Taste of Death

Throughout the day, everything had been made clear for everyone residing in the Branch House of Ariad in regards to what had transpired in the dining hall; every maid except for Olivia's mother in slumber was made aware that Zero decided to be banished from the Ariad Household for certain reasons and in exchange of several beneficial conditions.

But even then, in this house that embodied enmity against the cruel Matriarch of Ariad, for every maid and the butler of the mistress, such banishment of Zero was inconsequential. For them, it was only in effect outside the premises of the Branch House and only if there was an undesirable presence.

With his scrutinizing gaze, Zero addressed the off-duty four maids, each donning proper casual attire.

"Before we begin, I believe Mai has already informed you of what this gathering's about. Just as each of you guessed, the four of you will undergo training under my guidance from now on.

"But first, I have a question. Did you comply with my words to be here because you truly trust me or because I'm what you considered as Young Master and you cannot reject someone with authority over you?"

Azel, a maid with a reserved expression, whose cerulean eyes reflected the bluish moonlight as her untied waist-length silver hair fluttered with the serene icy winds, raised her right hand with a bit of reluctance.

"I–I truly trust you, Young Master!"

The three maids; Hanna, Skaya, and Olivia seemed surprised at her quick response mixed with hesitance. Nonetheless, the three of them also raised their hands after the other, declaring their genuine trust in their Young Master as a person, the son of the Mistress of the Branch House, and not due to his position as the previous Young Master, which held authority over them.

One could say that this kind of trust was illogical and unfounded without sufficient reasoning, which was why Zero continued:

"You see, I'm just someone who just opened his eyes yesterday; someone who has been left by the constant changes of the world for around ten years. Yet, you truly trust me? Tell me why that's the case then."

This time, it was Hanna — a maid with a determined expression, whose shoulder-length platinum blonde hair cascaded serenely as her resolute ashen eyes fixated on her Young Master — who first responded, "Young Master, you are right. Your every word seems to invite doubtfulness in a superficial state of circumstances. But it was your actions that render it otherwise, that if not for your presence, who knows what would have happened to all of us? It was you who plucked the two treacherous Guardians! For that, I am eternally grateful."

After Hanna, whose speech struck the heart of the temporary head maid, reminding the latter of how powerless she was during the incident four years ago, which put her mother into a state of coma, Olivia opened her mouth with unwavering conviction:

"Young Master, I agree with Hanna. It's because of what you've done for us that we believe that you have the ability to guide us. More than just as a Young Master, I truly trust you as a person you are..."

Olivia's voice of subtle pleading caught the attention of the other three maids as the former suddenly proceeded to prostrate in front of their Young Master.

"Young Master, I beg you. Mold me to become worthy as someone who will avenge my mother."

The heart and soul of Hanna, Skaya, and Azel resonated with Olivia as the three of them were also in that 'ambush' incident four years ago during the relocation of Zero's slumbering body.

The three of them made the same gesture as Olivia, prostrating in front of him. It was an act of either pleading or absolute respect to whom it was directed. But for the four maids, it was both.

"I have seen your conviction. Stand up."

Zero addressed the four maids, prompting them to stand up with determined expressions. A second later, their voice yearned for the second time:

"Young Master, please train us!"

Seeing this spectacle, Zero called for his pseudo-summon, who was currently sitting on a medium lone tree rooted within this spacious backyard, "Mai, you can proceed."

Mai swiftly jumped from the tree, landing softly on the ground of grasses. Witnessing such a disillusioning movement, the four maids were in awe, realizing that this particular maid seemed to be truly befitting as someone entrusted by their Young Master to protect the mistress and little Masha.

Donning the casual maid outfit, standing side by side with her Master, Mai cast her gaze to the four maids before she queried:

"Hanna, Skaya, Azel, and Miss Olivia. Kindly do tell your Class Specialization and initial acquired ability."

Looking at each other for a moment, standing at either the start or end of the horizontal formation, Hanna, wearing a suitable plain white shirt and above-the-knee shorts, initiated, "I'm a Guardian, Miss Mai. I've acquired [Sword Arts] as my first ability after awakening."

After Hanna, it was Skaya's turn. She's a maid with crimson eyes and long black hair, wearing a black shirt and above-the-knee black shorts.

