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Shwaaaโ!
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Clean water poured out through multiple holes.
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Tiles densely embedded in the floor and walls.
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This was the communal shower room in the worker dormitory of Duke Carius’s territory.
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Trevor stood there blankly with an incredulous expression.
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“This is insane…….”
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He could accept lumberjacks working an hour and resting 30 minutes.
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The job was extremely demanding and dangerous, after all.
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He could also understand providing work clothes, protective gear, and tools.
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It would help them chop wood better.
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But what was with this luxurious shower room?
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Pull the handle, and warm water flowed steadily for a while.
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The laborers washed off bodies caked in sweat and dust, even lathering up with foam.
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“No different from nobles.”
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Probably nowhere in the empire had such pristine bathing facilities.
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Especially those tiles on the floor and wallsโthey were incredibly smooth, however they were made.
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No matter how he thought about it, this wasn’t a facility for ordinary wage laborers.
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“What are you doing? Hurry up so the next person can wash. Quick, lather up.”
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As he stood there dazed, Bernard poured a thick liquid over Trevor’s head.
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Then he rubbed it with a rough cloth, and foam bubbled up enormously.
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“Enough. I’ll do it.”
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Not liking a man touching his body, Trevor quickly moved his hands.
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He muddled through washing like that, but an even more astonishing sight awaited outside.
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The dining hall on the first floor of the dormitory was laid out with all sorts of dishes.
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Bernard picked up a tray and loaded food onto it.
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Quite a lot, without hesitation.
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Trevor asked with puzzled eyes.
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“Is it okay to just take that much?”
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“As much as you can eat. I’m pretty big, so I need this much. You hurry and scoop some too, Trevor.”
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“O-okay.”
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He replied, but it made no sense at all.
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If food was self-serve, utter chaos would ensue.
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Unless it was a highly disciplined army, it was bound to happen.
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But contrary to his thoughts, the dining hall was utterly peaceful.
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People lined up in turn and leisurely ladled food.
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“This can’t be…….”
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Trevor kept tilting his head.
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In the Western Legion, mealtimes were always a riot.
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Everyone fighting to eat more.
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But here, the atmosphere was completely different.
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Like watching a noble banquet hall.
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Only those with no shortage of food could maintain such elegance.
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‘Hm? Come to think of it, is it the same here?’
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Trevor decided to be honest with himself.
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He had luxurious barracks and people serving fine meals.
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But what about the soldiers of the Western 1st Legion?
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Despite being imperial regulars, supplies were abysmal.
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They gave weapons and armor, but maintenance was on you.
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Costs borne by the soldiers, of course.
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“Wait, who pays for the meals? The lodging?”
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“His Grace the Duke provides that. So we can work hard.”
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“Even so, people get lazy quick…….”
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“No chance. Slack off, and you’re fired.”
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“How do they check? No supervisors around.”
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“He just knows everything. See today too. Everyone gave their all, no exceptions.”
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Trevor nodded slowly.
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This really made no sense.
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Everyone overflowing with zeal in hard labor?
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Even in the rigorously indoctrinated imperial army, no such unit existed.
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He couldn’t understand it, but for now, he picked up a spoon and fork.
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But what the laborers held was a bit different.
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“Why two of those long sticks?”
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“Ah, these? Chopsticks, used like this.” Bernard deftly picked up food and ate with skilled motions. It was unfamiliar but seemed quite handy.
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But Trevor, not used to them, decided on the fork.
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The food was flat bread, stir-fried meat, and salad with dressing.
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He normally wouldn’t glance at it, but the aroma was incredible.
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Enough to make his mouth water.
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Crunchโ!
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Wrapping the stir-fried meat and salad in bread, a crispy texture filled his mouth.
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“Hm?”
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Even ordinary food tasted amazing.
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Not just from sweating all day.
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The ingredients were good, and it was cooked with real care.
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“Pretty good, right?”
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“……”
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Trevor couldn’t answer Bernard’s question.
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‘Ordinary laborers eat food like this?’
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Compared to the serfs in Count Warren’s territory, the treatment was heaven and earth.
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After finishing the meal, people scattered.
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With nothing particular to do, Trevor grabbed Bernard and asked.
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“Where’s everyone going?”
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“Work’s done, so free time. Play if you want, or go to night school if you wanna study.”
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“Night school?”
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“Evening classes.”
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“Why study?”
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“Can’t be a lumberjack forever. When you get old, need other work besides physical labor.”
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“You teach that to commoners?”
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“In Duke Carius’s territory, anything’s possible.”
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“Huh!”
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An empty laugh burst out.
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The serfs in Count Warren’s territory didn’t work properly.
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All shambling like zombies, moving slowly.
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Until the whip came out.
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Naturally, Trevor had learned that only strong pressure made them obey.
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But here was different.
