This is about Maids and Students

3 October 423

I have to be honest, I didn't expect any other interactions with any of the candidates or anyone that was part of their camps beyond what happened today. Once lunch was over, I actually went out of my way to focus the afternoon and even the evening to browse over the data I had over Echidna, adding more details on the matter.

Alice was perplexed by the intense work that ensued, her worry aimed at me and… Beatrice. If I had been unnerved by the reincarnated Witch's attempt to bribe my allegiance through her knowledge of my sister and her careful persuasion to try and force me to take a harsh decision, Beatrice took this slight far more than I had. And not for the simple reason that was our bond.

I didn't ask her, noticing way too well how infuriated the blonde was through her mannerism and actions, with the edge in her moves confirming the clear anger she now nourished for the very individual that she had once respected. A woman that created her, and had left her to wait endlessly for a solution that came in the form of me being yanked into the gospel's predicament. It was kind of ironic how this decision had set off a chain reaction which eventually led to the spirit to grow detached and dejected by the very individual that gave her life and an initial purpose. Then again, Echidna was to blame for this turn of events. While the reasoning to be reluctant to strike might have been these two (the reason to be and the reason to know), she had done more than enough to shred any doubt about her mindset. She was a pragmatic individual, one that severely suffered (and was blessed) by the lack of emotions that many normal humans had.

It was the very idea of mysterious that prevented her from failing in the acquisition of new followers. The less she spoke about her truth, the truth that was tied to her mind, her morality and her intentions, the less were the chances of anyone thinking even so remotely to betray her. It was the very reason Barusu trusted her early on, and the reason why she made for a brilliant witch. Brilliant, but still inhuman.

Despite what it was known from the other witches, with those that still harbored a degree of psychotic attitude towards certain elements tied to their Authorities (Typhon being the main example), there was a background that explained how they ended up developing such behavior. Typhon was driven to be an immoral judge due to her father's own ambition and greed, while Echidna… wasn't pushed by anyone into taking that route.

In fact, her current state of self was the result of an absolute lack of interactions from others. Despite lonely being the principal cause of despair for many, the Witch of Greed's lack of emoting her own personal and creative self created a different balance within her mind. Logic ruled over most of that brain, leaving just starvation in the form of 'childishness'. Her curiosity, once driven by thirst for knowledge, was now one pushed to find something she desperately needed.

Completion of self. She knew she was incomplete, that she failed to compute like a proper human being… and that stirred resentment upon those that were capable of balancing logic with emotion. She was envious of them, but so much that it further drove her to seek a solution to her malaise. In a certain sense, the very copies of Lewes Meyer worked better as human beings. Their curiosity was restrained as they still developed a form of humanity.

The result of that messy ordeal? The Witch liked to dangerously test the limits of people. And she tried my own limits… sadly finding none of it due to how flexible I was with my acting and careful plotting. One thing that Echidna really wasn't experienced in, the capacity of people of coating the truth itself within a slight layer of lying. I did miss my family back home, and I would have been interested on the chances of going back to at least check on them… but I would be lying too if I said that I would just drop everything. That bridge had been burned ages ago and I had to stay here to do my duty and live my life as it is right now.

We can be greedy at times, but we also have a duty into being generous with our own existence. We are not born alone and, beyond the few human cases that were to be burned alive for their crimes, that didn't mean we were all meant to distrust each other. So I was pretty irked by this matter, but not enough to give up any 'weakness' for the girl to exploit and… that spared me from a couple of unpleasant hours. And even now as I went through the process of finding and altering some portions of the papers I had on Echidna and raising the priority level when the topic concerning her was brought up, I wasn't spared a moment of quiet as someone decided to knock at the door of my office and bring a pause to the entire predicament.

"Yes, who is it?"

"Maid to the Roswaal Manor, Ram. I would need to talk with you."