"Miss Mai, similar to Hanna, I'm also a Guardian. But unlike her, I've been bestowed [Dagger Arts] after my 'Calling.'"

After Hanna and Skaya, everyone's gaze landed on Azel. Somewhat hesitating for a moment or two, as her cerulean eyes subconsciously avoided everyone's gaze as she focused on her Young Master, she answered, "I–I am a Keysmith, which only has a single initial ability called [Unlock]."

It was then that the two maids and Olivia looked at her, squinting their eyes mixed with wonder and bewilderment. After all, even throughout the years they had been working together in this house, the three of them didn't know Azel's Class Specialization.

They had the duty of a maid and discussing labyrinthian matters was out of the question, especially for Azel who possessed an introverted personality. Aside from that, there was this saying among them — "We are simply maids, it should remain that way."

"Keysmith, huh? It means you have no fighting ability, at least not yet."

Zero's words of certainty gathered the four maids' attention. He then retrieved some things from his planar pocket based on what the three maids had said — a silver blade for Hanna, somewhat matching her platinum blonde hair; a pair of ruby daggers for Skaya, depicting her crimson eyes; and a single key and bizarre book for Azel.

On the other hand, before Olivia could muster a restrained complaint, feeling as though she was being left out, Zero retrieved an amethyst staff, signifying that the temporary head maid's Class Specialization was a Sorcerer.

In addition, four similarly-looking ashen 'shirts' were thrown on the ground, each carved with indecipherable runes.

"Each of you, wear that shirt before we begin the training. Mai, watch over them for a moment and come back here in a minute or two."

The four maids with Mai's guidance disappeared into the nearest dressing room. In less than two minutes, they appeared donning the somewhat fitted ashen shirt, feeling an inexplicable tranquility emanating from it as it outlined each maid's curvature.

After that, under Zero's order, Mai handed the respective weapon that matched the maid's Class Specialization, which caused Azel's expression to turn into confusion.

"T–this is... a Grimoire?!"

At that moment, scrutinizing the ancient-looking book in her hands, the other three maids all wearing the ashen shirt thoroughly checked what Azel was holding, only for their eyes to widen incredulously, which then painted with short-lived jealousy.

Hanna, Skaya, and Olivia's pleading eyes landed on their Young Master. Seeing this, he couldn't help but let out a chuckle before addressing the four of them:

"It is a gift from me. Remember, as you progress in your training, you will be given a substantial reward. But Azel's case is different as a Keysmith since she didn't learn any fighting ability, which would limit her physical training."

Azel grasped his words; she couldn't help but say, "Y–young Master, do you perhaps mean that a Keysmith can fight, too?"

Keysmith, a Class Specialization with an initial ability called [Unlock], was a class that utilized opening 'special' treasure chests scattered within the confines of labyrinths.

For Azel, who tried to become an Explorer and had been part of several explorations, that was practically her role. But due to 'some' reasons, she retired early and sought to become Elizabeth's maid in this faraway place.

With bewilderment on the four maids' countenance, Zero responded resolutely, "Yes, every Class Specialization has its own way of fighting or defending. It's just that the other classes are constantly being overshadowed by the Class Specializations under the Explorer and Magic Categories.

In this momentary silence, Zero added:

"If there's nothing else, then let's begin. Mai, proceed."

Mai received her Master's meaningful gaze, but before the pseudo-summon could proceed, Azel's voice hesitantly interjected, "Y–young Master, this may be a silly question but do I absorb the Grimoire's wisdom right now?"

Without hesitation, Zero shook his head, "No, it will be dangerous for you since it's abrupt. After all, the wisdom contained in that particular Grimoire isn't something you can just absorb without my guidance. For now, you should observe."

Azel sauntered towards her Young Master's left side as the latter retrieved in his planar pocket an ominous-looking, illusory-like dark sword engraved with runic characters of origin, handing it to his perceived summon.

"Olivia, Hanna, and Skaya. As all of you have said, you truly trust me as what I am as a person.

"Then, will you die for me?"

Before the three could process what their Young Master meant, he activated an artifact [Wailing Silence], which he retrieved from the ruined dining hall after killing the two Guardians.

Caught unprepared, with Mai holding the mysterious dark sword, she swiftly vanished from her Master's side, simultaneously appearing behind Hanna, Skaya, and Olivia within three seconds.

