Two days earlier, Higashino Makoto carried out a routine "personnel adjustment" in Novas Aetir.
Rita Rossweisse was reassigned to her post as a Guardian—
Naturally, it was not because she had performed poorly. Her one-month rotation had simply come to an end, nothing more.
"Understood."
Rita gave a slight bow. Her silver-gray hair fell over her shoulders, and there was no unnecessary expression on that ever-elegant, composed face.
But Higashino Makoto noticed that before turning to leave, she looked at him one more time.
"My lord, please take good care of yourself."
"Mm."
Rita's figure vanished from Higashino Makoto's sight.
The instant she disappeared, Higashino Makoto heard an exceedingly faint sigh.
So faint it was almost nonexistent.
But he heard it.
Then, the new secretary appeared.
Stepping out from another rift was a young girl in a black-and-red dress.
Her long black hair was tied into two braids that rested casually over her shoulders. Waterfall-like bangs covered the left half of her face, revealing only her right eye, as deep as a black hole.
Her skin was pale enough to seem almost translucent, and her cherry-petal lips curved slightly upward in a faintly wicked smile.
She wore a maid outfit utterly different from Rita's.
It used the same black-and-white color scheme, but the skirt was shorter, there was more lace, and the overall design was more elaborate and magnificent—like a character who had stepped out of a Victorian Gothic novel.
A strangely shaped flintlock pistol hung at her waist, its body covered in intricate runes, as she struck an odd pose.
"Nice to meet you—no, I suppose I should say, 'Long time no see,' Lord Higashino."
The girl's voice was clear and ethereal, carrying an indescribable sense of rhythm.
"Tokisaki Kurumi. Starting today, I will serve as your secretary. I