Part of me wanted to just refuse due to how drained I felt after the first few hours of Royal Election and dealing with Echidna… but I could tell that Ram's visit wasn't something sanctioned by Roswaal himself. Which was good for me and could potentially go bad on her if her boss discovered that she had decided to have this secret meeting out of the blue. Knowing the risks and odds that this could also turn bad on me depending which spin could be added on the event, I still accepted the matter as I could tell the maid ignored the risks of this all for good reasons. For both.

"You may come in."

Both Bea and Alice gave me surprised looks, but they seemed to grow less interested in pressing the matter as I just nod at both as things would become clearer quite soon. Or at least, I hoped so. One moment later, the pinkette slowly opened the door and, once she was inside and had closed the door behind her, started to calmly approach my desk. She paused, bowing her head respectfully and then looking up at me with a polite look.

"Lord Bukharin."

I sighed. "We can go for a first-name basis, Ram. Especially since I doubt this meeting was warranted by official reasons."

The girl slowly nodded, catching on the reason why I wanted the discussion to not be as hasty as possible without ruining the main core of it. She took a seat in front of me and soon she exposed why she came here without any invitation or request.

"Am I correct to assume you know who Lady Omega is, John?" The pinkette asked carefully, yet failing to maintain that same polite calm when it came to address the copy Echidna was controlling. It was an unexpected attitude from Ram due to the way she was handling so many crazy things. Even talking about Barusu never brought her to break from the pattern of utter quiet she had developed after discussing with people that were to maintain a degree of decorum like this.

"Yes," I replied with a sigh. "Roswaal's original teacher, the creator of Sanctuary and… the Witch of Greed, Echidna."

Ram blinked. "I didn't think you were that informed of this topic."

"I had the… unflattering business of meeting Echidna in the past. She was as abrasive as she was now that we had met again," I remarked dryly. "Still, I suppose this isn't just a visit to alert me of her identity. What's the matter?"

"I don't know if this is also familiar to you but… Roswaal doesn't trust her as absolutely as I thought he would."

That comment had me frowning for a while. I just couldn't imagine of any good reason for Roswaal to be distrustful of his mentor. I remained quiet for a while, trying to come up for a possible reasoning for Ram to deduce this important detail about her boss' relationship with the Witch. Without anything coming up in mind to grant a purpose to this matter, I decided to vocalize my confusion.

"How so?"

"Frederica's recall wasn't reasoned with the idea of protecting Omega. In fact, the proper order used to address her duties is to 'make sure Omega did not put herself in an unpleasant circumstance or cause any trouble'," Ram explained with a tense tone. "Which, as far as I can elaborate, means that Frederica's role isn't tied to her protection."

"Her job is to prevent Omega from becoming the issue."

The pinkette nodded at my addition and I sighed at the correct guess. Thinking about it, I should have imagined this possibility, and yet I couldn't due to how close Roswaal was to Echidna. I just hadn't expected for him to grow this confident in 'submitting' her to him. While it didn't seem much, the fact he was the one controlling Omega's actions and deter her from being volatile as the witch used to be back when she was first alive meant he wasn't planning to share the 'advantage' he gained over her. He wanted for the master to recognize the student's worth. And… that wasn't going to happen, and I could see how ugly the situation was going to turn.

"How bad is it already?"

"I had requested for Rem to take a different than usual during mornings, mostly with me around, due to a 'curious' conversation she shared with Omega," The maid replied with an angry tone. "She… pondered the uses an Oni's horn and blood could have if those were used in some rituals."

"That's her," I flatly confirmed. "By the way, how was she returned to this world? Who took part to the Sanctuary's test and… allowed her resurface?"

The maid hesitated just for a moment, clearly intrigued by the fact I was aware of the challenges tied to the old settlement. It wasn't a permanent silence, and the answers finally started to emerge for good.

"Subaru wanted to be the one to take these challenges," She started to narrate. "He managed to get through the first one with ease but… he couldn't get through the second one."

Despite the single death he experienced, I could see how that would warrant pretty much an incapacity to bypass the traumatic moment. Death was still no joke, and while Barusu could live through it by not thinking about it, it was still fresh in his mind and the suddenness just made it an unconquerable obstacle.

