This maid is a lie or a spy(Hey, that rhymed!)

After 30 mintues, Eliza came back and announced that the maids were ready.

You followed Lucius down to the first floor.

There, dozens of maids were lined up on either side of the red carpet all the way to the exit.

"You can pick one out on your way out.

All of my maids can drive, so whichever one you pick will drive you and your Character home as well."

"What about the car?"

You pointed out.

"Do I get to keep that too?"

Lucius chuckled, although his eyes didn't seem amused at all.

"Being greedy, eh? I can respect that.

But I know you don't have a garage to keep one back at your basic apartment.

Once you arrive at your home, the maid will set the car to auto-drive to send it back home.

So, you don't have to worry about anything."

Lucius pat you on the shoulder before going back up the stairs.

You brushed off where the man touched you.

Something about this whole ordeal didn't feel...genuine.

There was something more being plotted outside of your perception...

"Is there a problem, sir?

If you're having a hard time making a choice, you can take a closer look on the maids as long as you like."

Eliza said kindly.

You stepped down the stairs and walked over the red carpet.

Most of the maids smiled and waved slightly with their hands, but it was clear that they weren't really thrilled of being sent away to serve someone else.

And that was when the realization hit you.

'He said he'll give me a Character...but he didn't say anything about it being loyal to me!'

The Character's true ownership was entitled to their Reality Chip.

Even if you physically took one of the maids to your house, that maid will mentally be entitled to Lucius instead of you.

'That fucker tried to plant a spy in my household!'

You gritted your teeth.

Eliza was walking close behind you.

Juri was making sure she didn't come too close, which saved you from getting busted.

You looked around the maids again.

Since the contract was already signed, you had to pick one of them whether you liked it or not.

'I could try to re-write the Reality Chip, but that kind of surgery is expensive...'

Which meant, there was only one way out of this predicament.

'I need to find a Character that's going to be easy to sway over to my side on their own.'

The problem was, it was hard to distinguish what Character would be easy to convert to your side.

It couldn't be a loyal Character, nor would it be wise to pick someone that double-cross someone at first sight.

You needed to find the Character staying in the perfect grey zone.

A Character who was loyal enough to stick to your side, but also calculative enough to swtich sides if necessary.

Or a Character who's so aloof and callous that they don't care who their master was.

You scanned through the rows of maids, but nobody seemed to match the one you were looking for.

"Daddy? Is this going to take longer?"

Juri whined from your side.

"Yes. Shut up."

You replied.

Juri pouted and squatted down while hugging her knees.

"Can't we just pick that one? It's the maid that came into our room back at the Pantheon."

"What?"

You looked to where Juri was pointing.

"..."

Sure enough, between its coworkers stood Shizuku Murasaki.

She fit the requirement perfectly.

Not only was she one of the few maids that didn't wave or smile, but she also didn't show any detests towards you.

She looked emotionless as ever.

"You know what? That's not a bad idea."

"Alright!"

You turned to Eliza and pointed at Shizuku.

"I'll take that one."

"Very well."

Eliza bowed, then snapped her finger at Shizuku.

"You heard him. Escort your new master back to his home."

Shizuku nodded and walked forward.

"And for the rest of you, everyone back to work! Chop, chop!"

The other maids let out small sighs of relief as they scattered back to their posts.

"I hope it was a pleasant visit, sir."

Eliza bowed to you one last time, then went up the stairs.

"...follow me."

Shizuku muttered in a small voice, then headed straight to the front door.

"Home sweet home!"

Juri said out loud as soon as she got out of the car.

You looked up at the dingy apartment as well.

After witnessing the massive castle, your home felt so small and shabby in comparison.

For a moment, you wondered if one day, you could own such wealth yourself.

But as soon as the thought came, you shook it away. It was too ridiculous of an idea to cling on to.

Juri rushed into the apartment in a flash, no doubtly excited to see Tsunade again after two days.

"..."

Meanwhile, Shizuku stood still next to you after she closed the door on the vehicle.

"Weren't you suppose to set the car to auto-drive?"

"Ah."

Shizuku blinked, then hurridly went back to the driver's seat.

After a few seconds, she stepped back out of the car.

This time, when the door was shut, the car drove itself away.

"I forgot."

Shizuku said bluntly.

"I can see that."

You said in a strict tone, but in truth, you were more glad than anything.

Shizuku's forgetfulness was another factor why she was a perfect choice.

All you had to do was push Lucius out of Shizuku's head even a little, then she'd forget him in less than a day.

"Let's get inside. It's getting cold."

"May I offer you my clothes, master?"

"Uh, no thanks."

You waved away Shizuku's offer.

Shizuku stopped in the middle of taking off her maid outfit and tilted her head to the side, as if she couldn't understand why you rejected her offer.

Nontheless, she followed you to your apartment without saying anything else.