"So your Lord, Johan von Parseval, wants me to come over and negotiate with him about you? Hmpf, that's interesting. I didn't think somebody from the von Parseval family would be the on who employs you."

The three of them were now sitting at the food stall. After Johan ordered the maids to invite Rex to the mansion, they decided to sit and talk about it.

"Well, if that's the offer, let me think about it. I like you guys but is it really that big of an issue that I have to come over to your house? Contact your master and tell him that we should just negotiate on the phone."

Videl told Johan what the guy was telling her. It seemed like when mentioning even a bit of inconvenience he wasn't interested anymore.

'What a joke. Well, if he wants to put him on the line.'

She called Johan and told him the exact same thing again so it wouldn't come over as weird.

"Hey, it's Rex on the phone. I heard your offer and wanted to talk about it."

"Good day, Rex. How are you doing?"

"I'm alright. What about you?"

"I was doing alright up until my dear maid called me and told me about your offer. At first I was delighted to hear that somebody is interested in our precious maids but when you declined my offer to come over to my mansion I felt a bit disappointed. A man with such an incredible choice in taste should understand that an offer from the von Parseval family should not be declined."

Rex didn't answer for a second. Then he suddenly stood up and sweat started building up on his forehead.

"Aaah,... no, no, that might have come over the wrong way. What I meant was that I cannot come over right now. We should make an appointment first. A man of high calibre like yourself is obviously busy. I apologize if my answer might have been perceived as disrespectful."

Johan almost laughed out loud.

'What a load of bullsh#t!'

He knew these kind of people very well. They were everywhere. HIs father's business taught him a lot. From people who would suck up to you but the moment you went somewhere they would start gossiping. There were different names for these people. 'Leech' was one of them. It perfectly described what they were and what they did.

"No worries. I understand that you might be on a mission right now and coming over this suddenly was to bothersome. Let's make an appointment for this weeks end. How about Sunday?"

He didn't even tell Videl that he wanted to see him right away. That was something Rex himself came up with. But since Johan didn't want to waste anymore time he just conceded and continued the talk.

"That... that sounds perfect. Let's do it!"

"Awesome. Then we'll see each other then. Until then have a delighted rest of the day."

"You too, Sir von Parseval."

...

"Pffft hahaahahaha. That idiot actually fell for it. Well, shouldn't have been talking like that to you guys."

Johan started becoming more jealous. He wanted his maids to be close to him and vice versa.

"Then we will now call the driver and leave the convention. There isn't much else left to see."

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"Alright. Make sure to bring something home for me."

"Yes, Lord Johan."

...

"Heyy! Wait here! Yeah, you."

A maid with was screaming at the girls when they were about to leave. She had a completely black maid costume on and here hair was dishevelled.

"Yeah... what is it?"

The girl ran up to them and grabbed Videl by her shoulders.

"You guys... You already got the maids you wanted?"

"Yeah, we already chose the maids we will hire. Why are you asking?"

"Take me as well. I'm the best when it comes to doing laundry, cleaning, taking care of the garden, ironing clothes, heck I even excel at playing video games. You have to take me in."

She tried to make a cute face and even had teary eyes but her demeanour showed the exact opposite. Calling her appearance 'crazy' would be an understatement.

"Ahm, well, we don't really any more maids actually. I'm sorry."

"No, wait. I... I will do anything but please hire me. You would be making a huge loss if you didn't take me in. I'll easily do more work than ten maids together."

Videl was confused. She already had chosen the maids she wanted but another would hurt either. It was just that... she seemed a little mental.

"Thank you for the offer but we really do-"

"Please! Nobody else is taking me in and the convention will be over soon. You don't even have to pay me for the first two weeks. I'll first show you what I'm capable of."

"Look, we already said that we don't need any more people. Try asking other guys." Even Rachel got involved. They had to leave soon but somebody just didn't want to listen.

'Lord Johan. There is a maid who wants us to hire her but by looking at her demeanour she seems a little... insane. What should I do?'

'Interesting. That actually might be what I was looking for. Tell her to come over on Sunday. It'll be funny.'

Rachel and the girl were still arguing when Videl interrupted them.

"What's your name?"

"Eclipse. Eclipse Maurer."

"So, Eclipse, you're going to come over to this address on Sunday, alright?"

"Yes! Thank you! I'll be there on time."

Looking at Rachel, Videl said: "Let's leave. The driver is waiting for us."

...

After the call with Videl, Johan went to his black market dealer. He had to pick up battle items and look for some things that would help him clear the gate. when he went to the location, this time there was a lady there as well. At first he just came in and sat down to not seem suspicious, but the woman immediately caught on.

"Already drinking at such a young age?"

Johan looked up.

"Hmm? Oh, well, I was just waiting for somebody. I don't drink."

"I see."

She just turned around and didn't bother him anymore. Other than them there was no one else at the inn.

After a few minutes the same man he had bought the 'Core Cleanse' from came from the personnel room and went to the lady directly.

"So, Ms. Adelhardt, I looked for what you were asking for and it seems that one of our suppliers might have it. It will take a while, though."

He seemed a little agitated. Almost as if he feared the woman.

"Well, what a pity then. It seems like I will have to tell my husband to not do business here anymore."

"No, no!... I mean, please wait, Ms. Adelhardt. I will make sure that you will get it as soon as we get it. I will bring it over personally."

He started sweating. The moment she mentioned her husband his demeanour changed completely.

"You're making it difficult for me, Alex. One time you say this and the other you say that. You have to make up your mind. Next time be quicker."

The lady smiled through the entire conversation. When she left, the bald man immediately became angry but didn't dare say anything.

"This... This guy...-"

Only after she left did he notice Johan. He calmed down quickly and went to him.

"It's you. since when were you here?"

"Not that long ago. Maybe ten minutes? Anyways, I need some items for a gate that I'm going to clear. Here's a list."

He had already written down the things Bahamut told him to get. Some were easier to find whereas the other ones might cause some problems bringing to the table.

"I see. I'll get you some of it and the rest will be delivered. Anything else I can do for you?"

"I need a specific pet. A Rank booster who synergises with any element."

Alex opened his eyes wide.

"What? Are you crazy? Do you know how much these things cost? Sorry, I can't get you one of those."

'Listen, I know you can get them. I asked around a little bit and found out that you've already done some deals behind your bosses back."

"... You,... okay, you got me. I don't know if I can get this specific one but I'll try to do it."

"Great. You're really reliable. I will make sure to give some extra money for you."

"Ah yeah, thanks."

After giving the merchant his list, Johan left the inn. He then went to an underground train station where somebody was waiting for him.

"Ah, Lord Johan, you're here."

A girl was waving at him.

"Sora, you're already here."

It was one of his maids. She volunteered alongside some other girls to go shopping with him. He needed some new outfits for them but since he didn't have much time he told them to go beforehand and pick some up. He would then decide which ones they would wear.

"The others already went to a café. Let's go before the coffee gets cold."

"Sure, sure."

...