"Which is where Emilia decided to take the challenge herself," I suggested and the pinkette sighed in clear frustration at my interruption.

"I believe I'm the narrator in this situation," She made her point clear with a serious glare and I nodded sheepishly at her. "Still, yes. Emilia was given the chance to go through it again and… she passed it. The rest was done by her and she was the one that beat the Sanctuary. Echidna was restored in one of the… copied of Lewes Meyer, the oldest of those that were created from the original."

A little mistake on her part that I was well aware of… and that Alice herself couldn't help but shiver all about. Despite her changes, she still bore a resemblance with the copy, and I could tell Ram had taken notice of this too. Instead of allowing the maid to make some queries about this very subject, I decided to press on the circumstance.

"Still, I don't believe you have explained to me why you came to me. What is the reason that brought you here to ask for… my assistance?"

"You have plans to stop her, don't you? Something that can prevent any bloodshed from happening," Ram argued and I nodded.

"I do. But I can't act as thoroughly as I normally could due to the current allegiance Echidna had mustered by being part of Emilia's camp and how confirming her identity to the Sages would require more than just 'I recognize her' as a valid part of proof," I answered grimly, noticing the pinkette's sudden irritation at this. "And don't think I'm just keeping for the 'wait and see' posture. I know how dangerous she is, but I have my hands tied by politics."

The girl nodded, planning to protest about my current situation, but stopping herself from doing so when her mind firmly agreed to how crude politics were in this circumstance. The moment I moved an investigation would easily create a disadvantage within the entire legitimacy of the Royal Election. The moment a tie to the Witch Cult was attributed to a candidate that had been granted the chance of compete as equally as the others despite some baseless controversy, I knew the people and a good part of the council would contest my primacy and demand my resignation at once. In layman's terms, I had to deal with the Echidna situation in a way where I could safely contain her interaction within the election to a failed infiltration within one of the candidates' camp.

Not an easy job, but a doable one. And just as I confirmed my perspective on the matter, Ram decided to remind me of her presence by speaking up once more and disrupting the quiet that had fallen within the office.

"What can I do?"

I blinked, glancing up at her and offering her most of my attention.

"For now? Nothing. Any sudden change in your behavior would strike as reason for them to investigate. Effectively nullifying your chances of driving out any meaningful information," I pointed out with a serious tone, reaching down to one of the small cabinets down below. "Instead, you will mention how your lessons with Subaru about teaching him how to write in this world's language has… sparked an interest in writing. About your daily life."

She frowned at the second half, confused by it until I brought up two small empty 'books'.

"Diaries?" She guessed and I nodded.

"You were stopped by a vendor, a humble old man that was passing by and that saw in you a desire to release your own frustration through the white paper. He gave you two books for free, one for yourself and one for 'the one you care the most for'," I elaborated with a tiny grin. "So yes, this is a gift to you and Rem."

…

"Magic?" The maid inquired without reaching for the two items, clearly nervous about any possible issue on that regard. Were there be magic on the tomes, it wouldn't be incorrect to think that either Roswaal or Echidna would have noticed and made a fuss about it.

"None," I assured happily. "The main notion is that the diary itself is devoid of anything magical that could create problems to your cover. The real trick is that the times when Roswaal will visit and you will be allowed to come, you will bring out this diary and allow me to copy the few pages you have filled with anything noteworthy. Of course, I will give you the chance to pick up which pages can be copied and which can't."

Ram nodded, only for her to tense up for just a brief moment as the last words were finally digested by her mind. She gave me a confused look and then spoke up.

"Is this a tool to help or a gift?"

Instead of providing her with an honest reply, I merely smiled and gave her a single word.

"Yes."

She was particularly irked by it, but I could see that, from the way she was holding both small diaries, that she didn't mind the gesture. And hopefully, that wasn't going to risk us any trouble from her camp.

