Chapter 709 - 709: Skip the Parties in This Life, Become a Workhorse in the Next

"Commander, we're here."

Swish—

The Royal Maids and Angeloids marched over in perfect unison, forming two lines beside Setsuna.

"H-Huh?!"

"Lord Sacrosanct, what are you planning to do?!"

Qingque was horrified and looked around at everyone in terror.

"According to the contract of indentured servitude, you've sold yourself to the Starsea Empire. Until you've repaid your debts in full, you belong to me."

Setsuna leisurely examined the contract displayed on his holographic interface.

He lifted Qingque's chin and smiled at her.

"So there's nothing unusual about me doing whatever I please with you... Hmm, hasn't Belfast been complaining recently that the Royal Maids are a little short-staffed? You can become my personal maid."

"From now on, you'll attend to me personally. I can offer you wages far beyond what you'd normally expect, and the Starsea Empire will provide free food and accommodation. You'll probably be able to repay your debts in around fifteen million years."

"???"

"Sold into servitude as a maid because of gambling debts? Is this some fallen noblewoman's story about Rurikawa?"

Gudako inexplicably recalled something rather strange.

Qingque was even more terrified.

"A maid?! B-But I've never worked as a maid before!"

"You mean the kind of maid who gets up earlier than the chickens, goes to bed later than the dogs, never gets an afternoon off, and has to handle endless chores every single day?!"

"Ahem—"

Belfast cleared her throat and gave Qingque a stern look.

"Taking care of the Commander's daily needs is the responsibility of the Royal Maids. It is our duty to provide him with a comfortable and dignified living environment."

"Miss Qingque, you need to correct your lazy disposition. I will do my utmost to train you into a qualified personal maid."

"...?"

Qingque looked utterly defeated.

"What about working hours?"

"Whenever the Commander needs us, we must answer his summons, whether morning, evening, or the middle of the night. We remain on standby at all times."

Sheffield held her head high.

"What about holidays?"

"We all serve the Commander voluntarily. We don't need holidays."

Sirius and Dido answered together.

"What's so great about having time off? We get to stay by the Commander's side all the time!"

"Can I play mahjong?"

"Absolutely not."

The head maid answered with unwavering conviction.

"Royal Maids must pay constant attention to their manners and conduct. I have no objection to you relaxing during your free time, but the excessive indulgence you previously displayed is strictly prohibited."

"Aaaaahhh—"

Qingque nearly slammed her head into the floor.

Even with the higher wages, there was no fundamental difference between working for twenty-seven million years and fifteen million years. Both were outrageously long periods of time.

But forcing Qingque, who had grown accustomed to slacking off at the Divination Commission, to live according to the Royal Maids' strict standards of self-discipline was practically torture.

"Lord Sacrosanct! Lord Sacrosanct!"

She crawled over to Setsuna, clung to his leg, and looked up at him pitifully.

"Um, um, couldn't we just forget about this? Or maybe give me a little time to recover? Could I do some other job instead...?"

"I-I-I... I'll repay the kindness of Lord Sacrosanct and Lady Diviner by working like an ox or a horse in my next life!"

"Your next life? Working like an ox or a horse?"

Setsuna laughed and pinched Qingque's cheeks.

"You really shouldn't make promises like that in the Starsea Empire."

"Are you saying that after you enter the Underworld and reincarnate, you want Ereshkigal to turn you into an ox or a horse so you can work in your next life? You really don't want to be human anymore?"

As he spoke, he opened his holographic interface and contacted Ereshkigal.

"Ereshkigal, Qingque says being human is too exhausting. Could you reincarnate her into the animal realm in her next life?"

"Huh?"

Ereshkigal was completely bewildered.

"Someone actually has a request like that?!"

"Sure, I guess. Come down to the Underworld whenever you have time, and I'll arrange for you to reincarnate again. What kind of animal do you want to become?"

"???"

Qingque was horrified.

She suddenly remembered that the cycles of life, death, and reincarnation for both the Xianzhou Alliance and the Starsea Empire were now managed by the Goddess of the Underworld.

If she promised to work like an ox or a horse in her next life, they could genuinely make her an ox or a horse. She couldn't use that expression to bluff her way out of trouble anymore.

"Lady Diviner, save me!—"

"Hmph! You're the one who sold yourself to the Sacrosanct. What does that have to do with me? And how could I possibly interfere with his decisions?"

Fu Xuan turned her head away with a dismissive snort.

"I'll temporarily relieve you of your duties at the Divination Commission. From now on, serve the Sacrosanct properly here, and don't cause any more trouble."

She then bowed respectfully to Setsuna and Belfast.

