough to make her creature remain with them, this feeling became one of her cause for her relentless fixation on perfection. 

However, at the same time, she like any other NPC wholeheartedly Admires, respects, and possesses Unbending loyalty to the Gods that choose to remain with them instead of ascending to their rightful land. Lord Momonga The Supreme One, The King of Darkness and the one who sits on the head of all the supreme beings And Lord Lemon who was widely known as the White Night King are the two that remain with them, seeing that they were not abandoned many of the NPCs wept tears of elation that day, she too shed tears of happiness. 

 Before "the Day of Blessing" she didn't interact much with both of them thus though presumptuous she did evaluate her two masters. Her first impression of Momonga sama was his all-encompassing majesty, he was the embodiment of sovereignty and his words and thoughts were the divine rights that would bind the world, yet at the same time he epitomizes the saying "the strong need not act and the wise need not say". He always acts prudently, only adding his thoughts when needed. According to Albedo-sama, this is because all their actions were already part of his prediction, such grand thinking was unfathomable to her which increased her awe towards her all-knowing lord, something (she knew) that he would accept with a soft smile. On the other hand, Lemon-sama did not give off that overbearing sense of majesty, no he did possess such aura but she did not feel as if she was forced to stand on ceremony every time they passed each other. She was filled with this sense of incongruity, this contradiction of Lemon, due to this (to her shame) she always tried to avoid him, she felt that if she interacted more with him thoughts of anger and rejection would leak out, why him instead of Yamaiko would bubble fort. 

So when she was tasked by her lord to lead him to the meeting room she heavily contemplated pushing this task to one of her sisters instead, but as someone striving for a perfect maid she thought it was unbecoming of her and proceeded towards his room. Her initial contact with him did nothing to sway her evaluation of him, on the contrary, his procrastinating attitude made her suppressed feelings flair up, this change however when the incident between them occurred, her interaction with him at the storeroom was completely unfathomable to her on a different axis to Momonga's. She was confused, her heart palpitating, and was assaulted with heat completely unknown to her. In her mind Lemon became some sort of anomaly to her, he was always on her mind, her perception of him had not changed but that feeling of resentment did not arise again, instead, a sense of want or loyalty sprouted inside her. She as someone who has lived in innocence from her creation does not understand what this feeling is or even recognize its difference compared to the loyalty he holds for Momonga-sama. But spending time with him, talking to him, observing him, her allusive feelings towards him become more defined, however, an immediate sense of guilt washes over by, she is tormented with guilt for prioritising one master over another and even from her Yamoiko. Her thoughts became more chaotic as she tried to rationalize these feelings, saying "This is something all NPCs feel for their master" or "It only natural that an NPC gives their heart, body and soul to their master", but she could not fool her conscience, she cannot suppress her guilty conscience and the more she spends time with him the prominent feeling grows. Her chaotic mind settles down slowly as she spends more time with him, becoming more intimate with each other till finally it is completely submerged with the feeling of adoration for him, she comes to accept these feelings for him, to prioritise this new loyalty over her old ones. 

Then like a video game boss with multiple heath bars, a new drop of doubt fell over her calm heart "Was she a mere maid allowed to harbour such feelings" This thought struck her like the northern winds, threatening to extinguish her newly found passion. She does know, however regardless of her unsettled thoughts that her body, heart and soul now belong to her only Master: Lord Lemon. 

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Morning in the capital of the Great Baharuth Empire starts early. The birds rush every which way to get the early worm, early shop owners start to set up for the morning shopper, the sounds of drunks being chased out of Night Houses, and the night guards rejoice expressions at the first light of the sun, finally dreaming of their beds as their fresh replacements with groggy form see them off. 

Took you guys long enough. I was seriously starting to think of going to your houses if you guys delayed anymore. (Captain)

A middle-aged man shouted with a playful smile towards the group of recruits that was approaching him, the young group on the other hand were full of unenthusiasm on seeing their captain who was somehow full of vigor despite his night shift. They all scattered swiftly like vampires in the morning. Some went towards the gate to open it for the day, so climbed the watch tower hoping to sneak in a little more shuteye, and some went to the office buildings to relieve their fellow guards of their shifts, seeing his subordinates run off like baby spiders he gave a somewhat relaxed smile. The captain gave a final look around the gate before he turned in for the day, as he approached a certain corner he spotted a young guard with a depressed air around him, walking towards him he recognised that it was one of the recruits training directly under him. The young lad that was particularly giving off a passionless aura jumped in a jolt on seeing him approach and as if seeing a golem tried to vanish, but the hand of his captain fell on his shoulder making his escape void.

What happened lad, why so listless this early in the morning, did something happen? If you don't smile and straighten up all your good fortunes will run away, Hahahaha. (Captain). Saying that he hit the lad's back almost making him kiss the ground and mud.

Please don't hit me so hard Captain, I almost lost my kiss to the road. (Recurt). The young man stepped away from his overbearing captain and then looked at him with a hint of resentment. Seeing that it wasn't accomplishing anything he gave a defeated sigh and as if remembering something trivial he asked the question that was floating on everybody's mind.

Why are you in such a happy mood captain? I mean more than usual anyway (Recruit). On hearing this question the Captain's eyes shone up making the lad instantly regret his foolish action. The captain did not notice this or maybe he did but did not care and gave a hearty laugh.

I see you know to ask the correct questions lad, well I will tell you, but first tell me about your problem, we can't have you in this mood the whole day, can we? (Captain)

Ah, no it's ok, it's not something (Recruit). His words were cut off when a hand pressed to his shoulder again, looking into his captain's serious eyes he understood his fate and like any good lamb, he gave in.