It was too late. Each of them thought that during training, the opponent's weapon would stop at one's neck or chest as a signification of one's win and the other's defeat.

However, witnessing the scene, Azel's two hands instinctively covered her mouth in terror, causing her to cast subtle glances at the stoic man beside her.

After all, the dark sword pierced through each maid's chest, with blood expelled from their mouth.

Before Azel could say anything or run from the unprecedented circumstances based solely on her instincts to flee, she heard Zero's calm voice, "Don't worry. They just need a taste of death."

***

It was not just Olivia but also the other two, Hanna and Skaya, whose expressions were stricken with incredulity and fear, unable to process the subsequent actions of their Young Master's subordinate.

"Keu–ak!"

Warm crimson blood gushed from their throats as several frantic thoughts surged in their mind. After all, what had just transpired was something unprecedented. They couldn't understand; how could the Young Master they had trusted with their life order his subordinate to stab them from the back?

Olivia's wavering gaze landed on her chest, where an illusory dark sword veiled in mystery was stuck. Her body was gradually losing its warmth as the chilling winds swept past her supple pale skin.

"Y–young Mas–"

Thud—

It wasn't just Olivia. The other two maids, Hanna and Skaya fell to the ground, with the same kind of weapon pierced from their back, creating a fissure in their chest.

Thud—

At that moment, it was as though the words of Zero about trusting him had entered her right ear but just left on her left ear, Azel's body trembled, causing her to kneel on the serene grass of green, which a part of was now painted with a pool of blood.

In a second or two, in an unexpected moment, Mai's figure, standing behind the dead body of the three maids, vanished. Azel's cerulean eyes dilated, but before she could muster anything, the same illusory-like dark sword pierced her from behind.

She, too, wasn't just safe from death's embrace.

***

After the initial task, signifying the beginning of the hellish training for the four maids, Mai, holding the mysterious sword, genuflected in front of her Master.

Getting the ancient weapon presented in front of him, Zero chanted several phrases in a lost language; mysterious, ancient, and sounded forbidden.

"A mirror of the world pertains to its reflecting reality.

"A reflection of a mirror pertains to its own reflecting infinity.

"O life, a concept borne from the living.

"O death, a concept borne from merely existing.

"I bestow the blessing that stands in the midst of life and death; soul be reborn."

At that moment, the four dead bodies of the maids dimly shone with golden light, and the spilled crimson blood returned to their bodies as though the time was moving in reverse. In less than two seconds, as though nothing gruesome had transpired, several gasps simultaneously filled the air as Olivia and the three others opened their eyes to this world.

"Haa—!"

With memories intact, confusion was evident in their countenance. Casting their gazes to their Young Master, wearing a demeanor of indifference with subtle warmth, Olivia's voice echoed, "Y–young Master? What just happened? I swear that Miss Mai..."

Azel, lying on the ground near her Young Master, mustered the strength to get up. It seemed as though everything was just a cruel joke of fate. But at the same time, the four of them realized that what they had just experienced was an otherworldly phenomenon as they teetered into the boundary of life and death.

Hanna and Skaya were in the state of processing the ridiculous transpiration when Zero addressed the four of them, "Hanna, Skaya, Azel, and Olivia. This will be your first lesson; a dead body isn't the end. As long as one's soul hasn't perished, the gate of life will always be open."

"B–but Young Master, h–how did you..?" Olivia queried, a sense of mixed terror and wonder was shaking her entire being. After all, what Zero had done was basically bring them back from the dead, a heaven-defying occurrence that could be perceived as radical sacrilege.

"It's because of the dark sword that struck you." Zero briefly replied, not elaborating further. Instead, he continued, "Anyway, the foundation has been established."

Glancing at Mai, Zero solemnly nodded. Seeing this subtle interaction, Olivia muttered, "Y–young Master, it won't be the same, right–"

When Mai disappeared, the four maids' lives were temporarily sealed. But this time, no chanting was necessary to bring the pitiful gorgeous maids back to life.

***

After around thirty-three deaths, Hanna, Skaya, Azel, and Olivia, whose mental stability seemed to have reached its breaking point, simultaneously heard the Labyrinth System:

[Warning!]

[Warning!]

[The world is beginning to reject your soul!]