Of course, my first instinct is to flee. Anyone would! The aura alone of that thing could probably kill children!

(Stay. Safe.)

…And then I skid to a halt.

…

The terrifying maid simply turns to face me and continues to curtsey, although I can see the faintest hint of frustration on her brow.

…

…

When did I start to trust Olive this much, and why?

(Compulsion. Must help.)

Ah. Then why do I just assume it's there?

My thoughts are interrupted when the monster woman addresses me.

"Welcome home, young miss. I am Alsenar the Haze of Night, a maid in service to Her Highness the Demon Empress Nemesis. You may refer to me as Alice, as does she. I have been graciously assigned to be your handmaiden and do swear to serve you well."

…

"She… assigned me a maid!?"

Alice chuckles. "Her Highness did indeed, and so I serve. In all fairness, as my new master I will inform you that my capabilities do exceed those of a standard maid. You may inspect me with your u-comm if you are so inclined; I will permit it. Also, you should take note of who exactly produced the device and offer appropriate gratitude."

"Well, since you suggested it… why not."

[Stheno (Ancient) – Alsenar the Haze of Night (Mage) – Level 1374]

I blink in shock, which she takes as her cue to continue.

"Yes, young miss. Only rarely does Her Highness keep weak company."

Something about the way she says the word 'weak' feels like it has… implications. But I'll ignore it for now.

I'll probably die if I don't!

Meanwhile, Alice just keeps standing there in that dutiful curtsey.

…

I have no idea how to talk to household servants… I've never had one before, for obvious reasons. Although I guess mom could've afforded one… actually, why is she working now? I'm pretty sure she's loaded!

"If I may, young miss," my personal maid interjects, "if you wish for me to return to my normal duties, you may simply excuse me from my obeisance, or otherwise simply allow me to be 'at ease' as they say."

"That's… really helpful, actually. Thank you, um. Alice."

"It is my deepest pleasure to serve."

…

"Then uh, just be at ease or whatever?"

"Thank you, young miss," she replies, her demure demeanor shifting to narrowed eyes with just the slightest hint of a wicked smile. "I do believe we will get along well, yes? You have much to learn, and I am eager to teach you. But first of course, one more gift from Her Highness… a silver summoning bell, which you will already find within your dimensional storage; as I am your handmaiden, I must always be ready to serve. And so, you may at your leisure use that bell to summon me. Do be aware however that calling me from this place will require a cost from me, and therefore a favor toward me – from you. As Her Highness has willed it, of course. You understand, yes?"

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Ah… ha. I see."

I am never using that accursed thing. Ever! I don't even want to think about what exactly Alice would want from me!

"After all, when I am not present in the dungeon my mana will rapidly deplete. Therefore the window in which I may come to your aid elsewhere is limited and comes with a number of costs to myself."

"Wait, dungeon!?" I blurt. "This is a dungeon!? Is that why it feels so… cold or something in here?"

The maid chuckles darkly. "You are feeling mana pressure from the presence of both myself and the core, which is hidden not far from here in a place not easily reached. Which of course would imply that I myself shall also serve as this dungeon's final boss. As such you may rest assured that in this place your safety shall be paramount among my responsibilities, in addition to your comfort. For now, however, as I have been dismissed…"

Alice's shadow distends, forming four perfect replicas in a V formation around her, all curtseying formally before she continues.

"I shall resume my duties as per usual."

One moves toward the mantle near the sitting area, producing a feather duster from her apron and beginning to work on the decorations there even though the way they reflect light implies there's no dust to clean…

Another moves down an adjoining hallway that I assume probably leads to… I don't know, bedrooms or a bath or hells, a murder room Alice is preparing for me.

The third begins fluffing the cushions of the furniture, although much like the contents of the mantle they already appear like they might never have been used.

The fourth turns to me and despite feeling like she might not actually be there somehow – is this illusion magic? – asks, "Considering the time of day it is appropriate to prepare you a meal. Will you be partaking, young miss? Her Highness has provided a fine selection, although considering it is your first night here I must insist on one of the better options – steak, served with flowering vegetables and a truffle gravy. It is a favorite of both Her Highness and First Queen Consort Artemis."

"That is… huh."

That's probably fancier than I've ever had, although I have a bad feeling… and also when it registers that the original Alice has moved to flank me attentively on the left, one step back from myself.

"What kind of meat is it?" I ask gingerly, anticipating the worst.

And she just chuckles again. "Why, juvenile terasaur, of course. It has been freshly harvested from the Savage Isle by none other than Her Highness' little sister Hyperion. If I may attest, it was indeed a fine performance of combat prowess."

"Oh."

…

That was both less and more terrifying than I'd expected. Just how many gods am I tangled up with now?

…

…

"Wait, did you say my first night here? I'm staying here?"

"But of course!" the maid chirps brightly, "Her highness has vacated the master bedroom – her own resting space – specifically for your use. Since she finally completed merging with her former self she no longer requires this portal home as a mana anchor and so has deemed it fit for your use. I personally would recommend using it as a movable safe area for dungeon use, though it may dull your ability to 'rough it', as they say. Convenient, no?"

"Maybe too convenient… but, um. I'm… not sure I feel safe here…"

Alice furrows her brow. "You could not be safer anyplace else, on any plane. Her Highness' orders are absolute, especially to one such as I – created by her own dungeon as a personal servant and guardian of her very castle itself! I am not capable of so much as questioning her judgment. And before you ask… I am quite aware that my satisfaction with serving her whims is implanted due to my own nature. That does not matter. I would not exist without her, and therefore I belong to her."

I… huh. That's completely full of contradictions, but I guess whatever.

(Trust. Safe,) Olive repeats as she hops onto one of the sofas near the fireplace, spins three times, and curls up.

"Well. Okay I guess."

"Splendid! Will you be taking your meal now then, or would you prefer a tour? Or possibly a bath, or to retire to your quarters for the evening? I can assure you that my abilities are of the highest quality."

It's hard to tell I'm actually talking to one of Alice's clones. At least I think they're clones… of some kind.

I can't help but ask at least.

"What exactly are you? I don't mean uh." I gesture to the Alice mostly behind me. "You specifically."

"Hm? I'm an illusion as a part of a Skill used by our original. That said, we are still fully able to interact with all parts of the physical world. You can consider me and the others to be parts of her, operated as though her own hands or feet."

I glance over my shoulder to see the… main Alice I guess, smiling proudly with a hint of smugness.

And her eyes still narrowed, as though some part of her is convinced she's far, far better than me.

Which I suppose by level alone, she absolutely is.

…

"I guess I could eat… maybe take a bath later… it'd probably be less awkward than in the dorms at least, with everyone staring at me like a monster."

Alice chuckles.

"Hm? Did I say something funny?" I ask in confusion.

"Simple," she answers. "You are a monster, as am I."

"…Oh."

"Yes. And as I indicated previously, I have also been assigned to teach you. The first, of course, shall be learning how to properly control your paralysis Skill so you will have no further need for those boorish glasses. Your abilities are not a point of shame, but rather strength. Embrace them, young miss. You are far superior to your peers, even now."

…

Well. There's at least that I guess.

Terrifying. Useful, but terrifying.

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