CDMGS 32🌻

Chapter 32

Upon reflection, the immediate concern wasn’t the business trip.

It hadn’t been long since I returned from the last one, and I had no suitable excuse this time anyway.

“I need to clean!”

Only now did the memory resurface—how outrageously filthy the area near the back gate had been.

Just what kind of mansion was this? Every time I thought I’d seen all of it, another hidden space revealed itself—always in a state of dreadful neglect.

The fountain had been that way, and so was the garden near the rear gate.

It was as if the land itself multiplied, sprouting new corners whenever I dared believe I had seen it all.

But once I noticed a dirty spot, there was no ignoring it.

Still, I couldn’t go alone. If I happened to run into those territorial monsters, I’d be outnumbered for sure.

So I assembled a group to go with me to the garden by the rear gate: myself, Eki, Jameson, and Alex. Four in total.

Truthfully, with Jameson’s tentacles and Alex’s long wooden arms, the two of them alone would have sufficed.

But Eki had clung to my arm insisting she come, and so four it was.

Then a dim memory of the guidelines returned.

**“2. All tasks must be carried out in teams of three.

Teams of two are acceptable, though not recommended.

Remember—if you work alone and something goes wrong, we will not be able to help you.”**

Because of this, I asked the others if it would be all right, and the reply was that it would be fine—if the Duke granted permission.

Fortunately, the Duke had given his consent without hesitation.

And so, we set out, more than adequately staffed to face anything.

Eki’s expression as she marched along was graver than anyone’s. Suspiciously, she had even brought a shovel along with her cleaning tools.

When we arrived, to my relief, the territorial monsters were nowhere to be found.

The cave, however, remained.

“……”

Once again, black wind howled from within, making it impossible to see inside. I forced myself to avert my gaze.

At least we hadn’t encountered the monsters—that alone was something.

I clapped my hands sharply to gather their attention.

“All right, let’s begin the cleaning.”

I had already decided on roles, recalling my brief inspection of the place last time.

I pointed toward a towering tree, so tall no one but Alex could ever hope to reach its crown.

“Alex, please trim away the branches at the top.”

“Yes, Head Maid.”

“Jameson, you’ll weed the garden and water the flowers that remain.”

“…Understood.”

Why so sulky again? Even his voice dripped with complaint.

Unlike Alex, who eagerly dashed toward the tree with sparkling eyes, Jameson dragged his feet, lips stuck in a pout.

Still, he crouched to pull weeds, grumbling all the while.

When his eyes happened to meet Eki’s, he startled and quickly ducked his head. His tentacles began yanking up weeds at double speed.

‘Ah… maybe Eki scared him with her voice before.’

It was that kind of thing—when the quiet, timid one suddenly lashes out in anger, it’s terrifying.

Perhaps that’s what Jameson remembered now.

Leaving the two to their work, I approached Eki and whispered,

“Eki, please sweep up the fallen leaves while checking around the whole garden.”

“Yes, Head Maid!”

Her booming response echoed, and she finally set down the shovel she’d been clutching tightly while scanning the area.

I couldn’t help but wonder…

‘She didn’t bring that shovel to fight the territorial monsters, did she?’

No, surely not.

Shaking my head, I watched as Eki armed herself instead with broom and dustpan, diligently sweeping up the fallen leaves.

A sigh escaped me.

Among the leaves littering the ground were the usual dried and withered maples—but also ones completely blackened.

Not burnt, not crumbled, but eerily intact in shape.

What in the world had happened here?

There was no one to ask, so I left it as a question in my mind while jotting notes into my report.

‘Task assignments complete. Cleaning progressing as planned.’

Satisfied, I set the report aside.

That was when Alex strode over.

“Head Maid, where should I put the waste?”

“In that bag over there…”

I pointed without looking—toward the bag I’d left open for refuse earlier.

Then I noticed something off.

When I turned my head, Alex’s hands were heaped with a mountain of dust—far too much for the bag I’d brought.

Even just that pile alone would overflow.

…Hmm.

The decision didn’t take long. I set the report down again.

“I’ll fetch some larger bags from the storage shed. Please just set it on the ground nearby for now.”

“Understood!”

Alex nodded vigorously. Even his head was coated with dust.

***

I made my way toward the cleaning-supply storage near the mansion’s entrance.

The Duke had graciously allowed me this shed when I first became head maid, and it had been indispensable.

“Five-hundred-liter bags should do.”

I grabbed five enormous bags, the kind once used in my past life for hauling industrial waste.

Idly, I thought,

‘Well, the trash by the rear gate is no different from waste that’s been festering for decades.’

I gathered a few more tools, until my arms were full to the point of nearly dropping something with every step.

Awkwardly, I kicked the shed door shut behind me.

Bang!

Yes, definitely closed.

But then—

“Hello. We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

A voice spoke.

From inside the shed I had just exited.

‘…What the—?’

A chill shot down my spine, cold enough to rattle my bones.

Clutching the cleaning supplies tightly, I braced myself against the unseen speaker.

The voice was familiar. I’d heard it before.

But I couldn’t answer.

Some instinct screamed that if I spoke, something would happen.

Knock, knock—

Clear knocking echoed from within.

I flinched so hard that the tools in my arms clattered against each other, metal against metal.

‘Ah, damn it.’

My lips pressed shut. No reply.

Yet the voice chuckled faintly, as if amused.

“I know you’re there. Won’t you open the door for me?”

“……”

At first I wasn’t sure who it was—just that the voice tugged at a memory.

But the more I heard, the clearer it became.

A face formed vividly in my mind.

‘The tea shop owner.’

Instinctively, I knew. Though we’d hardly spoken much at his shop, I was certain it was him.

But why—

Why was he here, inside the Vermanion Duke’s mansion?

Inside the storage shed I had just walked out of?

And worse—

It fit too neatly with the Duke’s warning: “Do not open the door.”

Every alarm in my head blared that I needed to flee this place at once.

But my feet refused to move, as though something held me fast.

I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Whoever was inside already knew I stood there.

Staring at the unmoving door, I forced myself to speak.

“Why are you in there? When I entered earlier, no one was inside.”

“Ah, I only just arrived. I can only come in with your permission.”

The voice came clearer, closer, as though its owner pressed right against the door.

I stumbled back, heart racing.

Permission?