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Everyone moved autonomously, yet work ran smoothly.
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Not even a supervisor overseeing tasks.
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Saying Duke Carius knew everything.
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‘If that’s possible, he’s a god. All bullshit. Idolization gone overboard.’
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Trevor shook his head vigorously.
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No matter how he thought, this wasn’t right.
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“What if the thick-headed lot rises up together?”
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Nobles stuck to dumbing-down policies to prevent rebellion.
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Ignorance kept them from defying fate.
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“Rise up, what do you mean?”
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Having heard the mutter, Bernard frowned and asked.
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The remark seemed quite offensive.
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As Trevor tried to make an excuse, a group passed by in a rush.
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Seeing him, they greeted very warmly.
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“Must be that strong newbie we heard about.”
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“Thanks to you, material supply’s easier. Keep it up.”
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“Keep up those results, and you’ll promote quick. Hang in there.”
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Sudden words of encouragement.
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Trevor blinked in bewilderment.
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Until they turned the corner far away.
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Then Bernard’s uncomfortable face slowly relaxed.
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“No way it’d happen like you said. His Grace and us exchange what we need.”
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“What’s that?”
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“Hope and loyalty. Ask anyone, same answer? All staff ready to lay down lives.”
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“Why?”
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“If I die or get hurt, His Grace will care for my family. To the end.”
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Bernard emphasized the last three words.
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But Trevor still wore a dubious expression.
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It was the easiest way to buy subordinates’ loyalty.
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How many had tried similar in the world.
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Even the most upright could succumb to temptation.
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He thought such loose trust bonds were bound to break.
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“This’ll blow up in his face someday.”
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Trevor shook his head hard and trudged toward the dormitory.
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I sat on the office sofa, reading reports.
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Having been away long, I needed to grasp how businesses ran.
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But nothing particularly stood out.
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‘This is perfect?’
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Beyond maintaining status quo, it was self-developing now.
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And rules I’d set were firmly followed.
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Like employee welfare above a certain level and strict work codes.
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No work without clothes, gear, toolsโI’d ordered that.
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‘The issue is some hires I didn’t interview.’
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Actually, that process wasn’t necessary.
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Fire bad employees.
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I could see character info in the status window anyway.
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But frequent turnover would breed anxiety.
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Examples in moderation, stability more important.
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That’d make it a workplace everyone wants.
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It already was, but Duke Carius’s territory should be even more heavenly.
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A model for imperial society.
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“When I’m at the mansion, I’ll handle all interviews. Bring all potential new hires.”
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“Yes, then what about those selected while you were away?”
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“You picked well? But quietly let these go. Poor work attitudes.”
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“Heh heh!”
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Butler Miller Xavier burst into hearty laughter.
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Curious why, I tilted my head, and the answer came promptly.
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“There’s a rumor among staff lately.”
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“What’s that?”
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“That Your Grace has surpassed saint and reached divine realm…….”
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“What?”
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Truly absurd gossip.
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Even if I’d paid much attention, this was too much, no?
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Why react sensitively to mere rumor?
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Unlike Earth, real gods existed here.
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Priests borrowed their power for miracles.
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‘And they wield enormous influence in this world.’
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In the imperial capital, suppressed by emperor’s authority.
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Elsewhere, priests’ prestige easily surpassed lords.
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Some western small nations even let the church pick rulers.
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In a place with such high divine status, calling me what?
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“Overblown. Rumors have sources.”
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“I’ll clamp down on loose lips.”
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“Please. By the way, how’s that guy doing?”
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“Who……?”
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“The one here for community service?”
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“Ah, you mean Trevor Warren. Surprisingly adapting well.”
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“Really?”
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I’d sent him to the logging site on purpose, to give him a taste of hardship.
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Yet he’s fine?
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Thought he’d throw a fit about why he had to do this.
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Reading my puzzled expression, Butler Xavier smiled and replied.
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“Reputation among staff is quite good. Making work easier, they say.”
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“Huh! His calling?”
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Wasn’t he utterly willful from one to ten?
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Absurd, but I soon erased Trevor from my mind.
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Too busy to spare thought for such a guy.
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“Any more items?”
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“This is the last.”
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“What?”
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“A summons from the court.”
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“Whaat?”
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No, I’m the sole imperial chief justice, aren’t I?
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Who the hell summons me?
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For a moment, thought it was a prank.
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But the court-issued summons was real.
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Then Butler Miller Xavier relayed the content.
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“They ask you return soon. Too many trials, they’re dying.”
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“Can’t I not go?”
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“Your Grace.”
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“Yes.”
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“You must live long. Work hard, and all will be happy.”
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“……”
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I looked at Miller Xavier with an incredulous expression.
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Even him, influenced by the staff.
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No, but is there no way to skip work?
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Lolololol let the MC rest, god dang ๐คฃ