The next morning started with a calmer pace than the previous day.

With the candidates having been introduced and the main starting event having been completed, I expected a little brief pause from handling anyone for the entire duration of the day. Which meant that I had the chance of finally getting through some of the projects I had put on reserve for the sake of not ruining the big event I was tied to and not pollute those with it.

In particular, I had decided to take this day to study with the twins. Hans and Fritz were definitely standing a step or two beyond many children their age. They were smart and very quick to sponge knowledge and… they enjoyed a single teacher that paid utmost attention to their knowledge and their learning. I had long shown how I was relatively quick and determined in giving the kids a chance with their futures, and it was something that had long received praises from Miklotov himself.

This very last element, albeit I easily saw more as a praise than else, soon decided to come haunting my butt when the former Prime Minister decided to pay a visit and check on how I was doing. I was mostly unaware of this visit until I noticed his arrival through the entrance of the courtyard. Once more, I thought it proper to set the boys' classroom in a pleasant place where to spend their time studying and enjoy some well-timed breaks from time to time. The twins were visibly happy with their circumstance, enjoying the simple but 'escalating' degree of difficulty regarding each subject I brought forth. This time, I was introducing them to biology and how the respiratory system worked.

Majima was somewhere around playing with Alice, the girl having decided to give some real challenge to the pup by setting up a tougher obstacle route for her to play with. Meanwhile Beatrice was taking some time off to enjoy some books by the Royal Library. I had told them both that work would resume after lunch so we could start addressing some of the short-term projects I had intention of going through at once.

Back to the courtyard, I decided to call a little break for the boys as I stood up and approached the elder. He looked mostly calm, at ease, and yet he looked a little curious and serious as he seemed to be hiding away, albeit unconsciously, a certain short individual I had spotted due to her vibrant blue style. The young girl peeked by the side and her gaze, so inquisitive and yet devoid of childlike wonder as a child her age should have almost had me thinking of a younger Crusch and… I wasn't really that off the mark due to their 'similarities' with the Duchess.

"John."

"Miklotov," I greeted back with the same politeness and peace. "It's been a few days now."

"And you've already proven my decision was correct. Your take to the initiation event was flawless… albeit a little shaken by what happened with Bordeaux," The old man commented with a sigh. "You did a fine job nonetheless, your impartiality was remarked by the position you stuck for."

"Due to the importance of the Royal Election, I can hardly show any appeasement to my fellow sages' opinions. There is a set of rules that has to be followed due to the gravity of their role," I replied solemnly. "Still, I can say that your visit isn't one just for praise. Is she going to introduce herself, or will you do the honors?"

Since the girl looked fairly young and was still keeping silent as she studied me from behind the taller man, I didn't expect her to go through this task. I was quickly proven wrong when, in a display of unusual 'bravery' and politeness from a child her age, the blue-haired girl moved to the side and gave me a full look before doing a curtsie.

"I'm Annerose Miload, heiress to the Miload House. My father and mother were Lord Dudley Miload and Lady Grace Miload, formerly Karsten."

Oh? That would explain her similarity with Crusch. I wonder if I should write her something in the merit.

Nodding at her clear introduction, I was pleased by her formality and the fact that, thinly laid beneath that layer of politeness, I could perceive some curiosity. She was good at masking her emotions, but way too far from covering her entire emotional spectrum.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Scioness Miload. I'm John Bukharin, Prime Minister of the Dragon Kingdom of Lugnica."

She nodded back, pleased by the modest approach I took. With that solved I looked back to Miklotov and the elder decided to elaborate before the reasoning of this sudden visit and introduction.

"Lady Annerose has been an individual that I've followed as a teacher since she was six. After some serious thinking, I've noticed that my advanced age might present some… issues regarding a full education for her and I thought that, due to your propensity in teaching for your children-"

"You want me to take her in as my student?" I guessed out of that lengthy presentation, blinking in surprise at such offer. Despite that, the old man nodded and sighed.