"Qingque has considerable potential, but she's exceptionally skilled at slacking off and avoiding work. I hope the Sacrosanct and Miss Belfast will discipline her strictly and cure her of this little problem."

"Rest assured. I'll train her into an outstanding maid capable of serving the Commander."

Belfast turned her head.

Sirius and Dido immediately grabbed Qingque and escorted her toward the inner rooms.

"Well then, we'll start by teaching you the proper etiquette of the Royal Maids. After that, we'll get you changed into a suitable uniform."

"Ugh..."

Everyone watched as Qingque was dragged away, wailing miserably.

"..."

"So Diviner Fu didn't sign a contract of indentured servitude? She didn't mortgage the Divination Commission or anything either?"

Gudako looked at Fu Xuan and sighed.

"Senior Mio and Haruhi Suzumiya possess extraordinary abilities. I knew I was no match for them, so after exchanging a few rounds and losing several magical artifacts, I withdrew."

Fu Xuan answered with a perfectly serious expression.

Then she looked at Setsuna and blinked.

"Lord Sacrosanct, why do you look so disappointed? Hmm?"

...

One hour later.

"G-Good day, L-Lord Sacrosanct."

Qingque stood awkwardly before Setsuna, dressed in a maid uniform.

Belfast had put her in a Royal Maid uniform, complete with a maid's headdress and white garter stockings.

She nervously rubbed her hands together.

"Oh?"

Setsuna examined her with considerable interest.

To be fair, aside from her love of slacking off, Qingque was actually quite cute and endearing.

Although she was only a low-ranking diviner, her figure was several leagues ahead of Diviner Fu's.

Her light-brown hair was tied into low twin tails behind her back, giving her an unexpectedly quiet and elegant appearance.

"Keep your back straight. Don't lean against furniture or walls. Your movements should be gentle and graceful."

Belfast corrected her posture and appearance.

"Miss Qingque, what did I just teach you? When greeting the Commander, you should bend your right leg forward, place your left leg lightly behind your right, lower yourself slightly, and offer a polite curtsy."

"...Yes."

Qingque awkwardly arranged herself into a stiff imitation of a maid's greeting.

Rather than possessing the Royal Maids' natural elegance, she looked somewhat ridiculous.

"Pour the Commander a cup of tea."

"Oh."

She had barely plonked the cup onto the table and grabbed the teapot with one hand, preparing to pour, when Dido shot her another stern look.

"Place the teaspoon on the saucer at the position farthest from yourself. Hold the cup's handle between your thumb and index finger, supporting the base with your middle finger. Your movements must be gentle."

"If you spill anything again, you'll be punished with an entire week of cleaning duties."

"...Yes."

"Also, remember to maintain a smile at all times. Don't bring your personal emotions into your work."

"...Understood."

Qingque looked at Setsuna. The corners of her mouth twitched several times before she managed a strained grin.

She simply couldn't love and enjoy working the way the Royal Maids did.

Belfast, Sirius, and the others considered serving beside the Commander as natural and enjoyable as breathing.

Qingque just wanted to slack off.

"Ha! Not bad."

Setsuna leaned back on the sofa and stroked Qingque's pretty face.

"From now on, you'll be an apprentice maid alongside Ram and Rem. Study hard."

"Ugh..."

Qingque felt as though her future had plunged into endless darkness.

Twenty million years of work!

That was longer than the entire history of the Xianzhou Alliance. She suspected that if she genuinely cultivated for twenty million years, she might even become an Aeon.

Assuming there's an Aeon of Slacking Off who follows the Path of Laziness, or perhaps some kind of Dice Aeon who loves playing mahjong.

"Lord Sacrosanct, I-I'll do my best..."

"Don't look so depressed."

Setsuna teased her and casually dangled an enticing promise.

"If you perform well, or if I'm in a good mood, I might forgive part of your debt."

"I might even put in a word with the Xianzhou and arrange for you to become an Imperial citizen."

"Hmm?!"

Qingque instantly perked up.

She was still officially a Xianzhou citizen. She had merely gambled herself away to the Starsea Empire after falling into debt.

Previously, she had repeatedly asked Diviner Fu for permission to immigrate, but the Master Diviner had absolutely refused to budge.

Now, an opportunity had finally appeared.

As long as she could become a genuine Imperial citizen, the wonderful life she dreamed of would be within reach!

"Really?! Really?! Lord Sacrosanct?! What do you need me to do?!"

"Could you speak to the General and Lady Diviner for me? If you personally make the request, they'll definitely let me immigrate, right?!"

Qingque eagerly leaned closer.

"That depends on your performance. For now, focus on fulfilling your duties as a maid. Mm."

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