Reenacting the Unsolved Case: And Thus, Death Smirks

"I regret to inform you that my master will not appear before you."

The mansion master's servant bowed to Mary and the others, attempting to return to guiding them.

"...What!? How dare you invite us here with no intention of even greeting us!! We have many questions to ask. If they're too weak to move, we can go to them–guide us to your master. And!! Tell us your master's real name!!"

"That is also impossible."

Kiss stood from her chair, apparently angered by the servant's attitude. Normally, a magician's words should take priority for servants. Yet this girl had refused.

"Calm yourself. While I understand your anger at being refused, a master's orders are absolute to their servant. She's simply being faithful."

Unlike Kiss, Diana remained composed. A master's words were absolute to their servant. The girl's behavior wasn't wrong.

"But we deserve an explanation for why we can't meet them and the right to hear it. If we can't meet them, this one will have to explain the inheritance matter."

"If it's that they'll only meet with one of us–the victor–I could accept that..."

Alcaiz added to Diana's words. He was anticipating some kind of competition between the four of them, including Mary, for the inheritance rights.

"...Lady Mary, do you share everyone's opinion? Do you want an explanation immediately? If everyone agrees, then here..."

The servant sought Mary's opinion. Apparently, she wouldn't explain unless everyone agreed.

"Of course Mary thinks the same–"

"I apologize, Lady Kiss, but I'd like my servant Ichi to rest first."

"Lady Mary!!"

Kaito couldn't help crying out at Mary's words.

Mary should have agreed with the three's opinions to avoid antagonizing them, but she apparently wouldn't compromise on prioritizing Kaito's health.

Mary must have noticed Kaito's unusual behavior from his eyes.

"Ha!! I'd heard of magicians who care for their servants, but servants are replaceable things. We don't have time to waste on such matters."

Kiss immediately objected. A natural view for a magician. Still angry from the servant's earlier attitude, her temper hadn't cooled.

"If we're truly to compete, it will likely begin after hearing the explanation. Like us magicians, I want the servants to face it in peak condition. We can't afford careless mistakes."

Mary responded to Kiss's objection without flinching. Rather than expressing concern for servants, she suggested that servant errors determining the outcome would lead to later regrets.

"Clever. A servant's mistake could be fatal, depending on the competition. Even if servants die first, there are no replacements here."

The Shinigami had thought Mary overprotective, but she proved quick-witted, appearing a step ahead of the other three magicians.

"...You have a point. Once we hear the explanation, we'll begin moving. We can't simply discard servants, and we need to consider when to let them rest."

"Even if we set rest times together, some might try to get ahead. Perhaps letting them rest first is wisest."

Diana and Alcaiz, considering future implications, heeded Mary's opinion.