"I believe you have the higher chances of giving her the best education possible while also preventing any noble from… trying to influence her and thus deny her the chance of having a clear path into adulthood."

I nodded slowly at that, still unsure about a specific element of this matter. "What is the real reason?"

He looked surprised at my flat query. "B-Beg your pardon?"

"It's clear there is a more important reason for you to be asking me this kind of duty. I don't plan to refuse, but I would like to know what drove you to really push this to me," I elaborated with a serious tone, realizing how there had to be something bigger than that for him to be reacting this uneasily at my questioning. But before he could have said anything more on the matter, Annerose decided to give her own input on the matter.

"I think… it was because of a question I asked him."

Turning back to her, I gave her a curious look.

"Which was?"

She hummed. "What is the meaning of life?"

And now I see the little trouble there.

Miklotov gazed elsewhere as soon as I aimed a brief look at him, my attention still centered to the young girl.

"The question is particularly known as one of the basis of those dilemmas that can't be answered with a real answer. At least, not one universally meant for everyone," I explained with a kind and caring tone, gaining a brief nod from the child as I took this chance to address the matter. "What I can say for sure, at least from what I know now, is that the most universal reason is 'living' itself. You learn of your purpose and meaning within this life by growing up and making experience of the world."

The speech gained her fascination. "But… how do I know when I have that answer?"

"Well, when you will be able to answer the question 'is this my purpose in life' with a determined and serious 'yes'."

The girl nodded. "That… easy?"

"Well, in theory it's easy. It's the practice that has to be worked on and it takes many years to be that certain to answer truthfully that question with a yes," I remarked with a smile, looking at my predecessor with a curious look. "Do you think you got your own purpose in life, Miklotov?"

He looked caught off-guard by that question and yet, he seemed to gain control of this matter with ease and… provide with a genuine reply. "I believe so. Yes."

"I'm glad," I confirmed happily, turning back to the child. "Now, I think Miklotov will have to go back to his private studies and… I suppose you wish to join our lesson today and at least see how we will structure the lectures."

Annerose nodding, looking at my right palm as I leaned it close to her as a gesture to lead her back to where the twins were. A blink, then two… finally she nodded, a pretty smile on her face as she reached out and accepted the kind offer.

"Then let's go back to Hans and Fritz… I will tell you more of today once the lecture is over, Miklotov."

The elder nodded, looking pleased with the entire situation. "Thank you, John."

"You're welcome."

Once the elder was out of our sight, I took the girl back to the others and resumed the lesson. The twins were surprised by this, but seemed to adapt well as they addressed their newest 'schoolmate' with politeness and respect.

These sure are becoming interesting days...

Afterthought: Mini-Crusch joins the party! And yes, that's the nickname I'm giving her! XD

Now… some omake time!

Omake EX 8: Blues of White Paper

My lips twitched as I silently adjusted a stack of paperwork on the paper as I quietly kept staring at the issue at hand. Or issues, considering that the two guards kept by the 'intruder' were armed with what looked to be 60s Assault Rifles.

I could tell it wasn't the result of some witch's planning. Not when the leading figure, the man that had requested a meeting after being found spearheading a gated portal that had opened near the entrance point of the capital. Knights had reported unusual magic activities and had gone to check what was causing this disturbance. They found these three, plus a couple more armed men that had crossed with the intention of setting up a camp outside and around the gate that led back to their home. I spared just a look at this 'diplomatic envoy', my teeth gritting as quick as possible the moment I recognized that smug look on that unusually familiar face.

The man had asian features, his hair was neatly kept short and he had no beard, a clean shave. He was donning a uniform similar to his own guard, except this had a different set of shoulder pats. Red, with a hint of purple. A touch of old with a hint of… imperial. I was surprised by his appearance, and overly confused by how this man was different in many aspects by the historical figure I was tying him to.

Yet this was Zhang Xueliang, the last warlord of the Manchurian Fengtian Clique. In short, he was the stronger player in Chinese modern politics set in Manchuria before the 1931 Mukden Incident and… the acquisition of Manchukuo from Imperial Japan, just a few years before WW2.

