Chapter 58

“As a result of a rigorous screening process, I have decided on this person.”

Perhaps because a major task was finally over, Torualina’s expression softened slightly. She must have felt a sense of accomplishment. As a reward, maybe I’ll let her take some paid leave soon so she can go to an idol concert or something.

“I see. If it’s someone you chose, Torualina, then there shouldn’t be any problem.”

In the grand scheme of things, while ability is important, it’s often more vital to have someone who can work happily alongside Torualina. Even if overall efficiency improved, it would be a problem if the atmosphere in the office became strained.

Generally, if a competent person is hired, the chances of Torualina harboring ill will are low (after all, her own workload decreases).

However, compatibility is a real thing. There’s also such a thing as “kinship loathing.” Sometimes, because two people have almost identical personalities, they end up rejecting one another.

“By the way, what was the final deciding factor? I assume there were a fair number of applicants.”

When you put out a call like this, people with similar abilities tend to submit resumes, making it quite difficult to choose. It has a complexity different from school exams where a large group passes.

“In a word: motivation. I felt a strong passion from her to work in this office.”

“Ho… It’s actually surprising that you’d decide based on such an abstract criterion, Torualina…”

“To be blunt, in terms of ability, my impression was that they were all much of a muchness, which made it hard to choose based on skill alone.”

Ah, I figured…

“The successful candidate repeatedly appealed to her desire to be of use to the Lord Demon King. I don’t think she’s the type to do sloppy work.”

Oh, I don’t know who it is, but that’s heartening. My sincere attitude has finally been recognized. Yes, a Demon King isn’t great just by birth. One is great because they continue to do things that make them worthy of being thought great.

“I’ll contact the successful candidate immediately. If possible, I’d like her to start as early as tomorrow.”

“I see. I’ll leave those details to you.”

With this, the workload in the office should improve. Good, good. What’s truly great is that if the workload decreases, I can spend more time with my family. I could even take paid leave to go shopping with them.

Yes, wonderful, wonderful.

And the next day.

At nine o’clock, the office door opened.

“I am Freise, and I’ll be working here starting today. I look forward to working with youuu!”

“I most certainly do NOT!”

A total nightmare has walked through the door!

“Freise will be assisting with the administrative tasks. She is quite enthusiastic,” Torualina explained matter-of-factly.

Drat. Torualina doesn’t know that there’s a troublesome person among the relatives. After all, that’s strictly a family matter…

“I will work so diligently that the Demon King falls in love with me! In fact, please fall in love with me!”

She has enthusiasm, but her motives are wicked!

“Heh heh heh. It’s easy to develop feelings for someone nearby. If this leads to a forbidden office romance followed by a ‘shotgun wedding’ scenario, there’s a real chance I could become the Demon Queen!”

At least stop saying that right in front of me. Keep it to yourself.

“Wait, is she an acquaintance of yours, Lord Demon King? There was nothing specific written in the resume.”

“This woman is the current Duchess of Dattle. She’s a distant relative of the Ryuzen family.”

“Was there actually a noble titled the Duchess of Dattle?”

It was at a level that Torualina hadn’t even recognized.

“Ah, Dattle is, well—you know that basin if you go north into the mountains from here? If you cross that basin and head further into the mountains, there’s a mountain village with a population of about seventy. That’s the name of the place.”

Freise explained while spreading out a map. You couldn’t even point out the location without a specialized, niche map.

“Whoa… that’s the middle of nowhere… The kind of countryside where the only thing they can boast about is having lots of nature…”

Torualina. That’s pretty rude.

“It’s so rural I can’t live there, so I’m renting a cheap room around here.”

Yes, Freise was the bottom of the barrel among the low-ranking nobility.

“Fine, whatever. Freise, please make sure you focus on your work.”

“Yes! I’ll do my best at the job of seducing the Demon King!”

She really doesn’t have much motivation for administrative work…

“I can’t help but feel I’ve chosen the wrong person, but what’s done is done. Let’s forget about it.”

So Torualina makes mistakes too. Or rather, she was deceived by that so-called “enthusiasm.”

“Freise, just work properly. As long as our workload decreases, that’s all that matters.”

“Yes! I’ll lead us into an affair after five o’clock!”

Who the hell announces an affair with such energy?

“Hey, Torualina, I think we should restart the hiring process. What do you think? I don’t believe this woman is capable of honest labor.”

In fact, based on her words and actions alone, hasn’t she met the requirements for dismissal?

“I understand how you feel. However, submitting the documents to fire this person and decide on hiring someone else would create more work, wouldn’t it? Are you telling me to do that?”

Torualina’s eyes clearly said it was too much of a hassle, so just use her as is.

It’s true that without a reason like frequent unexcused absences, an immediate firing is difficult. Even if such a reason existed, paperwork would still be required.

“Fine… I’ll endure it as long as Freise is working.”

I gave in. Surely, it’s better than having a cat’s help.

“Um, Lord Demon King, by the way, what’s your favorite underwear color? Is it black, after all?”

Looking at Freise as she pulled out a memo pad, I felt a headache coming on.

“Ask questions related to the business!”

The workload was reduced somewhat since the staff had increased, but a lingering sense of dissatisfaction remained.

I was truly made to realize that hiring people is an ordeal in itself.