The Survival of an Inferior

"Uhm young master, Madam wants to meet you," says Amelie.

I nod and she escorts me to the second room.

"Hey, something is wrong with the young master." says a servant.

"You are right. He is still pretentious and rude but...Did we do something wrong?" says a second servant.

Marca glares at the victim and clicks her tongue. She glances at my back while grasping her skirt. 

================================ 

Amelie stops outside a large double room. She pushes it open and bows.

I enter before Amelie closes the door behind me.

...

The room only has a simple bed, wardrobe and dressing table. There is only one pot of flowers at the edge of the room; there are no excessive lustrous ornaments.

!!!!

I froze at the sight of a familiar face.

On the bed are a woman with pale skin, crimson eyes and long gleaming blonde hair. She wears a simple white plain dress. 

This room contradicts the entire mansion.

"Samuel..." She mumbles. She stands up when she sees my expression. "I...want to talk to you. Can I?"

"S-Sure." I broke character.

I sit beside the lady on the bed.

...

Awkward...

"Mother is worried about you. I heard that you offended the servants. Please, get along with them." The lady says. 

"Why?" I bluntly reply.

"B-Because...they take care of you. I don't want them to...do something to you. You were getting along with them fine, what happened?"

I grit my teeth and clench the bed sheet. 

"Mom, do you know about humanity's imminent extinction? Or at least humanity of this continent will."  I say.

The lady stares at me, not saying a word.

I didn't expect to meet this dangerous woman here. Her name is Maile Berry, a notorious sorceress that almost destroyed a kingdom before Rena stopped her. In simpler terms, she is an antagonist in "Elvis Arcane".

I sigh. I finally understood why she went on a rampage, Arsto is her son.

"I do know. But we have to believe in those that are protecting us in the frontline," says Maile.

Ironically that belief would have killed your son.

"Mom, have you ever gone out to venture Elvis after you were married to that man? Have you gone to the frontlines and actually seen with your own eyes...how devastating it is?" I say.

"I-I did in the past-"

"That's 20 years ago before the Demon Lord's revival." I blurt.

...

"Also, were you mopping the mansion and cleaning the dishes?" I say. I can smell chlorine and her hands have bandages wrapped. 

"Eh...Uhm..."

"Don't do such things when you have servants. We pay them." I get off the bed and head for the door.

"S-Samuel! What happened?" Maile asks with concern.

I glance back, expressing a worried face. "I've gone to the frontlines and saw many things. Realistically speaking, humans cannot win against monsters, limited by our physique and numbers." I pause for a while. "Something changed within me, I can no longer sit back and wait for death. I want to survive. So, mom, please take care of yourself too." 

With that, I left the room. If I play my cards carefully, I can use Maile as a strong ally. 

But my morals wouldn't let me. Why would a child put their parents in danger?

For the rest of the day, I spend it watching the servants and forcing them to do their job properly. I also gave Amelie the authority to lower their salary if she deems fit. 

At the same time, I watch their personality. The majority of servants came here not to work but to have a "holiday". The hardworking and genuine servants are all bullied.

At night, I draft up a plan, a schedule and some new policies in the mansion for the upcoming days.

I yawn and stretch my arm. My office consists of dusty bookshelves and tables, it's clear that Arsto did not step inside for a long time. I get up and stretch my back before going out for a walk. The dark eerie corridor illuminated by the moon exudes a calming sensation.

Among the darkness, I can suddenly see a burst of light coming from a room. I walk up to the room to see a braided red hair, black eyes maid cleaning the kitchen.

The door creaks open and she jolts, turns around and notices me. 

"Y-Young master! Is there anything you need?" she says, trying to hide her shivering hand. 

I put my hand up. "I won't do anything to you," I say.

The maid nods but she steps back, sceptical.

...

"Anyways, what are you doing?" I ask.

"I'm cleaning."

"I'm not blind. I'm saying why are you doing it at this hour? It's midnight." 

"Well...because nobody wants to do it."

...

I walk and come back with a piece of paper. The maid takes it from my hand and exclaims "A cheque?! I-I don't need this much!" 

100 golds are considered "much"?

"I will be implementing a new policy tomorrow. Servants will work in two shifts, morning and night, and anyone that works more than their designated are to be paid extra." I say. 

"B-But...well..."

I've checked her resume. Her name is Orca Silvee and she originates from a village in a Baron's land called Chael. 

I close my eyes and remember something. 

Right! There is someone I need to meet over at Chael!

I grab Orca's shoulder. "Orca, I will give you a short holiday to your hometown. In exchange, I want you to introduce me to a dwarf called Kasfo."

"Eh? Uh..." 

"I will pay you 50 more golds," I say.

Her eyes light up. "Understood. I will follow the young master's request but...my hometown isn't fond of you."

"...Because of rumours?" I ask.

Orca shakes her head. "Young master wreaked havoc in my hometown a few months ago." 

...

I sigh.

Arsto...how much trouble are you going to cause till you are satisfied?