And yet he wasn't the inexperienced child of the founder of such a powerful clique. He wasn't a 'Young Marshal' that could barely extend his influence into his own homeland. No, this man was… different. Dangerous even. And yet he spared me with a cheshire smile, knowing how to play with people like me. Or rather, with me in particular.

The hint of suspicion that this 'Alternative Individual' was somehow tied to me came from the way he looked at me, but also from his 'compassionate' tone when it came to addressing me. Formal, proper, but his regal posture was coated by a hint of easiness that just left me perplexed and nervous while addressing me.

What made it really complicated also came in the form of his current title. He was no 'Marshal Zhang' as I almost called him back when I welcomed him in this office. Emperor of China wasn't a title that nobody would retain legitimately and with full support after 1911, not after the Wuchang Revolution.

Yet the man somehow did it. He was an Emperor and one that had been recognized by all of China. I sweated a little at the notion that any slight I ended up causing by the sudden need to appear cozy with the guy, knowing full well that a false step would have spelled the end of any pleasant diplomacy with the better-equipped large military at their disposal.

"Prime Minister Bukharin… apologies for sounding so sudden, but perhaps we should resume our diplomatic efforts," The royal figure stated politely. "I think we can address the matter tied to eventual trading between our countries."

I blinked, nodding slowly as I realized how I had kept quiet for far too long and made an awkward impression due to this. "Lets, your majesty. How about we discuss… the exchange of prime resources? The basis of the economy-"

"And the proper starting point of negotiations such as this one," He added with a mirthful smile. "I suppose we can. In fact, I wouldn't mind discussing this so we can avoid any… trouble concerning ill-placed distrust regarding potential imperialism. China has seen so many 'great powers' abusing their own military capacity to satisfy their own greed after all."

I slowly nodded at this, still unsure how I was supposed to handle that much good-will. While his words really meant well, I wasn't sure his actions were going to mirror those due to the chances of other nations from the other side growing interested at how lucrative such a new world with untapped resources could get. I was slightly nervous about this, and I knew that beyond that gate, a different home existed. And I wasn't sure going back there was going to be really that great due to the time period this all could be mirroring.

Zhang looked young, but also fairly 'matured' by stress and what I could perceive as 'war-induced growth'. It was like the sudden change of aspect for Lincoln from before and after the American Civil War. I didn't ask just yet, all because the only one that noticed my current predicament was Zhang himself, and he didn't look intrigued enough to reveal this news to anyone else on his entourage.

The discussion about the prime resources stretched for roughly one hour, and soon we moved to other matters. Machinery, embassies, industrial expertise, military equipment with officers sent in a mission to aid any reorganization and ultimately possible threats. Zhang took a serious look when it came to the indirect mention of Pandora.

"This cult… I suppose a serious effort has been put to exterminate it."

I nodded. "The effort existed ever since what happened to the Elves in Elior Forest, but only recently the suppression campaign has intensified to avoid any interruption with the ongoing Royal Election."

The Emperor nodded, a small smile settling on his face. "I understand, Prime Minister. And I assume that you would be open to… consider joint operations. You've mentioned that this cult has caused plenty of issues to your country, and I would be willing to vouch in favor of intervention in your favor and send resources to handle this problem. Of course, it's a matter I will have to first bring to the parliament to receive proper legal support from such a move but…" He paused, his smile widening for a moment. "I believe it would be only legitimate for friends of China to receive our support against such a threat. I will see this matter brought before the parliament at once."

It was a stunning offer, one that would, obviously, be studied more before being accepted. But considering how the man looked so confident and determined, I couldn't help but believe him. I just had this hunch that the guy was actually meaning it. And that he was holding back a degree of familiarity that just didn't make sense… beyond the fact it was legitimate and genuine.

And thus, in what looked to be a miraculous turn of events, the Empire of China fought… together with Lugnica.