It was when I came to visit Alice at her miscellaneous goods store, and we were sitting at the counter, chatting about this and that.

  [Ahh~~ Right, right, Kaito-san. I’m thinking of implementing the Peerage-ranking Reformation that I mentioned before, and since we’re at it, how about Kaito-san come with me?]

  [Unnn? Ahh, about increasing the number of Duke-ranks that you had mentioned before huh…… That took quite a while to implement.]

  [Well, I’m preparing a lot of things so that information about this can sink in immediately…… It took me a long time to try to figure out if I could somehow, someway, persuade Ein-san in a decent way. Incidentally, as for Ein-san’s matter, I just gave up.]

  [……I have a feeling that the latter half was the main reason why it took time.]

  I see, if someone with Alice’s intellect can’t accomplish it, I guess there’s nothing that can be done about this…… It seems like having a Maid-rank is unavoidable. Well, I certainly don’t think Ein-san can be convinced otherwise, so I guess it can’t be helped if one says this isn’t something that can’t be helped.

  [Well, putting that aside, you’re asking me to go with you…… does that mean we’re going around certifying them, Alice?]

  [Yes, there are only a few of them anyway. And so, let’s go together! Mainly for my mental stability when I’m gonna tell Ein-san about her stupid Peerage-ranking…… No, I don’t feel like that’s anything like a peerage anymore……]

  [Reason aside, are we going right away? I don’t have any particular plans today, so I’m alright with it……]

  [We’re just gonna relay the news to them, so it isn’t like we need to be prepared or anything.]

  [That’s true…… Well then, let’s go after we finish this tea.]

  In a sense, this is supposed to be an important moment for the history of the Demon Realm, so I wonder if having this nonchalant conversation is really alright. But well, those titles were originally something Alice established to make it easier to manage information, so I guess this is just how it is for the person in question.

  With this thought in mind, I gulped down the remaining tea.

  [By the way, I’ve already notified those in my staff. Pandora and Pandemonium have been declared as Duke-rank.]

  [Speaking of which, you did mention how there would be two Duke-ranks in each camp…… What about in Kuro’s place? Putting aside Ein-san’s change in rank, are you also going to give two people over there Duke-ranks?]

  [Yes, that’s the plan. As for who they are, just look forward to it~~]

  After Alice told me this, she snapped her fingers and a Teleportation magic circle appeared beneath our feet.

  The first place we went to was Kuro’s castle. If this is the case, it’s needless to think about who we will meet.

  [……Kaito-sama and Shalltear? Is something the matter?]

  [Hello, Ein-san. I’m sorry for the sudden visit.]

  Yes, it’s Ein-san. Despite our sudden visit, Ein-san pleasantly welcomed us and after guiding us to the dining room, she served us tea and snacks…… I just had a cup of tea a few moments ago…… but well, I will just accept her kindness.

  [……It’s a flavor I’ve never tasted before, but it’s very tasty.]

  [Heehhh…… This is…… I see, you have successfully blended tea leaves that would normally have conflicting tastes using Nebula-san’s tea leaves huh.]

  [Hmph, a single sip and you’ve seen through it, as expected of my rival…… I see that your skills haven’t waned.]

  [No, please stop with that troublesome rival-designation.]

  Hearing the words Ein-san said with a rather aggressive smile on her lips, Alice responded with an unusually fed up expression on her face. Then, after a few moments, seemingly as if she had made up her mind, Alice told Ein-san.

  [……Ein-san, actually, since the number of Count-ranks is increasing, I’m going to change the criteria for acknowledging someone as Duke-rank and am planning to raise some of them to Duke-rank.]

  [Fumu, can’t you just do as you please? I mean, the Peerage-ranking management is entirely under your jurisdiction, isn’t it?]

  [And accordingly, I’m going to prepare a higher rank for Ein-san, who is currently a Duke-rank, so I’ve come to ask you to move up to that rank.]

  The fact that she doesn’t specifically say “Maid-rank”, even though she may have given up on it, somewhere in her heart…… She’s hoping that she’ll just agree without her needing to say the said rank…… and she would be able to change how that rank is called other than Maid-rank.

  However, reality is a cruel mistress, as the moment Alice told her those words, Ein-san had a blatantly displeased look on her face.

  [I refuse. In the first place, I am already displeased with the fact that the maid that I am is being called a Duke. Because you had insisted on it, I compromise in a way that I would not identify myself as such, but I also wouldn’t deny it when one refers to me like that. Don’t forget that I am making the greatest concession when I allow myself to be called by any title other than Maid.]

  I don’t know if I should say it’s to be expected or not, but she gave a firm refusal. No, for Ein-san who was that fixated about maids, she certainly may have been making a significant concession to Alice when she designated her as a Duke, even though she doesn’t go referring to herself as one.

  Seemingly as if she had also expected Ein-san’s reaction, Alice’s shoulders slumped down, as if she gave up on everything, and spoke.

  [……Your new rank is Maid-rank.]

  [I have no objection. I am in awe of your wonderful and wise decision. What are you doing, Shalltear? Quickly certify me as a Maid-level, High-ranking Demon.]

  It’s a refreshingly lightning-fast turnabout. Her eyes were shining so brightly that I wondered where her displeased expression she had earlier disappeared to, as her heartfelt joy was clearly conveyed.

  [……I now officially certify Ein-san as a Maid-level, High-ranking Demon.]

  [Wonderful. With this, I have regained the title most ideal to me.]

  In contrast to such an Ein-san, Alice, looking like she was the personification of resignation…… As I had expected, she looked somewhat reluctant, but there was no way she could revise things now.

  And thus, on this day, the position of Maid-level, High-ranking Demon was created above the Duke-level, High-ranking Demon…… and I also realized that I, who wasn’t even fazed with that happening, had a mind that was already quite contaminated with maids.

  ? ? ? : [Is having QuasiKing-rank or Grand Duke-rank instead no good……]

  Serious-senpai : [It’s not like it’s no good, but I don’t think Ein would agree to that.]

  ? ? ? : [That’s the thing. That’s seriously the thing…… Haahhh…… What kind of a face do I have to wear now when I have to say that the top of the Peerage-ranks is Maid-rank……]

  Serious-senpai : [……If we limit it to just this series, frankly speaking, it doesn’t feel out of place, don’t you think?]

  ? ? ? : [……That’s why I was so reluctant about this.]