Chapter 8
Isaac hadn’t just hired permanent staff who would be working with them long-term. Restoring a mansion that had been left neglected for so long required a great number of people.
So, he also hired a large number of temporary workers.
The temporary and permanent employees worked together to clean the interior of the mansion, replace wallpaper and windows, and swap out some of the furniture and fixtures.
Thankfully, though the mansion had been abandoned, both the building and the furniture were of such high quality that not much needed to be replaced.
The garden, which had grown into something resembling a jungle, was also cleaned up.
They pulled weeds, planted trees and flowers, repaired fences, and replaced broken tiles.
All of this progressed quickly and efficiently thanks to Isaac’s exceptional ability to assign the right talent to the right place.
“We’ve completely remodeled a bedroom, a playroom, and a study just for Miss Cecile. A bed with a lace canopy, cute dolls and toys, and books within arm’s reach everywhere! Isn’t it the perfect space?”
“We even created a play area for Miss Cecile in the garden. Look here— a slide made from shrubs and a wooden seesaw! The ground is covered in grass to prevent injury, and we’ve set up a flower bed that blooms all year round!”
Isaac and the gardener eagerly showed off their work.
Cecile wandered through the refurbished mansion with a pleased expression.
There were no cauldrons with automatic temperature control, no magic books that turned to the right page at her command, and no skeletal servants— but still, she liked it.
There was a sense of accomplishment in making a place that had been more like a haunted ruin than a home feel livable again.
After all, in her previous life, Cecile had mostly destroyed things, not organized them.
[Are you that happy, Cecile?]
“Well, if I’d done it myself, it might have turned out even better. But for something done by others, this is pretty decent.”
[For someone saying that, your face sure looks flushed. Your ears are bright red.]
Startled by Nibelung’s comment, Cecile touched her ears. Sure enough, her face and ears were warm.
To anyone else, she probably looked like an overly excited eight-year-old trying very hard to act mature.
As proof, both Isaac and the gardener were beaming at her with full-on dad smiles.
They looked at her like they truly believed she was so happy she couldn’t contain herself.
“It’s not that big of a deal!”
[Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Cecile.]
Nibelung’s voice sounded like he was humoring a child.
Cecile silently vowed that the moment her magical power increased just a bit more, she would put Nibelung back to sleep and never wake him up again.
Isaac’s final task was to organize the accumulated financial ledgers.
Fortunately, since the mansion had been abandoned, there hadn’t been much spending beyond a little for food, so this task ended quickly compared to the others.
“Is that everything now?”
“Yes, it’s all done.”
It had been a whirlwind three weeks.
In less than a month, what once resembled a haunted ruin had transformed into a stately noble residence, rivaling the imperial palace— an impressive result.
Cecile double- and triple-checked her to-do list and finally concluded that everything was perfect.
She looked up at Isaac, who was standing beside her.
Isaac grinned at her, then bowed deeply and held out one hand.
Cecile placed her small hand into his.
“You’ve truly earned the right to be called excellent, Isaac. You did a magnificent job.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Miss, for giving me such a perfect opportunity.”
Isaac’s tone was strangely subdued.
Cecile soon realized why he seemed more reserved than usual.
‘It’s because it’s time for him to leave.’
Their contract had been to restore the Bartholomew estate.
Now that the mansion was up and running again, his job was essentially complete.
If he stepped out of the mansion today, Cecile probably wouldn’t see him again.
That was to be expected. In her previous life, Cecile and Isaac had been enemies. They’d fought so many times to take each other’s lives that she’d lost count.
This time, they’d ended up working together, but fundamentally, Cecile was a dark mage, and Isaac was the aide to a holy knight. They were polar opposites.
So it was best to part ways here and never cross paths again— better than risking an unpleasant reunion.
Cecile had known from the start that she would part ways with him like this, and it wasn’t something she should feel sad or regretful about.
And yet…
‘Strange. Why does my chest feel so tight?’
Cecile briefly clutched her chest and let go.
There was a tight, sinking feeling in her chest— even though there was no reason for it.
Isaac looked at the confused Cecile and smiled gently.
He ruffled her hair and pulled out a file folder he was holding.
“This is my real final task— just finished.”
“What is it?”
“Selecting the new butler.”
The folder was stuffed with dozens of resumes and recommendation letters.
“I hired the other staff first, but a butler is more important than any other employee. They supervise all the others, manage the mansion and its valuables, and handle the ledgers.
So I took some time deciding who best fit this place. I’ve finally chosen. Now all that’s left is to report it to the Duke and contact the applicant, and my task will truly be over.”
“…”
“Shall we go together then, Miss?”
Isaac held out his hand to Cecile.
She hesitated for a moment before taking it.
Just for a second, it felt like taking his hand was the same as saying goodbye.
But there was no other way. And it wasn’t something she should be sad about anyway. So Cecile smiled and took his hand.
The two of them headed to the Duke’s office together. Isaac knocked on the door.
“Your Grace, it’s Isaac.”
“Come in.”
Isaac and Cecile entered together.
Seated at his desk was Duke Bartholomew.
[No… it can’t be. Bartholomew…!]
Nibelung’s shocked voice rang in Cecile’s head, but she couldn’t respond right now.
Isaac stepped forward and spoke.
“As per your orders, I have completed the mansion’s restoration— staff hiring, the refurbishment of the house and gardens, and the accounting. I have also selected the mansion’s future butler.”
The Duke’s imposing presence was as overwhelming as ever, but Isaac remained composed. He handed over the resume and continued.
“His name is Robert Blade, age 47, with experience in—”
“That’s enough.”
The Duke cut him off, and Isaac fell silent.
“You’ve done an excellent job, just as the contract stipulated. As promised, you’ll receive your payment— plus a bonus three times the agreed amount.”
Both Isaac and Cecile were stunned.
Including the initial payment, that meant he’d be receiving four times the original amount.
Cecile glanced sideways at Isaac’s face.
‘His brain’s running calculations at full speed.’
Just from his profile, she could tell his mind was bursting with mental fireworks.
“Th-thank you! I could never forget such generosity… in such a wonderful work environment…”
Isaac’s voice trembled with emotion.
It was only natural. Despite his immense talents, he had lived his entire life without recognition simply because he was labeled a heretic.
Originally, the first person to acknowledge his abilities would have been the holy knight, Valentine Kerberos. But thanks to Cecile’s intervention, he had been recognized a little sooner this time.
‘Even if he was once my enemy, it was painful to see someone denied their worth for such unfair reasons. I hope this time, he realizes his true value a bit earlier than before.’
“And as for the butler position…”
Duke Bartholomew glanced at the resume Isaac handed over and flicked it with his finger.
The paper fluttered to the ground.
“Ah!”
Isaac looked stunned as his hard-earned resume was tossed aside.
But what shocked him even more were the Duke’s next words.
“I can’t understand why you didn’t suggest the more suitable candidate. Is it because you lack confidence?”
