“Become my butler!”
The young girl’s words echoed in my mind as I knelt amidst a pile of dust that was once my comrades.
That’s right. I’m a soldier. Even more than that, I’m a child soldier.
Looking back at how it ended up like this.
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During the initial stages of the war, my parents were murdered and I became an orphan. With no-one to support me, I had no choice but to become a slave.
There, I was bought by a mercenary captain named Elgard along with 20 other slaves to supplement his troops. Despite seeing us as disposable, he seemed to pity us somewhat. Everyday we were rigorously trained with the sword and magic.
Despite the intense training, it was fruitless for me. I have no talent in magic. I can’t use any elements at all.
Instead, I have a unique ability called Decomposition. It’s a terrifying ability that allows me to turn anything I like into dust just by touching it.
As with all unique abilities, mine only awakened once I turned 13 years old.
It was terrifying at first. I woke up surrounded by dust, my straw bedding had completely disappeared. I thought it was a joke by one of the other slaves, but as I touched the tent doors to leave, the whole tent promptly turned to dust.
My mind was spinning at the sudden events. I fell backwards onto an equipment chest. As my hands touched it, it too immediately disappeared.
Realising the problem was my hands, I immediately held them up to keep them from touching anything else. I was scared of what would happen if I touched an ally.
Edgard who was awakened by the noise seemed annoyed at first, but after showing him my ability. He seemed extremely happy. He immediately took me, along with the other slaves to the capital, in order to have our status’ read.
For the record, my status was as follows:
Name Nero Aelfwynd Race Human Level 15 Status Strength 20 Intelligence 15 Vitality 20 Dexterity 20 Skills Decomposition ⋆ Swordplay ⋆⋆⋆ Cooking ⋆
I couldn't understand my status well at first, but Elgard explained it to us. The stars next to our skills indicated our proficiency with the skill. With 1 star being a beginner, 5 being an expert and 6 being a master. Evidently, I have no other magic skills other than decomposition.
Before leaving, I overheard Elgard speaking to one of the captains. Apparently, the elves possess a much more powerful seer's stone that can show even hidden abilities. I'd like to visit there at least once.
After that, I participated in many battles barehanded. I could no longer wield a sword. I was also isolated from the other slaves and forced to sleep outside, tents are expensive after all.
A couple of years later, I learnt how to wield a sword again from a travelling mage. He taught me how to create a thin layer or mana around my hands to prevent what I’m touching from decomposing. I can’t keep it up for long though. It’s extremely difficult to control and uses a large amount of mana.
Now back to my current situation.
We had been hired by one of the top nobles in the Kingdom of Altria, Duke Harrington, to support his levies.
The kingdom was currently embroiled in a violent war against a lizard like race known as the Dreck. They proclaimed themselves descendents of dragons and had the fighting power to support that claim.
They attacked towns and villages without mercy. Spouting nonsense about how humans had “tainted” the lands once ruled by dragons.
As such, we were deployed along with 15,000 other troops in order to suppress them.
Initial fighting went well. Although the Dreck possessed some level of intelligence, they were still considered a primitive race. Their style of combat involved ripping apart their prey using claws and shear strength.
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Because of this, they were fairly easy to fight as the magicians at the back could easily shoot them before they even reached the front line.
The issue began during the latter half of the battle. The magicians had depleted their mana, as well as their reserve of potions. Meaning it was now the front lines turn to fight.
However the Dreck were too strong, too violent. They decimated the front line almost immediately.
I, who was positioned in the centre lines along with the other members of Elgard’s squad, was in awe at such a sight.
That did not last long, as some the Dreck began to rapidly approach our unit.
We fought for hours. The centre lines held out for much longer than the front, but there were just too many Dreck. I had given up the sword midway through and was currently punching any Dreck that got close in desperation, immediately turning them to dust.
But it was in vain. Slowly but surely, my accumulated injuries caught up with me and I became sluggish.
Looking for such an opportunity, a pair of claws embedded themselves deep within my chest. I didn’t feel anything at first, the shock was too much. Yet, just like before. It eventually caught up with me.
The pain was excruciating as the Dreck tried to tear his claws across my stomach. I immediately touched the his hand, turning him to dust.
As I collapsed to my knees, I felt another pair of claws rip across my back, then another across my side, then another across my leg.
I could vaguely hear someone shouting my name as my vision slowly faded to black.
INITIALISING DIVINE SAFETY PROTOCOL
Those strange words marked the end of my consciousness.
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And that’s how I ended up here. Or rather, I don’t know how I ended up here, by all accounts I should be dead.
One thing I do know however, is that this is my fault. The dust surrounding me was too familiar, it’s the exact same dust that’s produced whenever I deconstruct something.
For some reason, my ability activated itself whilst I was unconsciousness. But it’s effectiveness is hugely different than when I ‘m conscious.
Not just enemies, even.....my friends and allies.....I deconstructed them all.....
“Become my butler!”
My chaotic thoughts were stalled by the introduction of a young girl around 12 years of age. She had white hair and stunningly beautiful golden eyes. I was briefly captivated by such a sight.
“Hey, don’t ignore me!”
This girl’s angry expression is cute, but I probably shouldn’t say that.
“I want you to become my new butler!”
Pointing at me with one hand on her hips, the girl loudly proclaimed so
“You’re incredibly strong! You wiped out so many people in an instant!”
I didn’t mean to though....
Although you couldn’t say I was particularly close to any of the slaves or mercenaries, they were still my allies, they didn’t deserve what I did to them.....but then again, perhaps dying by the hands of the Dreck is a far worse death.
Looking at the girl again, an old woman dressed in maid clothes was currently whispering something into her ear.
Suddenly, as if to realise something, the girl’s eyes widened as she instantly paled. She quickly stepped in front of me and deeply bowed.
“Ah.....I’m sorry.....that was insensitive of me. It was just so quick and clean, it’s difficult to believe so many people died in an instant....”
The girl appeared troubled over her own reaction. In comparison, I was also acting rather apathetic, so I couldn’t fault her.
Her face reddened slightly, appearing more bashful than before as she asked again.
“Will you please become my butler? We’ll free you from slavery and train you and everything.....I don’t know if you have a place to go anymore....but we’ll accept you”
The girl hit a rather sore spot. With my unit gone, I have nowhere else to go. My only other option is to return to the slave trader to get sold again.
Minding such a bleak future, then seeing the cuteness of the girl made me realise that perhaps becoming her butler wouldn’t be so bad.
I raised my body with such thoughts. We were both roughly the same age, however her eye level was only up to my chest.
“Lilia Elwood”
She proudly stated her name with a refreshing smile.
“Nero....Nero Aelfwynd”
“Then Nero. Demonstrate your submission to me”
I understood her intentions as her entire face had become as red as a lobster. I kneeled. Conjuring a thin veil of mana over my hand, I grasped her delicate hand. Then ever so lightly, I placed my lips on the back of it.
“Congratulations on your new found employment....my butler”
Showing a more dazzling smile than before, Lilia placed her hands over her heart as if to commit the unwritten covenant to her body.
“Yes Miss Lilia”
I replied in turn with a smile, praying my response was correct.
“Miss Lilia, we should leave soon. There’ll no doubt be an investigation by the Duke as to what happened. He shouldn’t find anything, since most of the evidence is gone. But we cannot be here when he arrives”
The elderly maid from before announced such a thing to us both. Despite the pressing contents, I was just happy I called Lilia the correct way.
“Then, let us return to the mansion promptly”
Grasping my hand once more, Lilia lead me to a nearby carriage.
Thus began my new life as a butler for Duke Elwood’s daughter.