Well, you see, yesterday I... kind of had a big fight with my girlfriend. It was not a big problem, or at least I thought it wasn't. It was about some noble that was hiring day maids and she seemed to want to apply for the position. (Recruit)

Hmm, I did not take you as a Nobel hater. (Captain)

The lad shakes his head tiredly and continues.

 No, it's not like that, it is just that I heard some unruly rumours of that Nobel family. So I did some digging and found out they were not even a Noble. Well, technically they are one of the families that were stripped of their Nobelity when our Bloody emperor came to power, I think they are called the House of Furt or something. Anyway, when I told her this to persuade her to not take the job she suddenly snapped at me yelling she wanted to contribute and that she did not want to be cooped up at home all day long. She even accused me of trying to hold her back from relishing her dream. Haaa, I guess I snapped at that and said something insensitive, she then ran off to her friend's house.... Ya that all happened yesterday evening and now my future marriage is ruined. What am I going to tell my mother, she really liked her. (Recruit)

The captain silently and seriously listened to his slouch subordinate, which even surprised the speaker himself. He then gave a few knowing nods and unfurled his arms, looking into the lad's face with seriousness as he spoke.

I understand your problem, and well, I do not have any words that will fix your unfortunate situation but If I have to give my personal opinion I think what you did was the correct move. (Captain)

The Recruit, on hearing his upright captain's approval regained his spirit and started thinking of methods to prove his point to his girlfriend, even thinking of getting a little apology from her. The captain's following words put a stop to that thought.

But I also think how you handled the situation was bad. (Captain) He took a quick glance at the exited recruit and made a sigh, then shaking his head softly he continued. 

I can see it from your face, you are thinking about how to get back at her right, ya don't give me the excuse I can already see it. That attitude however will definitely end your relationship. Hmm, take this advice from a married man with 20 years under his belt, do not try to present your case logically to a woman, they are very emotionally driven creatures and from a certain point in their emotional guage they will not care about something like logic. I also have learned that the hard way and believe me it was ugly. Try to give her some space but not that much or she will start resenting you, afterwards, try explaining to her but not in a condescending way, they may be emotional but they are not stupid, and I am sure she will understand (hopefully). (Captain)

The recruit had his mouth open in a daze as he listened to his captain's words but soon shooked it off, he pinched his cheek and experiencing the sudden pain looked at his captain again with a sock face.

I didn't know Captian could give such kinds of advice, I think my whole worldview has flipped. Is the Kingdom going to attack tomorrow? (Recruit)

An iron-plated fist landed on his head just as he finished the sentence making him kneel over holding his head, he had tears forming as he looked at the perpetrated.

Hmm, it's your own fault, so just take it. I even gave you some precious life advice and that's how you respond, be grateful you are not kissing the ground. (Captain)

Hearing his captain's rebuke the recruit's eyes went down, he stood up slowly and with an apologetic yet sincere tone he responded.

I am sorry captain, I didn't mean it like that. Your advice just came out of nowhere so I said something rude, but captain I didn't think you were someone who could give out such advice, my image of you has completely changed.

I see I see, hahaha for better I hope, and if my silly talks can get you youngsters to shape up faster then my experiences are not wasted hahaha. (Captain) 

As his laughter died down the captain looked directly at the recruit making him wonder what he was about to speak now.

I just realised what strained your relationship in the first place, so listen up, the problem is she wants to do something to contribute to the family. (Captain)

Ya, I guess she told me as much but the problem is she is trying that at some shady fallen noble family. (Recruit)

This idiot that is why your relationship is falling apart, use your head, if she wants to do something then give her something to do, I am sure you can find a safe workplace for her and if you bring her this her anger will definitely subside too. (Captain)

That's true can't believe I didn't think of that. Oh, thank you captain for pointing that out. After my shift is over today I will look for a proper workplace right away. (Recruit)

Good, well I wouldn't worry too much if I were you, I am sure your feelings are reciprocal with hers. Anyway, we have wasted enough time talking about you now for the reason for my happy mood.

The face of the recruit suddenly morphed into one filled with regret.

 This happy scene was being observed from a dark corner by a gooey blue substance, it was attached to a building, it shook slightly then as if losing its grip fell, hitting the ground with a plop, the thing then crawled into the dark alleyway.

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Solution was walking as she observed the morning scene of the capital, she did not try to hide herself making her conspicuous but maybe because of the early timing nobody tried to approach her, only giving her curious looks as she walked by. She however was a little disappointed in not catching any lowlife that's drawn to her beauty.

I was hoping to enjoy myself with some appetizer before I received my main dish, maybe even bring some gifts for Entoma. I guess from tomorrow I will take my walk later in the morning.

Thinking thoughts that would make any wannabe womanizer clench his balls she continues to walk down the pavements. The empty roads once again became bustling with the cracking of carriages, the shouting of shopkeepers, and the bartering of housewives.

She was not that fond of such a heavy crowd they experienced yesterday as she had to constantly focus on making the body parts that made contact with others more human-like, although she did not run into that problem yesterday. Contemplating how to deal with such eventual problems she walks towards the adventure guild to ascertain its location, to guide her master later that day. However, she also did not know the exact location leading her to just roam around. 

As she walked at a steady pace she suddenly turned to a secluded ally only stopping when the hustle and bustle in the main street stopped. She then looked up to see hundreds of gooey slime-like substances hanging off the building sides. These things suddenly hurdled towards her but as if nothing was wrong she stood there with a blank face leading to her quickly becoming buried by them. The pile slowly decreased as if Solution was a sponge and the slime water. After all the slimes were absorbed by her she woke up from her trance state. Giving a satisfying smile she continued towards the Guild taking more confidence in her steps than before.